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3,000 Ejisu, Juaben rice farmers to benefit from MoFA subsidised inputs

More than 3,000 registered and unregistered rice farmers in Ejisu and Juaben districts of Ashanti are to benefit from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture’s (MoFA) subsidised inputs, to improve on local rice production.
Dubbed: the Ministry of Food and Agriculture Cutters and Thrashers Initiative, equipment would be distributed to rice farmers across the country through their groups on credit at a subsidised rate of GH¢11,000 to be paid in installments within two years.
A Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr George Boahen Oduro, disclosed these to journalists during a demonstration exercise for farmers on how to use the equipment, at Ejisu.
He explained that the move by the ministry would not only improve on rice production, but was expected to reduce post-harvest loss local rice farmers encounter every year, and also help the government achieve its goal of stopping rice importation by the next two years.
Mr Oduro said the government had an agenda to increase rice production in the country, to ensure that money used to import rice annually remained in the country.
Under the Planting for Food and Jobs, he said the government had a programme of stopping rice importation into the country by the next two years.
Mr Oduro noted that the country spent about one billion dollars annually on rice importation, thus creating employment for the countries where the importation was done, adding that “So we have to embark on massive rice production so that the money remains in the country”.
The Municipal Director of Agriculture, Mr Patrick Akowuah, said that the introduction of the equipment would reduce the stress farmers go through using the manual way of harvesting.
He indicated that, with this move by the ministry, the directorate was expected to increase rice production from 2.5 tonnes per hectare to four tonnes per hectare, adding that “there is ready market for the produce.”
Mr Clement Adakesah, a rice farmer, who could not hide his joy, lauded government for the initiative, saying that the equipment would reduce post harvest losses and time spent at the farm during harvesting.
FROM FAUSTINA KWABEA OSEI, KUMASI
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High Court issues bench warrant for disputed Akwatia MP following contempt conviction

A Koforidua High Court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Ernest Yaw Kumi, the presumed winner of the Akwatia parliamentary seat in the Eastern region, after convicting him of contempt of court.
The court issued the bench warrant for Kumi’s arrest after he failed to attend court.
The conviction comes after he disobeyed an interim injunction against him on January 7, prohibiting him from being sworn in and admitted as the Member of Parliament-elect for the Akwatia constituency due to an ongoing legal contest over his election.
Mr Kumi presented himself in Parliament to be sworn in on January 7, 2025.
The Judge, Justice Senyo Amedahe held that the convict, throughout the hearing of the contempt case, failed to appear in court in person.
He also rejected a letter from the minority side of Parliament claiming the MP was busy with parliamentary duties, hence his continuous absence from court.
The judge rejected the letter, insisting he would be going against his own ruling should he accept the letter from the minority caucus.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
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Asset declaration is good, but lifestyle audit is key among public officials – Domelevo to Mahama

Former Auditor General Daniel Yaw Domelevo has commended President John Mahama for declaring his assets but stressed the need for a lifestyle audit to effectively curb corruption among public officials.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Tuesday, February 18, he acknowledged the President’s move as a “good gesture” but raised concerns about the process.
“It is good to see that the President has declared his assets,” he said.
According to him, “I was not too happy seeing the envelope being given to the Auditor General because that goes more or less to support what people have all along been saying—that you put your declaration in an envelope, seal it, and give it to the Auditor General, which is not the case anyway.”
“This should have gone through the entire process so that they capture it because you are supposed to verify the signature and be sure that the form has been properly completed. That at least should have been done, but it was not done,”he said.
While appreciating President Mahama’s directive for his appointees and public office holders to declare their assets by March 31, Domelevo expressed reservations about the timeline.
“To be honest with you, I think March 31 is too far away because the Constitution provides that it should be declared before you take office,” he argued.
He added that “Some will argue that Act 550 allows six months, but Act 550 contradicts the Constitution. I have a letter in my possession, written by former Attorney General Gloria Akuffo, confirming that the provisions of subsection 4(1) of Act 550 contradict the Constitution. However, we have all been upholding and following that.”
Daniel Domelevo was particularly pleased with Mahama’s commitment to hold non-compliant officials accountable.
“I’m also happy the President says those who don’t declare are going to be punished or asked to leave office. I think that will cut across everybody, and that will be good,” he stated.
However, the former Auditor General stated that asset declaration alone is insufficient in tackling corruption.
“This declaration is good. We must add to it what we call a lifestyle audit and the reversal of the burden of proof,” Mr Domelevo insisted.
“If we don’t do these two things so that we can audit and find out ‘how did you get this money?’, people are going to hide their resources or their assets with their families and friends. Everybody who is suspected of being an ally of a political or public office holder must be subjected to a lifestyle audit,” he concluded.
Source: Myjoyonline.com