Ho, Ghana – The 41st National Farmers’ Day celebration was held in Ho, the capital of the Volta Region, on Friday, December 5, 2025, under the theme “Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the Future.” The event served to honor the crucial contributions of the nation’s farmers and fishers to food security and economic development.
Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, praised the honorees, describing them as the backbone of national development and vital to sustaining the nation’s food system and driving economic growth. Speaking at the grand durbar, the Minister noted that this year’s celebration was particularly significant as it was the first held under the President’s renewed mandate and was hosted in the Volta Region, which is renowned for its rich agricultural tradition.
Reviewing the progress of the past eleven months, Minister Opoku stated that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture had built a strong foundation for agricultural transformation, guided by science and strengthened through partnerships with research institutions. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring food and nutrition security nationwide, highlighting that support through sponsorships, insurance packages, and value chain investments demonstrated strong confidence in the sector. He specifically mentioned RICO’s Family Day Insurance package as a significant step in risk mitigation for farmers.
The Minister also commended the Agri-House Foundation for its pivotal role in organizing the National Agricultural Fair, noting that the partnership enabled the five-day event to be held at no cost to the state this year.
In a related address, Emelia Arthur Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture acknowledged the resilience of the nation’s farmers, fishers, aquaculture operators, and processors whose daily efforts sustain food security and support livelihoods. She expressed appreciation to the President for his commitment to modernizing the fisheries sector and improving the wellbeing of fishing communities.
Ms. Arthur highlighted major achievements in 2025, including the passage of the Fisheries & Aquaculture Act (Act 1146), the expansion of the Inshore Exclusion Zone, ratification of the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement, and development of the Ghana Blue Economy Strategy. Other milestones included progress on the first Inland Fisheries Management Plan and the successful National Conference of Chief Fishermen and Queen Fishmongers.
The celebration culminated in the honoring of outstanding individuals in the sector. Awardees included: Mr. Clemence Sewornu (National Best Marine Fisher), Mr. Richard Dittoh (National Best Fish Farmer), Mr. Kofi Adukpo (National Best Inland Fisher), Madam Margaret Ahadjitse (National Best Fish Processor), Ms. Esther Boateng (Best Extension Officer – Southern Zone), and Mr. Israel Hanson Otu Arthur (Best Extension Officer – Northern Zone).
The speakers congratulated all awardees and called for deeper collaboration among government, traditional authorities, private actors, and development partners to build a more sustainable and resilient fisheries sector.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
