Solomon Kojo Kusi from the Jomoro District in the Western Region has been adjudged the National Best Farmer for 2020.
He took home ¢57,000.00 as his prize at the 36th edition of the National Farmers Day which was held at Techiman in the Bono East region with issues of COVID-19 dominating the ceremony.
A former staff of GBC, George Lawson, was adjudged best in Tree Crops. Mr. Kusi admitted that farmers are going through trying times this COVID-19 era and pledged to use his status as Best Farmer to help his colleagues.
President Akufo-Addo said Ghana did not face food shortage during the pandemic and expressed appreciation to farmers for producing enough to feed the nation despite the harsh conditions. He said Ghana is now known as an exporter rather than importer of food and this can be attributed to policies put in place by government under his leadership.
President Akufo-Addo said government has targeted a projected revenue of more than $14 billion annually from a number of crops.
The Bono East Regional Minister, Kofi Amoakohene, described farmers as frontline staff who play crucial roles in the fight against Covid-19. It is for this reason that the Minister was happy that the Awards ceremony went ahead despite the pandemic.
Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Elizabeth Afoley-Quaye said Covid-19 has made the importance of farmers clear for all to see. For this reason, farmers should henceforth be at the forefront of Ghana’s developmental agenda. Madam Afoley-Quaye announced that the policy, Aquaculture for Food and Jobs has been rolled out in 13 out of the 16 regions.
Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie-Akoto said government spent more than ¢600 million to improve agriculture in the last four years. According to him, this is unprecedented and demonstrates government’s commitment to the development of Agriculture in Ghana.
