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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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Gov’t welcomes Burkina Faso’s move to resume tomato exports to Ghana

The Government of Ghana has welcomed Burkina Faso’s decision to lift the suspension on the issuance of Special Export Authorisations (ASE) for fresh tomatoes, describing the move as a significant boost to supply and market stability.

In a press statement issued by the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, the government said the development follows improvements in tomato supply to local processing factories in Burkina Faso, as well as commitments by stakeholders to prioritise domestic industrial needs.

It noted that the decision is expected to restore the flow of fresh tomatoes into Ghana and ease recent shortages on the local market.

The statement further indicated that the outcome reflects ongoing bilateral engagements between the two countries.

It highlighted discussions led by the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, and her Burkinabe counterparts on the sidelines of the WTO MC14 in Yaoundé, which contributed to the resolution.

According to the Ministry, efforts will continue to ensure a smooth and mutually beneficial trading environment, with sustained engagement between both governments and key stakeholders in the tomato value chain.

The government also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening local production through initiatives such as Feed the Industry and Feed Ghana, alongside investments in irrigation, large-scale cultivation, and support for processors to ensure a stable and sustainable supply of tomatoes in the long term.

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MAPHLIX FARMS to supply 3,000 tonnes of tomatoes to Ghanaian market

Maphlix Trust Ghana, operators of Maphlix Farms located at Dawhenya in the Greater Accra Region, is set to supply 3,000 tonnes of tomatoes to the Ghanaian market as part of efforts to strengthen local production and enhance food security.

This comes at a very opportune time to cushion the country following the ban on tomato exportation imposed by Burkina Faso.

The good news was revealed when the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, toured the facility to assess ongoing operations and interact with management and technical staff.

The visit forms part of the Ministry’s broader engagement with key private sector players to boost agricultural productivity and reduce the country’s reliance on imported food commodities.

During the tour, the Minister inspected the farm’s irrigation systems, nursery units, and open-field cultivation areas.

He expressed satisfaction with the effective utilization of the facility’s infrastructure and commended the management for their commitment to modern, technology-driven agriculture.

He particularly highlighted the farm’s investment in the production of high-quality tomato seeds, describing it as a critical intervention to improve yields and address long-standing challenges in the tomato value chain.

“The brief we have received from those managing the center, indicates that, by the end of the year, they are able to produce 3000 tonnes and again the open field activities they are engaged in would increase the output that they envisage from this site. So looking at what they are doing, especially the open field activities we think that things are underway to ensure sufficient production of tomatoes to feed the Ghanaian people,” the Minister stated.

Harvesting activities have already commenced at Maphlix Farms, with produce being harvested at three-day intervals.

This consistent harvesting cycle is expected to ensure a steady supply of fresh tomatoes to the Ghanaian market, to curtail hikes in prices while meeting growing consumer demands.

He further noted that the expansion of both greenhouse and open-field production systems at Maphlix Farms presents a strong model for year-round tomato cultivation, which is essential in stabilizing supply and prices across seasons.

Addressing concerns raised by tomato traders regarding the quality and shelf-life of locally produced tomatoes, the Minister indicated that the Ministry is actively collaborating with research institutions such as the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to develop improved, climate-resilient seed varieties suited to Ghana’s agro-ecological conditions.

These efforts are expected to enhance the quality, durability, and market competitiveness of Ghanaian tomatoes.

The Minister also used the opportunity to reassure the public that there will be no shortage of tomatoes in the country.

He encouraged consumers and traders to remain calm and desist from panic buying, emphasizing that ongoing interventions by government and private sector actors are yielding positive results.

The management of Maphlix Farms reiterated their commitment to scaling up production and investing in innovative farming practices to meet growing domestic demand.

They noted that beyond primary production, the company is exploring opportunities in processing and value addition to minimize post-harvest losses and create additional income streams.

Maphlix Trust Ghana Limited is a key player in Ghana’s food production and processing industry.

The company is engaged in the cultivation and sale of a wide range of crops, including vegetables, grains, and root and tuber crops.

In addition to producing exporting major commodities such as yam, orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP), fresh vegetables, and fruits, the company also adds value to root and tuber crops including cassava, yam, and potatoes, contributing significantly to job creation and the growth of the agricultural sector.

