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Danger looms as drought hits Volta Region rice production.

The site of a rice farm plagued by drought in the Volta Region.

The Ghana Rice Inter-Professional Body (GRIB) has revealed that rice production in the Volta Region of Ghana faces bleak consequences this year due to ongoing drought conditions which are disrupting production in some parts of the Region.

According to the body, farmers in the Akatsi North and South districts in the Volta Region have been gravely affected by poor rainfall patterns and are likely to lose their entire output for the 2021/2022 season.

“In Ketu South alone, over 700 hectares of rice have been lost to the drought. “The problem covers several areas including Kpoglu, Avalavi, Klenomadi and Avie in Ketu North, Akatsi in Akatsi South, Tongu Districts, Afadzato South District and Hohoe Municipal areas,” the President said.

This comes as a blow to the sector, which is an attempt to wean the country off rice importation by achieving self-sufficiency in production by 2025.

As if that is not enough, the affected farmers will have to wait till next year before they can earn some income.

Speaking to the reporter, President of GRIB Nana Agyei Ayeh II said some members of the farmers reached out to him to ascertain the situation and find a solution to the looming danger.

The President, together with some of the officials of the John A. Kufuor Foundation paid a working visit to the farms, and on their observation, several hectares of rice under cultivation are lost due to climate change and low levels of rainfall in these communities.

The woes of the farmers are further exacerbated by the huge investments they have already made in land preparation, seeds, and fertilizer.

However, the provisional production figures by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) indicate that about 973, 000 metric tonnes of rice were produced in Ghana in 2020. But, this figure could be hard to match in 2021 if the current situation persists.

Nana Agyei Ayeh II revealed that the existing dam structure which was built to harvest water to irrigate the farmlands is in a dire state of disrepair, leaving farmers at the mercy of the harsh weather conditions.

“We cannot continue with rain-fed agriculture. As you can see, this year, farmers have lost their investments simply because the rains failed them.

We would like to appeal to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to provide dugouts for these areas. These will aid in water conservations for the purposes of irrigation in such times like what we facing now” he added.

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Fresh tomatoes price surge to 158.3% in August – GSS

Fresh tomato prices surged by 158.3% year-on-year in August 2026, making the commodity the biggest price mover recorded by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) during the month.

The sharp increase comes despite a moderation in overall food inflation, which eased marginally to 3.0% in August from 3.1% in July.

Presenting the August Consumer Price Index, Government Statistician, Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, said the significant increase in fresh tomato prices highlights the varying price experiences of consumers across different commodities.

“Fresh Tomatoes more than doubled in price (+158.3%) while Lime fell 33.7%: the overall Y-on-Y inflation of 5.0% hides very different experiences at the market”, he noted.

The GSS data show that fresh tomatoes recorded the highest year-on-year price increase among the commodities tracked in August, followed by ginger, whose price increased by 128.3%.

Shrimps recorded a 67.1% increase, mango prices rose by 57.7%, while fresh coconut and fresh green pepper increased by 38.0% and 30.5%, respectively.

The sharp rise in tomato prices contrasts with declines recorded in the prices of several other food commodities. Lime recorded the biggest decline, falling by 33.7%, while maize prices dropped by 31.3%.

Cocoyam leaves, sweet apples, fried fish and pawpaw also recorded notable price reductions.

Despite the mixed movements, the GSS says food prices generally fell by 2.5% month-on-month in August.

Dr. Iddrisu explained that inflation measures the rate at which prices change rather than the absolute price level of individual goods.

“Inflation measures how fast prices in general are rising or falling, not how high they already are”, he added.

Overall year-on-year inflation increased to 5.0% in August from 4.6% in July, but remained substantially below the 11.5% recorded in August 2025.

Non-food inflation was the main driver, rising to 6.8%, compared with food inflation of 3.0%.
The GSS says non-food items accounted for 70.9% of total inflation, while food contributed 29.1%.

Services also remained a major source of price pressure, recording inflation of 8.6%, compared with 3.8% for goods.

