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Deputy Agric Minister lauds non-state actors for partnering government’s transformations agenda drive

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The Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture in charge of crops, Mr Yaw Frimpong Addo has lauded efforts by non-state actors to partner government to succeed in its Transformational Agricultural Agenda Drive.
He said partnerships by NGOs such as AGRA focused on agriculture have helped initiated several measures including the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ), One Village One Dam, and Rearing for Food and Jobs programmes, to address the challenges confronting the sector.
“It is significant to say that the food crops model under the PFJ chalked a lot of success starting with 200,000 beneficiaries who accessed fertilizers and improved seeds in 2017 and the numbers increasing to 1.7 million in 2021,” he said.
The Deputy Minister was speaking at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) – AGRA Partnership for Inclusive Agricultural Transformation in Africa (PIATA) learning event.
Held in Accra on Tuesday, the event highlighted key insights and learning from the implementation of the USAID-AGRA PIATA program as well as provided shared outcome stories, best practices and feedback to improve future interventions.
PIATA was launched in 2017 as a strategy for transforming agricultural systems through integrated delivery across economic zones and value chains.
The programme sought to transition Africa’s agriculture from subsistence to sustainable business occupations by enhancing in-country coordination and deepening engagements and collaboration with the private sector
Though Mr Addo said the government’s attempt to make agriculture the driver of Ghana’s economy, the activity was being hampered by low farm productivity, lack of access to quality agro-input and the low adoption of agronomic practices due to limited access to extension services, among others.
Juliette Lampoh, Country Director, AGRA explained that the efficiency of the seed sector of any country greatly impacted its agricultural production sector adding that  AGRA was particularly interested in the adoption of quality s fertilizer.
 Madam Asseta Diallo, Senior Programmes Officer (AGRA) Ghana said the organisation had over the last five years focused on increasing farmers’ access to and the adoption of quality seeds and fertilizers and for her, the country’s dependence on organic fertilisers for soil nutrients may not help achieve food security.
She explained that Ghana had a poor fertility status where about 65 per cent of agricultural land was depleted or severely degraded due to human activities such as mining.
That situation, she pointed out, demanded the combination of organic and inorganic fertilizer in the agricultural production chain to ensure that the country produces enough to meet the food needs of its citizens.
BY BENEDICTA GYIMAAH FOLLEY

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Investing in youth is investing in peace— Hopeson Adorye charges young leaders

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Global Board Chairman of the International Youth Network for United Nations Security Council Resolution (IYNUNSCR)2250, Hopeson Yaovi Adorye, has called on young people across the world to take deliberate action in building peace, justice, and sustainable development.

Delivering the keynote address at the IYNUNSCR2250 Global Youth Assembly held in Accra over the weekend, Mr. Adorye told the gathering of youth leaders that this generation stands at a “defining moment” in history.

He noted that while the world faces rising conflicts, violent extremism, climate pressures, cybercrime, and political polarization, young people are not just victims of these crises.

“The adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 marked a historic turning point by recognizing that young people are simply victims of conflict but indispensable partners in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, mediation, reconciliation, and post-conflict recovery,” he said.

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He stressed that peace cannot be taken for granted.

“Peace must be intentionally built. Peace must be protected. Peace must be sustained. More importantly, peace must include everyone,” Mr.Adorye stated.

He defined true peace as more than the absence of war, it exists where justice prevails, human rights are respected, institutions are accountable, and women and youth participate fully in decision-making.

“Without justice, peace remains fragile. Without development, peace remains temporary. Without inclusion, peace remains incomplete,” he added.

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Turning to Africa, Mr.Adorye described the continent’s youthful population as its “greatest strategic asset” and not a burden.

“When governments invest in education, entrepreneurship, innovation, digital skills, healthcare, and good governance, young people become drivers of economic growth and democratic stability,” he said.

He warned that the absence of these opportunities creates frustration and conditions that threaten peace and security.

According to him, “Investing in youth is investing in peace. Investing in education is investing in national security. Investing in jobs is investing in stability.”

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The Global Board Chairman urged delegates to move beyond advocacy and become practical agents of change. He challenged them to reject corruption, political violence, hate speech, tribalism, and misinformation.

“Let us use social media to educate rather than inflame. To unite rather than divide. The digital world should become a platform for peace, innovation, and global cooperation,” he said.

He further tasked IYNUNSCR2250 members to mentor vulnerable youth, promote mediation, advocate for peaceful elections, support environmental protection, and empower women and girls.

He further added that “History will judge our generation not by the challenges we inherited but by the solutions we created,” Hon. Adorye concluded. “May our voices become voices of reconciliation. May our actions become instruments of peace.”

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The Assembly, hosted under the leadership of IYNUNSCR2250 Global President Her Excellency Rev. Dr. Lilian Sally Addo, brought together youth leaders, members of the Global Advisory Board, and distinguished guests to advance the youth, peace, and security agenda.

By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme

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Two dead, eight injured in road accident at Dompoase near komenda

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Two people have died and eight others sustained injuries following a road traffic accident at Dompoase, near Komenda on the Cape Coast-Takoradi highway on Thursday, July 31, 2026.

According to a statement from the Ghana National Fire Service, Central Region, the Komenda Fire Station received a distress call at 18:55hrs. Rescue personnel arrived at the scene 15 minutes later at 19:10hrs.

On arrival, fire officers found one person trapped in a crashed Toyota Hiace with registration number AS 6145-24.

The rescue team worked to extricate the victim, but the person was later pronounced dead at the scene.

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Preliminary information indicates that 10 people were on board the Hiace at the time of the crash. Apart from the two fatalities, eight others sustained various degrees of injury.

Three of the injured were said to be in severe condition.

Personnel from the National Ambulance Service transported all the injured to the Elmina Polyclinic for medical care.

An eyewitness at the scene told officials that the accident occurred when an unidentified vehicle traveling from Takoradi towards Cape Coast* attempted to overtake another vehicle.

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In an attempt to avoid a head-on collision, the Toyota Hiace, which was traveling from Cape Coast towards Takoradi, swerved and crashed into a broken-down truck with registration number GN 2491-14 that was parked by the roadside.

The Central Regional Fire Command has advised drivers to exercise patience and extra caution on the highway, especially during overtaking and in areas where broken-down vehicles may be present.

“Such incidents can be prevented if road users obey traffic regulations and remain alert,” the statement said.

The identities of the deceased have not yet been released pending notification of next of kin.

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By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme

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