Canadian High Commission Development Officer in Ghana, Majeed Mohammed has urged the various Municipal and District Assemblies in the Upper East Region release monies to their respective departments of agriculture on time for the execution of a programme dubbed Modernizing Agriculture in Ghana (MAG).
He also wants the Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAs) to take steps to correct some financial infractions observed two years into the project implementation.
[contextly_sidebar id=”x1j6qPEsDQw7P3SiwMJdRM4cephsh0gC”]Government of Ghana secured a five-year (2017-2021) funding of $135 from Global Affairs Canada for onward disbursement by MMDAs to departments of agriculture to modernize agriculture through the provision of logistics, extension services and agricultural research to enhance productivity.
But speaking at a MAG Regional sensitization workshop in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region, Majeed Mohammed said, there was the need to sensitize implementing institutions particularly the MDAs on tools to improve financial and technical performance two years into the project’s implementation.
“We observed some financial infractions particularly with eligible and in-eligible expenditure and delays in the timely release of funds by the MDAs to their departments of agriculture to carry out MAG activities.”
“Considering that, MAG started in 2017, we are happy with the gains made in respect of improved access of farmers to extension and technical services among others but this workshop will equip participants with the tools for proper financial management and shorter delays in transferring funds for MAG activities.”
Project Coordinator of MAG, Ruby Neils-Palme, underscored the need to sensitize the key staff of assemblies on the implementation difficulty arising from their actions and inactions.
She added that the assemblies were sensitized on new modalities for accessing MAG funds for agricultural activities and strict compliance with the Procurement Act and use of GIFMIS system.
Participants included, Municipal and District Chief Executives, Regional, Municipal and District finance officers, budget officers, Internal Auditors.
The rest were Regional and Directors of Agriculture and accountants.
Achievements of MAG
Upper East Regional Director of Agriculture, Francis Ennor, reiterated that the intervention of MAG has enhanced monitoring and supervision of agriculture-related activities and improved the productivity of farmers.
He highlighted the provision of logistics, extension officers to farmers, solution-based agricultural research among others but appealed for timely disbursement of MAG funds by the MDAs to the various departments of agriculture for the execution of MAG activities.
The project is anchored on Agriculture extension services delivery, support and oversee extension service delivery, agriculture research and agriculture policy, strategy and management.
“Under the project, the region has received 135 motorbikes out of 206 for onward distribution to staff for monitoring and supervision of agriculture services to farmers. Again, 128 agricultural staff posted to the region to augment the staffing strength for increased productivity have commenced work,” Mr. Ennor added.