Culture, excitement at National Farmers’ Day celebration

Participants in the grand durbar to climax this year's National Farmers Day celebration that took place at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale experienced a lot of excitement.

Aside from the main awards presentation ceremony, the participants were treated to the rich culture of the Northern Region and an exhibition mounted just behind the durbar grounds which displayed a wide range of agricultural products and machinery.

Patrons also had a feel of some of the local Northern dishes such as Yoroyoro,Tubani and drinks like Zonkom.

The cultural display produced so much excitement among the crowd that some of the dignitaries, including the Northern Regional Minister, Mr Salifu Saeed, and the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Mrs Elizabeth Afoley Quaye, could not resist but to join the fray to dance the Takai dance.

The Women in Tractor Operation Association, who drove some tractors to the durbar grounds, also exhibited their skills in operating the machinery to the admiration of patrons.

Reaction of relatives

The reactions of relatives accompanying the award winners were also infectious.

Family members could be seen expressing their excitement as their relations were called to receive their awards.

For Ms Comfort Lartey, an elder sister of the National Best farmer first runner-up,  Ms Charity Akortia,  the recognition given her sister had motivated her and other family members to venture into farming.

According to her, the success chalked up by her sister was a moral booster for all women in the Agona West District in the Central Region.

It was also a joyous moment for Mr Yaw Boateng , the younger brother of the overall National Best farmer, Mr James Obeng Boateng.

“There is joy in my house and in the entire Boateng family for the success of our brother,” he said, while smiling broadly.
                                                  
Deceased winner

But it was not all joy for Mr Karim Nayawu, the 32-year-old younger brother of  Mr Issah Nayawu, the award winner from Jasikan in the Volta Region, who died on Tuesday, December 4, 2018, seven days after his arrival in Tamale to pick his award.

Mr Nayawu said he would have wished that his 46-year-old deceased brother  had been alive to witness, “this memorable occasion to honour him as the  Volta Regional Best Farmer first runner-up.

“I am in pain.

I am yet to come to terms with the fact that I have to take over the responsibility of looking after my deceased brother’s 12 children and four wives in addition to my own four children”, he lamented.

Additionally, he said, he was expected to take good care of the late brother’s farms.

The deceased has since been buried according to Islamic custom and tradition.