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Buipe Bounces Back …As The People Celebrate Damba Festival In Style

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From Edmond Gyebi, Buipe.

 

AT LONG Last, the Chiefs and people of Buipe Traditional Area have staged a very peaceful, colourful and mammoth 2014 Damba Festival, which was fully attended by the leaders and supporters of all the feuding factions in the Buipe Chieftaincy divide.

This is the first time in four years that the Chief and people of Buipe are celebrating the annual Damba Festival, after the infamous Buipe Chieftaincy dispute which led to the destruction of properties and loss of human lives.

Buipe came under serious tension after the creation of a parallel authority in Buipe by the Overlord of Gonja Traditional Area, Yagbonwura Tuntumba Bore Essah I, between the Royal Jinapor and the Awushie families.

Buipewura Jinapor II was reported to have verbally assaulted the members of the Traditional Council during an argument in one of the Gonja Traditional Council meetings at the Yagbonwura’s Palace in Damango.

He was, therefore, ‘dis-enskinned’ by the Yagbonwura for the alleged misconduct, and his main rival from the Awushie family, Bawa Awushie Jewu who keenly contested him for the Buipe skin was subsequently appointed as the chief of Buipe by the Traditional Council.

This action by the Gonja Traditional Council created serious tension in the area between the supporters of the two chiefs.

Buipewura Mahama Jinapor in ensuring peace and order in the area sent the matter to the Northern Regional House of Chiefs and subsequently to the Supreme Court for redress, where he was declared the legitimate Chief of Buipe and later reinstated.

After the declaration by the Supreme Court, Buipewura Mahama Jinapor II initiated a move and succeeded in settling the protracted chieftaincy dispute that existed between him and his rival chief, Bawa Awushie Jewu.

The peace initiative did not only bring the people together, but also saw Bawa Awushie Jewu being enskinned as “Danyampewura”, who now sits at the right hand of Buipewura in his cabinet.

It came, therefore, as no surprise when the 2014 Annual Damba Festival was celebrated for the first time in four years by the chiefs and people of Buipe Traditional Area in a memorable style.

The festival, which was presided over by the paramount chief, Buipewura Mahama Jinapor II, was attended by all the leaders and supporters of the royal gates in Buipe, who previously did not see eye-to-eye.

The festival was under the theme: ‘Peace and Reconciliation for sustainable Development’, and attracted people from all walks of life, who were adorned in their colourful Gonja smocks, of varying designs and sizes, as they danced to typical traditional Damba beat from the gong-gong and ‘gonje’ strings.

The festival, which marks the birth of the Holy Prophet Mohammed, was commenced with special Muslim prayers, popularly known as ‘Adua’.

It was not only meant to ask for God’s blessings and protection for the Chiefs, the people and the nation at large, but to also take stock of the years gone past and project into the years ahead.

Animals were also slaughtered and the blood used for special sacrifices to God Almighty for his abundant grace and protection. The meat of the animal was used to prepare special local delicacies and shared among the various ethnic groups in the area, who danced around the food several times to demonstrate their joy on the occasion.

The sharing of the food was led by the Chief Linguist to the Buipewura, who called each of the ethnic groups by name and shared the food in an orderly manner.

There were several other activities, including the ‘picking of the rice’ and a football gala competition organized for 16 local teams representing the various ethnic groups in the Buipe traditional area.

The game, which was meant to further solidify the peace and unity in Buipe, was won by Gedeme FC from Buipe, who took home GH¢1,000 and set of jerseys, footballs and a trophy.

The 2nd placed team, AC Milan from the Black Volta area received an amount of GH¢700, set of jerseys and footballs, with the 3rd team Liverpool FC also taking home GH¢500 and set of jerseys and footballs.

The grand durbar to climax the  festival was a colourful and historic occasion, as it was witnessed by Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, Ambassador designate Moses Bukari Mabengba, who is also a former Northern region Minister, District Chief Executives, Political Party leaders and traditional leaders from other parts of Ghana, who were greeted with the beautiful damba dance.

In a welcome address read for him by his spokesperson, Dr. Ahmed Jinapor, Buipewura Mahama Jinapor II described the 2014 Famba Festival as memorable one, since it marked his fifth anniversary on the Buipe Skin.

He expressed joy about the success and peaceful celebration of the event, which showcased the tradition and custom of Gonjaland, as well as the throbbing display of musketry, which is very symbolic of the festival.

The Buipewura commended all those who participated in the struggle for peace in the Buipe area, particularly President John Dramani Mahama, the Yagbonwura, Tuntumba Bore Essah I, the former Northern Regional Minister, Moses Bukari Mabengba and the security officials.

The Deputy Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji A.B.A. Fuseini on behalf of the Northern Regional Minister, Bede Ziedeng, commended the Buipewura for his vision to bring all sons and daughters of Buipe together to bury their differences, reconcile and celebrate the Damba Festival in unism.

He was confident that with the existing peace in Buipe, development was not far from coming to the area.

The Minister who assured the people of government’s commitment to turn Buipe into a leading commercial center in the region, appealed to local and foreign investors to relocate to Buipe where arable lands abound.

The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Mr. Nayoon Bilijo appealed to investors to venture into the aquaculture sector and take advantage of the huge potentials that existed in Buipe to develop and expand their businesses.

He said  the area had arable and suitable land for fish farming with an all year- round source of water and that its location at the centre of the country and the motorable nature of the road was an added advantage for aquaculture development for wealth creation.

The Minister cautioned the fishermen in the area to desist from using illegal means especially the use of dynamite and other chemicals for fishing.

 

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Parliament Probes Legon Toll Saga

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Stephen Odoi-Larbi reporting

DoeParliament has begun the process of investigating the University of Ghana, Legon, over the implementation of a toll system, which requires motorists who use the school as thoroughfare to link up with other parts of Accra to pay toll rates at the entrance.

The August House, worried over growing concerns about the university’s toll system and its unfolding events, has referred the matter to the joint committee of Roads & Transport and Education, to “seriously”, consider the matter and report to the Legislature.

The joint committee has a period of two weeks (fourteen days) to critically look into the matter and submit their report to Parliament for consideration.

“We have heard a few comments being made about this issue and it is quite disturbing. I would want to direct that this matter is referred to the Roads and Education Committees to seriously go into it and then submit a report for the appropriate action,” First Deputy Speaker, Hon. Ebo Barton-Odro, who presided over proceedings of the House directed yesterday.

