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Quarterly <strong>Newsletter</strong> | Eighth <strong>Edition</strong> June, 2011Millennium Development Authority<strong>MiDA</strong> Supports <strong>the</strong> Deployment ofTwo Systems to Modernize <strong>Ghana</strong>’sPayment Systems(CCC & ACH)The <strong>Ghana</strong> Cheque Codeline Clearing (GCCC) & <strong>Ghana</strong>Automated Clearing House (GACH) Systems have beenlaunched in Accra. The two Systems which were set up withfunding from <strong>the</strong> Millennium Challenge Account <strong>Ghana</strong>Program are necessary ingredients to modernizing <strong>Ghana</strong>’spayment systems.The MCA <strong>Ghana</strong> Program which focuses on AgriculturalTransformation supported <strong>the</strong> Modernization of <strong>Ghana</strong>’spayment systems, as a way of removing one of <strong>the</strong> majorconstraints that hinder commercial agriculture, lack of finance.Low financial inclusiveness is a common phenomenon among<strong>the</strong> rural folk who are largely made up of farmers. Theunbanked farming communities who do not have an incentiveto route <strong>the</strong>ir finances through financial institutions havelittle or no opportunity to access credit to support any businessventure.The predominant non-cash payment instrument in <strong>Ghana</strong>has historically been Cheques. The Bank of <strong>Ghana</strong> has thusbeen instrumental in ensuring <strong>the</strong> efficiency, reliability andtimeliness of <strong>the</strong> cheque clearing process. In <strong>the</strong> late 1990s,<strong>the</strong> Bank introduced <strong>the</strong> Magnetic Ink Character Recognition(MICR) technology and <strong>the</strong> standardization of paper paymentinstruments to enable <strong>the</strong> semi-automation of cheque clearing,which traditionally was within <strong>the</strong> Accra Clearing zone.The limited automation and <strong>the</strong> manual clearing of chequesin o<strong>the</strong>r regions meant <strong>the</strong> cost of handling cheques and <strong>the</strong>length of <strong>the</strong> clearing cycle remained high and long. Thechallenges associated with this clearing system and <strong>the</strong>determination of <strong>the</strong> Bank to improve cheques clearing ledto <strong>the</strong> decision to migrate to Cheque Codeline Clearing(CCC).The CCC System supports a 48 hour clearing cycle for chequesthroughout <strong>the</strong> country. This represents a significantimprovement when compared to <strong>the</strong> three to nine dayscheque clearing cycles which were in operation across <strong>the</strong>country under <strong>the</strong> old clearing arrangements.The <strong>Ghana</strong> Automated Clearing House (GACH) is anelectronic payment network that may be used by individuals,businesses, financial institutions and government organizationsto transfer funds to creditors through <strong>the</strong>ir banks (directcredits) or to collect funds from debtors through <strong>the</strong>ir banks(direct debits). GACH payments are fast and secure; <strong>the</strong>yenhance cash management and have lower costs comparedto traditional paper payments. Automated direct credit anddirect debit payments have been non- existent in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Ghana</strong>ianbanking system partly due to <strong>the</strong> tradition of cheque usageand <strong>the</strong> low level of automation.1


Millennium Development AuthorityA Manual Paper Credit Transfer System was introduced in2004 as a forerunner to an Automated System. This Systemoperated alongside <strong>the</strong> Semi-automated Cheque ClearingSystem until September, 2009 when both Systems were closedfollowing <strong>the</strong> introduction of <strong>the</strong> Cheque Codeline ClearingSystem.Quarterly <strong>Newsletter</strong> | Eighth <strong>Edition</strong> June, 2011The Bank of <strong>Ghana</strong> expressed satisfaction with <strong>the</strong> newpayment system deployed and urged banks to cooperatewith <strong>the</strong> Central Bank to support <strong>the</strong> Government’s efforts toimprove financial inclusiveness for all <strong>Ghana</strong>ians.Chief Executive Officer of GhIPSS, Mr Fred France, welcomed<strong>the</strong> timely assistance of <strong>the</strong> US funded MCA <strong>Ghana</strong> Program,to accelerate <strong>the</strong> transformation of <strong>the</strong> National PaymentsSystem. He noted that even though <strong>the</strong> Bank of <strong>Ghana</strong> hascommitted substantial resources to improving <strong>the</strong> Sector, <strong>the</strong>support and contribution of <strong>MiDA</strong> is instrumental in making<strong>the</strong> deployment a success. He challenged <strong>the</strong> ParticipatingBanks, including <strong>the</strong> Major Banks, Rural Banks and Savingsand Loans Companies, to continue <strong>the</strong>ir marketing drive andindeed deepen <strong>the</strong> support for <strong>the</strong> GCCC and GACH Systemsto <strong>the</strong> benefit of all.Minister of Finance and EconomicPlanning, Dr. Kwabena DuffuorThe Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. KwabenaDuffuor, launched <strong>the</strong> <strong>Ghana</strong> Automated Clearing Houseand <strong>Ghana</strong> Cheque Codeline Clearing Systems and lauded<strong>the</strong> timeliness of <strong>the</strong> deployment of <strong>the</strong> electronic ChequeClearing and Automated Clearing system in <strong>Ghana</strong>. He notedthat this new banking infrastructure “will not only increasepayment alternatives in <strong>the</strong> economy, but also provide greaterchoice for consumers and bank customers.” He was alsohopeful that <strong>the</strong>se payment system infrastructures will attractnew parties to <strong>the</strong> formal sector for <strong>the</strong> benefit of <strong>the</strong> individualbusiness operators as well as efficiency in <strong>the</strong> financialintermediation process.Rev. Fred France, CEO of GhIPSSProf. Samuel Sefa-Dedeh, <strong>MiDA</strong> Board ChairmanAcapella group thrilling <strong>the</strong> audienceAudience viewing a documentary on <strong>the</strong> ChequeClearing and Automated Clearing system2


