The data, according to the Ministry will guide policy-makers in the disbursement of resources to promote agriculture in the rural areas.

The exercise, which will take place across all 216 districts in the country, will have enumerators collect data of households and institutions engaged in crop production, livestock, aquaculture and tree planting.

In a speech read by Director of Policy Planning Monitoring and Evaluation at the Ministry of Information, Patricia Dovi Samson, on his behalf, in Bolgatanga at the ‘training of trainers’ Agric Minister, Owusu Afriyie Akoto said the census when completed will provide reliable statistics for planning and monitoring food security and livelihood improvements.

Mrs. Patricia Dovi said the data to be collected will provide current information on the structure of agriculture in the country which is vital to the re-basing of Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product(GDP).

“The data will also provide statistics on agriculture for policymakers to allocate public resources effectively and to better identify, prepare, implement and evaluate developmental projects aimed at promoting agriculture in rural areas.

“It will again provide current information to help fight environmental issues at the community level and provide relevant information for use by stakeholders including farmers, researchers and international organizations” Mrs. Dovi stated.

Upper East Regional Director of Food and Agriculture Francis Ennor, said the exercise will provide data on community facilities such as roads, hospitals and schools, among other things for proper policy interventions  to propel the development of farmers in the rural areas.

He urged all stakeholders in the agricultural sector to support government get accurate data that will harness agriculture growth and food security of Ghana.

Upper East Regional Minister Rockson Bukari said the last time a census of agriculture conducted in Ghana was in 1985, adding that, government’s quest for another census formed part of Akufo Addo’s vision of making Agric the backbone of economic growth in the country.

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By: Frederick Awuni/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, the First Deputy Speaker, Joe Osei-Owusu, was of the view that, some officials who were complicit in the improper disposal of the said vehicles were not given appropriate sanctions.

[contextly_sidebar id=”zYcoLnhVEPZ3XxaaTAlrmXhxxnpgJUKG”]The Committee has been asked to go back, and re-work the report with stiffer sanctions and recommendations.

In April 2017, the two institutions together with the auctioneers who disposed off the vehicles, some for as low as GHc 1,000, faced the Committee to explain the infractions as captured in the Auditor General’s report.

“Some breaches of the law have occurred. Recommendations must be made in respect of those. Some public officials were negligent or non-compliant of the law. That is why I am directing that the report comes back to Committee. All that is outstanding, the Committee should [address] and report back.”

“I direct that the report goes back to the Committee for other recommendations… the report may have made the observation, but the conclusions are not sufficient,” Mr. Osei-Owusu said.

Background

In April 2017, the Public Accounts Committee slammed officials of the MoFA and an auctioneer to the ministry for contravening the auction laws when 24 vehicles were sold to staff of the ministry at ridiculously low prices.

The auctioneer, Alex Adjei, side-stepped all the laws governing the proper disposal of government vehicles and disposed off the vehicles, mostly double-cabin pickups, to the staff of the ministry and pocketed GHc33,203 as his 7% commission on the sale of the vehicles.

Some of the vehicles were auctioned for GHc1,000 each.

PAC also indicted the Ghana Health Service for failing to pay more than GH¢61,000 from the auction of nine vehicles into a non-tax revenue account since 2014, as required by the Financial Administration Act.

The said amount was reportedly hurriedly paid into the account days to the sitting and subsequent indictment.

PAC had served notice to the GHS to appear before it in respect of the disposal of government vehicles captured in the Performance Audit Report of the Auditor-General for 2015.

According to the regulations on auctions, proceeds from auction sales must be deposited within 24 hours.

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By: Duke Mensah Opoku/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post PAC’s ‘soft’ sanctions over auction ‘rot’ at MoFA, GHS rejected appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Munkaila Jawad, the Municipal Director of MoFA, said climate change has shortened rainfall patterns, caused bush fires, affected forest reserves and has led to the unlawful practice of farming along river banks and the indiscriminate felling of trees for charcoal burning.

Some of those early maturing maize varieties included Wandata, Sansasima and Pan 12, Mr Jawad said.

“We have certain varieties that move beyond certain period or 120 days at a point in the maturing time if it doesn’t get rain,” he said.

Mr Jawad expressed optimism that the introduction of the early maturing varieties would help to address the phenomenon of erratic rainfall patterns that have contributed to post-harvest losses in the society.

He said his outfit took soil samples to conduct germination tests with tomatoes and were now awaiting the results from the Regional Office of MoFA in Sunyani.

On the Farmer’s Day celebration, Mr Jawad said farmers would be honoured on how they applied and adopted technology in farming.

He said both organic and inorganic fertilisers were being recommended to farmers, saying that two demonstration farms have been established at Dormaa-Ahenkro and Nsuhia in that regard to educate farmers to make an informed choice on the usage of the two fertilisers.

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Source: GNA

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The students of Kwadaso Agric College, Ejura Agric College, Ohawu Agric College Damongo Agric College and Animal Health and Production College, Pong-Tamale had deserted their classrooms earlier in October, in protest of the failure by government to restore their allowances.

