Upper East Regional office of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), has received 13 pick-up vehicles to support the transport needs of government’s flagship programme ‘Planting for Food and Jobs’. The vehicles formed part of 216 vehicles funded by the Canadian government for nationwide distribution to support the programme.
The vehicles were handed over to all 13 traditional districts in the region while plans to secure additional 2 for the newly created districts – Tempane and Bolgatanga East.
At a short ceremony to hand over the vehicles, Upper East Regional Minister, Rockson Ayine Bukari, commended government for fulfillment yet another promise of ensuring that “the necessary logistics and support are made available for Ghanaian farmers to find dignity and prosperity in agriculture.”
Mr. Bukari added that the planting for food and jobs since its inception has provided inputs and fertilizers at subsidised costs to more than 200,000 farmers countrywide and about 750,000 Ghanaians employed.
He stated that the programme has come to stay “to provide food security, incomes and support industrial growth in Ghana.”
The minister revealed government’s quest to boost the agriculture sector with plans to recruit 3,000 extension officers and provide them with motorbikes to aid their monitoring and supervision activities.
The minister cautioned directors of agriculture to use the vehicles for the assigned purposes.
“Any officer who misuses the vehicles will not be spared, not at all. They are not for weddings, they are for planting for food and jobs and other agric activities. Weekends, the vehicles must be parked, I don’t want to see any of the vehicles at a beer bar, wedding or funeral [grounds].”
Regional Director of MoFA, Francis Ennor speaking to A1 News said only 6 districts out of the 13 traditional ones of agriculture had vehicles. Mr. Ennor, who could not hide his joy said the vehicles will go a long way to support transportation needs of the sector.
Acting Nabdam district director of agriculture, Iddi Mahamudu, commended government for alleviating the plight they were going through in using their personal motorbikes to monitor activities of farmers. “I think with these vehicles, what we used to do will be improved even twice.” he said.
On her part, Talensi district director of agriculture, Lantana Osman said the vehicles have come at the right time especially in the insurgence of the fall armyworms invasion.
By: Joshua Asaah|A1radioonline.com|101.1Mhz
