Day: June 21, 2024

he Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Mrs Hawa Koomson has entreated fishers and those in the value chain to show interest in fish rearing as an alternative to the over-reliance on the sea.

She said the Ministry in collaboration with R and B Farms was training interested applicants in aquaculture, after which the fingerings and the needed resources were funded by the Ministry as a start-up capital for the fisher folks.

‘Please, show interest in this alternative livelihood and that a team from Liberia have come to Ghana to be trained on the concept of how much more we Ghanaians.

‘We need to take advantage of this, and I mean particularly the youth amongst you to create more jobs and kill poverty in our communities,’ she noted.

The Minister was speaking at an engagement with canoe owners, fishermen and chief fishermen on plans concerning the First July to the 31st of July close fishing season for artisanal fishers.

Turning attention to bad practices at sea, the Minister said the pollution
of the ocean with waste and plastics was becoming a major threat aside from the use of illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing methods employed by some unscrupulous fishers at sea.

She encouraged them to avoid selfish and deadly fishing practices which contributed to the depletion of marine resources.

The Minister said, ‘Don’t allow yourselves to be arrested. Let us comply with all fishing rules, particularly the close season because if for nothing at all, and you are asked to pay even one hundred cedis, there is a cost meanwhile that money could be invested.’

Mrs Koomson said the Moratorium on Canoe still existed but that there was room for replacement should one apply.

She said the Ministry would support them throughout the close season and encouraged all communities to comply with modalities for the distribution of relief items, adding that the Ministry would make available outboard motors in the coming months at cheaper rates to ensure that fishers could purchase them.

The fishers suggested a ba
n of two years for offenders at sea, collaboration with traditional rulers along the coast to ensure sanity on the sea and devices to test the quality of the catch.

Other concerns were the effects of illegal mining on the sea and the need for recycling plants along the beaches.

Source: Ghana News Agency

A new cowpea (beans) variety developed by the Crop Research Institute (CRI) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is awaiting approval for commercial use, researchers have said.

The new variety known as ‘Pod Borer Resistant Cowpea’ is expected to help farmers reduce losses incurred during cultivation of the crop and boost the availability of cowpea locally.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, Dr Daniel Osei Ofosu, a Research Scientist, explained that pest infestation had been a major setback for farmers who grew cowpea in the country.

He mentioned ‘Maruca’ as one of the ‘biggest insect pest’ of cowpea, which made farmers lose about 80 percent of the crop on the field before harvest.

To that end, he said, the new cowpea variety had been engineered to be resistant to the insect ‘Maruca’.

‘The newly engineered cowpea variety produces a natural toxin that kills Maruca but is harmless to us humans…The research has gone on for the last 12 years and we are close to commercialisation.

‘Ou
r hope is that when it comes onto the market, it will reduce the cost of cowpea (beans) and help us to be able to export to other countries,’ the Scientist stated.

Inadequate production of cowpea in Ghana compels farmers and consumers to rely on imports from Mali, Niger, and Nigeria – a situation, Dr. Ofosu said, did not ‘auger well for food sovereignty’ in the country.

He, therefore, expressed confidence that the new cowpea variety would help to improve import and farming challenges when commercialised.

The Research Scientist said the new variety had approval from the Biosafety Authority pending that of the Seed Council.

‘…Until the Seed Council gives that approval, we cannot tell when it [the Pod Borer Resistant Cowpea] will get into the hands of farmers.

‘We were hoping that [the approval] will come early enough for us to be able to multiply for our farmers to grow but unfortunately the cowpea season will start in July…and even if we get approval today, it will be impossible to produce enough for the
farmers.

‘We are hoping that from the next season, farmers will be able to grow this transformational cowpea and consumers will ultimately see the change in the prices of cowpea,’ Dr Ofosu noted.

The Scientist debunked some myth about Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in Agriculture, stressing the need for more public education on the benefits of the technology.

‘We know that the bad news has gone out ahead of the good news, but GMOs are safe once they have gone through all the regulatory processes.

‘In Ghana we have a robust regulatory process that is going to allow us to be able to harness this technology for the benefit of not only the scientist or the farmer, but the consumers who eat these foods. It will reduce the cost of food and ensure that we do not rely on others for our food,’ he stated.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Emerging Public Leaders of Ghana (EPL Ghana), with the support of the Mastercard Foundation, has announced the induction of 35 young graduates into its flagship Public Service Fellowship (PSF) Programme.

The EPL Ghana in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency said this significant event marked the beginning of their journey as the next generation of change agents in Ghana’s public and civil sectors and opens unique opportunities for them to make a real difference in their communities.

It said the orientation, held over three days at Ensign College at Kpong in the Eastern Region, was a testament to their commitment to preparing these top candidates selected through a rigorous, merit-based recruitment process for the realities, challenges, and opportunities within Ghana’s public service.

It said the comprehensive orientation programme, with its focus on ethical leadership, change management, resilience, and a strong work ethic, was designed to equip Fellows with the skills and knowledge necessary for e
ffective performance throughout their fellowship, instilling confidence in their preparedness.

Madam Juliet A. Amoah, Country Director of EPL Ghana, inaugurated the orientation by addressing the new Fellows’ responsibilities.

She emphasised the importance of upholding high standards and a code of conduct, urging the Fellows to embody the discipline and leadership expected from their national leaders.

‘This is not your usual leadership training. It is about change. You have received more than enough leadership training to last you a lifetime. It is time for you to step up as a change maker. You have everything it takes to take action. Change must happen and it must start now,’ she said.

Among the new Fellows is Derick Mintah, a person living with a disability who appreciated the PSF programme’s inclusivity.

