MiDA News - MiDA Ghana

Millennium Development Authority Quarterly Newsletter | Tenth Edition | February, 2012
Mr. Martin Eson-Benjamin,
Chief Executive Officer, MiDA
Dear Colleagues,
Our Gratitude and Appreciation
We started like toddlers learning to walk, but we did not stumble,
despite the significant challenges.
In a few weeks, the Millennium Challenge Compact Program would
have run its full course and MiDA will stand to be evaluated on her
performance. Though we did not get off the blocks as early as was
expected, we have made good progress and positive gains, in that we
accomplished a reasonable proportion of the targets we set ourselves.
Our outputs were significant and highly visible, while the outcomes and
impacts have been appreciated by the generality of our beneficiaries.
We have fought a good fight and have fully committed the US$547
million, and are on course to disburse all the grant funds, leaving
nothing on the table.
We have fully accounted for the funds; we have maintained the integrity
of the Program and built capacity for Project Management and effective
delivery. Our success may also be judged based on the cohesiveness
of the integrated pro-poor Program and Ghana’s reselection for a new
Compact.
On behalf of the Team, I will like to thank the Board Of Directors of
MiDA for their effective oversight, the Millennium Challenge Corporation
(MCC) for their contributions and cooperation over the last 5 years and
Messrs Charles Kendall & Partners (CKP) for their forthrightness in the
delivery of both the Fiscal and Procurement Components of the Program.
Our other collaborator, Consultants and Contractors must take delight
in how their partnerships and services have propped up MiDA, as the
Implementing Entity. We are grateful to them.
Our Contracts with the Staff of MiDA engaged for Compact 1 will soon
end. It is refreshing to note that whatever successes have come MiDA’s
way, are owed very much to the contribution of every Staff member. We
acknowledge the hard work, the commitment of members, particularly
the numerous engagements that took many of them away from the
Office to the field, and thank the Almighty for guidance and protection
from all risks; and their families for their forbearance.
Working on this pro-poor Program demanded from our Staff, a high level
of understanding and empathy with the beneficiaries. We therefore
thank the Government and People of Ghana for entrusting us with the
responsibility for the prosecution of the tasks that will bring growth
into the rural economies and will contribute to the overall reduction
in poverty levels in the beneficiary Communities.
As the first Compact ends, it is our strong belief and expectation that
MiDA will have yet another opportunity to use the abundant internal
capacity built over the last 5 years, the knowledge and understanding
of MCC’s work ethics and the strategic relationships built with public
sector organisations in Ghana, to work on the Second Compact currently
under preparation.
We thank the Government and People of the United States of America
for the continued confidence in Ghana and the opportunity given
to Ghana to bring some much-needed social interventions into the
beneficiary Districts.
Regards,
Martin Eson-Benjamin
Chief Executive Officer
Contents
Rural Services Development Project 1
Procurement Capacity Activity 3
Financial Services Activity 4
N1 Highway: Upgrades to Sections of N1 Highway 5
Trunk Roads Activity 6
Ferry Activity 7
Commercial Training Activity 8
Irrigation Activity 9
Land Tenure Facilitation (Land Activity) 10
Post-Harvest Handling and Value Chain Services 11
Agricultural Credit Activity 12
Feeder Roads Activity 13
Mr. Alhassan Rashid becomes an Outgrower Ambassador of 14
soya bean after completion of MiDA CDFO Training
FBO brings water relief to Communities 15
Good Environmental Management Practices Bring Happiness and Wealth 16
Members Of US Congress Commission School At Bontrase 17
Editorial
Team
Major Albert Don-Chebe (Rtd.)
Selasi Adjorlolo
Nana Ofori Owusu
Nii Kotei Nikoi
The Editor
MiDA News
4th Floor, Heritage Tower,
Liberation Road, Ambassadorial Plaza, Ridge West, Accra
Postal Address:Private Mail Bag 56, Stadium Post Office Accra
Email : info@mida.gov.gh
Telephone:+(233) 302 666619, +(233) 302 666621, +(233) 302 666624
Fax: +(233)302 -666669, +(233)302-2666579