Eric Wuyin Geeyam gained
admission into All Nations University College in Koforidua the Eastern Regional
Capital in 2015 to pursue Biomedical Engineering, but today he is popular for
his farming prowess.
Shortly after the admission, he noticed the
University had large acres of land at its new site along the Koforidua Akwadum
Road yet to be developed. He requested management to lease portions of the land
to farm to enable him get additional income to pay his fees, the school granted
his request.
Wuyin Geeyam ,24, from Kpadai District in the
Northern Region of Ghana, currently has seven (7) acre Maize farm, three-acre
cassava farm, 2 acres of Yam, one(1) acre of groundnut farm, then half-acre of
tomatoes, Okra and Pepper each, on the University’s land. He has also inspired
and guided many students of the University to farm on campus.
The hard work and exceptional dexterity of Mr.
Wuyin Geeyam now a level 400 student was recognized Friday December 6, 2019,
during the 35th Farmers Day Celebration organized by New Juaben North Municipal
Assembly.
He was adjudged the Municipal Best Youth Farmer
2019, and given two bags of fertilizer, four cutlasses, a Wellington boot,
Weedicide and a piece of GTP Cloth and a certificate as Prize.
In an interview with Starr News, he said “I realized
that being a student I can do farming as well alongside the Education. Most of
the youth see farming as a punishment or something wrong with that so they
expect white colour jobs, but as a young undergrad I put it into myself that I
do farm and go to school as well”.
According to him, he planned very well to manage
his time on-farm and that of academic work “it is just the matter of you
scheduling your time very well. It is a matter of Planning”.
He said “farming is very lucrative and it is
very good for young people as we venture into it. Being a farmer, you don’t
have to buy the food you eat”.
Other winners.
A 36-year-old Comfort Djamasi from Akwadum was
adjudged overall Best farmer in the municipality.
Comfort has been farming for the past 20 years.
She has 8 acres of maize farm,
11 acres of cocoa farm, 3 acres of Cocoyam, 4
acres of Cassava, 5 acres of plantain,2 acres of Yam and an acre of Sweet
potatoes. In addition, she has a 50-bird poultry farm and five goats.
The overall best farmer receiving her award
She received a tricycle donated by the Member of
Parliament for New Juaben North,Nana Adjei Boateng. In addition, she was given
two bags of fertilizer, Four Cutlasses, a Wellington Boot, Napsack spray,
Weedicide and two pieces of Clothes.
The First and Second runners-up were Alfred
Tetteh and Asamoh Chartey respectively.
Pope John Senior High School and Minor Seminary
(POJOSS) was also adjudged Best Institutional Farm under Planting for Food and
Jobs.
In all, nineteen(19) hardworking farmers were
recognized and given certificates and varied prizes.
Address by MP, MCE
The Member of Parliament for New Juaben North,
Nana Adjei Boateng, said government is cognizant of the critical role
agricultural sector continues to play in the Ghanaian economy and job creation
reason it has increased investment to the sector and initiated many flagship programs
such as Planting for Food and Jobs, Planting for Export and Rural Development,
Hand Pollination program in the cocoa sector among others gear towards boosting
production in the sector.
He encouraged the youth in the municipality to
take advantage of these opportunities to venture into farming.
On her part, the Municipal Chief Executive for
New Juaben North, Comfort Asante reiterated the commitment of the Assembly to
supporting farmers in the municipality to improve on productivity.
She said thousands of different species of
seedlings have been raised for free distribution to farmers while Agriculture
extension officers deployed to provide technical assistance to farmers in the
municipality on best agricultural practices.
She urged residents of the Municipality to
consume local rice to help boost the economy aside being nutritious for better
health.
