UK reiterate support for Ghana?s economic development

0

Mr Jon Benjamin, British High Commissioner on Monday d Britain?s continued interest in supporting Ghana?s economic development.

 Mr Jon Benjamin in a handshake with the Gukpe-Naa Alhassan. Standing left is Mr Stuart Taylor Secretary Press and Political affairs at the High Commission, Accra
Mr Jon Benjamin in a handshake with the Gukpe-Naa Alhassan. Standing left is Mr Stuart Taylor Secretary Press and Political affairs at the High Commission, Accra

He said the objective of the British Government is to deliver economic assistance to Ghana is intact, adding: “Delivering economic assistance to Ghana is part of our central agenda and the north is one of our biggest focus.”
The High Commissioner made the remarks during a courtesy call on the Chief of Tamale; Gukpe-Naa Alhaji Abdulai Alhassan, at his palace.
The maiden visit of the Commissioner is to familiarise himself with the Northern Region, inspect British funded projects, and hold discussions with civil society organisations.
Mr Benjamin noted that Ghana and Britain has a common history, which includes World War I, which dated back 100 years ago.
He said: “I have come to Tamale to learn about the excellent inter- ethnic and religious harmony in Ghana, especially in the Northern Regions.”
He expressed his appreciation to the Chief and elders of Tamale for the kind hospitality accorded him.
The Gukpe-Naa Abdulai said Ghana has learnt a lot from Britain as its colonial masters, while British colonies all over the world command some level of respect within the comity of nations.
He urged the High Commissioner to facilitate in bringing to the north more British funded developmental projects to support education, health and agriculture.
Mr Benjamin visited UK Department for International Development (DFID) /Market Development Programme in Northern Ghana (MADE) and SIFA Agro Trade Company?s $5 million partnership project at Tugu, a farming community 20km East of Tamale on the Tamale-Yendi road where he interacted with smallholder rice farmers.
The partnership directly supports 3,500 smallholder rice farmers to develop their capacity in modern agriculture practices, increased access to input credit as well as improved market access to increase rice productivity and spur economic livelihood of the people.
Briefing the High Commissioner at the project site the Board Chairman of the company, Mr Mustapha Sanah explained that DFID and MADE in collaboration with SIFA Agro-Trade Investment Company Limited, a private agriculture investor company, to build capacity and provide inputs support and marketing for farmers.

He expressed the need for the strengthening of the private sector as an important partner in investing in the agriculture value chain to end poverty in rural communities in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions.
The High Commissioner called on the Regional Minister, Alhaji Muhammed Muniru Limuna.

GNA

Send your news stories to [email protected] Follow News Ghana on Google News

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here