UDS signs potato distribution contract with RING

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The University for Development Studies (UDS) is to provide support for the multiplication and supply of 75,000 Orange Fleshed Sweet Potatoes (OFSP) vines to beneficiaries of the Resiliency in Northern Ghana (RING) project.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES
SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

This followed a sub-contract the Management of RING signed with authorities of UDS in Tamale on Tuesday enabling UDS to provide additional assistance to the project to ensure its effective and efficient implementation.

Under the multi-year sub-contract, which would expire in 2019, UDS would provide technical assistance for the RING project in areas of training agricultural extension agents, Women in Agricultural Development Officers and District Nutrition Officers on the technical aspects of production and utilisation of OFSPs in the 17 beneficiary districts in the Region.

OFSP cultivation is an income generating initiative that would also contribute to the nutritional gains amongst vulnerable households in the districts which include Central Gonja, Chereponi, East Gonja, East Mamprusi, Gushegu, Karaga, Kumbungu, Kpandai, Nanumba North and Nanumba South.

RING, which receives financial support from the United States Agency for International Development and Feed the Future programme, is a poverty reduction intervention designed to improve the nutrition and livelihood status of vulnerable households in the Region.

Madam Margaret Herro, Acting Chief of Party of RING, who signed on behalf of RING, said she was hopeful that the partnership with UDS would help ensure the success of the project.

She noted that RING, in partnership with local government authorities, such as the Regional Coordinating Council and various Metropolitan Municipal and District Assemblies, is applying an innovative and multidisciplinary approach to poverty reduction through agriculture, income generation, savings, nutrition, WASH, good governance and community engagement..

“Our partnership and operations are aligned strongly to USAID Forward principles which aim to strengthen existing systems within the local government and pave the way for a more sustainable transition as Ghana’s economic status improves. Additionally, it enables USAID and its development partners to efficiently, effectively, and inclusively address today’s global challenges, such as food security and nutritional deficiencies.”

Since 2012, RING, in collaboration with the Government of Ghana (GoG), has delivered services to some of the most of the deprived communities in the Northern Region.

In 2014, Global Communities was awarded the RING contract, which enabled the project to increase technical support to district & regional offices across all focal areas.

This year, RING will be actively implementing livelihoods, health and good governance projects in 17 districts.

Madam Herro announced new initiatives such as promoting small-scale drip irrigation, Infant and Young Child Feeding, citizen engagement mechanisms, and moringa cultivation would be implemented under the project this year.

She averred that RING will continue to partner with its local stakeholders and work together to reduce poverty and malnutrition in northern Ghana.

Professor Gabriel Teye, Pro-Vice Chancellor of UDS, who signed on behalf of the university, said UDS the university is undertaking resilience and water, sanitation and hygiene programmes for the benefit of the rural poor and welcomed the partnership with RING as it is in line with its initiatives.

The Resiliency in Northern Ghana (RING) is an integrated project and partnership effort under the USAID Feed the Future Initiative designed to contribute to the Government of Ghana?s efforts to sustainably reduce poverty and improve the nutritional status of vulnerable populations. The RING project is aimed at improving the livelihood and nutritional status of vulnerable households in targeted communities in 17 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies in Northern Region.

 

spyGhana.com

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