The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Mr Eric Opoku, has paid a courtesy visit to His Royal Majesty Jirah Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jawu Soale I, Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom, as part of activities marking the official launch of the PROSPER Project in Damongo, the Savannah Regional capital.

The PROSPER initiative — Promoting Rural Opportunities, Sustainable Profits, and Environmental Resilience — is a strategic national programme designed to boost agricultural productivity and strengthen rural livelihoods.

This year’s launch was held under the theme: “Enhancing Climate-Resilience, Inclusive, and Market-Driven Agricultural Value Chains in Ghana.”

Welcoming the Minister and his delegation to the Jakpa Palace, the Yagbonwura applauded the government’s renewed focus on modern agriculture, climate adaptation, and value-chain development.

He noted that the Savannah Region, with its vast arable land and youthful population, stands to benefit significantly from such interventions.

Mr Eric Opoku expressed gratitude to the traditional authority for its continued support of national food security initiatives. He highlighted that the PROSPER Project will introduce improved technologies, expand market access, and promote environmentally friendly farming practices tailored to the needs of rural communities.

According to the Minister, the project forms part of the government’s broader commitment to building a resilient agricultural sector capable of creating jobs, increasing rural incomes, and ensuring sustainable food production amid climate-related challenges.

The launch attracted regional stakeholders, farmer groups, development partners, and traditional leaders, all of whom expressed optimism about the project’s potential to transform agriculture in northern Ghana.

The PROSPER Project is expected to roll out in major food-growing communities across the region, with targeted support for women, youth, and smallholder farmers.