The Vice-President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Michel Mordasini has commended Ghana for the country’s Agricultural programmes and policies aimed at enhancing the development of the sector.
He said he was deeply impressed about the positive gains the country has made over the years since the implementation of IFAD projects started.
Mr. Michel Mordasini made these comments when he paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Mr. Fifi Fiavi Kwetey (MP) at his office as part of his three days official working visit to Ghana to acquaint himself with projects and programmes being funded by IFAD.
The Vice-President said Ghana has been at the fore-front in the developmental of the Agricultural sector which according to him is impacting positively on the nation’s quest for food sustainability, income generation and poverty reduction of the people especially in the rural areas.
Mr. Michel Mordasini was grateful for the visit of the President H.E John Dramani Mahama to his outfit last year and said his visit to Ghana is a follow up to that of his Excellency’s.
He said the Agriculture sector is an option in any business development programme and therefore urged the government to remain committed to the development of the sector. He said his working visit to the Northern part of the country will give him the opportunity to interact more with beneficiaries of the programmes as well as other key stakeholders. This according to him will inform him of the way forward.
Receiving the Vice-President and his entourage at his office, the sector Minister for Food and Agriculture; Mr. Fifi Kwetey acknowledged the great role and contribution of IFAD towards the development of the Agriculture sector in Ghana.
He commended Mr. Michel Mordasini for taking time to visit the country to acquaint himself with the projects being implemented by the government. He mentioned that the government attaches great importance to the sector because it is one of the key areas of economic growth, employment generation especially for the youth and above all ensuring food security for the country.
From left to right; Ag. Chief Director Ing. Joseph Boamah, Hon. Dr. Hannah Bissiw (Deputy Minister, Livestock), Hon. Dr. Yakubu-Alhassan (Deputy Minister, crops) Hon. Fifi Kwetey (Sector Minister) and IFAD Vice President Michel Mordasini recieving briefi
He commended IFAD for the support and hoped the two would continue to work together to enhance the living standards of the people. Mr. Kwetey said he was hopeful Parliament will give its approval to the loan facility from the fund in due course. On behalf of the Ministry, he wished the Vice-President a successful stay in Ghana.
Later, the IFAD Vice-President and his team accompanied by the Minister and his two Deputies, Dr. Yakubu Alhassan (Crops) and Dr. Hannah Bissiw (Livestock) were briefed on the progress of the various projects/programmes being undertaken with the funds from IFAD by the Project Coordinators/Directors of MOFA. The projects are at various stages of completion. They include Ghana Rural and Agric Finance Programme, Rural Enterprises Programme, Ghana Agric Sector Improvement Programme among others.