Day: June 19, 2024

The Heart for Children Foundation Ghana, a non-government organisation (NGO) based in Nsoatre, has provided 68 boreholes to address water challenges in the Sunyani West municipality.

In 2023, the NGO provided 22 boreholes and an additional 46 were provided in 2024 to benefit 75 communities in the municipality.

This initiative is aimed at providing sustainable access to clean water, ultimately to improve the overall quality of life for residents in the beneficiary areas.

During an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Nsoatre, Mr. Solomon Boateng, the Founder and Director of the Foundation stressed the significant impact of the project on the beneficiary communities.

He noted that some community members previously had to walk up to 14 kilometers to access clean water.

Mr. Boateng said the provision of clean, healthy water was a crucial aspect of the foundation’s mission, saying they were dedicated to improving the lives of children and ensuring a better future for them.

He said while the focus wa
s on children, the benefits of the projects were also extended to adults in the communities.

Highlighting the support the Foundation had provided in the health sector, Mr . Boateng stated in the year 2023 a brand-new Toyota ambulance was donated to the Nsoatre Polyclinic, along with the construction of a new Outpatient Department (OPD) block, consulting room, maternity block and ward.

He added that the facilities were equipped with electronic hospital beds and other necessary equipment to enhance the clinic’s capacity.

Mr. Boateng mentioned that in the first quarter of 2024, the Foundation continued its support by constructing a new pharmacy, laboratory and a recovery ward at the clinic.

Additionally, an anesthesia machine was purchased, along with other essential machines and equipment for the facility.

He said all the efforts were aimed at strengthening the clinic’s resources to provide quality medical care to residents of Nsoatre and surrounding communities.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Newmont’s Ahafo North Project has successfully concluded a crop compensation rates negotiations for the 2023/2024 period, as a result of transparent and inclusive agreement facilitated by the Crop Rate Negotiation Committee.

The Committee, a multi-stakeholder entity, plays an essential role in ensuring that the voices of the local farmers are heard and considered in the decision-making process.

The process, according to a statement from Newmont copied to the Ghana News Agency, was guided by the legal framework set forth in the Minerals and Mining Act 2006(Act 703) and the Minerals and Mining (Compensation and Resettlement) Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2175).

These dictate the principles and the manner in which compensations should be determined and distributed.

According to the statement, the negotiations were a testament to the importance of fostering strong, positive relationships between the mining company and the host communities, acknowledging the indispensable role that each played in the country’s socio
economic fabric.

Crop compensation is a critical mechanism designed to ensure that farmers receive fair remuneration for losses of their crops and lands due to alternative uses, the statement explained.

In Ghana, it said the practice was not only a legal requirement but also a key aspect of maintaining the delicate balance between the economic benefits of mining and the sustainability of local agricultural livelihoods.

The significance of such a framework lied in its ability to provide a structured and equitable platform for farmers to be compensated, thereby mitigating the livelihood impacts that such alternative land uses could have on communities.

‘The recent agreement reached by Newmont’s Ahafo North Project, marks a landmark in the ongoing efforts to harmonize the interests of the agricultural and mining sectors,’ it noted.

Newmont’s proactive and collaborative approach to engaging with the host communities had been an important component of its operational excellence, it stated.

By striving to rea
ch just and fair compensation outcomes, the statement said the Company had shown its dedication to community welfare and its commitment to sustainable mining practices.

The Company’s recognition of the contributions made by the Crop Rate Negotiation Committee through awards and the provision of farming tools further illustrated its commitment to supporting the agricultural sector.

The Committee itself is a model of inclusive and transparent governance, comprising elected representatives from the Ahafo communities, community valuers, and government officials.

Its composition ensures that the negotiation process is not only fair but also reflective of the diverse interests and concerns that exist within the local context.

The Committee’s ability to manage the complex negotiations effectively showcased a system that valued varied expertise leading to resolutions that were beneficial to all parties involved, the stated said.

The successful resolution of the crop compensation rates negotiation set a benchmark
for future engagements, exemplifying the potential for the mining industry to operate in harmony with host community livelihoods.

‘The positive outcome of this negotiation not only serves the immediate interests of Newmont’s host communities but also stands as an exemplar for other mining operations in the region, promoting a model where economic development is pursued with a conscientious regard for social and environmental responsibility,’ it added.

