Tarkwa-Nsuaem: Mr. Kwasi Antwi, a 58-year-old farmer from Dompim Pepesa, has been awarded the overall best farmer in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality. Celebrated for his diverse farming practices, Mr. Antwi cultivates a wide range of crops including cocoa, rice, plantain, maize, cocoa yam, and rubber, as well as rearing livestock such as goats, sheep, and poultry. His achievements were recognized with a tricycle, a wheelbarrow, an orthopedic mattress, bags of fertilizers, a knapsack sprayer, machetes, wellington boots, plastic chairs, a brush cutter, and a certificate.
According to Ghana News Agency, the 40th edition of the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal Assembly Farmers’ and Fishers’ Day celebration honored 21 farmers in total. Madam Augustina Kwofie received the best female farmer award, taking home prizes similar to those of Mr. Antwi. The event, held at Dompim, highlighted the theme ‘Building Climate Resilient Agriculture for Sustainable Food Security.’ This theme was particularly relevant due to recent dry spell
s affecting food security in certain parts of Ghana.
Mr. Benjamin Kessie, the Municipal Chief Executive, addressed the attendees, explaining the impact of reduced rainfall on grain production and food systems, particularly in the northern and middle belt regions. To mitigate these challenges, the government, led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, implemented measures such as distributing fertilizers and seeds to 800,000 smallholder farmers and providing interest-free loans to commercial farmers.
The MCE also announced initiatives to support poultry farmers and the establishment of an online grain market to facilitate affordable access to grains. He emphasized that these benefits were available to farmers registered on the Ghana Agricultural and Agro Business Platform (GAP).
Highlighting local agricultural developments, Mr. Kessie noted the registration of 500 farmers on GAP and the distribution of coconut and oil palm seedlings. Collaborations with AAI Mine to establish rice and vegetable farms and
fishponds for local farmers were also underway.
Mr. John Essien, Municipal Director of Agriculture, encouraged farmers to adopt good agronomic practices for climate resilience and food security. He acknowledged challenges such as the impact of illegal mining (galamsey), lack of storage facilities, and insufficient resources for field visits.
Ohyeawora Bian Nwonwa Panyin IV, Chief of Dompim Pepesa, chaired the event and commended all farmers for their contributions to sustaining the nation. The event was attended by local officials, including Mr. George Mireku Duker, the Member of Parliament for Tarkwa Nsuaem constituency, and representatives from mining companies.