The House’s directive was triggered by a concern from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Manhyia South, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, who sought the indulgence of the Speaker to carefully look into the matter before it degenerates into something else.

The 9.6 kilometers of road which was resealed and asphalted at a cost of GH¢7million, has thrown the university into anarchy, with students and school authorities constantly at each other’s throat, following the implementation of the toll system which took effect on February 1, 2014.

Currently, the university charges a flat rate of GH¢2.00 for entry and same for exit for commercial drivers, GH¢1.00 for private drivers, including students and GH¢3.00 for heavy duty trucks, a rate far higher than what the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) charges. The GHA takes 50Gp for cars and GH¢1.00 for cross-country vehicles and minibuses.

While the students see the toll system as a tool to extort money from them, authorities of the premier University argued that the initiative was laudable since it would generate additional income for the school to undertake various developmental projects.

Several dialogues between the student body and the school authorities have been unfruitful and the failure to arrive at a common ground has compelled some of the students to seek for redress at the Supreme Court while others too, have petitioned Parliament, to intervene in the matter.

The university has since its implementation of the toll system been reluctant in releasing information regarding the loans it claimed to have secured from the banks to rehabilitate the 9.6 kilometer road network.

Prior to the Speaker’s ruling, the Majority Leader, Hon. Dr. Benjamin Kunbour, sought the indulgence of the Speaker to allow the Committee on Roads which had invited the Minister of Roads & Highways to an emergency meeting on the matter to conclude its discussions before directing the House on what to do next.

But the Minority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, opposed the idea and argued that until the Committee on Roads was given a referral, it could not go ahead to investigate the matter.

“Mr. Speaker, it is a good thing that the committee may want to act proactively relating to matters within their ambit.

“Unfortunately, conventions in this House have been that not until a referral is made to a committee, the committee on its own cannot conduct investigations and report to the House,” he noted.

Believing that the matter was worth investigating, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, pleaded with the Speaker “to reinforce what the Committee would like to do by properly referring the matter to them.”

SIR JOHN SHOT DOWN

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By Daniel Nonor

Sir JohnProponents of a decentralized conference to elect national officers for the opposition New Patriotic Party have been ditched by the National Council of Elders.

The National Council, which met yesterday to discuss the modalities for the upcoming conference agreed that delegates of the party shall assemble at a central point to elect its officers, as specified by the constitution of the party.

Again, the National Council settled on Tamale in the Northern Region as the venue for the conference and the initial date rescheduled from March 1st, to the 12th of April, 2014.

In the interim, the mandate of the current National Executives of the party has been extended until the end of the election.

The modalities for the conference have generated controversies among the current party officials and some aspirants seeking various positions in the party and some top echelons of the party.

Advocates of a decentralized conference, notably the General Secretary, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie and the chairman of the party, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, and backed by the National Executive Council, have argued that party finances cannot support a centralized conference.

National Chairman, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey said “NEC took its decision for a decentralized conference and election, because they saw the party between a rock and a hard place,” and that “the option of the greater good should guide us away from narrow legalities that cause greater injuries”.

The current executives of the party have argued further that a centralized conference will cost the party GH¢1.2 million to organize.

Some NPP Members of Parliament have also contested the amount quoted by the executives of the party. According to them, their calculations show that a centralized election will cost GH¢686,000 and not GH¢1.2million.

But opponents of the decentralized election idea had argued their case on the fact that a decentralized congress would fly in the face of the constitution of the party.

They argue that a meeting at a centralized point as a party reignites its spirit for general elections.

Meanwhile, a leading contender for the General Secretary position of the party, Kwabena Agyapong, has hailed the decision of the National Council of elders on its choice for Tamale, as the venue for the Conference.

Mr. Agyapong, who had been a strong advocate for the party to hold its conference in Tamale, told The Chronicle that the party has finally re-connected to its root.

“I am so happy that we are reconnecting with our root, because I believe the north was the foundation of our political tradition, the U.P., and I think its a popular decision.”

He said he was sure that the elders of the party -Adam Amandi, Imoro Salifu, Chief Jombo, B.K. Adama , Alhaji Bin Sali, Alhaji Roland Alhassan and the other great founding fathers of the party, would be happy wherever they are.

 

Otumfuo Draws Cheers In Kumasi

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From Sebastian R. Freiku, Kumasi

 

NanaHIS ROYAL Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, the divine person and one of the three pillars of Asanteman, who was rumoured dead recently, literally “resurrected from the dead” as his convoy cruised through the principal streets of Kumasi yesterday afternoon, amid cheers and merry making by residents.

 

The Asantehene acknowledged cheers from residents as he passed through the streets, with members of the entourage clad in white, as a symbol of victory over “death”.  That was hours after he had returned to Kumasi from a private trip to South Africa.

 

The Asante King made his first public appearance since he left Ghana on January 11, 2014, when he witnessed the Ghana-Libya finale of the CHAN tournament last Saturday. 

 

Last week Thursday, members of the Asante Youth Association (AYA) angrily reacted to wild rumours of the death of Otumfuo Osei Tutu in far away South Africa.

 

The King’s “resurrection” confirmed the assertion last week by AYA President, Nana Agyenim Boateng that “the King is strongly alive and kicking and that rumours about his death were figment of the imagination of people”.

 

Nana Akwasi Agyeman, alias Okumkom, an Ashanti royal, had also condemned the rumours and questioned what they seek to gain by such rumours. He questioned whose business it was if indeed the King had passed on.

 

In April 2007 when similar rumours did the rounds that the Asantehene was dead,

Otumfuo on “resurrecting” three days before Easter in April 2007, condemned the peddling of falsehood and cautioned rumour mongers to refrain from the practice, because it was “an unproductive attitude”.

 

The Asantehene, Opemsuo Osei Tutu is expected to preside over a meeting of Asanteman Council on Monday, February 10, 2014.

STRIKE THEM DOWN! … Kyebihene Invokes gods To Deal With Galamseyers

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 By Isaac Akwetey-Okunor

 

The Kyebihene and Abontendomhene of the Akyem Abuakwa State, Osabarimah Kyeretwie Boakye Dankwah has invoked the gods of the area to strike down any galamsey operator who will go to the bush to carry on with illegal mining activity. 

To demonstrate his commitment towards the invocation, the Abontendomhene slaughtered four sheep – one in front of the Okyeman Palace and the other three at deferent locations in the traditional area. 

