Colonel "Operation Feed Yourself" Bernasko is dead

Accra, July 7, GNA - A family delegation from the Central Region on Wednesday informed President John Evans Atta Mills of the death of Colonel Frank George Bernasko (retd), former Commissioner for Agriculture. Colonel Bernasko, known to have introduced the Operation Feed Yourself policy in the 1970s, was born on December 7, 1930. He hailed from Cape Coast and died in the United Kingdom on June 3, this year.

His funeral is set for August 5, the family spokesman Mr Alex Bernasko announced.

President Mills recognised the contribution of the late politician and military officer as a statesman who served his nation with distinction. "We can celebrate his life, we'll give him the necessary recognition as Government," President Mills said.

He added; "on behalf of the Government and people of Ghana, we extend our deepest condolence to the family of this illustrious son of Africa." President Mills credited the late Colonel Bernasko for raising the level of awareness of agriculture, and serving the Central Region, where he served as Commissioner, equivalent of Minister, under the demised regime of the late Kutu Acheampong.

President Mills stressed on the need for the nation to honour its heroes and described the late Colonel Bernasko as no ordinary person. "He was a scholar, lawyer and would be best remembered for what he did for agriculture.

During his lifetime, the retired military officer, known for his shrewd and strict discipline, served the Central Region as the Regional Commissioner in the era of the National Redemption Council (NRC) in 1972 and as Commissioner of Agriculture in 1973 and later as the Commissioner for Cocoa Affairs in 1975.

At one time, the Omanhen of the Oguaa Traditional Area, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, described Col. Bernasco as a dedicated, selfless and disciplined person who worked tirelessly for the socio-economic development of the region as well as the country.

He introduced the agricultural initiative "Operation Feed Yourself" (OFY), which was accepted as a national agricultural policy, aimed at boosting food production and sufficiency, when he was the Commissioner for Agriculture.

His administration also helped in inculcating the spirit of voluntarism in the youth, who engaged in communal work and clean-up exercises to improve health and sanitation in Cape Coast, as well as agricultural projects nation-wide.

The Dawhenya Irrigation Project and others under his agricultural revolution were said to have led to bumper harvests and the hosting of the first national agricultural show in 1974.

Apart from the improvement in the health and educational sectors, Col. Bernasko also promoted the tourism industry in the region. In civilian life, he took up private legal practice, venturing into politics by forming the Action Congress Party (ACP) in 1979. It won 12 seats in the Parliament of the Third Republic.

As a member and chief patron of the Oguaa Akoto Association (UK), Col. Bernasko was actively involved in all initiatives taken to develop Cape Coast, especially in education.

Born on December 7, 1930, Colonel Bernasko had his basic education in Cape Coast and Asante Mampong before attending Adisadel College from where he attended the University of Gold Coast (now University of Ghana). Col Bernasko enlisted in the Ghana Armed Forces and served as officer in charge of education at the Armed Forces Recruit Training Centre in Kumasi.

He also served as the Director of Studies of the Ghana Military Academy and Training School, and later as the Director of Education of the Ghana Armed Forces.