News
Local rice farmers lose 84% of harvest – Research
Ghana’s rice farmers are losing as much as 84 per cent of their harvests to invasive weeds, researchers revealed at a stakeholder workshop on Wednesday.
The findings, presented by the CSIR‑Crops Research Institute (CSIR‑CRI) and the Korea Partnership for Innovation of Agriculture (KOPIA), underscored the urgent threat to food security and the need for coordinated national action.
The workshop, attended by more than 50 farmers, extension officers, and officials, marked the close of the first year of the three‑year KOPIA Rice Weed Management Project.
Scientists reported that five major weed species — including Echinochloa spp. (Ashaiman killer), Leptochloa chinensis (Black Jerry), Urochloa humidicola (Aguda), Ischaemum rugosum (Ogo), and Cyperus spp. (Atadwe) — are entrenched in rice fields, capable of slashing yields by 50 to 80 per cent while also hosting destructive rice diseases.
Dr Stephen Arthur, Project Coordinator at CSIR‑CRI, warned that farmers were spending GH₵1,600 to GH₵2,000 per acre on hand‑picking weeds, a cost he described as ‘unsustainable.’
He urged adoption of integrated weed management practices combining timely herbicide use with improved agronomic methods.
Other experts highlighted the wider consequences. Pathologist Dr Atta Aidoo linked weed infestations to increased incidence of blast, sheath blight, and brown spot, while entomologist Dr Kofi Frimpong‑Anin documented shifts in pest dynamics.
Agronomist Mr Kofi Lelabi Kota examined crop‑weed competition and the economics of current control practices.
Senior CSIR officials called for stronger government support. Prof. Marian Dorcas Quain, Deputy Director‑General, stressed the need to back local seed production to reduce risky imports.
Prof. Maxwell Darko Asante, Director of CSIR‑CRI, urged the National Food Buffer Stock Company to purchase Dawhenya’s seeds to secure progress while Dr Young Jin Kim, Director of KOPIA Ghana Centre, emphasised Korea’s experience in building resilient rice systems and pledged continued partnership.
Following the presentations, participants toured the fields to witness the difference between managed and unmanaged plots. Farmers expressed readiness to adopt the recommended strategies in the upcoming season. “What we have seen and heard is exactly what we needed,” said lead farmer Richard Affleh.
The KOPIA Rice Weed Management Project will continue monitoring and documenting farmer practices over the next two years, with the goal of delivering sustainable solutions to protect Ghana’s rice sector from the silent but devastating threat of weeds.
FROM KINGSLEY E.HOPE, KUMASI
The Asantehene, His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has selected Nana Ama Bonsu as the 15th Asantehemaa.
The announcement was made at the Manhyia Palace today, following traditional consultations and customary processes within the royal household.
Nana Ama Bonsu who was outdoored today, succeeds the late Nana Ama Konadu Yiadom III, the 14th Asantehemaa, enstooled as the 14th Asantehemaa on February 6, 2017 and passed away on August 7, 2025.
The late Asantehemaa reigned for 8 years and was widely respected for her role in promoting the welfare of women, children, and cultural values in Asanteman.
As Asantehemaa, Nana Ama Bonsu will serve as the Queen Mother of the Asante Kingdom. Her role is central to chieftaincy affairs, the nomination of chiefs, and the preservation of Asante customs and traditions. She will also be a key figure in advising the Asantehene on matters affecting women and the development of the kingdom.
The new Asantehemaa comes to the position with a deep understanding of Asante tradition and community leadership.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Government, under the auspices of the Post-Flood Mitigation Committee, has declared Friday, July 10, 2026, and Saturday, July 11, 2026, as National General Cleaning Days in the seven regions affected by the recent floods.
Under the theme “Our Actions, Our Future: Cleaning Ghana after the floods,” this two-day national exercise seeks to mobilise our collective duty to clean our communities, secure our environment and safeguard lives across the country.
According to the statement, this is a critical, nationwide exercise and all citizens are strongly encouraged to fully participate in it.
Against this backdrop, the President has accordingly directed that all government appointees, including Ministers of State, CEOs, Members of Parliament, Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives MMDCEs), and Heads of Public Institutions, step out of their offices, pick up tools, and lead the cleanup efforts alongside members of their respective communities.
To ensure a structured, highly coordinated, and effective exercise, the activities have been scheduled as follows- Friday, July 10, 2026: Personnel from all security agencies, the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs), and waste management companies will commence the cleanup.
Additionally, Saturday, July 11, 2026: The general public will join the security agencies and assemblies to scale up the exercise.
During this two-day exercise, efforts will be heavily focused on:
⁃ Desilting choked drains to ensure free, uninterrupted water flow ahead of the heavy rains. ⁃ Sweeping and clearing sand, weeds, and debris from major roads, streets, and highways, ⁃ Cleaning up public spaces, including markets, lorry parks, recreational parks, and communal waste collection points.
This two-day exercise is a critical intervention and a vital wake-up call for the nation. For far too long, indiscriminate littering and plastic pollution have clogged our drainage systems, contributing to devastating, preventable floods that destroy livelihoods and claim precious Ghanaian lives
All Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) are directed to collaborate with waste management companies to provide adequate ogistics, including waste trucks, gloves, shovels, and other cleaning tools at designated collection points.
Assemblies have been tasked to ensure that all silt and gathered refuse are evacuated immediately to prevent them from washing back into the drains.
“Let us rise together and show that the Ghanaian spirit of community, discipline, and unity is alive and well. Protect your home, protect your neighbour, and let us clean our beloved homeland,” the statement concluded.
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