The KNUST Primary School has launched an early Farmers’ Day celebration aimed at encouraging pupils to value agriculture, adopt home gardening, and understand the sector’s importance to Ghana’s future, as teachers and agricultural experts urged the young learners to see farming as a viable and prestigious career.
The programme, held in commemoration of Ghana’s National Farmers’ Day celebration, was themed “Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana, Secure the Future.”
Deputy Head of the school, Mrs. Nana Oye Woodiez, urged pupils to champion home gardening and advocate for environmental protection, including calling for an end to illegal mining.
“We have learned a lot today,” she told the pupils. “When you go home, encourage your parents. It doesn’t matter whether your house is cemented; you can still do backyard farming. Plant tomatoes, garden eggs, something to feed Ghana and grow our nation.”
She added: “Tell your parents to make noise so that galamsey will stop in our country.”
Chief Teacher of the Science Department, Mr. Frank Buoh Peprah, said the event was designed to help learners connect classroom lessons to real-world agricultural practice.
“We wanted the learners to understand the importance of agriculture and the many careers available,” he noted. “Often, pupils mention professions like doctors and engineers, but hardly anyone says they want to be a farmer. This is our first effort to change that.”
Agriculture Officer at Local Government Service, Theresah Ohenewaa Kumah, encouraged pupils to see farming as a versatile and dignified profession.
“Every profession can go on strike, but not farmers,” she said. “You can be a lawyer, doctor, engineer, or landscape designer and still be a farmer. Every plate of rice, every fruit, every vegetable begins with a farmer.”
She also urged the females to take advantage of increasing opportunities and scholarships in the agricultural sector.
A short play competition was also held, with pupils dramatizing themes on food security, environmental protection and the value of farming.
The panel of judges comprised Mrs. Comfort Ahadzie Adjei, Chief Technician at the Department of Horticulture; Mr. Isaac Appah, Principal Technician at the same department; Mr. Edward Tenadu, Chief Teacher at KNUST JHS; and Mr. Iddrisu Issifu, also a Chief Teacher at KNUST JHS.
Mr. Isaac Appah, Principal Technician at the Department of Horticulture commended the creativity displayed by the pupils, noting the integration of modern mechanisation in some of their projects.
He added that the Department of Agriculture is available to provide technical support for school farms and home gardening initiatives.
The highlight of the day was the recognition of Akosua Nyarko Agyapong (Basic 6E), who was named Best Student Farmer for consistently nurturing vegetable seedlings started by the Science Department.
Certificates of participation were also presented to non-teaching staff, school market staff, and blocks 1 to 6.
In the inter-class competition, Basic 2 placed first, followed by Basic 5 in second, Basic 4 in third, Basic 1 in fourth, Basic 6 in fifth, and Basic 3 in sixth.
Story & Photos : Edith Asravor
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