AGRIC MINISTER VISITS WEST GONJA

BY ALHASSAN MESUNA, DAMONGO
The Minister for food and agriculture, Hon. Kwesi Awhoi has paid a working visit to Damongo the West Gonja District Capital in the Northern Region. The purpose of the visit according to the minister was to learn at first hand progress made so far in the implementation of the Expanded Crop Production Program being piloted in the district.

Briefing the minister and his team, Mr. Francis Nutouba, West Gonja District Director of Agriculture disclosed that the programme had cultivated 486 hactors of Maize, 472 hactors of rice and 96 hactors of soyabean. All this crops he said are doing well and appealed to government to make available on time combine harvesters, shelers and other equipment to reduce the problems associated with harvesting of crops.

The Minister in response promised to grant the request made by the Agric Director and further disclosed that plans are far advanced to find ready market for the produce of farmers. Promising that government will purchase all excess produce so as to encourage farmers to produce more in the coming crop season. Hon. Awhoi praised the Hon. Adam Mutawakilu, DCE for West Gonja District Assembly for providing the right type of leadership as far as the project is concern. He stated that testimonies from the beneficiary farmers and other officials in the district indicate that Hon. Adam is a good leader. He finally asured the DCE of his ministry's suport to ensure the success of the project.

The Minister and his entourage earlier paid a courtesy call on the overlord of Gonja Traditional Area, Yagbunwura Bawa Abudu Doshi (I). The Minister was accompanied by The Chief Director of Ministry of Food and Agric. Mr. J.K Boamah, Northern Regional Director of Agric. Mr. Adongo Sylvester, and other technical staff from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.