By: W. K. Adusu-Ahorlu
AYAWASO Central marked the 41st National Farmers’ Day with a renewed call for food self-sufficiency, as Municipal Chief Executive Hon. Rudolph Collingwoode-Williams urged Ghanaians to embrace modern farming and support government efforts to reduce rising food imports.
Speaking at the ceremony held at the Accra Technical Training Centre (ATTC), the MCE praised farmers for their resilience and contribution to national development, encouraging them to adopt improved technologies to enhance productivity and secure Ghana’s food future.
He said the theme, “Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the Future,” reinforces the country’s long-standing push toward agricultural independence.
Hon. Collingwoode-Williams expressed concern over Ghana’s US$2 billion annual food import bill—US$350 million of which goes to poultry—stressing that the government, under President John Dramani Mahama, is committed to reversing the trend through the Feed Ghana Programme. The initiative aims to boost local production, improve nutrition, supply raw materials for industry and create jobs.
He disclosed that 25,000 bags of fertilizer have been released to 413 schools to strengthen school farming, while the “Nkoko Nketenkete” poultry project seeks to raise Ghana’s poultry self-sufficiency from 12% to more than 75% by 2028 with support packages for constituencies.
Despite its urban setting, Ayawaso Central continues to promote urban agriculture, including backyard gardening, rabbit and grasscutter rearing, fish farming, mushroom production and agro-processing.
In 2025, the Municipal Agriculture Department delivered training programmes, livestock vaccination, food safety sensitisation, and over 500 home and farm visits.
The MCE also pledged support for the President’s 24-hour economy vision, announcing plans with the MP, Hon. Abdul Rauf Tongym Tubazu, to reconstruct the Mallam Atta Market and designate a section as a 24-hour trading zone. He further urged residents to improve sanitation and honour their levies to strengthen local development.
Outstanding farmers were honoured at the event, including Hamidu Seidu (Best Crop Farmer), Abdul-Razak Osumanu (Best Livestock Farmer), Norbet Eddie Nortey (Best Poultry Farmer), Redeemer Preparatory School (Best Institution), Dawud Abdul-Jalil (Best Youth Farmer), and the Ayawaso Central Poultry Farmers Cooperative Society Ltd. (Best Organiser Group).
The MCE congratulated all awardees and thanked partners for supporting the celebration, wishing the nation a happy Farmers’ Day.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
