“Operation Back to Agric” is an initiative of Mr. Clement Amofa-Boakye, Director of Koraso/Nkantanka Youth In Agric, which seeks to put the youth in Koraso into productive Agriculture. It was launched on Monday, 25th of April, 2011 at Koraso, a suburb of Berekum
Why “Operation Back to Agric”, someone may ask!
The answer is quite simple; one sees the youth of Koraso and for that matter the municipality, on the streets of their respective villages and communities sitting idle and wandering what to do with their lives and earn some income, as well.
Also, it is common knowledge that Brongs travel to Libya and other African countries, in search of greener pastures.
The Berekum town was developed mainly with the resources of farmers. This is evident in the fact that most of the storey buildings that have stood the test of time to date, belong to cocoa farmers from Koraso and other communities in Berekum.
It became evident in the research of the Koraso/Nkantanka Youth in Agric, that as much as the youth of Koraso would like to go into Agric, the practice is no more like it used to be in the past; where farming was mostly labour intensive. Now, people without some start-up capital are simply disadvantaged, to pursue their interests in Agric and farming.
The aim is to make available to the youth (even under their poor economic situations) equipments and chemicals that would assist them in their farming activities on credit, so that at harvest time, they re-pay . This is intended to sustain the program for others to also benefit from it in the future.
For someone to qualify for support, he/she must be a serious person who is prepared to move on in life, and prepared to live a decent life. That is all!
They must have the passion for Agric and be prepared to go according to the specification of the Agric Extension directorate.
All these rules and regulations would be spelt out to those willing to take advantage of this opportunity.
The chief of Koraso Tradional Area, Nana Owusu Acheaw, who was the chairman of the function was very pleased with the initiative and declared his full support for the project.
The MP of Berekum, Hon. Kwaku Agyenim-Boateng who was the guest of honour, stressed,” the conditions for the sustenance of the project should be taken very seriously such as mechanization, end of service benefits, terms of acquisition of land, since that is the surest way to attract most of the youth”.
The guest speaker, Hon. Lord Oppong Stephen, MCE of Berekum encouraged the youth in farming to form groups to help increase their bargaining power.
The Presiding Member of the Berekum Municipal Assembly, Hon. Kwabena Kyere emphasised, “this project is non partisan, and everybody should participate to help improve their standard of living.” He also cautioned the managers of the project to desist from nepotism, since that is a way to increase the interest of all.
Mr. S. Korang Amoako (Rtd Director, Agric Ext,Accra), recommended that, the managers should call a stakeholders meeting to know the difficulties of the youth. He also advised the leaders to plan very well to help sustain this wonderful project.
Some of the dignitaries present were;
Nana Asiedu Darteh (Nkankantahene), Nana Oppong Senti (Abihene), Mr. Danso Frederick-Agric Extension Officer,
Mr. Kwasi Kwarteng (Total Mgr – Syi), Mr. Isaac Ofori (Biribiara Wo Ne Mere Ent, Ksi), Mr. Kwame Abu (Contractor, Ksi), Mr. Kwame Takyi (TOTAL Mgr, Bkm), Mr. Augustine Gyan (FRAGA Mgr, Bkm), Mr. Henneh Augustine (JENARK Dir, Bkm), Mr. Hayford Oppong (HAYPON Dir, Bkm), Alpha Ibrahim (Berlin F/C, Bkm), Mad. Felicia Adomah(FAAKO Supply-Bkm), Onua Francis (Bkm), Mr. Asante Kyere (Father Kofi, Bkm), MR. M.A Yeboah ( Opanin Yaw Anane -Bkm), MR. G.B Takyi (Bkm), Mr. Anthony Takyi (20, Bkm), Mr. Kwaku Henneh (Bkm), Mr. Benedict Boakye Amankona (De Gaule, Bkm), Dr. Kwabena Twum Nuamah (Med. Supt, Bechem), Mr.Paa K. (ENAPAK Pharmacy, Bkm),
Emmanuel Appiah Lartey (Bkm), Wofa Isaac (Fetentaa), Adusei Kwadwo (Bkm), Reagan Asomah (Bkm), S. Korang Amoako (Rtd Director, Agric Ext,Accra), Henneh Simon (Taxi Chairman, Bkm), Nana Obeng (Jinijini Kontihene), Wofa Issac (Fetentaa)