Speaking to reporters after slaughtering the animals, Osabarimah Kyeretwie Boakye Dankwah

said it saddens him that the overlord of the traditional area, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin had come under various forms of attacks in recent times because of illegal mining activities.

He explained that though the traditional leaders and government would be happy if the youth have work to do, it would be a suicidal if they were allowed to degrade the environment through their galamsey operations. 

The Kyebihene regretted that attempts by Okyehene to stop the continued degradation of the environment through the illegal mining activities had rather resulted in persistent attacks on his personality.

He noted that the slaughtering of the sheep was first to pacify the gods of the land and to also ask for forgiveness on behalf of those who vilified the Okyehene for making attempts to stop their illegal activities.

The chief first poured libation and later slaughtered a white sheep in front of the Okyehene’s palace to ask permission from the gods to embark on the ritual and to cleanse the people and area of curses and troubles.

The Abontendomhene later proceeded to Akwadum where three white sheep were slaughtered, first at the palace of the Akwaduhene and later at the estuary of River Kersen.

He expressed surprise over the fact that, Osagyefo who is committed in eradicating the menace and even gave huge sums of money for reclamation exercise could be dragged into public opprobrium by these illegal miners.  

The Abomtodomhene noted that if Osagyefo was interested in mining, he could easily have done it by following laid down procedure but he has not done that because believes in the protection of the environment.

Even though he did not deny the fact that some of the people from the palace were into galamsey, because of the harsh economic situation, he was quick to dispel the speculation that the overlord of the land was a culprit.

The Kyebihene reiterated that traditional leaders were not pleased with the negative stories emanating from the area and called on Ghanaians, particularly those who want to go into small scale mining, to allow the regulations and laws governing the sector to prevail.

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Ghana To Build A Satellite Ground Station Next Month

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By Sebastian R. Freiku

 

satelightTHE RESOLVE of All Nations University (ANU) to put Ghana among space Science nations in the world is about to be implemented.

It is poised to design and build an Amateur Satellite Ground Station by the end of March 2014, to take the credit of not only being the first university to have successfully designed and built a miniature Satellite called CanSat in the sub-region, but also  the first university to build a Satellite Ground Station.

The Ground Station which is currently under construction on the premises of the University at Koforidua in the Eastern region would be used to track Amateur Satellite in orbit, train engineers in Space and Satellite Engineering and for  research purposes that will enhance both institutional and industrial activities in the sub-region.

The president of the University, Dr. Samuel H. Donkor has assured Ghanaians of his preparedness to commit resources into the project.

The university would require about $100,000 for the Satellite Ground Station before it progresses to the final stage of designing, building, testing and launching of a first three kilogramme Ghanaian satellite to be named GHANSAT 1, to be put in space for effective earth observation.

Dr. Donkor said ANU will pioneer this project in the Sub Sahara Africa as well as champion innovative projects to make Ghana and Africa proud.

The Intelligent Space Systems Laboratory (ISSL) of All Nations University was successfully launched in Koforidua in February 2012.

With the determination of the ISSL, led by its Director, Mr. Manfred Quarshie to put Ghana in orbit, the ISSL launched a miniature satellite – CanSat in May last year, to afford practical training in space and satellite technology to young engineers following which it has embarked on the third phase of the establishment of a Satellite Ground Station for research purposes for both institutions and industries in the sub-region.

Ministry Of Health Gets Tough With Fake Herbal Drugs

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From Issah Alhassan, Kumasi

 

 

AyitteyAS PART of moves to sanitize the herbal industry and rid the country of quack dealers, the Traditional Medicine Practice Council (TMPC), under the Ministry of Health, has seized a quantity of unlicensed herbal products in Kumasi.

 

About 50 suspects, including sellers and manufacturers, were also rounded up during a joint operation organized by the Council with support from the Visibility Unit of the Ghana Police Service.

 

The suspects were picked up at various hideouts and also on the markets, whilst selling these fake and unlicensed products to consumers, during the three day operation which commenced last week Wednesday.

 

Amongst the range of products which were seized by the team include sexual performance enhancement drugs imported from China and India, drugs for healing diseases like Hypertension, Gonorrhea, AIDS and other diseases.

 

Some traditional healers, Faith Camp Operators, traditional circumcisers, locally known as Wamzams, were also arrested during the operation.

 

The Regulatory Assistant at the Traditional Medicine Practice Council, Prophetess Mabel Adu-Gyamfi, who led the operation, said the Council was operating in line with the Traditional Medicine Practice Act 575, 2000 which gives the Council the power to arrest, prosecute or fine persons or groups engaged in manufacturing or selling of fake herbal drugs. 

 

She said the some of the suspects would be made to face the full rigorous of the law whilst others were also charged with penalty for failing to register their products.

 

According to her, offenders are usually fined a penalty of GH¢1, 000 minimum or two years imprisonment and in some extreme cases both.

 

Prophetess Adu-Gyamfi said the menace of fake herbal products was a source of worry to the Ministry of Health as it has the tendency to cause serious health complications to people who use them. 

 

According to her, dealers of such products usually capitalize on the desperation and ignorance of people seeking for medical assistance and usually succeed in convincing them to use these fake products.

 

“It is worrying trends because some of these products are not usually certified by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), some of them too do not even have basic information like the right prescription and dosages,” she lamented.

 

Prophetess Adu-Gyamfi, however, indicated that the Council is also embarking on other proactive measures, including organizing training and re-training workshops for practitioners.

 

Pix: Prophetess Mable Adu-Gyamfi with samples of the seized products

 

 

Don’t Pay Money For Bail Bonds … CID Boss Tells The Public

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From Ernest Best Anane, Kumasi

 

AlhassanTHE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF CID, COP Mr. Prosper Agblor has entreated the general public to refuse paying money to any police officer before signing a bail bond.

 

The head of Police detective said police enquiry bail is free and urged the general public to report any police officer who demands money before granting bail to the Police Intelligence and Professional Standards Unit (PIPS), the CID Administration or any of his superiors.

 

He reminded all detectives to note that the Department is not a gold mine and that the fight against corruption is high on the agenda of the Police Administration.

 

“So, officers who engage in negative practices such as demanding money before granting bail to suspects are warned to desist from that because the law will soon catch up with them”, he warned. 

