Manyoro (U/E), Jan. 17 GNA- The people of Manyoro community in the Kassena-Nankana District in Upper East Region, have planted woodlots and fruit trees, on 77 acres of land, with financial support from the French Government, through its Embassy in Accra.

Mr. Daniel Luguzuri, Project Manager of the Gia/Nabio Agro Forestry Development Organization (GNADO), who announced this, also said 200 acres of groundnuts have been cultivated for the past two year, resulting in a reduction in hunger.

He said this when the French Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Pierre Jacquemot, visited the area to inspect the project. Mr. Luguzuri said the Embassy released 86 million cedis while the community and GNADO contributed 42 million Cedis to fund the project. He said 20 groups and 60 individuals were supported to establish woodlots and to plant grafted mango seedlings, while 200 women were assisted with groundnut seeds, donkey carts and ploughs. Mr. Luguzuri expressed worry at the rapid degradation of the vegetation due to the reliance on wood for fuel and bush burning in the area.

He advised GNADO to engage in sustainable agricultural practices to improve the land and thanked the French Government for the support, which has helped to reduce poverty in the area.

Mr. Jacquemot commended the community for making good use of the money and for sustaining the project.

Mr. Boniface Gambila, Upper East Regional Minister, said the government was supporting women to overcome poverty and urged Manyoro women's group to work hard to ensure the success of the project The Regional Minister also commended the French government for the support.