he Omanhene of Kenyasi No. 1 Nana Osei Kofi Abiri, in a speech read on his behalf commended Newmont Ghana and GIZ for seeing through the construction of the centre and thanked Newmont Ghana for bringing about food security in the Asutifi District through livelihood support programmes such as the Agricultural Improvement and Land Access Programme (AILAP) and the Vulnerable People’s programme (VPP).

Mr. John Duti, the programmes Manager of GIZ encouraged the farmers to take full ownership of the program and ensure that it is sustained. He urged them to plant more pepper and ginger to feed the processing plant so as to attract the youth into Agriculture and divert their attention from illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

In his keynote address, Dr. Cyril Quist, Brong Ahafo Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture noted that contrary to pre-conceived misgivings about mining, “mining can create a win-win situation for everyone” and hoped that Newmont’s example can be replicated in other mining communities.

He urged all stakeholders to continue technical support to the APSC until it matures and weans off.

Representatives of the farmers were grateful for the initiative and called for further support to process more food crops in the district.

“Contrary to fears that Newmont’s presence will bring about hunger, we have rather received a lot of training in agriculture which has made lives better. I will like to suggest that Newmont considers including plantain and corn in the future so we can also have processed fufu,” said Nana Ama Bonsu, a beneficiary farmer.  She urged all farmers to work hard and ensure that the facility is fully utilized and sustained.

Source: http://citifmonline.com/2015/05/14/newmont-giz-supports-food-production-in-brong-ahafo/#sthash.UYGSs83o.dpuf