Nana Owusu Achiaw Brempong, a 70-year-old farmer from Sekyere Central District in Ghana's Ashanti Region, has been honored as the 2024 National Best Farmer. His award, presented on November 8 during the National Farmers’ Day celebration in Accra, recognizes his exceptional contribution to Ghana’s agricultural sector. Nana Owusu received one million Ghana cedis along with additional prizes, acknowledging his dedication and influence on agriculture in Ghana.
In his acceptance speech, Nana Owusu emphasized the importance of investing in local agriculture to achieve food security and reduce Ghana's dependence on imported goods. He urged the government and stakeholders to prioritize agriculture, saying, "We must prioritize local production if we are to safeguard our food security and grow our economy."
With over 19 years of farming experience and a background in tertiary education, Nana Owusu manages North American Farms, an extensive operation employing 168 people, including 18 full-time staff, 150 casual workers, and six family members. His diversified farm produces a variety of crops, including roots and tubers (such as cassava, cocoyam, and yam), cereals, maize, vegetables, plantation crops, timber, and pulses. He also raises livestock, including large and small ruminants, poultry, and fish.
Nana Owusu's achievements have earned him widespread respect in his community. Seen as a role model, he has previously won the National Best Irrigation Farmer award in 2020, the Ashanti Regional Best Farmer award in 2018, and the District Best Farmer award in 2023. His commitment to farming has inspired many young people in the area to pursue careers in agriculture.
This year’s National Farmers’ Day celebration highlighted the essential role farmers play in Ghana's economy, with agriculture remaining a key sector for employment, revenue generation, and food security. The event underscored the government’s ongoing initiatives to support farmers, from boosting productivity to ensuring fair compensation. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who attended the ceremony, announced a slight increase in cocoa prices, raising the producer price for the 2024/2025 crop season from GHC3,000 to GHC3,100 per 64 kg bag. This 0.03% adjustment, he explained, responds to market conditions and aims to support farmers’ incomes amidst rising costs.
President Akufo-Addo also pledged to regularly review cocoa prices to align with global market trends and improve the livelihoods of cocoa farmers. “I have directed the Minister for Agriculture to ensure regular price adjustments that reflect global market trends and the realities on the ground,” he stated.
The Farmers’ Day awards and the increase in cocoa prices reflect the government’s commitment to enhancing the agricultural sector, which contributes significantly to Ghana’s GDP. Through these initiatives, Ghana aims to reinforce its agricultural productivity and sustain its status as one of the world’s top cocoa producers.
The celebration of Nana Owusu Achiaw Brempong as the National Best Farmer illustrates the crucial role that dedicated farmers play in securing Ghana’s agricultural future, emphasizing the need for continued investment and recognition within the sector.
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