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Nothing works from May to December – Tomato traders

Tomato traders say a persistent production gap is crippling the local supply chain, forcing them to depend on imports and exposing them to external shocks.

Speaking on PM Express, President of the Tomato Importers Association, Eric Tuffour, painted a bleak picture of domestic tomato production, blaming poor irrigation systems for the annual shortfall.

His comments come amid fresh concerns following Burkina Faso’s decision to suspend exports of fresh tomatoes to protect its local processing industry.

The development has disrupted supply routes and heightened fears among Ghanaian traders, some of whom were recently caught in violence in Titao, where lives were lost.

Mr Tuffour said the root of the crisis lies within Ghana’s own farming system, which fails to sustain production for most of the year.

“May to December every year, we have problems with Ghanaian farmers as they can’t grow tomatoes because of a lack of irrigation,” he said.

He explained that the challenge is not limited to a single region but spans several key tomato-producing areas.

“It’s not only the Upper East farmer who normally used to grow tomatoes for the market. It is also grown in Dormaa Ahenkro, Asante Akyem Agogo, Begoro, Tuobodom and other areas that are tomato-growing places, but when you get there, the irrigation is very poor,” he added.

According to him, the lack of reliable irrigation means farmers cannot produce consistently, leaving traders with little choice but to look beyond Ghana’s borders.

The situation has become more urgent following Burkina Faso’s export ban, a key supplier to Ghana’s markets. Traders now face supply uncertainty, rising costs and heightened risk.

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Ghana tomatoes too watery and rot quickly – Why tomato traders prefer Burkina tomatoes

The Tomato traders in Ghana say poor quality and high post-harvest losses are forcing them to rely on imports from Burkina Faso, even as a fresh export ban from the Sahelian country disrupts supply.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express, President of the Tomato Importers Association, Eric Tuffour, said locally produced tomatoes often fail to meet traders’ demands due to their short shelf life.

“The Ghanaian tomato was too watery, and when you travel with it, it doesn’t take long for it to deteriorate,” he said.

His comments come as Burkina Faso suspends all fresh tomato exports to protect its domestic processing industry, a move expected to hit Ghanaian traders hard.

Mr Tuffour explained that transporting Ghanaian tomatoes over long distances is risky and costly, especially when delays occur.

“Even if there is a breakdown of a vehicle for even just a day, by the time you get to the market centre, the tomato starts getting rotten,” he stated.

He contrasted this with tomatoes from Burkina Faso, which he said are more durable and commercially viable.

“The Burkinabe one was harder, and the life span of the tomato was good. You can keep it for a longer time,” he noted.

According to him, this difference in quality has shaped trader behaviour over the years.

“That is why we all tend to buy from there, because what the Ghanaian farmers were producing wasn’t favouring the traders, and the variety they produced wasn’t good for Ghanaian consumption,” he said.

The situation is further complicated by recent security risks along trade routes. Some Ghanaian traders were caught in crossfire involving terrorists in Titao, with reports indicating that some women lost their lives.

Despite these dangers, traders have continued to rely on Burkinabe tomatoes for their resilience and longer shelf life.

With the export ban now in place, concerns are growing over supply shortages and rising prices in local markets, as traders struggle to find reliable alternatives.

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The tomato import ban by Burkina Faso is a blessing in disguise – PFAG

The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana has called the ban of tomato by the Burkina Faso as the blessing in disguise rather than a problem to Ghana’s food security.

According to a statement issued by the Association, the association sees this as an opportunity for government to develop home-grown strategies and support farmers to increase production and ensure self-sufficiency.

Tomato production in Ghana has been characterized by a massive reliance on rain-fed agriculture, high input costs, and weak market linkages. This situation is further exacerbated by high post-harvest losses, which create a major disincentive for farmers during the major planting season.

The statement mentions that despite spending millions of cedis to address this challenges, successive governments have failed to develop structures to transform the sector.

“Investments in irrigation development, inputs, storage, and processing facilities have failed to bring about significant change over the years, as we are still reeling from the inadequacy of these interventions.”

The statement further reads:

The Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) has taken notice of the directive by officials of Burkina Faso banning the trade of tomatoes from that country, and the subsequent response by the government of Ghana through the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Agribusiness.

