Category: General

Hajia Habiba Yusif, the Eastern Regional Director for Agriculture, has underscored the importance of high-quality seeds in improving agriculture to guarantee abundant food products.

She highlighted the positive impact of the adoption of modern technology by the Legacy Crop Improvement Centre (LCIC) for superior seed production in boosting overall production and guaranteeing food security.

She was speaking to the Ghana News Agency at the sidelines of a meeting with the legacy crop improvement centre and the 33 municipal and district agriculture directors in Otareso, in the Akuapem North Municipality of the Eastern Region.

She stated that the legacy crop improvement center was outperforming foreign sources in producing top-notch seeds. 

She stressed the positive impact of having this type of seed in the Ghanaian system, highlighting its numerous benefits to local farmers and the nation in terms of productivity.

She specifically mentioned the government’s flagship initiative, Planting for Food and Jobs 2.0,
as a key factor in this.

She also pointed out the clear distinction between foreign seeds being patronised and those from the Legacy Crop Improvement Centre, and that harvested crops from LCIC proved to consistently yield higher results.

‘This is very indigenous, and it is what our nation needs to support. For this reason, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture is currently keeping an eye on the private sector and working with them to advance the goals of our work as farmers,’ she stated.

Adding, ‘The legacy crop improvement centre is a game changer for the seed production sector. We are hopeful that everything we are learning from here will revolutionise seed production and marketing in our nation.’

She said the seeds from Legacy Crop Improvement Centre were certified and urged farmers to prioritise the centre’s seeds due to their superior quality, pest resistance, and overall resilience in the face of the vagaries of the weather.

Dr Amos Rutherford Azinu, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Legacy Cro
p Improvement Centre, highlighted that the purpose of the meeting with agriculture directors was to collaborate and find solutions to improve the cultural significance of food production for farmers.

With the rain just a few weeks away, he stated that it was important to involve the 33 municipal and district agricultural directors, who are considered leaders in the industry.

The outcome of the meeting showed a clear understanding of the challenges faced by farmers in terms of operating machinery on their farms and underscored the need to actively collaborate with agricultural directors to assist smallholder farmers in improving their efficiency.

Dr Azinu urged farmers to consider large-scale farming and engage in improved farming practices and technology, saying there are specific standards that farmers must adhere to when buying seeds to boost their productivity.

‘We are willing to work with the government to improve agriculture production,’ he said but highlighted some challenges in the seed production
sector, ‘The government is not a good business partner because it sometimes buys a commodity and takes a long time to pay, which somehow affects business.’ 

The LCIC is a private seed firm and consultant agency specialising in the production and distribution of various types of seeds, including maize, soybeans, cowpeas, and vegetables.

By producing and distributing top-notch commercial seeds as needed, it is committed to supporting the growth and development of Ghana’s commercial seed sector.

It has expanded its operations to a sprawling 200-acre farm, complete with a state-of-the-art irrigation system, to improve seed production.

Additionally, there is a 50-tonne seed gene bank and a cold storage facility, enabling the corporation to securely store seeds in large quantities for long durations without any degradation.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Professor John Tia Bugri, Provost, College of Art, and Built Environment, at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has stressed the urgent need for African countries to endeavour to collectively work to protect natural resources on the continent.

He said natural resources and diverse ecosystems in Africa were finite and vulnerable, and there was a need for effective collaboration and collective efforts by all to protect and preserve them.

‘The impact of climate change is already being felt across the continent, with rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and dwindling water resources.

As custodians of the environment, it is our responsibility to adopt sustainable practices, promote renewable energy sources, and develop innovative solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change,’ he charged.

Professor Bugri was speaking at the opening of the 1st International Conference on Environment, Social, Governance and Sustainable Development of Africa (ICESDA) 2024 in Kumasi.

The
three-day programme was held under the theme ‘Enhancing Environment, Social, Governance and Sustainability for Africa’s Development.’

Prof. Tia Bugri indicated that the social dimension of sustainable development could not be overlooked, citing Africa as a continent with immense human potential which needed to invest in the people, particularly in education, healthcare, and social welfare.

He said ensuring access to quality education and healthcare for all, could empower individuals to lead fulfilling lives and contribute meaningfully to society.

Additionally, addressing social inequality and promoting inclusivity was vital for fostering social cohesion and harmony.

The Provost underscored the need for Africa to further work to improve governance despite the significant strides made in the sector and advance the cause of fighting corruption, enhancing the efficiency of public institutions and creating an enabling environment for businesses and investment.

Prof. Tia Bugri mentioned that the KNUST recogniz
ing the importance of research, innovation, and collaboration in addressing the environmental, social, and governance challenges facing Africa, was committed to producing knowledge and solutions to drive sustainable development.

Through partnerships with other academic institutions, government agencies, and the private sector, the university was fostering interdisciplinary research, knowledge exchange, and capacity building.

Prof. De-Graft Owusu-Manu, President of Green Communities International and Chairman of ICESDA 2024, highlighting the aim of the Conference, said it was a clarion response to the growing demand for all organizations, higher education institutions, companies, and stakeholders to engage in growth and sustainable practices and community development projects.

The conference brought together scholars, Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) practitioners and decision-makers around the globe, to discuss innovative pathways to transform the world into a sustainable and livable place.

Speake
rs delivered on topics such as social innovations, entrepreneurship and indigenous knowledge management in Africa, sustainable innovations in the built environment ecosystem in Africa, and sustainable innovations in urban configuration mobility in Africa, among others.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Apostle Dr Dela Quampah, the Ho Area Head of The Church of Pentecost, has asked Christians not to be frightened as God would engineer their circumstances.

