Home Blog Page 50

Poultry business losing its lucrativeness — Market Queen

By
Editor
-
0

Madam Betty Odoom, Market Queen at the New Takoradi poultry market, has expressed her displeasure on how unprofitable the poultry business has become. 

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Madam Odoom explained that the business was slowing down due to the high cost of buying the birds from the farms. 

She said: “The birds are expensive from the various poultry farms where we purchase them, and so it affects our market when we bring them to sell in the market”.

“As a result, most of us have lost our business capital.”

Madam Odoom explained that previously, one could purchase a poultry bird for as low as between GHC70 and GHC80, but now the prices have shot up to between GHC100.00 and GHC150. 00.

“Most of us also run at a loss because we have no other choice than to reduce the prices drastically so people can purchase some at the end of the day,” she added. 

Madam Odoom called on the authorities to relocate them to a place that would bring them closer to the main market to attract more customers for their business.

She also appealed to the government to hasten the completion of the Takoradi Market Circle Project and put measures in place to make the poultry business more attractive, particularly to the youth. 

Expert urges media to stimulate informed conversations around climate change    

By
Editor
-
0

Environmentalist, and climate expert has urged the media to use their influences to stimulate informed conversations and shape the narratives, as the nation experiences climate change impacts. 
 
Madam Afua Serwah Akoto Prempeh, the Principal Project Manager of Proforest, who gave the advice called on the nation to build and strengthen a more resilient infrastructure systems to mitigate climate change impacts. 
 
Proforest is a non-profit organization that works with companies, private sector, governments, NGOs and communities in various sectors to help deliver commitments to people, nature, and climate. 
 
Madam Prempeh was speaking at the opening session of the Second Biennial Media Forum on Natural Resources, Environment, Climate Change and Science (BiM-NECS Forum 2) in Kumasi. 
 
The Media Platform on Environment and Climate Change (MPEC), the Afro-Sino Centre of International Relations (ASCIR), and the Steminist Foundation Ghana organized the forum on the theme “Ecosystem restoration: The politics, the science, the human, and the economy”. 
 
It was attended by senior journalists, editors and other media practitioners, drawn from Bono, Bono East and Ashanti Regions. 
 
As the voice for the voiceless, Madam Prempeh said the collective role of the media in agenda setting the agenda shaping national discourses could not be overemphasized, urging the media to do more to amplify the voices of the marginalized and other minority groups on climate change. 
 
She said the media ought to remain committed to highlighting community experiences on climate change and help proffer solutions. 
 
She noted that the nation’s water bodies, forest and vegetative covers were seriously under threat due to climate change, saying climate change impact on the environment had a significant impact on the economy, food security and livelihoods of the people. 
 
That, she added, underscored the need for them to increase her risk of preparedness systems. 
 
Describing the Journalist as planet advocates, Professor Mercy Afua Adutwumwaa Derkyi, the Director in-Charge of Quality Assurance and Academic Planning, University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), urged the media to remain at the forefront in restoring and preserving the nation’s eco-system. 
 
She said effective collaboration was required to restore the ecosystem through robust afforestation and reforestation and landscape, saying the nation’s over-reliance on donor funding was unsustainable. 
 
“Restoration agenda is not a one man show, and we need an interdisciplinary approach to make gains”, she stated and called for all-inclusive partnership and collaboration among all stakeholders. 
 
In a brief history, Mrs Mary Ama Kudom-Agyemang, the Executive Director of MPEC said the BiM-NECS Forum was conceived in 2023 as a platform for media practitioners in Ghana and other parts of Africa to come together to reflect on, debate and share experiences on their role in the governance of NECS. 

Results Declaration: Minority Caucus marches to police headquarters, demands security for EC 

By
Editor
-
0

Members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority Caucus in Parliament on Wednesday embarked on a peace march to the Ghana Police Service Headquarters, demanding that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) provides maximum security to the Electoral Commission. 

