Nutrition
Fact sheet about legume in Ghana
It is fascinating to note that:
- was released in 1992. It has medium maturing attribute, resistant to shattering, seed colour is cream, maturity period is 105-115 days and it yields 1.2 to 1.8 ton/h. Anidaso is applicable in Guinea Savanna, Sudan Savanna, transition and coastal Savanna zones. It can be processed for oil; can be used as meal for the animal feed industry; can be processed for human consumption and made into products including soy milk, soy flour, soy protein, tofu and many retail food products. Soybeans are also used in many non-food (industrial) products.
- was released in 1992. Its seed coat colour is cream, matures in 100-110 days, yields 1.8 t/ha. It is suitable for Guinea Savanna, Sudan Savanna, transition and coastal zones. It can be processed for oil; it can be used as meal for the animal feed industry; can be processed for human consumption and made into products including soy milk, soy flour, soy protein, tofu and many retail food products. Soybeans are used also in many non-food (industrial) products.
- was released in 2005. It has early-maturing attribute, has bold and creamy seed, tolerant to lodging, it is early-maturing (89-93 days), tolerant to major virus diseases of soybean in Ghana and has seed yield of 2.1t/ha. CRI-Nangbaar is applicable in Guinea Savanna, Sudan Savanna, transition and coastal Savanna zones. It can be processed for their oil: it can be used as meal for the animal feed industry; can be processed for human consumption and made into products including soy milk, soy flour, soy protein, tofu and many retail food products. Soybeans are also used in many non-food (industrial) products.
- was released in 2005. It has early-maturing (92-97 days) attribute, cream in colour, moderately resistant to virus, anthracnose. It is high-yielding (2.4 t/ha). CRI-Ahoto is suitable forGuinea Savanna, Sudan Savanna, transition and coastal Savanna zones. It can be processed for their oil; can be used as meal for the animal feed industry; can be processed for human consumption and made into products including soy milk, soy flour, soy protein, tofu and many retail food products. Soybeans are used also in much non-food.
- was released in 2018. Matures in 101 days, resistant to soybean rust disease, has yield potential of 3.4t/ha. It is resistant to pod shattering, it has stay-green trait, tolerant to drought even in the face of severe drought and resistant to lodging. It is applicable in Savanna and the forest-Savanna transition zones. It can be processed for oil; can be used as meal for the animal feed industry; can be processed for human consumption and made into products including soy milk, soy flour, soy protein, tofu and many retail food products. Soybeans are used also in many non-food (industrial) products.
- was released in 2018. It has high number of branches per plant, high number of pods per peduncle, resistant to lodging and the soybean rust disease and potential yield of 3.5t/ ha. CRI-Toondana is suitable for Savanna and the forest-Savanna transition zones. It can be processed for oil; can be used as meal for the animal feed industry; can be processed for human consumption and made into products including soy milk, soy flour, soy protein, tofu and many retail food products. Soybeans are used also in many non-food (industrial) products.
- soya bean variety was released in 1985. Its maturity period is 15 days, yield potential is 2.4 t/ha, susceptible to shattering, seed colour is cream, easy to thresh, excellent seed quality, good yield across many locations, tolerant to bacterial pustule and Cercospora leaf spot and good trap crop for Striga hermonthica. It is applicable in Guinea and Sudan Savanna, and transitional zone. It can be processed for oil; can be used as meal for the animal feed industry; can be processed for human consumption and made into products including soy milk, soy flour, soy protein, tofu and many retail food products. Soybeans are used also in many non-food (industrial) products.
- soya bean variety was released in 1985. It matures in 130 days, yield potential is 2.8 t/ha, seed colour is cream, susceptible to shattering, stable yield, easy to thresh, excellent seed quality and tolerant to common soy[1]bean pests and diseases. It is suitable for Guinea and Sudan Savanna, and transitional zone. It can be processed for oil; can be used as meal for the animal feed industry; can be processed for human consumption and made into products including soy milk, soy flour, soy protein, tofu and many retail food products. Soybeans are used also in many non-food (industrial) products.
- was released in 2003. Yield potential is 2.5-2.8 t/ ha, resistant to pod shattering (up to 3% shattering), medium maturity (110-115 days), seed colour is cream, excellent seed quality, high and stable yield across many environments, tolerant to common soy[1]bean pests and diseases, relatively tolerant to low soil P and trap-crop for Striga hermonthica. It is applicable in Guinea and Sudan Savanna, transitional and forest zones. It can be processed for oil; can be used as meal for the animal feed industry; can be processed for human consumption and made into products including soy milk, soy flour, soy protein, tofu and many retail food products. Soybeans are used also in many non-food (industrial) products.
