AGRICULTURE

Francis Akabanga is Municipal overall best farmer for Atebubu- Amantin

Forty-six year old Francis Akabanga from Zongo No. 2 emerged as the Atebubu-Amantin municipal overall best farmer for 2025 at the 41st Farmer’s Day awards held at Nyomoase a predominantly farming community in the municipality.

Date Created : 12/8/2025 : Story Author : Daniel Oduro-Stewart/Ghanadistricts.com

The winner, a Junior High School graduate who hails from Navrongo in the Upper East region cultivates 70 acres each of maize and cowpea, 20 acres of rice, 10 acres each of cassava, yams and groundnuts as well as 5 acres of okra. He also keeps 88 cattle, 150 goats, 200 fowls, 65 guinea fowls and 23 beehives.

Mr. Akabanga took home a certificate, a tri-cycle, one half piece wax print, 3 pairs of wellington boots, 3 knapsack sprayers, 1 radio set, 4 cutlasses, 3 bars of key soap, 6 bags of fertilizer and 2 bottles of weedicides.

In a welcome address the Atebubu-Amantin municipal director of the Department of Agriculture Mr. Bright Atta Boateng said the theme of the celebration ‘Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the future’ resonates with our collective aspiration for a self-sufficient and prosperous country.

He stated that the agriculture sector remains a key driver of Ghana’s economy employing about 38.3% of the total workforce and providing raw materials for industry adding that agriculture accounts 21% of gross domestic product.

“The feed Ghana initiative is a noble one aimed at increasing food production and reducing our reliance on imports. By growing what we eat and eating what we grow, we can improve food security, create jobs and stimulate economic growth” He said.

The Atebubu-Amantin Municipal Chief Executive Masud Musah Ayarba Thomas said the theme of the celebration amounts to a call to action for our collective survival, prosperity and sovereignty.

He said food insecurity has been a long existing developmental challenge for Africa further complicated by factors like climate change adding that Ghana can respond better to these challenges by encouraging increased local food production through innovative farming practices, application of appropriate technology and support for farmers.

The MCE indicated that as one of 50 selected districts countrywide, the municipality will be a beneficiary of the Farmer Service Centre initiative by government through which famers will receive mechanization services among others to boost agriculture
He also touched on the ‘Nkoko Nketenkete’ programme that aims at transforming household poultry production to promote food sufficiency and reduce the reliance on the importation of poultry products.

Hon. Masud Thomas indicated that government has released an amount of GHC100,000.000.00 to the National Food Buffer Stock Company to buy surplus food on the market at guaranteed prices to keep farmers in business.

Majid Abdulai, Abdul Salam Mumuni and Adam Kunamsi Abubakar emerged as Ist runner up, best crop farmer and best livestock farmer respectively and took home items like a motorbike and 2 double door fridges together with a number of farming inputs whiles Mr. Eric Aboagye who was adjudged the best agriculture extension agent received a brand new laptop computer together with other assorted items.

There were other awards for best youth, female and physically disabled farmers as well as SHS, JHS and primary schools.