North Tongu, Friday, 21st November 2025
The North Tongu District Assembly hosted a high level delegation from CIHEAM Bari, the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari, as part of efforts to strengthen agrifood systems and community development in the district.
Established in 1962, CIHEAM Bari is globally recognised for postgraduate training, applied research, and development cooperation across more than 40 countries in the Mediterranean, Africa, Latin America, and Asia. The visit formed part of the Strengthening Agrifood Ecosystems in Ghana in Partnership with the Italian Private System initiative, known as AREA Africa in Ghana. The programme operates under Mattei Plan for Africa and is co financed by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The initiative runs as a public private partnership with CIHEAM Bari serving as the knowledge partner and BF Ghana Ltd representing the private sector.
During the engagement, the Programme Coordinator, Enrico Azzone, presented the three major components of the initiative designed to transform agriculture, education, and community infrastructure in North Tongu.
The first component is the Model Farm project, a flagship 10,000 hectare integrated farm that will focus on rice, maize, vegetable cultivation, and other strategic crops. The project will be led by BF Ghana Ltd and is expected to boost food production, create employment opportunities, and strengthen the local agrifood value chain.
The Social and Community Support component will deliver key infrastructure projects across Aveyime, Battor, and surrounding communities. Planned interventions include the construction of a four unit Science Laboratory Complex covering Chemistry, Physics, Biology, and Agriculture with a soil laboratory at Aveyime Battor Senior High Technical School. The programme will also provide 12 toilet blocks and an ICT and Social Centre for the Aveyime community, a yearly scholarship scheme worth 10,000 euros for brilliant but needy tertiary students, rehabilitation of the Three Kings Special School with the provision of 40 bunk beds, installation of 15 modern WC units for basic schools, and the establishment of a five hectare educational farm for Modern Senior High School.
The third component focuses on Institutional Capacity Development. This will strengthen local institutions, including the North Tongu District Agriculture Department, which has already benefited from a study tour in Italy to enhance technical skills and knowledge exchange.
The District Assembly reaffirmed its full support for the partnership and stressed the importance of initiatives that create jobs, improve sanitation, enhance education, and strengthen livelihoods across the district. The Assembly also encouraged the project team to prioritise local residents during recruitment to ensure that the direct benefits of the investment reach the people of North Tongu.
The CIHEAM Bari delegation included Enrico Azzone, Alessandro Lorato, and Dzesi Kwame Torku.
