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Members of a Youth Group in Nandom in the Upper West Region have showered praises on the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, for the effective implementation of the flagship Planting for Food and Jobs programme.

The youths say the PFJ programme, since it's introduction, has curbed what they said was abject poverty and socio-economic challenges within the district and its environs.

The leadership of the group, who paid a courtesy call on the Minister to express their appreciation, noted that through the PFJ, most of the youth in the district have entered into full time farming whilst others are engaged in various activities along the agricultural value chain.

The spokesperson for the group, Nakpenaah Patrick, noted that "the PFJ programme has had instance impact on our lives; we are currently engaged large scale cultivation of maize as beneficiaries of the programme "

He added that other youths in the district are engaged in similar ventures, with others employed as input dealers and sale agents under the programme.

"We are hoping to expand our farms and enter into soybean production next year. The production has indeed changed our lives and improved our socio-economic conditions. Hon. Minister we want to thank you and the President for this laudable initiative " He emphasized.

The group also commended the government for the One Village, One Dam initiative which they said had given them the opportunity to engage in all year round farming in the district.

The Honourable Minister, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, on his part, said he was humbled by the visit and the expression of gratitude by the youth, adding that such gestures only give him and the President Nana Akufo Addo-led Government the impetus to continue to work hard for the benefits of Ghanaians.

"It is heartwarming to hear such testimonies from you; your decision to come all the way from Nandom to express gratitude gladdens our hearts" the Minister noted.

Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto noted that the huge patronage of the PFJ programme by Ghanaians is a clear manifestation of governments commitment towards improving the lives of the people.

He reiterated the President Nana Akufo Addo-led administration of the NPP's commitment to continue to invest in the agricultural sector as a means to transform the economy of the country.