[contextly_sidebar id=”hhHvwkwYMnC9vZf2JX8htBB3NIcPq76w”]Prior to that, they had besieged the premises of the Agric Ministry in Accra over their grievances.

The Ministry of Agriculture had earlier announced that, it had tabled the request from the students for the restoration of the allowances before Cabinet.

But the students had expressed discontent with the Ministry after there were no further updates of a possible restoration of the allowances, forcing the students to ditch their classes in an attempt to compel the government to act.

It appears their move has been successful, after they received assurances from the Agric Ministry that talks had been held with the Ministry of Finance on the restoration of the allowances.

According to the President of the Agricultural Colleges Students Union, Samson Chimbur Sanika, officials of the Ministry had informed them about the latest developments and assured them that an announcement would be made after the students return to their classrooms.

“We the five agricultural colleges have been engaging the Ministry of Agric to come clear to address the issues because academics is very important to the students. We were saying that it’s wrong for students to stay at home. We had meetings with them and they’ve shown us that they are coming to pay the allowances. They’ve had meetings with the Ministry of Finance and shown us the documents. He has agreed clearly to pay us,” he told Citi News.

“We can’t be at home to take the money so we must report back and they’ll start the due process as soon as possible, so we should get the students back to the campus and then they’ll come clear. I know that they must pay us and they will, based on what they are telling me.”

‘Agric students being disregarded’

The President of the Kwadaso Agric College’s Students Representative Council (SRC), Stanley Mensah, stated at the time of the boycott that, the action had become necessary because of the apparent disregard for Agric students across the country by the government.

He insisted that, despite the negative implications of their boycott, they were justified in their demands, as unlike the nurses and teachers, they weren’t guaranteed jobs and needed the allowances to survive.

“We think that either somebody is not being fair or something is wrong somewhere. That is why we believe that all the students have to come together, leave the premises of the school until the Ministry is done with the processes to get our allowances for us. We are not being treated fairly, and are not being regarded in the country, so there’s no need for us to be on campus. We took our books and our items, and vacated the premises of the school. As we speak, if you go to Damongo, Kwadaso or any college in Tamale, the schools are virtually empty and nobody’s there,” he told Citi News.

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By: Edwin Kwakofi & Michael Ogbodu /citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The students in a number of Agric Colleges deserted their classrooms earlier in October in protest of the failure by government to restore their allowances.

[contextly_sidebar id=”roDB06FPZOfwqAVAM3RFpAJWof2j6qvF”]Prior to that, they had besieged the premises of the Agric Ministry in Accra over their grievances.

The Ministry of Agriculture had announced that, it had tabled the request from the students for the restoration of the allowances before Cabinet.

However, since Cabinet convened, there have been no updates of a possible restoration of the allowances, forcing the students to ditch their classes in an attempt to force the government to act.

Speaking to Citi News, the National President of the Agriculture College Students Union, Sampson Chimbur Sananka, stated that despite attempts to get their concerns addressed, culminating in the boycott of classes, the Agric Ministry had turned a blind eye to them.

“It’s been three weeks [since the boycott] and we’re going into the fourth week, but they seem not to mind. We are waiting to see what will happen. I’ve sent them letters that the students have locked the campus, and have told them the situation, and the students’ concerns. But they seem not to know that something is going on,” he said.

The President of the Kwadaso Agric College’s Students Representative Council (SRC), Stanley Mensah, stated at the time of the boycott that, the action had become necessary because of the apparent disregard for Agric students across the country by the government.

He insisted that, despite the negative implications of their boycott, they were justified in their demands, as unlike the nurses and teachers, they weren’t guaranteed jobs and needed the allowances to survive.

“We think that either somebody is not being fair or something is wrong somewhere. That is why we believe that all the students have to come together, leave the premises of the school until the Ministry is done with the processes to get our allowances for us. We are not being treated fairly, and are not being regarded in the country, so there’s no need for us to be on campus. We took our books and our items, and vacated the premises of the school. As we speak, if you go to Damongo, Kwadaso or any college in Tamale, the schools are virtually empty and nobody’s there,” he told Citi News.

Sampson Chimbur Sananka backed this argument, stating that the lack of response from the government indicated an apparent disregard for Agric students in the country.

“The students continue to stay at home. It means that what the students are crying for is something that has been ignored for a very long time. We’re all not happy about the silence of the Ministry so far,” he lamented.

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By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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This follows the ministry’s encounter with the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament which revealed that the ministry and an auctioneer sold 24 state vehicles without due payment for 24 months, among other infractions.

Both ministry officials and the auctioneer admitted culpability when they appeared before the Committee.

The Minister of State for Agriculture, Dr. Nurah Gyeile spoke to Citi News about measures being taken to prevent such infractions from being repeated in future and indicated that Ministry will keep the auctioneers on a shorter leash.

“We take it [for granted] that the auctioneers know their jobs so when they come from the Chief of Staff, we assume that everything is okay so we just allow them to go around and do their job until the audit comes and these queries are coming up.”