Source: Ghana News Agency

As part of the activities to commemorate World Refugees Day 2024, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee (UNHCR) and the Ghana Refugees Board (GRB) have organised a clean-up exercise and free health screening.

The exercise is to create awareness and highlight the resilience and positive contributions of refugees to their host communities.

Mr Stephen Amoani, Protection Officer, GRB, said by engaging in community service, it was a demonstration by the refugees on their willingness to give and integrate into their new environments.

It is part of the ‘Refugees Giving Back’.

The clean-up exercise, which started from the Kwame Nkrumah Overhead through the Ring Road of Accra, was under the theme ‘Solidarity with Refugees’.

Aside the refugees giving back to the society, Mr Amoani indicated that the exercise also created an awareness that refugees were not a burden to the host community, adding that they helped building the country.

He appealed to the public to desist from discriminating against refuge
es saying, ‘they are humans like us…’

According to him some of them were medical doctors, dentists, farmers, and other professionals working to develop Ghana.

Mr David Oppong, Protection Officer, UNHCR, said: ‘This year, we are trying to showcase refugees as assets to Ghana’s development and their contribution to Ghana’s economy.’

Highlighting the health screening, he indicated that Mamobi and Nima environs were selected for the exercise because they were playing host to some refugees.

Residents were screened for Malaria, Blood pressure, Sugar level, Hypertension, among others and drugs were also administered.

Mr Oppong commended the government for including refugees under the National Health Insurance Scheme.

‘Ghana is also doing its best in terms of its obligations to the 51 UN Convention because Ghana is a party to the convention so by way of allowing refugees access to the National Service System is a way of responding to their obligations as a member state to the 51 conventions,’ he added.

Mr Gama
radeen Khatir Ayoub, Sudanese and Zone ‘2’ Leader for the refugees lauded the government for its support and for accepting them into the country.

He said: ‘We are all one and as humans it is important to participate in activities geared at developing the communities in which we find ourselves for the betterment of the nation.’

Source: Ghana News Agency

Tomatoes, and other vegetable farmers in Anloga and Keta Districts, have embarked on an initiative to find a uniform measurement and pricing for their farm products.

The initiative, they explained, would reduce the level of losses they incurred during every harvesting season due to irregular price determination by their buyers, which they say was affecting them economically.

Mr. Afetorgbor Godfred, the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Southern Sector Vegetable Farmers and Marketers Association, disclosed to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the move remained their only way to solve the problem at hand.

‘We have agreed on some terms and conditions which we believe strongly if adhered to, will help solve this problem of post-harvest losses.’

He revealed that they met with the buyers’ association leaders about their decision.

‘We had discussions with the leadership of the buyers from Makola, Agbogbloshie, and other areas about our decision.’

Findings by the GNA also indicated that tomato farmers at Tegbi, Wo
e, Anloga, Dzita, Agbledomi, Anyanui and other areas along the coast had been making huge post-harvest losses due to unavailability of a standardised form of quantification and pricing of harvested vegetables.

In other jurisdictions, GNA’s findings were that market commodities were being sold by measurement or scales, which should be replicated.

Mr Seth Yormewu, the Anloga District Chief Executive who declared his support for the initiative, said he remained fully committed to the initiative.

He said the decision would help farmers to reduce the level of post-harvest losses they make annually, considering the huge amount of money invested into the business.

‘As a District, we will be available to make sure these new directives are strictly adhered to,’ he added.

Tomatoes, a major commodity in the area would now be priced using a standardised wooden box measuring 24 inches by 24 inches, which is equivalent to two feet square.

This wooden box, commonly referred to as (Agbado kushi), they said, should cont
ain not more than four baskets of the tomatoes.

Vegetable farming is one of the major occupations of the people around the coastal belt of Volta due to the sandy nature of the land and the availability of water for all year-round irrigation.

But post-harvest losses, excessive cost of electricity, and others have made the occupation unattractive over the years.

A box of tomatoes is now pegged between GHC 2,000 and GHC 3,000 and is expected to go on the rise.

Spring Onion and Carrot would also be measured using a standard bag.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Okogyeaman Asiedu Koram II, Paramount Chief of Apesokubi Traditional Area, has reacted to claims by some Akposso descendants in Apesokubi that they are indigenous inhabitants of the area.

