Radio Progress News first radio station in the Upper West Region
Related Articles
4th September 2024 Wednesday
HELLO AND WELCOME TO DAGAARE NEWS ON RADIO PROGRESS 98.1
Located Along the Ieper Street in Wapaani
YOU Can Visit Us on Our Facebook Page Radio Progress 1997.98.1fm or our website @ www.https://radioprogressnews.org for more news
MY NAME IS…………………………………….
NOW THE HEADLINES……………………………………………..
EU AND PARTNERS LAUNCH NEW AGRICULTURAL FINANCING PROJECT TO SUPPORT SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN WA
Galamsey: NDC polluted water more than us – Annoh Dompreh
Wa West: Prolonged drought wipes out farms beyond repair
DOTABGA RESIDENTS APPEAL TO AUTHORITIES TO EXTEND LEAP PROGRAM TO THE COMMUNITY
Mechanic jailed 25 years for attacking and raping pregnant WASSCE candidate
Voters register tampered with; we demand forensic audit – Minority
IN BUISNESS NEWS:
Poor roads crippling our business’ – Onion traders at Adjen Kotoku cry for help
IN INTERNATIONAL NEWS:
Dozens killed in Boko Haram attack on village in northeastern Nigeria
A SHORT BREAK……….
NOW, THE NEWS IN DETAILS —
STORY 1
A new agricultural financing Initiative has been launched by the European Union (EU) and its partners to support smallholder farmers within Northern Ghana. The launch event which took place here in WA at … last week, received an arousing welcome from key stakeholders in Agric including departmental heads, smallholder farmers and heads of various agribusinesses in the Region.
Highlighting the prospects of the intervention at the launch event, Deputy Ambassador on the European Union delegation to Ghana Jonas Claes, indicated an urgent need for this intervention to be implemented in the Northern part of Ghana. He pointed to the myriad new challenges smallholder farmers within the area stand to face, following the short draught experience of Northern Ghana at the early part of this year’s rainy season.
CUE IN: Jonas Claes, Deputy Ambassador EU 1
Mr. Claes further stressed EU’s commitment to support smallholder farmers and agribusinesses in Ghana with more sustainable approaches to Agricultural development and financing.
The EU Deputy Ambassador however described this new agricultural support initiative as unique and more efficient, to addressing the long-term financial challenges of farmers and agribusinesses in Ghana and then, expressed optimism about its successful implementation.
The newly launched initiative dubbed “Agriculture Financing Initiative (AgriFI)”, is a Ten Million Euro investment facility funded by the EU and managed by the European Denvelopment Ffinance Iinstitutions (EDFI), a fund Management Company based in Brussels of Belgium. Chief Director of the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council Mr Peter Maala, who welcomed the initiative on behalf of the Regional Minister, touted the intervention as capable of addressing major food security concerns and improving livelihoods provided interest rates on farmer credits are low. He acknowledged the difficulties farmers go through to access loans from financial institutions in recent times, and then appealed to the implementing partners to consider low, affordable interests on farmer credits within the catchment area.
CUE IN: Jonas Claes, Deputy Ambassador EU 2
The AgriFi loan system aims to support the development of sustainable and inclusive agricultural value chains, but also, improve livelihoods of smallholder farmers on cashew, groundnut, mango, rice, sorghum, soybean and vegetables value chains within Northern Ghana specifically Upper West, Upper East, North East, Northern and Savannah Regions. Sinapa Aba Micro Finance Institution was officially introduced as a partner to disburse this credit to targeted beneficiaries. Mr Lionel Dieu is the Fund Manager for AgriFI and he shares more insight to this new opportunity for farmers and agribusiness.
CUE4: Peter Maala, Chief Director, RCC
The launch of the AgriFI Ghana Country Window marks the first investment of the EU to Ghanaian smallholder farmers and agribusinesses hence the event served as a big platform for participating stakeholders to discuss opportunities and challenges in reaching smallholder farmers in Northern Ghana.
CUE: Mr Lionel Dieu, AgriFi Fund Manager
STORY 2
The issue of illegal mining, popularly known as ‘galamsey’, has once again ignited intense debate in the Parliament, leading to heated exchanges between members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
During an emergency parliamentary sitting, the Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh Dompreh, asserted that the opposition NDC had caused more environmental damage through galamsey activities than the NPP.