Millennium Development AuthorityQuarterly <strong>Newsletter</strong> | Eighth <strong>Edition</strong> June, 2011Torgome Irrigation ProjectPlan of <strong>the</strong> Irrigation Project SiteIn <strong>the</strong> 1980s, various feasibility studies and a detailed designsto develop <strong>the</strong> left bank of <strong>the</strong> Volta River directly downstreamof <strong>the</strong> Kpong Hydropower Dam, into an irrigation schemewere conducted. The State acquired <strong>the</strong> land and o<strong>the</strong>radjoining lands and planned to use <strong>the</strong> irrigated land forcotton cultivation to feed <strong>the</strong> Juapong Textiles Factory.For more than 20 years, <strong>the</strong> Kpong Left Bank Irrigation Projecthas been on hold. The cost of construction was found to bevery high, especially <strong>the</strong> pump station and relocating <strong>the</strong>resettlement of displaced villages. Under <strong>the</strong> MillenniumChallenge Account (MCA) <strong>Ghana</strong> Program, <strong>the</strong> Project isnow under construction. The Project which will serve closeto 8000 people living in communities along <strong>the</strong> project area,will utilize <strong>the</strong> nucleus farmer–out grower scheme to enablesmall scale farmers in <strong>the</strong> area to access services from a largercompany which will improve <strong>the</strong>ir production of vegetablesfor export.The investments by <strong>the</strong> MCA <strong>Ghana</strong> Program in <strong>the</strong> area hasencouraged Vegpro Limited, an agro-business company withlarge scale operations in Kenya to acquire 1086 hectares ofland in Torgorme to produce vegetables for export. Thehorticultural crops to be produced include baby corn,butternut squash and chillies for export into <strong>the</strong> lucrativeEuropean market to earn foreign exchange for <strong>Ghana</strong>. Vegprointends to utilise <strong>the</strong> Nucleus Farmer Out grower Scheme tooutsource production of some of <strong>the</strong> export vegetables tolocal farmers in <strong>the</strong> area.In 2008, a Pre-feasibility Study of <strong>the</strong> area concluded that<strong>the</strong> Scheme was economically viable and an area of2,000hectres was found technically feasible for surfaceirrigation by gravity flow, with water from <strong>the</strong> reservoir of<strong>the</strong> Kpong Hydroelectric Dam.The project area lies along two tributaries of <strong>the</strong> Volta River,<strong>the</strong> Gblor and Nyifla Rivers and continues fur<strong>the</strong>r downstreamto <strong>the</strong> Alabo River, and comes close to <strong>the</strong> villages along <strong>the</strong>Volta River, with Torgorme as <strong>the</strong> main village, about 1.kmaway.Communities along <strong>the</strong> Project AreaLarge CommunitiesTorgormeSokopeNakpoeAzagonorkopeSmall Sub-Communities/HamletsBekpoe, Ziakpoe, Kasa Mataheko,Foekope,Alabonu, Agorveme, AdzimakopeNyaflakope, GblornuTutukope, Dekope, AgudukopeTosorwukopeAvegodoKlamadaboeNew Fodzoku900ha of land is to be developed in <strong>the</strong> first instance with<strong>the</strong> supply and main canals running along contours on <strong>the</strong>highest part of <strong>the</strong> land between <strong>the</strong> Gblor and Nyifla streamswhich will be lined with relatively steep side slopes. Farmerswill be grouped into three categories: small-scale farmerswith less than 10ha, medium-size farmers with holdings ofbetween 10ha and 50ha, and large-scale farmers who canmanage 50ha or more land. Gated pipe turnouts will beprovided for <strong>the</strong> group of small-scale and medium-scalefarmers who will use furrows to plant crops on.The layouts of open canals are to provide a gravity-fedirrigation scheme for approximately 2,000ha which is to beused by <strong>the</strong> local people, while Vegpro Limited, is to install12 center pivot installations of 64ha each on 1,000 ha ofland north of <strong>the</strong> project area.6