Mother’s Day is a celebration to honour mothers and individuals in the society. To commemorate the day tomorrow, The Spectator nutritional page today offers to prepare a sumptuous Guinea fowl meal with an accompanying snack to celebrate our mothers.
Ingredients
-2 cups of cooked rice
-Oil
-2 pounds of Guinea fowl
-1/2 tablespoonful of grinded ginger
-1/4 teaspoon salt
-1/2 onion
1 cup frozen peas
-3 large carrots
-3 eggs
-3 tablespoonful of soy sauce
-2 tablespoonful of diced green onions
Preparation
-Cut guinea fowl into bite-sized pieces. Add ginger, salt, and garlic and allow it cook for about 2 minutes.
-Fry guinea fowl until it turns golden brown.
-Put a saucepan of fire and add a tablespoonful of oil.
-Stir in diced onion, garlic, and peas and carrots and other vegetables.
-Add rice and stir to coat. Stir occasionally until rice is warmed through.
-Add soy sauce to the rice and stir well
-Remove from heat and serve.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
The familiar curl of smoke from a mosquito coil may seem like a small comfort against buzzing pests, but behind that comfort lies a hidden danger.
According to Dr Lawrencia Osae-Nyarko of the Public Health Research Unit at CSIR-WRI, the smoke carries synthetic chemicals that once inhaled, can irritate lungs, trigger adverse reactions, and silently worsen the health of vulnerable groups-children, pregnant women, and the elderly.
Her remarks framed discussions at the second stakeholder meeting of the Clean Air Fund (CAF) project, spearheaded by the Presbyterian Relief Services and Development (PRESED) in collaboration with CAF, on Tuesday.
The gathering assembled community leaders, facilitators, and experts to review recent data collection and chart a way forward in tackling air pollution and e-waste challenges.
According to Dr Osae-Nyarko, the smoke from the mosquito coils and other material burn to ward of mosquito or other insects rather exposes users to a number of dangerous substances that slowly create problems.
“In Ghana’s urban slums, where cramped living spaces often lack proper ventilation, the risks are magnified,” she warned.
“What people breathe in daily is not just mosquito coil smoke; it is a cocktail of pollutants from waste burning, traffic fumes, and household emissions. These exposures compound vulnerabilities and deepen health injustices,” she added.
Dr Osae-Nyarko, also an Advisory Member of PRESED, stressed that advocacy must highlight the disproportionate impact of pollution on marginalised groups.
She underscored the importance of involving children early: “When children learn about air pollution, they not only protect themselves but also become powerful messengers. Through artwork and storytelling, they can express the dangers and inspire change.”
International studies echo these concerns. Research in China and Malaysia found that burning a single mosquito coil indoors can release fine particulate matter equivalent to 75–137 cigarettes, along with carcinogens such as formaldehyde and bis (chloromethyl)ether (BCME)—both linked to lung cancer.
One study published in Environmental Health Perspectives reported that formaldehyde emissions from a single coil equaled those from 51 cigarettes, while the particulate matter load was comparable to heavy indoor smoking.
For children, pregnant women, and the elderly, these exposures are especially severe. Frequent use in poorly ventilated homes magnifies the danger, leading to respiratory irritation, asthma flare-ups, and long-term cancer risks.
The meeting agenda included an overview of the data collection process, key findings, and the formation of action groups to champion specific objectives. A newly developed training manual will guide facilitators and community members in communicating both the science and the lived realities of pollution.
Her advice was practical yet urgent: “If mosquito coils must be used, ensure proper ventilation. But more importantly, communities need safer alternatives and collective advocacy to demand cleaner air. This is not just about comfort—it is about survival.”
The call to action extended beyond households. Mr Emmanuel Nyarko Ankama, Coordinator for PRESED, urged Assemblies to enforce the registration of waste collectors, especially operators of ‘Aboboya’ tricycles.
“The fact is they can dump waste anywhere, which ends up being burnt and contributes to air pollution,” he cautioned.
Mr Joseph Oberesekun Kiddy-Kodua, Environmental Officer at the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), reinforced the point: “By Ghana’s waste management policy, every waste collection company should be registered by the Assembly. Otherwise, it is an illegal activity.”
“As the project advances, the message is clear: everyday practices—from burning coils to disposing of waste—must be re-examined. With children, elders, and mothers at the heart of the struggle, the fight for clean air is as much about justice as it is about health,” noted Mr Ankama.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
