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Use multi-dimensional approach to tackle poverty – Prof. Kumi Boateng
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The Dean of the Faculty of Planning and Quality Assurance, at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) at Tarkwa in the Western Region, Professor Bernard Kumi-Boateng, says a multi-dimen¬sional approach is key to analyse data to tackle Ghana’s poverty divide.
Prof. Kumi-Boateng made the dec¬laration at a lecture at UMaT, on the topic ‘Mapping the poor in Ghana: A geospatial multi-dimensional poverty index approach.’
Prof. Kumi-Boateng said that, accurate data provided a very good platform for planning and implemen¬tation of poverty alleviation pro¬grammes.
He said poverty issues had gained the attention of policymakers, academics and non-governmental or-ganisations, adding that, successive governments, over the years, had developed and implemented sever¬al development policy frameworks for poverty reduction, such as the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy 1, School Feeding Programme and the Capitation Grant.
However, he noted that the country was still faced with several poverty-related challenges, includ¬ing high levels of inequality, low human development, and regional disparities.
He said, the most recent data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) showed there was a decline in poverty levels across the nation, and that, the international poverty rate was estimated at 20.5 per cent of the population in 2022.
He also revealed that in 2023, an estimated 2.9 million people in Gha¬na were living in extreme poverty, majority being male with 1.5 million of the number living on less than 1.9 dollars daily.
“In many developing countries, such as Ghana, the definition of pov ¬erty remains rooted in questionable assumptions, with the use of income as a determinant. It is problematic; it does not provide a full picture of the command of resources that an individual or household possesses,” Prof Kumi-Boateng said.
He explained that, using a multi-faceted approach, could de¬termine the number of children who go to school, people with drinking water, and child mortality, reveal¬ing that, “we have the capability to map them to help policymakers and target areas which are endemic.”
He, therefore, called on the poli¬cymakers not to assume that Accra was rich, because most indicators on overcrowding and drinking water showed “Accra is multi-dimensional¬ly poor.”
He urged policy analysts not to always think about income as the single source to determine those who were poor or rich.
The five northern regions record¬ed the highest poverty incidence ranging from 65 per cent to 80 per cent with poverty head counts (inci¬dence) in Volta Region, also remain¬ing high (52 per cent).
From Clement Adzei Boye, Tarkwa
The 29th Annual Dagaaba-Frafra Friendly Games have once again demonstrated that sports can be a powerful vehicle for cultural preservation, business networking, friendship and peaceful coexistence.
Held at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra last Saturday, the games brought together members of the two ethnic groups from across Ghana and abroad for a colourful celebration under the theme, “Unity in Diversity: The Dagaaba-Frafra Model for Peaceful Co-existence.”
The event, which has evolved from a friendly football match into a major annual gathering, featured football, volleyball, sack races, lime and spoon, tug-of-peace and a penalty shootout for senior citizens.
At the end of the competitions, the Frafra won four events, while the Dagaaba secured victories in five, with the men’s soccer match ending in a draw.
The Frafra triumphed in the men’s lime and spoon, men’s sack race, women’s sack race and women’s soccer, while the Dagaaba won the women’s lime and spoon, men’s volleyball, women’s volleyball, women’s tug-of-peace and the senior citizens’ penalty shootout.
However, the games extended far beyond the sporting arena. The stadium grounds and surrounding spaces became a vibrant marketplace, with patrons enjoying and purchasing a variety of traditional foods, drinks and cultural products.
Local delicacies, including TZ, tubaani, bambara beans, pork, guinea fowl, local fowls, dog meat and kosie, were sold alongside traditional alcoholic beverages. Traditional dresses and other culturally inspired items also attracted buyers, turning the gathering into an important platform for small businesses and vendors to make sales while promoting northern Ghanaian culture.
The cultural exchange continued long after the final sporting contests, as patrons remained at the venue to eat, drink, socialise, dance and party well into the night.
In her remarks, the Guest of Honour, Dr Matilda Aberese-Ako, said the gathering represented much more than competition, describing the Dagaaba-Frafra relationship as a historic bond that had evolved into a modern sporting tradition and an instrument for peace.
MTN Ghana has been the headline sponsor for the games for the past 10 years.
By Gordon Wellu
By Gordon Wellu
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MTN Ghana has undertaken a tree-planting exercise at the Chipa Forest Reserve as part of its commitment to protecting the planet and support the restoration of degraded sections of the forest.
The activity forms part of the company’s 2026 Sustainability Month celebration held under the theme “Small Actions: Big Impact,” and its 30th anniversary celebration.
It was held in partnership with the Forestry Commission (FC) and the Rainforest Alliance with MTN Ghana supporting the restoration of approximately two hectares of degraded forest through the planting of 1,666 trees.
Due to the current dry weather conditions, 833 trees were planted during the exercise, with the remaining 833 to be planted when the rain commences.
The exercise brought together MTN employee volunteers, officials from the Forestry Commission and representatives of the Rainforest Alliance, demonstrating the importance of collaboration in driving environmental sustainability.
Speaking at the event, the Acting General Manager for Sustainability and Shared Value at MTN Ghana, Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, emphasized the critical role trees play in sustaining life and protecting the environment.
“Trees are essential to human survival and healthy ecosystems. They absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, regulate temperatures, protect soil, support biodiversity and provide habitats for many species. They also conserve water, reduce erosion and help communities adapt to the effects of climate change,” she said.
The District Manager of the Tema-Ada Forest Services Division of the Forestry Commission, Linda Ansah, welcomed MTN Ghana’s support, describing it as a valuable contribution to efforts aimed at restoring degraded sections of the reserve.
The Country Director of the Rainforest Alliance, Nicholas Jengri, also welcomed the partnership and emphasised the importance of collective action in addressing environmental challenges.
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