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Local rice farmers lose 84% of harvest – Research
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Ghana’s rice farmers are losing as much as 84 per cent of their harvests to invasive weeds, researchers revealed at a stakeholder workshop on Wednesday.
The findings, presented by the CSIR‑Crops Research Institute (CSIR‑CRI) and the Korea Partnership for Innovation of Agriculture (KOPIA), underscored the urgent threat to food security and the need for coordinated national action.
The workshop, attended by more than 50 farmers, extension officers, and officials, marked the close of the first year of the three‑year KOPIA Rice Weed Management Project.
Scientists reported that five major weed species — including Echinochloa spp. (Ashaiman killer), Leptochloa chinensis (Black Jerry), Urochloa humidicola (Aguda), Ischaemum rugosum (Ogo), and Cyperus spp. (Atadwe) — are entrenched in rice fields, capable of slashing yields by 50 to 80 per cent while also hosting destructive rice diseases.
Dr Stephen Arthur, Project Coordinator at CSIR‑CRI, warned that farmers were spending GH₵1,600 to GH₵2,000 per acre on hand‑picking weeds, a cost he described as ‘unsustainable.’
He urged adoption of integrated weed management practices combining timely herbicide use with improved agronomic methods.
Other experts highlighted the wider consequences. Pathologist Dr Atta Aidoo linked weed infestations to increased incidence of blast, sheath blight, and brown spot, while entomologist Dr Kofi Frimpong‑Anin documented shifts in pest dynamics.
Agronomist Mr Kofi Lelabi Kota examined crop‑weed competition and the economics of current control practices.
Senior CSIR officials called for stronger government support. Prof. Marian Dorcas Quain, Deputy Director‑General, stressed the need to back local seed production to reduce risky imports.
Prof. Maxwell Darko Asante, Director of CSIR‑CRI, urged the National Food Buffer Stock Company to purchase Dawhenya’s seeds to secure progress while Dr Young Jin Kim, Director of KOPIA Ghana Centre, emphasised Korea’s experience in building resilient rice systems and pledged continued partnership.
Following the presentations, participants toured the fields to witness the difference between managed and unmanaged plots. Farmers expressed readiness to adopt the recommended strategies in the upcoming season. “What we have seen and heard is exactly what we needed,” said lead farmer Richard Affleh.
The KOPIA Rice Weed Management Project will continue monitoring and documenting farmer practices over the next two years, with the goal of delivering sustainable solutions to protect Ghana’s rice sector from the silent but devastating threat of weeds.
FROM KINGSLEY E.HOPE, KUMASI
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has clarified that former Finance Minister Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta remains the subject of criminal proceedings in Ghana and is still wanted under a valid arrest warrant issued by the High Court in Accra.
In a public notice, the OSP said it had taken note of a transcript of a hearing from a United States immigration court that has been circulated by some media organisations.
According to the office, the document has been interpreted by some to suggest that Mr. Ofori-Atta has not been credibly charged or linked to any wrongdoing in Ghana.
The OSP rejected that interpretation, explaining that it is not involved in Mr. Ofori-Atta’s immigration proceedings in the United States.
It said its involvement relates only to extradition proceedings, which are being handled through Ghana’s Attorney-General as the country’s central authority.
According to the OSP, the extradition documents are not before the US immigration court and the court has no authority to determine whether the criminal charges against Mr. Ofori-Atta are credible.
“The credibility or otherwise of the criminal charges against Mr. Ofori-Atta is a matter for determination by the courts in Ghana,” the OSP stated.
The office explained that there are three separate legal proceedings involving the former minister.
These include the immigration proceedings in the United States concerning his immigration status, extradition proceedings to determine whether he should be returned to Ghana, and the criminal case before the High Court in Accra involving corruption and corruption-related offences.
The OSP reiterated that Mr. Ofori-Atta remains before the High Court in Accra as an accused person and that a valid warrant has been issued for his arrest.
It maintained that he remains a fugitive from justice in Ghana and is required to appear before the High Court to answer the charges against him.
The Special Prosecutor also stressed that the criminal proceedings in Ghana would continue in accordance with the law and the directives of the High Court, whether or not Mr. Ofori-Atta is physically present in the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Telecel Ghana has announced that it has resolved the intermittent challenges that affected its voice and data services.
In a message to customers, the telecommunications company announced that its network services had been fully restored after experiencing temporary disruptions.
“We are pleased to inform you that intermittent challenges with our voice and data services have been resolved,” the company said.
Telecel apologised to customers for the inconvenience caused by the service interruptions and thanked them for their patience during the period.
“We appreciate your patience and apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused,” the company added.
The company assured customers of its commitment to providing reliable communication services under its slogan, “Connecting Energies.”
By: Jacob Aggrey
