News
250 tractors, implements procured for smallholder farmers to boost agric production
Government in collaboration with Knight Transfer of Technology, a Czech-based technological entity, has procured 250 modernised mini tractors and implements for small and medium-scale farmers in the country.
This forms part of efforts in achieving the goals for the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJs) programme.
The implements comprised hand-held machines, mini tractors, double-sided ploughs, trailers, mulchers, boom sprayers, mist blowers, threshers, rotovetess, corn crushers and rice rippers.
The equipment would, among other things, enable the farmers to do land preparation, planting and harvesting.
They were procured through a public-private partnership at a cost of €10 million, an interest-free loan facility from the Czech Republic Export Bank.
Director of Agricultural Engineering Services Directorate (AESD) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture Mr Amatus Deyand said the implements would boost agriculture in the country as it would augment activities of smallholder farmers.
“The set of agriculture implement have been subsidised as government has taken 40 per cent of the original cost of the machines which ranges between GH₵18,000 and GH₵ 125,000 ,” he said.
According to Mr Deyand, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture was poised to help small and medium-scale farmers have access to suitable and modernised machines to increase production.
“The vision of the Ministry is to equip, especially small and medium-scale farmers, with appropriate mechanisation options to ease the laborious work associated with farming operations and to ultimately enhance productivity,” he said.
Chief Executive Officer of the Knight Transfer of Technology, Dr Karl Laryea said the procurement of the implement was the company’s contribution to realising of the PFJs programme by helping farmers move from the traditional farming to a mechanized system.
In order to develop implements to suit the agriculture conditions in Ghana, Dr Laryea noted that some Ghanaians were sent to Czech for training.
These individuals, according to Dr Laryea, “can now assemble, operate and service both the Cabrio Compact and Global Multipurpose Mini Tractors.”
The equipment was showcased at the Awutu Camp Prison in the Central Region last Friday.
Speaking at the event, the District Director of Agriculture for Awutu Senya East, Mr A. K. B. Beyang urged small and medium-scale farmers to harness resources to buy and use the equipment to boost agricultural production.
Source: Ghanaian Times
News
President John Mahama submits list of Deputy Ministers
President John Dramani Mahama has nominated 13 people to serve as deputy ministers in his government.
In accordance with Articles 78(1) and 79(1) of the Constitution, President Mahama submitted the names of the underlisted to Parliament, through the Speaker, for prior approval to serve as Deputy Ministers.
1. Ministry of Finance – Thomas Nyarko Ampem
2. Ministry of the Interior – Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi
3. Ministry of Defence -Ernest Brogya Gyenfi
4. Ministry of Education -Clement Abas Apaak
5 Ministry of Energy & Green Transition -Richard Gyan-Mensah
6. Ministry of Roads & Highways -Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini
7. Ministry of Justice & Attorney General- Justice Srem-Sai
8 Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources -Yusif Sulemana
9. Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs -Rita Naa Odoley Sowah
10. Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources -Gizella Tettey-Agbotui
I I. Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts -Yussif Issaka Jajah
12. Ministry of Food and Agriculture -John Kofi Setor Dumelo
13. Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry -Samson Ahi
The President has also nominated Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba as Minister of State, Public Sector Reforms.
News
NPP is so hurt by my nomination – Sam George
The Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovation, and Member of Parliament(MP) for Ningo-Prampram, Samuel Nartey George, says opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament (MPs) are hurt by his nomination.
The minister who was approved by the majority in Parliament yesterday in a Facebook post stated that “It is clear to me that the NPP is so hurt by my nomination as Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations and would stop at nothing to fight it.”
His post was in response to photos circulated on social media suggesting he was watching what appears to be nude content on his phone.
Mr. Sam George accused the NPP MPs of circulating fake photos with a false narration to tarnish his reputation, saying: “They have resorted to a smear campaign and cheap lies with fake photos.”
“After failing to mobilise their own Caucus in Parliament to vote against my nomination, they have resorted to smear campaign and cheap lies with fake photos,” he posted.
He concluded, “I can assure them that the days of misinformation and cheap fabricated lies are coming to an end. The Ministry would tighten regulations on such illegal conducts of misinformation and disinformation in the coming weeks and sanitise our media space.So help me God.”
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
