An 82-year-old farmer, Opanyin Abraham Kwaku Adusei, has been named the Overall National Best Farmer for 2025, earning national recognition for decades of dedication to Ghana’s agricultural sector.
Osman Kadiri emerged first runner-up, while 63-year-old Charles Gyato from the Oti Region was awarded second runner-up. All three received significant cash prizes for their outstanding contributions to food production and agricultural development.
The awards were presented by President John Dramani Mahama at the 41st National Farmers Day Awards Ceremony held in Ho, the Volta Regional capital.
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Addressing the ceremony, President Mahama urged Ghanaians to rethink outdated perceptions about farming, stressing that agriculture offers meaningful economic opportunities for professionals across all sectors.
“Agriculture isn’t only for the village folks. You can work and still be a farmer. Teachers and civil servants can go to work and have farms, and the money from the farm can supplement their incomes,” he said.
The President encouraged more citizens to explore farming as an additional income stream, especially in a period of rising food demand and expanding agribusiness opportunities.
President Mahama also highlighted the crippling impact of high-interest loans on farmers, describing the credit environment as a major obstacle to agricultural growth.
“Farmers should not be taking loans only to end up using all their profits to repay the banks,” he said.
He stressed the need for single-digit interest rates to allow farmers to invest, expand, and secure stable livelihoods.
According to him, many farmers who borrow at steep rates end up working for the banks instead of working for themselves.
The President further revealed that the Volta Region has been a major beneficiary of the government’s Big Push infrastructure initiative.
“A good percentage of the roads awarded under the Big Push are from the Volta Region,” President Mahama stated, adding that the goal is to close infrastructure gaps and support communities long affected by poor road access.
He emphasised that improved road networks directly support farming communities by reducing transportation costs and improving market access.
Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, commended the impact of the government’s agricultural policies on household welfare and food security.
“Our policies are affecting homes. Families are experiencing real improvements, from better food availability to increased earnings for farmers, processors, traders, and all those along the value chain.”
He noted that interventions are boosting crop yields, improving market access, and strengthening food supply chains across both rural and urban Ghana.