Author: Sefakor

President John Dramani Mahama has revealed that Ghana’s cocoa sector is in deep financial crisis, with the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) owing a total debt of GHC32.5 billion. Delivering his State of the Nation Address in Parliament on Thursday, February 27, 2025, he disclosed that GHC9.7 billion of this debt is due for payment by September 2025. According to the President, COCOBOD’s financial struggles worsened when it failed to deliver 333,767 metric tons of cocoa that had already been sold at $2,600 per ton during the 2023/2024 season. The contracts were then rolled over into the 2024/2025 season, causing massive…

The agriculture sector over the years have received commentaries on its potential on turning Ghana’s economy around for good with the right investments and implementation. As part a reset agenda by the new government, President John Dramani Mahama has announced that his government will industrialise the agricultural sector to attract the youth to venture into the sector. According to him, his government will prioritise value addition on agricultural products, processing and export, which will position the sector as profitable and appealing to young people in the country. “We will implement an agric programme to facilitate access to land banks by…

President John Dramani Mahama says his government has put in place measures to remap the agricultural sector through agro processing with reliable power sources. Delivering his first State of the Nation Address on Thursday, 27 February,2025 at the floor of parliament, President Mahama stressed that, the Agriculture For Economic Transformation Agenda, (AETA) will modernise agriculture , enhance agribusiness and ensure food security. “Ghana has fertile lands, abundant water and human resources yet we face a paradox. Rising food inflation is burdening households and threatening livelihoods. To address this, we’re introducing agro processing. This will be backed by reliable power supply…

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…