Mr George Lawson, a seasoned Lecturer and Journalist from the Awutu Senya District, was recognized as the overall Best Farmer of the Central Region during the 39th Farmers' Day celebration held in Ajumako.

With three decades of farming expertise, Mr Lawson's diversified agricultural activities, including the cultivation of maize, okro, cassava, mango, cowpea, pear, and livestock rearing, earned him the prestigious award.

The accolade came with a range of prizes, including a small HIJET Truck, refrigerator, mattress, Wellington boots, cutlasses, spraying machine, and a bag of fertilizer.

Madam Charity Fiwonu from the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem District was celebrated as the overall Best Fisher among the 13 farmers and fishers honored.

Addressing the audience, Mr Lawson encouraged the youth to embrace agriculture, emphasizing the need for collective efforts in developing the sector.

He highlighted the necessity for increased financial support for farmers, stressing its crucial role in agricultural development.

“For the technical support, it comes in one way or the other, but financial support does not come at all. If this continues, it will be detrimental to the agricultural potential and the future of our country,” Mr Lawson remarked.

He urged stakeholders to focus on mango and cocoa production, citing the economic potential of these crops. Mr Lawson emphasized the region's fertile land, suggesting that attention to these crops could boost foreign exchange earnings.

Mrs Justina Marigold Assan, the Central Regional Minister, commended the positive outcomes of government interventions in agriculture.

She praised the impact of the Planting for Food and Jobs policy in increasing productivity and profitability, encouraging more people to join the sector.

The Minister also highlighted efforts to minimize post-harvest losses and combat illegal fishing activities.

The celebration, themed “Delivering smart solutions for sustainable food security and resilience,” brought together districts from the region to showcase and honor outstanding contributions to agriculture and fisheries.