Ho, June 1 GNA - The Paramount Chief of Ahamansu Traditional Area in the Kadjebi District of the Volta Region, Nana Odumgya Amponsah II has released a large tract of land for the cultivation of oil palm under the President's Special Initiative (PSI).

Mr Nicholas Fatou, who was the Second Best National Farmer in 1998, told the Ghana News Agency about the offer at Ho on Monday. He said 120 youth in the area had cleared more thatn 40.5 hectares to cultivate oil palm and plantain.

Mr Fatou said the Paramount Chief had also decided to waive tenancy agreements with settler farmers to promote the PSI for other chiefs in the District to copy.

He said a nursery for oil palm seedlings had been established at Apepesu, a village near Kadjebi.

Mr Fatou said drip irrigation facilities would be provided to sustain the project adding that the leadership of the youth would be trained in plantation management and managerial skills.

He expressed his appreciation to the President for the PSI on cassava, oil palm and other agriculture produce and called on the youth to embrace it to boost the economy of the area. 1 June 05