Accra (Greater Accra), 20th July 99 ?

The National Food Security Committee of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) on Monday held an emergency meeting in Accra to plot strategies to combat the army worm invasion in the Northern sector of the country and to chart a way forward.

The Ministers of the Interior, Food and Agriculture, Finance, and Communications as well as regional ministers from the Upper East, Upper West, Northern and Greater Accra attended. Also in attendance were the Army

Commander, the Inspector-General of Police, the Commissioner of CEPS and Director of the Immigration service.

The minister of the Interior, Nii Okaija Adamafio who is also the chairman of the National Disaster Management Committee, told the opening that the army worm invasion of five out of the 10 regions of the country is of national concern.

He said even though the invasion has been brought under control, the meeting was convened to take urgent measures to address the havoc it has left in its trail.

"It is believed that about 100,000 hectares of crops have to be replanted immediately to enable the farmers reap the benefits of the rains for a few months."

He said the replanting of the food crops so far destroyed by the worms is paramount and very challenging because failure would mean inviting the inevitable - massive food relief in the coming months.

"It is regrettable to mention that while during early visits to the Northern sector there was a clear indication that they could reap food surpluses this year, we are now gripped with the present gloomy situation.''

Mr John H. Owusu Acheampong, Minister of Food and Agriculture, expressed his appreciation to all those who assisted in bringing the army worm invasion under control.

GRi?/