That, they said, would facilitate the declaration of the Ablekuma North parliamentary election results. 

The march that started at 1100 hours from Parliament House and proceeded along Gamel Abdul Street to the Police Headquarters, had the Members of Parliament (MPs) chanting patriotic songs and the party’s anthem. 

Minority Chief Whip Mr. Frank Annoh-Dompreh, who presented the petition to COP Daniel Afriyie on behalf of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), urged the police to ensure the Electoral Commissions’ (EC’s) safety during the collation and declaration process. 

 “The entire caucus is here to present a petition to the Inspector General of Police (IGP). We are hoping they will do the needful because the EC, out of frustration, has said that they need security, and we are hoping that the IGP should be able to offer security. 

“The NPP Minority Caucus’ petition to the IGP highlights the growing concerns over the delayed declaration of results and the potential implications for the constituency’s representation in Parliament,” Mr. Annoh-Dompreh said. 

The Ablekuma North Constituency has been without a representative in Parliament since the 2024 General Elections due to an alleged chaotic collation process.  

As a result, the EC has requested police security to enable them to continue the collation and declaration process. 

GNFS urges Ghanaians to have fire extinguishers in their home

By
Editor
-
0

Firefighters from the Ghana National Fire Services (GNFS) successfully doused a fire outbreak at Tema Community 11 in the early hours of Wednesday.

The fire, which occurred at about 0200 hours, consumed one room in the house which contained documents and a refrigerator.

Mr Kwabena Agyapong, a taxi driver who detected the fire, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that he had just finished church prayers and was on his way home when he saw fire burning in the house.

He added that he thought someone was burning something, so he parked his car and went to knock on the door to tell them to quench the fire since it was not safe to burn at that time of night.

He said it was when he got down that he realised it was the house that was on fire; he therefore knocked on the door to wake the residents up and shouted for other people living nearby to also wake up and help.

He noted that a distress call was then made to the fire service, whose personnel were dispatched to douse the fire.

According to the residents of the house, no one slept in the room where the fire started; therefore, no injuries were recorded.

Mr Solomon Koranteng, an Assistant Station Officer at the Tema Regional Office of the GNFS, said the cause of the fire was not immediately known, adding that investigations would be carried out to ascertain it.

He advised the public to have fire extinguishers in their homes to help in controlling such fires while fire personnel locate the scene, noting that, for instance, if the victims had an extinguisher in the house, they could have easily quenched it before it escalated.

He also advised the public to turn off all appliances when going to bed or leaving the house to prevent fire outbreaks and urged them to keep the fire emergency number 192 in their minds and phones to make it easy for them to call for help in such emergencies.

MTN launches 2025 Y’ello Care, focuses on co-creation with communities

By
Editor
-
0

MTN Ghana has launched the 2025 edition of its flagship social investment initiative, Y’ello Care, with a renewed focus on co-creation with communities.

This year’s campaign marks a strategic shift from traditional volunteer-driven interventions to a more inclusive and participatory model.

Under the theme “Y’ello Care Connecting at the Root,” MTN aims to engage deeply with communities by listening, learning, and jointly developing solutions that extend beyond the usual digital tools and services.

Nii Adotey Mingle, Northern Sector General manager of MTN Ghana, speaking at the launch in Kumasi, said volunteers are not going into the communities to dictate solutions.

He said they were going to work side-by-side with them, indicating that, “development that last is development that is built with community participation grounded in local context and sustained trust.”

Y’ello Care, now in its 18th year, is MTN’s annual 21-day volunteer programme designed to bridge the digital divide and empower underserved communities.

Over the years, the initiative has made significant impacts through educational support, digital training, and infrastructure development.

This year’s activities will include free ICT training, social media and content creation workshops, and support for local farmers to adopt smart farming practices.

Mr. Mingle urged all employees of MTN to reflect on what it means to connect at the roots and remember that the power of technology is only as meaningful as the lives it uplifts.

