It was organized by the Atebubu traditional council in collaboration with the two yam societies in the district namely; the Atebubu Cooperative Yam Producers and Marketing Society Limited and Peace Cooperative Food Farming and Marketing Society.

It involved the pouring of libation and the slicing and scattering of yams at the two yam markets to purify them in order to them make for vibrant yam production and marketing activities during the year

Yams being cut into pieces in readiness for spreading

The Atebubu-Amantin district is a leading producer of yam in the country producing about 89,864 tons of the commodity last year. Traders from other parts of the country and beyond converge in Atebubu each week to take advantage of the Monday yam market.

It also plays a very important role in the local economy in terms of incomes for farmers and traders as well as revenue to the district assembly.

The Atebubu-Amantin district Chief Executive Hon. Edward Owusu who was present at the ceremonies to mark the event asked the people to embrace the ‘planting for food and jobs’ programme of government adding that the district’s share of the ‘one district one factory’ initiative is in the offing.

Pouring of libation at the Kokom

He said traders who constitute themselves into groups could benefit from a Micro and Small Loans Centre MASLOC facility to expand and improve their businesses.

The DCE said to ensure the development and growth of the two yam markets in Atebubu his administration has together with the security agencies put in measures which has led to a reduction in armed robbery cases on the Ejura-Atebubu-Yeji highway and promised to deal with a rubbish dump that poses a threat to the health of the traders at the ‘Bayere bode’ market.

In response to demands made by executives of the two societies the DCE promised to provide drains for the ‘bayere bode’ market to deal with flooding during rains and expand a bridge at the ‘kokomba’ market to make for easy traffic to and from the market.

Present were the district cooperatives officer Mr. George Osei Darko, district chief farmer Mr. Amadu Kwasi, market queens and executives of the local yam haulers association.