Tamale, May 13, GNA- Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, Minister of Private Sector Reform has said that the implementation of the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) compact is to ensure the integrated development of the beneficiary communities.

Dr. Nduom, who is also Chairman of the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) therefore, urged stakeholders involved in the implementation to select a model farming community in each of the beneficiary districts and provide it with facilities such as good roads to link it to the markets, potable water and sanitation facilities, school infrastructure and electricity.

He said this at a day's MiDA workshop for the Northern Agriculture Area in Tamale on Friday.

He said the results of the model community could then be replicated in other communities to ensure sustained economic development to improve upon the living standards of the people.

The workshop brought together District Chief Executives (DCEs), District Coordinating Directors (DCDs), Planning Officers and District Directors of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA). The workshop would study the outcome of validation visits carried out in agriculture activity, transportation and community services and financial and credit facilities in some of the communities of the beneficiary districts.

Dr. Nduom said the MCA was focused on an integrated development approach that would provide the people with sustainable income and help raise their standards of life.

Mr. Martin Eson-Benjamin, Chief Executive Officer of the MiDA, said one of the major interventions of the MiDA was in the area of agriculture production to increase production and productivity. He said investments, particularly in the Northern Region would therefore be geared towards diversifying agriculture production to include the cultivation of sorghum, cashew mangos and groundnuts. Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, Northern Regional Minister urged District Assemblies to take the implementation of the MCA compact seriously since its successful implementation would drastically change the economy of their districts and bring more revenue into their assemblies. 13 May 07