The Agricultural Development Bank Ltd. has formally presented two fully-furnished three-bedroom houses to Mr. LemuelMartey, the 2012 National Best Farmer and Alhaji KarimAwudu, 2013 National Best Farmers. At a colourful ceremony held in Accra, Mr. Stephen Kpordzih, Managing Director of ADB presented the keys and documents covering the two properties to the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. FifiFiaviKwetey, who later presented them to the winners on behalf of the Government.

Mr. Kpordzih said ADB regards its sponsorship of the National Best Farmer Celebration and its Award Scheme as a social responsibility to enhance the welfare of farmers and fishermen all over the country and that ADB is fully committed to deliver on any promise made in connection with the Celebration. He appealed to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to facilitate early discussions with award winners in future to avoid any delay in the delivery of the Bank's pledge.

Mr. Kpordizhsaid while the day is one of the exciting days in the lives of Ghanaian farmers and fishermen in general, the two winners have every reason to claim that they are the happiest of all. He congratulated them for this feat and urged them to continue to support the economy of Ghana through their hardwork. He also wished them a lot of blessings and comfort in their new homes.

Hon. FifiKwetey, Minister of Food and Agriculture commended ADB for the bank's commitment to the National Farmers' Day Celebration. "I would like to say 'Ayekoo' and convey the appreciation of the Governmetand the people of Ghana to the Board Chairman, Managing Director and staff of ADB for your consistency in sustaining this package all these years. We are indeed proud of you and I believe the beneficiaries are also grateful for this marvelous gesture," he said.

The property for Mr. LemuelMartey, the 2012 National Best Farmer is at Kpone, while that for Alhaji KarimAwudu, the 2013 National Best Farmer, is at East Legon Hills – Katamanso. In all, ADB made an expenditure of US$200,000 on the two properties. Since 2001 when the Government upgraded the first prize of the Award Scheme of the National Farmers' Day Celebration to a fully-furnished three-bedroom house, ADB has delivered all the 13 house prizes on behalf of the Government.