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Professor Samuel Kobina Annim
AfricaAFRICA NEWSGhana

Ghana to conduct maiden all-encompassing business census in October

by Editor
written by Editor

The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), will in October 2023 conduct the country’s first all-encompassing business census to generate comprehensive data on all businesses and their characteristics.

Unlike previous censuses that focused on specific sectors of the Ghanaian economy, the 2023 edition would cover all formal and informal Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) across the country.

The outcome of the GH¢160 million funded census would be ready by the first quarter of 2024.

It would be preceded by trainings for enumerators and other census officials, as well as stakeholder engagements.

Speaking at a Stakeholders’ Consultative Meeting on Wednesday in Accra, the Government Statistician, Professor Samuel Kobina Annim, said that data from the census would help policymakers offer the right support for businesses to engender national transformation.

“The Ghana Statistical Service is coming in to help Ghana with the right data, not only to help governments but more importantly, to help businesses to be more resilient,” he said.

He added that the economic census would provide information on the number of businesses that employed most people, thereby, make the government come up with strategic programs to increase their capacities to do more and lessen the unemployment burden in the country.

Prof Annim explained that the meeting was to ensure that the GSS built on existing relationship with the business community and make various business associations ambassadors to communicate the needed message about the survey to all people.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mr Anthony Krakah, the Head of Industrial Statistics and National IBES Coordinator, said the GSS had for the past 100 years conducted economic censuses, but it had become necessary for the existing data to be updated.

“We did the last one in 2013, and we need to understand what’s happening to the distribution or characteristics of businesses after 10 years on, to ensure that young businesses can grow and live long,” he said.

“There were a lot of informal sector businesses that the previous Economic Census did not focus on. This time, we want to go all out and make sure that every economic activity that we can collect data on are captured to get a reflection of what businesses look like in a typical developing country like Ghana,” he added.

The IBES Coordinator explained that the data generated during the census was for statistical purposes, and not purposely for tax collection.

Mr Krakah called on business associations to support the Statistical Service in the data collection by educating their members on the essence of the census prior to the due date.

Mr Samuel Amegayibor, the Executive Secretary of the Ghana Real Estate Development Association, told GNA that the census would help provide accurate data on businesses so that appropriate strategies and systems would be built to grow them sustainably, especially during pandemics.

He encouraged businesses to contribute to the success of the census by ensuring that data from the survey was credible and solid through the provision of the right information to the Statistical Service.

He also asked the Service to make the questionnaire simple especially to informal businesses to enable them to participate in the exercise.

During an interactive session, informal sector business leaders, including market queens and spare part dealers asked the Service to make them an integral part in their education and publicity campaigns.

That, they said, would make their members easily understand and buy into the exercise and volunteer information for the success of the census.

They pledged to educate their members using local languages, including Twi, Ga, Hausa and Ewe through their public address systems at their market places and personal engagements.

In 1926, the economic census focused on industry and distributive sectors, while that of 1987 focused on industry, likewise 2003, while that of 2003 excluded businesses not in structures and household businesses.

During the last census in 2013, there were 590,033 micro,117,329 small, 9,333 medium and 2,593 large businesses in the country.

The expanded 2023 IBES will cover business under sheds, those in open spaces but at fix locations, mobile and virtual establishments.

It would also generate data that would link business and population registers, collect GPS coordinates, with additional information on digital finance and environmental responsiveness.

Source: GNA/ ghanabusinessnews.com

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Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta, Finance Minister
AFRICA NEWSGhanaWestern Africa

Ghana government set to privatize Cocoa Processing Company after $163m loss and 16 other SEOs

by Editor
written by Editor

The Ghana government has hinted of entering a public-private partnership to turn around the fortunes of some 17 State-Owned Enterprises, including the Cocoa Processing Company (CPC).

Although the names of all the entities were not given, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta, the Finance Minister, in responding to a question about the future of CPC, said government had considered some level of privatization to make it profitable.

This comes on the heels of CPC’s cumulative $163.2 million losses in 14 years (2009 to 2022)-a company that the government through the Ministry of Finance holds some 26 per cent shares.

“If you look at the SOEs, those that are joint venture partners do much better, and maybe that’s what’s needed to go forward. So, there will be more privatisation so that they won’t become a burden on government, while performing their primary task of production.” Mr Ofori-Atta said.