Quarterly <strong>Newsletter</strong> | Eighth <strong>Edition</strong> June, 2011Millennium Development AuthorityIrrigation Scheme under constructionVegpro’s interest in <strong>the</strong> Project, stems from <strong>the</strong> fact that <strong>Ghana</strong>has a huge comparative advantage in <strong>the</strong> cultivation ofhorticultural crops for export, especially if irrigation Projectssuch as this will provide opportunities for all year roundfarming.Until construction began, scepticism was rife among <strong>the</strong>Chiefs and people in <strong>the</strong> area who say several studies havebeen commissioned over <strong>the</strong> years, to look at <strong>the</strong> viabilityof <strong>the</strong> proposed Irrigation Scheme, yet none of <strong>the</strong> Schemesever materialized. Now <strong>the</strong>y have hope that <strong>the</strong> Project willchange <strong>the</strong>ir fortunes.Through <strong>the</strong> activities of Vegpro, modern technology for <strong>the</strong>production and export of vegetables would in <strong>the</strong> long runbe transferred to interested indigenous entrepreneurs to boost<strong>the</strong> production of vegetables in <strong>the</strong> country. Revenue to begenerated by <strong>the</strong> local residents will impact on poverty levelsand would contribute towards sustainable development inthose areas.Prior to <strong>the</strong> completion of <strong>the</strong> irrigation infrastructure, aScheme Management Entity will be procured and will be incharge of <strong>the</strong> day-to-day management of <strong>the</strong> irrigation scheme.The scheme will operate as a Public Private Partnership (PPP)in which <strong>the</strong> public stakeholders will entrust <strong>the</strong> managementof <strong>the</strong> Scheme to private sector operators to ensuresustainability and accountability.Nakpoe, one of <strong>the</strong> beneficiary communities7


Millennium Development AuthorityQuarterly <strong>Newsletter</strong> | Eighth <strong>Edition</strong> June, 2011With a few months to <strong>the</strong> end of <strong>the</strong> MCA <strong>Ghana</strong>Compact, <strong>MiDA</strong> decided to introduce a variationto <strong>the</strong> half-yearly meetings it is required to holdwith groups of identifiable stakeholders in <strong>the</strong>beneficiary Districts. Instead of briefing <strong>the</strong> DistrictAdvisory Committee (DAC) Members indoors, itwas decided to take <strong>the</strong> DACs on <strong>the</strong> road to enable<strong>the</strong> Members ‘see, touch and feel’ <strong>MiDA</strong>’s Projectsin <strong>the</strong>ir respective Districts. The mobile DACs wereenthusiastically embraced by <strong>the</strong> DACs.DAC OnDAC Members inspecting a <strong>MiDA</strong>School Block in <strong>the</strong> Akatsi DistrictDAC Members at Pong Tamale inspecting aFaulty Water Tank to be Replaced by <strong>MiDA</strong>Kpando DCE trying out a boreholeconstructed by <strong>MiDA</strong>DAC Members interacting with one of <strong>the</strong>Farmers in <strong>the</strong> Ketu South DistrictDAC Members on <strong>the</strong> Kudzra-Aveti Road in <strong>the</strong> Kpandu District8


Quarterly <strong>Newsletter</strong> | Eighth <strong>Edition</strong> June, 2011Millennium Development Authority-The-GoDAC Members interacting with communitymembers at a stand pipe in <strong>the</strong> Ketu South DistrictDAC Members at a Booster Station at Savelugufor <strong>the</strong> Tamale Water Extension ProjectDAC Members being briefed by <strong>the</strong> SiteEngineer at <strong>the</strong> Golinga Irrigation ProjectDAC Members at <strong>the</strong> Bontanga Irrigation Project9


Millennium Development AuthorityQuarterly <strong>Newsletter</strong> | Eighth <strong>Edition</strong> June, 2011The Success of an Output ProcessingFBO: Sekyere East Oil MillsMadam Abena NyarkoGHc300 <strong>the</strong>y received after <strong>the</strong> training that transformed <strong>the</strong>Sekyere East Oil Mills FBO.Madam Abena Nyarko, 46, is a shy-looking mo<strong>the</strong>r of six.Her shy looks notwithstanding, she is <strong>the</strong> Chairperson of <strong>the</strong>Sekyere East Oil Mills, a Farmer Based Organisation of PalmOil processors, based in <strong>the</strong> Sekyere East District of <strong>the</strong> AframBasin Zone (AfBZ). This FBO is a mixed group of men andwomen who were originally peasant farmers.According to Madam Abena Nyarko, <strong>the</strong> members of <strong>the</strong>community came toge<strong>the</strong>r some twenty years ago and decidedto move from farming into processing palm fruits into palmoil. During this period, <strong>the</strong> FBO has encountered a numberof challenges including infrequent availability of palm fruits,no access to credit, non-availability of appropriate machineryand lack of adequate land for <strong>the</strong>ir operations. Their biggestchallenge however was <strong>the</strong>ir poor knowledge of basicbusiness principles which impacted negatively on <strong>the</strong>operations of <strong>the</strong> FBO.“We were just buying <strong>the</strong> fruit in little bits from all parts of<strong>the</strong> District with no business plan and no idea of purchasingand supply, stock control and identifying markets beforeproducing <strong>the</strong> palm oil” Madam Abena Nyarko recounted.“We had no standard procedures of working and no knowledgeof storage and planned maintenance of our plant andequipment. This affected <strong>the</strong> quality of <strong>the</strong> palm fruits andconsequently <strong>the</strong> quality of <strong>the</strong> palm oil produced”, MadamNyarko added.Three years ago, <strong>the</strong> Sekyere East Oil Mills heard about <strong>the</strong>arrival of <strong>MiDA</strong> in <strong>the</strong>ir District and applied to participate in<strong>the</strong> Farmer and Enterprise Training Scheme, which was acomponent of <strong>the</strong> Agriculture Project.“We benefited from six weeks of training in various aspectsof farming and enterprise management, including <strong>the</strong>management of supply, processing and marketing ofagricultural produce and products”Opanin Appiah Kubi, 54,Organiser of <strong>the</strong> FBO chipped in and incidentally is <strong>the</strong>husband of Auntie Abena Nyarko, explained that it waslargely <strong>the</strong> practical business management skills and <strong>the</strong>Opanin Appiah KubiOpanin Appiah Kubi stated that prior to joining <strong>the</strong> <strong>MiDA</strong>Project, <strong>the</strong> FBO was using a dilapidated processing machinewhich could barely manage 6 tons of palm fruit on a goodday. Upon successfully completing <strong>MiDA</strong>’s TrainingProgramme, each member of <strong>the</strong> FBO was given a GHc300grant as a ‘Starter Pack”. Starter packs were a package ofitems, including cash, which were given to successful traineesto get <strong>the</strong>m started. It was intended to facilitate <strong>the</strong> readyapplication of <strong>the</strong> new skills and techniques which traineeshad been exposed to. Since <strong>the</strong> processing plant was one of<strong>the</strong> biggest challenges confronting <strong>the</strong> FBO, <strong>the</strong>y decided tolodge <strong>the</strong>ir grants in <strong>the</strong>ir account at <strong>the</strong> bank and arrangeto purchase a new processing machine. In <strong>the</strong> middle of2010, <strong>the</strong> FBO took delivery of a new processing plant and<strong>the</strong>ir production increased from 6 tons per day to 10 tonsper day.The increased profitability of <strong>the</strong>ir operations has attractedmore members, increasing <strong>the</strong>ir membership to 70. Indeed,because of <strong>the</strong> lack of room in <strong>the</strong>ir operational area, <strong>the</strong>yhave been compelled to discourage new members until <strong>the</strong>yrelocate to a larger piece of land two kilometers up <strong>the</strong>Effiduase-Seniagya road. Opanin Appiah Kubi revealed thatout of <strong>the</strong>ir share of <strong>the</strong> profits accruing to <strong>the</strong> FBO, <strong>the</strong>couple had purchased <strong>the</strong>ir own processing machine which<strong>the</strong>y were yet to install in ano<strong>the</strong>r part of <strong>the</strong> District.10


