A/R: 55-Year-Old Man Adjudged Overall Best Farmer
A 55-year-old man, Mr. Obeng Emmanuel Opoku from Asante Akyem Agogo, has been adjudged the 2025 Overall Best Farmer in the Ashanti Region.
The Ashanti Regional edition of the National Farmers’ Day celebration took place at Asante Mampong, Difie Square, on Friday, December 5, under the auspices of the Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon. Dr. Frank Amoakohene, and the Asante Mamponghemaa, Nana Agyakoma Difie II, who chaired the occasion.
The ceremony brought together seven District Assemblies, including Kwabre East, Sekyedumase, Sekyere South, Sekyere East, Sekyere Central, Sekyere Kumawu, and the Asante Mampong Municipal.
The award-winning farmer, Mr. Emmanuel Opoku, received a tricycle and numerous other farming inputs to support his agribusiness operations.
He cultivated a variety of cash and food crops.
Speaking with Opemsuo.com, Mr. Opoku expressed profound gratitude to the government for recognizing his efforts in supporting agricultural production across the country, particularly in the Ashanti Region.
He stated unequivocally that farmers are suffering in the agricultural sector and need urgent support from the central government.
“Farming is very difficult.”
Furthermore, Mr. Obeng expressed worry over persistent post-harvest losses, noting that they are becoming a major source of frustration for farmers across the country.
“This year, a lot of my onions spoiled; I didn’t get marketers,” he revealed.
He therefore urged the government to put drastic measures in place to ensure a ready market for crops and agribusiness products.
In addition, Emmanuel Opoku called for the construction of active irrigation systems to support farming activities, as many farmers still rely heavily on rainfall to nourish their crops.
The Overall Best Farmer also disclosed that he uses coconut, cocoa, and other cash crops to produce soaps called “Agogo Alata Semena,” and encouraged Ghanaians to patronize their products.
Mr. Emmanuel Opoku pledged to work even more diligently to produce more cash and food crops for the nation’s food basket.
He also advised the public, especially the youth to participate in agricultural activities, while urging the government to make the sector more attractive to young people.
“Farming activities are capital-intensive; the government should make them attractive,” he emphasized.
Other awardees were: Yaw Sabi, Regional Best Person with Disability Farmer; James Abigah, Regional Best Fisheries Farmer; Mary Owusu, Regional Most Enterprising Cocoa Farmer; Gasil Asabil, Regional Best Livestock Farmer; and Afia Yamoah, Regional Best Female Farmer.
The 41st National Farmers’ Day was celebrated under the theme, “Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the Future.”
Story by Kwame Adu Gyamfi Kumanin
