We will Spend €44.7m from European Union Wisely – Agric Minister Assures

The Government of Ghana, the Agence Frangalse de Développement (AFD) and the European Union (EU) on Tuesday, March 31,2022 signed the Agriculture Water Management Project (€44,7 million) to build and rehabilitate a total of 35 irrigations schemes in north-western Ghana.

The project, to be implemented by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) and the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA), aims at stimulating green and inclusive growth, reducing inequalities and improving Ghana’s food security.

The ceremony saw the exchange of signatures between the Minister of Finance, Honorable Ken Ofori-Atta, and the AFD Country Director, Christophe Cottet.

The agreement was co-signed by the European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, and the French Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Anne-Sophie Avé. The Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Owusu friyie Akoto, and the EU Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Irchad Razaaly, were also present.

Speaking at the ceremony, H.E. Anne Sophie Avé, Ambassador of France to Ghana, “investing in Agriculture is investing in the future. Whatever the technologies, however drastically the world may change, human will always need food.

Planting for food and jobs, indeed, but also planting for peace and security and planting for sustainability: this project will enable better jobs and revenues, environment friendly agriculture, all year round production, and ensure food provision for all.”

Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, said AWMP would help address the development gap in northern Ghana.

He noted that the project would contribute to the development of resilient and sustainable agricultural production in 11 districts in the Upper West Region, 2 in Northeast and one in Savannah. “We are truly delighted to sign the AWMP because it goes to the very heart of our people’s livelihoods,” he said.

He concluded by assuring the delegation of appropriate use of the funds that will will yield the desire results of support 6,000 small hold farmers in the northern region.

The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, described the signing of the AWMP as an important milestone, as it would help revolutionise food production in northern Ghana.

He observed that given that the agricultural sector was a critical component of the economy, the intervention by the EU and the AFD in support of irrigation infrastructure would dovetail into sustainable development.

“We are truly delighted to sign the AWMP because it goes to the very heart of our people’s livelihoods,” he said.