World Bank to help Ghana export mushrooms

Apedwa (E/R), March 4, GNA- The President of the World Bank, Mr Paul D. Wolfowitz, has observed that although Ghana has made a headway economically than most African countries, its performance could have been better than it is now.

He said the country should move from being good to "super good" in order to sustain an economic agenda capable of ensuring the needed growth for prosperity.

While lauding Ghana's economy performance over the last decade, the visiting World Bank President also urged the government to guard against complacency when initiating sound policies necessary to reduce poverty and squalor.

Mr Wolfowitz gave the advice when he interacted with a cross-section of farmers at the Apedwa High Forest Biodiversity Conservation Project, in the East Akyem District of the Eastern Region on Sunday.

He said Ghana's economy posted some robust figures in recent years, but insisted that the performance be boosted to help sustain the development aspirations of the nation.

Mr Wolfowitz spoke about the intentions of the bank to help assist mushroom farmers in Ghana to exports their products.

Mushrooms, he said, are in high demand in the United States and other advanced countries and the World Bank Group was willing to facilitate a process that will enable Ghana gain access to the market in those countries.

Speaking on the High Forest Conservation project, the World Bank President said although it was a high risk venture, there was now the feeling that biodiversity could succeed as a viable commercial venture when well-managed.

The Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, asked the beneficiaries to pay back their loans so that others may benefit from the facility.

He said the success of the programme demonstrates that good policies can work and appealed for the bank's support when funding is being sought for similar projects.

The Minister for Lands, Forestry and Mines, Professor Dominic Fobih, assured the farmers that his Ministry would assist them to add value to their products.

Earlier, Mr Wolfowitz visited the Winsome Life Co-operative Mushroom Farm to acquaint himself with some sponsored projects of the World Bank and remarked that the mushroom on display were more than he had seen his entire life.

The Co-operative is the outcome of an 8.7 million dollars grant under the Global Environment Facility, which government secured in 1998 as part of a national natural resources management project. It is aimed at conserving forests from destruction while exposing the indigenes to alternate farming practices.

Briefing the President on the Rapid Results Initiative scheme also being funded by the bank, Mrs Cedonia Dere, said the project has helped increase enrolment from ninety pupils to one hundred and twenty within hundred days in some communities in the Eastern Region. 4 March 07