Ghana news: National Farmers Day to be held despite inadequacy of funds

The Food and Agriculture Minister Owusu Afriyie-Akoto has recently stated that the 2018 National Farmers Day celebration will take place in Ghana’s Tamale but is likely to confront some challenges due to the inadequacy of funds.

Afriyie-Akoto opined that the event is dependent largely on private donors since the GH¢2 million allocated has not been enough. However, the celebration will be held on the theme ‘Agriculture: Moving Ghana Beyond Aid.’

“The constraint of the national budget has been a major drawback to this year’s preparations given that some budgetary allocations of GH¢2million approved for the fiscal year 2016 and 2017 was maintained for 2018. In effect, the Ministry has had to rely heavily on sponsorship of corporate Ghana and other development partners to ensure successful celebrations,” Afriyie-Akoto said, as reported by GhanaWeb.

The theme, according to Afriyie-Akoto is very relevant and appropriate because it reflects the “premium placed on agriculture” by the current government and by “implication the farmer who’s the focus and target of government’s policies and programmes.”

The first Friday of December is commemorated as National Farmers Day. Prizes are awarded to deserving farmers and fishers in order of best practices and outputs.