Quarterly <strong>Newsletter</strong> | Eighth <strong>Edition</strong> June, 2011Palm Oil Processing MillMillennium Development AuthoritySpeaking to Opanin Daniel Kwakye, 53, Plant Technician, he mentioned thatlimited physical space and <strong>the</strong> flood-prone nature of <strong>the</strong>ir present location weresome of <strong>the</strong> biggest headaches facing <strong>the</strong> FBO.He revealed that every rainy season,<strong>the</strong>y were compelled to suspend operations on a number of days when <strong>the</strong> nearbystream overflows its banks. He was hopeful that <strong>the</strong>ir imminent move to <strong>the</strong>irnew location would be a major boost to <strong>the</strong>ir operations and consequently ano<strong>the</strong>rhike in <strong>the</strong>ir personal incomes.“In fact <strong>the</strong> coming of <strong>MiDA</strong> was a heaven sent. Apart from teaching us newbusiness methods and practices, we have been empowered financially to purchasea new processing mill which has substantially boosted our production and <strong>the</strong>profitability of our business” Madam Nyarko stated happily. “Next time you visitus, we would have moved to our new location and our business would even bemore successful than today” she concluded.Gender Sensitization TrainingAs part of efforts to reduce poverty through economicdevelopment, <strong>the</strong> Millennium Development Authorityorganized a Gender Sensitization Training Workshop on <strong>the</strong>3rd of June, 2011 at <strong>the</strong> SNV Conference Hall in Accra forConsultants working in <strong>the</strong> Land Tenure Facilitation Activity.The gender component is to assess <strong>the</strong> potential impact onSystematic Land Titling and Registration Activity.The Program’s essence of <strong>the</strong> training was to sensitize <strong>the</strong>three groups of consultants; Sensitization and Gender,Alternative Dispute Resolution and Inventory and Surveying,so that <strong>the</strong>y become more gender sensitive in <strong>the</strong>ir approachto work in <strong>the</strong> various communities.The One-day Training Workshop, was led by Capacity Blooma Sensitization and Gender Consultant for <strong>the</strong> Land ActivityProject. Participants were educated on gender-related issuescommon to most typical <strong>Ghana</strong>ian communities. Socioculturalbeliefs and discriminatory practices that <strong>the</strong> influencegender relations and resource allocation within householdsand communities thus acting as barriers and preventingwomen from accessing land and tenure security. At <strong>the</strong> endof <strong>the</strong> One-day event, participants were tasked to developinnovative approaches to <strong>the</strong>ir work that were gendersensitive.11


