The 2009 National Farmers Day celebration has been held in Tamale, the Northern Regional Capital, to celebrate and award deserving farmers. Prizes were awarded to farmers adjudged the best in various food and cash crop productions, as well as poultry, fish farming and animal husbandry. 36-year-old Davis Naa Korboe from the Eastern Region emerged National Best Farmer, followed by 62-year-old Madam Eva Agbovi Ametepe of the Greater Accra Region while Pastor Daniel Kpande of the Northern Region emerged third. 40-year-old Johnson Kofi Kumah from Abotoase in the Volta Region emerged the National Best Fisher, followed by 29-year-old Sekondi-based Kofi Esson and 54-year-old Kwabena Quansah of Mumford in the Central Region in third position. President John Evans Atta Mills, special guest of honour, praised the industry of Ghanaian farmers and on behalf of the government and people, expressed appreciation for their contribution to national development. He said the government was establishing the proper foundation to ensure that agriculture takes its pride of place, noting also that the sector has already chalked some remarkable successes. “But Agriculture cannot succeed unless we recognize the valuable contribution by our farmers and fishermen. And to them, I say ayekoo! Mother Ghana is indeed grateful to you for what you’ve been able to do.” President Mills stressed the government’s determination to implement the right policies to put Agriculture on a high pedestal, saying that for the development of any nation, food security is non-negotiable. He said a nation that cannot feed itself is a nation in distress and Ghana is ready to show the way to food security. “As revealed by our budget, we are prepared to support our farmers in spite of the rising cost of agricultural input. We are doing so because we know that this is the right thing to do.” President Mills said the government will honour its promises, particularly the provision of landing sites and storage facilities for the fisher folk. He charged managers of the cocoa sub-sector to be mindful of dwindling international consumption of cocoa so they will design plans to encourage improved consumption locally, suggesting for instance that managers of the Ghana School Feeding Programme could incorporate the provision of cocoa drinks to go with meals for pupils under the programme. He said chocolates can also be associated with local festivals. “I would also call on them to improve their marketing strategies by giving the franchise to vendors so that they will be able to sell cold and hot chocolate to our people.” He advised critics who see the celebration of the day as a mere ‘touch and go’ event that adds nothing to the advancement of agriculture to change their mindset because his administration is serious about agriculture and considers it the pivot around which the government’s economic planning revolves. The celebration, the 25th since the inception of the National Farmers Day, was also used to honour past Ministers of Agriculture under various regimes, with President Mills observing that credit ought to be given where it is due because it is one great way to encourage others to contribute their quota to national development. “My brothers and sisters, this is to underscore the fact that governments come and go, and when it is your turn, you do what you can and leave for others to follow. This recognition given to them is ample testimony of the level of appreciation that we have for the contributions that they have made. Give credit where it is due. That is the only way that people with the necessary impetus, the necessary fillip will contribute to the development of their dear nation.” Story by Isaac Yeboah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana