MAJOR BOOST TO FOOD SECURITY IN THREE NORTHERN REGIONS

The Canadian International Development Authority (CIDA) have pledged food security package to the tune of 15million for the three northern regions.

The intervention was to address the perenimial food shortages through food production, marketing preservation environmental protection and a forestation.

This was disclosed by the Regional Minister, Hon. Mark Woyongo yesterday in Bawku when he formally introduced himself to Bawku Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II.

Hon. Woyongo explained that the lack of food storage facilities in the region often compelled formers to dispose off their food stuffs across the boarders and down south and as a result food became scarce during the lean season bringing untold hardships to them. He cited the tomatoes farmers at Tono and Via whose stuffs went bad due to lack of market and storage facilities.

He added that the erstwhile Farmer Service Centre would be responsible for buying the food during the glut season, preserve it and re-sell in the lean season.

The minister said the shea-nut production in the three northern regions had the potential to reduce poverty since much foreign exchange could be earned and also provide jobs to women and girls which could stop them from moving to the south looking for non- existence jobs

He explained that the proposed Savanna Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) in the National Democratic Congress (N.D.C) manifesto was committed in bridging the gap between north and the south as a result 20 out of 220 irrigations dams in the Upper East Region have been contracted to be drained or desilted to make irrigation accessible to farmers.

Hon. Woyongo also hinted that government would subsidize the price of fertilizers this year and also make it accessible to farmers in order to increase their production.

He reminded the people that soon, government would make available the free school uniform policy announced in this year’s budget to vulnerable groups. He added that government would increase the number of schools benefiting from the school feeding program for children to enjoy one hot free meal a day.

The minister therefore, appealed to Bawku Naba and his chiefs and elders to stop the ethnic conflict since no development could take place in chaotic situation rather support the N.D.C administration to bring economic relief to the citizens as they considered chiefs, development partners.

Bawku Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II was grateful for the visit and pledged his readiness to support all development plans of the ruling government since that would create jobs for the teaming youth.

Bawku Naba however, pleaded with the N.D.C administration to make bare the cause behind the Bawku conflict stressing that Kusasis did not have “fight in their blood” but when others trying to deny them what was their own has always forced them (kusasis) to fight back.
He also asked the N.D.C administration to prevail on the National Peace Council to make public their findings on the Bawku conflict for all to know as that would contribute to achieving peace in Bawku.

After this interaction, the minister had closed door meeting with the Municipal Security Committee (MUSEC) probably review and strategize for peace to prevail in the municipality.

Godwin A. Nkunu
I.S.D – Bawku