USAID, four districts sign MoU

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and four districts in the Northern Region have signed project implementation letters to advance the Resiliency In Northern Ghana (RING) initiative.

The signing of the letters has paved the way for the release of an initial tranche of $3 million to the four beneficiary districts to implement the RING programme.

RING is a $60 million project being funded by the United States (US) government to improve the livelihoods and nutritional status of the poorest of northern regional households with emphasis on pregnant and lactating women and children under five years.

In all, the RING will be implemented in 17 districts in the Northern Region which the USAID and its partners have identified through an assessment process.

District chief executives and representatives of the four beneficiary districts — Nanumba South, Nanumba North, Central Gonja and East Mamprusi — signed on behalf of their districts, while Ms Cheryl Anderson, USAID Ghana Mission Director, signed on behalf of the US Government.

The event was witnessed by the Northern Regional Co-ordinating Director, Alhaji Issahaku Alhassan.

Ms Anderson, after signing the documents, said the implementation of the RING project showed the US government’s commitment to international efforts at ensuring aid effectiveness.

She said Ghana was one of the priority countries of President Barack Obama’s “Feed the Future” programme, hence, the need for the RING programme.

Alhaji Alhassan, who also deputised for the regional minister, described the RING initiative as one of the greatest programmes to improve livelihoods in the region.

He gave an assurance that the Regional Coordinating Council would provide the needed support to ensure the success of the programme.

The Nanumba South District Chief Executive, Alhaji Seidu Amidu, on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked the US government for the project and pledged their commitment to ensure its success.