Ghana signs Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa

Accra, Jan 24, GNA - Government on Thursday ratified the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa to demonstrate her commitment and support to help lift millions out of poverty and hunger through dramatic increase in productivity by small scale farmers. The Revolution headed by Mr Kofi Annan, Former UN Secretary General seeks to engage African organisations such as farmers, agro-dealers, scientists, private sector firms, national leaders and civil society to fight poverty and misery in all forms. Thirteen African countries are expected to join the Alliance for Revolution that has a 10 to 20-year goal of assisting farmers to double or triple their yields to generate additional incomes.

Signing the agreement on behalf of the Government of Ghana, Mr Akwasi Osei-Adjei, Minister of Foreign Affairs affirmed Ghana's commitment to the project and said the country would accord it all the needed support. Mr Kwame Akuffo-Akoto, Chief Operation Officer of the project who signed on behalf of Mr Annan said the Alliance was founded by the Rockefeller Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation which started in September 2006.

Both Foundations are committed to investing hundreds of million of dollars. Additionally, the Revolution expects to seek further funding and companion initiatives both within Africa and globally. Currently it had succeeded in establishing partnership with major African institutions such as the African Union, NEPAD and other African Development Institutions. The Alliance's approach is based on the reality that increases in food production in Africa is only by improving agriculture on small scale farms and not by supplanting them with industrial farming.