By: Esther Adomah Osei
The adage “what men can do women can do better” does not seem to reflect in celebrating and awarding the hardworking farmer of the year. Ghana will select its best farmer for the year 2022 on Friday, 2nd of December.
The day is set aside to celebrate hardworking farmers who continue to provide foodstuff despite the challenges that come with the occupation.
During this celebration, the government, through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture identifies and award farmers in the District, Regional and National levels.
The day for the celebration and awards is set aside as a Statutory public holiday in Ghana.
In the last twenty years, Ghana has had only one female winner. Madam Afua Frimponmaa was the winner for the 2004 national awards scheme. She was 75 years in 2004 when the awards took place.
The male and female difference reflects the gender gap in the agricultural sector participation, including farmers and other value chain actors.
According to the Ghana Census for Agriculture (GCA, 2017), male agricultural holders out number females by 2.6 to one.
Below are the names of National Best Farmers for the last two decades.
YEAR – NAME OF NATIONAL BEST FARMER
2002 – Abudu Takora-Tubu
2003 – Kwabena Adjei Twum Bandoh
2004 – Madam Afua Frimponmaa
2005 – Edward Osei Nsenkyire
2006 – Mohammed Tetteh
2007 – Alhaji Abdul Salaam Akati
2008 – Dr. Simon Saku
2009 – Davis Naa Korboe
2010 – Benjamin Adjetey Adjei
2011 – Ignatius Agbo
2012 – Lamuel Quarshie Martey
2013 – Alhaji Awudu Karim
2014 – George Asamoah Amankwah
2015 – Ibrahim Musah
2016 – Robert Crentsil
2017 – Philp Kwaku Agyemang
2018 – James Obeng Boateng
2O19 – Charles Gyamfi
2020 – Solomon Kwadwo Kusi
2021 – Alhaji Mashud Mohammed
The theme for the 38th National Farmers’ Day Celebration is “Accelerating Agricultural Development Through Value Addition.” It will be held in the Eastern Region.