 

COP Agblor gave the admonition during the opening ceremony of a two-week capacity building course for basic Detective Training Programme for Police officers drawn from Ashanti Regional CID aides.  

 

According to him, crime was becoming increasingly sophisticated with modernization which requires modern methods to fight it, and to do all these, it requires men who are well trained, motivated and willing to go an extra-mile in their duties.

 

“As Police officers, we owe our nation a duty to prevent crime. However, where we are unable to do this; we are required to detect it”, he stressed.

 

He indicated that the course was unique because it was the first time the basic detective training course is being held in a region other than Accra in spite of the budgetary constraints since such programmes, apart from being cost effective, will afford them the opportunity to train more detectives.

 

The CID Chief further stated that the programme was designed for a target group that may not have benefited from any detective training in their career.

 

The areas of study includes Identification methods, Report writing and Communication, Surveillance and searches, Docket building, CID forms, Arrest, Determination and Human rights and Crime scene management and selected topics in criminal law, law of evidence, criminal procedure, criminal investigations, crime scene management and emerging trend of crime to be abreast with the elements that constitute certain offences, among others.

 

COP Agblor charged the participants to be alive to the fact that the Criminal Investigation Department is significantly supporting the Police Administration’s integrity initiatives. C/Supt. John Asare Naami,  Ashanti Regional Crime Officer enumerated some of the challenges that affect the Department and revealed that in terms of intelligence gathering personnel need unmarked motor bikes, vehicles and communication equipment for that purpose in order to penetrate all the crime sites to gather information that will lead to the arrest of criminals.

 

Mr. Naami said the crime intelligence and statistics office needs a computer, printer, stabilizer and fax machines to compile intelligence for smooth operations.

 

He expressed the hope that the participants at the end of the course would be more equipped with the trend of crime and to be able to meet it with the necessary professionalism and capabilities, as it will be sufficiently refresh and sharpen their ability to deliver better as detectives. .

 

The Crime Officer underscored that training was bedrock of knowledge acquisition and the enhancement of the performance of every responsibility but noted that trained CID personnel that are in the service was woefully inadequate, as uniformed personnel have been attached to the CID to assist in that regard as AIDES, some of whom he said have been aides for close to eight years, hence the need to robe them into the main stream CID.

 

Supt. expressed the hope that there will be increase in rate of prevention and detection, increased rate of apprehension and prosecution, increase in completion of investigated cases, increase in prosecuted cases, and reduction of cold cases and finally decreases in custodial detection in the Ashanti region.  


Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Rallies Faith Leaders, Politicians For World Peace

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AdamUnder the theme: “God in the 21st Century,” a Conference of World Religions will open at the Guildhall in London on Tuesday, February 11, 2014, as a unique platform for international faith leaders to bring to the fore the distinctive contribution that religion can make towards peace, which the world so desperately needs.

Oganized by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Conference will be attended by more than 500 participants from the world of religion, politics and diplomacy, as well as specialist NGOs involved in the promotion of peace and reconciliation, according to a press release from the Ahmadiyya Muslim in Ghana.

The release said Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Spiritual Leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community will deliver the keynote address at the Conference.

His Holiness is a passionate advocate for universal human rights and global peace and has delivered speeches to the British Parliament, Capitol Hill and European Parliament on the themes of peace and justice.

Hazrat Masroor Ahmad has also written letters to world leaders, urging them to inculcate a true sense of justice and peace in international relations to avoid regional conflicts from engulfing the entire world.  

Among the guest speakers are Archbishop of Southwark in Britain; Most Rev. Kevin McDonald; Rabbi Prof. Daniel Sperber, representative of the Chief Rabbi of Israel; former President of Ghana, Mr. John Agyekum Kufuor; Attornery General of Britain, Hon. Dominic Grieve QC, as well as representatives of Hinduism and Budhism, the release added.

According to the release, the world has become increasingly divided and restless with hostilities and conflicts ever-present in spite of all the achievements and progress of the past century. 

The struggle for supremacy of world powers and the spiraling threat of extremism are playing havoc with the world as it lurches perilously from one crisis to the other.

In such a scenario, where political solutions appear to be lacking, does religion have anything to offer?

Religion is often accused of being the reason rather than the remedy for injustice and unrest and is deemed incapable of providing robust solutions to the complex challenges of the modern world.

So can religion respond to the challenge and enable mankind to achieve peace in the world today? Can it deliver peace that is desirable, achievable and sustainable? Can it inspire real progress in the real world Can it offer real hope?

The release said the rise of atheism and religious extremism has seen God relegated from modern life but there are emerging voices that are advocating with clarity and conviction that it is only by turning back to God and His teachings that mankind can truly tackle the root causes that are undermining world peace.

 

Mohammed Affum

Communications Officer

 

Ghana To Expand Production Of Organic Cocoa Beans

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DrA four-day training workshop and the launching of a pruning and clearing saw, for the promotion of organic cocoa production in the country was opened at Bunso Cocoa College in the Eastern Region on Monday

The pruning and clearing saw is a mechanized implement for pruning and clearing of cocoa farms.
 

The workshop is being organised by Yayra Glover Limited (YGL), an organic cocoa buying company and Swiss Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SCECO), a Swiss Government Agency, in collaboration with the Ghana Cocoa Board, and is being attended by 22 participants, including persons from farmer based organizations.

Opening the workshop, Mr. Michael Owusu-Menu, Senior Manager of the Research Department of Cocoa Board said effective pruning and good farm management practices could lead to improvement in the productivity of cocoa farms in the country to almost two tons per hector.

Mr. Owusu-Menu advised the participants to consider themselves as trainers to train their colleagues who did not get the opportunity to attend the workshop.

He thanked the Swiss Government for supporting the introduction of organic cocoa production in Ghana and expressed the hope that the Swiss Government would continue to expand the organic cocoa market for the country as Ghana increases its production of organic cocoa.

Dr. Francis Oppong, Director of the Cocoa Swollen Shoots Virus Disease-Control Unit (CSSVD-CU) of Cocoa Board said for years, Cocoa Board had been looking for efficient tools for the control of mistletoes and expressed the hope that the new equipment  being launched would provide the solution to what his unit had always been looking for.

He said good pruning could affect productivity, hence the introduction of the cocoa rehabilitation programme.

