A Chaotic Farmers' Day

Friday, December 7, 2001, the NPP government squandered a golden opportunity to showcase the first anniversary of Election 2000, by putting up a highly amateurish performance at the 17th National Farmers Day celebrations. At times embarrassing, at times downright incompetent, the celebrations plodded from one discordant note to the other and ended almost in an anticlimax. Even diehard supporters of the NPP The Accra Mail spoke to agreed that it was probably the worst organised Farmers Day ever.

The theme of the celebrations was, "Let Us Grow What We Eat, Eat What We Can and Can What We Cannot".

Nana Matthew Kwesi Bonsu of the Juabeso Bia District in the Western Region, was adjudged the national best farmer and was awarded a three-bedroom house to be built by the Agricultural Development Bank at a location of his choice.

Mohammed Gonja of Asuokaw in the West Akyem District of the Eastern Region, and Augustine Sosi of Abrewanko in the Nkwanta District of the Volta region, received a pick-up vehicle each and other prizes as the first and second runners-up respectively.

The Vice President, Alhaji Mahama who was the guest of honour said farming had to be made attractive to all professionals and young people, if the nation was to succeed in its effort to achieve food security.

The winners of the three top national best farmers' awards expressed their gladness over winning the awards, describing them as "very rewarding to our efforts."

By coincidence, the celebrations coincided with the first anniversary of Election 2000, the elections that brought the NPP to power.