Mr. Kwesi Ahwoi, Minister of Food and Agriculture
(MOFA), has urged the youth of Bole to embrace the block farming project which is expected to take off soon, to enhance their livelihood and country's food security.
Mr. Ahwoi gave the advice at this year's 9th edition of the Annual Seidu-Bele Yam Festival by the Chiefs and people of Mandari, a farming
community in the Bole District of the Northern Region.
He noted that despite the fact that Nigeria was the world leading producer of yam, statistics however at MOFA indicate that Ghana is the
biggest world exporter of quality yam with Bole alone producing about 37,000 tons annually.
The Minister advised the youth to emulate the exemplary life-style of Alhaji Seidu Bele, an eminent local farmer, because he has made Bole proud whilst urging them to develop interest in farming especially yam, instead of migrating to the urban areas in search of non-existing jobs.
The Minister said the government had secured about 100 hectres of land for the cultivation of maize at Signyekura and Mankuma while another 50
hectres of land has been acquired at Bamboi for block farming in rice.
Mr Ahwoi appealed to the chiefs and landowners of the area to release more lands for the programme to benefit the youth.
He lauded the people for keeping the peace adding, the Gonjaland is noted to be one of the most peaceful areas in the country.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Bole, Alhaji Seidu Abudu Sampson, praised Alhaji Seidu Bele for his wisdom, determination and courage
in transporting the water yam into the country and propagating it into a food commodity enjoyed by Ghanaians and beyond.
Alhaji Sampson charged traditional authorities in the area to support the Assembly to protect the fertile land and vegetation which is being degraded due to the continuous felling of trees for charcoal burning and the activities of Fulani herdsmen in the district.
The DCE was also worried about the continuous increase of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the district and advised the youth to help prevent the spread of the disease by practising safe sex.
The Chairman of the Planning Committee of the Seidu-Bele Yam Festival, Mr. E.K. Yakubu, earlier appealed to the government to consider granting their initial request to construct market structures, a dam for vegetable
gardening, a Junior High School block, Information Communication and Technology (ICT) Centre with library and a six-unit teacher quarters..
He also called on the government to fast track rehabilitation of the road network on the Sawla-Fulfulso road for easy movement of their farm products, Bole Chache road which leads to the Ivory Coast and the expansion of electricity to the Mandari Township.
Alhaji Seidu Bele is locally credited with the introduction of the water yam (Seideu-Bele) into the country from neighbouring Ivory Coast some years ago.