News
Dandafuri residents cry for Irrigation systems, credit facilities
Residents of Dandafuri community in the Wa Municipality of the Upper West Region have appealed to government and benevolent organisations to provide an irrigation system for the community to support them during the dry season farming.
They have also asked for credit facilities to enable them pay for tractor services and buy farm inputs to boost their agricultural activities.
Speaking to The Spectator during a visit to the community, the Chief of Dandafuri, Abdul Salam Issahaku said since agriculture was the mainstay of residents in the community, the provision of facilities such as irrigation system and credit facilities would help boost their vocation and ensure that farmers gained from their labour.
Dandafuri is located about 10 kilometres away from the central business district of Wa, the regional capital and has about 2,400 residents who are mainly farmers but engage in trading activities after harvesting their farm produce.
“There are no industries or factories in the community. We are living in dire poverty but we do well with agriculture so the presence of such resource will boost our activities and ensure that we produce enough to feed our families and also sell,” he expressed.
He said due to the limited resources, hiring tractors to plough a large tract of land becomes a challenge, making it difficult to cultivate enough.
A community member, Madam Alimata Fulera said that many women in the community migrated to the southern part of the country to work during the dry season because there was no alternative source of livelihood.
Dandafuri like several other communities in the northern part of the country experiences prolonged dry season which sometimes begin in mid-October and runs to early May.
Fulera explained that if there was an irrigation system in the community, they could continue with dry season farming.
Mr Sumaila Iddris, the Unit Committee Chairman of the area insisted that an irrigation system and financial support would help the youth in the community to engage in commercial and dry season farming for a higher return.
The Regional Director of Agriculture, Mr Francis Sasu Yeboah shared in their concern and advised them to create farmer based groups to petition the assembly to consider them for such interventions.
From Lydia Darlington, Wa
News
Government Pays GH¢9.7 Billion Coupon Under the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP)
The Government of Ghana has paid GH¢9.7 billion as part of its debt obligations under the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP).
The Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson said the payment amounted to GH¢9,698,815,220.17.
This brings the total payments made under the programme this year alone to GH¢19.4 billion.
According to the minister in a facebook post, the payment shows government’s commitment to honouring agreements made under the DDEP and is expected to boost investor confidence in the economy.
He stated that government has also created two sinking fund accounts one in cedis and another in US dollars to help manage future debt payments.
These funds, introduced he said is in line with the 2025 Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review and backed by the Public Financial Management Act, meant to ensure that upcoming loan obligations due between 2026 and 2028 are paid on time.
The Finance Minister assured investors and the public that all future debt commitments, including those under the DDEP, will be fully honoured without delays.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
President Mahama appoints Biadela Mortey Akpadzi chairman of the Ghana Gold Board Tribunal
President John Dramani Mahama has appointed Mr. Biadela Mortey Akpadzi as chairman of the newly inaugurated Ghana Gold Board Tribunal.
The appointment is in line with Section 55 of the Ghana Gold Board Act, which provides for the establishment of the Tribunal to strengthen governance and accountability in the gold sector.
The Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson on Tuesday inaugurated the Tribunal, which also includes Ms. Hamidu Mariam and Mr. Justin Pwavra Teriwajah as members.
The finance minister congratulated the appointees and assured them that government would soon appoint a Registrar and provide staff to support the effective functioning of the Tribunal.
The Tribunal will consider appeals on decisions made by the Gold Board, particularly matters relating to licensing and rulings of the Dispute Resolution Committee.
By: Jacob Aggrey
