Educational institutions in the West Gonja Municipality of the Savannah Region have received a significant boost toward agricultural development, following a major donation of fertilizers facilitated by Mr. Peter Nuhu, Deputy National Coordinator of the Feed Ghana Project in charge of Farmer Service Centres.
The donation, which formed part of the Institutional Agriculture component of the Feed Ghana Project, was marked with a ceremonial distribution event at the Damongo fertilizer depot. About nine schools are expected to benefit from the intervention, with each institution allocated 50 bags of 50kg fertilizers, bringing the total consignment to approximately 450 bags. Beneficiary institutions include Ndewura Jakpa Senior High Technical School, Larabanga Islamic Senior High School, and the Damongo College of Agriculture and Allied Sciences, among others.
Speaking on behalf of Mr. Peter Nuhu, the Farmer Service Centre Coordinator, Mr. Richard Banira Forgor explained that the initiative is aimed at encouraging schools to actively engage in agriculture. According to him, the intervention will help reduce the cost of feeding in schools while instilling in students a strong interest in agriculture as a viable business venture.
He further clarified that the Feed Ghana Project has two key components: the Farmer Service Centres and Institutional Agriculture. He noted that this particular intervention falls under the institutional agriculture component, which is designed to support institutions in establishing and managing their own farms.
“This support is not just about fertilizers; it is about shaping a new mindset where students see agriculture as a serious business opportunity and a pathway to self-reliance,” Mr. Forgor emphasized.
He further stressed that the government, under President John Dramani Mahama, is committed to making agriculture attractive, particularly to the youth.
Mr. Forgor placed strong emphasis on the role of Mr. Peter Nuhu as a proud native of Damongo, noting that his position has already begun to yield tangible benefits for the area. He explained that Mr. Nuhu has demonstrated a deep commitment to the development of Damongo and the entire Savannah Region, ensuring that the municipality is among the first to benefit from key agricultural interventions.
He revealed that one of the first Farmer Service Centres will be established in Damongo, with the President having already cut sod for the construction. According to him, four districts in the Savannah Region will benefit from the first phase of the project this year. These centres are expected to host tractors, fertilizers, and other essential agricultural inputs to support farmers and institutions.
Mr. Forgor disclosed that the current consignment was initially meant for the previous farming season but was secured through persistent lobbying efforts. He assured that more supplies are being pursued for upcoming seasons. He also highlighted other government agricultural initiatives such as the “Akoko Nkitinkiti” project and encouraged schools, religious bodies, and other institutions to take advantage of such opportunities.
Receiving the items on behalf of the Damongo College of Agriculture and Allied Sciences, Principal Mr. Mohammed Nuhu Adams expressed profound appreciation to Mr. Peter Nuhu and the government. He noted that the fertilizers will significantly enhance practical training for students while boosting the college’s commercial crop production and internally generated revenue.
“As far as this is concerned, it is going to enhance practical training and also improve our internal revenue generation. We are grateful to the government for considering the college for this important support,” he stated.
Similarly, the Headteacher of Larabanga Islamic Senior High School, Mr. Yakubu Danaba Seidu, conveyed the school’s appreciation, describing the donation as timely and impactful.
Adding further clarity, the West Gonja Municipal Director of Agriculture, Alhaji Mumuni Ibrahim, indicated that aside from the three main senior high schools in the municipality; Damongo Senior High School, Ndewura Jakpa Senior High Technical School, and Larabanga Senior High School, as well as the Damongo College of Agriculture and Allied Sciences, additional beneficiary schools will be selected by the Municipal Agriculture Department during the actual distribution phase.
He explained that the event held at the depot was purely ceremonial and that the full distribution exercise will be carried out in phases to ensure fairness and impact across the municipality. He also disclosed that all the fertilizers to be distributed are NPK, suitable for a wide range of crops to support the schools’ farming activities.
The event was attended by key stakeholders, including the West Gonja Municipal Director of Agriculture, the NDC Constituency Chairman popularly known as Chairman Trouble, and other party and community leaders.
The intervention is widely seen as a strategic step toward integrating agriculture into the educational system while addressing food sustainability challenges in schools. It also underscores Mr. Peter Nuhu’s growing influence and dedication to driving agricultural transformation in Damongo and across the Savannah Region.
