The astute farmer and prolific actor, John Dumelo has expressed his zeal to reduce the importation of onion and tomatoes from Niger and Burkina Faso respectively.
Dumelo, who is also a vocal advocate for local agriculture, said that he could achieve this goal if he had just a fraction of the $1 million that was allegedly stolen from former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah.
According to the renowned actor, farmer, and politician, he would use the money to expand his own onion and tomato farm, and to invest in modern irrigation techniques and high-yielding seeds. He believes that this would allow him to produce more vegetables locally, which would reduce the need to import them from neighbouring countries.
“Only if I had a fraction of Cecelia Dapaa’s $1m, the importation of onions and tomatoes from Burkina and Niger will reduce by 10% in 2024 and 19% in 2025. I will invest it heavily in irrigation and high yielding seeds and make some good profits. So help me God!”, he said this on his Twitter page.
The government remains committed and on course with initiatives geared toward promoting food sufficiency and boosting agricultural development under the GhanaCARES programme, Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta has said.
The Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has touted the achievements of the Planting for Food and Jobs Initiative.
Planting for Food and Jobs is a flagship agricultural Campaign of the Government, with five implementation modules.
Presenting the 2023 mid-year budget in Parliament on Monday, July 31, the Finance Minister said that the initiative has brought substantial improvements in Ghana’s agriculture sector.
“This has resulted in increased food security, employment along agricultural value chains, and accessibility of raw materials for developing industries.
“The programme has directly contributed to increased crop yields for major food staples such as maize, rice, and soya by 135 percent, 67 percent and 18 percent respectively within the period,” he said.
He added “After a comprehensive review, Government is finalising PfJ Phase II to ensure a more efficient and targeted support for the agricultural sector.
“The key elements of Phase II are Inputs Credit System, Storage and Distribution Infrastructure, Commodity Trading and Digitised Platform.”
The 2022 Auditor-General’s report has revealed Payment of GH¢7,192,235 received from individual cocoa farmers for supply of Cocoa Hi Tech (fertilizers) could not be traced to the co-operative they belong.
Under the Hi-Tech/CODAPEC program, payment is expected to be made into a designated bank account by the Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) and Farmer Co-operatives. Thus, the payment should be made by the co-operatives or LBCs and not the individual members.
However, under the programme fertilizers procured by Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) are distributed to the farmers through the LBCs and the farmer co-operatives.
According to the report, some farmers who are members of the co-operatives pay directly for the fertilizers distributed to them into the designated bank account with their individual personal names instead of using the name of the LBC or co-operative thus making it very difficult to trace and update the indebtedness of the co-operatives or the LBCs with payments received.
“This practice made it difficult to determine the indebtedness of each co-operative or LBC to COCOBOD. The practice could also create an opportunity for co-operatives or LBC and their members to default on the payment of the fertilizers without notice as COCOBOD was unable to determine their outstanding balances.”
Management responding to the findings of the report said “the total amount of GH¢7,192,235 were paid into COCOBOD’s bank account by various cocoa farmers without indicating the co-operative groups they belong to. Majority of the payments relates to the period 2018 to 2021 making it difficult to trace the farmers and their co-operatives.
However, staff of COCOBOD on the field were tasked to liaise with Community Extension Agents (CEAs) to identify the co-operatives the farmers belong to in order to allocate the amount to the appropriate co-operative account.
The exercise led to the identification of the co-operatives of some farmers, and an amount of GH¢2,118,600 of the unallocated receipts have now been allocated thereby reducing the unallocated balance to GH¢5,073,635.”
The directed the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to produce a report on payments made to cocoa road contractors from 2020 to the present.
The committee particularly directed the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of COCOBOD, Joseph Boahene-Aidoo, to produce the report in two weeks, failure of which he and other top management members of the board would be sanctioned.
He referred to Article 103 (3) of the Constitution which stipulates that “(6) A committee appointed under this article shall have the powers, rights and privileges of the High Court or a Justice of the High Court at a trial for— (a) enforcing the attendance of witnesses and examining them on oath, affirmation or otherwise; (b) compelling the production of documents; and (c) issuing a commission or request to examine witnesses abroad”.
“I am using these powers to demand for that document.
This is a committee of Parliament, and this is a Constitution that gave us that power, and so we want you to give us that report,” the chairman demanded.
