President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has ordered to the Ministry of Finance to release GH₵16million to fight the invasion of armyworms in the country.
The money would be used to purchase agro chemicals (pesticides) to combat the armyworms and save the country from food security threat.
The chemicals would be sent to affected areas in the Brong Ahafo Ahafo, Ashanti and Eastern Regions of the country where the armyworms are reported to have destroyed large acres of farms.
The order for the release of funds follows a memo sent to Cabinet by the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, for an urgent action on the situation.
Dr. Afriyie Akoto at a press conference held on Wednesday, May 10, 2017, told journalists that GH₵8million out of the GH₵16million would be spent on the agro chemicals whiles the remaining amount goes into raising public awareness about the dangers posed by the armyworms.
A taskforce to coordinate sensitization and awareness of farmers on detection of the Fall Army Worms was launched.
