Nana Owusu Gyare II has called on farmers to adopt modern technology in agricultural practices to combat the adverse effects of climate change. He made this appeal during the annual yam festival celebration at his new Palace in Sisrease, the Traditional seat of the Techiman Akwamu people.
The Techiman Akwamu community is known for being the last to celebrate the yam festival each year, marking the end of a period of harvest and thanksgiving. This year’s festival was a significant event, reflecting on both tradition and the future of farming in the region.
In his address, Nana Owusu Gyare II emphasised the complexity involved in yam cultivation, highlighting that it consists of multiple farming practices before the harvesting period. “The cultivation of yams is not just about planting and harvesting; it involves careful attention to several farming activities throughout the season,” he noted.
He also drew attention to the purposeful design by the ancestors, referred to as Nananom, who established a specific time each year to eat fresh yams. This tradition carries more than cultural significance—it plays a strategic role in managing both old and new yams for effective marketing. The timing helps maintain the value and freshness of yam crops, ensuring that farmers can optimise their sales and sustain economic benefits.
Highlighting the urgency of challenges posed by climate change, Nana Owusu Gyare II encouraged farmers to integrate technological innovations such as climate-resilient seed varieties, improved irrigation systems, and digital tools for farm management. He pointed out that these technologies could help increase productivity, reduce losses, and secure the livelihoods of farming communities amid changing weather patterns.
The yam festival celebration was marked by vibrant cultural displays, drumming, and dancing, reflecting the rich heritage of the people of Techiman Akwamu. However, the event’s message centred on blending tradition with innovation to build a sustainable future for agriculture.
Farmers and community members expressed appreciation for Nana Owusu Gyare II’s guidance, recognising the need for adaptation in an era of global environmental challenges. As the Techiman Akwamu community continues to honour its cultural practices, it is now equally poised to embrace technological advances that promise growth and resilience in farming.
The annual yam festival remains a vital occasion for promoting unity, culture, and now, forward-looking strategies to thrive in a changing climate. Nana Owusu Gyare pleaded with Ghanaians to uphold the high spirit of the Ghanaian culture.
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