Features
Promoting agribusiness in Ghana
One area where Ghana can actively participate in promoting agribusiness is to ensure that as much as possible, the raw materials base is given to the country.
CULTIVATING RAW MATERIALS
We can show this by cultivating raw materials, which will be processed further for others who will need them to serve the needs of the country.
What we have to do as a country is to take a look at the needs and demands of society so as to be able to address the problem of agribusiness.
Agricultural production in Ghana covers a number of areas such as mangoes, pineapples, palm nuts, shea butter, and so many other things.
SPECIALISATION
What we need to do as a country is to encourage our people to go into specialisation of these crops and ensure that they are able to produce them in great quantity.
To be able to do this effectively, we need to use modern scientific methods. We need to also treat the soil very well so that whatever we put in the ground will come up and grow very well unlike others that may not be able to grow very well because of diseases in the soil.
SOIL TREATMENT
Soil treatment is very important here because that is what will keep away pests and others from destroying the crops we put in the soil.
If we pay attention to soil treatment, it will ensure that every thing we are doing comes up very well and that what we produce becomes healthy for consumption.
After being able to produce adequate raw materials – in whatever way we find it – we need to pay attention to transportation. Transportation may take various forms – road transport, air transport (depending on circumstances), and so on.
We may even carry some of the produce on the back of animals, that is, if that will be possible based upon circumstances of the times but if it is not possible, then we need to develop simple transportation systems. We need to get simple systems of transportation – what we may call Aboboya (tricycle) or very simple forms of transportation that may carry these produce from where they are produced to the processing centre.
PROCESSING
When they get to the processing centre, the machines that are available are then used to process them. If it pineapple, we will need to process into pineapple juice and we will do the same thing for mango, orange and other fruits that we may come across in that enclave.
We need to do this very well making sure that the right temperature and the right conditions are applied in all circumstances so that we will never go wrong.
APPLICABLE STANDARDS
In doing all these we will need to pay attention to applicable standards; applicable standards are very important here because any items that are meant for consumption in a human body will have to be produced in line with the applicable standards.
There are standards for all these products, for all agricultural products and it is important that we pay attention to all of them.
Once we pay attention to all of these applicable standards, what we are producing will be right, therefore, going wrong will be minimised. If you go wrong, you will be asked to go back and reproduce what you have done already and that will increase the cost.
So, it is important at all time that we all pay attention to standards right from the beginning, even from the farm and then at the factory to the coming of the foods or the coming of the products as well as bottling of the products.
Again, when these items are produced, we need to make sure that they are transported to the marketing centres in the right way if you have to put them in what we call coolers or refrigerators in small forms, we will have to do that so that along the line what we have produced for marketing will not go bad.
If we are able to do all these, the products processed will get to the market and then the consumer will start making use of them to his or her satisfaction but the point being made is that right from the farm through the cultivation of the products to the processing of their produce to the canning and bottling of the items, we need to make use of applicable standards.
If we make use of applicable standards, it will help us to be safe.
BENEFITS OF STANDARDS
When we make use of standards, first of all, they ensure safety of the consumer. Secondly, it ensures that public health is protected. Thirdly, it makes it possible for the right thing to be done right from the beginning, but if we don’t do this from the beginning things may go wrong and cost of production will go high.
So, as a country, it is possible to encourage agribusiness but everything must be done according to laid down standards so that our people will be fed with what is right.
We need to do this seriously and make sure that we produce to the best of our ability so that quality products will be the end result, which will bring quality life to our people and also bring in more revenue when we begin to export these things to external markets.
Contact email/whatsApp address of author:
Pradmat2013@gmail.com (0553318911)
By Dr. Kofi Amponsah-Bediako
Conflict at work is more common than you might think. According to 2022 research by The Myers-Briggs Company, more than a third of the workforce reports dealing with conflict often, very often, or all the time in the workplace. The same report found that managers spend an average of four hours per week dealing with conflict, and nearly 25 per cent of people think their managers handle conflict poorly or very poorly.
Addressing a dispute might feel tense or awkward, but resolving the conflict is typically well worth it in the long run. Whether you’re trying to mediate conflict between colleagues or are directly involved, here are seven steps you can take to manage workplace conflict.
1. Don’t put it off
Facing conflict head-on is hard. However, waiting too long to address it can negatively impact your emotional well-being, focus, and the entire office environment. If you’re feeling angry, letting that emotion fester can also escalate it over time. This can make you less responsive to other points of view and make it harder to resolve the issue.
The sooner you can address the conflict, the better it will be for you, the person you disagree with, and your entire team.
