Day: April 25, 2024

BEJA: The large amounts of rainfall recorded in the last 72 hours in the governorate of Beja are likely to improve the situation of almost 30% of the sown cereal areas, regional agricultural sources told TAP. According to the same sources, the rains will also help to maintain the good condition of 35% of the cereal area. However, Chokri Djebbi, president of the Regional Union of Agriculture and Fisheries (URAP) in Beja, stressed that the recent rains would have no effect on the 35% of sown cereal areas already affected by the lack of rain since the beginning of March. Significant amounts of rain have been recorded in the region over the last 24 hours, including 16 mm in the Nefza delegation, 9 mm in Amdoun, 6 mm at the Kasseb dam and in Beja (weather station), 7 mm in Thibar and 4 mm in Goubellat. Professional organisations and agricultural management structures estimate that grain production in the governorate of Beja will increase in the 2023-2024 agricultural season compared with the previous season. It should be noted that the area sown with cereals during the current agricultural season in the governorate of Beja reached 151 thousand hectares, including 7100 hectares under irrigation. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

Mr Stephen Asamoah Boateng, Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, has hinted that the government is in the process of establishing the Chieftaincy Development Fund. This Fund, when set up, would ensure sustainable financing for chiefs and traditional rulers, and enable them to play their roles as leaders in communities. It will also help traditional leaders to undertake development projects within their traditional areas without waiting for central government, while facilitating capacity building and training programmes for chiefs and queen mothers. Mr Assamoah Boateng speaking at the 'Ahohoo Durbar' at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, said it was high time the chieftaincy institution was strengthened in its position as the fulcrum around which local development revolved. The durbar, which formed part of activities marking the 25th anniversary of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, as the 16th occupant of the Golden Stool, was reserved for chiefs of various tribes domiciled in the Ashanti region to pay homage to the king. The gathering was one of the rare occasions at the seat of the Asante Kingdom, where traditions of the Asantes gave way to a mixture of cultural displays of other tribes. Notable among the tribes present were Ewes, Fantis, Gas, Moshies, Gonjas, Walas, Nzemas, Dagombas, Frafras, Kusases. Other tribal leaders and their subjects from neighbouring countries such as Igbos, Yurobas and the Songhais also attended the durbar. Mr Asamoah Boateng said the Ministry was also reviewing the Chieftaincy Act, 2008 (Act 759) and the Legislative Instruments 798 to reflect the current trend of events and restore some power to traditional leaders. On commendations of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, he indicated that 'as government, we commend your unwavering commitment to raising the standards of education which has benefitted over one million students in Ghana. For over 22 years, several critical sectors such as health, water and sanitation have benefitted from numerous projects of your Otumfuo Charity Fou ndation, not to mention initiatives towards poverty alleviation', he applauded. Mr Asamoah Boateng echoed that it was evident that Ghana could achieve a lot when visionary traditional leaders such as the Asantehene were actively involved in the implementation of development projects. Ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyebi, President of National House of Chiefs, said the Asantehene's contribution to socio-economic, political, and peaceful co-existence was unmatched and highly commendable. He said his recent move on the 'Heal KATH Project,' was one that could linger and lead the nation to ensuring quality health provision. He used the occasion on behalf of his traditional area (Sefwi Anhwiaso) to donate $5,000.00 to the 'Heal KATH Project'. Ogyeahohoo Gyebi touching on the upcoming general elections, indicated that, as the political campaigns intensified, Ghanaians should remain united and preserve the peace, and work towards peaceful and fair elections. He called on all traditional and community leaders to lead in educati ng the people, especially the youth not to allow themselves for any political grouping to exploit their vulnerabilities to engage in violence or any vice which could undermine the individual and community safety or the integrity of elections. Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Abu Kansangbata, a former Deputy Upper West regional Minister has stated that the nomination of Naana Jane Opoku-Agyeman as NDC running mate will encourage more women to take up responsible positions. That, he added would also fulfill the requirements of the United Nations Charter. In a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Thursday, Mr Kansangbata who has a close association with Prof Naana, threw down the gauntlet and challenged other political parties to nominate a formidable woman possessing qualities such as integrity, honesty, sincerity, humility, and modesty, akin to Prof Naana. On Wednesday April 24, 2024, Prof. Jane Naana was unveiled as the NDC's running mate in a gathering that captured a lot NDC bigwigs and beyond. As the first female running mate of the NDC, her nomination made history and sparked widespread excitement. Mr Kansangbata stressed the significance of this challenge, citing the NDC's role as the largest political party in sub-Saharan Africa. Source: Ghana New s Agency

Leadership of the Akatsi Presbytery of the Global Evangelical Church (GEC) has announced that all is set for this year's Presbytery Representative Conference on Thursday. On the theme: 'Be Holy in All You Do,' the three-day event, to be held at the Shalom Chapel of the Church at Akatsi in the Volta Region, will be climaxed on Saturday, April 27. It would register more than 120 delegates, the Reverend Forestone F. Tsagli, the Akatsi Presbytery Chairman, disclosed to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Thursday. He expressed optimism about the success of the conference, which would also see the election of a chairman and treasurer of the Akatsi Presbytery as required by the constitution. Reverend Tsagli said dignitaries, including Rt Reverend Prosper Samuel Dzormeku, the Moderator of the Church, Reverend Seth Agbeyome, Akatsi Presbytery Clerk, among others would grace the event. The conference will also highlight some Presbytery activities including achievements, challenges, work-in-progress, financial issues, human resource development, strategic plan, and spiritual growth. Source: Ghana News Agency

Naa Fuseini Seidu Pelpuo IV, the overlord of the Wala Traditional Council, has appealed to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to intervene and halt the wanton grasp of state lands in the Wa Municipality. He also appealed to the President who paid a courtesy call on him, to conduct an extensive audit of the state lands in the Municipality. He said some individuals were identifying, rezoning, and selling state lands to themselves with impunity without recourse to the future development needs of the Municipality. 'Of late, the race to rezone government-acquired lands and resell them clandestinely to individuals has hit the Wa Municipality. Individuals practically choose parcels of government-acquired lands they want, and the managers of our state lands promptly rezone them for them to buy,' Naa Pelpuo explained. He said if the act were not checked it would be difficult for local state projects, which needed to be situated within town. The Chief commended President Akufo-Addo for the interest he had show n in the development of the Wa Municipality and the Upper West Region in general. He cited the tarring of the Wa-Charia and Wa-Jonga roads as an indication of the President responding to the request of the Chiefs and people of the Wala Traditional Area. He, however, reminded the President of some outstanding requests including the rehabilitation of the Wa-Bole-Bamboi road, tarring of the Wa-Sing Road, provision of buses for the Nursing Training College, Wa and the Wa Islamic Senior High School and the provision of infrastructure for the Wa Naa Palace School, among others. He also reminded the President of the need to make farm inputs available, and affordable to the farmers in the region as the rainy season sets in. President Akufo-Addo, on his part, assured the revered Chief of acting on the sale of state lands in the Wa Municipality as soon as practicable. He also assured him of working on the Wa-Bamboi road and to provide a bus for the Nursing Training College, Wa. The President told the Chief and hi s subjects that all the requests he had tabled before him would be addressed in due course. President Akufo-Addo observed that Ghana was recognised globally as a pacesetter in democratic governance in the West Africa sub-region. He appealed to the chiefs and people of the region to support the government to sustain and jealously protect the peace and security the country was enjoying. Source: Ghana News Agency