He said, ‘I am grateful to EPL Ghana for providing the necessary tools to compete equally during the recruitment process,’ expressing his enthusiasm for making a positive impact.

Callister Tiitaabu Mu
onah, a nursing mother, also shared her story of perseverance.

She remarked, ‘The process was tough, but my passion for public service and resilience kept me going. This opportunity is essential for every young person aspiring to make a significant impact, and I am eager to use it positively.’

The statement noted that the 35 Fellows would be placed in various civil service and public sector organisations in Ghana.

It said throughout their one-year fellowship, they would engage in mentorship and continuous training programmes to equip them with the knowledge and skills to drive positive change and innovation within the public sector.

It said EPL Ghana was confident that these high-achieving individuals, through their participation in the PSF programme, would not only enhance the public sector workforce but also contribute significantly to the shared vision of a prosperous Ghana, instilling a sense of hope for a brighter future.

EPL Ghana is a nonprofit organisation that aims to equip young Ghanaian leader
s with the skills, knowledge, and networks needed to drive transformational change in Ghana and Africa.

EPL Ghana partners with the Government of Ghana, through the Office of the Head of Civil Service, and public service organisations among other partners to train and develop a crop of ethical and competent young public service professionals who are committed to good governance and excellent delivery of public services.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mrs Thelma Ohene-Asiamah, Director of the Public Sector Reform Secretariat, has urged Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to assist the Government in implementing the Open Government Partnership (OGP) 5th National Action Plan (NAP).

She encouraged them to keep pushing to be fully involved during the implementation of the Plan, despite the barriers.

‘Cooperation alone is not enough; the CSOs must involve themselves in the implementation. They complain that Government agencies don’t involve them but I encourage them to keep pushing till their voices are heard,’ she said.

Mrs Ohene-Asiamah gave the advice on Thursday during a civil society orientation meeting on OGP organised by the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) in Accra.

The OGP is an international voluntary initiative that seeks to secure the commitment of governments to deepening democratic governance through the promotion of transparency, accountability, active citizen participation, technology and innovation to enhance these key elements of good gove
rnance.

Ghana signed on to the initiative at its formal launch in Washington, in September 2011, and has since its inception developed and implemented five NAPs (in 2012, 2015, 2017, 2021 and 2023).

OGP NAPs are typically a two-year cycle, but Ghana opted for a four-year cycle for NAP-5.

The four-year 5th NAP was developed and submitted in December 2023 and is currently under implementation.

The Director said the lack of adequate resources had impeded awareness creation.

She said despite the constraints, the Government was committed to implementing the Action Plan and thanked donor partners for the technical and financial support.

Mrs Ohene-Asiamah, also the Country Point of Contact, OGP, said the Government and Civil Society collaborative relationship had been enhanced through the OGP.

She said through the implementation of OGP Action Plans and processes, major policy and legislative reforms to combat corruption, and improve accountability and transparency had been enacted and are being implemented.

These policy reforms are the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989); State Interests and Governance Authority Act, 2019 (Act 990); Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992); Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2018 (Act 982); Witness Protection Act, 2018 (Act 975), amongst others.

Mr Tarik Nesh-Nash, Coordinator for Africa and Middle East, OGP, said the Partnership had the goal of building a growing, committed, and interconnected community of open government reformers, activists and champions.

He said it was also committed to protecting and expanding the civic space and accelerating collective progress on open government reforms.

Mr Benedict Doh, Finance Manager, GII, in his welcome address, said the meeting would equip CSOs with the information needed to effectively engage with NAP 5 and contribute to its successful implementation.

‘Your role is crucial in this process, providing valuable input, implementation support, monitoring implementation, and holding the government accountable.’

‘Our goal is to enhance your underst
anding of the action plan and identify ways to work together to ensure it delivers on its promises for a more open and accountable government,’ he said.

Source: Ghana News Agency

TUDEC Development Centre has slaughtered and shared 950 cattle to 32,000 families across the country to celebrate Eid-ul-Adha, the feast of sacrifice for Muslims.

The bags of meat were shared nationwide, especially at 63 different locations in Wa, Kumasi, Tamale, Cape Coast, Koforidua, Accra, Takoradi, and Akosombo.

Ms Sukran Kaya, a Volunteer with TUDEC, said the celebration with the usual act of love was important, hence it was necessary to slaughter and share bags of meat to people from all walks of life in their homes, workplaces, at the churches and the mosques, among others.

‘Putting people first, which is the motto of TUDEC, is something the organisation takes seriously. It believes in sharing so everyone can have a piece of the pie.

‘The gesture is a motivation from Allah to share with the needy and put a smile on their faces. Nothing can be bigger than helping the needy,’ she said.

The main objective of the gesture, Ms Kaya said was to build a bridge between those who were capable of helping an
d those who needed help, adding: ‘We will keep sharing the goodness with the people of Ghana and across the globe’.

Ms Faila Ibrahim, a 35-year-old single mother of four and a food hawker, who benefited from the exercise said: ‘TUDEC always thinks about us the needy ones. It’s been a long time since my children and I chewed meat, so today is our day. We will prepare a nice meat light soup with fufu’.

Mr Fred Acheampong, a 61-year-old auto mechanic, after receiving bags of meat said: ‘Now we barely buy meat because it’s very expensive, so this one from TUDEC will make my wife and children so happy today.

‘I really love rice balls, so I will let my wife prepare groundnut soup first with some of the meat. Thanks to TUDEC, thanks to all their donor partners. We are hoping for a similar gesture next year,’ he added.

The exercise was organised in collaboration with Time-to-help; a non-governmental organisation based in Germany and the Netherlands.

TUDEC was established as a non-governmental organisation for sc
ientific, cultural, charitable and educational purposes.

Source: Ghana News Agency