Botoku (V/R), May 3, GNA - Government is determined to increase its investment in agriculture in order to guarantee internal food security and make the country a net exporter of food. Vice-President John Dramani Mahama gave the hint at a durbar organized by the Chiefs and people of Botoku in the Volta Region on Saturday, in honour of Ms Sena Akua Dansua, Minister of Women and Children Affairs, who hails from the community. Ms Dansua was enthroned as "Ngoyifia" (Development Queen), under the stool name "Mama Nyuiewaa" in honour of her elevation to a Cabinet Minister and also being the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Dayi Constituency for the past 12 years.

Vice President Mahama said Ghana's continuous dependence on other countries for its food needs was a dent on the country's pride and sovereignty. He said the government would soon re-package the Youth in Agriculture Programme, as part of measures to broaden the frontiers and scope of the sector, to make it beneficial, especially to the youth to reflect the aspirations of government for the sector.

Vice President Mahama said government was streamlining the bureaucratic bottlenecks to make agri-business lucrative, attractive and devoid of frustrations. He urged the youth to reposition themselves in order to reap the full benefits of the government's agriculture programmes, which hold the answer to youth unemployment. He described Ms Dansua as hard working, vocal, cheerful, approachable, assertive and apt and that she is "one of the special eyes of the National Democratic Congress".

Vice President Mahama commended the traditional authorities for the honour done her and urged the youth, especially girls in the community to emulate her sterling example. Vice President Mahama said the Vakpo-Botoku-Tsoxor road would soon be given attention.

Mr Joseph Amenowode, Volta Regional Minister commended the chiefs and people of Botoku for honouring Mama Nyuiewaa, and urged the youth to take their education serious because "it's the key to development." He advised the Municipal and District Chief Executives and their Members of Parliament (MPs) to work cordially to help facilitate the rapid development of the region.

Togbe Atakora IV, Mankrado of Botoku Traditional Area said the honour bestowed on Mama Nyuiewaa was to stimulate hard work and excellence in the youth of the area with parents playing their roles well by investing in education. Togbe Atakora commended President John E. A. Mills and Vice President Mahama for seeing the qualities in Mama Nyuiewaa and also the opportunity given her to serve the country in a sensitive and important area as women and children affairs. Thanking her Chiefs and people for honouring her, Mama Nyuiewaa said "am flattered", and pledged to work hard. She appealed to the people to bury their differences and position themselves towards installing a new chief to facilitate development in the area.