According to the GSS, locally produced goods and services accounted for 86.2% of total inflation, while imported items recorded inflation of 2.2%.

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Fisheries Minister cautions LBCs against overpricing, hoarding of premix fuel

Hon. Emelia Arthur, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, explaining the responsibility of the government as the to protect the resources responsibly and ensure that the resources continue to sustain the livelihoods and nourish generations yet to come.

Hon. Emelia Arthur, the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture has cautioned the Landing Beach Committees (LBCs) against selling premix fuel above the approved prices, hoarding the product or diverting it for private gain.

She said the Ministry and the National Premix Fuel Secretariat would sanction committees that violated the approved pricing and distribution arrangements.

“Every Landing Beach Committee must sell premix fuel at the approved price. The Ministry will not countenance any attempt to exploit fishers by increasing the price, hoarding the product or diverting it for resale,” Ms Arthur warned.

Under the new price schedule, premix fuel is to be sold at GH¢5.51 per litre, equivalent to GH¢24.80 per gallon.

Accordingly, 80 gallons will cost GH¢1,984, while 70 gallons will sell for GH¢1,736. The approved price for 50 gallons is GH¢1,240, while a yellow gallon will cost GH¢174.

Ms Arthur directed LBC executives to prominently display the approved prices at all landing beaches to ensure fishers know how much they are required to pay.

“No fisherman or fish processor should be made to pay one pesewa above the approved price. These prices must be displayed clearly at every landing beach. Any committee that violates this directive will be dealt with,” she stated.

The Administrator of the National Premix Fuel Secretariat, Ebow Mensah, also cautioned LBCs against creating artificial shortages by withholding supplies or selling the product to middlemen.

“Premix fuel is subsidised by the state to support fishing communities. It is not a commodity for committee members or individuals to hoard and resell at higher prices,” Mr Mensah said.

Prices to be publicised nationwide

Mr Mensah said the approved prices would be announced on radio stations and through community information centres across the country.

He said the price schedule would also be widely shared on social media to ensure fishers and members of the public were adequately informed.

“We are taking the approved prices directly to the people. They will be announced on radio, broadcast through community information centres and shared widely on social media. No LBC can therefore claim that it was unaware of the approved prices,” he stated.

He added that any future adjustment to the price of premix fuel would be formally communicated to fishers and other industry stakeholders through the approved channels.

“Whenever there is a new price, the Ministry and the Secretariat will communicate it clearly for the information of fishers and all industry players. Until such an announcement is made, LBCs must continue to sell at the existing approved price,” he said.

Monitoring and sanctions

Mr Mensah said the nationwide public education campaign would also enable fishers to identify and report LBCs that imposed unauthorised charges.

He said the Secretariat would strengthen monitoring at landing beaches and investigate complaints involving overpricing, diversion and unauthorised resale.

“We will follow the distribution of the product from the oil marketing company to the landing beach. Any LBC found selling above the approved price, diverting supplies or conniving with middlemen will face sanctions,” he warned.

The Secretariat urged chief fishermen, canoe owners, fishers and members of the public to report LBCs that breach the approved price schedule.

Ms Arthur said the government would protect the premix fuel subsidy from abuse and ensure the product reached the fishing communities for which it was intended.

“The era when a few people took advantage of premix fuel at the expense of fishing communities must end. Public officials and committee members entrusted with the product must account for every consignment,” she said.

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Cocoyam leaf or Kontomire has higher nutritional value than spinach, broccoli – Dietician

The Principal Nutrition Officer and Dietician at the University of Ghana Medical Centre, Emelia Dery Gbogr has highlighted the nutritional benefits of kontomire.

According to Emelia Dery Gbogr, it offers greater nutritional value than some commonly consumed vegetables such as spinach and broccoli.

For her, kontomire, also known as cocoyam leaves, is a highly nutritious vegetable that should be part of a healthy diet.

She made the remarks during a Joy Sustainability Month discussion, where she highlighted the importance of locally available foods in promoting nutrition and healthy living.

