Three financial institutions — the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), Stanbic Bank Ghana and Development Bank Ghana (DBG) have donated to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in support of this year’s Farmers Day celebration scheduled to take place in Ho in the Volta Region, on December 5.
The donations were made at separate ceremonies last Friday at the ministry in Accra.
While ADB and Stanbic Bank have supported the celebrations for years, the DBG, established just five years ago, is making its first-ever contribution to this year’s event.
ADB has increased its support for the Overall Best Farmer from GH¢1 million to GH¢1.2 million.
The bank is also donating GH¢15,000 to the Best Agricultural Secondary School and providing additional support to the Overall Best Fisher under the Ministry of Fisheries.
Stanbic Bank, on the other hand, donated a high-end, globally recognised tractor valued at about GH₵700,000 to be awarded to a successful and hardworking farmer.
DBG also donated a tractor with three implements to support agricultural research, with the prize designated for the best university research institution in agriculture.
ADB’s package
The Deputy Managing Director of ADB, Professor Ferdinand Makafui Ahiakpor, announced an expanded package of donations ahead of the national farmers’ awards.
Prof. Ahiakpor emphasised the bank’s long-standing partnership with the ministry and reaffirmed ADB’s commitment to sustaining and increasing its support for the agricultural sector.
Stanbic’s commitment
The Executive Head of Marketing of Stanbic Bank Ghana, Mawuko Afadzinu, reaffirmed the bank’s long-standing commitment to supporting the country’s agricultural sector.
He said for 18 consecutive years, including the COVID-19 period, the bank contributed to national agricultural initiatives, notably through providing high-quality tractors and other forms of support to farmers.
DBG’s mission
The Deputy CEO of DBG, John Kwame Mensah Zigah, said the bank was committed to supporting the entire agricultural value chain, with a special focus on research that developed new crop varieties.
Minister’s pledge
The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, expressed appreciation to the banks for their consistent support to farmers and the ministry.
