Hon Stephen Yakubu, the Upper East Regional Minister has allayed the fears of residents in the Region of any possible food insecurity owing to some challenges in accessing fertilizers by farmers.
He said the Regional Department of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) was leasing with its Headquarters to secure enough fertilizers for farmers in the Region, and was hopeful that the rainfall pattern this year would help boost crop yields.
Hon Yakubu said this when Madam Kati Csaba, the Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana called on him at his office to discuss issues of food security in the Region.
The Minister recounted the days when compost manure made of cattle and ruminate droppings was used on farms as fertilizer, but noted that due to climate change and reduction in animal population, chemical fertilizers had taken over in anticipation of higher yields.
Even though there may be some challenges in the use of inorganic fertilizers, the Minister urged farmers to reconsider the use of such fertilizers which had long time benefits on crops and farm lands.
Hon Yakubu, who is also the Chairman of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), assured the High Commissioner of peace and security in the region, and said security service personnel were on high alert for any possible terrorists attack.
“We are always on high alert to prevent any possible attack in the Region. Government has been providing enough logistics to that effect, and we are constantly reviewing our security plans,” he told the Canadian Commissioner.
Dr. Sayibu Pabi Gariba, the Regional Police Commander, said despite the intermittent conflicts in Bawku and between the people of Doba and Kandiga, the security situation in the Region was under control.
He further assured the High Commissioner and her entourage of maximum security while on their visit, and urged them to go about their duties without fear.
The Regional Director of MoFA, Mr. Francis Annor said all 15 Municipalities and District offices of MoFA received pick-up vehicles, 222 motorbikes and computers from the Canadian Government to support them improve on both office and field work.
He said from 2017, the Canadian Government had over the years provided support to women groups, and recalled that it recently provided soya processing machines to women in the Bolgatanga Municipality and Bongo District.
On her part, Madam Csaba said Canada was proud of Ghana’s Agricultural flagship programmes, noting that the recent Russian – Ukraine conflicts had negatively impacted on food prices in Ghana.
She said Canada had long working relationship in Northern Ghana in the Agricultural sector, and would continue to work with the people of Northern Ghana.
