Supported by the UK Aid, the programme by the multiple award winning financial institution, seeks to transform small scale farming and help contribute to the growth of the agriculture sector in Ghana.

Farmers from 3 regions; Brong Ahafo, Ashanti and Northern, benefited accordingly from the first phase of the programme, which lasted a period of 9 months. OISL targets to train over 6,000 smallholder farmers across the country by 2018.

Speaking in an interview, Head of AgriBusiness of OISL, Mr. Isaac Kojo Gyesi, acknowledged that farmers at all levels of the agric value Chain either lack knowledge in modern farming practices or need upgraded skills in farming.

“To address these challenges, Opportunity International Savings and Loans (OISL) with financial support from the UK Aid, is organizing these training workshops across the country, with the objective of equipping the farmers with the appropriate farming technology; which will lead to improved yield, increased incomes and total financial and holistic transformation of the smallholder farmers in Ghana.”

The Head of AgriBusiness of OISL, Isaac Kojo Gyesi, spoke about the relevance of capacity building within the farming industry during the workshop.

“Building the capacity of the farmers will enable them improve their living standards through enhanced understanding and implementation of good agricultural practices, business planning and financial literacy skills”, he noted.

Participants were trained in good agricultural practices, understanding farming as a business, financial literacy, records keeping for production activities, Harvest and Sales, Risk Mitigation in Agriculture, as well as Production and Preparation of a Crop Budget.

E-banking products being offered by OISL, including the newly launched Opportunity Mobile cell phone banking solution, were also introduced to the farmers to help them manage their finances appropriately.

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Source: Opportunity International Savings

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This forms part of a well structured system meant to rebuild public confidence on the EC’s preparedness to conduct free, fair and transparent elections on December 7.

The Northern Regional EC Director, Bruce Ayisi explained that the workshop sought to equip Journalists with the right electoral terminologies used during elections.

He implored the participants to avoid unpardonable errors in their reportage on elections coverage to safeguard the nation’s enviable democratic credentials.

Bruce Ayisi commended the media in the region for being in constant touch with the EC on election matters.

He said the EC would continue to work with the media as partners in development regarding the conduct of elections at all levels.

Chairman of the Northern Regional chapter of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Caesar Abagali admonished the EC staff to open their doors to the media.

He decried the unfriendly behaviour of some top EC officials who often ignored Journalists call for information on the electoral processes.

Caesar Abagali tasked the media to be guided by the cardinal principle of checking, cross and double checking their facts to avoid sensationalism particularly on elections coverage.

He also admonished the media to give fair and accurate coverage to all the competing political parties.

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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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