Government makes available enough funds for farmers- Veep

Ejura (Ash), Sept 2, GNA - Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama has said the Government had made available enough funds to the banks to be given out as short-term loans to farmers. He, therefore, urged farmers to form groups to enable them to access the loans from the banks.

The Vice President was speaking on Wednesday at separate durbars held in his honour at Anyinasu, Sekyedumase and Ejura, all in Ashanti. He said the amount was to assist farmers to expand their farms and also increase their yields through modern agricultural practices. Vice President's visit formed part of a four-day official tour of the Ashanti Region to express gratitude to the people for voting massively for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in 2000 elections and to ask them for more votes in Election 2004.

Alhaji Aliu told the people that the Government had secured 1,000 tractors and urged the farmers to use the groups to access them for increased production.

He told the people that the Government would continue to improve upon the road network in the Ejura - Sekyedumase District to facilitate farming activities as well as trading. Vice President made an appeal to the people to support the Government to enable it to continue with its policies of ensuring progress and prosperity for the country.

Alhaji Aliu said Ghanaians had advanced beyond politics of lies into an era where they must be told the truth at all times. Nana Kwaku Sarfo II, Ejurahene; Nana Boakye Ampem; Anyinasuhene and Nana Agyena Ansah, Krontihene of Sekyedumase, in turns commended the Government for the development programmes it had initiated in the rural areas and prayed for its sustenance.

The Vice President later inaugurated the multi million-cedi market complex at Ejura and a block of six classrooms at Anyinasu. 2 Sept. 04