When Ghanaian towns proudly display their stock in trade, what they are known for and what makes them tick, it's natural for Bechem to speak of agriculture. 

After all, the inhabitants have been involved in various crop and animal ventures since the turn of the 20th century. The area is famed for its location as a key transit point for agric produce from smaller villages to the market centre that is Techiman.

And also for its stratefgic location to the Brong-Ahafo regional capital, Sunyani.

But just's a backdrop to what is turning out to be an intriguing story.

The capital of Tano South district is also home to Bechem United, who play in the top flight of the Ghana Premier League. They finished 12th last season, a far better finish than they managed four years ago when they first featured in the league.

That season - 2011/12 - they were relegated.

A key factor in their relegation was a lack of resources, which hurt their talent acquisition plans and also saw them frequently owing their players. Last season, things were slightly better.

These problems are very familiar to many small, non-traditional teams - and even the big ones. Things have become marginally better because a few years ago, someone came up with a great idea, one that is slowly yielding dividends.

CONCEIVING THE DREAM

As the district capital for the Tano South Constituency, Bechem attracts the attention of the small towns and villages surrounding it. When Bechem coughs, the adjoining areas catch a cold.

And it's no shock that when Bechem United, a few years ago, contrived a simple idea to transform the lives of many, it quickly got approval of the local population.

The idea was animal farming.

In an area that has borne the brunt of Ghana's harsh economic conditions, increasing government cuts to subsidies and dwindling support for agric, unemployment has taken an alarming hold. And with it, a lack of patronage for Bechem United's home games simply because fans don't have money to get tickets.

When Joy FM's sister station, Asempa Sports, broke the news a year ago that the Brong Ahafo-based team is seeking to cut down on the cost of feeding the club’s players and also help their supporters to be financially sound by undertaking a mixed farming initiative, many did not take notice.

But it's becoming a big deal, especially at this time that the league is on break and no one knows when the new season begins. 

EMPOWERING FANS

For the team, animal farming is an indirect way of empowering fans to troop the Nana Ofosu Gyeabour Akoto II Park whenever the team is playing at home. The farming project goes with the catch-line 'changing lives through football'.

This initiative, which has already started, will see the club providing fans with technical support in Bechem and its environs to invest in animal farming. Bechem United (club house pictured below) has its own poultry, pig and fish farms.

The club is also putting up a soccer academy and a library to cater for the new generation of talent and labour in the locality and beyond.

But why is Bechem United into animal farming? Is it because Bechem is known to be an agricultural development area? Or because the club is not financially sound?

 Club owner, Kingsley Owusu-Achau (below, pictured) explains why the club has embarked on this project.

“We have come out with these projects because we, the management of Bechem United, want to change lives of our beloved supporters, the people of Bechem and its environs, as the people of Ghana”.

“Our aim is create employment for our supporters to be financially sound so that they will not sit at home when we have home matches”

“Apart from that, we feed our players twice a day so the poultry and piggery products will be used to feed them, while the grown birds will hit the market to complement our finances.”

Poultry farm

With the kind of the system Bechem is planning to put in place, the number of birds keep increasing. Currently, there are about 1000 birds, since it started in October, 2015.

Fish farm

This project started four years ago and at the moment the pond contains about 3000 fishes and are already on the market.

Pig Farm

This started in August 2015. The pigs are just 24 in number but an expected increase is imminent.

Acquiring of land for the project

The paramount chief of Bechem traditional area, Nana Akwasi Ofosu Gyeabour Akoto II has donated 100 plots of land to the management of the club. This will enable them build a library for the students in the area.

The club intends to use the same land for its soccer academy and also the pitches where the players will be training.

Heavy equipment are on the site, pulling down big trees and weeds to pave way for the project to kick-start. To show how serious this venture is, the sod-cutting has already been done.

STARTING THE DREAM

Bechem United's management, with assistance from the chiefs of the area, cut sod for the construction of a library complex and training field last Sunday.

The ceremony, which was graced by the Goasomanhene Nana Kwasi Bosomprah I, afforded the Bechem club to also inaugurate its academy. The three training fields to be developed on the land will consist of one natural grass turf and two AstroTurfs.

During the function, Domeabramanhene Nana Kwasi Oboadum I promised 200 bags of cement towards the library project and also pledged to stock it with books when completed.

SUPPORTERS' KEY ROLE

Bechem are serious about modelling themselves as a professional club. And as with every such venture, supporters are key.

The supporters of the club, according to management, will be playing a major role in bringing these dreams into reality by forming supporters' unions that will receive financial support from the club's coffers. This support will enable them start their own farming programmes that will dovetail into the existing infrastructure.

Owusu Achau tells Asempa Sports that apart from the fact that Bechem United will benefit directly, the bigger picture is to ender a massive, loyal support base especially for the future.

“Since we are doing football and our theme is 'changing lives through football', we believe getting our wonderful supporters on board can help us achieve our goals.”  

“Don’t forget that football fans do not get winning bonuses so this is the only way we can reward them.”

 
The club also plans to reward those who cannot do farming and that's why the Bet90 initiative is also on the cards.

Bet90 will allow supporters who buy tickets for home games to enter into a raffle draw. Lucky winners will take home electrical appliances, mobile phones and farm products.

And so, with the right support and focus, the next time a native of Bechem is asked what their neck of the woods is known for, don't be surprised if they mention two things: Bechem United, and animal farming.

It's happening sooner, and faster, than many think.

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Follow Immortal on Twitter @ImmortalAcheampong and Gary @garyalsmith. Get more updates on Facebook/Twitter with the #JoySports hashtag