Akuma (B/A), Sept. 14, GNA - Heifer International, Ghana, an NGO focusing on livestock and bee-keeping production to help reduce poverty in deprived communities has presented 165 beehives to 60 farmers at Akuma, Broahoho and Nkwabeng in the Nkoranza District of Brong Ahafo. Madam Comfort M. Pinto, Project Coordinator, told Ghana News Agency that, the NGO had also supplied 20 commercial chickens and four goats each to 23 farmers in addition to skill training.

She said the project was funded by BOTHAR, an Irish aid organization in conjunction with Heifer.

The co-ordinator said Heifer was focusing on the provision of food and income generating animals, alongside training in skills' development, participatory methods and gender sensitivity to help reduce hunger, poverty and environmental degradation.

"Heifer has for some years now played a significant role in the country, as an NGO towards poverty reduction among families in various capacities", she added.

Madam Pinto said the NGO aims at working for the dignity and well-being of people and had helped nearly five million impoverished families throughout the world to become self-reliant. She said apart from the project and skill training, Heifer had also been engaged in other related training, such as gender sensitivity, HIV/AIDS, environmental issues and had also offered support to afforestation programmes.