Effutu-Atteitu (C/R), Dec 3, GNA - The Awutu-Effutu-Senya District is one of the areas in the Central Region to benefit from the Millennium Challenge Accounts Scheme (MCAS).

Mr Solomon Kwashie Abbam-Quaye, District Chief Executive (DCE), announced this at a durbar at Effutu-Atteitu on Friday, to mark the 21st National Farmers' Day in the District.

Twenty farmers and fishermen including an Extension Officer were honoured for their achievements during the year. Fifty-two-year-old, Mr Sankofi Tetteh, was adjudged as the best farmer in the district and was presented with a number of items including a bicycle.

Mr Abbam-Quaye said under the MCAS the Government would rehabilitate and construct feeder roads to improve the network in farming communities within the district to facilitate the evacuation and marketing of agricultural produce.

It would also provide storage facilities for pineapples for export, irrigation to boost farming all-year-round and credit to promote the horticultural industry.

Survey for the core projects under the MCAS has been completed, the DCE said, adding that the Assembly's action plan on the youth employment and job creation programme would also be implemented. He said under it a number of energetic youth are being trained and supported to go into agriculture and allied industries and stated that 10 people had already been trained in grass-cutter rearing under the International Labour Organisation (ILO) sponsored Ghana Decent Work Pilot Project (GDWPP).

The DCE said 210 acres of maize was successfully cultivated during the minor season, adding that, 206 Million Cedis has been allocated to the District to be disbursed to small-scale farmers as loans to expand their farms and production.

Approval had also been given for 13 small-scale farming groups to get loans for their ventures, Mr Abbam-Quaye said and warned that drastic measures would be taken against those who would use the facility as "chop money" and for social activities such as funerals, out-doorings and to marry more wives.

He praised Mr Gershon Waindzerah, District Director of Agriculture, extension officers and farmers in the area for their dedication and commitment and advised them against complacency to enable them chalk more success next year.

Mr Abbam-Quaye warned farmers especially against the HIV/AIDS pandemic and advised the people to step up their efforts to help in curbing the spread of the disease.

The DCE expressed his appreciation to individuals and organisations, which contributed towards the success of the Day. Mr Waindzerah also commended the farmers for their hard work and co-operation, which enabled the District to produce the Best Maize Farmer in the Central Region and the National Best Agricultural Extension Officer this year.

He assured the farmers of the District Directorate of Agriculture's determination to help them to maintain and improve their methods in the coming years.

Mr Joseph Yaw Owusu-Kwarteng, Public Relations Officer of the Awutu-Effutu-Senya District Mutual Health Insurance Scheme (AESDMHIS), explained the aims and objectives of the scheme and appealed to those who had not registered to do so without delay to enable them enjoy the benefits.

He described the Scheme as "the saviour of the poor in the society in terms of providing quality and affordable healthcare" and stressed the need for Ghanaians to embrace it to ensure national development since it was only a healthy population that could move the country forward.

Neenyi Obosu II, Chief of Effutu-Atteitu, commended the Government for its plan to rehabilitate roads linking Atteitu, Attekyedo, Osubonpanyin, Gyangyandze, Essuekyir and Gyahadze with Winneba to facilitate the movement of goods and services. He especially praised the Government for the plans to provide irrigation facilities for farmers in and around Atteitu to promote their agricultural ventures.