Mr. Hon Atogutue Ayoroko Sulemana, the 2025 winner of the 41st Best Farmer award in the Bolgatanga municipality of the Upper East Region of Ghana and elected assembly member for the Zaare West Electoral Area, has appealed to the government for the expedited rehabilitation of the Vea dam irrigation scheme.
He believes this initiative is crucial for supporting farmers in the region and encouraging the youth, particularly those involved in illegal mining (galamsey), to engage in dry-season farming.In an exclusive interview with the media, Mr. Sulemana expressed his hope for the swift renovation of the Vea irrigation dam.
He urged the government to expedite the legislative process, specifically by ensuring that the Legislative Instrument (LI) is presented to Parliament and passed swiftly.
Mr. Sulemana called on MPs from the Upper East Region to collaborate with their colleagues in Parliament to facilitate the dam’s renovation.He stated that improved irrigation would allow the youth to cultivate various crops—including peppers, onions, groundnuts, millet, and corn—more effectively during the dry season than the rainy season.
He emphasized that rehabilitating the dam could encourage young people, who often migrate south for work, to remain in the region and pursue agriculture.
Moreover, those currently engaged in galamsey could also return to farming.“I want to appeal to the government to prioritize the renovation of the Vea irrigation dam. If the Legislative Instrument is laid in Parliament, it should be passed quickly. Our MPs should unite to support this initiative, ensuring that once the dam is renovated, the youth are motivated to farm,” he said.
Mr. Sulemana believes that with the dam’s rehabilitation, he could achieve recognition as a national best farmer within two years by showcasing his experience at the Vea dam irrigation scheme. He is committed to working diligently, aiming to surpass his earlier accomplishments as the Bolgatanga Municipal Best Farmer.
As a young farmer, Mr. Sulemana cultivates a variety of crops, including tomatoes, peppers, onions, and rice, and also engages in the rearing of domestic animals.
Source: mywordfmonline.com/Gaspard Adongo Ayuureneeya.