He said every Ghanaian regardless of education, location, or background is part of the digital future and must not be left behind.

“Let’s be the bridge between potential and progress. Let’s build a digital Ghana that leaves no one behind,” he emphasised.

Mr. Simon Amoh, Senior Manager, General Trade for the Northern Sector, reaffirmed MTN’s long-standing commitment to community development.

“Through Y’ello Care, MTN has touched lives and communities through the construction of schools, skill training among others,” he stated.

Asante Akim North Municipal Agricultural Department appeals for mechanisation Centre  

By
Editor
-
0

The Department of Agriculture at Agogo in the Asante Akim North Municipality has called on the government to establish a mechanisation centre in the Municipality to help farmers address faulty farm machinery challenges. 

Mr. Osei Bonsu, the Municipal Agricultural Officer, who made the appeal through the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Kumasi, indicated that there used to be a mechanisation centre some years back where farmers used to service and seek operational assistance for tractors, harrows, ploughs, and ridges, among others. 

“This office is no more in my District, and farmers are complaining. I cannot tell for other areas but without mechanisation centres it is difficult for farmers and Agricultural officers.” 

Mr. Bonsu said the situation was very disturbing, looking at the current trends and advanced application of farm implements, which every country was pursuing to achieve higher yields. 

“The farmers will go and procure the tractors and within a short time the machine breaks down and they will not know where to get the services of repairing, this becomes worrying and sometimes they have to resort to manpower which delays work on the farm.” 

He pointed out that Asante Akim North was one of the farming areas in Ghana where high volumes of crops, including maize, yam, plantain, cassava, rice and vegetables were produced. 

It is therefore necessary for the government to, as a matter of urgency, set up a mechanisation centre to ensure seamless repair of farming equipment. 

Mechanisation has been known globally to help farmers complete tasks faster and more efficiently, potentially leading to increased crop yields and productivity. 

Agricultural mechanisation services contribute to the modernisation agenda by introducing modern machinery and technologies and encouraging farmers to adapt to new practices. 

For government initiatives such as the Feed Ghana Programme to be more sustainable and enhance economic growth, the state must prioritise agricultural mechanisation as part of the project’s thematic areas. 

Plan International Ghana urges government to ensure effective implementation of Free Pad Initiative 

By
Editor
-
0

Mr Constant Tchona, Country Director, Plan International Ghana, has called on the government to ensure the effective implementation of the Free Pad Initiative, especially in hard-to-reach rural communities to enhance inclusivity. 

He emphasised the importance of sustainable investment in menstrual health education and school sanitation facilities, and urged government to promote large-scale local production of sanitary pads. 

Mr Tchona made the call at Walewale in the West Mamprusi Municipality of the North East Region to commemorate this year’s World Menstrual Hygiene Day. 

The event, organised by Plan International Ghsanion the theme: “Together for a Period-Friendly Ghana”, brought together various stakeholders to raise awareness about the challenges women and girls faced in managing menstruation, and to advocate increased investment in menstrual health education and WASH facilities in schools. 

Mr Tchona commended the government for allocating GHc292.4 million in its 2025 budget for the distribution of free sanitary pads to female students in primary and secondary schools, saying such initiative would help reduce absenteeism, improve menstrual hygiene, and break the cycle of poverty that disproportionately affected girls. 

He reaffirmed Plan International Ghana’s commitment to collaborating with the government and communities to advance menstrual equity and gender equality.  

He highlighted key interventions by the organisation, including supporting visually-impaired girls to advocate for water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities, constructing over 100 girl-friendly latrines, launching pad banks in schools and universities, and distributing reusable pads to over 150,000 girls, amongst others. 

He said, “Menstruation is not a choice. It is a natural, healthy part of life. Yet for far too long, the word ‘period’ has been whispered in shame, wrapped in stigma, and burdened in silence.” 