Millennium Development AuthorityFBO StoriesAn FBO Member has constructed 2 Room House through <strong>the</strong>adoption of improved post harvest management practiceslearnt from <strong>the</strong> Commercial Development of Farmer BasedOrganisation(CDFO) TrainingMr. Yaaba Abem and Family Sitting infront of <strong>the</strong>ir newly built HouseQuarterly <strong>Newsletter</strong> | Eighth <strong>Edition</strong> June, 2011Mr. Yaaba Abem is a member of New Generation FarmersAssociation at Atakora, a suburb of Donkorkrom.In 2008, he cultivated 5acres of maize and had 21 bags(i.e. about 4 bags per acre) (180kg) which he sold in bitsand pieces, a practice which did not help him.In 2009, he benefited from <strong>the</strong> CDFO Training.He learned value chain and good farm managementpractices during <strong>the</strong> CDFO Technical and Business Training.In 2010, he received a Starter Pack which enabled him tocultivate 3acres and had 13 bags (180kg/bag).He set aside some bags of maize for family consumptionand stored <strong>the</strong> rest until prices were high.By this improved post harvest management practice, MrYaaba Abem was able to raise funds to construct a 2 roomhouse.Mr. Samuel Padi invested income from his Starter PackInput to Set-up Agro-input StoreMr. Samuel Padi, a member of Biakoye Farmers Associationat Owusukrom in <strong>the</strong> Fanteakwa District, has establishedan agro-input store at Owusukrom as a result of <strong>the</strong> StarterPack he received in 2009.According to him, he realized GH¢ 1500 from <strong>the</strong> saleof 15 maxi bags of maize he harvested from <strong>the</strong> StarterPack field in 2009.He re-invested <strong>the</strong> income from <strong>the</strong> maize sales into a 3acre Cabbage farm and realized GH¢ 9,300 from sales of<strong>the</strong> produce. He used part of his profits to set up an agroinputstore at Owusukrom.Wassah Daniel of Freedom Co-operative SocietyWriting his Experience on <strong>the</strong> CDFO TrainingEffect of Fertilizer Application on Crop ProductivityWassah Daniel is an FBO member at Tailorkope in <strong>the</strong>Kwahu North District.According to Wassah Daniel through <strong>the</strong> training hereceived from <strong>the</strong> CDFO program, he has been able toincrease his maize output from 2-4bags per acre to 10.5bags per acre.Before <strong>the</strong> CDFO Program, he was not applying fertilizeron his maize farm.According to him, he learnt from <strong>the</strong> CDFO Training howto apply fertilizer which enabled him to significantlyincrease his yield. Since <strong>the</strong>n he has been a significantincrease in his production, which has resulted in a dramaticincrease in his income.Credit: Adventist Development and Relief Agency(ADRA), <strong>Ghana</strong>12


Quarterly <strong>Newsletter</strong> | Eighth <strong>Edition</strong> June, 2011Millennium Development AuthorityPotable Water for ChanzeiniThe Tamale Water Supply Extension facility will supplypotable water to 17 communities within <strong>the</strong> TamaleMetropolis, Savelugu-Nanton District and Tolon-KumbunguDistricts. The Project is aimed at improving <strong>the</strong> health ofpeople in FBO communities, and to reduce <strong>the</strong> incidenceof Guinea Worm and o<strong>the</strong>r water related diseases. The totalcost of <strong>the</strong> project is US$ 5.283 million and an estimatednumber of 50,000 people will benefit directly from thisintervention.Often Children sent to fetch water from this dirty pool ofwater, have to walk quite a distance to <strong>the</strong> Dam, often havingto cross <strong>the</strong> Tamale-Yendi Highway which runs through <strong>the</strong>village. Upon reaching <strong>the</strong> Dam, <strong>the</strong> children take off <strong>the</strong>irslippers and step into <strong>the</strong> dirty water and fetch. They sharethis pool of water with <strong>the</strong>ir livestock.One of <strong>the</strong> beneficiary communities of this Project isChanzeini village located in <strong>the</strong> Tamale Metropolitan Area.Despite its proximity to Tamale, <strong>the</strong> people of Chanzeinihave never had potable water in <strong>the</strong>ir community. For years<strong>the</strong>y have been fetching water from a dam located in <strong>the</strong>village.Children crossing <strong>the</strong> Tamale-Yendi Highwaywith containers of water on <strong>the</strong>ir headsChildren fetching water from damUpon <strong>the</strong> completion of <strong>the</strong> Tamale Water Extension Project,<strong>the</strong> village of Chanzeini will receive a Stand pipe, fitted withtwo taps. This intervention will greatly improve <strong>the</strong> healthof <strong>the</strong> people, not to talk about <strong>the</strong> safety of women andchildren who cross <strong>the</strong> highway daily. It will also guaranteeregular year-round availability of water, unlike <strong>the</strong> past when<strong>the</strong> dam dried up during <strong>the</strong> dry season.13


