NORTHERN RURAL GROWTH PROGRAMME LAUNCHED IN WA (PAGE 20)

THE Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Mahmud Khalid, has described the implementation of the Northern Regional Growth Programme (NRGP) as a laudable programme.
According to him, the introduction of the programme had come at a time when the government was critically exploring all avenues to create opportunities and reduce poverty in both the rural and urban areas.
“Our government is determined to make good farmers in agriculture and several initiatives have been unveiled in that direction. It is therefore, very important that we support it and ensure that all targets and strategies adopted are implemented to the letter”, he added.
The regional minister was speaking at the regional launch of the NRGP in Wa.
Mr Khalid reiterated that much was expected of the programme to improve upon the north and south, which at present was creating inequalities.
He observed that the poverty situation was the causative element to the instability and tension being experienced in northern Ghana.
“We should, therefore, do all we can to ensure that the programme becomes fruitful and make it beneficial and sustainable to our people”, Mr Khalid said.
He gave the assurance that the government would offer the necessary support in the implementation of the programme.
For his part, the National Co-ordinator of the NRGP, Mr Roy Ayariga, said the overall goal of the project was to contribute to an equitable and sustainable poverty reduction and food security among rural folks.
“It is expected that 4,500 hectares of land would be irrigated under the project while farmers would be assisted to acquire group transport and storage facilities”, he added.
The Regional Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), Mr Emmanuel Eledi, was happy that the programme would be beneficial to the region.