METHODIST CHURCH LAUNCHES MORINGA PROJECT (Page 34)

Story: Joe Aggrey

THE Cape Coast Diocese of the Methodist Church, Ghana has launched a multi-purpose moringa project to boost the production of the plant for medicinal use.
When fully developed, the project is capable of generating about GH¢120,000 per annum.
The moringa plant has a high protein, vitamin and mineral content and is very beneficial medically.
The project will involve the use of the plant for three main products in the form of honey, drops and soap.
It would also be made into capsules in the future.
At the launch at Obidan, near Mankessim in the Mfantsiman District, the Right Reverend Isaac K. Quansah, the Bishop of the Cape Coast Diocese of the Methodist Church, Ghana, said the diocese had started the cultivation of a four-acre moringa farm on a 38-acre land, which, known as the “Nananom Mpow”, was freely released to the church in 1998.
Rev. Quansah said the land was released by the Akwesi family to be developed into a religious tourist centre for the economic benefit of the people in the area.
He stated that the facility was to be developed into a retreat centre with a hall capable of seating 1,500 people and consisting of catering facilities, orchards, teak, acacia and moringa plantations.
According to Rev. Quansah, the project, which started in 2003 with the orchard, was unfortunately destroyed by a bush fire in 2006 and that the moringa project was settled on due to its economic value.
He said the resources from the project would be used to finance the infrastructure for the religious tourism and retreat centre.
The Director of Honey Centre at Saltpond, Mr Kwame Aidoo, who is in charge of the moringa project, said the project was conceived due to the economic and health benefits derived from the moringa plant.
He said among the health benefits, the moringa plant could be used to fight malnutrition in children when mixed with gari.
He advised church members to go into the commercial cultivation of the plant since it could be sold on both the local and international markets.
The Project Co-ordinator, Brother Kish Odum, said the project was to be operated according to the out-grower scheme, adding that the church would support any group or individuals with financial assistance to go into commercial cultivation of the plant and also purchase the products.