The former Minister of Defence, Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor, has called for a Development Fund for the three northern regions of Ghana. He says such an action would help position the north not only as a major breadbasket for the nation in the bid to enhance national food security, but also as a move to strategically position that part of the country as a hub of buoyant trade and economic activity in the sub-region. He observes that the north has been a veritable breadbasket for the nation and its people also committed to agriculture, both livestock and crop. The former minister noted that people in the region have contributed meaningful1y to national development in the production of food crops, cereals and vegetables. They have also done well in the production of shea butter and lately soy beans, which a Chinese company has shown interest in helping to develop in terms of marketing and processing. Addo Kufuor made the recommendation while speaking with the Ghanaian Observer after he had donated GH¢3,000 (¢30m) to the relief effort in the three northern regions, where he also interacted with delegates and foot-soldiers of the New Patriotic Party in the three regions. Dr. Addo Kufuor told the Ghanaian Observer, "I believe we need a new orientation in our perception of the north, its economy and culture and more especially its potential not only as a veritable breadbasket in our food security objectives but also a hub of economic activity and mutually beneficial trade in the sub-region. That is why I am proposing the setting up of a Development Fund to make this laudable idea operational." He also called for a programme that would create markets for the cereals and vegetables coming from the regions, a policy that would use guinea fowls, which are extensively bred in the regions as a focal point of improving poultry and using the guinea fowl to fill the gap in our import and consumption of poultry. He said "The development of the cattle industry should also be high on the agenda of the Development Fund. The people should be assisted in every way possible to move away from the traditional way of rearing cattle to a more industrialised and mechanised level, with processing being at the core of the Fund's activities." "That would help create markets, employment and better economic conditions for the people, who are predominantly farmers; and that would position the North favourably as a strong hub of economic activity in the sub-region ..." Dr. Addo Kufuor said. The creation of economic opportunities will naturally lead to more employment for the youth and lead them away from anti-social acts; and also to a more stable and economically buoyant society in which all will be beneficiaries. That combined with the MCA programme, he hoped, should enable Ghana reach her food security objectives faster than expected and probably help in a population redistribution phenomenon that would reduce migration to urban centres by youth from the region and a commitment on the part of the youth to help rebuild abandoned communities in the North through community-based private estate development initiatives. Source: Ghanaian Observer