EVERY year, on the first Friday of December, Ghana pauses to honour the hardworking men and women who feed the nation. This year is no different. The 41st National Farmers’ Day celebration, scheduled for Friday, 5th December 2025, will be held in Ho, the vibrant capital of the Volta Region. As the country prepares for this important national event, the La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly (LaDMA) proudly stands with the rest of Ghana to celebrate its own farmers.
Though LaDMA is just about fifteen years old—carved out of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly—the municipality deeply appreciates the vital role farmers play in ensuring food security and supporting national development. Farmers’ Day is a reminder of their dedication, courage, and unwavering contribution to the growth of our communities.
Agriculture in a Unique Urban Setting
La Dade-Kotopon is located right in the heart of Accra, where available land for commercial farming is extremely limited. But this challenge has not discouraged the people. Instead, it has inspired innovation. According to the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Hon. Alfredos Nii Anyetei, residents have embraced urban farming as a practical way of contributing to food production within the municipality.
Across neighbourhoods, especially around the Kpeshi Lagoon enclave at Tse-Addo, residents creatively use small spaces to grow crops and raise animals. These backyard and small-scale farms may not be huge, but they have become an important part of household food supply.
Neatly arranged gardens produce carrots, cabbage, spring onions, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and other vegetables essential for healthy meals. These efforts help families reduce food costs while ensuring access to fresh produce.
Livestock Rearing: Small but Significant
Livestock rearing also plays a role in the municipality’s food system. Many residents keep goats, sheep, rabbits, poultry, and even a small number of cattle. These activities support local food vendors, market women, and small businesses that rely on a steady supply of fresh animal products.
Assembly Support: Knowledge, Tools, and Encouragement
The Agriculture Department of LaDMA continues to provide strong support to these urban farmers. Extension officers move from home to home, interacting with crop growers and livestock keepers. They offer training in modern and safe farming practices—soil management, pest control, good animal hygiene, and proper chemical use.
Where necessary, the department supplies improved seedlings, fingerlings, and technical guidance to farmers. These interventions help boost productivity and household income, especially for families that depend on their small farms for both food and livelihood.
Celebrating Farmers’ Creativity and Resilience
The farmers of La Dade-Kotopon may not cultivate vast lands, but they make exceptional use of every little space available. Their story is one of creativity and resilience—proof that agriculture can thrive even in a densely populated urban environment.
As Ghana gets ready for the grand celebration in Ho, LaDMA—under the leadership of Hon. Alfredos Nii Anyetei—encourages all residents to appreciate the role of local farmers. The Assembly remains committed to promoting safe and sustainable urban agriculture so that, even in the centre of the city, farming continues to improve lives.
La Dade-Kotopon may lack expansive farmlands, but it proudly celebrates farmers who turn small spaces into meaningful harvests. On this Farmers’ Day, we salute every one of them for their hard work, innovation, and contribution to food security.
AUTHOR: EFO WITTY KWAKU ADUSU
Source: NationalTymes.com
