The Northern Regional Minister, Hon. Shani Alhassan Shaibu, hosted the France Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Jules-Armand Aniamboussou, at the Northern Regional Coordinating Council on Tuesday, 20 February 2024.
The meeting, forming part of the Ambassador’s visit to the Northern Region, aimed to strengthen collaborative efforts between France and the Northern Region in socio-economic activities to enhance development.
The gathering brought together Municipal, Metropolitan, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) along with department heads to explore avenues for collaboration.
During the meeting, Hon. Shaibu extended a warm welcome to Ambassador Aniamboussou and his delegation on behalf of the region’s chiefs and people, and seized the opportunity to underscore the economic potential of the Northern Region, particularly in the fields of health, education, agriculture, tourism, art, and culture.
Hon. Shaibu highlighted key statistics, noting that the Northern Region spans 26,911 square kilometers with a population of 2,310,939, predominantly characterized by grassland-savannah.
He therefore underscored the vast agricultural potential, with 80% of land (2.46 million hectares) available for agricultural purposes, of which only 23% is currently utilized.
He outlined major crops grown in the region, including cereals, legumes, root and tubers, and vegetables.
Painting a picture of a peaceful environment conducive to investment, Hon. Shaibu appealed for technological assistance from the French government to enhance agricultural activities in the Northern Region.
Expressing gratitude for the warm reception, Ambassador Aniamboussou underscored France’s ongoing agricultural projects in the region, and pledged to strengthen collaboration with the Minister to further improve agricultural activities.
Accompanying the Ambassador were Political Counsellor Christine Battesti, Cooperation Counsellor Julien Lecas, Economic Counsellor Jean-NoΓ«l Blanc, Defense AttachΓ© Lieutenant-Colonel Gildas Lβhermitte, and Aide to the Defense AttachΓ© Commandant Gaultier Bretenet.