The Canadian International Development Agency has sponsored a USD45.5 million effort to deliver emergency relief to 12 Ghanaian communities affected by flooding. The organization channeled the sum through Northern Ghana Aid (NOGAID), which used it to distribute 145 bags of corn, 100 bags of rice, and 25 bags of gari and salt. Relief supplies also included 120 bags of cement, 10 packets of roofing sheets, 10 bales of used clothing, and 16 packets of roofing nails.
Meanwhile, the Canadian government fortified its ties to Ghana during a visit by Canadian high commissioner Darren Schemmer to Ghanaian finance and economic planning minister Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu. Schemmer reassured the West African state that it will continue to receive assistance and investments from Canada, and that he was optimistic of the good relationship between the two countries. To date, CIDA has released USD16.6 million to Ghana for fiscal year 2008, and is expected to give an additional USD26.3 million in the coming months. (Sources: NGO donates to disaster affected communities/Ghana Broadcasting Corporation; Ghana-Canada Strengthen Relations/Modern Ghana)
