Peasant farmers at Osino have been given farming implements worth GH¢76,200 (¢762 million) under a programme that promotes private sector-led projects as a key effort in reducing poverty and improving the lives of rural people. The Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Ofosu Asamoah, handed over a Massey Ferguson tractor with several farming implements under the Export Development and Promotion Facility (EDIF) to the Mumuadu Pepper Growers Association that has more than 100 acres of land for the project. Under the scheme EDIF, the state's implementing agency, grants facilities to groups to develop and promote Ghana's export trade. Mr Joseph Boamah, a board member of EDIF, said the rationale was to make Ghanaian products more competitive on the global market. He said he was enthused that the facility would create employment in the Mumuadu area and promised the people solar dryers to support the project. Mr Boamah told the farmers that EDIF would give them irrigation equipment to enable them to cultivate pepper, citrus and legumes throughout the year. Armed with information about how similar ventures fizzled out in the past after fan-fare launching ceremonies, Mr Asamoah warned the leaders against any self-centered scheming that might run-down the programme. He said the participating communities must not allow greed and avarice to destroy the programme and that they should ensure that the resources advanced to them were managed prudently. The vice-president of the association, Mr Appiah Frimpong, thanked President John Agyekum Kufuor for bringing into fruition the EDIF concept and that the fund would remain an enduring legacy of his presidency. Source: GNA