Author: lwadmin

The National Communications Authority (NCA) has shut down four radio stations in Bawku for national security reasons.?

In a statement, the NCA said: ‘The National Communications Authority (NCA) wishes to inform the public that four (4) FM Radio Stations in Bawku, Upper East Region, have been shut down today.’?

It said the shut down followed ‘the recommendations of the Upper East Regional Security Council, and on the advice of the Ministry of National Security that the operations of the said FM Stations and the incendiary utterances of their panelists/presenters have contributed to the escalation of the Bawku conflict, leading to loss of lives and property in Bawku and its environs.’?

The stations are the Bawku FM, Source FM, Zahra FM and Gumah FM.?

The NCA closed down the stations in accordance with Section 13(1)(e) of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775), which provides that ‘the Authority may suspend or revoke a licence or a frequency authorisation where; the suspension or revocation is nec
essary because of national security or is in the public interest’.?

The Authority said it would continue to work with all relevant stakeholders to execute its mandate as set out by law and called on stakeholders to adhere to the tenets and regulations governing the communications industry.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) in the Volta Region has celebrated its 25th anniversary at Adidome in the Central Tongu district.

The anniversary was to reflect on the achievements in the years past and tackle the challenges confronting the Agency.

Mr Kofi Mensah Sebuabe, the Regional Director of the CWSA stated that since the establishment of the Agency in 1998, they have made quick progress in water provision, basic sanitation services, hygiene promotion and practice in many communities.

He indicated that water infrastructure stands at 31,388 boreholes fitted with hand pumps, 383 boreholes fitted with solar powered hand pumps, 3,997 hand-dug wells and 1924 pipe systems across the region.

Mr. Sebuabe mentioned that the agency would continue to carry its services to all communities and villages. He urged residents to use water responsibly.

Mr Augustus Awity, the Chief Director of the Volta Regional Coordinating Council said that he would ensure that the necessary support was offered to t
he CWSA to deliver clean water to all communities, especially the rural areas.

He said that the government was fully prepared to ensure that the necessary investment was made to promote the services and objectives of the CWSA.

Mr Awitti called on the management of the CWSA to also ensure that water shortage crisis in some parts of the regional capital, Ho were resolved.

Mr. Thomas Zonyrah, the District Chief Executive of Central Tongu District lauded the efforts of the CWSA.

He implored them to always ensure that water reaches every vicinity in the region.

Mr. Zonyrah pledged that his office would endeavor to provide the needed support to the Agency’s office in the district to foster their services.

Togbe Ayensu Kokotako III, Chief of Mafi-Wume, who chaired the anniversary reiterated that the CWSA worked tirelessly to ensure that the residents across the region have good water to drink and use for domestic and commercial purposes.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The West Africa Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP) has engaged some lead Ghanaian poultry industry anchor farmers and production groups ahead of the FSRP Poultry Intensification Scheme takeoff.

The scheme targets the production of at least two million broiler birds by the end of this year to contribute to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture’s strategy to revive the broiler industry and increase the rate of adoption of modern and improved climate-resilient poultry production, processing and marketing techniques.

In line with FSRP strategic sub-regional arrangements, Ghana is to focus on Rice, Maize, Soyabeans and broiler Poultry under a $150m World Bank funding, of which $12.5m has been assigned to the first phase of the FSRP Poultry Intensification Scheme to support poultry farmers with inputs.

Each phase of the scheme will run for three years.

At the end of each production year, the anchor farmer would pay-back 70 per cent of the inputs costs and retain 30 per cent of the amount for re-investment i
nto the general operations of the business.

Deliberations centred around critical value chain issues, including feed quality and supply, vaccinations, strict compliance with bio-security requirements, monitoring of the weight and general healthcare of the birds, the quantities to be supplied per cycle, processing and packaging, the timeliness of delivery, the pricing and marketing of frozen processed Ghanaian broilers.

