Beneficiary institutions of the Modernizing Agriculture in Ghana (MAG) project have been warned that failure to submit progress report on time continuously for two periods will lead to the freeze on their future disbursement until cleared by the Executive committee.  

The Head of Monitoring and Evaluation of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), Accra, Patrick Kojo Ofori gave the notice at Regional MAG Sensitization Workshop in Wa in the Upper West Region. 

GBC's Emmanuel Mensah-Abludo reports that MAG is a five-year 135-Million Canadian Dollar support to the agriculture sector of Ghana and it aligns with Ghana government’s objectives in Food and Agriculture Sector Development Policy (FASDEP) Medium Term Agricultural Sector Improvement Plan (METASIP), Ghana shared Growth and Development Agenda (GSGDA II).  

The ultimate outcome of the MAG is to ensure a more modern, equitable and sustainable agricultural sector that contributes to food security. 

The program is segmented into five components. They include support to Districts for the delivery of extension services, support to agricultural colleges and research institutes as well as Canada-led monitoring, evaluation and technical advisory services. 

Mr. Ofori admonished all beneficiary institutions to among others report on MAG activities as part of their regular reporting in line with government’s regulations adding that they are equally enjoined to prepare  quarterly and annual progress reports to demonstrate progress against their work-plans. 

The Head of Monitoring and Evaluation of MOFA gave the various reporting timelines for the beneficiary institutions to adhere to and emphasized that the reports must be submitted in hard and soft copies to the appropriate line authorities.  

The Deputy Coordinator of MAG, Emmanuel Garti indicated that the program will provide support to flagship agric programs in diverse ways with extension services being critical to increase the efficiency of farmers with value-chain development also receiving a boost. 

He said 216 vehicles as well as three thousand motor bikes and six thousand helmets for agric extension agents are to be procured as part of logistic support for the program. 

Mr. Garti commented on the fund allocation formula that been developed in the second year of the project which people a were not enthused about. 

The Upper West Regional Coordinator, Alhaji Abdulai Abubakar who read the Regional Minister, Alhaji Alhassan Sulemana’s address was happy that the workshop was updating beneficiary institutions and key partners on the program in order to strategize and sustain the agriculture sector in Upper West and the country as a whole.  

Alhaji Abubakar commended the Canadian government for funding the MAG program, saying “agriculture is the mainstay of Ghana’s economy, accounting for about 42% of the country’s GDP and employing over 54% of its workforce.” 

The Head of Budget Unit, MOFA, Accra, Nuhu Ibrahim made a presentation on “Planning and Budgeting of Sector Priorities” whilst a Senior Agric Officer, MOFA, Accra Shaibu Muniru dwelt on “Standardized Activities to Guide the Development of Work-plans.”

Story by Emmanuel Mensah-Abludo


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