He said despite current economic hardship, the government remained steadfast in investing and providing quality infrastructure, including roads and telecommunication to enable businesses thrive.

He said this in a media interview after a breakfast meeting with members of the Ghana Club 100 on public-private partnerships, and ways to bridge the gap between the public and private sector for sustainable economic development.

Speaking at the forum, Mr. Edward Boateng, the Director-General of the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), said the 17 companies had received Cabinet approval for their privatization.

He expressed confidence in such collaborations making public entities work profitably, while creating an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive and grow faster with less investment.

“That is why we want to collaborate with GIPC to see where we can bring foreign capital to help turn some of these entities around, by working with entrepreneurs and business people.” Mr Boateng added.

He explained that most SOEs had failed to entities had failed to be profitable because they were being managed with a “kiosk mentality, where people go into these entities and they manage them as their own little operations.”

However, through the implementation of the SIGA Act, there had been increased oversight responsibility over SOEs, making them more compliant and accountable, resulting in their growth, according to him.

“We’re working hard to change the narrative because when the narratives of the public sector changes, it basically trickles down to the private sector, which trickles down to increase in government revenues and others,” he said.

On the importance of PPP, he cited the Ada Songor salt project as a testament of collaboration, where the office of the President, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, and SIGA worked together with the private sector for profitability.

“Through collaboration this entity (Ada Songor salt mine) has been turned over to a private entity and arguably, now the biggest salt winner, not only in West Africa, but Africa,” he said.

About 25 per cent of Ghana’s debt burden is attributed to non-central government operations, primarily from State Owned Enterprises such as COCOBOD and entities in the energy sector.

It is for this reason that the Government under the ongoing International Monetary Fund (IMF) $3 billion loan-support programme is seeking to improve operational performance of SOEs through management reforms and monitoring to foster more competition and efficiency.

The reform of SOEs would see the implementation of a policy, where there would be a cap on salary adjustment of employees, making them earn lower than negotiated base pay increase on Single Spine Salary Structure for each year.

Source: GNA/ Ghanabusinessnews.com

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Ghana-faces-rude-awakening-as-tide-of-cheap-money-recedes
AfricaAFRICA NEWSGhanaSpotlight

Ghana faces rude awakening as tide of cheap money recedes

by Editor
written by Editor

When Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo took to the airwaves in October to assure investors that their money was safe, it was only natural for them to smell trouble ahead. This is exactly what they got.

Long considered one of the most stable and best-run countries in Africa, Ghana is about to join the list of countries that cannot pay its debts. This list is likely to be long. Zambia has already defaulted, and the International Monetary Fund believes that 19 economies in Africa alone are in debt distress.

The government was in denial. “There will be no haircut,” Akufo-Addo stated emphatically. It was left to junior ministers to explain the news that bondholders can expect short backs and sides – and lose about 30 per cent of their tufts in the process.

Ghana’s story highlights the likely fate of other emerging economies as the tide of cheap money recedes. Many got involved in international bond issues with the opening of the capital markets some 15 years ago.

Ghana issued its first international bond, for $750m, in 2007 – and since then it has been returning to the punchbowl. Now, with interest rates normalizing and investors’ appetite for frontier risk waning, the pot has been dumped. When US Treasury yields were less than 2 per cent, Ghana could borrow at 8 per cent or less. The implied rate on its bond is now close to 40 per cent, says Charles Robertson of Renaissance Capital, meaning investors consider it too risky to lend at all.

This is difficult because Ghana, and countries like it, need the money more than ever. Damaged by covid and the cascading effects of the war in Ukraine, economies have stalled and many people have been pushed into poverty.

But far from addressing these problems through spending, Ghana will have to make cuts to appease creditors and the International Monetary Fund, from which Accra is seeking $3 billion. In a way, it will have to protect the most vulnerable while tightening it up financially. Multilateral agencies will have to cut some slack.

Ghana was quick to blame anyone but herself. Akufo-Addo spoke of the confluence of “malignant forces”. A series of external shocks has already made the world a hostile environment. Rich countries, having been promised vaccines and financing, have abandoned Ghana in the midst of the pandemic.