“When you look at the nutritional values, our kontomire has some of the nutrients higher than broccoli or spinach.

When you look at the protein content of Kontomire, it is higher than that of broccoli; when you look at vitamins, it is high in Vitamin A.

We have a good amount of Vitamin A that is good for the body. Fibre levels are also higher compared to those of broccoli,” she said.

She encouraged Ghanaians to pay greater attention to indigenous vegetables such as kontomire, which are widely available and can provide important nutrients as part of a balanced diet.

“It is readily available to us, so compared to imported goods, its counterpart, which is broccoli or spinach, Kontomire is readily available. It grows easily, so you can have at your backyard, and compared to importation, you will have to pay more for the imported goods, so I will say that coming to cost wise, Kontomire is better,” she said.

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COCOBOD settles GH¢2.3bn DDEP obligations for 2026

The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has settled GH¢2.3 billion owed to bondholders under the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP), completing its mandatory payment obligations to affected bondholders for 2026.

COCOBOD said it paid GH¢2,306,202,372.09 to holders of bonds affected by the DDEP.

The payment, announced in a statement dated September 1, 2026, follows an earlier coupon payment of GH¢376,325,910.09 made in March.

This brings the total amount paid by COCOBOD to DDEP bondholders in 2026 to GH¢2,682,582,282.18.

The latest payment also follows the full settlement in July of GH¢162 million owed to holders of Cocoa Bills who did not participate in the DDEP.

COCOBOD said the July settlement brought its outstanding obligations to affected non-DDEP Cocoa Bill holders to a close.

The Board said the payments form part of efforts to strengthen the financial sustainability of Ghana’s cocoa sector.

“Taken together, these payments demonstrate the Board’s commitment to responsible financial management and the systematic settlement of its financial obligations,” COCOBOD stated.

The Board added that the payments were made “as part of the broader effort to strengthen the financial sustainability of Ghana’s cocoa sector,” under the guidance of the Ministry of Finance.

The latest settlement means COCOBOD has completed its mandatory payment obligations to holders of bonds affected by the DDEP for the 2026 financial year.

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Ghana’s cashew industry faces processing gap as Côte d’Ivoire moves to capture more value

Ghana’s cashew industry is facing growing concerns over its limited capacity to process raw nuts locally, with industry players warning that the country risks losing significant economic benefits as neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire rapidly expands its cashew processing sector.

Ghana, which produces an estimated 262,000 metric tonnes of raw cashew nuts annually, processes less than six percent of its production locally, leaving the majority of the nuts exported in raw form to countries including Vietnam and India, where they are processed and sold at higher value.

The low level of domestic processing has become a major concern for farmers, processors and stakeholders who argue that Ghana is losing opportunities for job creation, industrial growth and increased export earnings.

The situation has also affected farmers, who have experienced a sharp decline in farm-gate prices in recent seasons due to market uncertainties, rising production costs and limited local demand.

Industry observers say increasing local processing capacity remains critical to creating a stable market for farmers and ensuring that more of the value generated from cashew remains within Ghana.

Côte d’Ivoire’s Processing Push

While Ghana continues to grapple with processing challenges, Côte d’Ivoire has positioned itself as a leading force in the global cashew industry through aggressive investment in local value addition.

The Ivorian cashew sector has grown significantly over the past two decades, with production rising from about 180,000 tonnes in 2005 to approximately 1.5 million tonnes in 2025.

Cashew has become one of Côte d’Ivoire’s major export crops and a key driver of economic activity, particularly in the northern, eastern, western and central parts of the country.

The sector currently supports about three million people and covers about 70 percent of the country’s territory.

Beyond production, Côte d’Ivoire has focused on building a strong processing industry, creating about 20,000 direct jobs, with women accounting for approximately 66 percent of employment opportunities in processing.

The country now has 93 active cashew processing factories, making it the third-largest cashew processor globally.

