By: Jeremiah Nutsugah
Madam Charity Akortia, who hails from the Agona West Municipality in the Central Region, clinched the prestigious title as the 2023 Best Farmer at the National Best Farmer Awards held in Tarkwa.
She shared her inspiring journey with host Kafui Dey on GTV’s Breakfast Show.
During the interview on November 4, 2023, Madam Akortia recounted her passion for farming, tracing it back to her secondary school days when students were allocated individual plots. This early experience, she noted laid the foundation for her agricultural career, starting with sheep production in 1998.
Highlighting her resilience in the face of challenges, she revealed battling issues such as drought, erosion, pests, and diseases. Presently, she grapples with water shortages, electricity problems, and other obstacles.
Madam Akortia credited the Ministry of Food and Agriculture for their continuous guidance, ensuring she utilizes technology effectively on her farmlands without incurring excessive costs.
The 39th National Farmers Day Celebration Awards Night, held at the University of Mines and Technology Auditorium in Tarkwa on Friday, December 1, honored the awardees, including Madam Akortia.
Encouraging the youth to embrace farming despite its difficulties, she cited her own example, having commenced her farming journey at age 27 without owning land. Now a landowner with various projects, she has employeds over 600 workers.
Her diverse agricultural portfolio includes a poultry farm with 55,000 Animals which includes rabbits, 467 cattle, 1,320 pigs, and 110 goats. In terms of farmland, she manages 33 acres of cocoa, 22 acres of palm plantain, 148 acres of maize, and 22 acres of okra.
Madam Akortia took home GH₵1 million sponsored by the Agriculture Development Bank, along with other prizes.
Madam Akortia appealed to stakeholders and NGOs for support, requesting technical assistance, adequate implements, and technological advancements to bolster her business and create more employment opportunities.
