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Research scientists brainstorm on new rice breeding technology
The research scientists after the programme
An international training workshop on new rice breeding technology has taken place here.
The training has been necessitated by the fact that the conventional method of rice breeding has become old and called for new technologies that could result in a faster, rapid and precise breeding.
Dubbed, “Accelerated Breeding Modernisation for Hi- Impact Rice Breeding, the four-day training brought scientists from Ghana,Senegal, Tanzania, Mozambique, Nigeria, India and Zimbabwe to the Crops Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-CRI),at Fumesua, near Ejisu in the Ashanti Region.
Speed breeding to shorten breeding cycle, smart breeding to enhance selection accuracy, breeding programme to enhance genetic gains, were some of the topics at stake.
According to Dr. Sanjay K. Katiyar, project coordinator, the global climate change was having a negative toll on rice production and to tackle that, there was the need for varieties that could grow very fast toward food security in Africa and the world as a whole.
Dr. Katiyar, who is a breeding modernisation lead at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), said there had been lot of surveys conducted in Africa which revealed the need to modernise the conventional way of breeding rice toward food security in the face of global climate change.
“We need to modernise the conventional method that has been in use for the past 60 years to be able to deliver high yielding crop varieties…there are now better ways or technologies for that”,he emphasised.
He said that the new technologies had nothing to do with the genetic modification, stressing “this is not an implementation of Genetic Modified Organism(GMO),we are only modernising the conventional system”.
Dr. Maxwell Darko Asante, Deputy Director of the CSIR-CRI, in an interview appealed to the government to operationalise the National Research Fund.
He explained that rice breeding was an expensive venture and needed heavy investment and stressed the importance of government to commit some amount of money to agricultural research in the country.
Dr.Asante observed that 1.4 million tonnes of rice was consumed yearly in Ghana while approximately half of that was produced, and that there was the need for government to be more dedicated to producing rice in the country to avoid huge amount of money used for its importation.
“We need heavy investment, without which the impact of our technologies and varieties would not be felt”,he noted, adding that government could dedicate about one per cent of the gross domestic product towards agricultural research in the country.
From Kingsley E.Hope, Fumesua
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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.
