Ghana marked its 41st National Farmers’ Day on Friday, December 5, recognizing outstanding contributions to the country’s agriculture sector.
The overall national best farmer, an 82-year-old from the Kwahu Afram Plains South District in the Eastern Region, received GH¢1.2 million, along with a tractor, power trailers, a motorized sprayer, and a commemorative plaque, for decades of dedication to cocoa, mango, and cashew cultivation.
While the celebration highlights remarkable success stories, it also underscores ongoing challenges faced by farmers across the country. Erratic rainfall and unpredictable weather patterns continue to affect planting and harvesting schedules, with many small-scale farmers struggling to afford irrigation systems that could mitigate these impacts.
Access to modern farm inputs and equipment remains uneven. Programs like Nkoko Nkitinkiti, which distributes poultry to boost local production, and community seed banks are helping, but many farmers still rely heavily on government support to increase productivity.
Environmental concerns, including illegal mining that pollutes water sources, further threaten yields in certain regions, while attracting and retaining younger generations in agriculture remains a critical issue, especially as older farmers continue to dominate national awards.
Despite these challenges, the ceremony is a moment to celebrate the true heroes of the soil, whose dedication ensures Ghana’s food security and sustains rural livelihoods. Their resilience, hard work, and innovation deserve recognition, even as the sector navigates structural, environmental, and climate-related obstacles.
Other category winners were also celebrated. Osmanu Kadri (Greater Accra) was named 1st Runner-Up, Charles Gyato (Volta) 2nd Runner-Up, Grace Owusuaa (Ashanti) National Best Female Farmer, and Ruben Asare (Bono East) National Best Youth Farmer.
The awards serve both to reward excellence and encourage innovation, signaling the government’s commitment to enhancing productivity, promoting climate-resilient practices, and strengthening Ghana’s food security, even as the sector faces ongoing challenges.
