The Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East Constituency, Hon. Phillis Naa Koryo Okunor, has urged the youth to take up agriculture as a viable and profitable career path. She described the sector as a modern, lucrative, and essential engine for wealth creation, food security, and job creation.
Speaking at the Awutu Senya East Municipal Farmers’ Day celebration, held under the theme “Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the Future,” the MP stressed that farming should no longer be viewed as a low-status occupation.
“Farming is not a low-status job. It is a profitable enterprise, and I encourage the youth to venture into it to earn income and secure their future,” — Hon. Phillis Naa Koryo Okunor, MP for Awutu Senya East
During the event, outstanding farmers were recognized and rewarded with items such as refrigerators, television sets, farm tools, and a tricycle (“aboboyaa”), which was presented to the Overall Best Farmer.
MCE Calls for Protection of Agricultural Lands
In an interview with ATINKA NEWS reporter Samuel Nyamekye Jnr, the Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Seth Sabah Serwornoo Banini, appealed to traditional authorities to help preserve lands meant for agriculture. He noted that farmlands in the area are rapidly being taken over by estate developers, posing a serious threat to local food production.
“We are appealing to Nananom to reserve lands for agriculture. Most of the lands meant for farming are being degraded by estate developers,” — Hon. Seth Sabah Serwornoo Banini, MCE
Overall Best Farmer Appeals for Land Access
The Overall Best Farmer for the municipality, 37-year-old Alhaji Bandago, who supports a family of 11 children, also lamented the lack of accessible farmland. He called on both the government and traditional leaders to intervene by protecting and allocating more land for agricultural activities.
“The unavailability of land is a major hindrance to agriculture. We need government and Nananom to help reserve lands for farming,” — Alhaji Bandago, Overall Best Farmer
The awards ceremony highlighted the critical role of farmers in sustaining the municipality and reinforced calls for greater youth participation in the agricultural sector.
By Samuel Nyamekye Jnr.