USAID And NRCC Sign MOU

 United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Northern Regional Coordinating Council (NRCC) have jointly signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to help address the problem of food insecurity in the region. 

The Food Security Programme dubbed 'Feeding the Future' is estimated to cost 60 million dollars and will be implemented in 12 districts of the region to benefit 367,000 peasant farmers and vulnerable people over a five-year period.  

The programme focuses on improving productivity of small-holder farmers to increase their incomes by building their capacities through research and sharing of experiences from experts in food security.

Paul Weisenfeld, Assistant to the Administrator for Food Security of USAID, noted that food security was one of the challenges of the world, of which the Obama administration was so much concerned in addressing, and has therefore fashioned a programme to assist Ghana in her quest to battle the menace. 

He lauded the partnership between the United States and the government of Ghana in addressing the numerous challenges facing the vulnerable in the area of improved agriculture and nutrition. 

Mr. Weisenfeld explained USAID's strategy of integrating agriculture, health, education and nutrition in strengthening households and community resiliency to food insecurity, increasing crop productivity, and helping build strong productive capacities of farmers and their households. 

The Northern Regional Minister, Moses Bukari Mabengba on his part observed that the greatest threat to peace and stability in the area was the lack of food which has forced especially the youth into indulging in so many social vices that are inimical to the progress of the region. 

He expressed government's appreciation to USAID for their commitment to helping the vulnerable in the region by supplying both food and non-food items, and pledged the NRCC readiness to implement the programme efficiently, as well as to abide by the conditions. 

Mr. Mabengba assured the delegation of their safety and said the peace in the area will ensure full implementation to enable people to be self-reliant on food production. 

He noted that the programme had come at the right time for the people of the region, as it represents an opportunity for real change for the creation of job opportunities for both skilled and unskilled youth.

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and the regional coordinating council, as implementers of the programme, have pledged their total cooperation, collaboration and coordination towards its successful implementation. 

The signing of the MOU was witnessed by the Country Director of USAID-Ghana, Cheryl L. Anderson, officials of USAID-Ghana and officials of the NRCC.

  From Stephen Zoure, Tamale