The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Atwima Nwabiagya North, Hon. Mba Zechariah Alenbilla, has appealed to the government and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to release additional funds to support the development of inland valleys under the Kumi/WAAMU Water Conservation Scheme.
According to the DCE, increased funding and sustained government support would enable more farmers and beneficiary communities to take advantage of the agricultural opportunities created under the project.
He made the appeal during a sod-cutting and site-possession ceremony for the development of inland valleys under the Kumi/WAAMU Water Conservation Scheme, being implemented as part of the West African Food System Resilience Project in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District.
The ceremony brought together government officials, traditional authorities, farmers, Assembly Members, heads of departments and units, representatives of religious bodies, development partners and other stakeholders.
Speaking at the ceremony, Hon.Mba Zachariah Alenbilla described the project as a major step towards promoting agricultural development, improving food security and creating sustainable livelihoods for people in the district.
He said agriculture remained one of the major pillars of the local economy, with a significant number of households depending directly or indirectly on farming.
However, he noted that farmers continued to face challenges, including inadequate access to reliable water for agricultural production, limited development of lowland areas, climate variability and inadequate agricultural infrastructure.
He therefore said the development of inland valleys under the Kumi/WAAMU Water Conservation Scheme presented a significant opportunity to address some of these challenges.
AGRICULTURAL POTENTIAL
The DCE explained that the naturally fertile inland valleys could be transformed into productive agricultural zones through appropriate water management, improved farming practices and the provision of relevant support services.
He expressed optimism that the project would enable farmers to increase their production, improve household incomes and contribute significantly to food security in the district and the country.
He further indicated that the intervention was consistent with the broader national objective of increasing agricultural production, creating employment, improving household incomes and strengthening local economies.
“With appropriate water management, improved farming practices and the necessary support services, our farmers will be better positioned to increase production, improve their incomes and contribute meaningfully to food security,” he stated.
PARTNERSHIP
Hon. Alenbilla stressed that the significance of the ceremony went beyond the symbolic cutting of a sod, saying it represented the beginning of a partnership among government, development partners, traditional authorities, the District Assembly, farmers and beneficiary communities.
He described the site-possession ceremony as an important step towards translating plans and commitments into tangible development on the ground.
He assured stakeholders that the Atwima Nwabiagya North District Assembly would provide the necessary institutional support to facilitate the successful implementation of the project.
The Assembly, he said, would continue to work closely with the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, traditional authorities and other stakeholders to ensure the smooth execution of the project.
APPEAL TO LANDOWNERS
The DCE also appealed to traditional leaders and landowners to support the initiative by ensuring that land-related matters were addressed amicably and promptly.
He said such cooperation was critical to ensuring that the project achieved its intended objectives and brought sustainable benefits to the beneficiary communities.
He urged the traditional authorities and landowners to place the broader development interests of their communities above individual considerations.
CALL TO FARMERS
Hon. Alenbilla also encouraged farmers in the beneficiary communities to take full advantage of the opportunities that the project would create.
He urged them to embrace improved agricultural technologies, adopt good farming practices and ensure responsible management of facilities that would be provided under the project.
According to him, the investment being made through the project must translate into lasting benefits for the people and future generations.
“We must ensure that the investment being made today produces lasting benefits for our people and future generations,” he stressed.
MORE GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
The DCE used the occasion to make a special appeal to the Minister for Food and Agriculture for additional financial resources to enable the project to progress and achieve its full potential.
He said the project was important to the district and had the potential to make a significant difference in the lives of farmers and residents in the beneficiary communities.
He explained that additional funding would make it possible for more farmers to be brought on board, more land to be developed for agricultural production and more communities to benefit from the intervention.
He said such investment would ultimately contribute to increased food production, improved livelihoods, employment creation and enhanced food security.
“We believe that investing in our farmers is investing in the future of Ghana. We therefore look forward to your continued support and commitment towards the successful completion and expansion of this important project,” he said.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Hon. Alenbilla further assured stakeholders of the Assembly’s commitment to transparency, accountability and effective implementation of the project.
He said the ultimate objective should be to increase agricultural productivity, improve the livelihoods of farmers, strengthen food security and create sustainable economic opportunities for residents of the district.
He expressed appreciation to the Minister for Food and Agriculture, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, the Ashanti Regional Minister, the Member of Parliament, traditional authorities, development partners, technical teams, farmers and other stakeholders for their support and participation.
The DCE said their presence demonstrated the importance attached to agricultural transformation and rural development.
He expressed the hope that the Kumi/WAAMU Water Conservation Scheme would be successfully implemented and bring increased agricultural productivity, prosperity and improved livelihoods to farmers and beneficiary communities in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District.
The West African Food System Resilience Project seeks to support interventions aimed at strengthening agricultural production and resilience, with water management and the development of productive agricultural areas forming an important part of efforts to improve food security and livelihoods.
