Author: Sefakor

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has urged importers and traders going against Burkina Faso’s ban on exporting cereals and white beans from its territory. In a press release, the ministry stated that the ban, first issued on December 19, 2023, prohibited the export of cereals: rice, millet, maize, sorghum and white beans (cowpea) from Burkina Faso. In referencing a communiqué from Burkina Faso, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said the directive was reinforced through another notice on November 13, 2024, reminding buyers that the restriction was still in force. The Government of Burkina Faso implemented this ban to…

Food Research Scientists at the Department of Food Science and Technology of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) have identified a harmful banned substance in some tomato pastes sold in Ghana. The substance, Erythrosine, also known as Red Dye No. 3, is commonly used as a colorant in foods like toffees, candies, and drinks, often labeled as “Number 3.” However, the Ghana Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) prohibits its use in tomato paste production due to its potential health risks. Additionally, starch is also prohibited in tomato paste formulations in Ghana. A study conducted by KNUST researchers found…

The Western Regional Manager of the Forestry Commission (FC), Nana Poku Bosompim, has pledged his commitment to working with stakeholders to clamp down on illegal activities that destroy the region’s forest reserves. According to him, the Commission would strictly enforce the Minerals and Mining Act (Act 900) without any fear or favour to protect the forest reserves from destruction under illegal circumstances. Speaking to journalists in an interview, in Takoradi, the Western Regional FC Manager said: “l can pledge zero tolerance for illegal mining and lumbering in our forest reserves as we will strictly enforce the laws without fear or…

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has taken a significant step towards addressing youth unemployment in the region by donating $2,238,000 to ten agricultural research centres. This initiative is part of the Regional Strategy for Youth Employment in Agricultural Value Chains, aimed at equipping young people with the necessary skills to participate in and benefit from the agricultural sector. The grant will be used to train a total of 3,850 young people, with 40 per cent of the beneficiaries being women. The training programs will focus on enhancing their technical skills, improving their access to agricultural resources,…

In the serene hills of Aburi, in the eastern region of Ghana, lies the story of a remarkable woman and her mushroom farm, EHB Eco Mushrooms. What began as a simple pastime hobby, has transformed a humble backyard hobby into a cutting-edge farm in Ghana, blending modern technology with sustainable practices to revolutionize mushroom farming. With over half a decade of experience in Human Resources Management, Priscilla Eyram Morny, the co-founder of EHB Eco mushrooms wasn’t originally drawn to farming. She was just following her father’s footsteps; venturing into mushroom farming as a hobby, an escape from the corporate world.…

Senior Lecturer at the Department of Crop Science, University of Cape Coast, Dr Ackah, has proposed the use of non-violent prisoners for farming to combat food inflation, inspired by Burkina Faso. According to him, structured targets, supervision, and skills training for the prisoners will help boost production and lower food prices. “Imagine a scenario where prisoners who previously stole cassava are now learning how to cultivate it. By the time they complete their sentences, they would have the skills to become self-sufficient farmers rather than returning to crime,” he said. With food inflation continuing to rise in the country, Dr…

Some residents of Ashaiman have appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to consider establishing agro-processing factories in the municipality as part of the government’s 24-hour economy policy. According to them, building such factories would increase the employment rate and boost local economic growth for residents to contribute to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). They noted that Ashaiman had energetic youth who were eager to contribute to national development; however, the lack of industries was hindering their potential. In an interview with a cross-section of the public, Mr Victor Ackah, a businessman, said the country’s hard-working farmers were trying to contribute their quota…

Ghana has the highest food inflation rate among lower-middle-income countries in Africa, according to the World Bank’s Food Security Update for February 2025. The country’s food inflation rate of 28.3% in December 2024 placed it first among its peers in the region. Egypt came second with a food inflation rate of 20.8% as of December 2024, followed by Zambia in third place with a rate of 19.2%. The World Bank noted that domestic food price inflation, measured as the year-on-year change in the food component of a country’s Consumer Price Index (CPI), remains moderately high. The Bretton Woods institution stated:…

The Oti Regional Minister, Mr. John Kwadwo Gyapong, has pledged government’s construction of an irrigation project in the region, aimed at transforming the agricultural landscape of the Biakoye and Krachi East Municipalities. According to him, the initiative is set to bring life-changing benefits to the region, renowned for its fertile soil and abundant water resources to farm all-year. Oti is one of the eight regions where government has planned to irrigate 10,000 hectares of farmlands as part of its “irrigation for wealth creation” project within 12 months. Currently, Ghana’s irrigation coverage stands at just 1.6%, far below the West African…

The Central Regional Poultry Farmers Association has called on the government for a clear policy that would inspire and sustain the poultry industry. The Association said there was no government policy direction for the poultry industry unlike crop farmers who received incentives to enhance production. The call was made at a seminar organised by the Central Regional Poultry Farmers Association in conjunction with the ECO Feeding Ghana Limited at Agona Swedru to educate farmers on challenges and solutions to maximize more returns. Some of the topics discussed included heat stress in poultry production, the importance of assessing veterinary services and…