Editorial
Engage youth in agriculture for jobs and food security
Encouragement of youth involvement in agriculture can help develop jobs for them and assure food security as farming is one of the sectors that can reduce unemployment in the nation.
It is remarkable that the majority of Ghana’s youth complain about unemployment rather than working in agriculture to support them. Ghana has a large amount of agricultural land.
Farmers have improved their agricultural practices over the years, becoming more independent and some even earning accolades locally, nationally, or even worldwide.
While there is a propensity for young people to go to cities and towns in quest of unattainable greener pastures, when one travels outside of Accra to the hinterlands, one typically finds vast undeveloped arable fields.
Farming offers the young generation the ability to make a difference by producing enough food to feed themselves, their families, and even the country, therefore it is surprising that they are not motivated to take use of this potential.
An illustration of this is the National Service Scheme’s (NSS) investment in a large-scale commercial farming operation at Abotantire in the Sekyere Afram Plains District of the Ashanti Region as part of the Sekyere Kumawu Economic Enclave Project (SKEEP).
The goal is to prepare young people to work in commercial agriculture with a concentration on the production of maize, rice, soy, catfish, tilapia, and poultry.
When the Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum visited the place recently with some executives of the NSS they were so impressed with what they saw as the investment has yielded much results to provide food for the National Buffer Stock Company (NABCO) to support the free senior high school (SHS) and school-feeding programmes.
The project is admirable, and the Spectator thinks that if it is adopted by other regions, sustained farming will provide the future generation a great chance to improve food security, reduce starvation, and aid in the agricultural sector’s adaptation to climate change.
The youth need education, technical training, and resources like land and money to contribute to local, national, and global development if they are to view agriculture as a lucrative and exciting career path.
Families and schools can start a backyard garden (as was done in the past during the operation-feed-yourself programme) to grow vegetables like tomatoes, okra, and peppers at home and in schools so that the youth can practise farming until it becomes part of them.
There is a need for alternatives to maintain food security in these challenging economic times because there are few resources and the government is struggling to feed pupils due to the rising number of students attending SHS.
Editorial
Residents uncomfortable with noise pollution at Abeka-Botwe
Dear Editor,
I write to complain about the incessant noise pollution from churches and drinking spots in the Abeka- Botwe community.
Despite the many complaints from residents, the churches and operators of these drinking spots have turned a deaf ear to these complaints from the neighbours and residents.
Even suggestions to reduce the volume of their gadgets have been ignored.
One can audibly hear these noise from meters away and it’s very bad especially for those living close. In communicating, one is forced to shout for the other to hear.
These churches holds evening services twice or thrice a week and morning service on Thursdays and Sundays.
On all these occasions, one is forced to leave the house, move somewhere to relax and return home when they are done.
Most residents are at their wits end as complains to the churches and drinking spots have not been heeded to.
Through this platform, I wish to appeal to the Okaikwei North Municipal Assembly to take the needed action against them or caution them to give some relief to residents.
Akosua Addo
Abeka-Botwe
Editorial
Fix deplorable roads at Dansoman Camara
Dear Editor
I am writing to express my concern about the deplorable condition of the roads in my area, Dansoman Camara, specifically the numerous potholes that have become a menace to drivers and pedestrians alike.
The roads in the neighbourhood are full of potholes and for months has become so difficult for drivers to navigate their way on them.
Despite the numerous complaints to the local authorities, nothing seems to have been done to address the issue. The potholes are not only causing damage to vehicles but also posing a significant risk to road safety.
As the rainy season draws closer, it will turn into something else as these huge potholes become large pools of water.
And as drivers drive through them, they splash the water on commuters. The buildings nearby are also not left out, leaving them in a poor state.
As a resident of this area, I am appalled by the lack of attention given to this critical issue. I urge the relevant authorities to take immediate action to repair the roads and fill the potholes.
It is their responsibility to ensure that the roads are safe and well-maintained.
I hope that by highlighting this issue, I can bring attention to the plight of residents in my area and prompt the authorities to take necessary action.
Eugene Ampiaw,
Dansoman Camara
