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Entrepreneur establishes livestock centre to train youth
Mr Koduah and Darnmark partners and others
A Ghanaian entrepreneur has established a livestock training centre known as Global Farming and Technology Institute to train the youth, particularly females, to contribute to livestock farming in the country.
The Institute willcollaborate with the Animal Science Department of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the University of Development Studies (UDS), Namkpala Campus, and Tech College in Denmark.
Located in the old Tafo community in the Abuakwa North District of the Eastern Region, it has a modern abattoir, laboratory, lecture halls, and farm demonstration sites.
It aims at improving the knowledge of every livestock farmer in the country, focusing on cattle (for beef), sheep, goats, pigs (hogs), and poultry enterprises as well as non-traditional livestock, such as rabbits, guinea pigs, grass cutters, and African giant snails.
In a chat with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), of the Institute, Kwame B.Koduah, during a three-day training for 100 farmers and non-farmers, he indicated that the decision to establish the Institute “is to bridge the literacy skills gap in Ghana’s livestock industry.”
He said “this is an effort to advance and keep informal Ghanaian farmers abreast of emerging technologies in the livestock sector.”
He observed with grave concern the gradual decline in the livestock subsector’s contribution to Ghana’s agricultural Gross Domestic Product(GDP),which has dropped from 12.60 per cent in 2014 to 8.31 per cent in 2020.
Due to this decline, he said “the Institute aims to incorporate modern technologies to augment traditional methods of rearing and breeding.”
Mr. Koduadisclosed that about 100 youth have already been trained and given 100 piglets and fowls each as startups of their businesses.
He mentioned that the beneficiaries were provided with the feeds for the animals and all “they do is to take good care of them for good production.”
“If the youth of this country will be serious with livestock farming, the country’s economy will thrive because technology is boosting the industry,”he stated.
The Denmark partners, Dennis Christensen, a butcher cum lecturer at the Tech College, and Morten Wagner, Sales and Development Director of AVS Agriculture, trained both farmers and non-farmers on producing various meat products, including hot burgers, sausages and meat bread.
They mentioned the importance of adding value to meat to create jobs for the youth and called on females, in particular, to take advantage of the training at the institute to better their lives.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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GEXIM to host “SME GO” programme stakeholder sensitisation and fair on September 18
The Ghana Export – Import Bank (GEXIM) in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ghana Enterprises Agency and Development Bank of Ghana will be hosting the final phase of the stakeholder sensitisation exercise on the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Growth and Opportunity (SME GO) Programme at the Bank’s headquarters located at the Africa Trade House, in Accra.
The stakeholder sensitisation event is scheduled to take place on Wednesday SSeptember18, 2024 at 10 am and will give attendees a deeper insight into the SME GO Programme with a focus on the dynamics of the programme, eligibility criteria application process and how the initiative seeks to assist Ghanaian SMEs to scale up and compete favorably in the international marketplace.
The confirmed speakers and dignitaries for the event will highlight how Ghanaian SMEs can leverage on the SME GO Programme to build the capacities and make them sustainable.
They include Hon. Abena Osei-Asare, Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Hon. K. T. Hammond, Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Nii Kwartei Titus Glover, Greater Accra Regional Minister as well as the Chief Executive Officers of the Ghana Enterprises Agency and Development Bank of Ghana.
Alongside the stakeholder sensitisation event, GEXIM will be hosting a special edition of its popular SME Fair dubbed “SME GO Mart” at the forecourt of the Africa Trade House, from 8am to 8pm.
The theme for the “SME GO Mart” is “Celebrating Ghanaian SMEs” and it will provide a platform for Ghanaian entrepreneurs to showcase various top-quality Made-In-Ghana products.
Over hundred Ghanaian entrepreneurs with unique products have been confirmed to participate in the fair.
They will be exhibiting several unique and authentic products at unbeatable prices including food and ingredients, beverages, skin and beauty care products, textiles, apparel, garments, leather footwear, slippers, and many others.
In July 2024, the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Finance launched the SME GO Programme, a ground breaking initiative which sought to provide Ghanaian SMEs with the needed funds, requisite technology and knowledge as well as other relevant resources and tools to aid their growth to become international giants.
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Zipline, GHS reduce maternal mortality in Ashanti Region by 56.4% – Study
A recent impact assessment study on aerial logistics to improve maternal health and emergencies has revealed a remarkable reduction in maternal mortality by 56.4% in Ghana’s Ashanti Region, thanks to the collaborative efforts of Zipline and the Ghana Health Service (GHS).
This was revealed at the National Ghana Health Service Research Conference organized by the Ghana Health Service in partnership with Zipline. The study, which focused on the impact of aerial logistics in healthcare, also noted a 19.9% increase in antenatal visits and a 25% rise in in-facility births, signaling a significant boost in maternal health outcomes.
The success according to the study is attributed to the on-demand availability of blood and essential medical supplies provided by Zipline’s innovative drone delivery system. This consistent access to critical resources has increased patient confidence in the healthcare system, encouraging more mothers to seek necessary care throughout their pregnancies.
Speaking on the highlight of the study, the Research Officer at Ashanti Regional Health Directorate stated, “the significant decrease in maternal mortality we’ve seen is a clear indication of the vital role that reliable access to medical supplies plays in healthcare. The ability to deliver blood and essential medicines exactly when they’re needed has transformed how mothers in the Ashanti Region perceive and engage with the healthcare system.”
“It’s an achievement that speaks to the importance of introducing technology in healthcare delivery. Mothers now feel more confident in seeking care, knowing that they will receive the support they need throughout their pregnancies,”he stated.
The study examined data from 191 health facilities, including hospitals, health centers, and Community-based Health and Planning Services (CHPS) Compounds. Among these, 99 facilities were served by Zipline’s aerial logistics, while 91 were not. The research employed adjusted rates for various key indicators, such as antenatal consultations, emergency visits, referrals, live births, hysterectomies, maternal deaths, and neonatal deaths, as the main dependent variables.
The qualitative aspect of the study aimed to describe and analyze the changes in satisfaction levels among healthcare providers and patients, perceived quality of care in maternal health and emergencies, and experiences related to the use of aerial logistics. In-depth interviews were conducted with 22 patients and 23 healthcare providers at the participating facilities.
Globally, maternal mortality remains a critical public health challenge, with stark disparities between high-income and low-to-middle-income countries (LMICs).
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the majority of maternal deaths occur in LMICs, often due to preventable causes. In Ghana, particularly in the Ashanti Region, the problem is critical, reflecting the broader challenges faced across the African continent. Beyond this, socio-economic, geographic, and infrastructural factors intensify the risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth, highlighting the urgent need for innovative solutions to improve maternal health outcomes.
As maternal mortality continues to pose a challenge in low-to-middle-income countries, the success seen in Ghana’s Ashanti Region offers a promising model for other regions and nations striving to improve maternal health outcomes through innovative solutions.
Zipline is poised to continue leading the way in revolutionizing healthcare delivery, ensuring that every mother has access to the life-saving resources, no matter where she lives.
