Nineteen farmers honoured in Gomoa district

Gomoa Akraman(C/R), Dec. 02, GNA - Mr Albert Kofi Essel, a 39-year old farmer from Gomoa Dunkwa was on Friday adjudged the overall best farmer at the Gomoa District Farmers' Day celebration at Gomoa Akraman. He had five pieces of cutlasses, radio cassette recorder, a-half-piece of wax print, rain coat, wall clock, a pair of Wellington boots and a 500,000 cedis Savings account at the Gomoa Rural Bank at Apam.

In all 19 farmers made up of two women and 17 men including a physically handicapped person were awarded. Adventists Development Relief Association (ADRA) Ghana offices at Winneba and Gomoa and Gomoa Osedzi Methodist Junior Secondary School (JSS) were declared the best NGO and school for environmental protection.

Each received wire nets, wall clock, raincoat, cutlasses and wax print.

Madam Joyce Aidoo, Gomoa District Chief Executive said the assembly had provided more than 300 million cedis to 80 youths in the area to venture into vegetable production. She appealed to chiefs in the area to release more lands to the youth to enable them venture into agriculture and commended two chiefs from Manso Number Two and Gomoa Brofoyedru for releasing some land to the youth.

Madam Aidoo announced that the district had been selected as one of the beneficiary district to benefit from the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) under which five dams would be constructed in the area for irrigation.

Mr Francis Kwaku Nutakor, Gomoa District Director of Agriculture, said with the adoption of modern farming techniques by farmers, food production in the district had increased.

He said about 1.2 billion cedis had been invested in maize and pineapple production by some farmers at Gomoa Ojobi, Manfe, Okyereko, Potsin, Mpota and Antseadze.

Mr Nutakor expressed concern about the increasing rate of dogs and cats biting people in the area and appealed to pet owners to send them for vaccination against rabies.

Obirifo Ahenako Ahor Ankobea II, Omanhene of Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Area, appealed to the youth to venture into farming to increase food production.