Present at the brainstorming session were lead poultry industrialists, including, Mr. Victor Oppong Agyei, President of the Poultry Farmers Association; Ms. Edith Wheatland, Winner of the 2023 National Best Female Farmer Award and Proprietor of Rockland Farms and Dr Boris Baidoo, Chief Executive Officer of Boris B Chicken, along with the proprietors of Darko Farms, Aglow Farms, and Asamoah and Yamoah Farms, among other heavy-weight Ghanaian poultry industrialists.

The President of the Poultry Farmers Association expressed gratitude to Government and the World Bank for instituting the FSRP Po
ultry Intensification Scheme and pledged members’ compliance with the modalities of the scheme for the ultimate advancement of the Ghanaian poultry industry.

Senior officials of the Animal Production Department and the Veterinary Services Directorate of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) reminded the industrialists that the quality of their birds, packaging, strict professionalism and perfection in the conduct of poultry business was key to guaranteed ready markets and mass patronage.

Mr Osei Owusu Agyeman, Project Coordinator of FSRP, highlighted the three key guiding principles of FSRP, being Sustainability, Ownership and Public-private partnership and challenged beneficiaries to strive to ensure that the Ghanaian poultry industry thrived and expanded beyond the scheme.

The FSRP Poultry Intensification Scheme has so far completed the first round of selection, during which 29 applicants were shortlisted from 35 applications received.

A total of 22 of the shortlisted are qualified for participati
on; 16 have been cleared to commence immediately, whiles the remaining six have been put on hold, pending their delivery on final requirements.

Among other quality control and consistency requirements, the criteria for participation demands that applicants must have been in poultry (broiler) production, processing and marketing within the last five years and must be registered with the Registrar General or other statutory body.

They must have linkages with small holder farmers, must be in the databases of the District Directorate of Agric of their operational areas and must include at least 10 per cent women and 10 per cent youth in both upstream and downstream of the value chain.

Each Anchor Farmer on the scheme is to have the capacity to produce, process and market between 80,000 and 160,000 broilers over four cycles, whiles each Producer Group is to do same for between 40,000 and 60,000 broilers over four cycles.

Presentations at the brainstorming session were made by Mr Philip Laryea, FSRP Operations
Manager, Dr Abdul Razak Okine, Mr Franklin Yeboah and Mr Ricky Aboagye Poku of the Animal Production Department (MoFA); Dr Theophilus Odoom, Veterinary Services Directorate of MoFA; Mr Ben Johnson, FSRP Financial Management Specialist and Mr Geoff Annoh, FSRP Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist.

Source: Ghana News Agency

All Nations University has launched its inaugural Research Day and also inaugurated the university’s chapter of the Ghana International Trade and Finance Conference (GITFIC) of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Tertiary Students Club.

These significant events aim to promote academic excellence, and research collaboration, and create awareness of the African Continental Free Trade Area among tertiary students and faculty members, fostering innovation and regional integration.

All Nations University School of Business launched the maiden Annual Research Day while GITFiC inaugurated the tertiary students club at the university’s city campus in the Eastern Regional Capital, Koforidua, to showcase the ANU’s academic prowess and foster an environment of intellectual growth.

The ANU School of Business continues to play a significant role in promoting research and innovation within the academic community, and the annual Research Day is a testament to its commitment to excellence.

Professor Collins M
arfo Agyeman, Dean of ANU Business School, and Professor Carlene Kyeremeh, Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs at ANU, jointly performed the launching ceremony for the Annual Research Day to be commemorated every November, starting this year 2024.

Every year, this event will bring together scholars, researchers, faculty members, and students across various academic fields to share their research findings and participate in insightful discussions.

It will also serve as a networking opportunity for potential collaborations and idea exchange among researchers and students.

In his speech, Professor Agyeman said research work was fundamental to university and academic life and that, the quality of research work defined the quality of every university.

He explained that the launch of the annual event would provide the students and faculty members with an opportunity to showcase the world-class research done at the School of Business, All Nations University to their colleagues, the broader university
community, academia, and industry.