“If we are to look and investigate both sides of the House (NPP and NDC), I can tell you that the NDC polluted the water more than us. So, let’s get matters straight,” he said on Tuesday.
His remarks drew sharp criticism from NDC members, who accused the NPP of failing to address the galamsey menace effectively.
CUE IN …… Frank Annoh Dompreh
The Minority argued that despite the deployment of security personnel, illegal mining remains rampant under the current administration.
“If the President has failed to curb illegal mining, he should admit so. And if the Defence Minister has failed in tacking galamsey, should admit so.
“It is wrong for him to insinuate and create the perception that someone is making a political statement. The issue is very serious, our livelihood is threatened,” he said.
This debate comes after two-and-a-half-year-old twins fell into an abandoned galamsey pit filled with water and died.
It marks the eighth fatality caused by uncovered galamsey pits in the district this year according to some residents.
CUE IN… Minority
STORY 3
The recent drought in Northern Ghana and other parts of the country has destroyed some farms in the Wa West District. Even though recent rains have reached every part of the district, the district’s Department of Agriculture’s assessment has shown that the long spell has destroyed some farms.
Speaking news men, the Agricultural Extension Agent for the Tanvaare Zone, Mr Ali Salmah, said the situation has thus posed a problem to farmers.
“Some crops can recover from the pressures of the drought following the rains but some too; there is nothing to do at the moment. Some groundnuts that started to flower before the drought cannot recover, the same as maize farms.
” He recommended that farmers opt for crops with shorter maturity periods if they must plant at this time of year, to minimize potential losses. “Farmers can sow sorghum which has short maturity period. If we are lucky and the rain continued beyond October 20, we can still have a good harvest. But for maize, they require enough water to do well.
” Mr Salmah said distribution of inputs under the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) Phase 2 will continue in the coming days. He mentioned that the agriculture department has identified strategic locations across the district to provide easier access to the inputs for farmers.
He indicated that the district’s large size makes it impractical to have all the inputs stationed in one location for the beneficiary farmers to access.
STORY 4
Aged women and widows at dotanga community in Dorimon electoral area in WA west district appeal to government to add their name to LEAP program. Madam Ayishatu Gounah speaking to progress news over the weekend explains that they are eligible to be benefiting but we have been overlooked and currently not benefiting from the LEAP program.
Cue in……… LEAP 2
Another woman by madam Meeri further explain by saying that if their names are added to the LEAP program, they will used the money they will receiver to support the children education and also to provide food.
CUE IN………LEAP 3
STORY 5
A 20-year-old mechanic, who attacked and raped a pregnant candidate in the ongoing West Africa Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), has been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment by the Asante Bekwai circuit court.
Akwasi Agyeman was said to have broken into the room of the 20-year-old victim, who was eight years pregnant and a student of the Bekwai S.D.A Senior High School, at Sanso, a community in the Bekwai Municipality, robbed her of valuable items and subjected her to serious sexual activity.
He pleaded guilty to the charge of robbery and rape and was sentenced by the court presided over by Mr Isaac Apietu.
Police Detective Chief Inspector Eric Twum told the court that the incident occurred on August 25, this year, at Sanso, near Bekwai.
He said at about midnight on that day, the convict forcefully broke into the room of the victim and with a knife in his hand, threatened and demanded the victim to hand over all her valuable items to him.
Chief Inspector Twum said the convict succeeded in taking away an iPhone 7, valued at GHS 1,400 and an itel phone worth GHc 1,000, and later convict proceeded to rape the young woman.
He said the cries of the victim for help attracted some members of the community, who quickly mobilized themselves to pursue and arrest the convict.
A search of him upon his arrest revealed the stolen items and the knife used in the attack.
He was handed over to the police and after investigations, he was charged and brought before the court.
STORY 6
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Minority in Parliament has raised concerns about the voter register exhibition, alleging that it has been tampered with.
According to them, the voter register has been riddled with irregularities and flaws which the Electoral Commission (EC) has already admitted.
Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, September 3, the Minority Leader asserted that the NDC cannot vouch for the integrity of the voter register.
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson claimed that the details of the irregularities are so fertile and cannot be accepted, reiterating the stance of the opposition NDC for a forensic audit of the register.
“The Electoral Commission has admitted that the voter register is riddled with irregularities and flaws. I dare say Mr Speaker, the scale of these irregularities is such that someone may have tampered with the voter register database.
