ACCRA, Ghana, March 6, 2007 — Catholic Relief Services (CRS), one of the largest aid agencies in Ghana, is celebrating 49 years of development support in the country and is turning over its food aid programming to the Ghanaian government as it marks its 50th anniversary of independence.

"With U.S. food aid resources being cut back, CRS is handing over the reins of our food aid programming throughout the country to the Ghanaian government with confidence," said Jean Marie Adrian, CRS' West Africa Regional Director, based out of the regional CRS office in Accra. "Fifty years since Ghana became independent, the country is ready to directly provide food assistance to those most in need."

Food-assisted programs have been a mainstay of CRS' development initiatives in Ghana since 1958, starting with CRS' first distribution of milk and cheese primarily to schoolchildren. Initial programs have evolved over five decades into a wide range of food-assisted development activities - including health, education and safety-net programs - mainly delivered in the neediest regions of the north. Over the agency's 49-year history, CRS has provided millions of Ghanaians with food assistance.

Due to Ghana's gains over the last 50 years, USAID has removed the country from its priority list for food aid. As a result of this funding cutback, through September 2008 CRS is phasing out its food aid programs in Ghana. The bulk of CRS' food aid programming will be taken up by the Ghana National School Feeding program, which will receive bilateral funding to continue and expand initiatives that provide students with needed meals. The government of Ghana will also contribute to the continuation of food-assisted programs at schools.

"Between a more active government approach to food programs and market-based U.S. foreign assistance, we don't anticipate any major gaps from our phase out," Adrian noted. "CRS remains fully committed to supporting the people of Ghana, and we will continue to provide development assistance through a range of other programs."

Ongoing CRS programming in Ghana includes conflict transformation programs, support for people living with HIV/AIDS, water and sanitation projects, and agribusiness programs. CRS is also actively pursuing additional funding to support child survival programs aimed at immunization, nutrition and neonatal care.

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Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. The agency provides assistance to people in 99 countries and territories based on need, regardless of race, nationality or creed. For more information, visit www.crs.org.