Millennium Development AuthorityQuarterly <strong>Newsletter</strong> | Eighth <strong>Edition</strong> June, 2011<strong>MiDA</strong> and <strong>the</strong> Integrated Tamale Fruit Company(ITFC) Collaborate for Greater ProductivityBackgroundLocation: Gushie, Savelugu Nanton District, Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Region,<strong>Ghana</strong>; but operations cover all 5 <strong>MiDA</strong> Districts.Incorporation• Private Limited Liability Company Incorporated in1999 under <strong>Ghana</strong> Company code, Act 179 of 1963.• Commenced business in Year 2000.Business Model• Cultivates certified organic mangoes for local (10-20%)and export (80-90%) markets.• Operates a nucleus farm - 600 acres of 1,363 acres(44%) of acquired lands under cultivation• Cultivates about 60,000 mango trees (i.e. 100 trees/acre)• Deals with 1,200 small-scale outgrowers against a2007 target of 2,000 (60%).• Outgrowers cultivate about 120,000 mango trees (i.e.100 trees/acre/outgrower)• Goal of Outgrower Program: To alleviate poverty inNor<strong>the</strong>rn SectorShareholding Structure• 70% <strong>Ghana</strong>ian- Wienco, 50%- The Nanton chief, 10%- African Tiger Mutual Fund, 5%- Tamale Investments, 5%• 30% DutchA Generator & Accessories hi<strong>the</strong>rto used to generate powerThe Problem• Poor roads to outgrowers’ farms – High VOCs of water& haulage trucks• About 74% loss of annual export volumes to roadcondition bruises – low packout rate (proportionmeeting standards)• Diesel cost for operating 3 Generators at Packhouse,Office and Staff bungalows was about GH¢28,090.50• Ancillary cost to get diesel and operate Generators• Could not take offers from producers outside to dryMango, Okro and Tomatoes due to high cost associatedwith running generators• Operated only 1 oven to process 180 tones per seasonThe MCA <strong>Ghana</strong> Intervention• Construction of 9 feeder roads along outgrowers’ farms• Construction of 25km High Voltage (HV) TransmissionLines• Provision and installation of 315KVA TransformerTransformer on <strong>the</strong>premises of ITFCOutputs So Far• On <strong>the</strong> average 81.4% physicalworks on 110.5km of feeder roadscompleted• 25km High Voltage (HV)Transmission Lines and 315 KVATransformer constructed and functionalPackhouseImmediate Outcomes• 0% loss to bruises – 65% packout rate. Losses due too<strong>the</strong>r factors• Travel times to farms reduced - Quick response to fireoutbreaks on farms during dry season• Cost savings of GH¢ 25,952.50 (Gh¢28,090.50 -Gh¢2,138) per month since March 25, 2011 whenconnected to <strong>the</strong> national grid.• Operating 2 ovens to meet increased demand for driedfruits from both local and international markets• Extended product line and operations to include mangopuree, okro and tomatoes dryingImpact/Expected Impact• More than doubled employees at Packhouse –increased from 84 employees to 195 (132%); 180 ofwhom are females• Reduce mango losses due to bruises – high packoutrate to Organic Mango Outgrowers Association(OMOA)• OMOA to get better price for <strong>the</strong>ir produce since ITFCoperational cost reduced• Cost savings for OMOA members due to increasedtraffic volumes eradicating monopoly by few transportowners in <strong>the</strong> past; reduced travel times; and reducedtransport fares• Expects significant increase in annual profit marginsas a result of cost savings from14


Quarterly <strong>Newsletter</strong> | Eighth <strong>Edition</strong> June, 2011Millennium Development AuthorityCommercial Development of Farmer BasedOrganisations(CDFO) Program Gives <strong>the</strong>Alhassan Family a New Lease on LifeLeft: Braimah Alhassan and his children admiring <strong>the</strong>ir harvestBottom: Maize from Braimah’s farm programmed for sale by <strong>the</strong>Savanna Farmers’ Marketing Company“When I continue using <strong>the</strong> skills I learned from <strong>the</strong> training, keep <strong>the</strong>contacts I have developed with input suppliers and buyers and maintain myrelationship with <strong>the</strong> bank, my family will feed itself more comfortably andI can afford school fees“Braimah Alhassan,Malibuvella Maize Farmers Group, Woribogu KukuoChallengeBraimah Alhassan’s children will not pursue agriculture asbusiness because <strong>the</strong>y see <strong>the</strong>ir fa<strong>the</strong>r struggle each year toaccess credit, use improved inputs and technologies. Hisproductivity is low and even if <strong>the</strong>re are marketable surpluses,he does not have access to profitable marketing outlets.Braimah Alhassan and his Malibuvella Farmers Group ofWoribugu Kukuo in <strong>the</strong> Tolon Kumbungu District of <strong>the</strong>Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Region have benefited from <strong>the</strong> <strong>MiDA</strong> CDFOprgramme where <strong>the</strong>y learned how to practice farming asbusiness. Many farmers face <strong>the</strong> same challenges as Braimahthat discourage <strong>the</strong>m from farming. <strong>MiDA</strong>’s CDFO programis beginning to make a big difference in changing mind setsand providing <strong>the</strong> necessary elements to make agriculture aworthwhile business.InitiativeIFDC was contracted to provide technical assistance in <strong>the</strong>context of <strong>the</strong> CDFO programme to some 360 Farmer BasedOrganizations in 5 districts in <strong>the</strong> Nor<strong>the</strong>rn region of <strong>Ghana</strong>.The support consisted of technical and business training offarmers, guiding <strong>the</strong>m develop business plans to access credit,providing access to irrigation and post-harvest facilities andbeing linked to <strong>the</strong> market. The 50-member maize producingFBO, Malibuvella Farmers Group of Woribugu Kukuo in <strong>the</strong>15Tolon Kumbungu District benefitted from a 6 week BusinessCapacity training followed by ano<strong>the</strong>r 3 weeks of TechnicalTraining during <strong>the</strong> cropping season to have hands-onexperience and to practice what <strong>the</strong>y learned in <strong>the</strong> classroomsetting. Each member of <strong>the</strong> group received a “starter pack”of improved maize seeds, fertilizer, nose masks, Wellingtonboots and hermetic storage bags to grow maize on a oneacre plot. IFDC and Training and Technical Service Providers(TTSPs) provided technical assistance along <strong>the</strong> way.ResultsBraimah planted his starter pack field on June 16, 2009 andmeticulously followed <strong>the</strong> cultural practices and inputapplications. He doubled his yield from 6 (100 kg) bags/acrebefore <strong>the</strong> starter pack to 12 (100kg). Now he can comfortablyfeed his family , sell <strong>the</strong> surplus and even an extra bag tocontribute to his maize farmers group. With every membercontributing a bag to <strong>the</strong> group, group dynamics and collectiveaction is assured, probably taking <strong>the</strong> group on <strong>the</strong> path ofindependence and sustainability. Braimah believes that <strong>the</strong>program has helped him and his group to get permanentlylinked to technical service providers, <strong>the</strong>ir financial institution,input suppliers and marketing companies. With increasingyields and bigger harvests, <strong>the</strong> group is ripe for a communitypost harvest facility for product aggregation and warehousing.Credit: International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), Tamale, <strong>Ghana</strong>


