During their recent visit to Ghana in May 2011, The Hunger Project (THP) President and CEO, Mary Ellen McNish; Vice President for Africa Programs, Idrissa Dicko; and THP-Ghana Country Director, Naana Agyemang-Mensah, met with the President of Ghana, H. E. Professor John Evans Atta Mills, and Honorable Minister Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.
Honorable Minister Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo was responsible for arranging the meeting, having previously visited a THP epicenter in rural Ghana. He commended the Epicenter Strategy and its effect on the local population, and he is eager to keep the President abreast of THP's work.
During the meeting, a potential partnership was discussed between THP and the Government of Ghana to ensure that as many Ghanaians as possible are able to access THP programs.
The President has not yet visited an epicenter but, at Mary Ellen's invitation, has committed to visiting one when he is next traveling near an epicenter community. Mary Ellen presented the Epicenter Strategy as an appropriate and effective method for sustainability across all of rural Ghana. The President agreed and confirmed his belief in THP’s ability to have a valuable impact on rural communities.
In conclusion, the THP team agreed to draft a concept proposal for a potential partnership, working with various ministries (Finance, National Development Planning, and Agriculture) as is appropriate.
THP has worked in Ghana for more than 15 years and is currently empowering village partners in 49 rural communities. We look forward to potentially increasing our impact through a scaled-up government partnership!