Mr. Yayra Glover, Chief Executive Officer of YGL said as a result of food-based health issues, there was a rising concern about food safety and in the cocoa industry, consumers of chocolate and other cocoa products, especially those in the developed world, were insisting on information on the origin and conditions under which the cocoa beans used for the production of chocolate and cocoa products were produced.

He said it was for that reason that the Ghana Cocoa Board collaborated with his company to create a niche conduit for the production and supply of certified organic cocoa beans to buyers all over the world.

Mr. Glover explained that, the production of organic cocoa in Ghana had the potential of creating avenues for the establishment of subsidiary rural industries in cocoa growing areas of the country to create employment and reduce the rural–urban drift.

He said the launching of the pruning and clearing saw could lead to the establishment of a gang of professionals who could acquire the machine and used it to remove mistletoes for cocoa farmers and other crop farmers for a fee and also help clear organic cocoa farms.

Mr. Glover said, there would also be the need for the training and establishment of workshops in the rural areas for the repair and maintenance of the pruning and clearing saw and shops for the sale of the parts of the equipments apart from employees who would be engaged in the processing and packaging of organic cocoa beans.

He said  in 2012/2013 cocoa season, Ghana exported 200 tons of organic cocoa beans and in 2013/2014 cocoa season, as at  December 2013, 300 tons of cocoa beans had been  exported and by the end of the season in September 2014, 300 tons more organic cocoa beans would be exported.

He said by the end of the 2014/2015 cocoa season, due  to the introduction of the pruning and clearing saw, productivity of the organic cocoa farms were likely to increase and Ghana was expected to produce 800 tons  of organic cocoa beans for export.

Mr. Axel Riwedder, Technical Manager of C. WOERMANN Ghana Limited, marketing agents for the manufacturers of the pruning and clearing saw said, his company is ready to support the establishment of distribution agencies in the organic cocoa growing areas to sell parts of the pruning and clearing saw so that farmers could get spare-parts of the machine to buy at their doorsteps. GNA

 

 

NHIS Will Collapse If…

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Stephen Odoi-Larbi reporting

SYLVESTER MENSAHThe New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Nyiaeso, Dr. Richard Anane says the National Health Insurance (NHIS) Scheme risks collapsing, if the government does not urgently prop the scheme with additional funding.

According to him, the Government missed the opportunity to increase the NHIS Levy by 1% when it recently increased the Value Added Tax (VAT) by 2.5%, bringing the rate to 17.5%.

“The Government had a good opportunity of increasing the health insurance fund by adding 1% of the 2.5% of the recent increase in VAT which I have been calling for the past three years,” he said.

He noted that instead of the Government allocating 1% of the 2.5% VAT increment to the National Health Insurance Levy, it rather decided to allocate it to infrastructure development even though, the oil revenue accruals to the State has a component to fund infrastructural development, insisting that the government should prioritize on the needs of the country.

The Nyiaeso law maker made this observation yesterday on the floor of Parliament when contributing to the motion for the adoption of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on the performance audit report of the Auditor-General on the management of claims by the National Health Insurance Scheme.

The audit, according to the PAC, “was to ascertain whether the structures put in place and activities undertaken by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) is ensuring that funds allocated for claims settlement are used beneficially for the intended purpose.”

The report had highlighted that the NHIA was seriously confronted with cash flow challenges as a result of delay in statutory releases from the Government (National Health Insurance Levies and SSNIT contributions) among many others.

It recommended that the Ministry of Finance should make timely releases of the National Health Insurance Levies and SSNIT contributions to the NHIA with due regard to the National Health Insurance Act, 2003 (Act 650) in order not to affect the operations of the Health Service Providers (HSPs).

The Committee also recommended to the NHIA to restructure its operations to ensure an efficient  claims management within the National Health Insurance Scheme and also to ensure that funds misappropriated are fully recovered with interest.

The Government in its 2013 Fiscal Policy Statement set aside   GH¢1.128.76 million for the NHIA to help run the National Health Insurance Scheme although such amount was inadequate.

However, available records to The Chronicle indicate that out of the GH¢1.128.76 billion, only GH¢831 million has been collected of which GH¢600.48 million has been released as at February 4, 2014.

The remaining amount of GH¢230.52 million is yet to be released to the NHIA excluding the shortfall of about GH¢300 million.

Already, experts in the health sector had predicted that funds into the NHIA would suffer a shortfall in 2014 and had urged the government to explore other avenues of securing funds for the country’s health insurance needs.

Dr. Anane, who had since 2010, advocated the need for the government to increase the NHIS Levy in order to make it more efficient to address the health needs of Ghanaians bemoaned the slow pace at which the Ministry of Finance had been releasing the NHIA’s budgetary allocation to them.

He said the Ministry of Finance does not appreciate what needs to be done to engender confidence in the scheme and are holding unto NHIA’s funds and making them unable to meet claims by the Health Service Providers (HSPs).

Such situation, the former Minister of Roads and Highways noted, should cease saying “the Ministry of Finance should not make the work of the NHIA difficult.”

Ex MCE Threatens Judges

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From Alfred Adams, Takoradi.

 

 

MumThe former Metropolitan Chief Executive for Sekondi-Takoradi, Mr. Kobina Prah-Annan, has threatened to eject two magistrate court judges in Takoradi who are living in his house.

 

Information available to The Chronicle indicates that the two judges – Justices Offedie and Addington were given accommodation in 2010 by the former Mayor for undisclosed sums of money, which were borne by the metropolitan assembly. This reporter gathered that it is the duty of the assembly to provide accommodation for the judges but since there was no available accommodation at that time, the then Mayor decided to rent out his house to the judges, at the expense of the assembly.

 

Mr. Prah Annan was booted out from office in 2010 but instead of his predecessor, Captain Anthony Cudjoe to continue with the agreement by paying the rent, he is reportedly dragging his feet. 

 

This conduct has incensed the former Mayor who is threatening to sack the judges from his house if the GH¢5000 rent the assembly owed him was not paid. Mr. Prah Annan confirmed the story when The Chronicle contacted him.

 

According to him, the tenancy agreement had expired but the assembly seemed not prepared to renew it even though the judges are still occupying his house.

 

 

According to Prah he personally wrote a letter to the Mayor informing him about the expiration of the tenancy agreement between him and the assembly to which he responded that they were doing the paper work to raise funds to pay him.

 

Unfortunately, he said, the assembly failed to honour its word as it has still not renewed the tenancy agreement, which expired in December last year.

