Accra, Oct. 30, GNA - Ghana and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) on Monday received a one million dollar donation from Saudi Arabia to support its emergency food assistance programme in the country.

The money forms part of a 10-million dollar package being provided by Saudi Arabia to support WFP operations in eight countries in West Africa, namely Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Sierra Leone.

Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Finance, who received the cheque, said the money would be used to purchase maize and iodised salt locally from Ghanaian producers.

About 1,400 tons of maize, vegetable oil, salt and pulses would be purchased for refugees in Ghana. The WFP would procure 1,300 tons of the total maize requirement and the iodised salt locally from Ghanaian producers.

Mr Baah-Wiredu said the move would encourage local farmers to boost domestic agriculture production, especially to support the school-feeding programme being embarked on by government.

Over 60,000 pregnant women and children under five years as well as 330,000 school children are expected to benefit directly from the one-million dollar donation.

Ms Trudy Bower-Pirinis, the WFP Representative in Ghana, said the purchase of maize and iodised salt from Ghanaian producers was in line with the government growth and poverty reduction agenda, whose main pillar is increased agricultural production.

She said the government and WFP were working to strengthen Ghana as a regional logistics and procurement hub, in support of emergency operations within West Africa.

Mr Abdulaziz Arrukban, WFP Special International Ambassador, said the contributions to WFP in West Africa were part of its on-going commitment to helping humanity through assisting those who need help most.