Government will construct roads in farming communities - Minister

Nsawam, Dec. 6, GNA - Mr. Magnus Opare Asamoah, Deputy Minister of Roads Transport has assured farmers that the government would, from next year begin re-gravelling, tarring and construction of roads in farming communities in the Eastern Region to facilitate transportation of food crops to marketing centers.

He said some of the roads under the programme are Adoagyiri-Owuram in the Suhum-Kraboa Coaltar, Kofi Quaye through Sakyikrom to Adoagyiri, Mamedede-Otukrom and Samsam-Fotobi.

Others are Nsawam Odeikrom-Pakro, Aduakrom-Obedeka Okanta Junction and Kwasikrom all in the Eastern Region.

Mr Opare Asamoah, who is also a Member of Parliament for Akuapim South made the announcement to run off activities marking the celebration of the 22nd Farmers Day at Pokrom Nsabaa. He commended the American government for voting 547 million dollars of the Millennium Challenge Accounts for Ghana, some of which would be used, not only for roads but to provide school structures, provision of potable water and clinics.

Mr. Asamani Adem, Director of Agriculture, Akuapim South, said so far, 17 farming groups have been formed and an amount of about 152 million cedis have been given to them as loans. Mr Adem therefore, appealed to the beneficiaries of the loan to pay back in time for their colleagues to also benefit.

Mr Samuel Larbi, a 53 year-old mixed farmer from Ahwerease Darmang, who became the over all best farmer of Akuapim South District was awarded a pumping machine, a bicycle, Wellington boots, cutlasses and a certificate, among other 16 farmers. Nana Toah Djan, Chief of Pokrom, who chaired the function appealed to the government to award scholarships to best farmers' children up to the university level.