Jagung (N/R), Aug. 10, GNA - The Jagung Women's Group in the Savelugu/Nanton District has benefited from a 5,000-dollar grinding mill for grinding and processing of shea products. The mill was acquired through the support of the US Ambassador's Special Self-Help Programmes that is aimed at encouraging projects that promote individual and community empowerment through increased access to healthcare, education, improved sanitation, access to water and vocational training.

The US Embassy channelled funds through the Kuga-Fong Mansongsem Community Association, (KMCA), a Tamale non-governmental organisation, which installed the mill and handed it over to the women on Monday. Mr. Justin Davis, an official at the US Embassy who inaugurated the mill, said the US Ambassador's special Self-Help Programme was more of fostering bilateral relationship between the two countries than assisting communities.

He said since 1990, the US Embassy in Accra had given grants totalling $1.5 million to execute more than 400 projects across the country and assured of more support. Mr. Davis said the embassy received many project applications and had supported 10 out of the many from the 10 regions with 50,000 dollars.

He commended the NGO for installing the mill at the stipulated time and advised the women to take advantage of the facility to process their shea products to meet international standards. Alhaji Muhammed Abdul-Samed Gunu, Executive Director of KMCA, said hunger, poverty and disease had marginalized women in various communities in the north and that the project was necessary since it would help relieve the women of the burden of travelling about six miles to Savelugu to grind their shea nuts for processing. 10 Aug 09