‘Of course, it will also present an opportunity for us to learn about cutting-edge research,’ he emphasized. ‘This is because there will be keynote addresses by world-renowned researchers in the field of business management.’

Professor Agyeman stated that the School of Business was seeking to establish solid partnerships with an array of industry players and organisations from both the public and private sectors to host Research Day every year successfully.

‘This, we believe, will help bridge the gap between academic education and industry requirements, potentially leading to interdisciplinary collaborations that can yield innovative solutions to complex challenges,’ he said.

Addressing the inauguration of the GITFiC-AfCFTA Tertiary Students Club, Mr. Selasi Koffi Ackom, Chief Executive of GITFiC, stated that the club aimed to foster a deeper understanding of the AfCFTA among students.

He was speaking on the theme: ‘Impacting knowledge, changing the mindset, and creatin
g Africa’s generational entrepreneurs for Africa’s common market.’

‘We believe that knowledge is power, and by equipping our members with insights into the intricacies of this historic agreement, we empower them to become informed advocates and ambassadors for economic integration and trade facilitation,’ he said.

He added that it was part of the efforts made to foster a culture of collaboration and networking among students with various academic backgrounds, offering numerous opportunities for collaboration across borders, industries, and disciplines.

He also said the formation of the club aimed to foster entrepreneurship and innovation among students through mentorship, encouraging them to unleash their creativity and entrepreneurial drive to make a positive impact in their communities.

Likewise, the club aims to encourage active participation in conversations and projects concerning trade, development, and sustainable progress.

Professor Samuel Donkor, President and Founder of All Nations University,
stated the commitment of authorities to cultivate innovative and globally conscious graduates, striving to broaden students’ perspectives and encourage active participation in Africa’s economic integration.

‘The inauguration of this club signifies our commitment to train future leaders to champion the principles of free trade and economic cooperation across the African continent,’ he said.

‘We are to learn, collaborate and drive positive change in our communities and beyond,’ he added, noting that through the GITFiC of the AfCFTA ‘we aim to foster innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable development that will benefit generations of Africa.’

He urged students to explore new frontiers and conventional wisdom and contribute to Africa’s economic research, saying, ‘Our efforts today will shape the prosperity of tomorrow.’

Ms. Peace Ahedor, President GITFiC-AfCFTA Tertiary Students Club-All Nations University Chapter, noted that the inauguration of the club signified their commitment, as future leaders, to
champion the principles of free trade and economic cooperation across the African continent.

‘We are eager to learn, collaborate, and drive positive change in our communities and beyond,’ she added.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Reverend Lewis Fiadjoe, the Northern Regional Overseer, International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), has marked his 60th Birthday with support to the less privileged in society and some prisoners in the Northern Region.

He feted children at the Nazereth Home for God’s Children at Sang in the Mion District, donated clothes and other assorted items to about 110 widows in the Savelugu Municipality, provided food and facilitated a medical screening exercise for inmates of the Tamale Central Prison.

Rev. Fiadjoe, during the event at the Tamale Central Prison on Saturday, said the gesture was to demonstrate God’s love to the less privileged and appreciate the unmerited grace of God over his life.

It was also part of his personal devotion and commitment to touching the lives of the poor and the marginalised in society as stipulated in the Bible.

‘Reading the Gospel of Matthew 25:35, I have come to the understanding that one of the things, which is precious to the heart of our Lord Jesus Christ, is to show lov
e to the vulnerable in society,’ he said.

‘So, God laid it strongly in my heart that on my 60th birthday anniversary, I should replicate the love of God to the less endowed.’

Rev. Fiadjoe said he had benefitted from the love of God so much so that the best way he could appreciate Him was to extend a helping hand to the needy and vulnerable in society.

He expressed gratitude to his family and loved ones for their prayers and support, and urged individuals and benevolent organisations to demonstrate similar gestures to the needy as anyone could become vulnerable at one point in time or another.

