The Central Region Minister, Samuel Sarpong, on Tuesday handed over 5,400 bags of maize produced by the Regional National Service Scheme (NSS), to the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) for distribution to their schools.

The Effutu Municipal Chief Executive, Nii Ephraim, handed over the maize on behalf of the Regional Minister to the Association.

Mr, Sarpong in an address read on his behalf by Nii Ephraim, said agriculture plays an important role in Ghana’s economic development.

“It is appropriate for us as government to commend the Executive Director of the National Service Scheme and his management for taking this laudable project”.

Mr. Sarpong said the project created “veritable nurturing grounds for National Service personnel, especially those who pursed Agriculture Science/Engineering and other related discipline, to learn at the first hand practical aspect of agriculture.

Mr. Sarpong asked the youth to engage in modern agricultural practices to push the economy forward.

Mr. Vincent Senam Kuagbenu, out-going Executive Director of the NSS said the project was aimed at providing practical training in agriculture for students and added that “a bag of maize should be sold between 30 and 35 Ghana Cedis to CHASS”.

Mohammed K. Ackonu, National Secretary of CHASS and Headmaster of T. I Ahmadiyya Senior High School at Ekumfi Essakyire, who received the maize on behalf of the Association, praised the NSS for introducing the project to produce food stuff for schools.