500 boreholes to boost agric. production

The Government is sinking 500 boreholes and providing mechanisation centres and irrigation facilities in all the districts to support agricultural production. Nii Armah Ashitey, Greater Accra Regional Minister, who disclosed this on Sunday, said as part of the Youth-In- Agriculture Programme, the youth would be offered free lands and seedlings to make a living. He was speaking at the 40th anniversary celebration of the Kwashieman branch of The Lord's Pentecostal Church International at Kwashieman in Accra on Sunday. The anniversary was on the theme: "Serving God's purpose in Our Generation." He expressed regret that Ghana had celebrated Farmers Day for the past 25 years but the country is still importing food. "We have arable lands but we are still hungry because we cannot feed ourselves," he said. The Minister said research and technology would be developed to address the needs of farmers to further enhance the country's transition to commercial agriculture. He urged the Church to help curb indiscipline and moral decadence, which had engulfed the society. Nii Ashitey also advised the congregation to fully participate in the on-going National Identification exercise to ensure its success. He commended the founding fathers of the church for their pioneering role, which had made the church what it is today. Reverend Richard Boafor, General Overseer of the church said the church, which was started with 20 members, had worshippers of about 1,400. He said the church had established a school, provided bole holes and a clinic at Tokokoe in the Volta Region. Rev. Boafor said the church had also opened 19 branches in the Region and plans were advance to plant more missions. He said the church had started a credit union scheme to inculcate the habit of savings in the members. The General Overseer said the church would continue to evangelise to win more souls for Christ. Nii Ashitey inaugurated a multi-purpose school complex of the church.