Flagbearer hopeful for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Bryan Acheampong, has praised Ghanaian farmers for their hard work and contribution to national development as the country marks Farmers’ Day.

In a message to commemorate the day, he said farmers remain the backbone of Ghana’s food security and economy.

Dr Acheampong stated that he wished to honour “the hardworking farmers of Ghana, the men and women whose hands feed the nation and sustain its future.”

He said their “dedication, resilience, and commitment to the land remain the true foundation of Ghana’s food security and economy.”

Reflecting on his period in the agricultural sector, Dr Acheampong said he focused on expanding access to essential inputs, improving extension services and strengthening market linkages for smallholder farmers.

He cited several interventions he led, including the cancellation of the cocoa syndication arrangement to protect the sector’s long-term financial health, the timely supply of fertilisers, and the rollout of irrigation projects across the country.

According to him, these actions contributed to the “bumper harvests Ghana is experiencing today,” which he described as “a clear signal to what can be achieved when farmers are supported with the right tools and policies.”

Dr Acheampong also highlighted what he called a historic improvement in the livelihood of cocoa farmers. He noted that during his tenure, the producer price of cocoa rose significantly.

He said the increase “from around GHS800 per bag to GHS3,000 per bag” was a “bold step” that reflected his commitment to ensuring that farmers received fair value for their work.

While recognising the progress made, Dr Acheampong admitted that challenges such as post-harvest losses, limited access to finance, the need for modern technology and climate-smart practices persist. He outlined a vision to build a more resilient, innovative and profitable agricultural sector.

His plans include: Investing in mechanisation and digital tools to make farming more efficient, creating stronger value chains so that what is grown in Ghana is processed in Ghana, expanding irrigation and climate-smart solutions to protect farmers against unpredictable weather, and introducing innovative financing models that provide farmers with affordable credit and insurance.

Dr Acheampong said these steps would help move the sector “from subsistence to prosperity,” making farming a pathway to wealth creation and national pride.

He expressed his gratitude and reaffirmed his commitment to stand with farmers in Parliament and beyond to ensure better conditions for their work.

“Ayekoo to all our farmers. Ghana is grateful."