The Member of Parliament for Akuapem North in the Eastern Region, Sammi Awuku, has officially launched a project known as the ‘Ofie Market Initiative’ to improve agriculture and promote socio-economic development in his constituency.
The initiative is designed to provide a direct marketplace for farmers to sell their produce, enhance food security, effectively reduce post-harvest losses and create opportunities for traders within the municipality.
It also aims to empower farmers in the enclave by ensuring their hard work translates into financial gains while providing consumers with fresh and affordable produce.
The Ofie Market will be held once every month, enabling farmers to sell their produce at farm gate prices while attracting buyers from Accra and beyond.
This move is expected to boost economic activities in the region, with a wide range of products, including livestock, food crops, and other locally-produced goods being made available.
By creating a direct link between producers and consumers, the initiative seeks to eliminate the activities of middlemen who often increase costs for final buyers and reduce earnings for farmers. This will help stabilise local food prices and ensure equitable distribution of profits within the agricultural supply chain.
Mr Awuku reaffirmed his commitment to supporting farmers in increasing their yields to meet the anticipated demand from the Ofie Market, adding that he would mobilise financial institutions to introduce interest-free loan schemes to support farmers and traders to expand their businesses.
“This financial support is expected to enable farmers to purchase essential inputs such as fertilisers, improved seedlings, and equipment necessary for large-scale production”, he said.
He emphasised that the Ofie Market initiative is part of a broader plan to enhance agricultural productivity and ensure continuous market access for local producers.
Additionally, Mr Awuku highlighted the rehabilitation of roads linking Mangoase to Adawso and Larteh, which will enhance access to various farming communities and market centres.
“Improved transportation networks are crucial in ensuring that farm produce reaches the market in good condition and minimising post-harvest losses that often occur due to poor road networks”, he stressed.
He also announced plans to establish coconut and cassava plantations and a processing factory to generate employment opportunities for the youth, create wealth, and improve the livelihoods of residents.
“The coconut plantation initiative will serve as a raw material supply for the growing coconut oil and beverage industries, while the cassava processing plant will facilitate value addition, enabling farmers to sell processed cassava products such as flour, starch, and gari, which fetch higher market prices. These projects will not only increase revenue for local farmers but also provide jobs for young people in processing, packaging, and distribution”, he explained.
In the education sector, Mr Awuku disclosed his intention to institute a welfare fund for teachers to motivate them in the discharge of their duties, targeted at enhancing education in the municipality.
He highlighted the importance of investing in education as a means of securing the future of the region and ensuring long-term socio-economic development.
He announced that four more schools would be added to the beneficiaries of the School Feeding Program through the support of an American organisation, adding that the learners in the selected schools would be served breakfast and lunch.
He said, “This initiative is expected to improve student concentration and attendance rates, particularly for children from low-income families.”
Mr Awuku called on constituents to support the initiative as he works towards fulfilling his campaign promises aimed at improving livelihoods and economic development in the municipality.
He emphasised that the success of the Ofie Market hinges on collective participation and cooperation from all stakeholders, including farmers, traders, transport operators, and consumers.
“By fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation, the Ofie Market Initiative has the potential to become a model for agricultural transformation and rural economic development across Ghana”, he concluded.
Nana Osim Kwatia II, Amanokromhene, and Akwapim Gyasehene, who chaired the occasion, lauded Mr Awuku for t”his visionary initiative” and urged farmers to take full advantage of it.
He particularly expressed appreciation for the MP’s plan to provide transportation to cart the farm produce from the farm gates to the market centres, which he noted would significantly reduce costs for both farmers and consumers.
“Transportation has historically been one of the biggest challenges for farmers, and by addressing this issue, the Ofie Market will enable more farmers to participate actively and benefit from increased market access”, he explained.
Nana Osim Kwatia II further commended the proposed interest-free loan scheme and encouraged beneficiaries to repay their loans promptly to ensure the sustainability of the initiative.
“Sustainable financing mechanisms are critical in ensuring that this initiative remains operational for years to come, allowing more farmers and traders to benefit from it”, he said.
The maiden Ofie Market is scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 29, 2025, and is expected to be a major economic boost for the region.
The initiative is anticipated to attract traders from different parts of the country, including buyers from Accra, who will have the opportunity to purchase fresh farm produce directly from farmers at competitive prices.
This development is expected to enhance the profitability of local agricultural ventures and contribute to the overall economic growth of the municipality.
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