News
Women farmers acquire skills in soap making, financial management
Farmers in Adansi South, in the Ashanti Region, known for their production of rice, cassava, plantain, maize and vegetables, used to make little profit from their farms, due to little or no access to market opportunities.
To improve the farmers’ livelihoods, the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) programme through the Kokoo Pa Farmers Association has given the farmers a means to make a profit for themselves and their families.
Kokoo Pa Farmers Association (formerly known as AHANSUCOFA) was formed in 2009 by cocoa farmers from an initial 10 communities in the Ahafo Ano North and Ahafo Ano South districts.
It is supported by the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) which is a partnership involving the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations and other partners.
The women acquired new skills in soap making from cocoa waste materials such as the cocoa pod, and were trained also in financial management.
The beneficiaries, according to the association, are now able to “build a strong business in soap making while managing their finances through the Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) method of saving their profit.”
The Association is membership-based with about 8,600 farmers, 5,676 men and 2,924 women in seven districts in the Ashanti (Adansi South district), Brong, Ahafo, and Western regions.
The association promotes cocoa beans production to meet member farmers’ livelihood needs.
The FFF programme supports the Kokoo Pa farmers association to promote women entrepreneurship and access to markets and finance, through training in different livelihood ventures of soap making, pastries, and the establishment of VSLA in three communities for financial inclusion.
Since November 2020, through the training given to the farmers, the farmers’ association using VSLA has improved the attitude of savings and financial management in their businesses. The association has helped farmers build skills in entrepreneurship.
The FFF programme led by FAO is a partnership launched in 2012 to improve rural farming, forestry, and farmers’ organisations through collective action.
By Spectator Reporter
The ECOWAS Council of Ministers has unanimously endorsed President John Dramani Mahama as West Africa’s sole candidate for the Chairperson of the African Union when the rotating position gets to the region in 2027.
The endorsement was announced at the ninety-fifth ordinary session of the Council in Abuja on 12 December 2025.
The Authority of Heads of State and Government is expected to adopt the recommendation on Sunday.
In a declaration issued after the meeting, the Council noted that Ghana remains an important member of the regional bloc and continues to contribute to ECOWAS’ international standing.
It stressed the need for member states to work together to secure top positions for West Africans in continental and global organisations.
The Council explained that adopting a unified stance would help ECOWAS protect and promote its interests within the African Union.
It therefore recommended that the Heads of State fully back Ghana’s bid for the AU chairmanship.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ghana Education Service has released all outstanding feeding grants for Special Schools across the country.
The funds cover the third term of the 2024/2025 academic year and the first term of the 2025/2026 academic year.
GES has also cleared all arrears owed Senior High Schools and Senior High Technical Schools for perishables supplied between 29 July and 17 October 2025.
According to the Service, the money has been transferred into the accounts of all beneficiary schools.
Heads of Special Schools, SHS and SHTS have been asked to submit official receipts for the funds through their Regional Accountants to the Director General.
The Public Relations Unit in a statement noted that GES remains committed to supporting effective teaching, learning and inclusive education in the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