Government Support Behind Côte d’Ivoire’s Growth

The rapid expansion of Côte d’Ivoire’s processing industry has been linked to deliberate government interventions aimed at encouraging investors and strengthening local industries.

Since 2016, the government has introduced incentives including financial support for processors, tax exemptions on imported processing equipment, and special arrangements to guarantee access to raw materials for local factories.

The country has also established agro-industrial zones in Korhogo, Bondoukou and Séguéla to attract investments into cashew processing.

Additionally, institutions such as the Cashew Transformation Technologies Innovation Centre (CITA) have been created to develop technical skills and improve processing technologies.

Côte d’Ivoire Sets 2030 Processing Target

As part of its long-term strategy, Côte d’Ivoire aims to process between 50 and 60 percent of its raw cashew production locally by 2030.

The country plans to process about one million tonnes of raw cashew nuts domestically while promoting locally owned processing companies.

The strategy also includes improving storage facilities, strengthening traceability, promoting the “Origin Côte d’Ivoire” brand and developing markets for cashew by-products such as shells, cashew apple and cashew nut shell liquid.

Calls for Ghana to Accelerate Value Addition

Stakeholders in Ghana’s cashew sector believe the country can achieve similar transformation if it adopts stronger policies to support processors and farmers.

They are calling for increased investment in processing factories, improved access to finance, better storage facilities and incentives to encourage local and foreign investors.

They also want greater attention to the development of by-products and the promotion of Ghanaian cashew kernels on international markets.

According to industry experts, Ghana’s challenge is no longer only about increasing production but ensuring that the country captures more value from the commodity.

With global demand for cashew products continuing to rise, stakeholders believe strengthening local processing could transform the industry into a major source of jobs, income and industrial development.

As Côte d’Ivoire advances toward becoming a major cashew processing hub, Ghana faces the urgent task of closing its processing gap to ensure farmers and the economy benefit more from the country’s cashew resources.

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$270m poultry investment to create 12,000 jobs under 24-Hour Economy

The 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Secretariat (24H+) has signed Heads of Terms with four investment partners for a US$270 million National Poultry Transformation Programme aimed at boosting domestic poultry production and creating 12,000 direct jobs.

The agreement, signed at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change in Accra, brings together UK-based agrifood investment company Agrium Capital, Petra Trust, Axis Pension Trust and Ghana EXIM Bank.

The investment is described as the largest UK agrifood investment in Ghana to date and is expected to support the development of an integrated poultry value chain covering feed production, breeding, hatchery operations, broiler farming, processing, cold-chain facilities, logistics and market access.

Under the first phase, the programme is expected to produce about 20,000 tonnes of dressed and processed broiler products annually, with plans to scale production to 50,000 tonnes.

The initiative is also intended to reduce Ghana’s dependence on imported poultry, with the country currently spending approximately US$400 million annually on chicken and other poultry products. Increased local production is expected to retain a greater share of that expenditure within the Ghanaian economy while creating opportunities across the agricultural value chain.

Presidential Adviser on the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development, Augustus Goosie Tanoh, said the investment demonstrates the government’s strategy of leveraging both domestic and international capital to expand productive sectors.

“This is a purposeful blend of foreign private capital and Ghanaian private capital, aligned to build this industry at scale,” he said.

Economic Counsellor and Head of the Growth Team at the British High Commission, Simone Mousey, welcomed the agreement, describing it as an opportunity to deepen commercial relations between Ghana and the United Kingdom, particularly in agriculture and agrifood.

Chief Executive Officer of Agrium Capital, Rod Bassett, said the investment reflected confidence in Ghana’s poultry industry and its capacity to contribute to food security, domestic production and value creation.

Country Director for Ghana at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, Sam Mensah-Baah, said the programme demonstrated the importance of partnerships capable of converting Ghana’s economic ambitions into jobs, productive capacity and sustainable growth.

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Supporting local farmers to improving their yields and strengthening food production in the country is a shared responsibility – Eric Adjei

The Chief Executive Officer of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), Eric Adjei, is today, Monday, August 31, 2026, distributing free fertiliser to farmers across the Jaman North Constituency to support agricultural production and ease the financial burden on rural households.

