Editorial
Let’s empower youth to engage in agriculture to create jobs
Last week Friday was National Farmers’ Day, which is observed every year on the first Friday of December to honour farmers for their diligence, commitment, and priceless contributions to supplying us with the food and resources we rely on a daily basis.
At this year’s lavish ceremony, which had as its theme “Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the Future”, an octogenarian, Mr. Abraham Kwaku Adusei from Kwahu Odumase in the Afram Plains District of the Eastern Region, was adjudged the 2025 National Best Farmer.
His enterprise is overwhelming, which include 300 acres of rice, 600 acres of maize, 207 acres of mango, 300 acres of cashew, 1000 acres of cocoa, and 120 acres of vegetables. For his prize the 82-year-old farmer received a tractor and accessories, cutlasses, Wellington boots and a GH¢1.2 million cheque.
Reports say that this year’s ceremony, which was the most vibrant and well-attended edition in recent years, showcased rich cultural expressions, led by the Paramount Chief of the Asogli State, Togbe Afede XIV, who chaired the occasion with a large retinue of chiefs from the region.
Besides individuals winning awards, there were groups such as schools, religious bodies and institutions who received national recognition and support for their contributions and dedication to farming.
The Spectator urges the youth to take a cue from the hard work of our best farmer who is an octogenarian. If an octogenarian could win such an impressive award, there is no doubt that the youth can equally do same. It is a good example to follow.
These days the youth complain of being unemployed just because they are looking for white-collar jobs, but engaging in farming will be a major source of income and create jobs for them.
It is through the hard work of farmers that we have food on our tables every day.
The youth should be encouraged to engage in farming because it has numerous benefits: it is fundamental to food security, provides diverse nutritious options, tackles hunger and malnutrition, creates employment, provides raw materials for industries, and helps to earn foreign exchange through exports.
Besides, it also drives rural development, infrastructure growth, and supports environmental sustainability through practices like agro-forestry.
Without agriculture there will be shortage of food which can have dire consequences to society, creating chaos and instability.
Instead of being idle, we encourage the youth to educate themselves by taking short courses organised by agricultural institutions and learn about local farms and the challenges farmers face to brace themselves up for the task ahead.
The government should also put measures in place to encourage the citizenry to patronise local foods as a way of encouraging farmers whose primary responsibility include planting and harvesting crops which involves extensive work and are labour intensive.
Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful and most noble employment, so let us empower the youth to engage in agriculture to create jobs and also ensure food security.
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Dear Editor,
It is often said that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. However, this saying becomes worrying when the health of citizens is threatened by the conditions under which the food they consume daily is sold.
In Ghana, the conditions under which food is sold is quite disturbing. Over the years, I have observed that the environments where food is prepared and sold are often unhygienic.
In many cases, containers holding food such as rice and waakye are left uncovered or not properly covered, exposing them to contamination.
While many Ghanaians paid little attention in the past to the conditions under which food was sold, the narrative seems to be changing in recent years.
I recall an incident during my days in Senior High School (S.H.S.) when my friends and I went out to buy food. At one location, some of us chose not to buy because we assumed the food would be expensive due to how neat the place looked.
Unfortunately, we ended up purchasing food from a different place that was somewhat unhygienic. We overlooked the poor conditions because we believed the quantity offered was better than at the cleaner location.
However, I am certain that my friends and I would not repeat such a mistake today, as we now understand the health implications of that decision.
While public education is important in addressing this issue, I believe it is time for regulatory and law enforcement agencies, such as the Food and Drug Authority (FDA), to crack the whip on food sellers and vendors who operate in unhygienic environments and conditions.
As citizens, we must also be mindful of where we buy our food to protect ourselves and our families from diseases and illnesses. We should choose ‘quality’ over ‘quantity’ and prioritize our health.
From Syram
Oyarifa
Dear Editor,
I write to express concern and call for improved security measures before and after every football match.
The recent robbery attack that led to the tragic death of a player, on their return from a Match day 29 game against Samartex, is both shocking and heartbreaking.
The incident, which reportedly occurred around 10:30 p.m., highlights the growing risks faced by players and team officials while traveling.
Football is meant to unite and entertain, not to expose lives to danger. It is therefore imperative that authorities, the Ghana Football Association, and security agencies put in place adequate protection for teams, especially during late-night travels.
I strongly urge all stakeholders to treat this matter with urgency to prevent such unfortunate incidents from recurring.
From Eugene Ampiaw
Accra
