Western North Regional Minister Urges Ghanaians to “Eat Ghana” to Spur Economic Growth
By Ernest Best Anane, Sefwi Surano “A”
Mr. Petty Wilbert Bretwum, The Western North Regional Minister, has called on all Ghanaians to prioritize locally produced foods as a means of accelerating economic development, creating sustainable jobs for the youth and safeguarding public health. He made the appeal at the 41st National Farmers’ Day celebration held at Sefwi Surano “A” in the Bibiani‑Anhwiaso‑Bekwai Municipality under the theme “Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the Future.”
Mr. Brentum praised farmers for their resilience and contribution to the regional economy, noting that the theme underscores Ghana’s commitment to food security. He highlighted the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government’s Agriculture Modernization Agenda, which includes poultry initiatives, the Agricultural Modernization Fund, expanded mechanisation services, irrigation development, youth agribusiness programmes and support for value‑addition and agro‑processing. These interventions, he said, aim to reduce food imports, boost local production and generate employment.
The minister also lamented the damage caused by illegal mining (galamsey) to farmlands and water bodies, warning that the menace, coupled with climate change, has severely affected cocoa production in the Western North Region. He called on traditional rulers to join the government in curbing the practice.
Mr. Samuel Patrick Afari Acheampong, Municipal Director of Agriculture and acting Western North Regional Director of Agriculture, identified a shortage of agricultural extension officers as a major obstacle to achieving sector targets.
He urged the government to deploy more extension officers to the region to improve outreach, logistics and financial support for farmers.
The event also celebrated outstanding farmers. Mr. Peter Adowa, a 43‑year‑old farmer from Sefwi Debiso in the Bia West District, was crowned the regional overall best farmer.
Mr. Adowa cultivates 42 acres of plantain, 11 acres of cassava, 9 acres of yam, 110 acres of maize, 41 acres of rice, 4 acres of cocoyam, 7 acres of beans, 4 acres of cabbage, 18 acres of ginger and 96 acres of cocoa. He also keeps 46 cattle, 42 goats, 31 sheep, 240 turkeys, 811 local birds, 87 guinea fowl, 26 grass‑cutters, 18,000 catfish and 7,200 tilapia. For his achievement, he received a certificate, a tricycle (locally known as “Aboboyaa”), five pairs of Wellington boots, two knapsack sprayers, four cutlasses, two boxes of weedicides and other farm inputs.
Mr. Gyasi Newlove was named the overall Municipal Best Farmer in the Bibiani‑Anhwiaso‑Bekwai Municipality and received similar prizes. In total, 36 farmers were honoured during the ceremony.
Mr. Adowa thanked the District Agriculture Department and the Western North Regional Minister for their support, and encouraged the youth to venture into agriculture, citing its numerous benefits.
The occasion was chaired by Okogyeman Kwaku Gyamprah III, Paramount Chief of the Sefwi Chirano Traditional Area, who commended the NDC‑led administration for its agricultural initiatives aimed at boosting the local economy and creating jobs. He praised President John Dramani Mahama for establishing over 70,000 cooperatives nationwide to improve farmers’ access to resources and services, and urged stakeholders to take advantage of the Nkoko Nkitinkiti Poultry Initiative, which seeks to reduce imports and strengthen local production
