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142 women famers awarded for hardwork
Sungbo Women Empowerment Organisation (SWEO), a non-governmental organization (NGO) in the Upper West Region has awarded some 142 women farmers in the Wa East District for successfully cultivating soya beans for domestic and commercial consumption.
The awardees who were drawn from various communities in the district received farm equipment and inputs ranging from knapsack sprayers to bags of fertilisers for their exploits.
Speaking at the maiden event at Dupare last Saturday, the Chief Executive Officer of SWEO, Ms Portia Tang said her organisation was interested in enhancing the well-being of women in the region.
She explained that with its presence in six Municipal and District Assemblies, SWEO gave support to women farmers to cultivate soya beans by providing them with the requisite farm implements and inputs on credit basis for repayment later.
“This award ceremony is to recognise the efforts of women who took our credit facilities for their farming, paid on time and maximised productivity”, she said.
She explained that the award sought to also encourage more women to venture into farming and commended the traditional authorities for making land available to the women.
The CEO explained that her organisation was interested in economic empowerment of women and sought to equip women with the necessary skills and support in their various fields of endeavour to enhance productivity and economic independence.
“We have trained some young ladies in shea butter processing and supported them with processing machines as well as mechanised boreholes for the production of shea products”, she said.
Ms Tang encouraged more women to venture into agriculture and appealed to landowners and chiefs to provide land for the women in order to support their quest.
For her part, the District Director at the Department of Agriculture, Ms Mavis Daregobah bemoaned the prevalence of bushfires as well as stealing of farm produce and livestock in the area and said that it thwarted the efforts of farmers.
She appealed to chiefs, landlords and the assembies to institute measures towards combating such criminal and unproductive acts against farmers in the area.
She called on farmers to endeavour to produce beyond subsistence level by venturing into commercial farming in order to maximise profit.
Madam Asata Shaibu Muhammadu from Duapri and Madam Karima Alhassan from Goripie were adjudged the overall best farmers.
Each of the two women received a bicycle, knapsack sprayers, weedicides and a pair of wellington boots for cultivating eight acres of soya beans each and paying up the credit they received from the NGO on time.
FROM LYDIA DARLINGTON FORDJOUR, DUPARE
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Many SOEs have been used as mere instruments for personal wealth accumulation –Pres.Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has expressed concern over the misuse of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) for personal financial gain by individuals in leadership positions.
Speaking during a meeting with Chief Executives of specified entities under the State Interest and Governance Authority (SIGA) on Thursday, March 13, the President directly attributed the dire state of SOEs to their leadership, accusing chief executives, management teams, and governing boards of prioritising personal enrichment over organisational efficiency.
He pointed to bloated budgets, unjustified allowances, and unnecessary expenditures as factors draining public funds while SOEs continue to rely on government bailouts.
“Many SOEs have been used as mere instruments for personal wealth accumulation by appointees. The chief executives, management, and boards of these enterprises are responsible for this situation. Some SOEs have become perennial loss-makers, draining public funds with bloated budgets, unjustified allowances, and unnecessary expenditures while relying on government bailouts as if entitled to them. Many of these entities are at their lowest point in the entire history of the Fourth Republic,” he said.
President Mahama further noted that many SOEs have been plagued by inefficiencies, corruption, and mismanagement, leading to consistent financial losses. He cited the 2023 State Ownership Report by the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), which highlighted systemic inefficiencies and wasteful expenditures within these entities.
He therefore reaffirmed his commitment to reforming under-performing SOEs and ensuring they serve national interests.
He warned that loss-making SOEs will no longer be tolerated and will either be merged, privatised, or closed.
“I will assess you based on your performance. If you do not align with the pace of the reset agenda, you may be asked to step aside. If that adds to the horror movie, so be it,” he added.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
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Prophet Courage Heavens set to launch ‘Predestination’ book on March 23
Prophet Courage A. Heavens is set to launch the much-awaited book titled ‘Predestination’ on Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 5:00PM.
The launch, which is expected to impact lives, will take place at Crossgates Ministries, Flattop, off N1 Highway, opposite Angel Hauz.
The book is aimed at addressing the way people struggle to understand how free will and destiny align.
It is also aimed at providing clarity on God’s sovereignty and one’s place in His divine plan.
The various chapters of the book address various issues through scriptures and personal stories.
Committed to impacting society, part of the proceeds from the book will go into Courage Heavens Education Legacy (CHEL), an educational foundation transforming lives.
CHEL is dedicated to providing financial support and mentorship to brilliant but needy students, ensuring they have access to quality education and opportunities for a better future.
Prophet Courage Heavens is a prolific writer and previously authored Eli Eli Lama Sabachthani, a powerful book that encourages unwavering faith in times of trials.
In addition, he has written seven more prophetic and life-changing books that are yet to be published.
He is dedicated to raising the next generation for impactful ministry. As the leader of Crossgates Ministries, he nurtures believers in faith and purpose.
