OCP Africa Ghana, a subsidiary of OCP Group, has presented a cheque for GH¢280,000.00 to the COVID-19 Public Trust Fund to enable the Government to continue supporting frontline workers and volunteers engaged in fighting the pandemic.

The donation is also to complement Government’s support to those affected by the virus, a statement from OCP Africa- Ghana, and copied to the Ghana News Agency, said on Friday.

“Committed as we are to the development and empowerment of communities, we understand the need to help the most vulnerable of those in these challenging times,” it quoted the Country manager, Mr Samuel Oduro, as saying when presenting the cheque.

“There has never been a more important moment for us to demonstrate this commitment. This donation is one of the many ways OCP Africa Ghana is supporting the Government’s efforts to fight the spread of the Coronavirus in Ghana.”

However, Mr Oduro stated that to combat the global crisis, bolder actions and resilient programmes were needed for a more sustainable response.

“That is why we will launch our Women in Agri-booster programme to support about 5,000 small-holder women farmers cultivating maize and rice in Ghana.

The programme seeks to supply 1,250 MT of fertilizers and provide training in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and farming as a business through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and other partners”.

It would lessen the negative effect of COVID-19 on women by improving their revenue, increasing yield by 30 per cent and adding 15,000 metric tonnes of rice and maize to the food stock.

Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Trust Fund, thanked OCP Africa Ghana for their support “at this critical time” and for providing support to small-holder farmers across the country, the statement said.

“The Board of the COVID-19 Trust Fund is poised to ensure that the donation is used for the sole purpose of supporting frontline workers, volunteers and the vulnerable in the COVID-19 fight,” she said.

Founded in 2016, OCP Africa, a subsidiary of the OCP Group, aims to contribute to the development of integrated agricultural ecosystems in Africa.

It works with farmers to help grow the agricultural potential of the continent through solutions adapted to local conditions and to the needs of soils and crops.

In partnership with a network of partners, including governments, non-profit organisations, and companies, OCP Africa also works to provide the necessary conditions for the benefit of farmers.

OCP Africa is present in many countries including Ivory Coast, Senegal, Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia, Benin, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, and Rwanda.