The Gomoa West District Assembly successfully celebrated the 41st National Farmers’ Day on Friday, 5th December 2025, at Gomoa Egyiresi with a colourful and well-attended ceremony that brought together farmers, fisherfolk, traditional authorities, Assembly Members, Heads of Department from the assembly, security agencies, and community members. The event recognised the immense contribution of farmers to food security, employment creation, and the district’s socio-economic growth. The Member of Parliament for Gomoa West, Hon. Richard Gyan Mensah, served as a Special Guest of Honour.
He expressed profound gratitude to God for the continuity of the Farmers’ Day celebration, an initiative introduced during the NDC administration. He commended the District Chief Executive (Hon. Mohammed Kassim), the District Coordinating Director (Esq. Marian Dankwaa Mensah), and the Heads of Department for their dedication in coordinating a successful programme. Hon. Richard Gyan Mensah encouraged farmers who did not win awards to remain motivated and work harder next year, emphasising that agriculture remains Ghana’s most dependable pillar for economic stability despite the discovery of oil.
He assured farmers of strengthened collaboration with the District Assembly to support farmers of cocoa, coconut, palm, vegetables, and maize. He also urged the youth to take full advantage of opportunities within the agriculture sector, adding that the National Buffer Stock Company was ready to buy their produce to ensure stable incomes.
He further highlighted several developmental interventions underway in the constituency. These include major road rehabilitation projects expected to commence in the coming year, completion of the first phase of the electricity expansion survey in 27 communities, and the procurement of 1,000 streetlights for installation across the constituency. Additionally, ten boreholes were under construction, with another ten planned for the following year to improve the water supply. Five CHPS compounds are also expected to receive solar power installations to enhance community health delivery.
On education and youth development, he announced that two teachers’ bungalows would be built annually in partnership with the District Assembly. He reiterated the government’s commitment to youth employment initiatives, assuring young people that more job opportunities would be created as new programmes are rolled out.
He also discussed the Women’s World Bank empowerment programme, plans for establishing a 24-hour market at Dawurampong and Kyier Nkwanta, and the construction of an AstroTurf to promote youth sports development.
The District Chief Executive, Hon. Alhaji Kassim Mohammed, expressed appreciation to farmers for their hard work and resilience throughout the year. He reiterated that agriculture remains the backbone of the district’s economic development and assured farmers of continuous support from the Assembly.
He pledged the Assembly’s commitment to improving agricultural productivity through the provision of improved seedlings, fertilizers, extension services, feeder road development, irrigation systems, and enhanced market centres. The DCE encouraged the youth to take up agriculture as a viable source of employment and income. He further urged farmers to adopt modern, technology-driven farming practices to increase yields and enhance food security.
The District Director of Agriculture, Mr Ofori Duado, representing the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, welcomed all participants and introduced the theme for the celebration, “Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the Future.” He explained that the theme reflects a national commitment to enhancing food production, promoting local consumption, and ensuring long-term food sustainability.
He introduced the “Feed Ghana” initiative, which requires farmers to register in structured groups of 30 members to qualify for government support packages. He noted that the department had already embarked on community sensitisation campaigns to encourage the formation of these groups.
On empowerment, he highlighted that women farmers had already received training in alternative livelihood activities such as soap making, which serves as an additional income-generating avenue for households. He emphasised the ongoing work of extension officers who continue to train farmers on livestock protection, particularly measures to safeguard sheep and goats from diseases and predators.
Mr Ofori Duado raised concerns about the low number of extension officers in the district, explaining that one officer currently attends to about 2,500 farmers, which affects effective service delivery. He appealed to the government to consider Gomoa West during the recruitment of new extension officers. He concluded by congratulating all award winners and motivating non-winners to work harder for recognition next year.
The climax of the celebration was the presentation of awards to outstanding farmers and fishers across various agricultural categories. Award winners received cash prizes, bicycles, knapsack sprayers, spraying machines, Wellington boots, cutlasses, fertilisers, and various other farm inputs.
The Overall Best Farmer received a special cash award in addition to major farming tools and inputs. Other award categories included Best Fisherman, Best Youth Farmer, Best Female Farmer, Best Crop Farmer, Best Livestock Farmer, and other special award groups. The presentation generated excitement among participants, with the overall best farmer celebrated for demonstrating innovation, resilience, and high productivity.