While the Association understands the government’s decision to engage Burkinabe officials on this matter, it sees this as an opportunity for government to develop home-grown strategies and support farmers to increase production and ensure self-sufficiency.

Failure to do so will result in an acute shortage of tomatoes, leading to drastic price hikes, increased inflationary pressures, and an escalation into a full-blown food security crisis.


Tomato production in Ghana has been characterized by a massive reliance on rain-fed agriculture, high input costs, and weak market linkages.

This situation is further exacerbated by high post-harvest losses, which create a major disincentive for farmers during the major planting season. While these challenges are well known and documented, successive governments have failed to take a transformative and wellcoordinated approach to address them, despite spending millions of cedis in the sector.

Investments in irrigation development, inputs, storage, and processing facilities have failed to bring about significant change over the years, as we are still reeling from the inadequacy of these interventions.


This situation is happening at a time when geopolitical conflict is leading to higher costs of energy, fuel, and agricultural inputs, which will increase production costs for farmers. This is in addition to the unresolved market glut for other staples such as rice, maize, soya, cassava, and pepper, which has already caused stress and frustration for farmers.

The overall effect is a massive disincentive for farmers to produce enough to meet the country’s demand, which will have a significant effect on our food security. The agricultural sector is on the brink of a heightened food security crisis, and the sooner we act pragmatically, the better.


The PFAG therefore urges government to provide LEADERSHIP, DIRECTION, and a clear STRATEGY to
permanently address this challenge in the short, medium, and long term.

  1. In the short term, the PFAG urges the government of Ghana to, as a matter of urgency, extend support to tomato farmers at irrigation sites to increase their production. This should be in the form of provision of improved seeds, fertilizers, and mechanization services to enhance production.
  2. The tomato farmers within the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG) are ready and available to work with government in this regard. Within this period, government should quickly set up an emergency strategic response plan together with stakeholders to address the looming shortage of tomatoes, in the event
    that engagements with the Burkina Faso authorities prove futile.
  3. In the medium term, government must establish more land banks, increase land availability at irrigation sites, and enroll and empower additional farmers for tomato production. Government should address market linkages by establishing storage facilities (cold store infrastructure) and facilitating an output market system with traders and transporters to ensure optimum and efficient delivery of produce.
  4. In the long term, government must aim at expanding irrigation infrastructure by establishing at least one major irrigation dam in every region. We should aim at increasing our percentage of irrigable land from the current 10% to over 50% by 2028. Government must also expedite its plans to establish, rehabilitate, or revamp existing tomato processing facilities to enable them to process and operate at full capacity.
    Current developments in the agricultural sector, both locally and externally, and their impact on food security, have shown that Ghana cannot continue to provide lump-sum and generalized support for staple foods, given their unique importance in the Ghanaian diet and their implications for food security.
    We need a strategic plan, direction, approach, and a special vehicle to unlock their respective potentials.
    The PFAG believes that government must set up specific programs with clear financing, monitoring, and
    accountability mechanisms for value chains such as rice, tomato, onion, cassava, and maize.
  5. This will provide targeted and dedicated support to these value chains and especially to farmers to enhance their productivity.

  6. The Association assures government of its support and readiness to partner to enhance production and improve the food security situation within the country.
  7. We also urge government to play its part and leave a legacy of providing a permanent solution to the perennial challenges affecting effective food
    production by farmers.
    We are heading toward a crisis, and the time to act is now.

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Ivory Coast cocoa producers suffer amid global price fall

Cocoa beans dried on tarps in the sun in Aboisso town square in southeastern Ivory Coast before being returned to the warehouse where they had already spent several damp months, symbolising the crisis in the world’s top cocoa producer.

In the Ivory Coast, the purchase price paid to growers is set by the state. In early October, just before the presidential election that saw Alassane Ouattara re-elected, it reached 2,800 CFA francs (nearly five dollars) per kilo—an unprecedented level.

But after peaking at the end of 2024, global cocoa prices began to slide in the summer of 2025, mainly due to the return of abundant production after years of shortages, and the Ivorian purchase price became too high.

Exports slowed, stocks piled up in the warehouses of agricultural cooperatives — intermediaries between producers and exporters, operating like consignment depots — and many growers were not paid.