“So what we have done is, before an auctioneer is left to go to the field, he must come for a total briefing from us and based on what has transpired here, we are going to exercise caution and take them through all the weaknesses in their system and tell them what could happen so that they will take more caution.”

“We must see the adverts before the auctions are done and that they followed due procedure,” Dr. Gyeile added.

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By: Duke Mensah Opoku/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post We’ll keep close watch over auctioneers – MoFA appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to that document, the cars were sold off without payment to the appropriate accounts.

[contextly_sidebar id=”LjzCrJd1gmwAzNfz9dK579XfrEznzFXp”]The officials who were grilled by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), on Wednesday, pleaded for a mere caution, explaining that the current Directors of the Ministry were not in charge during the period of the malfeasance.

The acting Chief Director, Benjamin Gyasi, explained that “these issues happened between 2011 and 2013, when I wasn’t the director. But even at that time, we had a deputy Director who was handling these issues, and he is also on retirement now, so it becomes difficult when issues that happened in the past are loaded on someone who wasn’t part.”

Nevertheless, Mr. Gyasi assured that, since that audit, the Ministry has ensured that its affairs are now clean and in order.

“… I have evidence to show that in my time, from 2014 to date, we have done the right thing and we have evidence here to show, so we are not here to argue on what is in the past, but we are coming to plead by saying that we have done the right thing to date,” he stated.

Auctioneer reserved vehicles for staff, failed to advertise auction

The auctioneer, Alex Agyei, was also indicted by the Auditor General’s report, and he all but confessed that he auctioned the 24 vehicles without recourse to  laid down process when he appeared before the committee.

The Auditor’s report indicated that, the 24 vehicles were reserved and sold to MoFA staff, according to the auctioneer, who added that the prices at which they were to be sold were laid down before he commenced the auction.

The report also noted that, of all the auctions, only one, in Ho, was advertised in the national dailies. It also emerged that the Ho auction even took place before the advert was placed.

Alex Agyei, a licensed auctioneer since 2007, said he had also overseen some auctions at about five other Ministries, including the Ministry of Justice, before the Agriculture Ministry.

As the questions came in from the committee, he couldn’t muster a coherent answer fumbling between denial and stopping short admitting to the charge by the report.

After skirting the queries, centering on his failure to advertise the auctions as mandated, Alex Adjei said “for these particular actions, from 2011 to 2013, my subordinate had been doing the publications on my behalf and we had some confrontation with him…”

He eventually resorted to pleading, interspersed with chuckles, saying, “since that time all these things came to the fore, I have changed the whole process so whatever I have done in the past should be forgiven.”

In response to this, the PAC Chairman, James Avedzi noted that “you may be laughing now, but at the appropriate time, you wont be laughing.”

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post We erred in improper auctioning of vehicles – MoFA appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

In an interview with citifmonline after the launch, an elated Akesse thanked God and his fans for the overwhelming support.

“I am overwhelmed with the love they have shown me and the support for my music,” he said.

According to him “Songs in the Night took me two years to record. Recorded mixed and mastered by Kwame Nkrumah for Faithline Records South Africa. Well cooked, very churchy and very youthful too. Pastor Josh Laryea endorsed the album saying it is full of the Spirit of God and of international standard. It was a great day for me and I hope the songs inspire generations.”

The launch was opened by E’m Praise Inc. with Eugene Zuta, Cwesi Oteng being guest ministers for the event. There were special appearances from Faffa, Esaias, Qhakrah, Sollo7 and Qhakrah – artistes who featured on the album.

Akesse says Ghana and the world should watch out for him this year because he’s poised to do more to the glory of God, with more music and new video releases.

VIDEO: Akesse Brempong – Crazy love

By: Kojo Akoto Boateng/citifmonline/Ghana

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Inspirational contemporary gospel musician, Akesse Brempong, is set to launch his debut album on Sunday, April 6, 2014.

The twelve track album titled Songs in the night will be launched at the Pentecost International Worship Center, Dansoman – Accra, with support from Cwesi Oteng, Eugene Zuta, Bra Kwaku, Faffa, Qhakrah, Sollo7 and Esaias.

Since the release of his debut single, Crazy Love, Akesse has enjoyed some appreciable success both locally and internationally. He was nominated in the best gospel video category at the 4Syte Music Video Awards 2013. The same year, he got the nod in the urban gospel music artiste of the year category at the Ghana Gospel Industry Awards. 2014 saw him climb up the reputable gospel innovation UK top 20 chart at number 10.

According to Akesse, the album title reflects how God works in the life of his children.

“God gives songs in the night, when our conditions are dark, sad and hopeless. God is provident and his promise is sufficient. He fills us with joy and consolation, to enable us in everything to give thanks, and even to rejoice in tribulation. In suffering, sorrow, failure and in despair, God’s presence is a melody in the heart,” he explained.

The album features Qhakrah, Faffa, Esaias and Kwame Keys.

 VIDEO: Akesse Brempong – Crazy Love

By: Kojo Akoto Boateng/citifmonline/Ghana

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