Government to set up agro-processing plants in Mfantseman

Nsamfo (C/R), Dec. 04, GNA - Government would collaborate with citrus and oil palm processing Companies in the Nsamfo municipality of the Central Region to arrest post-harvest losses.

Mr Henry Kweku Hayfron, Municipal Chief Executive, who announced this at the 26th Farmers Day celebration at Nsamfo, near Anomabo, said the Assembly was also searching for investors to partner government and the assembly to support farmers and fishermen for optimum production. He said a cold storage facility had been provided for fishermen to preserve their catch at Kormantse.

The MCE was not happy that the efforts of the hard working farmers and fishermen in the area had not brought any meaningful change in their lives, adding that, it was the main reason why the youth were not interested in agriculture as a business.

Mr Hayfron said the theme for the celebration of the Day, "Grow more food" was in line with government's policy of cutting down drastically on food imports and appealed to Ghanaians to patronize locally produced foods. He said the Cape Coast University, in collaboration with the Mfantseman Assembly, would establish a Fisheries School at Anomabo, to improve the fishing industry, which was on the decline.

The MCE cautioned fishermen against the use of illegal methods in fishing, such as light, dynamites and mesh nets. He appealed to the fishermen to report any of their colleagues who use the illegal methods to his outfit or to the law enforcing agents for the necessary action.

He urged the youth to embrace the government's Youth in Agriculture Programme to earn a decent living, and cautioned them against traveling to the big cities to seek non-existent greener pastures. The MCE commended the 25 people, who were rewarded for excelling in their various fields and advised them to share their success stories with their colleagues to encourage them to work harder. Mr Emmanuel Eshun, a pastor from Kyeakor, near Abeadze Dominase, was adjudged the Best Farmer and had as his prize, a corn mill, half piece of cloth, a pair of Wellington Boots, two cutlasses and a certificate as his prize.

Mr Kofi Ampah from Ankaful near Saltpond was given a deep freezer, 500 pieces of float, two cutlasses, a rim of twine, half piece of cloth and a certificate, for being the Best Fishermen. 04 Dec. 10