By:
Fred Yaw Sarpong
President Dramani
Mahama has counselled the international community not to
compromise on the development rural communities since it can
have dire consequence, noting that “a strong connection between the rural
and urban space cannot be taken for granted.”
In
his keynote address to open the 38th meeting of the governing council of
the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) , in Rome yesterday,
President Mahama called for the bridging of the gap between urban and
rural areas.
He
said his vision as a leader is “to transform the rural areas of Ghana in order
to create a more diversified, better integrated, and modern rural economy”.
This
‘vision’, he said is one that closes the gap between urban and rural areas in
terms of access to services, opportunities, living standards, and prosperity.
To
achieve this , the President said there is the need for programmes
that transfers direct benefits to the farming households.
“Our
rural farming households need improved affordable micro finance, improved
seeds, extension advise, tractors to till their lands, reapers and threshers.
They need appropriate preservation mechanisms to reduce post-harvest losses.
They need a marketing system that allows them to cover their costs and earn a
decent living, “he said.
President
Mahama referenced that Ghana is currently undertaking
the approval process for a US$36 million Ghana Agricultural Sector Improvement
Program (GASIP), which will strengthen agricultural value chains, adding
that the country is also working on the establishment of a Ghana
Commodities Exchange to facilitate a warehouse receipts system for cereals and
improve quality of products.
He
hailed IFAD’s interventions saying its programmes are helping
to pull many rural Ghanaian families out of poverty.
“Ghana
has since 1980 when IFAD started operations in my country, received support for
17projects and programmes worth a total investment of US$782.7 million. Today,
we have the third largest IFAD country programme in the West and Central
Africa region.”
On
his part, IFAD President, Kanayo F. Nwanze called on Member States
to address income inequality, to address chronic childhood malnutrition, and to
prevent their terrible consequences” by investing in rural areas “where poverty
runs deepest.”
The International Fund for Agricultural Development
(IFAD) has over the years evolved into a strong development institution.
Since IFAD started operations in Ghana the
country has received support for 17 projects and programmes worth a total investment
of US$782.7 million.
Currently, Ghana has the third largest IFAD country
programme in the West and Central Africa region.
The IFAD meeting was throwing the spotlight on
rural transformation as a key to
sustainable development.
Held annually at the IFAD headquarters in Rome, the
Governing Council is the Fund's main decision-making body, and includes all
Member States.
This year's meeting began with a roster of
distinguished keynote speakers, including H.E John Dramani Mahama, His Majesty
Tupou VI, King of Tonga and Pier Carlo Padoan, Minister for Economy and Finance
of the Italian Republic.
The meeting comes at a critical time, as the
process of defining a post-2015 global agenda provides opportunities to refocus
policies, investments and partnerships for more inclusive, sustainable and people-centred
development.
IFAD's objective in Ghana has been to reduce
poverty in line with Government's economic development strategy. IFAD has
approved US$271.5 million in loans and grants to support 17 projects and
programmes in Ghana, and has the third largest IFAD country programme in the
West and Central Africa region.
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