The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has awarded a grant of $980,000 to the Nuts for Growth Project in the Northern Region to boost private investment and increase the income of 20,000 women who are into farming.
The US Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia E Palmer, disclosed this when she paid a courtesy call on the Northern Regional Minister, Mr Shani Alhassan Shaibu at his office in Tamale.
Nuts for Growth Shea Processing Plant process shea nuts, maize and soya beans.
The Ambassador also launched the Global Shea Alliance and MasterCard Foundation’s Shea Business Empowerment Programme.
The programme will work with local shea collectors to transform their informal operations into well-structured small businesses and cooperatives that can more readily achieve economies of scale to participate in the global market for shea.
Mr Shaibu appealed to the US government to assist the region with technology to improve the agricultural sector.
On his part, the Chief Director of the Northern Regional Coordinating Council, Alhaji Alhassan Issahaku said the US Government has been Ghana’s largest bilateral donor and disclosed that in terms of development in the Northern Region, USAID was focused on building resilient communities with emphasis on private sector growth and citizens empowerment.
Bala Ali, ISD
