MP commends PNDC/NDC government

Nkoranza (B/A), Dec. 8, GNA - Major Derek Oduro (rtd), MP for Nkoranza North, has commended the PNDC/NDC government for instituting the national farmers' day celebration to boost the morale of the country's farmers in appreciation of their contributions to national development.

Addressing a rally of farmers and the people at Akonkonti to mark the district's celebration of the 23rd annual national farmers' day, he said the sterling contributions of farmers to the socio-economic development of the country could not be over-emphasized.

The MP also commended the NPP government for recognizing the relevance of the Day and supporting it, which, he said, was a mark of good governance and urged it to continue with policies that would ensure the maximum use of the nation's resources for the benefit of the people. Mr. James Kwabena Appiah-Awuah, District Chief Executive, advised farmers to attach importance and seriousness to their activities to acquire the needed resources that would help improve their living conditions.

"The government of the NPP has the welfare of farmers at heart and this can be seen in the construction of roads in all communities to facilitate their movements as well as their farm produce to marketing centres", he added.

The DCE announced that the Assembly had purchased six tractors to support the youth registered in the agriculture sector of the National Youth Employment Programme.

He cautioned those who had made it their practice to use poisonous chemicals to fish in river bodies in the area, as well as those who would set bush fires, to desist from the practice or when caught would be dealt with severely.

Mr. Appiah-Awuah later presented 100 cutlasses, 100 pairs of Wellington boots and 100 bars of key soap to 100 fire volunteers in the district to boost their morale to help combat bushfires during the harmattan season.

Mr. MacLawrence Ahiadu, District Director of Agricultural Services noted that the major challenge that faced farmers was the increasing degradation of the environment through human activities, which needed to be reduced to sustain agriculture.

He called for the processing and packaging of crops such cocoa, maize, cashew and honey to add value to them for both local consumption and for export.

The District Director commended the Assembly for providing GHC9000 (90 million cedis) in support of the farmers' day programme. Mr. Nicholas Dodoo, 47, from Busunya was adjudged the best district farmer and took home a motor bike, five cutlasses, a box of key soap, a wireless set, a piece of wax print and a certificate of merit. Thirty-four other deserving farmers in poultry, livestock and crop production were presented with bicycles, cutlasses, Wellington boots, pieces of wax print.