He added that “Today, we take a stand for every girl, who has missed school, for every woman, who has suffered in silence, and for every voice that has gone unheard.” 

Mr Ibrahim Tia, North East Regional Minister, underscored the significance of the celebration as a call to collective action to safeguard the dignity, health, and educational rights of young women.  

He praised Plan International Ghana for its continued support for development efforts in the region. 

He said, “Your interventions under the Integrated Package for Sustainable Development (IPADEV) project are exemplary and deeply impactful.” 

Mr Tia emphasised the vital role of parents and guardians in guiding and protecting children, saying “We must remain vigilant and involved in the lives of our young ones to steer them away from harmful behaviours like substance abuse and peer pressure that can derail their future.” 

Reverend Ibrahim Sebiyam, Headmaster of Walewale Senior High/Technical School, expressed appreciation to the government and development partners for their support.  

He appealed to Plan International Ghana and other benevolent organisations to prioritise the provision of a female-friendly toilet facility, changing rooms, and potable water for the girls in the school. 

He lamented about the school’s current reliance on the Community Water and Sanitation Agency for water supply, which he described as erratic and inadequate.  

The Headmaster said, “With a student population of about 2,013, the school faces limited water storage facilities. This often forces students to leave campus in search of water disrupting academic activities and leading to indiscipline.” 

World Menstrual Hygiene Day, observed annually on May 28, is a global initiative aimed at raising awareness about menstrual health and hygiene, promoting good practices, and breaking myths and misconceptions surrounding menstruation. 

As part of the celebration, Plan International Ghana distributed 1,000 reusable sanitary pads to girls at the school and provided education on their proper use. 

Benjamin Marfo secures 100 per cent endorsement as Amansie South DCE 

By
Editor
-
0

In a resounding show of unity and confidence, Mr. Benjamin Marfo has been confirmed as the new District Chief Executive (DCE) for Amansie South following a unanimous endorsement by all Assembly Members. 

The exercise supervised by the Electoral Commission saw all 37 Assembly Members voting Yes in favour of Mr. Marfo’s nomination by the President.  

The confirmation ceremony held at the assembly hall of the district assembly was attended by traditional leaders, heads of departments, party executives, and members of the public.  

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Marfo expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Assembly Members for the confidence reposed in him.  

He assured them of his unwavering commitment to hard work, transparency, and inclusiveness to advance development across the district.  

“I am deeply honoured by this overwhelming endorsement. It is a clear message that the people of Amansie South are ready for progress,” he stated.  

He promised to work with all stakeholders, regardless of political affiliation, to bring development, improve education, healthcare, and infrastructure. 

Mr. Marfo highlighted that one of his top priorities would be fostering unity among residents and spearheading initiatives aimed at improving the living standards in all communities within the district. 

“We are happy with this endorsement because Mr. Marfo is a humble and hardworking man. We believe he will bring the change we have long waited for,” a resident shared. 

Nana Oppong Mensah Abrampa, the Sompahene for the Manso Nkwatan Traditional Area, urged the DCE to remain accessible after assuming the high office of DCE as the representative of the President. 

Mpohor-Fiase: COPCAD to provide alternative source of livelihoods for illegal miners 

By
Editor
-
0

The Community Partnerships for Citizens Action and Development (COPCAD), a non-government organisation (NGO) is to implement a project to provide alternative source of livelihoods for those involved in illegal mining in the Mpohor-Fiase District of the Western Region.  

The project dubbed: Sustainable Communities Against Illegal Mining (SCAIM) with funding support from the KGL Foundation, would focus on rabbit farming as a sustainable, eco-friendly, and inclusive alternative livelihood for such illegal miners and those in the value chain.  

It would also promote community-based monitoring and advocacy systems to discourage destructive mining practices and protect natural resources. 