 

Giving background to the story, Kobina Pra Annan said the two judges were facing serious accommodation problem so he intervened by making available his house for them to live in. He then entered into agreement with the assembly to pay him the rent after he had invited the Rent Control Office to access the chargeable rent for the house.

 

The Registrar of the Magistrate Court, Mrs. Genevieve Baiden confirmed that the two Judges were facing ejection when this reporter contacted her.

 

According to her, the Judicial Service was waiting for the metropolitan assembly to officially write to them whether they would renew the tenancy agreement or not.

 

Mrs. Baiden further told The Chronicle that it has always been the tradition for the assembly to provide accommodation for the judges.

 

But speaking in an interview he granted The Chronicle, Captain Anthony Cudjoe, the Mayor of Sekondi-Takoradi denied the registrar’s claim insisting that he had not come across any bye law of the assembly, which mandates them to provide accommodation for judges.

 

Again contrary to the position of Annan Prah that there was agreement between him and the assembly regarding the rent, Cudjoe told this reporter that he did not know the condition under which his predecessor gave out the accommodation. 

 

COCOA SEASON FOR NPP DELEGATES

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By Daniel Nonor

GodWhile aspirants seeking election into various national positions in the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) are groining at the financial burden the extended date for the National Delegates Conference would have on their campaign budget, the story seems different for  the about 5000 delegates who are counting their gains.

For the delegates, it is yet another ‘cocoa season’ to milk the aspirants whom they are hoping to see again during the extended period.

The National Council of elders of the party, on Tuesday rescheduled the date for the party’s national conference from March 1 to April 1, 2014.

But while the aspirants go back to the drawing board on what strategy to adopt during the extended period, information gathered by this paper indicate that the delegates are eagerly waiting for the aspirants to make their final impression on them.

Although the aspirants have welcomed the decision for the extension of the conference date they say it would greatly burden their campaign budget.

“You have budgeted for a period and all of a sudden there is a change of date. It comes with logistical and financial constraints,” Sammy Awuku, aspiring National Youth Organiser for the NPP told The Chronicle.

He noted that although they welcome the decision of the National Council, it comes with added cost to the aspirants who would have to do some re-strategizing and rethinking.

He explained that although he initially planned to end his campaign somewhere on the 20th or 25 of February, because he had toured all the regions, he would have to strategize for the extended period.

Aspiring General Secretary, Kwabena Agyepong, however told The Chronicle that although the decision comes with some added cost, they have a solid strategy to make up for the extended period.

 “It’s all about strategy, and anyone who wants to lead the party must have a solid strategy to work with,” he said.

KwabenaAgyepong-150x125Kwabena Agyepong had been a strong advocate for the party to reconnect with its roots by pushing for the party holding this year’s conference in the North.

When the elders of the party finally decided on Tamale in the North for the conference, Kwabena Agyepong told The Chronicle in an interview that the decision would help end the vile propaganda often spewed by functionaries of the National Democratic Congress that the NPP is an Akan party.

“I am so happy that we are reconnecting with our root because I believe the North was the foundation of our political tradition, the UP, and I think its a popular decision,” he said

He, together with his co-contender for the  General Secretary slot, Yaw Buaben Asamoa, in a statement also  congratulated the National Council of the Party, for its decision to “centralize” the Party’s Annual National Delegates Conference, saying “it is reflective of the concerns and aspirations of the mass membership and support base of the NPP”.

According to YB, the decision by the National Council to address the issue of funding a centralized National Annual Delegates Conference and other related issues, is indicative of how close they are in sync with the Party’s mass base and how determined they are to guide the Party through a successful congress.

But behind these expressions is the hard truth that campaign budgets have been overstretched and a strategy seems to be the way out, but for the delegates it is time for the harvest.

I’m Not Contesting -Oquaye

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The GreatThe former First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Oquaye has officially put to rest the rumour as to whether he will contest the New Patriotic Party (NPP) national chairmanship position or not.

Below is a full statement issued by his special aide, Ernest Twum in Accra yesterday;

 

About the picking of forms to contest the National Elections for NPP Chair, a group of party members, Members of Parliament and other well meaning people went for nomination forms for Prof. Mike Oquaye to contest as National Chairman of the NPP. 

At that material stage, the Professor was not aware of the move.

 

Later, the relevant persons met him in his home and explained that they represented a large number of Party loyalists who were strongly concerned about various on-goings in the party, which had attracted media attention and felt it was necessary for him to come to the rescue by becoming the next Party Chairman.

 

Prof. Oquaye has taken the firm position that he is NOT going to contest for Party Chairman.  And that he is going to use his good offices as Member of National Council of Elders and Member of the National Council of the NPP to advice, caution, broker peace and direct in any way to help steer the Party in the right direction. 

 

He will help whoever emerges as winner in the ensuing contest, advice and work closely with him to secure victory in Election 2016.

He seizes this opportunity to plead with all party members to keep their eyes on the ball for Election 2016.

 

Thank you.

 

 

 

 

Ernest Twum

For and on behalf of

Prof Mike Oquaye

 

GO AWAY WITH YOUR GIFT … Kenyasi chiefs snub District Chief Executive

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From Issah Alhassan, Kumasi.

 

Adams Iddisah - DCE Kwabre East.,,jpgTHE DISTRICT Chief Executive Officer for Kwabre East, Mr. Adams Iddisah and his entourage were handed a cold reception by the chiefs and people of Kenyasi, three days after the bloody demonstration that led several people injured.

 

Attempts by the DCE to placate traditional authorities in the aftermath of the unfortunate incident hit a snag, after the chiefs declined overtures by the government representative in the district.

 

The chiefs also rejected a customary package presented to them by the DCE, as a sign of reconciliation and efforts to assuage the pain of the people in the Kenyasi community.

 

Information gathered by The Chronicle reveals that the chiefs declined the presents and the reconciliation move, because of a case pending before the Ashanti river deity, Antoa Nyamaa, after one demonstrator who was shot by the police invoked the river deity.

 

Accordingly, the chiefs could not commence any negotiation or receive gift from any government representative as that would be prejudicial to the traditional process before the river deity.  

 

Hon. Iddisah and his delegation had to leave the Kenyasi chief’s Palace feeling morose and disappointed.

 

The DCE was among personalities who incurred the wrath of the youth of the Kenyasi who demonstrated on Monday against the deplorable nature of roads in the area.

