Omari Leo, a National Service Personnel and Chief Executive Officer of Eden Trum Farms and Investments has advised graduates to venture into agriculture by taking advantage of the Rearing for Food and Jobs policy by the government.

Mr Leo made this statement when Stephen Twumasi, President of National Service Personnel Association (NASPA) with his executives from the Kwahu West Municipal paid a visit to his farm at Nkawanda as part of the activities leading to the celebration of the 2019 National Service Week.

Tour around the farm

Leo took the delegation round the nine (9) acre of arable farm which consists of poultry, piggery, rabbitory, snail farm, fish ponds and beehives for honey production. He briefed them on the progress of work on his farm so far and used the opportunity to thank the NASPA executives for showing interest in what he is doing and the exposure he is getting.

He advised graduates to build capacity and leverage on the knowledge they acquire in school regardless of their academic background since it may come in handy when they decide to venture into agriculture now or in the near future.

“Even though I hold a degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Cape Coast, I also enrolled for an agric training program at the Cclaire Animal Research School to acquire knowledge necessary for rearing animals. My basic knowledge in accounting has also been useful. I do my own book keeping and able to calculate how much I invest monthly. I am able to mix feed and dispense medicine for the animals without engaging the services of veterinary officers. My school knowledge has helped me to cut cost.” He said.

Speaking on what motivated him to venture into agriculture, Mr Leo stated that, he developed an interest in farming when he realized that his family had an idle land.

He further noted that, though there were hitches and criticism by friends who thought farming was for the old and poor, he never gave allowed those wrongdoings to deter him from pursuing his passion.

Today, Mr Leo can boast of being a proud farm owner who has employed four permanent workers and seven casual workers.

Recommendation and endorsement by NASPA

The NASPA Executives commended Leo for his achievements thus far and implored the youth to embrace animal farming to create jobs for themselves and employ other graduates instead of joining queue for non-existent jobs.

“NASPA seeks to position itself strategically to support the cause of National Service Personnel and be in touch with them at all levels hence the purpose of this visitation. We want to act as an advocate for the Rearing for Food and Jobs Policy by the government by supporting our members who want to contribute to Ghana’s food security.” Mr.Twumasi Stephen, The NASPANational President opined.

Leo challenged the youth to embrace agric and make a difference wherever they find themselves. He further advised the youth to start small and consider farming as a business instead of seeing it as punishment. “You don’t need large facilities and machinery or money to start”. he reiterated.

The NASPA President used the opportunity to announce the 2019 NASPA Week Celebration which is scheduled to be launched onJuly 19, 2019 at Ho in the Volta Region.

The weeklong celebration will be observed across all the Regions and districts in Ghana under the theme “Rearing for Food and Jobs; the role of the National Service Personnel".

The NASPA delegation led by the National President - Mr. Stephen Twumasi, who visited the farms include Mr.Bismark Adu, NASPA Vice President - Kwahu West Municipal, Ms. Esther Dedaa Boateng– General Secretary-Kwahu West, Ms. Dorigen Asumadu- Welfare Chairperson - NASPA-Kwahu West, and Mr. Christian Ato Mensah-Ex-Officio member, Kwahu West NASPA.