Invest in processing too - Aliu tells ADRA

Accra, Sept. 22, GNA - Vice President Aliu Mahama, commending the Adventist Development Relief Agency (ADRA) for its support to farmers in the cultivation of fruits, on Monday, urged it to also assist the beneficiaries to process their produce.

He said the incomes of the farmers would appreciate a great deal if they were mobilised into groups and assisted with processing plants to add value to their produce, adding that a lot of oranges were going to waste in the Central Region because they could not be processed. The Vice President was speaking at a meeting with a delegation from ADRA, an agency of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, and the Valley View University, which called on him at the Castle, Osu.

ADRA has invited the Vice President to be the Guest of Honour at the launch of its HIV/AIDS programme on Wednesday, while the University has asked him to attend its Ninth Graduation ceremony on Sunday.

Vice President Mahama said the Government considered the Church as a partner in development and was, therefore, appreciative of ADRA's numerous projects in agriculture, education, health, micro-financing and many others across the country.

He said: "You are playing a great role in all endeavours to uplift the lives of others and we are happy with that. We would like to encourage you to do more, especially in the area of processing." Mr. Samuel Asante-Mensah, Country Director of ADRA, briefed the Vice President about ADRA's programmes since 1983.

It supports 'the poorest of the poor' to engage in citrus, cashew, mango cultivation, agro-forestry, bee-keeping.

ADRA, Mr Asante-Mensah said, had provided silos, bore holes, wells, school blocks, clinics, micro credit to people in rural communities. On Wednesday, the Agency would launch its 1.5 million-dollar HIV/AIDS programme targeted at artisans, hairdressers, traders, truck pushers and long-distant drivers.

Dr. Seth Laryea, President of Valley View University, said the Institute was considering the introduction of Bio Medical Equipment Training Course to turn out people who can maintain health equipment. He said the course was at present not offered by any of the universities, thus making it difficult to have personnel to take care of expensive medical equipment.

Pastor Samuel Larmie commended the Vice President for championing the Campaign Against Indiscipline, saying it was important for high public officials to talk about respect for law and order otherwise the society would disintegrate.