By Daniel Adu Darko
Accra, Sept. 12, GNA – The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) has distributed 900 water pumping machines confiscated from illegal mining sites to farmers in nine regions to support the government’s “Feed Ghana Programme.”
The initiative follows a court ruling directing that the seized machines be handed over to the ministry to enhance agricultural productivity as part of efforts to ensure food security.
At a brief ceremony at the Agricultural Extension Service Directorate, Amrahia Dairy Farm Street, Mr Eric Opoku, Minister of Food and Agriculture, said the distribution formed part of government’s strategy to turn resources from illicit activities into assets that benefit the wider population.
He explained that each of the nine beneficiary regions, Oti, Upper East, Upper West, North East, Savannah, Northern, Greater Accra, Volta and Bono East, would receive 100 water pumps for allocation to farmers.
“We have brought the Regional Ministers here to take delivery on behalf of the regions, and they will go and distribute them to the farmers in their respective regions,” he said.
“At the end of the day, every Ghanaian will be fed and every Ghanaian eating will be a beneficiary of this important presentation, ” he added.
Mr Opoku noted that the nine regions were carefully selected to prevent the machines from returning to illegal mining sites.
He added that beneficiary farmers were being encouraged to form community commodity-based co-operatives under the supervision of the Regional Ministers and Regional Directors of Agriculture to ensure equitable distribution and efficient use.
On the safety of the machines, the minister assured farmers that all pumps had been inspected by technical experts and cleared of contamination from chemicals used in galamsey operations.
“The equipment can be used on the farms without any difficulties, and that is the reason why we are distributing it today,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Regional Ministers, Mr Ali Adolf John, Northern Regional Minister, commended President John Dramani Mahama and MoFA for the initiative, noting that it was a clear demonstration of government’s commitment to fighting galamsey while promoting food security.
He pledged that the beneficiary regions would strictly monitor the use of the pumps to ensure they serve their intended purpose.
“These machines will be used for productive purposes and not for the same galamsey activities. We will keep our eyes open and work with the Agric Directors periodically to see how these machines are being used,” he said.
Mr Ali urged farmers to put the machines to good use to expand food production, especially during the dry season.
GNA
Edited by Christian Akorlie