The Paramount Chief alleged that they were descendants of some Akposso immigrants from the Republic of Togo, who settled in the Apesokubi Traditional Area in Ghana mainly as farmhands during the early parts of the 20th century and not indigenous inhabitants as they claimed.

This is contained in a press release from the Apesokubi Traditional Authority copied to the Ghana News Agency.

According to the statement, based on oral tradition and historical facts, both proven and verifiable, the claims of the Akposso immigrants were false.

‘We have detailed particulars of some of the pioneer Akposso immigrants in Apesokubi Traditional Area, their immediate ancestry, and the several different towns, villages and areas in Togo as their places of origin and the landlords who hosted them when they arrived in Apesokubi in Ghana,’ the
statement said.

It noted that all available historical evidence established that the indigenous inhabitants of Apesokubi Traditional Area were Akans whose forebears acquired the area by conquest and settlement more than 300 years.

‘It is unfortunate, frustrating and most regrettable that the hospitable nature of the Akan indigenous citizens in the Apesokubi Traditional Area is being taken for granted and repaid with ingratitude by the Akpossos,’ it added.

According to the statement, all pieces of legislation regarding membership of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs had always mentioned Apesokubi as a member.

‘Membership of the newly created Oti Regional House of Chiefs, made up of 26 Paramount Chiefs, also include the Paramount Chief of Apesokubi, a name that is consistent with well-established and long usage and practice,’ the statement added.

The Akposso community reportedly organised a press conference earlier claiming they were the indigenous inhabitants of the area and rightful landowners in the ar
ea.

They said the area was called Akposso-kubi and not Apesokubi and that they were the rightful chiefs and traditional authorities in the area.

‘Following the defeat of Germany in the First World War, the Akposso traditional state/political district in German Togoland was partitioned into two between France and Britain, thereby placing one half portion in French Togoland (Republic of Togo) and the other half portion in British Togoland (Republic of Ghana),’ they added.

Apesokubi is located in the Biakoye District of the Oti region.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Akwasi Agyeman, the Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), says priority should be given to the development and marketing of the tourism industry to boost the sector and economy at large.

‘We are in a country that we are too blessed and sometimes do not see what we have. We are focusing on gold because we have gold, focusing on bauxite because we have bauxite, we are focusing on timber because we have timber. We are focusing on so many things. We do not see tourism as an industry that needs our attention and that is very unfortunate,’ he said.

Mr Agyemang made the call in a television programme while discussing the tourism industry in Ghana.

He decried the challenges in obtaining a visa for Ghana in comparison to other nations, arguing that this hindered the expansion of the tourism industry in Ghana.

‘To get a visa to go to Cuba is not as difficult as to get a visa to come to Ghana. If we look at access, we have put impediments on the way of those who will fly 10 hours and more to c
ome to Ghana.

‘At 2:00 am, I get calls that, we have large numbers of people coming to Ghana, but their passports are stuck at the Ghana Embassy. Why can’t we do an E-Visa, why can’t we do a visa on arrival?

‘The numbers in the Bahamas are incredible because it is easy to attract the numbers,’ he noted.

Mr Agyemang said Ghana would gain a lot if it acquired an airline or airline service to facilitate travel to ease international travel.

‘When we have numbers coming in, they would definitely eat at the restaurants and so restaurants would employ more, they would pay tax, they would go for site seeing and a lot more,’ he said.

According to Mr. Agyeman, the average tourist in Ghana spent about $2,900, with the money going to a variety of sectors such as trading, transportation, entertainment, and lodging.

He said Ghana’s reciprocal visa deal with South Africa brought 4,323 visitors to Ghana in 2023 and 7,500 tourists by May 2024.

‘Let’s make it easy for people to travel to Ghana. The yellow fever vaccinat
ion certificate required to travel into the country is about $300 which is too expensive,’ he stated and called on government to speed up especially with its E-Visa initiative.

‘If all the government agencies are seeing the same thing, then we will get there. Let us all sing from the same hymn book, let us all understand that it is a game changer for us.

‘I am quite positive that we will get there but I think we need to speed up, especially with the E-Visa,’ he said.

Mr Agyeman expressed concern about an excessive bureaucratic aspect in the nation’s tourism industry, stating that ‘it is our weakest link and bottlenecks to progress.’

Source: Ghana News Agency