Extend Credit Facilities To Farmers - Idris

The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, has called on banks and other financial institutions to extend credit facilities to farmers in the region.

This, he said would help the farmers in the area to go into large scale farming in the coming season which consequently would increase food production in the country.

Alhaji Idris made the call in Tamale yesterday when the Canadian High Commissioner in Accra, Derren Schemmer, paid a courtesy call on him at his office.

The envoy was in the region to inspect progress of various projects being funded by the Canadian government.

Alhaji Idris expressed fears of hunger in the region considering the devastating nature of the drought and floods that hit the area last year.He revealed that a number of farmers and families have emptied their stock as a result of feeding additional mouths following the disaster.

Alhaji Idris noted with concern that most banks were very apprehensive of extending credit facilities to farmers with the fear of losing such funds as few miscreants’ farmers have bolted with millions of cedis previously.

The minister maintained that times have changed and that farmers have learned a lot of lessons and would therefore pay back loans offered them this time round.

He also lauded the Canadian government for the numerous support to the people of the area especially during the last year disaster.

Alhaji Idris appealed to the envoy to consider helping to address some of the challenges facing farmers in the area.

He also appealed to the Canadian government to increase its support to the districts assuring that the regional coordinating council had instituted rigid monitoring procedures to ensure that all districts comply fully with regulations.

Mr Schemmer, on his part urged the minister to step efforts in ensuring peace in the area.

He said that Ghana ranks high when it comes to democracy in Africa and that the whole world was keenly following and monitoring how the country could organise this year election and urged the minister to ensure peaceful election.