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Agric Ministry supports local organic fertiliser companies to boost production
As part of efforts to address the shortage of agro-chemicals, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) has announced that the government was proactively working with local fertiliser producers to produce quality organic fertilisers on a large scale for farmers across the country.
According to the sector Minister, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, organic agriculture has taken a huge premium on the international market, adding that the mass production of quality organic fertiliser will make Ghana less dependent on inorganic fertiliser.
Dr. Afriyie Akoto was briefing journalists following a stakeholder meeting with local fertiliser producers on the production and promotion of quality organic fertilisers domestically in Accra on Tuesday, May 24, 2022.
He attributed the ‘acute shortage’ of agro-chemicals generally, and fertilisers in particular, to the war between Russia and Ukraine, amid the international sanctions on Russia.
These developments, he said, were breaking the supply chain of fertiliser and making global trading very difficult which Ghana was no exception.
“In a catastrophic situation, you have to be able to adapt and come out stronger. So we feel that we need to encourage the production of quality organic fertiliser domestically,” he averred.
He noted that from January to May this year, there has been a sharp drop of the amount of fertilisers distributed to farmers in this country, and lamented that “that was nothing to write home about.
However, Dr. Afriyie Akoto believed that in the wake of the challenge above, a significant amount of organic fertiliser production was possible in the country.
“We will have a close collaboration with local producers of organic fertilisers to see how we maximise your businesses to help us bridge the fertiliser gap, if not completely, at least we make the effort to bridge a higher percentage of the fertiliser requirement,” he assured.
He urged the local organic fertiliser producers to avail themselves of the opportunities presented by the government to boost production to meet the fertiliser need of the farming population.
“We are prepared to work with you with our extension officers. We have the capacity in teaching the farmers on how to adopt and apply these organic fertilisers. And given the opportunity out there, I believe you can supply more,” he confidently said.
He also encouraged the local producers to convince their foreign partners to come and set up fertiliser plants in the country.
Furthermore, Dr. Afriyie Akoto indicated that Ghana was abound with loads of raw materials for fertilisation which included garbage and fauna.
He applauded the efforts of Zoomlion Ghana Limited for investing hugely in using waste to produce organic fertilisers.
The demand for fertiliser in Ghana, he said, was about 600,000 metric tonnes.
“And so far this year, we haven’t even done a 100,000 metric tonnes. So we are way way off,” he bemoaned.
…We are actively searching for solutions to ensure that farmers are supplied with the right chemicals,” he said.
According to the minister, the essence of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) is basically to grow farm productivity, especially on smallholder farms.
“And I believe we have been very successful with this programme in the last 5 years that I have been in charge of the ministry by targeting fertiliser and improved seeds for distribution to farmers,” he said.
He said the Russia-Ukraine war which has put the global supply chain of fertiliser “severely restricting” the PFJ programme and depriving more farmers of the benefit of modern technology of seed and fertiliser.
He said for the last three-four years, his outfit has had a “good extension” service, adding that this has led to a high subsidy by the government on fertiliser.
“At the peak of 2020, we had 1.6 million farmers on the programme which is only less than half of our farming population in Ghana. But it has had an impact in spite of all the attempts by our adversaries to put some dent on the achievements that this government has made in agriculture.
The Managing Director of Accra Compost and Recycling Plant (ACARP), Mr. Michael Padi Tuwor, who was present and spoke to the media on the sidelines of the meeting, described the engagement with the minister as “very fruitful.”
He indicated that as an investor he now has a clear understanding of the market, calling for more of such stakeholder engagements with MoFA.
Responding to the question of whether there was unhealthy competition amongst the industry players, he said: “We must always expect competition, and it must be a healthy one for the common good of the country.”
Again on the issue of fake products on the market, Mr Tuwor suggested that there should be a baseline or standard by which products must be required to meet before sent onto the market.
“When this is done it will help check imitations or fake products on the market,” he advised.
To this end, he encouraged stakeholders in the industry to work together to produce to meet the national fertiliser need of 600,000 metric tonnes.
Source: www.pulse.com.gh
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Speaker of Parliament inaugurates open Parliament Steering Committee, launches action plan
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has launched the Open Parliament Steering Committee and the Open Parliament Action Plan.
The ceremony was under the theme “Achieving Gender Equality: Action by Action.”
The Speaker highlighted the critical role Parliament plays in translating the will of the people into inclusive legislation, responsive policies, and accountable governance.
“The International Day of Parliamentarianism is worth celebrating, as it offers an opportunity not only to recognise and promote achievements in strengthening democratic governance, but also to pause and reflect on the remaining gaps in institutionalising parliamentary democracy,” he said.
He noted that the event was scheduled to coincide with the International Day of Parliamentarianism to reinforce the importance of open and inclusive governance.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, stated that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is intended to recognise the vital role Parliaments play globally as pillars of democratic governance.
He noted that this marks the first time Ghana is formally observing the day.
“The gravity of our observance is further accentuated as we convene to witness the launch of the Open Parliament Action Plan by the Open Government Partnership Caucus,” he said.
Delivering a statement on behalf of the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, described the Open Parliament Action Plan as a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening the relationship between Parliament and the public.
She said the plan represents a bold commitment to making Parliament more transparent, accessible, and responsive to the needs of Ghanaians.
The Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, described the launch as a key milestone in the effort to build a citizen-focused and accountable Parliament.
He added that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is a call to action to recommit to the highest standards of public service and democratic accountability.
The inauguration was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including the Majority and Minority Members of Parliament, members of the Open Parliament Steering Committee, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Caucus, Parliamentary Network Africa, representatives from civil society organisations, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional and religious leaders, student bodies, the Parliamentary Press Corps, and other media partners.
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NACOC declares drug menace a national emergency
The Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior has paid a working visit to the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to engage with its leadership and assess operational challenges hampering the fight against illicit drugs.
In a detailed presentation, Dr. Basha Ligbi, Head of the Commission’s Research Bureau, highlighted critical setbacks including broken body scanners at airport terminals, inadequate office infrastructure, overcrowded detention facilities, and deteriorating vehicles.
He also called for the Commission’s headquarters to be reclassified as a security zone, citing growing security risks due to private encroachment and nearby high-rise developments.
Director General of NACOC, Brigadier General Maxwell Obiba Mantey, described the escalating drug trade as a national emergency, warning that drug barons now rival armed robbers in threat level and are gaining influence at the highest levels.
He appealed for stronger institutional support and morale-boosting interventions to preserve the integrity of NACOC officers.
Chairman of the Committee and MP for Builsa North, James Agalga, assured the Commission of the Committee’s commitment to escalate the concerns to Parliament and engage key justice sector stakeholders to fast-track reforms in support of NACOC’s mandate.
