News
3,000 Ejisu, Juaben rice farmers to benefit from MoFA subsidised inputs
More than 3,000 registered and unregistered rice farmers in Ejisu and Juaben districts of Ashanti are to benefit from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture’s (MoFA) subsidised inputs, to improve on local rice production.
Dubbed: the Ministry of Food and Agriculture Cutters and Thrashers Initiative, equipment would be distributed to rice farmers across the country through their groups on credit at a subsidised rate of GH¢11,000 to be paid in installments within two years.
A Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr George Boahen Oduro, disclosed these to journalists during a demonstration exercise for farmers on how to use the equipment, at Ejisu.
He explained that the move by the ministry would not only improve on rice production, but was expected to reduce post-harvest loss local rice farmers encounter every year, and also help the government achieve its goal of stopping rice importation by the next two years.
Mr Oduro said the government had an agenda to increase rice production in the country, to ensure that money used to import rice annually remained in the country.
Under the Planting for Food and Jobs, he said the government had a programme of stopping rice importation into the country by the next two years.
Mr Oduro noted that the country spent about one billion dollars annually on rice importation, thus creating employment for the countries where the importation was done, adding that “So we have to embark on massive rice production so that the money remains in the country”.
The Municipal Director of Agriculture, Mr Patrick Akowuah, said that the introduction of the equipment would reduce the stress farmers go through using the manual way of harvesting.
He indicated that, with this move by the ministry, the directorate was expected to increase rice production from 2.5 tonnes per hectare to four tonnes per hectare, adding that “there is ready market for the produce.”
Mr Clement Adakesah, a rice farmer, who could not hide his joy, lauded government for the initiative, saying that the equipment would reduce post harvest losses and time spent at the farm during harvesting.
FROM FAUSTINA KWABEA OSEI, KUMASI
Minister for the Interior, Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, has confirmed that former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Sedina Tamakloe Attionu, is in prison and serving her jail term.
Speaking in an interview on Joy news, Mr. Muntaka dismissed claims that the former MASLOC boss was being held in a private location.
He said she has been in the custody of the state since she returned to Ghana.
“From the day Sedina came, she has been with us, and she’s serving her time,” he said.
The minister explained that the public is not usually told the specific prison where inmates, especially high-profile persons, are being held for security reasons.
He said even judges who sentence offenders do not necessarily know the specific prison where they are sent.
“If you want to visit her, you can write to the Prisons Service. They will talk to her, and if she is interested in you coming, she will let you come,” Mr. Muntaka stated.
According to him, disclosing the location of high-profile inmates could put their lives at risk, adding that some developed countries also keep such information confidential for security purposes.
His comments come amid public speculation over the whereabouts of Ms. Tamakloe Attionu following reports that she had returned to Ghana to begin serving her prison sentence.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Western Regional Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), ACFO I Cecil Addo, has completed a familiarization tour of major corporate and industrial institutions across the Western Region to strengthen partnerships and enhance fire safety preparedness.
The tour covered key organizations including the Bank of Ghana, GOIL PLC, Ghanstock, Western Terminals, Zen Terminal, Keda Ceramics, Takoradi International Company (TICO), Volta River Authority (VRA), Harlequin Oil and Gas, and Western Serene Atlantic Hotel.
During the engagements, the Regional Commander encouraged management of the institutions to prioritize proactive fire prevention measures by incorporating strict safety protocols into their daily operations.
Discussions also focused on improving fire readiness and strengthening collaboration between GNFS and the corporate sector.
As part of the initiative, GNFS presented firefighting equipment, including Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Dry Chemical Powder (DCP) extinguishers, as well as Fire Extinguishing Balls, to support workplace safety.
The institutions expressed appreciation for the outreach and pledged to support regular safety audits, joint emergency drills, and potential Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partnerships with the Service.
News1 week agoNFS, AACMA raise GH¢300K for new fire tender
- News6 days ago
FSD Africa, others launch Green Project Preparation Facility to unlock investment in climate infrastructure in Ghana
- News6 days ago
Merck Foundation holds 13th Africa Asia Luminary with 12 First Ladies to advance healthcare capacity across Africa and Asia
