Two (2) Senior Officers of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) have picked up an award each at the 39th National Farmers’ Day held at the forecourt of the La Traditional Council, Accra, organised by the La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly (LaDMA) on Friday 1 December 2023.

The awardees, Director Armed Forces Education Unit, Colonel Michel Yao Borbi and Squadron Leader Hellen Enyonam Amedzo were adjudged winners of the Best Aqua-Culture Farmer and Innovative Woman Farmer categories respectively.

For their prizes, Colonel Michel Borbi was given a chest freezer, 4 aluminum basins, a half-piece of cloth, A bag of fish feed, and a certificate whilst Squadron Leader Amedzo took home a chest freezer, 1 knapsack sprayer, 4 agrochemicals, half piece of cloth and a certificate.

In an interview with Afnews, the awardees expressed their profound gratitude to the authorities at the Municipal Assembly for taking a keen interest in what they do and also recognising their contributions within the agribusiness sector.

Colonel Borbi added that, though he started with little resources coupled with a few challenges, he was not perturbed but rather forged on to accomplish his set targets.

He therefore urged the citizenry and security personnel alike to conveniently take up an aspect of farming since our very existence as humans depends on the food we consume.

Squadron Leader Amedzo on her part underscored that having an additional or alternative source of income as an individual will invariably help one’s financial and economic security.

Colonel Michel Borbi currently runs a catfish production with a total stocking capacity of 2,800 in tarpaulin tanks. He keeps poultry, goats and for value addition, provides grilling on order basis.

Squadron Leader Amedzo on the other hand, cultivates mainly tomatoes and cucumbers using a locally manufactured wooden Green House, keeps snails and does home gardening.

Speaking at the ceremony on this year’s theme, ‘Delivering Smart Solutions for Sustainable Food Security and Resilience’, the Municipal Chief Executive (LaDMA), Hon Rev Solomon Kotey Nikoi mentioned that the Planting for food and Jobs phase II initiative recently launched by the President of the Republic of Ghana, HE Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will be focused on reliable financing, provision of fertilizers and seeds for farmers.

He added that, with the aid of Information technology, modernization of agriculture will be made possible as extension and veterinary service delivery will be closer to farmers and agribusiness value chain operators.    

Hon Solomon Kotey Nikoi disclosed that, the assembly had embraced agro-processing initiatives to add value to agricultural produce which will in tend open new market avenues for farmers to boost the local economy.  

Some award categories included; Best Agro/Fish Processor, Best Marine Fisher Folk, Best Livestock Farmer, Best Crop Farmer, Best Youth Farmer, Best Extension Worker and the Ultimate prize of Overall Best Farmer going to Mrs Julia Judith Frempong-Manso.

Dignitaries present at the event were, private legal practitioner, Mr Frank Davies (Esq), Municipal Coordinating Director, Hon Rev Daniel Nkrumah, Nii Adjei Koofeh IV (La Shikitele) and some Heads of Security Services within the Municipality.