Engaging the CEO of COCOBOD over some infractions contained in the Auditor-General’s 2021 Report on the board, Dr Avedzi said: “Whether the report has been submitted somewhere else, we are demanding it, and we give you two weeks.
“It is a report and the work has been done.
It is a matter of pulling it from the drawer,” he said.
Why directive?
Dr Avedzi gave the directive when the COCOBOD CEO and other management members appeared before the committee yesterday.
Per the Auditor-General’s report, the records of COCOBOD showed that the board had been burdened with a relatively high loan portfolio over the years.
It said the board had debts totalling GH¢12.3 billion on its records as of the end of the 2019/2020 financial year.
“The debt burden resulted in increased finance costs over the years.
This, if not managed effectively, could lead to the crippling of the cocoa industry,” the report said.
Cocoa roads
A member of the committee, Kwame Governs Agbodza, asked the COCOBOD management what part of the company’s indebtedness was to cocoa road contractors for works certified in 2020.
He also quizzed if the figure owed contractors had improved or depreciated in terms of debt situation regarding cocoa roads.
In the view of the Member of Parliament (MP) for Adaklu, cocoa road contractors were also Ghanaians who aided the work the board did in the country, and thus there could not be a better opportunity for COCOBOD to give them (contractors) some assurance.
The information we want is not witch-hunting but just to find information to the problem that affects everybody in this country,” he said.
When the chairman asked Mr Agbodza if the report was submitted to him, the Adaklu MP said the immediate former Minister of Food and Agriculture “did make a public comment that he submitted the report to Parliament”.
We demand report copy
Intervening, Dr Avedzi questioned why since September 2020 when the board’s account was prepared, management did not have money to pay cocoa road contractors.
He, therefore, directed that in providing the information to the committee, the board must disclose what was the current debt of COCOBOD to cocoa road contractors as of September 2020.
Unfulfilled promise
Dr Avedzi pointed out that the last time the CEO of COCOBOD appeared before the PAC, the committee demanded that he furnished them with an indebtedness report on cocoa roads.
“We demanded the report but you did not provide it to the committee.
The agriculture ministers of Spain and Germany have opposite views on what the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) recent verdict on glyphosate should mean for the decision on re-approving the contentious herbicide.
World Food Programme (WFP), Has Signed a Partnership with Agrihouse Foundation towards the 5th Edition of the Women in Food and Agricultural Leadership Training Forum (WOFAGRIC) and Gold in The Soil Awards. set for July 26th to 27th at the Bedtime Hotel in Koforidua in the Eastern Region.
The partnership, in the form of technical and financial assistance to help women farmers, farmers with disabilities and agro-processors to foster the growth of Ghana’s Agriculture sector and generally improve food and nutrition security.
Speaking about the partnership, Mrs. Barbara Tulu Clemens, WFP Country Director, emphasized the importance of supporting marginalized groups, especially women, youth, and people living with disabilities, as outlined in WFP’s Next Generation Country Strategic Plan for 2024-2028. WFP’s cross-cutting objectives include identifying fundings for climate adaptive projects and working with key Ministries and Organizations to explore opportunities for climate offset credit.
“We have identified funding for climate adaptive projects as one of the key cross-cutting objectives within our country strategic plan for WFP. Our aim is to collaborate with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the Ministry of Finance to identify opportunities for climate offset credit, which aligns with interventions like the WOFAGRIC and gold in the soil awards intervention,” she added.
The WFP Country Director, also emphasized that WFP is committed to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2, which is zero hunger. Additionally, she advised the youth to consider agriculture as a laudable vocation, highlighting its importance in promoting food security and sustainable development.
Mrs Clemens said during the two-day event, WFP would lead discussions on changing entrenched socio-cultural norms and breaking traditional barriers critical to the development of Agri women in the agricultural value chain -the role of stakeholders.
She said they will also lead, training and mentorship section to empower and train women farmers and farmers with disabilities to help build up their capacity to scale up their business Management, Food Safety and Quality Standards. Adding that smallholder farmers would get the opportunity to learn about innovations and technologies, participate in trainings, exhibitions, field demonstrations and market linkages.
The Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa expressed her appreciation for the World Food Programme’s partnership and emphasized the World Food Programme’s pivotal role in empowering women in agriculture and promoting food security. She highlighted WFP’s steadfast commitment to fostering progress and resilience in vulnerable regions and its recognition of the crucial contributions of women and girls in shaping societies, which align perfectly with the mission of the Women in Food & Agriculture Leadership Training Forum (WOFAGRIC) and Gold in The Soil Awards.
