A 33-year-old blind farmer, Mawuli Kuwornu who is into vigorous commercial farming at Honuta-Asifiakofe in Ho-West District of the Volta Region has expressed surprise about peoples’ refusal to acknowledge his chosen profession as a farmer.
Mawuli disclosed that he has been into farming for the past 10 years when he lost his sight. According to him, as a visually-impaired and venturing into farming, he expected help from government by way of fertilizers, spraying machines and other farming inputs, but he is yet to benefit from such offers.
“As I’m now, I have no helper, it’s only my mother who helps me in all that I do, my father for some time now does not care about my plight, so too are my siblings. Following the burden on my mother, I decided to venture into farming with support from my ailing mother. I’m therefore pleading with government, NGOs, public spirited organizations and philanthropists to help me with farm inputs to allow my farming expedition grow to the level beyond anybody’s imagination,” he pleaded.
Mawuli Kuwornu was not born blind but an unfortunate situation caught up with him 10 years ago in Accra when he was an apprentice in a mechanic shop. Mawuli then returned home and upon several thoughts decided to venture into farming but the mother, a very old woman, initially did not believe in him.
A visit to his farm of more than 11 and half acres of cocoa plantation, plantain, maize, cassava, sweet potatoes and pepper among other vegetables, we witnessed that Mawuli’s mother has been the only person assisting him on the farm under the guidance of their only lovely pet (dog).
Mawuli’s mother, Peace Kumor said “my son’s suffering is beyond my imagination. Since he got blind, help does not come from anywhere, everything is rested on my shoulders and yet I’m not also healthy enough to cater for a blind person. In spite of these difficulties, he can fetch water, cook and wash his things as well as carry the farm produce to the house. I’m pleading with people who are touched by his plight to help us.”
Since venturing into farming, according to family members, he has been making good harvest of the farm produce but does not attract the needed patronage since there is no access road to the farm. Market women who visit the farm take advantage of his challenge to buy at their own price. In this regard, the blind farmer prefers sharing the produce from his farm with neighbors and friends to selling.
Mawuli’s father, Johnson Kuwornu who also looks old talked of how his son decided to venture into farming as a blind person.
“My son went to Accra for apprenticeship, not long his master called to inform me of my son having a problem with his sight and all efforts to find solution to the problem failed. I therefore asked my wife to go for him and we sent him to many hospitals and native doctors but nothing worked. Mawuli my son knowing his predicament decided to venture into farming to the surprise of my wife and I as he is a blind person. I would have nothing to say than to appeal for support from authorities of Agric Ministry to guide him in his chosen profession,” he said.
A friend to Mawuli Kuwornu, a pastor at Voice of God Holy Mountain, Rev. Mrs. Awudey appealed to philanthropists, churches and government to support him to grow in his farming work
“I want them to help the blind farmer by providing him with chemicals and other inputs to enable him become an award winner in his chosen profession,” she said.
Meanwhile, Mawuli’s other worry is that he wants a lady to marry. He has promised that the lucky lady would not be hungry since he is a farmer. He called on interested ladies to avail themselves for marriage.
By Robert Abilba
