News
HTU develops ‘resilient’ baobab seedling
The Department of Agro-Enterprise Development of the Ho Technical University (HTU) has achieved a record in the re-breeding of baobab seedlings domestically for rapid multiplication.
The research team of the university has come out with a baobab tree which took 27 months to flower instead of the usual 14-27 years.
Dr Kenneth Fafa Egbadzor, the Principal Engineer of the research team said that the demonstration plant proved resilient to human activities and stray animals.
He said that baobab had more than 300 uses in the food, cosmetic, medical and art sectors.
Dr Egbadzor said that the Vitamin C, zinc and iron content of the plant, played important roles in addressing desertification and climate change.
He said that the plant remained undomesticated and under-utilised in spite of its usefulness.
“We argued in a review to be published soon that baobab could be more important economically than the country’s foreign exchange earner, the cocoa.
“We are advocating that the baobab be added to the tree crops selected by the government for development,” he added.
Dr Egbadzor maintained that domestication and cultivation of the baobab would largely contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Professor Ben Q. Honyenuga, Vice Chancellor of HTU has lauded the Faculty of Applied Science and Technology of the institution for re-engineering the baobab to flower in a short time, saying that bore testimony to the fact that a little resolve could produce huge results.
From Alberto Mario Noretti, Ho
The Police have arrested two suspects, including the alleged gang leader, in connection with the robbery attack on the Berekum Chelsea football team that resulted in the death of one of the players.
According to a Police update, the arrests were made after intelligence-led operations by security personnel.
One of the suspects sustained gunshot wounds during an exchange of fire with the police.
He has since been taken to a hospital where he is receiving medical treatment, while the other suspect remains in police custody assisting with investigations.
The Police indicated that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang linked to the attack.
They assured the public that more details will be provided as investigations progress.
By: Jacob Aggrey
President John Dramani Mahama has arrived in Brazzaville to attend the investiture ceremony of Denis Sassou N’Guesso.
The ceremony follows the re-election of President Sassou N’Guesso for another five year term as leader of the Republic of the Congo.
President Mahama travelled to Brazzaville shortly after launching his Free Primary Healthcare Programme in Dodowa.
He is expected to return to Accra after the ceremony scheduled for Thursday morning.
By: Jacob Aggrey