“Together, we stand united in our dedication to leave no one behind and advocate for a future where hunger is eradicated, and prosperity is attainable for all. This partnership exemplifies the transformative power of agriculture, making a positive impact on the lives of millions and paving the way for a more sustainable and equitable future,” she added.
The theme for the 5th edition of the Women in Food & Agriculture Leadership Training Forum (WOFAGRIC) & Gold in The Soil Awards is “OVERCOMING THE BARRIERS TO WOMEN AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: THE ROLE OF STAKEHOLDERS.” This year’s forum aims to celebrate and recognize the outstanding achievements of women farmers and women with disabilities while fostering collaborative efforts towards gender equality and sustainable agricultural practices.
The Women in Food and Agricultural Leadership Training Forum (WOFAGRIC) and the gold in the soil awards now in its fifth year, is an interventional platform that provides opportunities for women farmers and farmers with disabilities across various value chain in the agricultural sector, that seeks to recognize, celebrate, award, mentor and train them.
Now in its fifth year, the Women in Food & Agricultural Leadership Training Forum (WOFAGRIC) & Gold in The Soil Awards is an annual Regional rotational intervention, that has moved from the volta Region, Ashanti Region, Western and Western North Regions and Upper East and Upper West Regions providing mentorship, networking, and financial support to over five thousand (5000) women across the agricultural value chain. The program targets women farmers and farmers with disabilities, agripreneurs, key stakeholders, development partners, researchers, farmer groups, government agencies, businesses, professional advisors, and corporate organizations, further fostering a more inclusive and sustainable agricultural sector.
The two-day event to be held at the Bedtime Hotel in Koforidua, will feature over 600 participants engaging in activities, including break-out panel discussions, training workshops, exhibitions, trade shows, speed networking, and mentorship sessions. These components will empower participants to gain valuable insights, exchange best practices, and forge collaborations that have the potential to reshape the future of agriculture in Ghana.
One of the highlights of the event will be the prestigious Gold in The Soil Awards, recognizing and honouring exceptional women farmers and women with disabilities who have made remarkable contributions to the agricultural industry. Their unwavering dedication, innovative approaches, and transformative impact will be celebrated, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps and drive further progress within the sector.
As Agrihouse Foundation continues its journey towards agricultural transformation, the role of women farmers and women with disabilities cannot be overstated. Their resilience, expertise, and determination are integral to ensuring food security, promoting sustainable practices, and fostering economic growth.
World Food Programme’s partnership with Agrihouse Foundation reaffirms its strong belief in the potential of Ghanaian women to drive transformative change in agriculture. By collaborating on this empowering initiative, the World Food Program continues to be a driving force in the nation’s progress and prosperity, actively contributing to the growth and development of the agricultural sector.
If you’ve come across mice in your home, it’s time to act fast, mice infestations can become a huge problem, and it’s time to tackle the problem before it gets out of hand!
When you see mice, many people go straight to the traditional methods, such as traps and/ or poison. However, if you’re like us, and if you’re looking for a more natural approach, we’ve got you covered, because today we are talking about using cloves to keep those pesky mice away!
Cloves contain a substance called eugenol, which has quite a unique and strong odor. This scent is believed to be unappealing to mice, turning their adorable little noses up at the smell.
But wait – there’s more! The eugenol in cloves might just be potent enough to mask the scent of the food they’re after, making it difficult for the mice to find their way to your pantry.
So, where should you place these delightful little cloves in your home to keep mice at bay, and how many cloves are needed? Let’s continue our research and uncover the aromatic clove secret.
The Queen Mother of Abomasu, Obaapanin Konadu Kontie II, has become a beacon of inspiration through her dedication to farming and community development. With an impressive agricultural enterprise spanning 30 acres of cocoa, 2 acres of maize, 5 acres of palm nut, and 5 acres of plantain and cassava, Konadu Kontie II has transformed her passion for farming into a catalyst for positive change.
Eva Amene, a 30-year-old farmer from Otoase, has become an inspiration to many as she combines her passion for farming with a heartwarming commitment to helping orphans in her community. Eva’s dedication to agriculture has not only brought her personal success but has also enabled her to make a positive impact on the lives of others.
