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Support agribusiness to create jobs – Wa women
• The MCE and some digintaries interacting with beneficiaries at the programme
Young women in agricultural business (agribiz) in the Upper West Region have said that with adequate support from stakeholders, the sector would be able to expand and help reduce youth employment to the barest minimum in the region and the nation at large.
The young women who are already making strides in their respective ventures ranging from crop production to converting agricultural produce into semi-finished and finished products for sale, believe that if they had access to the needed technical support and logistics, they would be able to make more impact.
At a meeting to mark the end of a project christened “Female-led Agribusiness Project”, (FLAP) which supported eight female-led agri-businesses at Wa, Ms Doris Siibu, a beneficiary of FLAP said the support she received from the project enabled her to expand her vocation.
Doris who was adjudged the best female farmer in the Nadowli-Kaleo District at the 2022 Farmers’ Day celebration said the provision of logistics such as tricycle and technical support by FLAP enabled her to engage more hands and expand her farm to 50 acres leading to the increase and the size of her livestock.
The young farmer in charge of Resource Farms said hitherto, it was difficult conveying items to the farm but the tricycle changed the narrative, adding that females in agriculture were faced with lot of challenges and such direct support was necessary for their growth.
Estimated at a cost of GH₵256,336 the FLAP, implemented by Plan International Ghana with support from the Australian High Commission, supported agri-businesses such as Poyaare Naturals, Resource Farms, Kobaa-Ok Farms, Sung Pumpkin, Miga Glow, Royal-Avielle Honey, Inspired Legacy and Influx and Spill Products
The small scale agri-businesses produced items such as packaged shea butter, body scrub, soap, hair pomade and body lotions from shea butter, among others.
The Project Lead of FLAP, Ms Harriet Elorm Setsoafia said that the mo tive of the project was to empower young female-led agribusiness with entrepreneurial knowledge, skills, resources and network to improve and scale up their ventures.
Second Secretary and Consul at the Australian High Commission in Ghana, Ms Harriet Williams who visited the ventures of some of the beneficiaries earlier, expressed satisfaction with the results and said it would enhance the quest for women empowerment.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Wa, Alhaji Issahaku Tahiru Moomen who chaired the meeting, challenged the young ladies to use the resources and technical expertise acquired to grow their businesses.
Some other beneficiaries lauded the project and said the mentorship provided them with adequate knowledge on branding, packaging and marketing.
From Lydia Darlington Fordjour, Wa
The prosecution has officially rested its case in The Republic v Solomon Asamoah & Another, the high-profile legal battle commonly referred to as the “Sky Train” case.
The Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem Sai announced the development, praising the state’s team of hard-working prosecutors for successfully anchoring the state’s evidence before the High Court.
The criminal trial centers on the former Chief Executive Officer and the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
The duo stands accused of illegally authorizing and paying out US$2 million to a foreign company without obtaining board directives or other mandatory statutory approvals.
State investigators have confirmed that the disbursed millions cannot be found.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, the accused persons moved the court for an opportunity to file a submission of no case.
The presiding judge granted the application, ordering the defense to submit their arguments by June 8.
The outcome of the June 8 filings will decide the fate of the trial:
With this, if the judge finds the defense’s submission convincing, the accused will be acquitted and discharged however, If the judge dismisses the submission, the court will order the accused officials to take the stand and explain why they should not face prison sentences.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Sammy Awuku, has expressed deep sorrow following the sudden passing of Isaac Batsa, the constituency secretary for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) lawmaker issued a statement on Tuesday reacting to the news, which has shocked the local political community.
Mr.Awuku praised the late NDC secretary for his bipartisan approach to local governance.
He noted that despite their different political affiliations, Batsa consistently rose above party lines to serve the constituency with diligence.
The MP revealed that the news was particularly shocking given that he had last interacted with Batsa just three days prior on Saturday.
Concluding his statement, Sammy Awuku extended his heartfelt condolences to Batsa’s family, the constituency and regional executives, and the entire NDC fraternity, wishing the deceased peaceful eternal rest.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