He said the way He did it for Lazarus, He will do the same for them.

Speaking on the theme: ‘I am the resurrection and the life’ at the Jubilee Park in Ho to end the Easter Convention, Apostle Quampah, said the resurrection and the blood Jesus shared on the Cross had cleansed mankind’s problems.

He said Christians had a friend in the highest place, where no one could reach.

‘Blessings, hope, peace, and prosperity shall be yours as you have a friend in the highest place,’ he added.

Dr Quampah, an Executive Council member of The Church of Pentecost, said there were ups and downs in worshipping God, but they should persevere as ‘our problems have value with our faith.’

‘Follow Jesus all the time,’ he advised.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Hundreds of revelers, including foreigners, Easter Monday flocked the beaches along the Labadi stretch to cool off with family and friends.

Easter Mondays have become synonymous with beach visitations over the years for families and friends.

This year, the holidaymakers flooded the beaches in Labadi, including the La Pleasure Beach, Play Club Beach and Laboma Beach.

Mr Kofi Adomako, a businessman, said he found the day as a perfect time to come to the beach with his family, since they were all in the house during the period.

He said as a Businessman he was often busy and found the Easter Monday as the perfect time to visit the beach with his family.

Madam Susana Adoquaye, a Banker, said her family had earmarked Easter Monday as one of the days for get-together annually.

Madam Eunice Nettey, a civil servant, said her family had ‘great’ fun on the day.

She said it was her first time at the beach with her family, saying, they had a memorable time together and would visit next year.

Aside swimming, the re
velers engaged in activities, including dancing, acrobatics, horse riding, eating and drinking competitions, and football.

Security at the beaches was beefed up to ensure the safety of revealers.

Bars and restaurants at the beaches were busy all day serving clients.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Intelligent Lady brand has launched The Intelligent Lady Academy (ILA) in Ghana after a successful pilot programme in Lesotho.

The Academy, a revolutionary initiative, is aimed at equipping adolescent girls with essential leadership and entrepreneurship skills.

It also seeks to prepare the next generation of female leaders for success in an increasingly competitive and dynamic world.

The programme is designed for adolescent girls aged between 15 and 19 years in Senior High Schools.

It uses a comprehensive curriculum designed to cultivate leadership qualities and foster an entrepreneurial spirit among adolescent girls.

Through a combination of life skills-based training, hands-on projects, and mentorship, students are taught to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities necessary for leadership roles and entrepreneurial endeavours.

Ms Princess Sekyere Bih, Founder of ILA, said during the launch of the programme, ‘The Intelligent Lady is not just about imparting knowledg
e; it’s about nurturing a mindset of resilience, adaptability, and collaboration.

‘We believe that every adolescent and young woman has the potential to become a leader and entrepreneur, and our goal is to provide them with the tools and support to turn their aspirations into reality.’

She expressed gratitude to the headmistress and leadership of the Accra Girls School, where the programme was launched after some 36 girls were trained.

Maame Efua Arthur, Project Coordinator, ILA, said ‘With the launch of the Academy, we aim to empower adolescents to unleash their full potential, cultivate innovation, and make a positive impact in their communities and beyond.

‘At the ILA, we recognise the importance of equipping adolescents with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving landscape.’

The Academy is one of many initiatives by The Intelligent Lady brand.

In the past 5 years, through its network, it organised events, including Purpose and Plan, The Dialogue Series, and Entrepreneurs
hip workshops to empower women.

The curriculum at the ILA covers a wide range of topics, including the Power of Self-Image, Associations, Choices and Responsibilities, Communication and interpersonal skills, Entrepreneurship fundamentals, and Ethical decision-making, among others.

In addition to classroom learning, students are provided with the opportunity to engage with industry experts, successful entrepreneurs, and community leaders through guest lectures and internships.

Every December, members of the Network organise a Christmas soup kitchen event for prison inmates of James Camp Prison to share faith, hope, and love.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Prophet Fred Antwi, the Duayaw-Nkwanta Area Head, Church of Pentecost, has urged Ghanaians to love one another as demonstrated by Jesus Christ.

He said true love ought to begin from the home and extend to the community and society, saying genuine love breeds and strengthens unity, understanding, and fellow feeling that translates into harmony and peaceful co-existence.

Prophet Antwi gave the advice in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the sidelines of the closing session of a four-day Easter convention of the church held at Duayaw-Nkwanta in the Tano North Municipality of the Ahafo Region.

Touching on the theme for the convention, ‘It is finished,’ a theme chosen from John 19:30, Prophet Antwi said the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ ought to bring hope and strengthen the love among all Ghanaians irrespective of their religious inclinations.

In love, unity, and co-existence, he said Ghanaians could easily overcome challenges confronting growth and development of the nation.

‘When we
love one another and work hard in unity of mind and purpose, there’s no way we will fail in transforming our nation,’ he inspired.

As an election year, Prophet Antwi said with love and social cohesion, the nation could sail through the elections successfully and preserve national peace and stability.

He advised the citizenry against confusion, antagonism, and conflicts that could trigger violence and disturb the prevailing peace of the nation.

Prophet Antwi said with prayers God would direct the nation to choose leaders ‘after His own heart’ and advised the youth against the lustful desire to get rich quickly.

That attitude, he added, would lead them into unproductive and unhealthy lifestyles that would ruin their future, and cautioned them against drug abuse, alcoholism, sport betting and gambling as well as partisan fanaticism.

Prophet Antwi said the nation needed the youth much alive and healthy to contribute positively to national development.

Source: Ghana News Agency