Author: Sefakor
The National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) convened a high-level meeting with key stakeholders from the health, agriculture, and financial sectors to engage in the Food System Transformation and Nutrition Security (FSTNS) Cross-Sectoral Planning Group (CSPG) conference in Accra. The FSTNS-CSPG is crucial for coordinating Ghana’s strategies to combat food system and nutrition security issues. This meeting served as a platform to review progress made thus far and to outline plans for significant forthcoming events, including the integration of FSTNS into planning processes, the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement Joint Annual Assessment, and the Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit. During the…
The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has announced the government’s grand plan to terminate the contract awarded for the construction of the Pwalugu Dam. This revelation came during an interview with journalists after a rather enlightening three-day tour of various departments and agencies under the ministry. Back in 2019, the government started a $993 million contract to build the Pwalugu multipurpose dam in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region. The project was anticipated to showcase a hydro-solar hybrid system boasting 60 MW of hydropower and 50 MW of solar power. Most crucially, it was meant to…
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture is at risk of losing substantial portions of its land, currently occupied by various directorates, due to encroachment. During an ongoing tour, Minister Eric Opoku has uncovered a concerning situation where MOFA staff are being forcibly removed from their offices to accommodate private developers. Allegations suggest that some of these developers have acquired the land through illegal means. For instance, the offices of the Women in Agricultural Development and Livestock Breeding Directorate at Borteyman, also known as Nungua Farms, are being encroached with buildings allegedly erected by influential figures from both past and present…
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently decided to remove coconuts from the list of U.S. food allergens, a move poised to significantly impact the coconut industry and major fruit producers like Indonesia and the Philippines. This decision is expected to drive up demand for coconut-based products, benefiting various sectors within the industry. As a result of this change, packaged food and supplements containing coconuts are no longer required to carry mandatory allergen labeling under the U.S. Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA). This shift follows the efforts of trade groups, including the…
The General Agricultural Workers’ Union (GAWU) is calling for the establishment of a Ghana Agriculture Service to spearhead reforms and oversee the implementation of national policies designed to transform the agricultural sector. According to the Union, this initiative will significantly enhance agricultural production and improve food security across the nation. During a recent media interaction, Dr. Pascal Kaba, Deputy General Secretary of GAWU, stated, “The time for the Ghana Agriculture Service is now, as it will empower decision-making and facilitate monitoring at local levels.” Dr. Kaba highlighted that the absence of such a service has impeded the efficient delivery of…
The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, has begun an inspection of various projects, touring various agencies and departments under his ministry. The Minister, in the company of the Chief Director of the ministry and other deputy directors, as part of his tour on January 27, 2025, is expected to visit Pokuase and other areas in the region for a briefing on the status of various government projects. Addressing the media during his tour, the minister underscored the importance of the agencies and its staff, whilst acknowledging their commitment towards achieving the objectives of the ministry. “ We as…
The Kenyan government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with Iran in a bid to boost the agricultural sector and expand trade opportunities. The country’s Agriculture Principal Secretary, Dr. Kipronoh Ronoh said the initiative will bolster Kenya’s agricultural exports while meeting Iran’s demand for high-quality Kenyan produce. Dr. Kipronoh made the remarks in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi when he hosted Iranian Ambassador to Kenya Dr. Ali Gholampour. “We explored ways of enhancing Kenya-Iran relations and strategies to expand agricultural trade,” said Dr. Ronoh. He also added that, the Key focus areas included increasing exports of Kenyan produce such as…
One of the key areas Ghanaians are expecting the government to take strong action against is illegal mining which threatens life and the environment. In the lead up to the 2024 general elections, there was huge public outcry with pockets of protests on the streets and also on social media to drive home their displeasure over the New Patriotic Party (NPP)-led government’s silence on the matter. Some citizens took it upon themselves to update their followers almost on a daily basis on social media with drone footage from areas where the destruction was massive and life-threatening and also endangering the…
In response to Dr. Randy Abbey’s recent appointment as the Acting CEO of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), opinions among Ghanaian citizens, including cocoa farmers, have varied significantly. Randy Abbey, a prominent broadcast journalist with a background in sports, has been labelled by some as an unconventional choice for the role. On social media, particularly Facebook, reactions have been mixed. Some users expressed a preference for him as “the TV presenter who asked the toughest questions,” while others are optimistic, believing he has the potential to be “the unconventional leader who will introduce innovation, creativity, and transformational leadership to steer…
Imagine the impact of urban farming on food security and local economies! With the rise of innovative agricultural practices, how might the future of vegetable farming in cities like Accra transform our communities? Thanks to constant health education on the importance of vegetable consumption, the demand in urban areas has gone up, creating opportunities for the youth to generate sustainable income. However one of the challenges vegetable farmers face is the struggle to get buyers after harvest. In this regard, Holland Greentech Ghana, a social enterprise in horticulture, has organised a training programme for vegetable farmers and enthusiasts in Accra.…