John Kufuor: Former Ghanaian leader adjudged 2019 best district farmer

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The entire Atwima Nwabiagya District was set alight after Ghana’s former Head of State, John Agyekum Kufuor, was adjudged the 2019 best farmer in the area.

Mr Kufuor, 81, a native of Dabaa in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District of the Ashanti Region, served as the President of Ghana from 7 January 2001 to 7 January 2009.

Known as JAK Farms, the former President owns a 200 acre cocoa farm, 300 sheep, 100 cattle, and other farms.

He emerged the winner following a series of inspection from the District Directorate of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

At a colourful event Friday, the former Chairman of the African Union was presented with a tricycle, fertilizers, farm implement and a citation.

“You instituted and implemented policies that ensured the reduction of chronic hunger and poverty levels in the country”.

“The Subsidizing of Agricultural Inputs and the Free Cocoa Mass Spraying were your brainchildren which had positive impact in ensuring food security…”, parts of the citation read.

Otumfuo Apagyahene, Oheneba Owusu Afriyie IV, received the items on behalf of the former President.

He urged government to support farmers and deal with issues of climate change confronting the sector.

The chief also encouraged the youth to venture into agribusiness as a lucrative job.

A 36-year-old Kwame Asare, also a native of Dabaa, told DailymailGh.com that he is motivated to venture into farming after he witnessed the former President’s success.

“It is evident that all is not lost”, he said, adding: “With the successes chalked by our former President I will also venture into small scale farming to better my future”.

The event was heavily attended by Benito Owusu Bio, Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Atwima Nwabiagya North, Heads of Department, Assembly Staff and among other dignitaries.

The 35th Annual Farmers’ Day was under the theme: ‘Enhancing Small Scale Agriculture Towards Agribusiness Development’.

It is part of activities to honour farmers across the country for working hard in ensuring the supply of food to citizens.

By Jonathan Ofori, Daily Mail GH