“Mr Speaker, I’m sorry to say that we cannot vouch for the integrity of the voter register as it stands at the moment. The details of these irregularities are so fertile and cannot be accepted. We, therefore, demand a forensic audit into the voter register database,” he said.
But responding to these claims, the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin insisted that the NDC is seeking to bastardise independent state institutions.
Mr Afenyo-Markin said the claim that the register has been tampered with is unfounded.
“He urged upon us not to condemn state institutions that are given constitutional mandates including the Electoral Commission. I would want to plead with my respected colleagues to say that the Electoral Commission’s register for the 2024 elections is not credible, and is very rich.
IN BUISNESS:
Onion traders in Adjen Kotoku urgently appeal to government to fix the road leading to the new onion market, which is severely impacting their businesses.
Since relocating from Agbogbloshie three years ago, these traders have faced immense difficulties in sustaining their livelihoods.
The move has been fraught with challenges – deteriorating road conditions, low customer turnout, and inadequate infrastructure. These setbacks have forced some traders to return to Agbogbloshie.
The market is buzzing with activity as trucks unload sacks of onions for distribution. Amid this hustle, stories of frustration and resilience are everywhere.
Alhaji Masa Wudu, Chairman of the Onion Sellers Association at Adjen Kotoku, says that while the new location holds potential, three key challenges – poor road conditions, inadequate infrastructure, and low customer turnout – are stifling progress.
He expresses frustration over being the only group to fully relocate, questioning why tomato and yam sellers, also expected to move, have not done so.
Traders are barely breaking even amid inflation, cedi depreciation, and rising food prices. Rotten onions, a common sight, only heighten their frustration.
With bad roads, shrinking customer numbers, and logistical challenges, the specters of food inflation loom large. What does the future hold for Adjen Kotoku and its traders? Only time will tell if this “promised land” will deliver on its promise.
A SHORH BREAK —
IN INTERNATIONAL NEWS ….
Dozens of people have been killed after suspected fighters from the Boko Haram hardline group attacked a village in northeastern Nigeria, setting fire to shops and homes.
The attack took place on Sunday afternoon.
“Around 150 suspected Boko Haram terrorists armed with rifles and RPGs (rocket-propelled grenades) attacked Mafa ward on more than 50 motorcycles,” said Dungus Abdulkarim, a police spokesman in Yobe State where the village is located.
“They killed many people and burned many shops and houses. We are yet to ascertain the actual number of those killed in the attack.”
Abdulkarim said the attack was apparent retaliation for the killing of two suspected Boko Haram fighters by local vigilantes.
Yobe is one of three states on the front line of a 15-year insurgency by Boko Haram and other hardline groups which has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced more than 2 million. The armed groups have strengthened their position by working with gangs of criminals known as “bandits”, who raid villages, kill and abduct residents, and burn homes after looting them.
Officials said efforts were continuing to confirm the number of people killed in Mafa.
“It has been established that at least 81 people were killed in the attack,” said Bulama Jalaluddeen.
“Fifteen bodies had already been buried by their relations by the time soldiers reached Mafa for the evacuation of the corpses. In addition to these, some unspecified number of dead victims from nearby villages who were caught up in the attack were taken and buried by their kinsmen before the arrival of the soldiers. Many people are still missing and their whereabouts unknown.”
Advertisement
Save to Reading listDozens of people have been killed after suspected fighters from the Boko Haram hardline group attacked a village in northeastern Nigeria, setting fire to shops and homeThe attack took place on Sunday afternoon.
NOW TO END THE NEWS, A RECAP OF THE HEADLINES:
EU AND PARTNERS LAUNCH NEW AGRICULTURAL FINANCING PROJECT TO SUPPORT SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN WA
Galamsey: NDC polluted water more than us – Annoh Dompreh
Wa West: Prolonged drought wipes out farms beyond repair
DOTABGA RESIDENTS APPEAL TO AUTHORITIES TO EXTEND LEAP PROGRAM TO THE COMMUNITY
Mechanic jailed 25 years for attacking and raping pregnant WASSCE candidate
Voters register tampered with; we demand forensic audit – Minority
IN BUISNESS NEWS:
Poor roads crippling our business’ – Onion traders at Adjen Kotoku cry for help
IN INTERNATIONAL NEWS:
Dozens killed in Boko Haram attack on village in northeastern Nigeria
