By Jones Anlimah
The Volta Regional Minister Dr. Archibald Letsa has assured farmers in the region who were affected in the flood disaster occasioned by the spillage of the Akosombo dam of Government’s commitment to supporting them with necessary assistance especially planting materials and fertilizers in the next planting season.
Dr. Letsa was speaking at the Volta regional edition of this year’s Farmers’ Day celebration held at Ho in the Ho Municipality of the Volta region. Mr. Mawuwoe Xesumali from Atsiaklorbor in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta region was adjudged the overall best Volta regional farmer.
The theme for this year’s celebration was “Delivering Smart Solutions for Sustainable Food and Security Resilience”.
Farmers Day celebration, a significant event in the country’s national calendar seeks to recognize the contributions of farmers towards the country’s economic growth. The theme for this year’s celebration, “Delivering Smart Solutions for Sustainable Food and Security Resilience,” underscores the need for innovative approaches in the Agriculture sector to ensure long-term food security.
The Volta regional edition of the commemorative event saw Mr. Mawuwoe Xesumali from Atsiaklorbor in the Ketu South Municipality of the region being recognized as the best Volta Regional farmer. Eleven other farmers, farmer groups and some agriculture workers were appreciated for their immense contributions towards the growth of the industry in the region and the country at large.
The Volta Regional Director of Agriculture, Mr. William Dzamefe commended farmers in the region for their contributions towards food sufficiency in the region and the country at large. He noted that the Government will continue to engage farmers and farmer groups and their leaderships to discuss challenges and explore opportunities to further enhance their activities and consequently improve their produce in the region.
The Volta Regional Minister Dr Archibald Letsa said the Volta region plays a key role in the country’s food security drive. He empathised with farmers who bore the brunt of the recent flood disaster occasioned by the spillage of the akosombo dam, recognizing the importance of a timely and comprehensive recovery.
Dr. Letsa highlighted government’s determination to provide the necessary resources to ensure affected farmers could resume their agricultural activities and recover from the setback.
” The region plays a pivotal role in the nation’s food security drive and our dear nation Ghana will not turn it’s back on the region. We currently produce over 23% of the local rice stock which has become a major staple in the average Ghanaian’s diet. I have tasked the regional department of Agriculture, to come out with the most pressing needs of of farmers and rank these in order of priority in readiness for any intervention by the state tp assist farmers,” He added.
“I want to assure the farmers of the affected area that, the region will continue to stand with them to the end. We will facilitate the process by liaising with the appropriate authorities to provide them with the necessary support especially planting materials and fertilizers when the next season is due,” Dr. Letsa assured.
The event was also used to commemorate this year’s World AIDS Day which is observed in solidarity with persons living with and affected by HIV. This year’s global theme “Let Communities Lead” seeks to give voice to persons living with and working on the Regional Response at the community levels.
Dr. Letsa said this year marks the 20th anniversary of anti-retroviral treatment in Ghana. According to him, the anti-retroviral treatment has saved the lives of people who would have suffered untimely deaths and also averted disease progression and AIDS deaths among thousands of people living with HIV.
“Over the last two decades, ART has saved lives of thousands of women, men and children who otherwise would have suffered untimely deaths but are still alive today- some even in their 50s and 60s”, Dr. Letsa added.
The award winners received certificates of recognition, tricycles, fertilizers among other farm inputs.