He said the Government should also provide markets for farm produce and give the youth entrepreneurial skills to approach farming as business to curb the rural-urban migration.

Mr Pappoe, 61, made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency after he had received the Best Farmer Award in Livestock. He said he had been in livestock rearing for 38 years and had 62 sheep and 38 cattle.

He received a brand new motorbike, kettle, watering can, fungicide, insecticide, six mugs, wellington boots, cutlass and a cloth. Mr Mohammed Adjei Sowah, the Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive, said every available space of farmlands had been allocated to estate developers, which was impeding the advancement of agriculture in the Metropolis.

He said urban agriculture played an important role in food security as since irrigated vegetable and cereal farming were carried out in the Metropolis as well as aquaculture and rearing of poultry and livestock.

Mr Sowah said the theme: “Agriculture, Moving Ghana Beyond Aid,” was laudable as patronising local produce would not only make farmers and fishermen rich, but create job opportunities for the youth.

He said the AMA was collaborating with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) to promote fish farming, livestock and home gardening within the Metropolis and urged the youth to take advantage of them to make a living.

He said the AMA was monitoring agricultural activities in the Metropolis to position itself in government programmes to ensure food security and safety to prevent diseases. Madam Margaret Mary Sumah, the Metropolitan Director of Food and Agriculture, said vaccination of animals and birds against diseases was ongoing in the communities.

She said enumerators were also going round collating information on livestock, fish and vegetables, while there were MASLOC loans for livestock farmers and fishermen to enhance their businesses.

Madam Sumah said the Ministry of Food and Agriculture would continue to work closely with the AMA to provide technical support and advice services to farmers in Accra.  She advised market women not to place foodstuffs on the bare floor to sell so as to avoid contamination.

Other winners of awards were Mr Joseph Aryittey Aryee and Joseph Ocquaye, “Poli and Hook” fishermen, Mr John Vanderpuiye and Amidu Salifu, livestock and crop farmers, Madam Theodora Dugah and Madam Debora Neequaye, best agro processor and fish processor, and Mr Azumah Noah, best agricultural extension agent.

They received deep-freezers each and other prizes.