The Senchem Community Park was abuzz with pride and purpose as the Wassa East District marked the 41st National Farmers’ Day under the resonant theme, “Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the Future.”
In a powerful display of unity, the District Chief Executive (DCE), Hon. Alhassan Ibrahim, Member of Parliament, Hon. Isaac Adjei Mensah, and the District Director of Agriculture, Madam Helena Addo, delivered stirring addresses, celebrating farmers as the “true heroes” and “heartbeat of Ghana” while issuing an urgent, collective call to action for food sovereignty.
Hon. Alhassan Ibrahim framed the day as one of “pride, gratitude, and hope.” He praised farmers for their pre-dawn resilience against sun, rain, and pests, stating, “They plant not just for themselves, but for all of us.” He emphasized that fulfilling the theme is a critical national duty. “We must produce enough, value and consume what we produce; our yam, cassava, maize, plantain,and cocoyam among others to strengthen our economy,” he declared.
Echoing this sentiment, the District Director of Agriculture Madam Helena Addo saluted the farmers’ “sacrifice, resilience and unwavering dedication.”
She stressed that the theme is a direct reminder that “the future of our country depends on the food we grow, the food we eat, and the people who make it possible.”
Both speeches converged on key strategies for a secure future:
· Youth Engagement: A major focus was rebranding farming for the youth. The DCE called farming a “symbol of resilience, creativity, and wealth,” not poverty. The Director challenged students directly, stating, “Farming today is a science, a business and pathway to wealth creation,” urging them to embrace agricultural science and school gardens.
· Sustainable Investment: The leadership outlined concrete district interventions, including the distribution of 65,000 improved coconut and oil palm seedlings, fertilizer support, and the use of equipment to construct feeder roads, ensuring “bumper harvests can reach the consumer.”
· Collective Action: A clear message resonated: government cannot act alone. The DCE appealed to consumers to “choose Ghanaian products first,” stating every cedi spent locally strengthens the economy. The Director of Agriculture called on families and schools to encourage farming as a “proud profession.”
The celebration was graced by revered Chiefs, Queen Mothers, the Member of Parliament, Hon. Adjei Mensah, Assembly members, and sponsors including Golden Star Wassa Mines, KEDA Ghana Limited, and Takoradi Flour Mills, whose support facilitated the awards for outstanding farmers.
As the district honoured its gallant farmers with awards, the final call from the DCE served as a lasting mantra: “Let us rise together… to ensure that Ghana is fed by Ghana, nourished by Ghana, and secured for the future through Ghana.”
