A one day sensitisation workshop on a new project called ‘Market Information systems for Traders Organisations in West Africa’ (MISTOWA), recently ended at the Seaview Garden Hotel in Kololi.

The workshop which aims at addressing the perpetual problem of low intra-regional trade in agricultural products and inputs brought together traders, producers, stakeholders and farmers from different parts of the country.

In his opening remarks, Momodou A Ceesay, Director of Gambia Horticultural Enterprise Limited (GHE), said MISTOWA is a five year trade development project based in Accra, Ghana, and was funded by the West Africa Regional Program (WARP) of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

According to Mr. Ceesay, MISTOWA is implemented by the international centre for soil fertility and agricultural development (IFDC), and it has satellite offices in Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo.

He explained that the new project, MISTOWA, seeks to create an enabling environment in West Africa by increasing market information flow within the countries, improving the overall management and net working of existing market information systems, strengthening linkages among all market stakeholders, and promoting public and private sector partnerships.

For his part, Dr Amadou Sowe, Permanent Secretary at the Department of State for Agriculture, said this MISTOWA project is quiet formidable in the agricultural sector, expressing hope that it would be extended.

He assured them of his department’s support at all times.

Sadibou Gaye, representative from IFDC in Accra, Ghana also calls for full participation of all trades, stakeholders and farmers.