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Farmers in the Eastern Region who were selected for recognition as
part of the National Farmers Day celebration Friday have received
rolls of toilet paper, 'Joy Daddy' bitters, cutlasses, wellington
boots and bars of soap.
The farmers were deemed to have excelled in various farming activities
such as poultry, piggery and other specific food or cash crops.
The farmers received two 'Key Soap' bars, three rolls of toilet paper,
three bottles of 'Joy Daddy Bitters' (an alcoholic drink) and three
cutlasses.
The items were presented at a ceremony to honour them at this year's
Farmers' Day celebrations in Koforidua in the Eastern Region.
Instituted in the early 1980s, the annual event celebrated on the
first Friday of December is meant to honour the contributions of
farmers to the development of the country.
The 2014 edition of the celebration is under the theme: "Eat what you grow."
In all, 71 farmers across the country are being awarded at the
national event at Sefwi-Wiawso in the Western region.
The award categories include fisheries, research, extension services
among others.
As a sign of showing greater respect for the profession; which employs
about 60% of Ghana's population, the day is observed as a national
holiday and marked with gatherings at the district to the national
level with best farmers selected to be awarded.
And it is in accordance with this tradition that farmers from the
various districts of the Eastern region converged at the Regional
capital, Koforidua to observe the day.
However, the farmers to be awarded were dismayed when they discovered
that instead of items of value to be given them to compensate for
their years of tilling the ground, they were only given three rolls of
toilet paper and the alcoholic beverage, Joy Dadi bitters.
Adom FM reporter, Kofi Siaw, who was present at the event reported
that the farmers who were to be awarded the commodities frowned upon
seeing the items being given them, indicating their dislike for the
awards.
According to him, the farmers became more disappointed after the
Regional Minister, Antwi Boasiako Sekyere stated in his speech at the
gathering that the government was more committed to the welfare of
farmers.
The disappointed farmers were said to have questioned why a government
which remained committed to the welfare of farmers would award them
with pieces of toilet rolls and bottles of Joy Dadi bitters.
Some however described the award as an insult to the farmers.
Credit: Myjoyonline.com
