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Adopt innovative farming methods – Ayawaso East MCE
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of the Ayawaso East Municipal Assembly (AEMA), Hajia Salma Sani Mohammed Adams-Kuta has advocated the adoption of technology and innovation by farmers regarding the effects of COVID-19 pandemic .
This, according to her, would improve food security, nutrition and economic development.
Hajia Adam-Kuta said this during the 36thFarmer’s Day celebration of the Assembly in Accra last Friday which was on the theme “Ensuring Agribusiness Development under COVID-19, opportunities and challenges”.
The programme brought together people from all walks of life.
She said the agricultural sector sustained more than half of Ghana’s labour force, made up to 54 per cent of Gross Domestic Product and 40 per cent of export earnings.
The MCE stated that Government had boosted the agricultural sector to attain national food-self-sufficiency through its flagship programmes such as the planting for food and jobs among others
The Director of Agriculture of AEMA, Reverend Charles Asem-Bansah in his remarks said the department in the Assembly exist to assist in the implementation of policies and advise on matters related to agricultural development.
He said the Assembly had among other things this year, conducted farmers census in the Municipality to identify and register farmers and set up a mushroom crop house to demonstrate mushroom production to farmers.
“By the end of the year the Department would have constructed a mushroom crop house and will train 10 youth in the municipality to equip them with mobile crop housed to go about their businesses,” he added.
A 36-year old farmer from Nima, Benard Larki, with 10 years experience, was adjudged the best farmer in the Municipality.
Mr Larki, a student at the University of Ghana, and an past student of the Adisadel College is into cultivation of cash crops, animal husbandry and aquaculture and has adopted integrated cultural practices to boost productivity.
He received a certificate, knapsack spraying machine, two cutlasses, a motorbike, fertilisers and weedicides as his award .
Other farmers who were also presented with awards were, Mr Osman Issah, first runner up, Mr Isaac Teye Tetteh, best crop farmer, Mr. Mudalib Saani, best livestock farmer, Ms Sharonrachel Cobbina Brown, best youth farmer.
The best Agric Extension officer award was also presented to Mr Alexander Ansong Gyamfi.
Troubled and anxious citizens in Damongo of the Savannah Region have expressed concerns about the number of young people, believed to be under the age of 18, involved in ‘shisha’ smoking in pubs and drinking spots within the township.
Eyewitnesses say the minors were seen patronising nightlife venues, where Shisha smoking happen in the open.
The situation has sparked renewed public concern over the enforcement of child protection laws and regulations governing the operations of entertainment centres in the municipality and country as a whole.
An eyewitness, who spoke to The Spectator on conditions of anonymity for security reasons, noted that the situation was becoming increasingly common.
“This is not a one-off incident. It is becoming very common, but residents like us cannot openly report or speak about it because our lives will be at risk,” he said.
Under Ghanaian law, minors were prohibited from patronising Shisha.
Public health experts have consistently warned that shisha use exposes users to harmful substances that can negatively affect brain development, respiratory health, and overall well-being, particularly among young people.
The residents believe the alleged incidents point to broader challenges relating to youth supervision, substance abuse, and weak enforcement of existing regulations and have called on municipal authorities, security agencies, and regulatory bodies to intensify monitoring of pubs and entertainment centres to ensure compliance with the law.
In an effort to address the menace, Mr Salisu Be-Awurbi, the Savannah Regional Minister, has led public education campaigns, engaged security agencies, and supported enforcement actions to address the rising use of illicit substances in the region.
Wura Kelly Seidu Boresah I, the Chief of Damongo, has also called on all stakeholders including parents, community leaders, institutions, and young people to actively support efforts to curb drug abuse, warning that the rising consumption of hard drugs poses a serious health threat to the future of the youth in the Savannah Region.
He also cautioned individuals involved in the sale and distribution of illicit drugs to immediately desist from the practice, stressing that offenders will face arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law.
From Geoffrey Buta, Damongo, Savannah Region
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Dr Theresa Baffour, an advocate for ending violence and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SAHM SAHW Foundation, has said that society plays a critical and pivotal role in breaking the cycle of domestic violence.
According to her, domestic violence is a major contributor of making women, who are mostly the victims, mentally derailed and unable to engage in economic activities.
She said this when the foundation called on the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, to solicit support for the initiative by the “Strong and Healthy Minds, Strong and Healthy Women” (SAHM SAHW) to combat domestic violence within the Ga State.
The visit was occasioned by the fact that domestic violence cases have become quite prevalent in the Ga communities and is retarding growth.
According to her, the canker was an impediment to national development because the victims were usually tortured and would have to go through series of therapies to return to the right state of mind.
Dr Baffour mentioned that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) places a mental toll on women, and was, therefore, important to break the cycle through comprehensive mental health support, crisis intervention and empowerment programmes in communities with high rates of GBV.
This intervention, she underscored, would help in empowering the denigrated victim of domestic violence to soundly heal, build and thrive.
Dr Baffour added that the initiative would provide holistic, trauma-informed mental health care and advocacy for young women affected by domestic violence.
According to her, the above statement would create safe spaces for healing and equipping them with entrepreneurial skills for renewed hope and empowered life.
The Ga Mantse pledged his support for the laudable initiative to combat domestic violence and also acknowledged the need to address it in the Ga State.
Further endorsement came from Justice Julia Naa-Yarley Adjei Amoah, Chief of Staff at the Office of the Ga Mantse, as she commended the team of SAHM SAHW Foundation for taking a bold step to end the canker in the Greater Accra.
She added that it was a step in the right direction to save vulnerable women from torture, stress and emotional abuse.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
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