In early March, in an effort to halt the crisis in a sector that accounts for 14 percent of GDP and supports five million people, the Ivorian government drastically cut the purchase price of cocoa paid to growers to 1,200 CFA francs.

A few weeks after this decision, in the Aboisso warehouses, the beans continue to deteriorate from prolonged exposure to tropical humidity.

“We have to, from time to time, expose them to the sun to limit the damage. Otherwise, the mould gets into the product, and we won’t know where to sell it,” Dongo Yao Kra, 49, told AFP.

He is president of the Socoopagos cooperative, which works with around 2,300 growers in the Sud-Comoe region.

“The more time we waste, the more quality we lose,” Yao Kra said.

Part of the stock was harvested before the price cut, and the cooperative must still honour the previously locked-in price of 2,800 CFA francs a kilo.

“It’s a real headache,” complained Yao Kra, who calculated the total — and unfeasible — cost his cooperative faced at 230 million CFA francs.

– ‘Deserve to be respected’ –

A crisis meeting called by the cooperative last week gathered around 50 cocoa growers in Songan, a village three hours by dirt road north of Aboisso.

Heated exchanges in French and the local Maninka language erupted, especially over the timing of the price cut.

“It’s as if they stopped a football match halfway through to change the rules,” fumed father-of-five Antoine Ouattara Sie Kouabou, 54, who is still waiting for what he’s owed for his 830 kilos of cocoa beans.

Some growers worry about returning to their fields where the labourers they normally employ are also waiting for their pay.

In January, the Coffee Cocoa Council, which regulates the sector, said it would buy back any unsold beans. However, the Socoopagos cooperative said only 45 out of 380 stored tonnes had been taken. They grumble that a government promise to guarantee prices in hard times using a Cocoa Council reserve fund had not been kept.

“It’s a scam, they deceived us,” charged Dolford Diby, 55, who is only getting by because he also has a rubber plantation and is involved in pig farming.

“This country is built on agriculture; we deserve to be respected,” he added.

– ‘Up to the state’ –

“Would you agree to be paid 1,200 CFA francs?” ventured a cooperative member to the agitated growers, referring to the still unsold pre-March produce.

Frowns and groans met the suggestion. “No!” one said resolutely, standing up. “We don’t agree,” said another, waving a receipt that says he is owed the 2,800 CFA franc rate.

Similar grumbles and rebukes have been heard in Duekoue in the west of the country, grower and trade unionist Yao Yao told AFP.

“It’s up to the state to take matters into its own hands or the exporters,” he said.

Last week, Obed Blonde Doua, vice president of the Coffee-Cocoa Interprofessional Organisation, told reporters that between 57,000 and 60,000 tonnes of cocoa still lay unclaimed out of the 100,000-tonne backlog that had been inventoried in cooperative warehouses.

The Coffee Cocoa Council did not respond to AFP’s requests for comment.

“Let’s make sure that producers can earn the 2,800 CFA francs on the remaining stock,” urged Blonde Doua, “so that the social climate can be peaceful.”

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Farmer Services Centre is to transform Ghana’s agriculture for wealth creation for every farmer – Agric Minister

Mechanization is critical to transforming agriculture by improving efficiency, increase crop yields, reduce reliance on human power, and facilitate precision farming.

To alleviate economic hardship and improve the livelihood of the farmers, the government under the leadership of H.E John Dramani Mahama has introduce an initiative called Farmer Services Centre that aims at providing mechanization services to farmers in the farming regions.

At the sod cutting ceremony at Takoratwene in the Kwahu Afram Plains South, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku mentioned that the farmers services centre is agriculture transformation that seeks to improve farmers livelihood.

According to President, Minister said no farmer should be living in destitute. Farmers in European countries and Americas are the worthy ones, however, it is adverse in the part of our world.

To achieve this, Minister said the farmers should conform to the cooperative formation that will enhance farmers data gathering to enable easy access to credit facilities to expand their agriculture activities.

“We are collating the data of every farmer on our system, therefore, we urge every farmer to register in the system called Akuafo Anidaso to enable easy and equal distribution of services to our cherished farmers,” he added.

It is the aim of the government to establish the service centres across all the 271 agriculture districts in the country but in the meantime the government would be providing 50 services centres.