 

Several people sustained various degrees of injuries when a team of police personnel, deployed to maintain law and order opened fire on the demonstrators, firing shots and tear gas to disperse the crowd.

 

The angry youth had blocked the road linking Kenyasi to Kumasi to protest seeming refusal on the part of government to fulfill its promise to construct the road. About 16 casualties were recorded in the violent demonstration on Monday.

 

Meanwhile, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon. Eric Opoku is on record to have stated that the Kenyasi-Buokrom road has been awarded on contract already and that the action of the youth stemmed from lack of communication. Pix: Hon. Adams Iddisah, Kwabre East DCE


Amansie West Supports PWDs With GH¢22, 327 …Equips 36 Apprentices With Start-Up Kits

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From Joyce Addae, Manso-Nkwanta

 

THE AMANSIE West District Assembly has presented an amount of GH¢22,327 to 37 people living with disabilities, to support them in the areas of Trading, Education and Surgery.

 

According to the District Chief Executive, Mr. Alex Kwame Bonsu, the amount was part of the District Assembly Common Fund to support people with disabilities.

 

He said 30 people received an amount ranging from GH¢400 to GH¢1,000 each, while six people received between GH¢224 to GH¢795 with one person receiving GH¢3,590 to enable him undertake surgery at a hospital.

 

DCE Bonsu explained that the Government was fully committed to the welfare of every Ghanaian and asked them to make good use of the money to better their living standards.

 

In line with the policy of the government to support graduates Apprentices, to improve their trade, the government has through the Assembly, presented start-up-kits valued at GH¢9, 855 to 36 graduate Apprentices in the Amansie West District.

 

The items include seven sets of Carpentry tools, 11 sets of cosmetology, 11sets of Garment for dressmaking, seven sets of masonry tools to the beneficiaries.

Making the presentation, Mr. Bonsu asked Ghanaians to have faith in the Government to enable him discharge his duties effectively. He cautioned the beneficiaries against the sale of the items given them, but to use them to benefit others in society.

 

The DCE also advised the youth to learn trading, instead of engaging in illegal mining activities. Mr. Bonsu announced at the last Assembly meeting that the Amansie West District Assembly mobilized an amount of GH¢176.904 representing 52.87% from January to September last year. He said the Assembly targeted to collect an estimated IGF of GH¢344.600.

 

The DCE announced that the Assembly had procured a new pick-up vehicle to boost revenue collection since performance in revenue is low. He also announced that the government had directed that motor-bikes given to Assembly Members be registered in their names to enhance effective work.

 

The District Head of Business Advisory center (BAC), Mr. Vincent Abekah Woode indicated that a team from his outfit would monitor the activities of the beneficiaries at their work shops in periodic inspection tour.

 

Meanwhile, the Assembly has approved recommendations by the executive committee to liaise with chiefs and landlords to secure lands for waste disposal sites especially in the larger communities.

 

It was also recommended that the Ghana Education Service should provide the list of final year Teacher Trainees to the Assembly for support of GH¢200 each.

 

Mr. James Asafo Akowuah, the Presiding member, on his part asked Assembly members to educate their electorate about the need to honour their tax obligations to enable the Assembly undertake self-help projects. 

Ghana Would Spearhead Integration Of Africa -Mahama

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MahPresident John Dramani Mahama on Wednesday announced that Ghana would improve on her neighbourliness programme by strengthening her relations with other countries. 

 

He said in that regard, Ghana would also spearhead the integration of the African continent by forging ahead for the removal of trade barriers within the continent, harmonizing a common currency and promoting intra- African trade.
 

President Mahama said this when he interacted with members of the Diplomatic Corps at the Peduase Lodge in the Eastern Region. The programme was also attended by Vice President Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah -Arthur and his spouse, Mrs. Matilda Amissah-Arthur, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, members of the Council of State and development partners in the country.

On annual basis, the President of the Republic meets members of the Diplomatic Corps to solidarize with them and share ideas on the way forward on their diplomatic relations.

 

President Mahama said Ghana would also play a meaningful role in maintaining peace and order by providing all the necessary support that would help in the mediation and quelling of conflicts on the continent.

 “Ghana is also committed to supporting all the activities of the United Nations, the African Union, and the Economic Community of West African States, among other key international organizations,” President Mahama added. 

 

He announced that the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Information and Media Relations would soon organize a meeting with various diplomatic missions in the country to deepen relations.
 

He said Ghana would this year post 27 new Heads of Missions to other countries, and gave the assurance that government would continue to work closely with various missions.

President Mahama appealed to various missions that engage the services of Ghanaians, to endeavour to constantly pay their social security deductions to enable them to live decent lives after retirement.

Madam Pavilin Tendai Musoka, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, called for the strengthening of bilateral and diplomatic relations between Ghana and their various countries to enhance mutual benefits.
 

She said Africa had in the few years made strides in raising the image of women, particularly the assumption of office of Madam Sirleaf Johnson, President of Liberia and Mrs. Joyce Banda, President of Malawi, and called for more support for women to achieve their development goals.

 

Madam Musoka who is also the Zimbabwe Ambassador in Ghana, called for greater integration among countries that would subsequently promote intra- African trade among African countries in the coming years.

 She called for the urgent need to develop policies and strategies that would uplift the African continent in her pursuit for industrialization and general development.

 

The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps commended Ghana for her leadership in achieving some Millennium Development Goals, stakeholders meetings, and her prowess in world soccer. GNA

Educationists Embrace Complementary Basic Education

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MumFOUR MONTHS after the implementation of the Complimentary Basic Education programme (CBE) in the Upper East Region, educationists and stakeholders have overwhelmingly embraced the programme and pledged their commitment to making it a success.

 

In October 2013, Afrikids Ghana, a child rights Non-governmental Organization (NGO), in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service launched the CBE programme in the Bongo and Talensi districts to address the issue of high school dropout in the region.

 

It is estimated that 20,441 children are out of school in the Upper East Region and the CBE programme, a policy by the government of Ghana with financial support from the UK Department for International Development (DFID) was aimed at providing a springboard for children within the ages of 8 and 14 years to get into formal school after a period of complementary basic education.

 

In the Talensi District, a total of 750 learners, made up of 295 females and 455 males were enrolled, while 30 facilitators were engaged with 150 Local Committee Members.

In the Bongo District, 362 female and 388 male, with a total of 750 learners enrolled while 30 facilitators, were engaged with 150 Local Committee Members.