Millennium Development AuthorityQuarterly <strong>Newsletter</strong> | Eighth <strong>Edition</strong> June, 2011Sustainable Livelihood For Trained Women Rice Processors in <strong>the</strong> Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Agricultural ZoneThrough rice processing this woman has improved her lifeSecond left, Gina Odartefio andsome of <strong>the</strong> women rice processorsWomen rice processors at workChallengeGina Odartefio, CEO of AMSIG Resources and TTSP in <strong>the</strong>NAZ provides a “win-win” situation by engaging her trainedwomen rice processors to parboil rice which is sold oncontract to <strong>the</strong> World Food Programme and <strong>the</strong> <strong>Ghana</strong> BufferStock Company.The primary responsibility of AMSIG Resources was to offertraining services to Farmer Based Organisations assigned toit in <strong>the</strong> Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Zone. After <strong>the</strong> classroom training, it wasdifficult to provide any meaningful marketing opportunityfor <strong>the</strong> groups who have been taught to treat farming as abusiness endeavour. The processing groups just like <strong>the</strong>production ones do not have a structured marketingarrangement. At <strong>the</strong> same time, AMSIG was looking for anopportunity to use <strong>the</strong> women group to produce parboiledrice she could sell in structured markets.Initiative AMSIG diversified its activities from training serviceprovision into processing and marketing of cereals and grains.The organization set up a processing center for <strong>the</strong>se activitiesafter winning a contract from World Food Program to supplyparboiled rice to <strong>the</strong> organization. Soon after, AMSIG hadano<strong>the</strong>r contract to supply 136 tons of parboiled rice weeklyto <strong>the</strong> <strong>Ghana</strong> Buffer Stock Company. AMSIG is currentlyworking with <strong>the</strong> processing groups to meet <strong>the</strong>se orders.About 150 women are working in <strong>the</strong> center. This centerprovides hands-on experience for <strong>the</strong> women and introduces<strong>the</strong>m to modern technology in rice processing. Newtechnologies such as <strong>the</strong> use of aluminum parboiling vesselsthat require less energy for processing, standardize water useper bag of paddy have been introduced at <strong>the</strong> center.ResultsThe women involved in this initiative now have ano<strong>the</strong>rsource of income and also an avenue to develop <strong>the</strong>ir skills.There is now ready market for <strong>the</strong> women even when <strong>the</strong>yprocess <strong>the</strong>ir paddy at home. AMSIG gives <strong>the</strong>m <strong>the</strong>opportunity to sell <strong>the</strong>ir domestic produce as a group to <strong>the</strong>center. As a result of this <strong>the</strong> beneficiary women haveimproved livelihood and are able to cater for <strong>the</strong>ir domesticneeds even in <strong>the</strong> lean season. “Even if I don’t have moneyto buy paddy to process domestically, I can still go to <strong>the</strong>center to offer my services at a fee which could earn memore than what I make when I carry out my own processing”says one of <strong>the</strong> women beneficiaries. These women havebecome worthy ambassadors of <strong>the</strong> AMSIG processing center.The organization is making plans to establish more satelliteprocessing centers in <strong>the</strong> rice growing communities in <strong>the</strong>Tamale and Tolon Kumbungu Districts. The first group ofwomen who have improved skills will serve as trainers for<strong>the</strong>se centers to transfer <strong>the</strong> acquired skills to <strong>the</strong>ir fellowprocessors. By this initiative, <strong>the</strong>re has been livelihoodenhancement with no conflicts.Credit: International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), Tamale, <strong>Ghana</strong>16