Mr Alfred Aggrey, a Project Officer at COPCAD, during an inception meeting to introduce the SCAIM project to stakeholders at Mpohor, said the initiative was part of the NGO’s strategic interventions to combat the devastating effects of illegal mining in the Mpohor-Fiase District.  

He said it would target the youth, particularly those in galamsey-affected communities, young girls and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and women among other vulnerable groups.  

He said: “We are targeting these groups because they are particularly vulnerable to the socio-economic and health impacts of illegal mining, so they are central to the project’s empowerment approach.” 

Mr Aggrey stated that the project would begin with a piloting phase where selected individuals from five communities in the district would be provided with the rabbits and other necessary materials to access the project’s broader impacts before full roll-out. 

He said as part of the project, the beneficiaries would be assigned veterinary officers and facilitate access to ready market for their rabbits upon maturity.  

“This project is not just about farming, it is about empowerment, environmental justice, and community-led change, so our aim is to help educate, support, and uplift vulnerable groups. 

“Together, we can build resilient communities that can thrive without depending on illegal mining activities,” the Project Officer noted.  

Mr Aggrey, thus, called for the buy-in of all stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the project. 

Mr Francis Biney, a farmer and participant, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on the side-lines commended COPCAD for the intervention and said it had come at the right time.  

He said when successfully implemented, the SCAIM project would help reduce the dependence on illegal mining for survival among the youth in the district, while protecting water bodies and arable lands from further destruction.  

“In my opinion, this will be a great initiative because our water bodies and lands for farming activities are being destroyed by galamsey, so I think we must all support and make this project a success,” he added.  

GACL Internal Audit Awareness Month launched

By
Editor
-
0

The Ghana Airports Company Limited’s ( GACL) Internal Audit Department has launched the Internal Audit Awareness Week in Accra.

The month of May has been designated as International Internal Audit Awareness Month, a period during which audit professionals around the world work to highlight the value of internal auditing to businesses and organizations.

The celebration is on the theme: “Resilient Organisations: The Role of Internal Auditors.”

 Mrs. Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare, the Managing Director of GACL commended the Internal Audit team for taking the initiative to create much-needed awareness about the critical role the function plays in the organization.

She noted that the Internal Audit Department continued to make significant impact within GACL by enhancing operational efficiency and effectiveness.

According to her, the observance of Internal Audit Awareness Month presented a timely opportunity to collaborate more proactively with stakeholders to identify and manage emerging risks.

Nana Gyamfi, Chairman of the Audit Committee emphasized the need to demystify the role of Internal Audit, stressing that it was not about witch-hunting, but rather a vital function that drives organizational growth and enhances performance.

He said the Internal Audit provided independent and objective assurance on the effectiveness of internal processes, while also offering strategic advice on best practices to improve operational efficiency. 

He commended the Department for consistently delivering credible reports that support informed decision-making.

While congratulating Management, staff and the Audit team for emerging the best SOE for Enterprise Risk Management Compliance for the year 2023, he charged management to invest in continuous training and provide the department with the necessary technological tools to enhance their effectiveness.

Mr. Kwaku Owusu Odame, Director of Internal Audit, Compliance, and Risk Management at GACL, referenced a quote by Professor Peter Drucker saying: “Innovate or die,” emphasizing that continuous innovation was essential for GACL to remain competitive and relevant.

He stressed that Internal Audit must evolve in response to change – proactively supporting management in achieving corporate objectives while adding measurable value to the organization. 

Mr. Odame also pointed out the significant gap between the mandate of Internal Audit and stakeholder perceptions, which often leads to unrealistic expectations.

He said that the month-long awareness programme, endorsed by the Institute of Internal Auditors, presents a valuable opportunity to bridge this gap raising awareness about the profession, correcting misconceptions, and deepening the business community’s understanding of the essential role Internal Audit plays in organizational success.

The Internal Audit Awareness Week will feature activities aimed at promoting understanding of the department’s contribution to organizational resilience and success.

1...495051...1,457Page 50 of 1,457