The Student Workforce Innovation Movement (SWIM) has appointed Mr Evans Kyere-Mensah as its Global Agritech and Climate Innovation Advisor.

Mr Kyere-Mensah will provide strategic leadership to expand SWIM’s programmes in agriculture, climate resilience, and next-generation food systems.

A press release copied to the Ghana News Agency stated that he brings extensive experience in agribusiness development, youth empowerment, agricultural value chain innovation, and climate-smart agriculture initiatives globally.

He is expected to contribute to the development of agritech education and certification programmes, create innovation pilot programmes, support student-led agritech entrepreneurship, and advance climate-smart agriculture training.

The release indicated that his experience will be key in providing strategic guidance on expanding SWIM’s agritech education initiatives, university partnerships, and innovation programmes.

Citing the World Bank and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, the release noted that agriculture supported the livelihoods of nearly one billion people worldwide and remained crucial for economic development, climate resilience, and food security.

It said that Mr Kyere-Mensah’s appointment coincides with global economic shifts, which are increasing disparities and emphasising the need to prepare students for emerging opportunities in agriculture and climate innovation.

“SWIM’s model addresses this challenge by building a global platform that connects students with universities, industry partners, and emerging innovation ecosystems across sectors including agritech, climate technology, artificial intelligence, and entrepreneurship,” the release stated.

“Evans brings a rare combination of agricultural innovation expertise, youth development leadership, and global perspective,” said Louv Afua Amoakowaa Ford, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SWIM.

“Mr Kyere-Mensah’s role aligns with SWIM’s broader mission in build a global workforce ecosystem,” she said.

Ms Ford noted that SWIM had signed an alliance charter with renowned legal scholar and Kenyan activist, PLO Lumumba, as Founding Strategic Advisor and Pan-African institutional ambassador.

SWIM is an emerging global platform connecting young people across Africa and the world to build workforce pathways and innovation ecosystems that prepare the next generation for the evolving global economy.

Residents of Aboabo in the Asawase Constituency have welcomed a planned demolition of the Aboabo Market, after years of neglect and deterioration to make way for the proposed 24-Hour model market.

The market is expected to be demolished between 13th and 14th May 2026, to pave the way for the 24-Hour Economy model market, a flagship programme of the ruling Nation Democratic Congress (NDC).

The 24-Hour Economy initiative seeks to reposition the nation into a 24/7, high-productivity, export-driven economy by the end of 2026.

Residents described the development as a welcome relief, citing persistent structural decay, inadequate sanitation, and fire risks as major concerns that have made redevelopment necessary for improved modernisation.

The Ghana News Agency (GNA) visited the market on Tuesday morning to engage traders and businesses on their sentiments regarding the redevelopment.

Mallam Zakari, a tailor, told the GNA that modernising the market would enhance the competitiveness of traditional commerce, thereby attract more customers and stimulate local economic activity.

He added that redeveloping the facility would address safety concerns, poor sanitation, and inadequate drainage, to create a cleaner and safer environment with appropriate amenities.

Hajia Humu Ibrahim, a vendor, also told the GNA that redevelopment would enhance the overall appearance of the area, making it more attractive while reducing the dangers associated with dilapidated structures.

However, she lamented the uncertainty surrounding the allocation of stores after completion.

She said her experience at the Asawase Market where most original owners were not given back their sheds and stores were unacceptable.

She therefore urged the authorities to ensure that every shed or store owner receives their allocated space after the project is completed.

For its part, the Asawase Municipal Assembly said it had held extensive engagements with stakeholders and had already outlined modalities for the market upon completion.

The Assembly noted that it was aware of complaints regarding store allocation and assured residents that each original occupant would receive a store.

The project, it said, wass being funded by the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF), and the contract was awarded to OFFKOO Building and Construction Works Ltd, a local construction firm.

All phases of the project, according to the Assembly, are expected to be completed by the end of 2028.

The Assembly therefore appealed to residents to cooperate as the demolition and redevelopment commenced.

Meanwhile, as of today, May 12, 2026, occupants of the market were seen evacuating their belongings as a sign of compliance ahead of the demolition.

