Official calls for collaboration in poverty reduction efforts

Sokode-Gbogame (V/R), Feb. 8, GNA - Dr David Amoah, National Coordinator of the Ecumenical Association for Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development (ECASARD) on Monday expressed the need for collaboration among organisations executing poverty reduction programmes in the country.

ECASARD is a Church-based effort by the Catholic Church in Ghana and Church groups under the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) to improve the economic circumstances of their members in the rural areas through increased agricultural production.

Dr Amoah said the varied experiences of the organisations would create a store of knowledge on the various facets of poverty reduction to enrich the national strategy.

He was speaking at a strategic planning workshop for stakeholders towards a three-year poverty reduction programme among rural women in the Ho Diocese of the Catholic Church at the Bishop Holland Retreat and Formation Centre at Sokode-Gbogame, near Ho.

Some 30 women leaders representing the Parishes of the Ho Diocese were attending the three-day workshop, sponsored by MISEREOR of Germany.

Dr Amoah said there were many non-governmental organisations working to reduce poverty within different socio-cultural settings whose experiences must be shared by others.

He said nobody by any means could wean anybody from poverty if the individual himself did not resolve to change his or her circumstances. Dr Amoah said beneficiaries of poverty reductions projects must show seriousness to make the ventures sustainable.

Rev Monsignor Anthony Kornu, Vicar General of the Ho Diocese, urged participants and women to rise above the self-defeating notions about their capabilities and start business ventures to change their financial circumstances.