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Farmers in UW region benefit from GIZ’s easy access to certified agro-inputs forum
The Market Oriented Agriculture Programme in North West Ghana (MOAP-NW) under the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) has facilitated a forum for farmers to have easy access to certified agro-inputs in rural communities of the Upper West Region
The annual forum which was initiated in 2021 was facilitated in 42 locations across the MOAP-NW operational area, aimed at ensuring that at least 15,000 smallholder farmers had access to agro-inputs and also received education on good agriculture practices from experts.
The forum targets farmers and members of the Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs) in the 11 districts of the Upper West Region, 2 districts in the Savannah and Mamprugu-Moagduri in the North East Region
Addressing journalists at one of the forums at Fian in the Daffiama-Bussie-Issa District of the Upper West Region, the MOAP-NW Input and Crop Protection Specialist, Mr Emile Aman said over the years, the forum had yielded impressive results and expanded farmers’ access to certified seeds and inputs leading to quality production.
He explained that it provided a platform for farmers, input dealers, researchers and other stakeholders to meet and discuss issues such as crop production techniques, soil fertility management, pest and disease control, irrigation and post-harvest management to enable them learn and network
‘’As inputs has become more expensive, affecting farmers income and productivity, so as advise on the right and efficient use of inputs become even more important, hence, to curb this challenge, advisory services and agro inputs are brought to the doorstep of farmers to complement every budget”, he said.
Mr Aman said the forum also aimed at facilitating linkages between MOAP trained input dealers and the VSLA groups who were mainly famers to create a platform for experts to educate them on health and how to apply fertilizer to their farms.
He advised farmers to buy inputs from certified input dealers who had the capacity to educate them on how to apply them on their various farms
The MOAP-NW Monitoring and Evaluation Expert, Madam Fadila Ahmed Tijani said access to farm inputs in the rural areas had become a challenge to farmers and stressed that the fora were therefore to enable farmers have access affordable inputs at their doorstep.
She urged farmers and other actors in the agriculture industry to deepen their linkages to improve agricultural production in the region.
According to her said this year’s forum was organized by the inputs dealers themselves and the VSLA group and facilitated by MOAP-NW and expressed hope that it would be maintain in the project area even after the project existed.
A farmer in the Fian community, Madam Evelyn Naazie acknowledged the impact of the fora on their farming activities stressing that it helped to increase their access to inputs without any stress
The inputs dealers at the forum also highlighted some of the benefit of the initiative and promised to ensure its sustainability in the area.
The Forum was organized in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) through the Department of Agriculture and the Plant Protection and Regulatory Service Directorate (PPRSD).
FROM RAFIA ABDUL RAZAK WA
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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.
