Ghana proudly commemorated its 41st National Farmers’ Day on Friday, December 5, 2025, a significant nationwide celebration dedicated to honouring the farmers and fishers whose unwavering commitment underpins the nation’s food security and sustains rural livelihoods. The observance commenced with a week-long National Agricultural Fair, which began on Monday, December 1, at the Ho Sports Stadium. This event brought together thousands of participants, including farmers, agribusiness innovators, policymakers, investors, and exhibitors, showcasing the latest advancements in technology, value addition, and sustainable farming practices. The overarching theme for this year's celebration, “Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the Future,” underscored the government’s strategic focus on fortifying food systems, championing local consumption, and cultivating long-term resilience within the agricultural sector.

Amidst the festive atmosphere, the General Agricultural Workers’ Union (GAWU) of the Trades Union Congress seized the occasion to reiterate its urgent call for the establishment of a Ghana Agricultural Service. In a statement issued on December 5, GAWU asserted that without a permanent professional structure to anchor agricultural development, the annual commemoration of Farmers’ Day risks losing its profound meaning. While acknowledging the day as one of national pride that honours citizens whose efforts feed the nation and whose resilience sustains the economy through various challenges, GAWU cautioned that mere celebration is insufficient without institutional reforms to secure enduring gains.

GAWU lauded recent government interventions, such as the Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness (PIAA), expanded mechanisation support, irrigation improvements, and a renewed emphasis on domestic production, recognizing these as indicators of a growing policy commitment to food security and youth engagement in agriculture. However, the Union stressed that the persistent absence of a dedicated agricultural service continues to undermine continuity, accountability, and research-driven development. GAWU argued that a Ghana Agricultural Service, akin to the Ghana Health Service and Ghana Education Service, would function as a permanent body responsible for policy formulation, extension services, research coordination, and implementation, ensuring that the expertise and lived experiences of agricultural workers directly influence national policy.

The Union pinpointed critical gaps that such a new service must address, most notably the nation’s alarming shortage of extension officers. Currently, one extension officer serves an estimated 1,500 farmers, a ratio significantly below the international standard of 1:500. This situation, GAWU noted, persists despite the availability of qualified graduates in agronomy, crop science, horticulture, and related fields. Furthermore, GAWU advocated for the urgent recapitalization of COCOBOD, highlighting the cocoa sector's severe pressure from debt and limited investment capacity, and urged the government to revisit the 2013 approval for a national Horticulture Research Institute under the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to drive innovation and unlock new export opportunities for fruits, vegetables, and tree crops. GAWU concluded that Farmers’ Day must transcend annual ceremonies to inspire a deeper national commitment to modernizing agriculture and improving the welfare of those who feed the country, also paying special tribute to women in agriculture and pledging continued advocacy for their safety, rights, and leadership.

In a tangible demonstration of support, Newage Agric Solutions Ltd, recognized as the CIMG 2024 Agric Company of the Year, contributed GH¢30,000 worth of food products, including EVIVI RICE and EVIVI SOYABEAN oil, alongside a cash donation of GH¢50,000 to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) for the 41st Farmers’ Day celebration. Martin Tettey Nartey, General Manager of Newage Agric Solutions Ltd, articulated that this gesture was part of the company’s effort to appreciate Ghana’s hardworking farmers, stating the products and cash were aimed at supporting farmers who tirelessly ensure food availability. The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, expressed gratitude for the donation, assuring that the items would be channeled directly to farmers to motivate them and contribute to Ghana's food security goals.

AGRA Ghana also joined the nation in commemorating National Farmers’ Day, with Country Director Dr. Betty Annan issuing a statement that praised Ghanaian farmers for their extraordinary and tireless work in ensuring the nation’s food security. Dr. Annan emphasized that setting aside a day to celebrate farmers is not merely symbolic but truly deserved, acknowledging their resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment to building strong, sustainable food systems. While recognizing the numerous challenges farmers face, from climate change to limited access to inputs, markets, finance, and modern technologies, AGRA affirmed its steadfast commitment to empowering farmers through initiatives that enhance productivity, expand access to vital resources, and promote sustainable, climate-smart agriculture. AGRA’s strategy, which seeks to unlock productivity, increase competitiveness, and strengthen agro-processing and trade, strongly aligns with the theme “Eat Ghana, Grow Ghana, Secure the Future.” In partnership with various stakeholders, AGRA also announced support for the winners of several national awards, including the National Best Female Farmer, National Best Youth Farmer, National Best Differently Abled Farmer, and Northern Regional Best Youth Farmer.

From the perspective of farmers, Nana Oboadie Boateng Bonsu, President of the Concerned Farmers Association of Ghana, appealed to the government for the introduction of single-digit interest rates, specifically 2%, on loans to support and expand the activities of registered farmers. Speaking on Joy News on December 5, he highlighted that current interest rates ranging from 22% to 33% severely impede farmers’ ability to operate efficiently. He argued that a 2% interest rate would enable farmers to effectively implement initiatives like the “Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana” project and enhance national development. Bonsu also raised concerns about the decline in locally grown produce, such as onions and shallots from the Volta Region, noting a regrettable consumer preference for imported “Niger onions,” and urged Ghanaians to prioritize local consumption.

The climax of the celebrations saw 82-year-old Opanyin Abraham Kwaku Adusei crowned the overall National Best Farmer for 2025. Osman Kadiri was recognized as the first runner-up, and 63-year-old Charles Gyato from the Oti Region received the second runner-up award. All three distinguished winners were presented with cash prizes by President John Dramani Mahama at the 41st National Farmers’ Day Awards Ceremony in Ho, the Volta Regional capital, in recognition of their exceptional dedication and contribution to agriculture.

In his address, President Mahama challenged the outdated perception that agriculture is solely for “village folks,” stating that many professionals, including teachers, civil servants, and private sector workers, can successfully integrate farming into their lives to supplement incomes. He also echoed the concerns about high-interest loans, identifying them as a primary impediment for farmers who often end up “working for the banks instead of working for themselves.” The President stressed the imperative of providing credit at single-digit rates to enable farmers to grow and feed Ghana, emphasizing that farmers should not see their profits eroded by loan repayments. He further highlighted the Volta Region as a significant beneficiary of the “Big Push” initiative, which aims to rapidly expand Ghana’s road network and boost economic activity. Minister of Food and Agriculture Eric Opoku affirmed that the government’s agricultural interventions are yielding positive impacts, improving national food systems, increasing household incomes, and enhancing food security for millions of Ghanaian families across rural and urban communities.