Superintendent David Kwame Afatsawu, the Northern Regional Public Relations Officer, Ghana Prisons Service, commended Rev. Fiadjoe for supporting the inmates and said the gesture would help minimise some of the challenges confronting the prison.

He mentioned inadequate learning materials, health needs, acute water shortage due to the breakdown of the water pumping machine, clothes and feeding as some of their challe
nges and appealed to philanthropists to help address those challenges.

Rev Fiadjoe, who is also ex military officer, has been in the forefront of the Missions and Evangelism Ministry of the ICGC, especially to minority groups.

Prior to his appointment as the Northern, Upper East, Upper West, North East and the Savannah Regional Overseer of the Church, he served as the Director of Missions at the Head Office.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Some farmers in the Upper West Region say Grasscutter farming is one of the impactful alternative livelihood activities for people irrespective of occupation due to its economic potential.

‘Everybody likes grasscutter meat so if I send it to the market now, I can sell it to cater for the needs of my children like health, education and feeding, it is very helpful to me,’ Mr Jevase Maaleyel, a farmer from Nandom, said.

He said this in Wa during the Ghana Grasscutter Project training workshop on the theme: ‘Six years of Ajinomoto Foundation Support: progress and the way forward.’

He said it served as a source of protein for his family while the droppings served as manure for crop production.

Mr Naadao Aziz, another farmer from Wa, indicated that keeping the grasscutter was not difficult and encouraged other people to venture into grasscutter farming.

Currently, there are about 40 grasscutter farmers in the Upper West Region being supported by the Grasscutter Initiative for Rural Transformation (GIFT) under
the Ghana Grasscutter Project.

The project was introduced in the Upper West Region in 2014 through the collaboration of the University of Ghana and Kyoto University, Japan, to support farmers in the region to rear grasscutter to augment family income, improve protein intake and promote environmental and wildlife conservation.

Professor Miho Murayama, a Director of the GIFT, said keeping livestock such as cattle in northern Ghana was gradually becoming difficult due to the harsh weather conditions hence the decision to promote grasscutter farming, which could survive in such weather conditions.

‘During the dry season farmers are less busy so it is an alternative source of livelihood for the farmers, and it can be a sustainable source of income for the farmer because it is in high demand in the market,’ she said.

She added that due to its enormous benefits, GIFT would continue to support grasscutter farmers in the region.

Prof. Murayama, also a professor at Kyoto University, added that hunting was the main
source of grasscutter meat, which was also inimical to the environment since some hunters resorted to bush burning.

She thus encouraged more farmers to venture into grasscutter farming as it was a lively, productive, and easy venture to embrace.

Dr. Boniface B. Kayang, also a Director of GIFT, said grasscutter farming prevented people from interacting with animals in the forest and reduced the risk of zoonotic infections from animals to humans and vice versa.

He indicated that the economic value of a grasscutter was high saying, ‘Grasscutter is good, a lot of people like it and the market is there.’

Dr. Kayang said a grasscutter could produce offspring up to 15 at ago with a gestation period similar to that of a goat and appealed to the government to support the project with a pelleting machine to produce feed for the animals.

The Ajinomoto Foundation (TAF) is currently funding the project to scale up grasscutter farming in the region and to support the processing of grasscutter meat to attract the inter
national market.

Mr Kenji Shinkai, the Manager of TAF, said they decided to support the project because of its potential to improve the nutrition situation in the region.

Mr Titus S. S. Dery, a staff of GIFT in charge of Information and Education, observed that people including hunters sold grasscutter meat in its raw form along the highways and in local markets.

He said they would soon commence processing grasscutter meat into cans for both local and international markets.

Dr. Christopher Adenyo, the Project Coordinator, emphasised the economic potential of grasscutter farming including the availability of a market as it was a delicacy for many people and said they were researching to produce improved glasscutters.

Grasscutter farmers across the region, who participated in the workshop, were taken through a series of presentations on grasscutter farming and were presented with certificates of participation.

Source: Ghana News Agency