A delegation from the Conference of District Directors of Agriculture (CODDA) in Eastern Region led by the Regional Director of Agriculture *Hajia Habiba Yusuf* paid a working visit to the Regional Minister, *Hon Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey.
The visit was to officially congratulate her on her appointment and to pledge our unflinching support in her quest to advancing agricultural development in the Region.
The Minister in her opening remarks thanked the delegation for the gesture. She acknowledged the role of CODDA in the implementation of Government of Ghana’s Agricultural Economic for Transformational Agenda (AETA) which is anchored on the 24 hour economy.
She stressed on the need for CODDA to play a leading role in revitalizing the Agricultural sector through climate resilient agricultural technologies. She again highlighted on the need for CODDA to recognize traditional leaders (Chiefs) as key stakeholders especially in land acquisition and ownership in Agricultural development in the Region.
The Minister however, pledged her support to CODDA and called for more collaborations to enhance agricultural growth and development in the Region.
The President of CODDA ER and District Director of Agriculture in the Asene Manso Akroso District, *Stephen Boadi* in his brief statement mentioned the role CODDA has played in the implementation of programmes, projects and policies of governments over the years.
He again pledged CODDA’s preparedness and readiness in spearheading the implementation of Government’s Agricultural Economic for Transformational Agenda (AETA).
Amongst other issues discussed were 5% allocation to Department of Agriculture for Agricultural development, ill treatment of some District Directors of Agriculture in the MMDAs i.e discrimination against DDAs in the area of payment of rent, transfer grants, fuel, car maintenance etc.
Issue of core Management where DDAs are not part of key decision making process at the Assembly was also raised as well as the Eastern Region Commodity Satellite Market initiative also discussed.
The engagement was interactive and very fruitful.
Some products were presented to the Hon Regional Minister by the delegation as evidence of work under the Eastern Commodity Satellite Market initiative.
*Members of the delegation were;*
1. Hajia Habiba Yusuf RDA
2. Stephen Boadi CODDA ER President
3. Francis Dogbese CODDA ER Vice president
4. Emmanuel Agroh CODDA Secretary
5. Solomon Attipoe CODDA Organizer
6. Joyce Kyeraa CODDA Financial Secretary
7. Isaac Mann DDA Birim Central
8. Kafui Safo DDA Achiase
9. Perpetual Decker DDA Upper West Akim
10. Tharzia N. Akwetey DDA New Juabeng South Municipal
11. Emmanuel Amenu DDA New Juabeng North
12. Dr. Emmanuel Bimpeh RAO Extension
13. Joseph Ahiaku RAO M&E
14. Priscilla Henrietta Fynn RAO WIAD
15. Augustine Asiedu Appiah RAO ENGINEERING
16. Benjamin Boakye RAO Animal production
17. Theophilus Zottorgloh RAO PPRSD
Story by: Collins Owusu Debrah/Ahotoronline.com
