Yaw Frempong Addo, (left) receiving the key to the tractor from Bright Evans Darko, and Emmanuel Essilfie-Conduah (right)
THE GHANA Export and Import (GEXIM) Bank has supported this year’s National Farmers’ Day Celebrations with a donation of a brand new state-of-the-art LS plus80 Tractor (80HP 4WD) to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) as prize for the first runner-up farmer.
The tractor, which comes with a plough, harrow, boom sprayerand all other farming accessories, is valued at GH¢711,000 and has a potentially 30-year life span.
Bright Evans Darko, Head of SME; and Emmanuel Essilfie-Conduah, Head of Corporate Affairs, on behalf of GEXIM Bank, made the presentation to the Ministry, which was received by the Deputy Minister, Yaw Frempong Addo.
Shortly after the presentation, Mr. Darko intimidated that having been supporting farmers for the past 23 years, his outfit holds the firm belief that “if agriculture is supported and financed well, it will overall, impact the development of the country.”
He stressed that with Ghana being primarily an agricultural economy, there is the urgent need to develop the sector saying, “If it is developed well, the GDP will increase and Ghana as a whole will become a better country.”
Mr. Darko also noted that the tractor would help the winner of the prize to mechanize his or her farming practices.
“Research has shown that, mechanization is the way to go. When you mechanize, efficiency is achieved, saves a lot of time, productivity is increased and yields are also increased as well,” he stated.
On receiving the tractor, Deputy Minister for MoFA, Yaw Frempong Addo, conveyed government’s appreciation to the bank for giving them “quality” anytime they make such donations over the years.
He said the tractor would go a long way to increase productivity of the farmers and that would in turn ensure Ghanaians have enough food to eat in the country.
He iterated thatfood security is a very important agenda on the Ministry’s bucket list and that a big organization like GEXIM Bank coming on board to support themachieve the country’s food security needs was“gratifying.”
BY Nii Adjei Mensahfio