However, the government protests a lot. In February, Moody’s downgraded Ghana’s sovereign debt from B3 to CAA1, prompting it to enter junk territory, attacking Accra Messenger. The finance ministry has accused the rating agencies of mispricing risks in “what appears to be an institutional bias against African economies”.

It was better to look in the mirror. Moody’s debt has reached 80 per cent of GDP, and half of government revenue will be swallowed up by debt interest payments. One Moody’s executive found plans to address worsening finances with arcane spending cuts and an unpopular tax on electronic transactions “extremely ambitious” — which read “total fantasy”. Her cynicism has proven justified.

Ghana had some promising ideas. She made school free until high school. It has cured energy shortages and has some of the best health and well-being indicators in Africa. But spending always escalated before elections. Much of the debt went as a result of the mounting public sector wage bill.

The aim of borrowing should be to improve productive capacity and with it the ability to repay loans. Ghana’s government has frequently indulged in vanity projects, exemplified by plans to build a massive cathedral. Perhaps she hopes that if she prays she can pay her debts.

Plans to clean up messes don’t seem more realistic. Bright Simmons of the Emani think-tank called the latest budget a “Frankenstein mix.” Making public servants drive smaller cars, one proposal, wouldn’t cut it. Nor has the government learned humility. It blames the 50 per cent drop in Sidi this year on “speculators” and the black market. He might instead look at his unfunded deficit and the hum of the presses.

Accra desperately needs a credible plan to get its finances back on track. That would mean crafting a debt restructuring package with creditors and accepting its exclusion from the debt markets.

However, all is not lost. Ghana has solid foundations to build on. It has one of the best-educated workforces on the continent, a reasonably diversified economy, decent infrastructure, and a strong democratic record. This means that the ruling party may be punished in the 2024 elections. But the markets, in time, will forgive and forget. Just ask Argentina.

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BusinessEconomyGhanaMarketsMobile Telecommunications Network (MTN)Technology

MTN Ghana to deactivate quarter of it’s subscriber’s SIM cards on Thursday

by Radarr Africa
written by Radarr Africa

MTN Ghana, which is Africa’s largest mobile operator’s third-most lucrative market, is bracing for the potential deactivation of a quarter of its subscriber’s SIM cards on Thursday, as it looks to comply with directive from regulators in that country over biometric registration.

The directive from Ghana’s National Communications Authority concerns deactivating those SIM cards that have completed the first stage of a SIM registration process, or linking of their Ghana Card ID to their SIM card, but not the second stage, which concerns biometric capture.

As of November 26, about 22.1 million MTN Ghana subscribers had completed the first stage while 16.4 million had completed the bio-capture phase. This means 5.7 million subscribers would be eligible for deactivation on 1 December. MTN said on Tuesday it was committed to the registration exercise to build an accurate customer database to help minimize fraud in the country.

MTN said it will provide an update on Friday on the effect, including on revenue, of the process, as well as initiatives to re-register subscribers. All deactivated cards can be reactivated within six months, or a deadline of the end of May 2023.

ALSO READ: Meta fined R4.7bn over data leak of half a billion of it’s Facebook users

MTN Ghana accounted for just over a tenth, or R9.9 billion, of the mobile operator’s revenue in its half-year to end-June, putting it behind Nigeria and SA. The business has also been dealing with the implications of a new 1.5% levy on electronic money transfer services introduced in May, which has prompted it to cut its transaction fees by a quarter to cushion the blow.

SIM registration rules have also been a headache in Nigeria, with the mobile operator saying in October the rules prompted a 57 000 fall in subscribers in its third quarter to end September, though over a nine-month period, they were still up 10% to 74.1 million.

SOURCE: News 24

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AFRICA NEWSBanking, Finance & InvestmentBusinessEconomyGhanaMobile Telecommunications Network (MTN)

MTN Ghana to increase service revenue by a quarter

by Radarr Africa
written by Radarr Africa

MTN’s Mobile Money (MoMo) service in Ghana is taking a hit from the introduction of a levy on electronic transfers which came into effect in May, with revenue from person-to-person (P2P) transactions slipping by double digits in the mobile operator’s nine months to end September.