Mr Kwame Governs Agbodza, the Minister for Roads and Highways, has reaffirmed government’s commitment to improving road infrastructure in the Upper West and Upper East corridors to boost economic activities between the two regions. 

Speaking at Tumu as part of the nationwide “Big Push” roads inspection, the Minister expressed appreciation for the warm reception from traditional leaders, noting that the decision to meet him along the road reflected the community’s importance of development issues. 

He commended the area’s Member of Parliament for his dedication and strong advocacy for development, describing him as a committed son of the land who continues to champion the interests of his people in Parliament. 

Mr Agbodza acknowledged the concerns and appeals raised by chiefs and residents and assurred them that all requests were being taken seriously. 

 He revealed that officials from the Ghana Highways Authority, including the Chief Executive and regional engineers, were already working to assess the proposals and determine feasible interventions. 

Among the key issues discussed was the possible dualisation of sections of the road through Tumu township to the border, as well as improvements to roads linking farming communities to major markets and border towns. 

The Minister emphasised that the area was of strategic importance as a major food-producing zone, particularly for maize, and noted that improved road networks would support farmers to transport their produce efficiently and boost economic activity. 

”We know that here is one of the most important maize growing areas in the country and the President expect the people to be able to sell their produce to every part of the country and Burkina-Faso to increase their incomes  and have a return on their investment”, he said. 

The landlord of Tumu, Baba Tommy Kanton, speaking on behalf of the Tumu traditional Council, expressed gratitude to the President for the significant progress in road development across the country. 

 He highlighted the importance of the Tumu–Burkina Faso stretch, noting that while the Burkinabe side of the road had already been tarred up to the border, the Ghanaian side remained incomplete.  

He appealed for urgent attention to the project, emphasising that completing the road would enhance connectivity and open up Ghana’s northern frontier for trade and development. 

The landlord also commended the Roads Minister and described him as a serious and dedicated leader.  

He noted that seeing the minister visit Tumu twice within a year was a strong sign of commitment to the area’s development, which had brought renewed hope to residents. 

The council also praised contractors, particularly Mawums, for the quality of work being done, and urged other contractors to emulate such standards.  

They further appealed to the Roads Minister to ensure the timely release of funds to contractors to avoid delays and guarantee the swift completion of ongoing projects. The traditional council presented a ram as a gesture of goodwill and appreciation to the Minister. 

Mr Issah Mohammed Bataglia, Member of Parliament for Sissala East said he was in daily contact with all the contractors towards ensuring all the challenges they face were being resolved to ensure all the contractors deliver on schedule.  

‘’We are continuously pleading with Minister Agbodza who is not an armchair Minister  to ensure quick payment to Mawums, Ashcal and P&W Ghanem Ltd.  

The Minister of Roads and Highways, Mr Kwame Governs Agbodza, has expressed disappointment over the slow pace of construction work on the Techiman-Wenchi Road project under the government’s ‘Big Push’ road infrastructure programme. 

During an inspection visit to the project site, Mr Agbodza noted that the government had already paid GHC66 million to the contractors, stating that they had no excuse to delay execution of the project and demanding explanations for the poor progress. 

The sector minister threatened to terminate and re-award the contract if the contractors failed to provide tangible reasons for the delay, expressing concern that work on the stretch was awarded in December 2025, yet there had been no meaningful improvement on site. 

“Yet we haven’t seen any meaningful improvement,” he fumed. 

He explained that the government had invested heavily in the ‘Big Push’ programme to ensure timely completion of road projects, stressing that the Techiman-Wenchi road was a key priority aimed at opening up the area and stimulating socio-economic development. 

Mr Agbodza added that the programme was designed to facilitate the movement of goods and services across the country, and urged contractors to speed up work while cautioning against shoddy and sub-standard construction. 

Mr Francis Owusu Antwi, the Bono East Regional Minister, who accompanied the sector minister, pledged to intensify monitoring and supervision to ensure contractors deliver quality work and complete projects within schedule under the ‘Big Push’ programme in the region.