The National Best Farmer, Mr Ibrahim Musa who is the owner of Ibrahim Musa Unity Farms in the Dormaa- Ahenkro in the Dorma Municipality of the Brong Ahafo Region is to enjoy a two- year tax holiday.
Mr. Gordon Asubonteng, the Dormaa Municipal Chief Executive, who announced this on Friday said the two year tax holiday would keep him from fulfilling tax obligations to the Municipal Assembly within the stipulated period to encourage him to employ more hands and reduce unemployment in the area.
Mr Asubonteng was speaking at a durbar organized by the Dormaa Municipal Assembly to honour Mr Musa for emerging as the National Best Farmer during the 31st National Farmers Day Celebration held in Bolgatanga last Friday.
It was also to recognize and acknowledge him for his generous and significant contribution to the course of the Assembly and helping to uplift the image of Dormaa – Ahenkro and the Brong – Ahafo Region as a whole.
The durbar was heavily attended by some traditional rulers, heads of departments, some members of the security agencies, best farmers in the municipality both new and old winners, assembly members, staff of the Dormaa Municipal Assembly, some members of the Dormaa Poultry Farmers Association and a cross – section of the public.
Mr Musa, a native of Kofiasua, a suburb of Dormaa – Ahenkro in the Dormaa Central Municipality of the Brong – Ahafo Region was accompanied by his wife, relatives, friends and other well-wishers to the durbar ground, the frontage of the Municipal Assembly Office Building.
In his welcoming address, Mr Munkaila J. Sani, the Municipal Director of Agriculture, noted that Ghana’s economy was import driven, although it was endowed with land and natural resources from which it could harness to create employment for its people.
He commended the national best farmer for bringing honour to Dormaa – Ahenkro.
Mr Patrick Yeadoo, Brong – Ahafo Best Regional Agriculture Officer, stated that initially their work was challenged by the incidence of bushfires on the farmer’s farmlands but were finally able to surmount these challenges.
He said his outfit was hit by shortages of 45 staff which seriously affects their outreach programmes and asked for support from radio stations to help spread knowledge to farmers.
Mr Yeadoo indicated that their doors were open to offer expertise and knowledge to farmers who needed them help improve their yields.
Barima Okogyeatour Agyemang, the Adontehene of Dormaa Traditiona Area, expressed his readiness to make land available for people who were interested in farming in the area to help improve their livelihoods especially graduates who lack jobs.
Barima Yeboah Kordie, the Aduanahene of Dormaa Traditional Area, appealed to the national best farmer to explore areas through which he can impact his experience and knowledge on the people.
Mr Addai Dukuu, the Municipal Best Farmer, asked farmers to venture into tomatoes as it was very profitable and not only focus on cocoa and poultry farming.
He called for measures to be put in place to forestall the occurrence of bushfire in the area.