Ghana’s government has imposed a 1.5% levy on the value of all electronic transfers, including banks, specialised deposit-taking institutions, payment service providers and electronic money issuers, as a means to earn revenue from digital services. The levy is in addition to other applicable charges.

The operator said revenue from P2P transactions declined by 13.3% year-on-year in the three quarters to end September, with the contribution of MoMo to service revenue falling to 19.1% from 22.8% previously. The firm also took a decision to reduce P2P transaction fees by 25% to cushion the effect on its customers. 

Despite the challenges, active MoMo users increased by 16.3% to 12.4 million, the firm said, and overall, MTN Ghana’s service revenue grew by 27.9% to 7.1 billion cedi (R9.2 billion). 

ALSO READ: South Africa’s growth rate would expand if it moves away from coal

Data revenue saw the biggest year-on-year jump at 43.7% to 2.8 billion cedi, with data usage jumping by just over half, and the group growing its data subscribers just over a fifth. Voice revenue increased by 23.4% to 2.4 billion cedi.

Mobile subscribers climbed 13% to 28.5 million, and like in Nigeria, MTN Ghana is facing an order by authorities to conduct SIM registration of all customers. It said it had successfully registered 15.2 million subscribers using the Ghana National ID at the end of September 2022, with approximately 5.6 million yet to complete their registration.

On 17 October, the Ministry of Communication and Digitalisation announced that all services with the exception of USSD services for SIM cards that have not completed registration would be blocked from 1 November 2022. The firm said it was “working with the regulator on their formal directive”.

“As a result, MTN will continue to deploy resources and work with the regulator to accelerate re-registration and ensure a speedy completion of the exercise,” it said. 

MTN Ghana said it spent 1.4 billion cedi (R1.8 billion) during the period to improve the quality of its service and expand its network, and it rolled out 339 2G; 339 3G; 1 081 4G sites; as well as modernized 805 others. This supported the increase in its 4G coverage to 99.3% of the population.

SOURCE: News 24

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AfricaAFRICA NEWSEconomyGhanaNewsWestern Africa

World Bank classifies Ghana as high debt distressed country, projects debt to GDP of 104%

by Radarr Africa
written by Radarr Africa

The World Bank has classified Ghana as a high debt distress country as it projects the nation’s debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 104.6 per cent by the end of 2022.

According to its October 2022 Africa Pulse Report, Ghana’s debt was expected to jump significantly, from 76.6 per cent a year earlier, amid a widened government deficit, massive weakening of the cedi, and rising debt service costs.

It is also forecasting debt to GDP of 99.7 per cent and 101.8 per cent of GDP in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

The size of Ghana’s economy is estimated at about $72 billion, whilst it is expected to spend about 70% of revenue this year to service its debt.

The report is coming at a time the Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are conducting a Debt Sustainability Analysis on the country. A country which is highly debt distressed is unable to fulfil its financial obligations and therefore debt restructuring is required.

“Debt is expected to jump in Ghana to 104.6 per cent of GDP, from 76.6 per cent a year earlier amid a widened government deficit, massive weakening of the cedi, and rising debt service costs.

 The country’s debt is expected to remain elevated at 99.7 per cent and 101.8 per cent of GDP in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

“Tightening of financial conditions globally along with the fall of the domestic currency widened the sovereign spread by 233 basis points since December 2021,” it said.

“As a result, the country lost access to international markets”, the report mentioned.

The World Bank further stated that Ghana needed $1.5 billion in assistance from the IMF, which could help to shore up public finances and regain access to credit markets.

ALSO READ: Moody’s downgrades Ghana’s economy to Caa2

It added, “Nevertheless, despite the negotiation with the IMF, investors remain nervous about the country’s debt sustainability.”

These concerns, it said, were expressed by the country’s local and foreign currency ratings downgrade from B-/B to CCC+/C, adding, “as a result, despite the news, the cedi fell further with ripple effects on inflation”.

Source: Ghanaian times

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AfricaAFRICA NEWSBusinessEconomyEnergyGhanaWestern Africa

Ghana to leverage lithium discovery to manufacture solar batteries

by Radarr Africa
written by Radarr Africa

The Ghanaian government intends to leverage the current discovery of lithium in parts of the country for the manufacturing of solar batteries.

This is in line with the National Energy Transition Agenda which entails tapping into existing natural energy sources to make the shift to net zero emission, affordable and sustainable.

