The ECOWAS Commissioner for Agriculture, Environment and Water resources has lauded Ghana’s warehousing system and its role in ensuring food security within the continent.
Sekou Sangare made the remarks at a cereal handing over ceremony in Tamale which saw the National Food and Buffer Stock Company (NAFSCO) take in 2750 tons of cereal from the ECOWAS Regional Food Security Reserve.
The cereal which was received by the National food and buffer stock Company in its warehouses in Tamale and Yendi, composed of 1000 tons of maize, 750 tons of white rice, 500 tons of millet and 500 tons of sorghum.
Speaking to Joy Business, Mr Sangare praised (NAFSCO) for its efficient warehousing system.
“I believe the systems in place here in Ghana where we have in place storage facilities in the cities as well as the rural areas is a good thing. This allows for the collection of harvest from farmers and we are assuring them of good prices for their produce when there is a bumper harvest,” he said.
He added, “ECOWAS is encouraging the Ghana government to promote this development and the body will give its full support to this work not only in Ghana but also in other member countries to accelerate our aim of achieving food sufficiency.”
The handing over of cereals by ECOWAS was in accordance with a decision by the heads of state of member countries to operationalise the regional body’s food security reserve.
According to the NAFCO CEO, Abdul Hanan Wahab, government has decided to use the stock of 2,750 tons of cereal to supply schools under government flagship free SHS program.
“This is a source of great relief especially for the schools around this region. The proximity will lead to availability and cut down on the cost of transportation. It will also help address the issue of storage for the schools,” he said.
Mr Wahab further committed to expanding and improving the warehousing system in order to attract bigger contracts from the regional body after signing an MOU with the ECOWAS Regional Food Security reserve.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Agric Minister, Sugre Bambangui gave assurance of government’s consistent effort to support the expansion of the Agric sector.
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