The visit served to congratulate her on her appointment and affirm CODDA's unwavering support for her efforts to promote agricultural development in the region.

This gesture underscores the strong partnership between the ministry and CODDA in advancing sustainable agriculture.

The Minister thanked the delegation for the gesture and acknowledged the role of CODDA in the implementation of the Government's Agricultural Economic for Transformational Agenda (AETA) which is anchored on the 24- hour economy.

She highlighted the need for CODDA to play a leading role in revitalizing the Agricultural Sector through climate resilient agricultural technologies, and the need to recognize traditional leaders (Chiefs) as key stakeholders, especially in land acquisition and ownership in agricultural development in the region.

Mrs. Awatey pledged her support to CODDA and called for more collaborations to enhance agricultural growth and development taskforce to clamp down activities of illegal miners, stressing on the potential threat and danger their activities posed to the forest, water bodies, lands and biodiversity.

"I'm hopeful that together, we can improve the agriculture landscape," she noted.

On her part, the Eastern Regional Director of Agriculture said the region had done well with its Eastern Commodity Satellite Market Fair, an initiative that links producers and processors to both local and international markets.

She called on all stakeholders and development partners to support this year's fair, which is the fifth edition upon its inception.
She stated that the Regional Department of Agriculture remained committed to rolling out a number of initiatives aimed at promoting the growth and development of agriculture.

Among the key challenging issues she raised were, lack of adequate Agricultural Extension Agents to bridge the Agric Extension-Farmer ratio, effect of illegal mining on agriculture and climate variabilities.

Mr. Stephen Boadi, President of CODDA, Eastern Region and the District Director of Agriculture in the Asene Manso Akroso District, said CODDA had played a role in the implementation of programmes, projects and policies of governments over the years.

He said, "implementation of government policies in agriculture start at the district level hence the need to see CODDA as key to the development of Ghana's Agricultural Transformational Agenda."

He pledged CODDA's readiness in spearheading the implementation of the Agricultural Economic for Transformational Agenda, aimed at modernizing agriculture, boosting local food production, promoting food security, creating jobs for the unemployed youth, and cutting down on food imports.