To fuel the efficient use of the service centre coupling with year round production, the government has set up 2 irrigation schemes at Afram Plains. Minister explained that one irrigation system at Kunadu would irrigate 900 hectares of farmland and by 7th to 9th month it should be ready to provide water for the farmers.

Moreover, to curb food glut and provide ready market for the farmers in the region, according to the Minister, the government in partnership with African Golden Foods, a UK company to put up a processing factory, to purchase the food crops that would be produced in the region for value addition.

He debunked the allegations of issuing permits for the importation of maize to the country and emphasized that the NDC government has not issued any permit to anyone to import maize into the country. However, it is the will of the government to purchase the locally produced maize to improve the livelihoods of the farmers.

“Due to the dry spell that occurred in 2024, the past government gave permits to some people to import maize to supplement the locally produced maize, upon the arrival some of these people are expecting the government to give them tax exemption to those goods but the government did not grant this exemption making the goods hoarded at the warehouses,” he explained.

He highlighted that the President has urged the Ministry of Education to purchase the egg gluts to feed the school children as part of school feeding programme. This became necessary when poultry farmers lamented of egg gluts collapsing their businesses.

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Reverse the decision that excludes artisanal fishermen from annual the fishing closed season – Prof. Aggrey-Fynn

Professor Joseph Aggrey-Fynn, a Professor of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), has entreated government to reverse its decision excluding artisanal fishermen from the annual fishing closed season.

He said the exemption was not scientific and did not augur well for the replenishment efforts, as the artisanal fishermen also contributed significantly to the depletion of the fish stock.

Delivering his inaugural lecture, Prof Aggrey-Fynn insisted that efforts to replenish the country’s dwindling fish stock required the participation of all players.

“Closed season is for all categories of fishers but this year, we excluded the canoe fishermen. It is not the best because they are all part of the problem.

“We are not saying that they are causing the illegality, but they are part of the problem and so why do you have to take them out?” he queried.

Prof Aggrey-Fynn, also the Founding Director of the Institute for Oil and Gas, UCC, delivered his lecture on the topic: “Ghana’s declining fisheries resources: Reality or myth.”

He highlighted the contributions of the fisheries sector to the Ghanaian economy and food security, indicating that it contributed 1.2 per cent to the national GDP and provided 60 per cent of the annual protein needs.

However, he observed a fast depletion of the fish stock, particularly the sardinella species, due to overexploitation, poor fisheries management, and some climatic conditions.

Experts and policymakers have introduced the annual fishing closed season as a mitigation measure, but the implementation is characterised by pushbacks and complaints of hardship from fishing communities every year.

In spite of the inconvenience it brought to the fishers, Prof Aggrey-Fynn maintained that it was a necessary measure.

He acknowledged the poverty in many fishing communities and proposed that fishermen must be given supplementary livelihoods to reduce their dependency on fishing.

“If you go to some fishing communities, some of the fishermen are richer than us, the lecturers.

“But it is only a few of them who are making the money and so we have to give them some opportunities which will improve their lives,” he said.

Prof Aggrey-Fynn called for a change in taste for overexploited, overpriced, and endangered aquatic species like squid, shrimps, and snappers, to lesser-known but equally tasty fish species, to check the depletion.

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Forests remain one of the most valuable natural assets in Ghana – RESCONI

The Resource Conservation Initiative – RESCONI has emphasized that forests remain one of the most valuable natural assets underpinning environmental sustainability and socio-economic development, particularly in developing countries like Ghana.

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 March the International Day of Forests (IDF) and 2026 is themed “Forests and Economies” The theme highlights the critical role forests play in driving sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction, highlighting that economic development and environmental sustainability can go hand-in-hand.

The Programme Officer for Resource Conservation Initiative – RESCONI, Akosua Pokua Boakye underscored the need and importance of this day on the global environmental calendar.

She mentioned that, it’s important to achieve the SDG goals because globally, forests support over 1.6 billion people and host more than 80% of terrestrial biodiversity, reinforcing its importance in both economic resilience and ecological stability.

“In Ghana, the forestry sector continues to play a vital role in national development. The sector contributes significantly to employment and export earnings, supporting over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs and generating substantial foreign exchange through timber exports.

“Also, non-timber forest products such as mushrooms, medicinal plants, bushmeat, and fuelwood provide income, nutrition, and healthcare support for many rural households.

