Sheanut Development Board to be established

Nalerigu (N/R), March 26, GNA - The government is to establish a Sheanut Development Board (SDB)with its headquarters in Tamale, to help promote the sheanut industry in the North. Mr Stephen Sumani Nayina, Northern Regional Minister, announced this when he paid a courtesy call on the Nayiri, Naa Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga, the overlord of Mamprugu Traditional Area at his palace in Nalerigu on Wednesday.

Mr Nayina observed that the Northern Region faced erratic rainfall patterns often resulting in droughts or floods, which adversely affected food production in the area. He said in view of this, the government would construct-small scale irrigation dams throughout the region to ensure an all year round food crop production.

He said the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) was re-activating its activities in the country, adding that, the Fund would this time round intervene in the areas of road infrastructure development and food production.

Talking on the road sector, the Regional Minister said 17 of the roads linking the districts to the regional capital were not tarred, a situation, which was hindering the socio-economic development of the area.

He said government intended to address the issue and was seeking funding to construct the Walewale-Nalerigu and Tamale-Salaga-Makango roads.

Mr Nayina said the Fufulso-Damongo- Sawla road would also attract government attention to open the area up to promote tourism, especially around the Mole National Park at Larabanga.

The Regional Minister said government would proceed with the establishment of the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) to bridge the development gap between the North and the South. Naa Sheriga in response, urged the Regional Minister to adopt an open-door policy to his administration to allow all the citizens of the area contribute their quota to the development of the Region. He congratulated President John Evans Atta Mills on his assumption of the highest office of the land and also commended all the political parties in the country for ensuring a peaceful elections and a democratic transfer of power. 28 March 09