Government will use agriculture as the base for Better Ghana Agenda

Akrofu(V/R), Nov. 8, GNA - Vice President John Dramani Mahama on Saturday announced that Government would use agriculture as the foundation stone for the achievement of the "Better Ghana Agenda." "This, government will do by making maximum use of the mechanization scheme we are rolling out to sell tractors and other implements to individuals and group farmers throughout the country to increase their output."

He said under the mechanization scheme, 110 tractors, which were expected in the country this month would be subsidized and sold on hire purchase to farmers for a number of months and called on farmers who could not buy them as individuals to form cooperatives to enjoy a 30 per cent government subsidy.

Vice President Mahama announced these at Akrofu in the Volta Region during the celebration of the SASADU among the people of Sovie, Alavanyo, Saviefe and Akrofu.

The name SASADU, which is the acronym for Sovie, Alavanyo, Saviefe, Akrofu Development Union is a symbol of peace and unity among the four traditional areas who trace their origins to the same traditional ancestor. The festival aims at fostering socio-cultural progress, encourage educational and self-help activities and to cooperate with the Government of Ghana in all matters relating to the welfare and development of their area among others. Vice President Mahama said the Government had established a food buffer stock with an amount of GHc50 million which would enable government to buy adequate food and store for the lean season of the year.

He encouraged the farmers to step up their activities in the production of rice and other cereal to enhance the country's chances of becoming not only self-sufficient in food production, but also a major food exporter to other parts of the world.

The Vice President told the people of the Volta region that President Mills would fulfil his promise of providing them with a university before the end of his first four-year term and called on them to continue to work hard to brighten the chances of the party in subsequent elections.

Mr William Segbedeku, General Secretary of SASADU, said the Union had established an arbitration committee that would adjudicate among them in times of conflict and to ensure the peaceful co-existence of the people from the four traditional areas.

He warned against causing trouble in those traditional areas adding 'such troubles will do nothing but to retard our orderly progress.' Mr Joseph Amenowode, Volta Regional Minister called on the people of the four traditional areas to resolve all chieftaincy disputes to pave way for rapid socio-economic development.