Nana Owusu Achiaw from the Sekyere Central District in the Ashanti Region was last night adjudged the Overall Best National Farmer for 2024 at a gala dinner at the Alisa Hotel in Accra.
For his prize, he took a cash of GH¢1 million sponsored by the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) PLC.
Ernestina Osei Tutu from the Akwapim North Municipality in the Eastern Region was adjudged the National Best Female Farmer.
Ms Tutu received a cash prize of GH¢200,000 sponsored by the government as well as a standard tractor and accessories provided by the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).
As part of the prize, the National Best Female Farmer would also undergo a capacity building training and a study tour of the country together with 29 regional and district
Female award winners.
The award is sponsored by USAID Feed the Future Ghana Policy LINK Activity.
Stephen Addo from Sene West District in the Bono East Region was adjudged the National Best Physically Challenged Farmer.
He received a cash prize of GH¢200,000, also sponsored by the government.
Runners up
The first runner-up in the overall National Best Farmer category went to Nassam Fuseini from the Yendi Municipality in the Northern Region, who received a tractor, trailer, disc plough and a boom sprayer sponsored by Ghana Exim Bank.
The second runner-up went to Ransford Kwaku Otopa Atiemo from Ayensuano District in the Eastern Region.
He also received a tractor with implements sponsored by Stanbic Bank.
In the other categories, Noah Obeng of Atebubu-Amanti District in the Bono East Region took the National Best Livestock Farmer Award, with GH¢200,000 cash prize sponsored by the government.
National Best
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was assisted by the Managing Director of the ADB PLC, Alhassan Yakubu-Tali, to present the prize to the 40th National Best Farmer.
The National Farmers Day is held annually to reward the country’s hardworking farmers from the districts and regions.
Fisheries, aquaculture category
The National Best Fish Farmer went to Ebenezer Dzikunu Nyagble of Afadjato South in the Volta Region, while the National Best Overall Fisher was given to Wiebukanga Mensah of Wa West, Upper West Region.
Christopher Ackon of Komenda in the Central Region took the National Best Marine Fisher Award.
Others are National Best Fish Processor – Victoria Atsa, East Gonja in the Savannah Region; National Best Most Outstanding Fisheries Enforcement went to Nettesheim Kwame Damoah from Cape Coast in the Central Region and the National Best Most Outstanding Personality for Sustainable Development and Artisanal Fisheries went to Nana Jojo Solomon of Elmina in the Central Region.
Each of them will take home a double cabin KIA truck sponsored by the government.
Regional awards category
At the regional level, Naba John Tia from the Talensi District took the overall award for the Upper East Region, while Alhaji Jibiliru Nankpa of Sissala East had the Overall Best Farmer for the Upper West Region.
Others are Imoro Sulley from West Mamprusi for the North East Region; Patience Nkara Kpiniong of Central Gonja for the Savannah Region; Alhaji Alhassan Yussif Mozeli of the Northern Regional capital, Tamale, winning for the region, with Alhaji Amidu Ibrahim Barye of Sunyani West picking the award for the Bono Region.
The rest are Oduro Abrefa from Techiman North for the Bono East Region; Kwesi Appiagyei Emmanuel of Tano South for the Ahafo Region; Wisdom Aglago of North Tongu for the Volta Region; Bitolib Benson Donkor of Nkwanta North for the Oti Region; Yakuba Mohammed Massa of Bia East for the Western North Region; Olivia Agyeiwaa of Asante Akim North for the Ashanti Region, and Nasir Nyameke of Jomoro winning for the Western Region.
The rest are Dr Samuel Hodor Mensah of Upper West Akim picking up the top award for the Eastern Region; Faustina Asamoah of Assin South for the Central Region, with Doris Afloe of Ada West, topping the list for the Greater Accra Region.
Other awards
In other categories, Winifred Batabana of the Savannah Region was adjudged the National Best Shea Nut Picker; Victor Benefo of the Eastern Region had the National Best Coffee Farmer Award, with Yaa Adjeley of the Western Region, winning the National Best Most Enterprising Female Cocoa Farmer.
The rest are Solomon Tohola of the Central Region, National Best Most Promising Young Cocoa Farmer, and Kwame Alex of the Western Region, picking up the National Best Cocoa Farmer award.
Shift
The Farmers Day, which is held on the first Friday in December was marked yesterday due to the general election on December 7, 2024.
This year’s National Farmers Day Awards was held on the theme: “Building Climate-Resilient Agriculture for Sustainable Food Security”.
The 40th edition emphasises the nation’s commitment to adapting agricultural practices in response to climate change challenges.
The celebration began with a five-day National Agricultural Fair, Agrifest Ghana 2024, from November 4 to 8, to showcase the diverse agricultural heritage of the country, while providing a platform for knowledge sharing and innovation among farmers and stakeholders.
There were no regional level celebrations. However, each region nominated 10 regional award categories.
The event which was held in the Pavilion of the Alisa Hotel attracted best farmers from across the regions.
They wore various traditional attires such as kente, kaftan and smock.
The hardworking farmers and fishers were treated to a buffet and good record music from a standby DJ.
Some regional ministers, including the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Kwartei Titus Glover, and the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, graced the occasion.
Previous winners
Below are the winners over the past two decades:
Year – Name of National Best Farmer
2004 – Madam Afua Frimponmaa
2005 – Edward Osei Nsenkyire
2006 – Mohammed Tetteh
2007 – Alhaji Abdul Salaam Akati
2008 – Dr Simon Saku
2009 — Davis Naa Korboe
2010 — Benjamin Adjetey Adjei
2011 — Ignatius Agbo
2012 — Lamuel Quarshie Martey
2013 — Alhaji Awudu Karim
2014 — George Asamoah Amankwah
2015 — Ibrahim Musah
2016 — Robert Crentsil
2017 — Philip Kwaku Agyemang
2018 — James Obeng Boateng
2O19 — Charles Gyamfi
2020 — Solomon Kwadwo Kusi
2021 — Alhaji Mashud Mohammed
2022 — Nana Yaw Sarpong
2023 — Charity Akortia
2024 — Nana Owusu Achiaw
