The Ahafo Ano South West District on Friday, December 4, 2025, celebrated the 41st Farmers’ Day in a colourful ceremony held at Anitemfe, where 41-year-old Idrisu Abass from Hwan na ondi owuo ka was crowned the Overall Best Farmer.

The event, celebrated under the national theme “Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the Future,” brought together traditional leaders, government officials, farmer-based organisations, development partners and farmers from across the District.

DCE Commends Farmers for Sustaining Ghana’s Food Basket

In his keynote address, the District Chief Executive, Hon. Abubakar Sedik praised farmers for their hard work and resilience, describing them as “the heartbeat of the District and the true builders of Ghana’s food security.”

He highlighted the progress made in the District through government flagship programmes such as the Nkokonketenkete Poultry Initiative, the Food Brigade Programme, and partnerships with IWMI, CSIR, SOCODEVI and COCOBOD.

The DCE mentioned that more than 500 farmers had benefited from seedling distribution, over 4,320 farmers were supported through extension services and degraded lands at Hwannaondiowuoka and Kunsu had been reclaimed for oil palm production.

He, however, noted key challenges including a lack of storage facilities, broken-down motorbikes for AEAs and inadequate mechanisation. He called on development partners to support the District’s agricultural transformation agenda.

MP Reaffirms Support for Farmers

The Member of Parliament for Ahafo Ano South West Constituency, Hon Elvis Osei Mensah Dapaah also delivered a solidarity message, commending the award winners and pledging continued support to ensure farmers receive the necessary inputs and infrastructural development required for growth.

He encouraged young people to venture into agriculture, describing it as a modern and profitable business that can transform livelihoods.

Overall Best Farmer: Idrisu Abass

This year’s overall District best farmer, Mr Idrisu Abass, 41, is a married father of eight with 17 years of farming experience. His diverse farming operations include:

4 acres of oil palm

30 acres of cocoa

3 acres of cassava

4 acres of plantain

3 acres of rice

2 acres of okro

½ acre of pepper

2 acres of maize

Livestock: 18 cattle, 12 goats, 6 sheep, 40 local birds and 4 guinea fowls

In his acceptance speech, Mr Abass thanked the District Assembly for crowning him with a tricycle which will aid him to transport his farm produce to the market. He also extended his gratitude to extension officers and his family for their unwavering support. He encouraged the youth to take agriculture seriously, saying it is “a blessing that can change lives.”

Other Award Winners

The First Runner-Up, 36-year-old Desmond Acheampong from Kunsu Dotiem was recognised for cultivating 10 acres of maize, 10 acres of cocoa, five acres of cassava, plantain, cocoyam, yam and pepper, as well as rearing sheep, rabbits and 167 local birds.

The Second Runner-Up, Shaibu Fuseini, 49, from Kunsu, was honoured for his impressive experience in producing orange, plantain, maize, cocoa and livestock, spanning 30 years.

In all 27 farmers, which include livestock farmers, youth farmers, faith-based organisations, schools, and extension officers also received certificates, Wellington boots, radios, fertilisers, knapsack sprayers, cutlasses, motorbikes, table-top fridges and other farming logistics.

A Ceremony of Gratitude

Nananom, development partners and farmer groups all expressed appreciation to the District Assembly for its continued support and called for deeper collaboration to build a food-secured future.

The event ended with a colourful presentation of awards to winners amid drumming, dancing and an exhibition of farm produce.