Ghana’s discovery of lithium is said to present another opportunity for the country to produce renewable equipment for the African market.

A Deputy Energy Minister Andrew Egypa-Mercer made this known at the 2022 Africa Energy Conference in Accra, organized by the Business and Financial Times in Accra.

“The opportunity for an industrial and commercial venture into the renewable market has a potential to generate revenue, job creation and energy security enhancement.

ALSO READ: Moody’s downgrades Ghana’s economy to Caa2

Ghana’s recent discovery of high-grade lithium is an achievement the government intends to leverage in exploring the real possibility of manufacturing solar batteries locally,” Mr. Egypa-Mercer hinted.

The Africa Energy Conference 2022 under the theme “Africa’s Energy Future – Achieving Competitiveness and Sustainability to Support the Continent’s Development Ambitions” is an avenue for stakeholders to deliberate on opportunities in the energy transition journey.

Source: My joy online

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AfricaAFRICA NEWSBusinessEconomyGhanaNewsWestern Africa

Moody’s downgrades Ghana’s economy to Caa2

by Radarr Africa
written by Radarr Africa

Rating agency, Moody’s has downgraded Ghana’s long-term issuer and senior unsecured debt ratings to Caa2 from Caa1 and placed the ratings on review for downgrade.

The rating downgrade to Caa2, it said, reflected the recent macroeconomic deterioration, further heightening the government’s liquidity and debt sustainability difficulties and increasing the risk of default.

This follows the recent downgrade of Ghana’s credit rating to ‘CC’ from ‘CCC’ by Fitch.

Despite Ghana’s tightening of monetary policy in response to the global price shock, it said inflation continues to rise from high levels and the currency has been under very significant pressure, adding that “combined, a sharp rise in interest rates, high inflation and a rapidly weakening currency exacerbate the government’s debt challenges.”

“Without external support, the government’s policy levers to arrest a worsening macroeconomic backdrop and heavier debt burden are extremely limited; the government’s small revenue base, largely and increasingly absorbed by interest payments, further intensifies the policy dilemma between competing objectives, including servicing debt while meeting essential social needs. As a result, the risk of an eventual default has increased”, it pointed out.

According the Rating Agency, the initiation of the review for downgrade was prompted by the ongoing negotiations between the government and the IMF over a funding programme, it underscored, adding that, “it may include a condition for debt restructuring to ensure debt sustainability.

Such a restructuring, it said, would likely be considered a distressed exchange and thereby a default under the rating agency’s definition.

“The review will evaluate the likelihood of a debt restructuring being a prerequisite to secure sufficient and durable financing from official sources to avert a fiscal and balance of payments crisis that is already unfolding,” it said.

Concurrent to the rating downgrade, Moody’s has also downgraded Ghana’s bond enhanced by a partial guarantee from the International Development Association (IDA, Aaa stable) to Caa1 from B3, reflecting a blended expected loss consistent with a one-notch uplift on the issuer rating.

 The rating has also been placed on review for downgrade given the review initiated on all unsecured debt ratings of the government.

Finally, Moody’s has lowered Ghana’s local currency (LC) and foreign currency (FC) country ceilings to respectively B2 and B3, from B1 and B2.

Non-diversifiable risks are captured in a LC ceiling three notches above the sovereign rating, taking into account relatively predictable institutions and government actions, limited domestic political risk, and low geopolitical risk; balanced against a large government footprint in the economy and the financial system and external imbalances.

ALSO READ: Ghana’s return to capital market may take 3 years due to impact of downgrades

The FC country ceiling one notch below the LC country ceiling reflects constraints on capital account openness and fiscal policy effectiveness against robust foreign exchange reserves buffers and average monetary policy effectiveness.

In February 2022, Moody’s downgraded Ghana’s long-term issuer and senior unsecured debt ratings to Caa1 from B3 and changed the economic outlook to stable from negative.

The downgrade to Caa1 reflected the increasingly difficult task the government faces addressing its intertwined liquidity and debt challenges.

