Sixty-seven-year-old Mr. Joseph Appiah has been crowned the Overall Best Farmer for the Bosome Freho District at the 41st National Farmers’ Day celebration held at Tɛbɛso No. 2 in the Ashanti Region. The colourful and well-attended ceremony brought together farmers, traditional authorities, assembly members, heads of department, opinion leaders, and hundreds of residents who gathered to honour the hardworking men and women whose efforts continue to sustain Ghana’s food security.
This year’s National Farmers’ Day was marked under the theme, “Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the Future.”
Delivering his keynote address, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Bosome Freho, Hon. Charles Appiah-Kubi, commended farmers for their unwavering dedication, describing them as the backbone of Ghana’s economy and the heart of national development. He stressed that the theme underscores the urgent need for the country to strengthen local food production, promote local consumption, and build a resilient agricultural sector capable of absorbing global economic shocks.
Hon. Appiah-Kubi highlighted that the district has recorded significant progress over the past year, notably in the areas of access to high-quality seedlings, increased extension services, and enhanced farmer training programmes. He added that the Assembly has been working to improve feeder roads to ensure smoother transportation of food crops from remote communities to market centres. These interventions, he said, are gradually reducing post-harvest losses and boosting productivity—two challenges that have long affected farmers nationwide.
The DCE expressed optimism about the district’s effort to attract more young people into agribusiness. He said ongoing investments in irrigation facilities, demonstration farms, and technology-based initiatives show clearly that agriculture has evolved into a modern and profitable venture. He pledged that the Assembly will continue to collaborate with private and public partners to introduce digital tools that provide farmers with real-time data, market information, and weather updates.
Despite these gains, he acknowledged the persistent challenges facing farmers, including rising input costs, limited access to credit, unpredictable climatic conditions, and inadequate storage facilities. He assured farmers that the Assembly remains committed to addressing these concerns through strengthened collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and development partners.
Hon. Appiah-Kubi also encouraged the public—especially schools and institutions—to embrace local foods, pointing out that patronizing Ghanaian produce is one of the most practical ways citizens can contribute to national self-reliance.
A key highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to outstanding farmers who distinguished themselves in crop cultivation, animal husbandry, fisheries, and innovative farming practices. Award winners received certificates, essential farm inputs, and modern agricultural equipment designed to boost their productivity. The DCE congratulated them, noting that their dedication should serve as motivation for others across the district.
In his address, the DCE further urged traditional Leaders who release of farmlands to illegal miners describing the practice as a grave danger to food production and environmental safety , He appealed to traditional leaders and landowners to ensure that any mining activity within their jurisdiction is done responsibly and in compliance with environmental regulations. He lamented that the destruction of farmlands and water bodies undermines the hard work of farmers and threatens community livelihoods.
In a passionate acceptance speech, Overall Best Farmer Mr. Joseph Appiah expressed profound gratitude to the District Assembly, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and the organising committee for recognising his decades of dedication to farming. He described the honour as a powerful motivation to continue contributing to the growth of the district’s agricultural sector.
Mr. Appiah seized the opportunity to appeal to the government to establish a rural bank in the Bosome Freho District. He said many farmers struggle to access credit due to the absence of a local financial institution that understands the unique challenges of the agriculture sector. A rural bank, he noted, would empower farmers to expand their farms and improve their yields.
He encouraged fellow farmers to remain resilient despite the challenges that often accompany the profession, emphasising that farming is a noble calling that feeds the nation and drives community development.
The ceremony concluded with the presentation of multiple award categories, reaffirming the Bosome Freho District Assembly’s commitment to promoting agriculture as a key driver of economic growth and sustainable development.
