Fact sheet about sweet potato, groundnut and cowpea in Ghana

Published

5 years ago

November 6, 2021

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It is interesting to note that:

CRI-Vern Gracen, CRI-AGRA SP09, CRI-AGRA SP13 and CRI-Kofi Annan, all improved high-yielding, non-sweet sweet potatoes varieties, were released in 2017. They have staple taste, higher storage root yield, that is 19 to 39t/ha, sugar content is 14.47- 18.12 per cent, early-maturing (four to five months), and higher tolerance to the sweet potato virus (SPVD), sweet potato weevils (Cylas sp.) and alcidodes. They are suitable for all five eco zones in Ghana. The varieties can be used for fufu, French fries chunk[1]fried, ampesi (boiled/steamed), crispy chips, for bread and pastries, yoghurt, baby foods and juice gluten-free noodles. They are also potential enzyme source for breweries and other industries.
WAAPP Piesa 1, Manga-moya, Maa-Lana, Naachem-Tiir and Nutsugah Piesa, all Frafra potato varieties, were released in 2017. Their ovoid tubers are up to eight centimetres in length. Besides, their raw tubers are exceptionally nutritious, resistant to diseases and pests. They mature from107 to 113 days. The varieties are applicable to Guinea Savanna, Sudan Savanna, Coastal Savanna and forest zones. They can be used for thick porridge, tuo-zaafi, amongst others.
Sweet potato: CSIR-SA[1]RI Nan variety was released in 2018. This variety is resistant to diseases and pests, climate-smart, orange fleshed, high dry matter: 26-29.5 per cent, drought-tolerant and yields 24t/ha. It is suitable for Guinea and Sudan Savanna agro-ecological zones of Ghana. It can be used for thick porridge, tuo-zaafi, etc.
Sweet potato: CSIR-SARI Diedi variety was released in 2018. It is purple fleshed, tolerant to SPVD, yields 14t/ha and drought-tolerant. Applicable to Guinea and Sudan Savanna agro-ecological zones of Ghana. It can be used for ampesi.
Sweet potato: CSIR-SARI Nyumengre variety was released in 2018. It is white fleshed, resistant to diseases and pests, drought-tolerant and yields 16t/Ha. The variety is suitable for Guinea and Sudan Savanna agro-ecological zones of Ghana. It can be used for ampesi.
Sweet potato: Micro-propagation protocol for the mass generation of planting material of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) variety. The protocol supports the production of planting material to address the inadequate supply of sweet potato vines and storage roots. The procedure eliminates disease-causing organisms, giving the resulting plant[1]lets more vigorous growth and increased yield. Use of the protocol/method generates pathogen-free material which prevents the transfer of diseases and pests from one point to the other and allows easy international exchange of sweet potato germplasm. The protocol can be a foundation for downstream research applications including genetic transformation activities. The variety is applicable to Guinea Sudan Savanna agro-ecological zones of Ghana. Advantages: Mass production of true-to-type disease-free planting material for existing and newly released varieties. Additionally, it enhances rapid international germplasm exchange (limited quarantine requirements)
Munikpa groundnut variety was released in 2005. It matures in 90 days, yields 2.0 t/ha, kernels are of very large size, very high oil content (51.8 per cent) and moderately resistant to early and late leaf spot. Munikpa is suitable for Guinea Savanna ecology. Besides, it is suitable for oil production and confectionary products
Kpanielli groundnut variety was released in 2005. It matures in 120 days, yields 2.4 t/ha, kernels are of very large size, very high oil content (51.8 per cent), suitable for commercial production and resistant to early and late leaf spot. Kpanielli is applicable to Guinea Savanna ecology. It can be used for confectionary trade, has better resistance to Cercospora disease, has good resistance to foliar diseases and it is dry season feed for livestock.
Jusie Balin groundnut variety was released in 2005. It matures in 100 days, yield of 2.0 t/ha, oil content is 47 per cent. Jusie Balin is applicable to Guinea Savanna ecology. Has better resistance to Cercospora leaf spot disease. It is good field dormancy.
Edorkpo-mu nikpa groundnut variety was released in 2005. It matures in 90 days, yield of 2.0 t/ha, yields between eight to 12 bags in half an acre. It is suitable for all agro ecological zones of Ghana. Edorkpo-mu[1]nikpa is resistant to Cercospora leaf spot diseases, it is good field dormancy and can delay harvesting up to 10 days without germinating.
SARINUT 1 SARINUT 2 groundnut variety was released in 2019. It matures in 90 days, adaptable to climate change, high in protein and oil and yield between 8-12 bags/ half acre. It is applicable to Northern agro ecological zones of Ghana. Has a higher oil content of 51 per cent, resistant to Cercospora leaf spot diseases and can delay harvesting up to 14 days without germinating.
Bawutawuta cowpea variety was released in 2008. It is resistant to striga, medium-to-late maturing, has high biomass, yields 3.0 t/ha, has erect plant stature with few runners and small leaves and matures in 69-75 days. Bawutawuta is suitable for Guinea and Sudan Savannah zones. It has resistance to striga and resistant to most insects and diseases.
Songotra cowpea variety was released in 2008. It has erect plant stature with no vines and small leaves, matures in 62-65 days, majority of the pods are slightly above the canopy, seed shape is fairly round, the seed coat colour is creamy white and has potential yield of 2.0 t/ha. Songotra is applicable toSahel, Sudan and Savanna zones. It is highly resistant to striga. Besides, it is moderately resistant to most insects and diseases.
Padi-tuya cowpea variety was released in 2008. It has erect plant stature with few vines and large thick leaves, matures in 64-67 days, seed shape is round to kidney shape and yield potential is 2.4 t/ha. Padi-tuya is suitable for Sahel, Sudan, Guinea Savanna zones and humid areas. It has short cooking time. Besides, it is moderately resistant to insects, diseases and striga. The per cent harvest in total yield (determinacy) is moderate (about 72 per cent).
Zaayura Pali, Diffeele, Soo-Sima, Wang Kae and Kirk[1]house benga-1 cowpea varieties were released in 2016. They are resistant to cowpea aphid and striga. The varieties are adaptable over northern Ghana. They are good source of iron.

