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AU to adopt AATF as an advisory lead on biotech-Mr Sarpong
The African Union (AU) has been urged to adopt the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) as its technical and advisory lead to propagate the issues of biotechnology.
Mr. George Sarpong, Executive Trustee at AATF made these remarks at the African Conference Agricultural Technologies (ACAT) in Nairobi on Wednesday.
He said the mission of AATF was to help farmers in need of agriculture support in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to find the tools and resources to compete in today’s modern agriculture markets adding that AATF promotes new technology, establishes partnerships between institutions and farmers.
Mr Sarpong said “when it comes to biotechnology AATF has so much expertise in that regard and I believe that if AU adopts it, it can help to manage the imminent climate change and its devastating effect.”
Speaking on the mission of his outfit he said the Foundation established in 2003 was basically created to address Africa’s food security prospects through agricultural technology as well as serve as a response to the need for an effective mechanism that would facilitate and support negotiation for technology access and delivery.
“AATF believes that the agricultural sector is a key foundational pillar as Africa consolidates its economic growth and carves out its new position as a major global economic powerhouse and the next growth market in the world’’ he stated.
He indicated that the negative impact of climate change like drought and pest infestation had threatened the food security of Africa coupled with increase of population.
Mr. Sarpong said the earlier Africa took biotechnology as a catalyst to help manage food insecurity in the country the better urging policy makers preparing to represent their countries at the up-and-coming COP 28 to propose biotechnology as a measure to manage climate change because the technology was environmentally friendly and would help attain the SDGs.
Dr. Leena Tripathi, Director, Eastern Africa Hub Biotechnology Program Leader, IITA said Africa needed all technologies together to address food scarcity.
She said apart from the lack of rain and poor irrigation, there was also the serious issue about the invasion of millions of acres of farmlands by pests.
This she argued called for the introduction of scientific techniques in food production to help address the challenge.
BY BENEDICTA GYIMAAH FOLLEY
Ghana’s First Lady, Lordina Mahama, has made a generous donation to the country’s national female Under-17 and Under-20 teams – Black Maidens and Black Princesses- as they continue preparations for major international assignments.
The donation, made on Friday, May 22, was presented on behalf of the First Lady by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, at the GFA Technical Centre in Prampram.
The gesture forms part of efforts to motivate and support Ghana’s young female footballers as they prepare to represent the country on the international stage.
The donation included essential food items and toiletries aimed at supporting the welfare and well-being of the players and technical teams.
The donation included cartons of Milo, T-rolls, soft drinks, toiletries, and a range of essential supplies aimed at supporting the welfare of the players, enhancing camp conditions, and easing preparations ahead of their respective assignments.
The Black Maidens are currently engaged in preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers and are set to take on Liberia women’s national under-17 football team in the second-leg encounter in Liberia this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Black Princesses have already secured qualification to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after overcoming Uganda in the qualifiers, extending Ghana’s remarkable record to eight consecutive appearances at the tournament.
The donation by the First Lady was expected to boost morale within both camps while reinforcing national support for the young female footballers who continue to make the country proud.
The prosecution has officially rested its case in The Republic v Solomon Asamoah & Another, the high-profile legal battle commonly referred to as the “Sky Train” case.
The Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem Sai announced the development, praising the state’s team of hard-working prosecutors for successfully anchoring the state’s evidence before the High Court.
The criminal trial centers on the former Chief Executive Officer and the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
The duo stands accused of illegally authorizing and paying out US$2 million to a foreign company without obtaining board directives or other mandatory statutory approvals.
State investigators have confirmed that the disbursed millions cannot be found.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, the accused persons moved the court for an opportunity to file a submission of no case.
The presiding judge granted the application, ordering the defense to submit their arguments by June 8.
The outcome of the June 8 filings will decide the fate of the trial:
With this, if the judge finds the defense’s submission convincing, the accused will be acquitted and discharged however, If the judge dismisses the submission, the court will order the accused officials to take the stand and explain why they should not face prison sentences.
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