Krobo Girls’ Senior High School has emerged winner in the senior high school category of a contest in agriculture for schools in the Eastern Region.
Pupils from basic schools and students from the senior high school numbering over 600 converged at Koforidua for the finals.
They were to put up a best case of practicals in agricultural work within three months.
Each school was to plant an interest crop, nurture and make business sense.
Ankwa Dobro Basic School won the basic school category with Krobo Girls SHS winning the senior high school category.
At the final ceremony, Deputy Gender Minister Gifty Twum Ampofo, who was a Science teacher herself before becoming a Member of Parliament, made a case that females were made of two X-chromosomes that were larger and stronger than males who had Y-chromosomes; hence females could perform better.
The Deputy Gender Minister was excited an entirely female team had won.
The students couldn’t hide their excitement as well.
“We were challenged by our predecessors to do better after they placed second in last year’s competition.”
They added: “Even though we were late, we worked hard on a difficult piece of land for three months – clearing, making nursery and lots of things.”
The four girls, who are science and home economic students, felt their efforts justify the reintroduction of elective Agricultural Science to their school.
“Agric was scrapped out of the course outline because many girls weren’t interested. We have a case now to make them reintroduce Agric Science as an elective subject.”
Blue Skies a locally fruit manufacturing firm organised the competition.
Foundation Manager Alister Djimatey explained that the competition in basic and senior high schools was to whip up interest in farming after school.
Head of Blue Skies Dr Anthony Pile regretted farming in the country has become a preserve for the aged.
“We encourage farmers to return to farming, engage in one our self and begin inspiring young children, mostly those in schools.”
He added: “We know children are punished in schools to work on piece of land. We felt it was wrong and the need to make working on school farms exciting rather.”
He believes the youth have the potential to explore the nation’s agricultural potential.
By Yvonne Neequaye|3news.com|Ghana