Armajoro launches new programme

Armajoro Ghana Limited, a cocoa purchasing company, has launched a programme to distribute about 50,000 Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs) to its farmers in five regions where it buys cocoa. The programme, which is being funded by a unit under the company known as Cocobod Armajaro Traceable Foundation (CATF), is valued at about 300,000 dollars and it is expected to benefit about 100, 000 focoa farmers and their families in the Eastern, Western, Brong Ahafo, Ashanti and Central regions where Armajaro does its business. The Managing Director of the Company, Mr. Vince McAleer, said his outfit was collaborating with the Episcopal Relief Development (ERD) under its Netsforlife programme to train 1,100 volunteers to educate community members on malaria prevention, LLINs distribution and usage as well as maintenance of the nets. The Episcopal Relief Development, he said, was to use staff of the Anglican Diocesan Development and Relief Organization, (ADDRO) an implementing body for NetsForLife programme with a successful record in net distribution and usage, to facilitate the training of the volunteers who would be drawn from about 45 districts in these regions. He National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP), ERD NETSFORLIFE, ADDRO and other partners for supporting the programme with technical skills and direction towards a successful implementation. "If the programme is successful, we shall do it again and again and again until we flood the areas with the nets." The Monitoring and Evaluation Manager (M&E) for ERD, Mr. Samuel Aseidu, lauded Armajaro for the initiative describing it as a giant step, especially considering the benefits to the community members and most especially to the farmers.