Northern farmers applaud President

Tamale, Oct 22, GNA - The National Cotton Farmers Association said it had received the announcement made by the President John Agyekum Kufuor on his Special Initiative on Cotton Production in the three northern regions with great joy and a sign of relief for cotton farmers.

''This shows that the President has realized the opportunities of the cotton industry to contribute to the growth of the economy and also create employment for the youth in the area.''

The association said this in a statement signed by Mr Mohammed Adam Nashiru, the National Secretary.

Mr Nashiru said the President made similar announcements two years ago in the Upper West Region, in the United Kingdom, France and at the Castle ''but the announcements ended there without any positive action.''

He said cotton farmers in the country were now confused as to whether cotton companies would be able to buy seed cotton from farmers this season. This compelled farmers to demonstrate to press home their demands to get funding for this years purchasing season and described the Presidents announcement as timely.

Mr Nashiru appealed to the President, this time around, to back his words with action.