News
Fact sheet about agric machines in Ghana
It is interesting to note that:
- Diesel/kerosene fired dryer was released in 2014. This is a dryer that employs indirect heating for drying grains and for processing food. It is applicable in all maize growing areas in Ghana.
The dryer is suitable for crop grain drying and for food processing; atomiser is locally manufactured; does not use exhaust fumes for drying. The technology reduces postharvest losses.
- Walk-in hot air cabinet dryer was released in 1993. The walk-in hot air cabinet dryer is available in four sizes 56 trays, 84 trays, 100 trays and 140 trays.
The dryer uses electrical energy as its source of fuel and has automatic temperature control system and a 24-hour timer to predetermine period of operation.
It is applicable in all cereals, root and tubers, and fruits growing areas in Ghana. It is used for drying of food commodities such as roots and tubers, vegetables, fruits, cereals, etc.
- Micro-nutrients fortification mixer for dietary supplementation for malnourished community was released in 2007.
The technology is for fortification of food with vitamin premix for malnourished children and women in Northern Ghana.
It is applicable in Northern Ghana. It is used for improvement of nutritional status of rural communities of northern Ghana.
- Snail meat preservation was released in 1995. The technology describes a more hygienic, appropriate and low-cost method for the preparation, spicing and solar dehydration of snail meat.
A second technology developed involved spice extraction and snail meat preparation for the corning of snail meat in brine. It is applicable in snail rearing communities.
It is used for snail meat preservation (solar dehydrated and canned) to offset scarcity of the product during the dry season when snails are scarce.
- Palm kernel shell separator was released in 2012. The technology reduces time for kernel shell separation from 24 hours per 60 kilogramme material to seven minutes per 60 kilogramme material.
It eliminates the use of water in the kernel separation process. Additionally, it eliminates the use of clay in the kernel shell separation process. The efficiency of separation ranges between 90 per cent and 95 per cent, depending on the cracking efficiency. It is suitable for separating palm kernel shells.
Two levels of beneficiaries are targeted. The first would be agro-industrial machinery fabricators who can be trained to fabricate the equipment for sale to palm kernel oil producers. Second, the numerous women and women’s groups scattered all over the country and nearby countries who are involved in palm kernel oil production.
- Best processing practices indicators for artisanal mills to produce high quality crude palm oil was released in 2012.
Attributes: Minimum boiling/sterilisation time of two hours 30 minutes. Keep fruits and ‘digested fruit matrix’ hot throughout digestion and pressing process. Ensure adequate clarification. Ensure adequate sieving to reduce dirt or insoluble content.
The technology is suitable for grain drying and food processing. It is used for production of crude palm oil that meets standards. It minimises postharvest storage of fruits prior to digestion to three to five days.
Source: Manual of Agricultural Technologies developed by
CSIR, MAG and MoFA
Page: 137-140
AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine has broken ground on a modern 1,500-seater multipurpose assembly hall and a secured main gatehouse for New Edubiase Senior High School, in the Adansi South District.
The project, being executed by local contractor AA Engineering and Construction, is expected to be completed within 17 months and forms part of the Mine’s 10-Year Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP) — a strategic framework for delivering sustainable development in its host communities.
Beyond the expansive assembly hall, the facility will house a fully integrated administrative complex featuring a dedicated sound room, a 16-seater staff eatery, and suites for the Headmaster and Assistant Headmaster, a bursar’s office, an 18-seater conference room, a 24-seater staff common room, six faculty office spaces and ancillary stores and washrooms.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, the Mine’s Director of Sustainability Management, Edmund Oduro Agyei, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to improving educational outcomes in host communities through impactful and sustainable investments.
The Edubiasehene, Guahyia Oduropanin Birikorang, commended the Mine for the investment, saying the project demonstrated that the company’s development agenda extended well beyond its immediate operational areas.
The Headmaster of New Edubiase SHS, Mr Christopher Appiah Mensah, described the intervention as timely and transformative, noting it would address longstanding infrastructure deficits, improve conditions for teaching and learning, and create adequate space for academic and social gatherings.
“This will greatly enhance administrative efficiency and improve the overall welfare of both staff and students,” he said.
The facility is also expected to boost the school’s capacity to host national examinations and major events, and strengthen its standing as a centre of academic excellence within the district.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
Stakeholders have been urged to help raise awareness and eliminate the stigma often associated with clubfoot, a treatable condition which occurs in children.
Parents are to seek early treatment for the condition while policymakers strengthen support for early detection, disability inclusion, and child health services in the country.
Clubfoot is a condition present at birth in which one or both feet are twisted inward and downward. If left untreated, experts say a child may face lifelong challenges with walking, which could affect education, employment, and social inclusion.
In Ghana, an estimated 1,000 babies are said to be born with clubfoot every year.
In commemoration of the World Clubfoot Day, marked on June 3 every year, stakeholders create awareness about the condition and, among other things, celebrate the dedication of health professionals who ensure children receive treatment.
In a release copied to the Ghana News Agency, Nana Afua Adutwumwaa Adjetey, Programme Manager, Ghana Clubfoot Programme, noted that many families were unaware of the free treatment available for the condition in Ghana. 
She observed that the lack of awareness continued to delay treatment for children who could have received prompt and life-changing care at no cost.
Treatment, she said, was provided free of charge for children under age five at Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG–Hope Walks) partner clinics across the country.
More than 9,000 children born with clubfoot had received treatment and care through the programme over the past 18 years.
“The treatment follows the internationally recognised Ponseti Method, which uses a series of gentle casts to gradually correct the position of the foot, followed by a brace to maintain correction and prevent relapse. When treatment begins early, success rates are extremely high,” Madam Adjetey explained.
“For many children, the journey begins with a health worker who identifies clubfoot at birth and makes a referral. A few moments of observation can change the course of a child’s life forever.”
“Clubfoot is not a curse; it is not caused by wrongdoing…it is a medical condition that can be treated successfully. Families should never feel ashamed to seek help.”
The Programme Manager said children born with the condition deserved equal opportunities, dignity, and inclusion, and called on communities to support parents rather than “judge them.” -GNA
