A two-member delegation from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), led by Country Programme Coordinator Mr. Theophilus Okyere Larbi, has paid a courtesy call on the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry ahead of IFAD’s upcoming completion mission to Ghana.
The visit, which officially begins on October 27 and runs through November 10, 2025, will focus on a comprehensive evaluation of the long-running Rural Enterprise Programme (REP). The programme, which has been active for the past 14 years, is now in its final phase and is expected to conclude in March 2026, following a six-month extension beyond its original September 2025 deadline.
According to Mr. Larbi, the mission will assess the impact and effectiveness of the REP, ensuring that the programme’s original goals have been met. As part of the review process, the team will conduct field visits to various project sites and engage with beneficiaries.
The visit will culminate in Kumasi, where the mission will hold discussions with the project’s coordinating management team and review key documents. The findings will feed into a final completion report to be shared with the Government of Ghana.
Receiving the delegation in Accra on Wednesday 22nd October, 2025, Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Hon. Sampson Ahi, expressed appreciation for IFAD’s continued support for the REP.
He also appealed for further assistance to sustain existing facilities and ensure the consistent supply of raw materials to boost local industries.
National Director of the REP, Mr. Attah Antwi, explained that the programme’s extension to March 2026 was necessary to ensure the full implementation of all planned activities.
Launched in 1995, the Rural Enterprise Programme has grown into a flagship national initiative supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). It has done so through the establishment of Business Advisory Centres (BACs), Business Resource Centres (BRCs), and Technology Solution Centres (TSCs) integrated within district structures.
Over the decades, the REP has played a pivotal role in job creation, youth empowerment, and promoting rural industrialization across Ghana.
As the programme approaches its final chapter, the IFAD mission aims to document the successes, challenges, and lessons learned, ensuring that the REP’s legacy continues to influence Ghana’s development agenda.
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