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Women’s access to fertile land and information way to combat desertification-UW EPA boss
The Upper West Regional Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, Mr Emmanuel Lignule has stressed that expanding women’s access to fertile land and information on sustainable agriculture and land management was one of the ways to combat desertification and drought.
The director noted that women paid attention to detail and would engage in sustainable agriculture if they were given adequate training on the theme and how it would help prevent desertification and promote sustainable land use.
Mr Lignule stated this on Friday when the region joined the rest of the country to mark the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought to create awareness on the impact of gender equality on land restoration measures in order to influence stakeholders to device measures to combat it.
The day was observed on the theme; ‘’Her land. Her right, advancing gender equality and land restoration goals’’.
Mr Lignule indicated that land restoration and sustainable land management to combat desertification and mitigate the effect of drought was a shared responsibility of everyone and said combating desertification involved using land in ways that prevented or reduced its degradation.
He noted that desert conditions served as challenges to socio-economic development and said it included a decline in supply of wood and non-wood forest products for various uses and low agricultural yield leading to poverty and increased gender inequality.
‘’The purpose of this year’s celebration is to raise awareness on the underlying causes of desertification and drought and to also inspire stakeholders to support the advancement of women’s land right’’, he said.
He said land degradation in regions with prolonged dryness led to the formation of desert conditions such as dry lands with low biological and economic productivity, sparse vegetation and scarcity of water.
He urged stakeholders in land management to take measures to increase women’s access to land and to secure lands right to encourage upscaling of land restoration and sustainable land management.
The Chief Director at the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), Mr Peter Maala highlighted that land degradation was the core environmental challenge in the region and said it threatened ecosystem services such as water flow and quality regulation.
This he said had been a major source of worry for leadership of the region since majority of people in the region were engaged in agriculture as their only source of livelihood.
He called on stakeholders to support government’s efforts at increasing access to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in order to reduce dependence on wood fuel, as well as controlling devastating wildfires and encouraging diversity to livelihood to increase resilience to drought.
The programme brought together staff of the Regional Coordinating Council, traditional authorities, religious leaders, heads of departments and stakeholders across the region.
FROM RAFIA ABDUL RAZAK WA
President John Dramani Mahama has set up and will personally chair a new Presidential Advisory Group on the Economy (PAGE) to help guide Ghana’s economic recovery and growth.
In a statement issued by the Presidency on Thursday, January 15, 2026, the government said the move is part of its commitment to restore macroeconomic stability, strengthen fiscal discipline, and promote inclusive and job-creating economic growth.
The advisory group will support the implementation of key government programmes such as the 24-Hour Economy, the Accelerated Export Development Programme, and the Reset Agenda.
According to the statement, PAGE has been formed to provide independent, non-partisan and expert advice to the President on major economic issues.
It said the group will draw on both national and international experience to ensure sound economic management and evidence-based decision-making.
“The establishment of PAGE reflects the President’s resolve to draw on deep national and international expertise to support sound economic governance and strategic policy coordination,” the statement noted.
The Presidency explained that the group will advise the President on macroeconomic management, fiscal consolidation, debt sustainability, and how to ensure harmony between fiscal and monetary policies.
It will also provide guidance on industrial development, competitiveness, export growth, private sector expansion, investment mobilisation, and sustainable job creation.
In addition, PAGE will support the planning and implementation of the 24-Hour Economy and the Accelerated Export Development Programme.
It will also conduct regular reviews of Ghana’s economic performance and propose policy changes where necessary.
The group is expected to contribute to Ghana’s engagements with international financial institutions, development partners, and investors.
“The group shall report directly to the President and submit advisory memoranda and briefs as and when requested,” the statement said.
Membership of the advisory group includes respected personalities from academia, public service, and the private sector.
They are: Vice President, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Mr. Ishmael Yamson, private sector leader, Mr. Kwame Pianim, economist and private sector leader, Ms. Nana Oye Mansa Yeboaa, former Deputy Minister of Finance and Trade and Industry, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, former Governor of the Bank of Ghana and former Finance Minister, Sir Samuel Esson Jonah, industrialist, Mr. Ato Brown, former World Bank infrastructure specialist,”.
The rest are, Dr. Henry A. Kofi Wampah, former Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Togbe Afede XIV, economist and private sector leader, Ms. Abena Amoah, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Stock Exchange, Prof. Priscilla Twumasi Baffour, university professor and Prof. Patience Aseweh Abor, PhD, university professor.
The statement added that formation of PAGE shows the President’s strong commitment to inclusive growth, economic stability, and long-term national development.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang commends local government ministry for progress in decentralisation
Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has praised the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs for its key role in bringing governance closer to the people through decentralisation.
She made this known after she visited the Ministry to engage with its leadership and staff.
According to her, the visit was to better understand the progress being made in responsive governance and effective service delivery across the country.
“The Ministry is truly at the heart of government, especially as we work to reset the decentralisation agenda and strengthen our institutions,” she said.
During the meeting, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, briefed the Vice President on several achievements since he took office.
He said the Ministry had successfully organised orientation programmes for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), and had issued clear guidelines on how the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) should be used.
He also spoke about the National Decentralisation Dialogue, which he described as an important platform that allows stakeholders to contribute ideas toward the future of Ghana’s decentralisation process.
Ahmed Ibrahim further noted that the Ministry has strengthened its relationship with traditional authorities.
He said engagement with chiefs and queen mothers has increased significantly, adding that the government has approved about a 300 percent increase in allowances for paramount chiefs and queen mothers.
According to him, this move shows government’s recognition of the important role traditional leaders play in promoting unity, development, and local governance.
The Minister announced the launch of National Sanitation Day work plans.
He explained that this forms part of preparations to roll out a 24-hour sanitation programme aimed at improving hygiene and sanitation across the country.
He added that there is renewed confidence among investors and development partners because of the growing stability and clear direction under the current administration.
In her remarks, the Vice President stressed that decentralisation must be used to improve the daily lives of Ghanaians.
She said social governance is key to maintaining peace and national stability.
She commended the Ministry for its efforts to ensure that public funds, especially the DACF, are used for their intended purposes.
“I appreciate the steps being taken to ensure accountability and that these funds truly benefit the people,” she stated.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said the engagement was not only to encourage the Ministry but also to listen, support, and strengthen cooperation in delivering better results for communities.
She reminded all stakeholders that governance is a shared responsibility.
“Government does not work alone. We must continue to treat every stakeholder, at every level, with the respect they deserve,” she said.
By: Jacob Aggrey
