CLGA, EU launch project to provide decent and social protection for communities in Bono East

The Centre for Local Governance Advocacy (CLGA), in partnership with its implementing partners; National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG), Centre of Posterity Interest Organization (COPIO) and Abrono Organic Farmers Project (ABOFAP) has launched the Promoting Access of Indigenous People for Decent Work and Social Protection (PRODESOP) project in the Bono East Area.

The 4-year social protection project primarily funded by the European Union (EU) with counterpart funding from the four implementing partners is aimed at leveraging on the ginger value chain in the Kintampo Municipality and the Kintampo South District, and the fish value chain in the Pru East and West Districts is expected to provide employment for the very poorest and vulnerable; especially women, youth and PWDs within the communities in these districts to enable them to access social protection services.

Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Augustine Collins Ntim speaking at the launch of the project on behalf of the Minister, pledged that his full support and assured cooperation and contribution towards the outcomes of the project.

“My competent and hardworking Chief Executives and their staff will have my full support and collaboration towards the realization of the outputs and outcomes of this project,” he assured.

The Paramount Chiefs of the Yeji and Prang Traditional Councils of the area commended the EU and the implementing partners for the project.

They also cautioned the Assembly and citizens in the district from politicizing the project and urged all qualified citizens to take advantage of the project.

The Bono East Regional Coordinating Director, speaking on behalf of the Regional Minister expressed his gratitude to the EU and the implementing partners for their choice of the Bono East Region.

He gave an assurance of his involvement in the monitoring and implementation of the project to ensure that set objectives are achieved.

He admonished the vulnerable in the districts “to avail themselves to this golden opportunity to improve their standard of living”

In her remarks on behalf of the CLGA, the Deputy Executive Director; Madam Gladys G. N. Tetteh also encouraged citizens to come on board in ensuring the successful implementation of the project in order to attract more investments into the district to propel the Assembly to the level of development it desires.

The programme had in attendance the Chief Executive of each of the participating districts, representatives of the implementing partners, Assembly Members, Women, youth and PWD groups, among others

Components of the project

Part of the project, under the ginger component in Kintampo Municipality and Kintampo South District, will provide a 200-acre irrigated land known as multiplication plots, to beneficiaries in the community at no cost to them within the project period.

The ginger produced from these farms, however, will be processed into powder and other forms for use in beverage and alcohol distilleries, confectionaries, pharmaceutical companies, among others.

The other component of the project which focuses on the fish value chain will witness the creation of the desirable business environment and infrastructure for fish farming.

The infrastructures to be provided will include a demonstration centre for learning purposes, a processing unit, a fish hatchery and nursery, fish cages and tanks for domestic fish cultivation.

Tanks will also be provided at no charge to beneficiaries (households) to enable them to participate in the fish cultivation in their homes to reduce pressure on water bodies.

Beneficiaries will also be provided with the requisite capacity and technical know-how in ginger and fish production, processing, packaging and marketing, business management and enterprise development to ensure prudent financial management.

At the end of the project in 2023, the project is expected to create at least 1,200 jobs for women, youth and PWDs with accompanying improvement in the living conditions of the beneficiaries. It is also targeted that over 2,400 persons will be able to subscribe to the NHIS and other social security and pension schemes available in the country.