Chairperson of the Governing Council,
President of IFAD,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen:

I bring you greetings from the Government and the people of the Republic of Ghana and have the honour, to congratulate His Excellency Dr Kanayo Felix Nwanze on his appointment as the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development.

Mr President, much as we rejoice with you in your appointment, we are aware of the enormous task that is before you, as the numerous challenges faced by developing countries and in particular smallholder farmers in meeting their basic necessities of life are yet to be fully addressed.

Chairperson,

We are very much aware of the negative impacts of the recent global challenges on developing countries and in particular, rural dwellers and smallholder farmers who are yet to recover from the shocks experienced in the past two years.

The recent earthquake in Haiti has further brought to the fore the fragility of infrastructure in most developing countries and exposed the weaknesses in such economies.

I wish at this juncture to express our deepest condolences to the Government and people of Haiti and to all those who lost their loved ones in the earthquake.

Chairperson,

My delegation acknowledges the tremendous support IFAD gives to developing countries to improve the livelihoods of rural dwellers and in particular smallholder farmers to overcome poverty, hunger and malnutrition. This has been done in collaboration with other development partners. My delegation wishes to appeal to the Partners of IFAD to increase their support to enable IFAD step up its programme for poverty alleviation.

I wish to express the appreciation of the Government of Ghana to IFAD for the numerous interventions in the country over the years. The interventions have led to the provision of rural infrastructure, credit and financial services; built the capacity of farmer groups; and promoted the development of small-scale non-agricultural enterprises for alternative livelihoods.

Chairperson,

Let me assure Members of this Council and the President that the Government of Ghana fully supports the establishment of an IFAD office in the country. The presence of IFAD in Ghana will not only enhance the cordial relationship that already exists between Ghana and the organisation, but will also serve as an opportunity for more effective collaboration in the fight against poverty and hunger in the country.

Ghana shares the goal of IFAD and is committed to strengthen her relationship with the organisation and to give her support in the fight against poverty and hunger.

I thank you for your attention.

18 February 2010