Quarterly <strong>Newsletter</strong> | Eighth <strong>Edition</strong> June, 2011Millennium Development AuthorityPrior to her appointmentas <strong>the</strong> Director forMonitoring andEvaluation at <strong>MiDA</strong>,Mrs. Abigail Abandoh-Sam was <strong>the</strong> Monitoringand Evaluation Officerat AdventistDevelopment and ReliefAgency (ADRA)-<strong>Ghana</strong>,where she had workedin various capacitiessuch as Monitoring &Evaluation Director,Development Officer,Gender Specialist, Project Supervisor, since 1990.Mrs. Abigail Abandoh-Sam,Monitoring and Evaluation DirectorAbigail holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geography, Economics andEducation from University of Cape Coast and a Master of Sciencein Administration degree (Development Studies option) fromAndrews University, USA. In addition she has qualifications invarious special areas of development studies such as Gender,Monitoring & Evaluation, Strategic Planning, Project Planningand Management, Community Development, NGO Management,Proposal Writing and Rural Extension Work,Management ProfilesShe has over twenty one (21) years extensive experience andskills at managerial level in various components of DevelopmentPractices such as Strategic Planning, Program Planning, Proposalwriting, Project Implementation especially of Food Security(including input-credit and agricultural production schemes) andSocial Infrastructural Development Programs. More than fifteenyears of this period has been spent doing Projects Supervision,Research, and Monitoring & Evaluation. She has also beeninvolved in <strong>the</strong> development and implementation of Genderprograms especially those involving Food security programs.A seasoned educationist, Abigail has excellent training skills andhas been involved in numerous programs as a trainer and trainerof trainers. She has also been a key personnel in developingproposals including those on education and food security.Mrs. Abandoh-Sam has attended and benefited from many localand international training programs, seminars and workshops.As a former school Guidance and Counseling coordinator, shestill enjoys voluntary social and community services to youthand children.Mrs. Dorothy DjokotoLegal CounselMrs. Dorothy Djokoto hasbeen <strong>MiDA</strong>’s Legal Counseland Board Secretary sinceFebruary, 2007. Dorothyholds a Bachelor of Lawsdegree from <strong>the</strong> Universityof <strong>Ghana</strong> and a PostGraduate Law Diploma from<strong>the</strong> <strong>Ghana</strong> School of Law.She also holds an M.A inInternational Relations from<strong>the</strong> Center for InternationalAffairs, University of <strong>Ghana</strong>,Legon, as well as a Certificatein Commercial Law andPractice from <strong>the</strong> Crown Agents Training Center, U.K.Prior to her appointment as Legal Counsel for <strong>MiDA</strong>, Dorothycame from a background rich with fifteen years post-qualificationexperience in cross border transactions spanning project finance,engineering construction, employment, aviation and gold mining.She began her career with <strong>the</strong> <strong>Ghana</strong> Airways Company Limited,and later joined Awoonor Law Consultancy as an AssociateBarrister and Solicitor. She <strong>the</strong>n joined <strong>the</strong> mining industry asin-house counsel first for Ashanti Goldfields Company Limitednow AngloGold Ashanti Limited and <strong>the</strong>n for Newmont <strong>Ghana</strong>Gold Limited.Dorothy is a Member of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Ghana</strong> Bar Association, Federationof Women Lawyers and served as a Commissioner of <strong>the</strong> Securities& Exchange Commission, <strong>Ghana</strong> for 7 years.Mrs. Elsie BunyanInternal AuditorMrs. Elsie Bunyan is <strong>the</strong> InternalAudit Manager at <strong>MiDA</strong>. She isresponsible for <strong>the</strong> development andmaintenance of an effective InternalAudit System, auditing <strong>the</strong> financialand operating systems, and workprocedures of <strong>the</strong> Organization tosafeguard assets and ensure <strong>the</strong>judicious use of MCC resources andeffectiveness of risk management,control and governance processes.Elsie has been working in <strong>the</strong>development field since 1999. Shehas worked as a Project Accountant for a Danida SponsoredProgram in <strong>the</strong> Water and Sanitation Sector; and as an InternalAuditor with Actionaid <strong>Ghana</strong>, an International NGO that supports<strong>the</strong> basic needs and rights of <strong>the</strong> poor and <strong>the</strong>ir access to servicesin order to eradicate poverty and injustice.Prior to her development-related work, Elsie was withPricewaterhouseCoopers where she conducted statutory ando<strong>the</strong>r audits for various clients in <strong>the</strong> Public, Financial,Manufacturing and Mining Sectors.A Chartered Accountant with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in SocialSciences, she also holds a Masters Degree in BusinessAdministration (Project Management Option). Professionally, sheis a member of <strong>the</strong> Institute of Chartered Accountants, <strong>Ghana</strong>,and <strong>the</strong> Institute of Internal Auditors.She is married with three children.17


Millennium Development AuthorityProviding Potable WaterHead OfficeMillennium Development Authority4th Floor, Heritage Tower,Liberation Road, Ambassadorial Plaza,Ridge West, AccraPostal Address:Private Mail Bag 56Stadium Post Office AccraEmail : info@mida.gov.gh or, procurement@mida.gov.ghTelephone:+(233) 302 666619, +(233) 302 666621,+(233) 302 666624Fax: +(233)302 -666669, +(233)302-2666579Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Zonal OfficeHse No. CM Block VI 50Naa Luro Estate, TamalePostal Address: P. O. Box TL 2501, TamaleTelephone:+(233)244 454622Sou<strong>the</strong>rn Zonal Office(West)House No. AO/259Near Police BarrierBawjiase-Kasoa RoadOpembo, Awutu-BawjiaseTelephone:+(233) 244 832426Sou<strong>the</strong>rn Zonal Office(East)EU Microproject Stores BuildingSouth Tongu District Assembly, Volta RegionTelephone: 0244791476Afram Basin Zonal OfficeDistrict Directorate of AgricultureMinistry of Food & AgricultureKwahu North District, DonkorkromP. O. Box DK 97, Donkorkrom,Tel:034 24 -220-55/6Cell:+233-(0)207-293-552, +(233)24 6943664Eastern RegionGHANACopyright © 2011 Millennium Development Authority. All rights reserved.www.mida.gov.gh

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