Source: Ghanaian times

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AfricaAFRICA NEWSBanking, Finance & InvestmentBusinessGhanaNewsWestern Africa

Absa Bank and MasterCard Foundation to grant ¢2.5m to Fintech/Agritech Startups

by Radarr Africa
written by Radarr Africa

Absa Bank Ghana has announced a ¢2.5 million grant to support businesses in the Fintech and Agritech industry.

The initiative is part of the Absa Young Africa Works programme, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, which is designed to build the capacity of 5,000 SMEs and create 50,000 jobs for the youth in Ghana in the next five years.

The ¢2.5 million grant will primarily target businesses that are either at their ideation or up-scaling stage, including businesses using technology to improve financial services like lending, payments, insurance, investments, and education (financial literacy).

Successful businesses must be more than three years old, tech-savvy and with owners who are between 24 to 40 years old.

The grant also compliments Absa Bank’s bouquet of products and services tailored to provide comprehensive support for startups and SMEs, including free banking services, collateral-free loans for SMEs and capacity-building programmes.

Commenting on the initiative, Managing Principal of Retail and Business Banking (RBB) at Absa Bank, Kobla Nyaletey said, “Absa Bank Ghana is a strong believer in the potential of Ghanaian businesses, including startups, SMEs and large local corporates, to drive sustainable economic growth.

“We consider it an important social obligation to support and provide the type of capital appropriate for these businesses. 

“I am extremely happy that together with the Mastercard Foundation, we can deploy ¢2.5m to strongly push forward young businesses using technology to solve the challenges that confront our economy.

ALSO READ: Ghana, Korea $8 million rice project kicks off in Assin North

“We are determined to continuously create solutions and products that bring the possibilities of our customers, clients, and stakeholders to life in a sustainable way and this is one of them.”

To apply for the grant, businesses have to visit the Absa Bank Ghana website and submit their proposals. Successful businesses will not only have access to ¢200,000 each but will also enjoy training, business development and advisory services from Absa Bank and the Mastercard Foundation. 

Source: My Joy online

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AfricaAFRICA NEWSAgricultureBusinessGhanaNewsWestern Africa

Ghana, Korea $8 million rice project kicks off in Assin North

by Radarr Africa
written by Radarr Africa

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), in collaboration with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Assin North District Assembly, has introduced some agricultural equipment to boost rice production in the area.  

The move formed part of an $8 million agreement signed between South Korea and Ghana towards improving capacity and rice seed development, provision of agricultural machinery and equipment, and the construction of a rice milling plant and agricultural equipment storage facility.  

The machines include tractors and accessories, combine harvesters, laser land levellers, seed drill/ no-till seed planters, power tillers and accessories, transplanters and rice threshers.  

The rest are rice reaper binders, combine harvesters, rice winnowers, water pumps, grain moisture meters and knapsack sprayers/motorized mist blowers.  

In addition, a total of 8 metric tonnes of certified seeds are expected to be distributed, with each beneficiary farmer getting 15.5 kilogrammes of seeds at no cost for cultivation.  

Similarly, four other rice-growing districts in the Central Region namely; Gomoa East, Assin Fosu,  Assin South and Twifo Att-Mokwa would benefit from the project.  

Okyereko in the Gomoa East District has been designed for rice seed production whereas the remaining four districts produce paddy rice.  

The project is funded by KOICA and implemented in partnership with the MoFA through the District Assemblies.  

Presenting the equipment, Mr Charles Ohene Andoh, the District Chief Executive explained that the project seeks to improve the rice value chain in the area following bilateral cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Government of Ghana.  

He said the provision of the agricultural equipment, which was the key component of the rice value chain project, was important to promote the government’s agric mechanisation drive.  

The machines would serve as valuable assets to beneficiary farmers in boosting rice production with the potential to positively impact the lives and livelihood of the farmers at the microeconomic level.  

That, the DCE said, would have a multiplying effect and a positive impact on the economy, considering the value of enhanced rice production and productivity.

ALSO READ: Ghana’s return to capital market may take 3 years due to impact of downgrades

With that, he encouraged farmers to scale up production to maintain national food security.  

Mr Joseph Kwabena Haizel, the District Director of Agriculture, said MoFA and KOICA were fully committed to the successful implementation of all components under the project.  

He said the district could produce rice to feed the country and called on the people, especially the youth, to venture into rice farming as a viable venture to ease unemployment and better themselves.  

Source: GNA

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