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Regional News of Thursday, 22 October 2015

Source: GNA

Canadian Organisation to improve food security in Ghana

Ms Debra Kerby, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Feed the Children (CFTC) is to launch innovative interventions in line with the priorities of Ghana to improve food security.

She said the innovation, which would start next year is part of a new strategic direction to roll out a multi -year programme with emphasis on food security, aspects of climate change, and gender equality.

Ms Kerby made this known in an interview with journalists at Yebango in Sumbrungu in the Bolgatanga Municipality where she paid a working visit to communities being supported by her outfit through Trade Aid Integrated, a local NGO.

She said her outfit is currently working with local partners in the region under a two- year project to complete market- led programmes, building projects, as well as supporting farmers in market linkages with the ultimate aim to improve income earning in families.

She noted that the initiatives and capacity building initiatives provided beneficiaries gave them opportunities to learn, grow and take ownership and also initiate commitment by bringing on board new ideas for change.

Ms Kerby said implementation of Climate Change Adaptation in Northern Ghana Enhanced and Integrated Community Empowerment projects; launched three years ago had brought significant changes in the communities and expressed satisfaction in the progress made under the two- million- dollar project under the Canadian Government.

Among the areas she visited, included Zobgo, Yebango and Bolgatanga where she interacted with members of Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLA), farmer groups and basket weavers.

She commended the communities for doing well and indicated that CFTC aspires to bring change in the lives of children throughout the world and especially in Africa, lifting them from poverty.

She said CFTC believes in a world “where children have food security and education which is critical in alleviating poverty and every child supported could be the next world peace maker”.

Madam Azure Akolgo, a 40 year old trader and basket weaver from Zobgo, expressed gratitude to CTFC and Trade Aid Integrated.

She said VSLA supports women in the community to pay fees and the up keep of their children.

She added that the small ruminant production initiated under the project is yielding results as members who received livestock had started reaping profits.

Madam Akolgo called for more support to build schools in the communities where mothers could leave their children whilst they attend to their farming activities.

Mr Nicolas Apokerah, Director, Trade Aid Integrated, said though subsistence farming is the main occupation of farmers, they grasped the business concepts being taught them by the organisation and ware using the knowledge to improve their businesses.

He noted that enterprise development is the way to reduce poverty in communities.