 

At a conference of stakeholders in Bolgatanga, directors of education from the two beneficiary districts, acknowledged the importance of the programme in attempts to encourage all the dropouts to get back to the classroom, while serving as motivation for retention.

 

The Bongo District Director of Education, Mr. Emmanuel Zumakpeh said the programme was designed to achieve multiple objectives, while his colleague from Talensi, Mr. Joachim Faarah, said the programme was a driving force that could boost enrollment in the region.

 

All other stakeholders, including a representative of the Regional Director of education, community participating Coordinators, trainers and heads of departments such as Social Welfare, attested to the impact the programme was already making.

 

Mr. Richard Amoah, Programme Coordinator and a senior management staff for Afrikids Ghana, said since the implementation of the programme, a lot of achievements had been made and many lessons learnt.

 

According to him, GES was fully involved in the monitoring of classes and good reception received from other stakeholders including parents.

 

Mr. Amoah named irregular/late attendance to classes by learners, logistics/capital equipment, and attitude of some parents towards classes as some challenges so far identified.

 

Country Director of Afrikids Ghana, Mr. Nicholas Kumah observed that there were still no schools in areas in the beneficiary districts and other parts of the region and therefore urged the directors of education to support him and his staff to ensure something was done about the situation.

 

He announced that an educational support programme of Afrikids Ghana would be opened for needy children from February to June this year and appealed to education directors and stakeholders to help identify needy children in their areas to benefit from the programme.

 

Meanwhile, four projects of Afrikids Ghana have received eleven bales of second-hand clothing and boxes of assorted biscuits from the Susana Wesley Mission Auxiliary (SUMA), a women’s group of the Methodist Church of Ghana.

 

The beneficiary projects include the Operation Mango Tree; formerly called Mama Laadi’s Foster Home, Creative Minds and Next Generation Children’s Home, all in Bolgatanga, as well as Operation Smile in the Northern Region.  

 

President of the Susana Wesley Mission Auxilliary (SUMA), Madam Esi Nyame said the donation to the four Afrikids Projects was based on SUMA’s mission of helping the less-privileged in society.

 

She promised her group will continue to support the projects from time to time and called on other similar groups to show love to the needy in society.

 

Before the donation, country Director of Afrikids Ghana, Mr. Nicholas Kumah briefed members of SUMA on the essence of the various projects and said they were established to help address the basic needs of the underprivileged.

 

Afrikids Ghana is a child rights centered Non-Governmental Organization with its head office in Bolgatanga. Its projects were aimed at bringing smiles to children.

 

Tanker Owners Association Elect New Executives

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TanThe Tanker Owners Association on Tuesday elected new executives to man the affairs of the association at a meeting held in Tema.

The election saw Mr. James Ahiadomi (aka Majaro) emerging as the newly elected President of the Association, while Lawrence Frimpong (aka Living Waters) was elected at the Vice President of the Association.

Mr. Robert Martey and Mr. Yaw Frimpong were elected as Heads of the Southern Sector and Northern Sector respectively.

Speaking after the election, the newly elected President, Mr. Ahiadomi promised to ensure that disputes that arise with tanker drivers and other players in the sector are quickly and promptly resolved so as to ensure that strike actions which disrupt fuel supplies become a thing of the past.

Mr. Ahiadomi pledged the leadership’s commitment to ensuring constant supply of fuel across the country at all times.

Mr. Ahiadomi stated that the biggest concern for the Tanker Owners currently had to do with the depreciation of the Cedi against the major trading currencies.

He explained that depreciation of the cedi had resulted in a situation where the cost of the cars, spare parts, tyres and operating costs generally had increased astronomically and keep increasing by the day which had made it difficult for the business.  

The new President urged stakeholders to find and lasting solutions to the depreciation of the cedi so as to see a growth in business.

Global Food Prices Fall Despite Climbing Dairy Prices

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By Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh

Email: mk68008@gmail.com.

The FAO Food Price Index fell in January  for the first time in 3 months as lower prices of cereals, sugars, oils and meat outstripped gains in dairy values.

The Index, based on the prices of a basket of internationally traded food commodities, averaged 203.4 points in January 2014, down 1.3 percent from December and 4.4 percent below January last year.

“We’re seeing lower prices due to abundant supplies, but stronger upturn in demand, such as an increase in the pace of imports from Asia, could limit the decline,” said FAO economist Abdolreza Abbassian.

Sugar and vegetable oils took downward turns of 5.6 percent and 3.8 percent respectively. Meanwhile, bumper cereal crops helped to bring down cereal prices, which were down 1.6 percent from December and as much as 23 percent lower than in January 2013. Even meat prices, which had strengthened over the past few months, fell slightly in January.

“The only notable exception was a rise in dairy prices. The FAO dairy price index registered a 1.3 percent increase in January to 267.7 points, largely reflecting strong demand, especially from China, North Africa, the Middle East and the Russian Federation, said Michael Griffin, FAO’s dairy and livestock market expert.

FAO also released its latest estimate for world cereal production in 2013. This points to a stronger growth in world cereal production than had been anticipated, to a record 2 502 million tones – up 8.5 percent from 2012.

 

The bumper cereal crop in 2013 would help in replenishing world reserves, which according to FAO could reach 573 million tonnes, 13.5 percent higher than in the previous season.

At this level, the stocks-to-use ratio for global cereals would top 23.5 percent in 2013/14, its highest value since 2002/03 and well above its historical low of 18.4 percent registered in 2007/08.

Based on the latest information, FAO also considers early prospects for crops to be harvested in 2014 to be favourable. This view is shared by a separate report published today by the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) a G20 initiative which is housed at FAO and managed by ten international organizations.

The February report of the AMIS Market Monitor attributed the positive prospects for crops in 2014 to favourable winter wheat growing conditions in the northern hemisphere and better than previously anticipated maize and soybean situations in the southern hemisphere.

Record cereal production and rising stocks have already resulted in sharply lower prices, a factor which according to FAO is also boosting world trade in 2013/14 to 321.4 million tonnes, some 4 percent higher than in the previous season and a new record.

Lower prices are stimulating demand and world cereal utilization in 2013/14 is forecast by FAO to rise by 92 million tonnes and reach 2 415 million tonnes.  Most of this expansion will reflect larger use of coarse grains (of maize in particular) for feed.

 

 

 

 

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