Lonto (N/R), July 19, GNA - A 12 million-dollar Community Driven Initiative for Food Security (CIFS) Project between the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the government of Ghana GOG) has been launched at Lonto in the East Gonja District.

The CIFS project is a six-year food security initiative funded by CIDA and implemented through the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment at the national level and through the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) and the district assemblies. Mr Abraham Dwumah Odoom, a deputy Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment, who launched the project in Lonto on Tuesday, said the goal of the project was to contribute to increased food security in northern Ghana through an approach that was environmentally, economically and socially sustainable.

He said the project was to cover the East Gonja District, Nanumba South District, Nanumba North District, Bunkprugu/Yunyoo District, East Mamprusi District, Zabzugu /Tatale District, Gushiegu District, Karaga District, Saboba/Chereponi District and the Yendi District. The project also aims at promoting and increasing the effective use of the existing local government structure, processes and mechanism to respond to food security priorities and sustainable food security in the participating communities.

This is in line with the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS) and the subsequent achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.