2. Learn all you can about the problem
It’s important to determine the type of conflict you’re dealing with. Begin by considering the cause of the conflict. For example, ask yourself whether someone said something that upset you or if you have emotions of anger and resentment that stemmed from something that happened.
Then try to identify if it’s a task, relationship, value, or team conflict. Once you know what type of conflict it is, you can work to resolve it with specific tactics for that situation.
If you skip this step, you may waste time or escalate the situation further by trying to address issues irrelevant to the real conflict.
3. Actively listen
Listen attentively when people share their side of the story. Active listening is one of the most valuable professional skills you can possess. This type of listening involves not only hearing what the other person is saying but also listening to understand their point of view.
No matter your role in conflict, it’s easy to begin sharing your opinion with little regard for the other people involved. However, it’s important to learn about all sides of a disagreement to make well-informed decisions before drawing conclusions.
To reach a resolution, you must step back and prioritize listening over talking. Ultimately, that will encourage the other person to do the same when it’s your turn to speak. –source: betterup.com
Today, I focus on the Temple Of Praise Ministries International (TOP Church) in Helsinki, as I continue my description of personalities or institutions and their accomplishments as members of the Ghanaian Diaspora in Finland.
The TOP Church in Finland has seen significant strides and accomplishments that must be made known to the public. 
Some history
The Church was established in Finland in September 2016. Since its inception, it has steadily grown both spiritually and numerically, by the grace of God, as disclosed to me by Mr Matthew Anini Twumasi, the Presiding Elder of TOP’s branch in Finland. The TOP Church has other branches across Africa, Europe, and America.
The Church in Finland was founded with a vision to create a welcoming and dynamic community where people could experience God’s love and grace (see, www.topchurchfinland.org). According to Presiding Elder Matthew, the TOP Church operates within a unique environment where Christianity coexists with what is seen as a largely secular society.
Despite this, he submits, there are significant opportunities for outreach, unity, and demonstrating the love of Christ through service and community engagement.
Activities
Church services at the TOP Church are typically held on Sundays for the main worship. In addition, there are mid-week prayer sessions, Saturday prayer services, and a half-night service held on the last Friday of every month. “We also organise quarterly programs”, Elder Matthew added.
His impression of the Church so far has been positive. “It is a vibrant and welcoming community where members are committed to worship, fellowship, and supporting one another in faith”, he stated.
In sum, Elder Matthew said the Church continues to grow by God’s grace. “We remain hopeful and committed to spreading the Gospel, strengthening the faith of our members, and making a positive impact in society”, he continued.
Achievements
The TOP Church has a number of achievements and achievements. Some of the strengths include strong community bonds, cultural diversity, and deep commitment to spiritual growth.
I also remember that during the COVID-19 period, I heard that the TOP Church was one such bodies that hugely supported its members and others to cope with the situation.
According to Elder Matthew, the challenges facing the church include “adapting to cultural differences, engaging the younger generation, expanding outreach in a secular society, and securing a permanent place of worship”.
Role in the Ghanaian community in Finland
The TOP Church plays a prominent role as a religious group that serves Ghanaian migrants and others in the Finnish society.
Thus, the TOP Church is a religious body for Ghanaian migrants in Finland and other nationalities who want to worship with them for diversity and better intercultural and multicultural understanding.
The Church also has mechanisms in place to support its members who are bereaved as a way to commiserate with them in times of death and funerals.
The Ghanaian community has played a vital role in the growth of the Church. Their strong sense of fellowship, dedication to worship, and active participation have helped build a solid foundation and attract others to the ministry, according to Elder Matthew.
Integration
By its activities, the TOP Church is helping to ensure integration of its members well into the Finish society.
This is important since social interaction and citizens’ well-being are an important part of the integration process.
The role of migrant associations and groups such as TOP Church acting as bridge-builders for the integration and inclusion of migrants through participation in the decision making process and by acting as a representative voice is highly appreciated in Finland. Thank you!
GHANA MATTERS column appears fortnightly. Written in simple, layman’s terms, it concentrates on matters about Ghana and beyond. It focuses on everyday life issues relating to the social, cultural, economic, religious, political, health, sports, youth, gender, etc. It strives to remind us all that Ghana comes first. The column also takes a candid look at the meanings and repercussions of our actions, especially those things we take for granted or even ignore. There are key Ghanaian values we should uphold rather than disregard with impunity. We should not overlook the obvious. We need to search for the hidden or deeply embedded values and try to project them.
With Dr Perpetual Crentsil
