Farmers to benefit from EDAIF

Over 2,000 farmers in the Northern Region will benefit from the Export Development and Agriculture Investment Fund (EDAIF) to boost their production capacities for domestic market and export.
Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, Trade and Industry Minister, disclosed this when he addressed officials of the Ministry and its agencies in Tamale on Friday.

A statement signed by Nana Akrasi Sarpong, Acting Director of Communication and Public Affairs, Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI), and copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Monday said Mr. Iddrisu urged EDAIF to put pragmatic measures in place to support the farmers to increase their yields.

“We should take advantage of our agrarian economy to increase production for the local market and export,” he said.

The statement said the Minister however cautioned management of the fund to reach out to companies that can create jobs irrespective of their political leanings.

According to the statement, the MOTI and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture will collaborate to halt the over-dependence of rice importation, by encouraging and supporting local rice farmers financially and technologically to increase their yields to meet the growing demands for rice by Ghanaians.

The statement said Mr. Iddrisu requested the Ghana Standards Authority to prepare for pre-shipment inspection at the ports, and added that efforts are being made to install more scanners there to ease congestion and reduce delays in clearing of goods.

The statement said the Minister therefore asked officials at the ports to provide a 24-hour service to complement the efforts of government.

Mr. Iddrisu also tasked the Ghana Standards Authority to build their capacities in order to wean themselves from government subventions.

He said: "From 2015 the Ghana Standard Authority will not receive any subvention from government, and therefore we urge them to retain 75% of their internally generated funds to meet their financial needs," the statement quoted him as saying.

The statement said Mr. Iddrisu was particularly worried about the government bonded warehouses which have now become sources of revenue leakage, and assured that every effort will be made to halt the illicit acts.

The statement said the Minister of Trade and Industry said the Ghana Investment Promotion Council and Ghana Export Promotion Authority will be repositioned to support missions abroad to promote a vigorous and aggressive trade and investment drive, and that by the end of the year tooth-picks will be manufactured in the country.

It assured shea farmers that with collaboration from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, seedlings will be increased to over two million to enable them have enough for cultivation since there is already a market in Japan.

He disclosed that two sugar factories in Komenda in the Central Region and Northern Region will soon be established with a sugar refinery in Tema this year.

According to the statement, the Deputy Northern Regional Minister, Hon Alhaji A. B. A. Fuseini mentioned that the region is ready for investment and requested those who are keen on investing there to do so now.

It said he bemoaned the constant bashing the region has received over the years, and added that the region is now ripe for investment and business.

"We should see the region as a partner in national development as we have more favourable advantages over other regions in Ghana," the statement quoted him as saying.

Credit: GNA