Features
Don’t underrate usefulness of coconut – Ellembelle DCE
• Mr Kwasi Bonzo addressing the gathering
District Chief Executive of Ellembelle in the Western Region, Mr Kwasi Bonzo, has described coconut as ‘the tree of life’, arguing that, Ghana needs to take the potentials of the crop seriously to address her present economic challenges.
He said: “We should remind ourselves that the future of this country is not with oil and gas. We underrate the usefulness of coconut which currently is called the tree of life or the tree of wealth. Others call it heaven’s supermarket because every part of coconut from the roots to the branch is useful, the most useful tree crop in the world is coconut.”
Mr Bonzo said these at the launch of the 2nd International Coconut Festival at Alabokazo in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region last Friday.
He stressed: “If there is any non- traditional tree crop that has export potentials it is coconut.
“Recently, with the discovery and production of oil and gas, it looks as if all our attention has been diverted towards that sector but let us not forget that oil is a finite product. It won’t last forever, the maximum lifespan for the well is 25 to 30 years.”
Mr Bonzo noted that, coconut and agriculture, generally, had been part of the Western Region, therefore, more attention and investment should be given to a sector capable of earning more foreign exchange, propel the economy and ensure sustainable development.
The DCE told the participants that the present location of the event was previously populated by coconut, however, over the last 50 years, Ghana has lost over 80 per cent of its coconut vegetation through the Cape St. Paul’s Wilts Disease.
Recently, Mr Bonzo disclosed that Ghana Statistical Services (GSS) reported that food price inflation in the Western Region had moved beyond 40 per cent and asked “Why should you be in Western Region with natural vegetation capable of producing every food item and be struggling to buy food?”
“We are currently struggling but the future is agriculture. Basically we are an agrarian economy. If we pay attention to coconut and get a little over 100,000 hectares of coconut under production, we should be able to save a lot of our crises,” he added.
On the usefulness of coconut, he indicated that, the husk and the shelf of the crop, could save mining companies in the Western Region from importing millions of dollars of activated carbon for processing gold and cushion the forex markets.
Mr Bonzo continued “The sector that requires the maximum use of science and technology is agriculture, we need to train producers. Farming should become a profession dedicated to people in a sector that needs a lot of skills . As a nation, we want to ask ourselves, are we getting our priorities right? Why should we be in Ghana and be importing food from other countries?”
From Clement Adzei Boye, Alabokazo
I experienced something on Monday, June 15, that really frustrated me. I had to go to the ministries but I could not get up early that day so I decided to pick a taxi and get to the Tuba Junction.
When I got there I realised that Traffic had built up from the Toll Booth towards Accra. After a while I got a Taxi and it was when we got to a certain spot on the road, that I realised why there was a traffic jam.
There is a short stretch of the road where each time it rains heavily, loose material run down the hill onto the road, blocking one side of the road. Vehicles from Kasoa to Accra are then forced to move into one of the lanes of those going towards Kasoa from Accra.
The two lane road from Accra to Kasoa becomes a single carriage way. That was the reason for the traffic jam from the toll booth onwards.
This has been a perineal problem and yet, no permanent solution has been found till date. The area falls under Ga South and even though, a new MCE has taken over, the technocrats are still there and so the problem is not new to them.
There is therefore no excuse for the inability of the Ga South Metropolitan Assembly to resolving the problem on that stretch of the road. Apart from the Ga South Metropolitan Assembly, another institution that must be held accountable is the Ghana Highways Authority.
The Highways Authority cannot say they are unaware of this issue. The fact that the problem falls within the area of responsibility of the Ga South Assembly, does not relieve the Ghana Highways Authority, of their responsibility of ensuring that our highways are maintained in a motorable state at all times.
A collaboration between the Ghana Highways Authority and The Ga South Municipal Assembly is required for a permanent resolution of the problem.
There was another traffic jam at a place called Atala about 250 metres to the traffic light at Old Barrier as a result of an issue similar to the one close to the toll booth, that I talked about earlier.
When we got to Weija junction, we encountered another traffic jam. The cause of this jam was a bad condition of road about 80 metres from the traffic light at Ga South Hospital heading towards Accra.
Due to the bad nature at that section of the road, vehicles are compelled to slow down resulting in a traffic jam stretching all the way to Weija Junction.
I started wondering if that short stretch of road cannot be sorted on one Sunday when traffic is usually light. When we got to the traffic light at Odorkor, there was another issue.
When the traffic light shows green, there is a slow down because there is a big pothole or should I say manhole in the outer lane, right at the traffic light. Vehicles in the outer lane are compelled to swerve into the second lane thereby causing a traffic to slow down and resulting in a traffic jam.
It is very important to take into account the effect of traffic jam on the national economy. If we are able to assess the value of the loss to the economy of the nation, I believe the issue of traffic jam will be prioritised.
Imagine persons working at various Government Organisations like Registrar General’s Department, Ghana Ports and Habours Authority, Ghana Revenue Authority, CEPS etc. and lives at Kasoa and whose job is to collect revenue for the state and is held up in traffic.
Just imagine the effect their lateness to work will have on the economy if you consider the delays in say clearing of goods at the port and as a result traders cannot sell their goods for government to generate the required taxes.
Let us deal with the traffic jams on our streets to promote economic growth. God bless.
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
Mortality is an inherent aspect of life, a universal experience that has sparked philosophical, theological, and scientific inquiry throughout human history.
This article aims to provide a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of mortality, acknowledging the complexity of the topic and the diverse perspectives surrounding it.
The biological imperative
From a biological standpoint, death is a natural part of the life cycle. It serves as a mechanism for the evolution of species, allowing for the passing on of genetic material and the adaptation to environmental changes.
Evolutionary perspective: Death allows for the recycling of resources, promoting the survival and adaptation of species.
Life span and senescence: Cellular aging and the limitations of biological systems contribute to mortality.
Philosophical and existential perspectives
Existentialism: Emphasises individual freedom and responsibility in the face of mortality.
Meaning and purpose: The finite nature of life can prompt individuals to seek meaning and purpose.
The human condition: Mortality is a fundamental aspect of the human experience, shaping our perceptions and values.
Cultural and spiritual views
Afterlife and spirituality: Many cultures and religions believe in an afterlife or spiritual continuation.
Rituals and mourning: Cultural practices surrounding death reflect the significance of mortality in human experience.
Legacy and remembrance: The impact of one’s life can transcend mortality.
Ethical considerations
End-of-life care: Ethical debates surround issues like euthanasia, assisted dying, and palliative care.
Quality of life: Balancing the value of life with the quality of life is a complex ethical issue.
Resource allocation: Societal decisions about healthcare and resource distribution involve considerations of mortality.
Psychological impact
Grief and loss: The experience of mortality can evoke profound emotional responses.
Fear and anxiety: The awareness of mortality can lead to existential anxiety.
Appreciation and gratitude: Recognising mortality can foster appreciation for life.
Conclusion
Mortality is a multifaceted aspect of human existence, influencing how we live, relate, and find meaning. Understanding and acknowledging mortality can prompt deeper reflections on life and our place in the world.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
