Asuo Pamoo Priest Advocates for Farming and Cultural Lessons in Basic Schools

Asuo Pamoo Priest Advocates for Farming and Cultural Lessons in Basic Schools

The Fetish Priest of Asuo Pamoo Spiritual Home at Abofrem in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region, Nana Baffour Gyau, is urging the Ghana Education Service (GES) to include hands-on agriculture and cultural studies in the basic school curriculum. He believes this move will help address graduate unemployment and restore Ghana’s fading cultural identity.

Speaking to the media at the 2025 Atwima Mponua District Inter-Schools Cultural Festival held at Ahyiresu Circuit under the theme “Cultural Education: Empowering the Youth to Preserve Our Culture,” Nana Baffour Gyau lamented the growing neglect of agriculture among the youth. He said too many young people are aspiring to become doctors, nurses, and judges, despite the increasing rate of graduate unemployment in these sectors.

“It seems everyone now wants to become a nurse, doctor, or judge. Meanwhile, many qualified nurses are still home unemployed, waiting for government postings. Why don’t we start training our children in agriculture right from basic school so they grow up with in-depth knowledge in farming? That way, they can become proud, self-reliant farmers instead of joining the growing number of unemployed graduates,” he stated.

Nana Baffour Gyau also expressed deep concern about the excessive use of agrochemicals by farmers, which he says is gradually destroying the organic composition of Ghana’s arable lands. According to him, the continued use of these harmful chemicals poses a long-term threat to food security and the health of the environment.

“The way we are using agrochemicals today is killing the land. If we don’t stop this practice, a time will come when our lands will become completely barren and we won’t be able to grow anything. I urge the Ministry of Agriculture to intensify education and regular visits to farmers to encourage organic and sustainable farming methods,” he added.

Story by Sibo Yamoah