The initiative aims to support local farmers in improving their yields and strengthening food production in the constituency. Mr Adjei said the intervention was his personal expression of appreciation for farmers whose work sustains families and communities throughout the year.

He said supporting farmers was essential to strengthening the local economy and improving the livelihoods of rural households, stressing that when the people who produce food are supported, the entire community benefits.

Our local farmers are the true heart of our community. They are the very people who have fed me, nourished our families, and sustained us through every season with their tireless dedication. To express my deepest gratitude for their hard work, I am personally distributing free fertilizers to our dedicated farmers across the Jaman North constituency to support their harvest and lighten the load on rural households.

When we lift up the hands that feed us, our entire community grows stronger. By standing beside our farmers and supporting their labor, I hope to bring a rich, bountiful season to every home and a prosperous future for us all.

In a Facebook post on Sunday, August 30, Mr Adjei described local farmers as the “true heart” of the community and said he was distributing the fertiliser to help them achieve a productive farming season.

“When we lift up the hands that feed us, our entire community grows stronger,” he said, adding that he hoped the support would contribute to a rich and bountiful harvest and a more prosperous future for households across Jaman North.

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I’m sure cocoa farmers will be happy with Ghana Cocoa Board Act – Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has expressed the view that cocoa farmers will be happy with the Ghana Cocoa Board Bill that he recently signed into an Act.

He said that the promise he made to farmers that they would earn 70% of the world market price of cocoa is also contained in this Act; therefore, it is a promise made and a promise fulfilled.

President Mahama said this after signing ten major legislative bills into law, marking a step toward structural reforms to accelerate economic growth, plug revenue leakages, modernise justice delivery, strengthen national security, and relieve Ghanaian workers and farmers.

The new enactments cut across critical sectors of the economy, business, law enforcement, maritime security, education, and social protection.

After signing the bills into law, President Mahama, joined by his Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, PhD, and ministers of state, said the legislative push fulfils key government pledges and lays a streamlined legal foundation for sustainable national development.

Among the enactments is the Ghana Cocoa Board Act, 2026, which binds the government to its promises to transform the country’s agricultural landscape and guarantee fair returns for cocoa farmers.

“I’m sure our cocoa farmers will be happy,” President Mahama stated. “It incorporates the reform of the cocoa sector and includes our promise that we’re going to process at least 50% of our cocoa beans locally. Aside from that, the promise we made to farmers that they will earn 70% of the world market price of cocoa is also contained in this bill. So, promise made, promise fulfilled.”

To protect low-income households, the President assented to the Income Tax Amendment Act, 2026, which removes tax burdens from low-wage workers.

“This Act exempts people who earn the minimum wage and below from paying income tax. Anybody who is on the minimum wage or below the minimum wage is exempt,” President Mahama declared.

Local industrial growth received a major boost through the Excise Act, 2026, which consolidates excise duties, blocks revenue leakages on imported dutiable goods like alcohol and cigarettes, and grants targeted tax exemptions to domestic processors.

“Importantly, it gives exemption from paying excise tax to local manufacturers of fruit juices,” the President explained. “It is supposed to give them an incentive in their production. If you produce fruit juices locally, this Act exempts you from paying excise duty.”

To improve fiscal discipline and restore revenue efficiency, President Mahama assented to three related financial and commercial laws:

The Customs Act, 2026, which codifies all existing customs laws into a single, unified statute to enhance efficiency and block revenue loss.

“This voluminous document incorporates all the amendments that have been done over the years into one single document. It makes it simpler to administer and to make it more efficient. And it will seal the loopholes that have made the government lose a lot of revenue as a result of the scattered nature of the law,” President Mahama noted.

The Energy Sector Levies Amendment Act, 2026, ends widespread abuses of fuel oil exemptions previously exploited by factories and maritime vessel operators. Under the new law, operators must pay taxes upfront and present verifiable proof for reimbursement.

