The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) has celebrated the 41st National Farmers’ Day with a grand ceremony at the Albert Bosomtwi Sam Fishing Harbour in Essikado, where 15 outstanding farmers, fisherfolk, and agricultural institutions were honoured for their exceptional contributions to the metropolis. The event, held on Friday, December 5, 2025, was themed “Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the Future,” reflecting the national call toward food self-sufficiency and resilience.
The celebration began with Christian and traditional prayers, setting a dignified tone for the morning. This was followed by the arrival of dignitaries, greeted by the warm traditional courtesies of chiefs, queenmothers, Assembly officials, and community representatives. The programme featured a vibrant cultural display, a poetry recital from pupils of Essikado Catholic Mixed Primary School, a short drama depicting the importance of responsible farming practices, and an exhibition of agricultural produce and innovations by farmers and agro-processors from across the metropolis.
Many prominent personalities graced the occasion, including the Metropolitan Chief Executive, Hon. Lawyer Frederick Faidoo; the Paramount Queenmother of the Essikado Traditional Area, Nana Ekua Kodu II, who chaired the event as Special Guest; and Members of Parliament Hon. Prof. Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah of the Essikado-Ketan Constituency and Hon. Blay Nyameke Armah of the Sekondi Constituency. Chiefs, Heads of Departments, Assembly Members, exhibitors, media houses, development partners, and farmers from rural and peri-urban communities across the metropolis were also present.
Welcoming the gathering, the Metro Director of Agriculture, Madam Deborah Gyasi Frimpomaa, stressed the importance of this year’s theme, describing it as more than a slogan. She stated that “Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the Future” represents a national responsibility shared by all, which includes farmers, consumers, traders, and policymakers alike. She emphasized that agricultural growth requires citizens to support local farmers by consuming Ghanaian-grown produce and valuing the work that goes into sustaining the nation’s food basket.
Madam Frimpomaa encouraged emerging farmers and exhibitors to remain committed to excellence. She noted that although not every hardworking farmer may receive a prize, their contributions are crucial to the survival of families, communities, and industries across the country.
In his keynote address, the Metropolitan Chief Executive, Hon. Frederick Faidoo, described Farmers’ Day as a “day of national thanksgiving,” a moment set aside to honour the men and women whose toil sustains every aspect of the nation’s economy. Speaking on the significance of hosting the event at the Albert Bosomtwi Sam Fishing Harbour, he explained that the site represents the heart of both fishing and farming livelihoods in Sekondi-Takoradi.
Hon. Faidoo outlined several major interventions undertaken by STMA to promote agricultural growth. These interventions include extensive home and farm visits by Agricultural Extension Agents to educate farmers on good agricultural practices such as improved crop management, soil fertility enhancement, pest control, climate-smart agriculture, and post-harvest handling. He noted that these visits benefitted 1,020 farmers, including women farmers who made up over 40% of participants, demonstrating the Assembly’s commitment to gender-inclusive farming.
He further highlighted STMA’s participation in the Feed Ghana Programme, which has already registered 50 farmer groups, 657 individuals, and eight institutions on the national platform to support mechanization, input access, and large-scale production. Additionally, the Assembly distributed 35,000 coconut seedlings and 15,000 oil palm seedlings under the Minerals Development Fund and the Tree Crops Development Authority, benefiting more than 200 farmers.
Another key point of his address was the introduction of the “From Worm to Corn” regenerative agriculture initiative, a partnership between STMA and agriBIOME of Germany. The programme aims to help farmers adopt vermicompost and earthworm-based soil improvement methods to reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers while promoting sustainable crop production.
Hon. Faidoo also announced the expansion of the “Nkoko Nketenkete” poultry initiative, which has already registered about 1,000 participants. The programme is designed to revitalize local poultry production, reduce reliance on imported chicken, and create employment opportunities for youth in the Metropolis.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to modernizing agriculture, strengthening cooperatives, increasing extension services, and supporting farmers through training and innovative practices. He encouraged all stakeholders to work together towards building a resilient food system capable of sustaining future generations.
The climax of the ceremony was the awarding of 15 top-performing farmers across multiple categories. The highest honour, Overall Best Metro Farmer, went to Mr. Eric Amoasi, a farmer from Kansaworado. He received a tricycle, bags of fertiliser, a knapsack sprayer, Wellington boots, cutlasses, and other farm inputs as recognition for his dedication and innovation.
Other awardees included Isaac Peterson Eshun, celebrated as Metro Best Inshore Farmer; Mr. John Bosomtwi, who was acknowledged as the Metro Best Canoe Fisherman; and Mr. Amos Ackon, the Metro Best Aquaculture Farmer for his outstanding work in catfish and tilapia production. Educational institutions such as Methodist Senior High School, Ntamakrom Model JHS, and St. James Anglican Basic School were also honoured for their excellence in school-based agricultural programmes.
Awards further went to Esi Dagomba for Best Fish Processor, Faustina Abokye for Best Poultry Farmer, Edward Sambila for Best Vegetable Farmer, Jonathan Aidoo for Best Physically Challenged Farmer, Eric Amalako Qublaga for Best Small Ruminant Farmer, Nathaniel Nartey Aga for Best Crop Farmer, and Hamid Yussif for Best Youth Farmer. GNAT Staff were recognized as the Metro Best Institution in Agriculture, completing the list of 15 honorees.
In her closing remarks as chairperson, Nana Ekua Kodu II praised the farmers for their dedication and encouraged them to continue contributing to Ghana’s food security efforts. She also urged the community to support farmers by valuing their labour and protecting farmlands.
The ceremony ended with a heartfelt Islamic prayer, closing the event on a unifying and spiritually uplifting note.