The MasterCard Foundation and the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) have joined forces in a $6.1 million agreement.

This alliance aims to revolutionise Ghana's rice sector through the implementation of the Harnessing Agricultural Productivity and Prosperity for Youth (HAPPY) Programme.

The formal contract signing ceremony, held in Accra, marked the initiation of a five-year project set to extend its impact until May 31, 2028.

The disbursement of funds is slated to span four years, commencing from December 1, 2023, to November 31, 2027.

The Kasunya Economic Enclave Project, a crucial component of the Ghana CARES "Obaatan Pa" Programme, stands as the primary beneficiary of this ambitious initiative.

Focused on the rice value chain, the project aims to operationalise 6,000 acres out of 10,000 in the Kasunya Region, emphasising innovation, training, skill development, and implementation support.

The MasterCard Foundation's grant will serve as initial working capital for primary production actors in the rice sector, strategically utilised to elevate the rice value chain and stimulate economic prosperity in the region.

Collaborating with key partners such as the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA), National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program (NEIP), 48 Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces, and Private Sector Anchor Farmers, the program is poised to benefit from diverse technical expertise and support.

Dignitaries including Ken Ofori Atta, Minister of Finance, and Professor Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu, Board Chairperson of MiDA, graced the ceremony, symbolizing a convergence of influential figures dedicated to driving positive change in Ghana's agricultural sector.

Mr. Ofori-Atta, in his remarks, underscored the strategic importance of the collaboration, stating, "This partnership signifies a major milestone in our efforts to boost agricultural productivity."

He emphasised the pivotal role of the $6.1 million grant from the MasterCard Foundation, in conjunction with MiDA, in implementing the Kasunya Economic Enclave Project under the Ghana CARES 'Obaatan Pa' Programme.

The Minister highlighted the focus on innovation, training, skill development, and strategic support in the rice value chain, expressing commitment to leveraging the funding to provide working capital for primary production actors, fostering increased job creation and a 20% boost in national rice output.

Over the next four years, the collaborative effort anticipates remarkable outcomes, including the creation of 38,269 jobs, with 70% designated for women.

A projected 20% increase in national rice output, cultivation of 2,560 hectares of rice, and a substantial reduction in rice import costs, expected to surpass $45 million, underscore the program's commitment to catalysing sustainable growth