Dr. Bryan Acheampong
Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, has iterated the importance of agricultural infrastructure to food security.
He said this during the sod cutting ceremony for works to begin on some infrastructure projects under the Emergency Support to Rural Livelihoods and Food Systems exposed to COVID-19 (ESRF), a project implemented by the ministry.
The event, which took place in Kwasi Fante, Afram Plains South District of the Eastern Region, will see the construction of farm tracks (roads), water harvesting schemes, drying platforms, and boreholes.
These projects aim to enhance the lives of smallholder farmers by providing better access to markets, increasing crop yields, addressing water scarcity, and improving post-harvest management.
According to Dr. Acheampong, a 100-hectare water harvesting scheme will be constructed for smallholder farmers in Tordzinu, South Tongu District, and Klenormadi, Ketu District, in the Volta Region.
Additionally, 16 commodity drying platforms will be built, and 29.5 kilometres of farm tracks will be constructed in various regions. Furthermore, 20 boreholes will be installed in the North-East Gonja, Nanton, Atebubu, Bono East, Northern, and Savannah regions.
The minister emphasised the importance of contractors adhering to high construction standards, and the active participation of beneficiary communities in maintaining and utilising these facilities.
Dr. Acheampong expressed optimism about the impact of these projects on smallholder farmers and beneficiary communities, stating that they will be better equipped to face challenges posed by climate change.
The minister also extended gratitude to International Fund for Agric Development (IFAD) for their support in making these projects possible, and called for collective efforts to transform the agricultural sector and contribute to Ghana’s prosperity.
The ESRF Programme Coordinator, Dr. Hayford Baah-Adade, in his remarks, underscored the fact that these projects aim to support smallholder farmers and beneficiary communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change.
He also stated that contractors have been selected based on their expertise and successful track records in delivering infrastructure projects.
Supervising agencies, such as the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA), the Department of Feeder Roads (DFR), and the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), were urged to be responsible in providing effective supervision and monitoring the progress of these projects.
Dr. Hayford indicated that the ESRF consists of three components: Protection against Hunger and Build Resilient Livelihoods; Safeguarding Rural Marketing Linkages and Food Security; and Project Management, Monitoring, and Evaluation.
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