On Saturday, February 15, 2025, Hon. Sammi Awuku, the Member of Parliament for Amanokrom Akuapem, launched the Ofie Market Initiative. The initiative provides a direct marketplace for farmers to sell produce, reducing post-harvest losses and creating opportunities for local traders.
The market, held monthly, aims to empower farmers by offering farm gate prices and attracting buyers from Accra and beyond.
The Ofie Market will feature a range of products, including livestock, food crops, and locally-produced goods, eliminating middlemen and reducing costs. This direct link between producers and consumers will help stabilize food prices and ensure fair profit distribution.
Hon. Awuku expressed his commitment to supporting farmers through yield improvement initiatives and financial schemes. Discussions are underway with financial institutions to introduce interest-free loans to help farmers purchase essential inputs for large-scale production. Additionally, infrastructure improvements, like the rehabilitation of roads linking Mangoase to Adawso and Larteh, will improve access to farming communities and reduce post-harvest losses.
Plans for a coconut plantation and cassava processing project were also announced, both aiming to create jobs for youth and increase revenue for local farmers. These initiatives will provide raw materials for the growing coconut oil and beverage industries and enable the sale of processed cassava products like flour, starch, and gari at higher prices.
Hon. Awuku also revealed plans to establish a welfare fund for teachers and announced a partnership with an American organization to add four more schools to the School Feeding Program, improving student welfare and attendance.
Nana Osim Kwatia II, Amanokromhene, praised Hon. Awuku for the initiative, particularly the plan to provide transportation for farm produce, which would reduce costs and boost market participation. He also supported the interest-free loan scheme and encouraged prompt loan repayment to sustain the initiative.
The launch event was attended by notable personalities, including the Amanokrom Traditional Council, the Constituency Chairman, the municipal best farmer, agricultural officers, and local traders. The first Ofie Market will take place on Saturday, March 29, 2025, and is expected to significantly boost the region’s economy. Hon. Awuku called on the community to support the initiative, emphasizing that its success depends on collective participation from all stakeholders.