Source: Manual of Agricultural Technologies developed by

CSIR, MAG and MoFA

Page: 98-102, 54-56 & 48-49

Healthy eating doesn’t have to be expensive

Published

3 days ago

August 8, 2026

WeeklySpectator

One of the most persistent myths about nutrition is that eating well is a luxury reserved for higher incomes. That healthy means imported, packaged, and pricey. The reality in Ghana tells a very different story.

Good nutrition starts with local food

Ghana is rich in nutrient-dense foods that are grown here and sold in markets every day: beans, cowpeas, groundnuts, kontonmire, alefu, okra, garden eggs, tomatoes, oranges, mangoes, pawpaw, millet, sorghum, yam, cocoyam, and small fish. Together, they supply the protein, vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and fibre the body needs to grow, stay strong, and fend off chronic disease.

Many traditional Ghanaian meals are already nutritionally balanced by design. Beans with ripe plantain. Kontomire stew with boiled yam. Tuo zaafi with ayoyo and beans. Meal for meal, these often outperform processed convenience food and cost less doing it. Healthy eating rarely requires exotic ingredients; it starts with foods that have always been part of the culture.

So why does healthy eating still feel expensive?

Rising food prices, transport costs, and post-harvest losses all chip away at affordability. Fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, and eggs can get pricier at certain times of year, while heavily marketed processed foods stay cheap and everywhere. Busy schedules push people toward packaged convenience food that’s quick to prepare but often loaded with salt, sugar, and unhealthy fat. The lesson here: healthy eating isn’t only a personal choice. It is shaped by the food environment people live in.

Small changes, real savings

Families don’t need a diet overhaul overnight. A few consistent habits go a long way:

Plan meals before shopping to buy only what’s needed and cut food waste.
Buy fruits and vegetables in season, when prices are lowest.
Add beans or other legumes to meals a few times a week as an affordable protein source.
Swap sugary drinks for water and fresh fruit offering better nutrition at no extra cost.

A shared responsibility

Households can only do so much on their own. Governments, local authorities, and the private sector need to make the healthy choice the easy choice, too. That means investing in irrigation, storage, and transport to stabilise prices; supporting farmers to keep fresh produce flowing year-round; and building nutrition education and healthier food options into schools, workplaces, and public institutions.

Good nutrition should never be treated as a luxury. It’s the foundation of good health, learning, and productivity. When nutritious local food is within reach of every household, Ghana moves closer to a healthier, more productive future for everyone.

Feature article by Women, Media and Change under its Nourish Ghana: Advocating for Increased Leadership to Combat Malnutrition project