EDIF gives Legon 2.6 billion cedis

Accra, Nov. 29. GNA - The Management and Board of Directors of the Export Development and Investment Fund (EDIF), Monday presented facilities worth 2.6 billion cedis to the University of Ghana (UG), Legon for research, development and promotion of non-traditional exports drive of the university.

The presentation was in three packages of 863 million cedis worth of facilities each to the university's Research Stations at Kpong and Kade respectively and 743.6 million cedis worth of facilities to the Crop Science Department.

For the two research stations at Kpong and Kade, the presentation came in the form of one Belarus Tractor and accessories, one Nissan Double Cabin Pick-up, one water pumping set and accessories, weedicides, fertilizers and poly bags to each of them.

The Crop Science Department received their portion in the form of one Belarus Tractor and accessories, one Nissan Double cabin Pick-up, one water pumping set and accessories, one deep freezer, three desk top computers and accessories ands some field materials.

Mr. Timothy Kwabena Obeng, Executive Director of EDIF, who made the presentation to the Professor Kwadwo Asenso-Okyere, Vice Chancellor of the UG, noted that the presentation was in recognition of what Legon could contribute to the national export drive when given the necessary push. He said the EDIF fund assisted public and private sector institutions, organisations, associations and groups, which either exported or provided services to the export sector.

Mr. Obeng explained that the EDIF fund had two facilities -- the Credit Facility and the Export Development and Promotion Facility, saying that Legon benefited from the latter, which was available for to support activities of institutions in the development and promotion of export products and the provision of services to the export sector. "We hope the university would continue to take the opportunity of this fund to transform the non-traditional export sector of our economy," he said.

Prof. Asenso-Okyere said Legon had proven in the past that with support such as the one from EDIF, it could contribute immensely to the national development agenda.

He said Legon had trained and continued to train Scientist, who were available to develop viable non-traditional exports for the country and called on EDIF to consider supporting other departments of the university in the same manner.