Sunyani (B/A), Sept. 13, GNA - African Connections Ghana Limited, a US based non-governmental organisation (NGO), has trained more than 1,300 farmers in Ahafo, in Brong-Ahafo under its Ahafo Agribusiness Growth Initiative (AAGI).

The farmers received training in farm management and planning, profit determination, basic record keeping, among other topics. Dr Ayesha S Hakeem, Director of High Impact Training Programme of the NGO said in a statement issued to the Ghana News Agency that the farmer trainees would be presented with certificates at a ceremony at Kenyasi Number Two on September 19.

The AAGI initiative is a programme that aims to stimulate economic growth and improve the livelihood of communities in the Ahafo area by strengthening agricultural productivity, improving farm management skills and building the capacity of micro and small enterprises through a combination of training, market linkages and supply chain intervention.

African Connections Ghana Ltd. is the AAGI implementing partner responsible for the High Impact Training Programme (HIT), which aims at increasing farmer productivity through a rapid learning process.

The statement said HIT programme also seeks to build the capacities of micro and small enterprises and to improve basic business skills. It said phase one of the programme began on April 26 and ended on August 31, this year with more than 1,300 residents of Ntotroso, Gyedu, Wamahinso, Kenyasi Number One and Two, Nkaseim-Nkrankrom and Hwidiem in the Asutifi District of Brong-Ahafo undergoing training.

Other topics treated under this phase included Farmer Business Skills Training, Micro and Small Enterprise Business Skills Training. The statement said Newmont Ghana Gold Ltd. is providing support for the development of the AAGI programme as part of its commitment to sustainable livelihood development in its project areas.

Dr Hakeem said the theme of the community-driven AAGI initiative: "Cultivating the Future Together" was in line with the HIT programme, which also sought to build on the long agricultural heritage of the Ahafo area and help the farmers and micro and small business owners to build a brighter future for themselves, while impacting positively on the Ahafo business community.