“The country’s economy, which is largely dependent on natural resources and rain-fed agriculture, is therefore closely linked to the health and sustainability of its forest ecosystems” she added.

RESCONI events

In commemoration of the day, the Resource Conservation Initiative- RESCONI in collaboration with the Renewable Natural Resources Students Association of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (RENARSA-KNUST) undertook an Inter-Program Quiz Competition and Media Engagement activities with Focus FM (Focus FM Visitation) a campus-based radio station.

These activities aimed at promoting knowledge sharing and public engagement. The competition brought together students from Forest Resource Technology, Natural Resource Management, and Environmental Science in the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

The quiz was designed to deepen student understanding of forestry concepts, climate change issues, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable resource management.

The Media Engagement (Focus FM Visitation) engaged the students and general public through an educational discussion on Focus FM.

It highlighted the economic importance of forests, emerging environmental challenges, and the role of youth in advancing conservation and sustainable forestry practices.

Students

Tahiru Saani, 3rd year student from Forest Resource Technology, Natural Resource Management, and Environmental Science in the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology said the activities have strengthened awareness on the economic importance of forests and its significant roles in the economic development of the country.

“The event encouraged critical thinking, and promote active participation of the youth in forest conservation efforts” he added.

RESCONI awarded cash price of GH₵ 700.00, learning materials and certificate to Forest Resources Technology for winning the Inter-Program Quiz Competition, Natural Resources Management also took home cash price of GH₵ 300.00, learning materials and certificate and Environmental Science was awarded educational materials and certificate.

RESCONI reaffirmed its commitment to environmental sustainability, capacity building, and youth-driven advocacy and calls on all stakeholders to support sustainable forest management practices and safeguard forest resources for future generations.

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Cattle prices hit GH₵ 25000 at Techiman ahead of Eid-Al-Fitr festivities

Livestock traders at the Techiman Cattle Market are reporting a positive turn in fortunes as the Muslim community prepares for the climax of the holy month of Ramadan.

Adom News Bono East Correspondent Wiafe Akenten, who visited the market, reports that despite a deceptively quiet atmosphere at the market grounds on Thursday, March 19, dealers insist that the current stability of the Ghana Cedi has provided a much-needed boost to their business operations ahead of the 2026 Eid-Al-Fitr celebrations.

The market, a major hub for livestock in the region, has become a focal point for activity as families and religious organisations look to secure cattle for the upcoming festivities.

For many years, the cattle trade in Ghana has been heavily influenced by the fluctuating value of the local currency, particularly because a significant portion of the livestock is sourced from neighbouring Sahelian countries. Cattle dealers noted that the relative calmness of the Cedi in recent weeks has stabilised the cost of importing and transporting animals.

While a three-hour observation at the market saw few immediate transactions, the traders were adamant that the underlying business climate is far superior to previous years. They attributed this to more predictable pricing, which has encouraged buyers to commit to purchases earlier than usual.

A survey of the Techiman Cattle Market reveals that prices for a single bull now range from GH₵ 7,000 to a staggering GH₵ 25,000, depending on the animal’s size and breed.

While the figures may appear daunting to the average consumer, traders in the Bono East Region maintain that the prices are a fair reflection of the current economic climate. They maintain that the relative stability of the Cedi has actually prevented even higher price points, which were feared earlier in the year.

The Bono East Regional Chief of Fulanis, Sariki Fulani Amadu Halidu, shared his perspective on the market dynamics, noting that the economic environment has finally aligned in favour of the traders

“The market is good as compared to previous years ahead of the Salla festivities,” Sariki Halidu noted during an interaction, highlighting that the currency stability has trickled down to benefit both the sellers and the final consumers.

Other traders echoed the Chief’s sentiments, explaining that while the physical “rush” at the market may appear lower than in peak years, the volume of pre-arranged sales and bulk orders has increased.

However, some dealers cautioned that while the Cedi remains stable, the high cost of animal feed and fuel for transportation still poses a challenge to their overall profit margins.

They expressed hope that the government would continue to maintain the current economic trajectory to ensure that the livestock sector remains viable throughout the year.

As the region gears up for the Friday celebrations, the Techiman market remains a barometer for the local economy, reflecting a cautious but firm sense of recovery within the agricultural trade sector.

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