The Value Added Tax (VAT) Amendment Act, 2026, adjusts VAT administration to align with recent monetary policy initiatives. Large-scale gold mining companies that surrender 30 per cent of their gold output to the Bank of Ghana are exempt from paying VAT on those quantities.

The legislative package introduces progressive reforms to Ghana’s penal system and judicial administration, aimed at reducing prison congestion and expediting justice delivery.

Highlighting the Community Service Act, 2026, President Mahama explained that non-custodial sentences will apply to minor offences, saving taxpayer funds and providing constructive rehabilitation options.

“Instead of putting people in jail and government going to have to pay for looking after prisoners for stealing goods or for committing some very minor offences, they can be sentenced to do community service for the periods that they are convicted for,” the President said.

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Zanetor proposes CSIR funding for cassava, hemp-based alternatives to plastics

Minister-designate for Environment, Science and Technology, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has proposed increased funding for scientific research into plant-based alternatives to conventional plastics as part of efforts to tackle Ghana’s growing plastic waste problem.

Appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee for her vetting on Thursday, August 27, 2026, Dr Agyeman-Rawlings said the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) could be supported to develop biodegradable materials from locally available crops such as cassava and hemp.

“What I believe can be done in addition to this is to channel some funding towards the CSIR, so that they can actually look into biological alternatives, for example hemp, for example cassava,” she said.

She noted that Ghana had abundant plant resources that could be transformed into alternatives capable of breaking down naturally rather than persisting in the environment.

According to her, landfills should have non-permeable bases to prevent harmful substances from leaching into the environment, describing the measure as an “absolute necessity.”

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Macroeconomic management is suffocating local rice farmers – Economist Dr. Frank Bannor warns

Peasant farmers across Ghana have issued a desperate plea for emergency state intervention over vast warehouses of unsold rice, the distress call points to a familiar supply chain crisis.

However, development economist and a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Economic Research and Public Policy, IERPP, Dr. Frank Bannor argues that the glut of domestic rice is not an isolated agricultural issue, but rather the direct mathematical consequence of contradictory economic policies.

Reacting to news that local rice producers are facing financial ruin as their yields sit untouched, Dr. Bannor, in a Facebook post, has delivered a sharp critique of current macroeconomic management, framing the crisis through the lens of unintended economic trade-offs.

“The opportunity cost of artificial inflation and exchange rate! You don’t restrict demand, cut spending and expect businesses to do well. At the same time, it is cheaper to import than to buy locally!”

Dr. Bannor’s analysis exposes a central policy contradiction currently squeezing Ghana’s agricultural sector: state efforts to artificially cool inflation and stabilize the exchange rate are inadvertently undercutting local businesses while subsidizing foreign imports.

To curb inflation, authorities often implement demand-management measures and fiscal spending cuts. Dr. Bannor points out the flaw in expecting domestic producers to thrive under these conditions: when public and consumer spending is intentionally constrained, businesses lose the local market capacity required to absorb their output.

While local farmers face rising domestic production costs, fuelled by expensive inputs and restricted demand, the dynamics governing the exchange rate make foreign rice relatively cheaper on market shelves. Local consumers, operating under squeezed household budgets, naturally opt for lower-priced imported grain.

The economic trade-off highlighted by Dr. Bannor plays out directly in farming communities. Peasant farmers who invested heavily in response to national calls for food self-sufficiency now find themselves unable to service loans or clear production debt.

While the Peasant Farmers Association continues to push for immediate remedies such as recapitalizing the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) to purchase surplus grain, Dr. Bannor’s commentary suggests that short-term buyouts will only act as a temporary bandage.

Without aligning broader monetary, exchange rate, and fiscal policies to favor domestic value creation over foreign imports, the structural incentive will remain stacked against Ghanaian producers.

As Dr. Bannor emphasized, attempting to engineer macro-stability by restricting demand while allowing imported alternatives to remain cheaper creates an unsustainable opportunity cost, one currently being paid by the nation’s farmers.

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