THE NORTH GONJA DISTRICT ASSEMBLY CELEBRATED FARMERS’ YESTERDAY FRIDAY 06/11/2020 IN MANKARIGU….
The North Gonja District Assembly yesterday Friday 06/11/2020 celebrated her esteemed and gallant farmers at MANKARIGU as part of the NATIONAL FARMERS’ DAY CELEBRATION, the 36TH FARMERS’ DAY celebration had “Ensuring Agribusiness Development Under Covid-19 Opportunities And Challenges” as the THEME for the year 2020, as a result of the impending national elections on 7th December, 2020, it has become necessary for the celebration taking place yesterday as fixed by the National Farmers’ Day Planning Committee as it used to be on the 1st Friday of December every year. The nationwide ceremony recognises and appreciates the contribution of the ever hardworking FARMERS and FISHER folks for their front line role in ensuring food security and development of mother Ghana.
The ceremony at Mankarigu attracted people from all walks of life in that zone amid singing, dancing and showcasing of raw food stuff varieties in commemoration and excitement hosting such a national event for the first time. The programme kick started with the arrival of the Chief Executive Officer of the District Hon Adam Eliasu Red Bawa flanked by Hon Alhaji Mahama Asei Seini (NPP PC for Daboya/Mankarigu), Presiding Member of the North Gonja District Mr. Salifu Musah and some NPP Daboya/Mankarigu constituency executives led by Mr. Yahaya Kassim. The DCD Mr. Alhaji Abukari Alidu Giwa who was billed to equally receive a national award in Techiman was heavily represented by Mr. Nuhu Bawa (An assistant DCD) and Mr. Alhaji Zakaria Mahama (District Finance Officer). The District Director of Agriculture Mr. Sualey Abubakari and his team of officers were visible and busy throughout, Hon Assembly members, Chiefs and Imams of the community were all present.
Mr. Sualey Abubakari, the District Agriculture Director in his speech outlined a lot of interventions, services and challenges of his department. Key among them include;
1. Along the value chain, about 14,129 farmers (7,873 males, 6,256 females) have been reached by farm and home visits of agric extension agents through its improved agriculture technologies to farmers.
2. A 6.4 hectares of demonstration field comprising soybeans, maize, rice and conservative agriculture were also established.
3. Education on the observation of health protocols on Covid-19 to ensure full awareness and precautions by farmers.
4. Embarking on Radio sensitization and education on best agriculture practices in the Gonja, Mampruli, Dagbanli and Tampulima dialects.
The DCE, Hon Adam Eliasu was full of praise for the Ghanaian farmer especially from the North Gonja District. He provided a detailed account of the efforts of government so far in the last 4yrs to make farming an attractive and profitable business whiles feeding the nation, aside the laudable PfJ, PERD, RfJ, agric commodity market projects and interventions of the Akuffo Addo government, he mentioned the massive roadwork constructions going on and the rural electrification in the district as plans to help farmers in accessing market centres whiles making good use of the opportunities that electricity provides.
The categories and winners of the various awards are as follows;
1. District Best Farmer – Buntu Ibrahim from Mankarigu.
2. 1st Runner up – Basiru Mahama from Yagbon.
3. Best crop farmer – Braimah Abubakari from Kparia.
4. Best livestock farmer – Wanaa Ibrahim from Tinsungu.
5. Physically challenged farmer – Achili Jamani from Mankarigu.
6. Best fisher man – Adamale Amewuga from Guo fishing camp.
7. Best women group – Ati-Zim chi women from Sakpege No 1.
8. Best agribusiness women group – Dalili women group from Mankarigu.
9. Best sheanut picker – Hawa Banuha.
10. Best agric extension assistant – Abraham Wusah.
They walked away with various prices as indicated in the pictures below for their efforts. Also find below the speech delivered the Hon DCE in full text below….
SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE HON.ELIASU ADAM DISTRICT CHIEF EXECUTIVE FOR NORTH GONJA DISTRICT ASSEMBLY AT THE 36TH NATIONAL FARMERS’ DAY CELEBRATION AT MANKARIGU, ON FRIDAY 6TH NOVEMBER 2020.
Mr. Chairman, Hon. Member of Parliament for Daboya/Mankarigu Constituency, Hon. Assembly Men and Women Present, Our Revered Chiefs Present, Heads of Departments and Institutions, Our Noble Farmers and Awardees, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great pleasure addressing you on the Occasion of the 36th National Farmers’ Day (NFD) Celebration, which comes off today under the theme: ENSURING AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT UNDER COVID-19-OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES.As a result of the impeding National elections on 7th December,2020, it has become necessary for the celebration taking place today as fixed by the National Farmers’ Day Celebration Planning Committee, as it used to be on the first Friday of December, every year, which started in 1985 to recognized and appreciate the contribution of our hard working farmers and Fisher folks to food security and economic development of the country. The National event is being held at Techiman in the Bono East Region.
Mr. Chairman,the theme is carefully selected to reflect the important role agriculture sector contribute to the economic development of the nation and also to re-emphasize its contribution to all the other sectors of economy. The Agriculture sector is the main backbone of the country since independence and contribute significantly to the nation’s development by way of employment and revenue generation for the nation. Agriculture contributes 19.7% Ghana’s current gross domestic product (GDP) and accounts for 30% of export earnings and serves as a major source of inputs to our manufacturing industry.
Mr.Chairman, the lessons of Covid-19 has brought about the awareness to build a robust food systems that ensures resilience and over dependence on food imports. The outbreak of the pandemic with its panic and fear disrupted economic activities, tested Ghana’s resilience and food security vulnerability. Indeed, the country’s ability to respond to the challenges has undoubtedly vindicated the priority placed on agriculture by the current government.
Again the agriculture sector employs about 44% of the nation’s labour force. However, focus today is to see the agriculture sector as business that responds to the economic growth and not just subsistence farming just only to the feed family.
The transformation of the country’s economy is attainable through Ensuring Agribusiness Development under Covid-19-Opportunities and Challenges, hence the essence of this year’s theme, for the agriculture sector is expected to stimulate and drive new development agenda to attract investment from both public and private sectors and create more jobs especially for the youth.
Mr.Chairman Ladies and Gentlemen, The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has since 2017 came up with the Planting for Food and Jobs Programme, followed by Planting for Export and Rural Development (PERD) and currently Rearing for Food and Jobs (RFJ) all in an effort to address the food security challenges in the country.
The North Gonja District since the inception of the PFJ and PERD, 9,697 farmers (8526 males,1171 females) benefited from the government farm input subsidy, whiles improved seed beneficiaries stood as 1,484 (1,223 males,261 females) and 71,720 cashew seedlings and some grafted mango seedlings were distributed to 668 farmers (548 males.120 females).
I’m happy to announce to you that under RFJ Programme,the District is to receive 400 improved cockerels to be distributed to 40 people to start the programme.More will be supplied in subsequent ones.Again,we are expecting some small ruminants very soon to beef up the RFJ in the District.
On this note Mr.Chairman,Ladies and Gentlemen, let’s say a big thank you to our hard working farmers for feeding Ghana and also significantly contributing to the economic development of the nation in the midst of Covid-19. And to our award winners, I say congratulations.
I thank all for participating in the 36th National Farmers’ Day celebration in Mankarigu.
Ridwan Abubakari
(Aide/PRO To Hon Adam Eliasu – DCE NGDA).
