Daily Graphic

In its lead story, the Daily Graphic reports that the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) is reducing its investment support for maize production because 18 thousand tonnes that were produced last year is still shelved because there is no market for it. "18,000 Tonnes Maize Locked Up" goes the banner headline story which said ADB has ruled out external markets due to the high cost of production which renders it internationally uncompetitive. Dr. P.A. Kuranchie, Managing Director, says however that the bank is contacting public institutions to for their patronage of the maize to help recoup the investment. The story quotes Dr. Kuranchie as saying that essential factors such as technology transfer, water management, improved planting materials and marketing be seriously considered since credit facilities are not the only panacea for improving production. The MD stressed the need to shield bankers from the risks involved in providing credit to farmers. ADB operates an Agricultural Nuclens Outgrower Programme under which credit facilities are granted to farmers. The Graphic reports in another front page story that Ghana is to receive a 100m dollar package from the World Bank to support its Public Sector Reform Programme whose package includes a shaping up to provide an enabling environment for public sector-led growth. Mr. Peter Harrold, World Bank Country Director for Ghana told a government re-invention workshop that the grant would be disbursed as soon as the reform programme takes off. The paper also reports of the Country Director commending Ghana for initiating its own reform strategy, saying, it is very likely to fit into the aspirations of the people. GRi