Authority to administer MDA

Winneba, March 10, GNA - A Millennium Development Authority (MDA) is to be established to administer the Millennium Challenge Accounts (MCA).

Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, Minister of State for Public Sector Reforms, responsible for the planning of projects under the Millennium Challenge Accounts, announced this at a forum at Winneba, to explain issues connected with the Millennium Challenge Fund.

Chiefs, Assembly Members, heads of departments and other stakeholders in the Awutu-Effutu-Senya District, one of the beneficiary communities of the Fund attended the forum.

Dr Nduom said the Authority to be established by an Act of Parliament would have a strong monitoring and evaluation role to ensure an effective and efficient operation.

He pointed out that the qualification of Ghana for the Fund with 16 other nations was based on good governance and acceptable democratic principles that the government was pursuing.

Under the fund, 35 roads covering 310 kilometres including the Awutu Beraku-Obrachire, Kasoa-Bawjiase and Awutu-Bawjiase-Adeiso roads all in the District would be rehabilitated to facilitate the transportation of pineapple, pawpaw and other farm produce for export. Marketing units and parking house would also be established at vantage points including Papase Number One, a farming village near Jei-Krodua on the Kasoa-Bawjiase road, which would be the central marketing base to cater for marketing needs of farmers.

Dr Nduom announced plans to construct irrigation dams and to provide financial assistance to both individual and corporate farming groups to take advantage of the project to enhance their socio-economic standard.

He appealed to traditional authorities and landowners in the District to release land for the project to help eradicate poverty in the area.

Mr Solomon Kwashie Abbam-Quaye, District Chief Executive, commended the government for selecting the area to benefit from the Millennium Challenge Fund and promised the Assembly's readiness to ensure the success of the project.

Neenyi Ghartey VII, Omanhene of the Effutu Traditional Area, pledged the preparedness of Chiefs in the district to release land for the project and to educate the people to avail themselves with the opportunity extended to them. 10 March 06