Agona East District Assembly to train youth in farming

GNA – The Agona East District Assembly

has acquired 600 acres of land to train the youth in modern methods of

farming, under the Youth Employment In Agriculture Programme.
     Mr John Oremus Arkoh, the District Chief Executive, who announced

this at the annual Akwanbo Festival of the people of Agona Asafo, near

Agona Swedru, said the Assembly was concerned with the drift of the youth

to the cities and urban centres for non-existent white colour jobs, thus

leaving their aged parents to farm to feed the nation.
     “The nation’s food security can be affected if efforts are not made to

arrest the situation,” the DCE pointed out.
     Mr Arkoh said the Assembly would liaise with officials of the Ministry of

Food and Agriculture (MOFA) to support the youth to set up demonstration

farms.
     He said inputs would be provided for the youth on credit to establish

their own farms and their produce would be purchased by the Assembly.
    But the Assembly would deduct the cost of the provided inputs before

paying the balance to them.
     The DCE assured the people that their library project, which had come to

a standstill due to lack of funds, would be completed.
     He said the Assembly had decided to establish a Information,

Communication and Technology (ICT) centre in the town to promote the

study of the subject by the pupils in the area.
     He said the two-kilometre town road had been awarded for resurfacing

with funds from the World Bank.
     Mr Arkoh said the 20-kilometre feeder roads linking the town to, Swedru

Kwanyako and others would also be reshaped.
     Nana Yanfo Asuako XII, Chief of the town, called on the people to unite

to develop it.
     “With the 2008 elections over, let us bury our differences and come

together to build the town,” the chief reiterated.
     The newly formed Association of District Chief Executives in the Central

Region, contributed GH¢3,200 to support development programmes initiated

by Mr Arkoh. Most of their members attended the festival to lend their

support to their colleague.
GNA