Thursday, August 11, 2016

Increase Reportage on Climate Effects, Agriculture - Journalists Urged

The Ghana Country Director for Farm Radio International, Benjamin Fiafor, has urged journalists to increase their reportage and discourse on agriculture and climate change variability effects in order to get the needed attention of government and its allies to address their core problems.   
He believed too much attention was being given to other issues by journalists to the neglect of climate change and its effects as well as increasing challenges confronting the country’s agriculture.
Speaking at a refresher training workshop organised for journalists and Oxfam’s CRAFS Project Officers on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction in Tamale in the Northern Region of Ghana, Mr. Fiafor said climate change effects were impacting negatively on agriculture and as a result, farmers were unexpectedly recording low yields.
Organised by Oxfam as part of the implementation of its three-year (April 2015 – March 2018) Climate Resilient and Agricultural Food Systems (CRAFS) project in Northern Ghana, the workshop sought to evaluate previous activities and results and restrategise for the remaining 2 years.
CRAFS seeks to contribute to the fight against poverty and the negative effects of climate change by enhancing the livelihood security and capacity for community-based adaptation measures for the most vulnerable.
CRAFS is being implemented in four (4) districts. The districts include East Mamprusi (Northern Region), Garu-Tempane (Upper East Region), Nandom and Daffiama-Bussie-Issah (Upper West Region) covering a total of 20 communities. The project also targets a total of 4,500 smallholder farmers who are living in poor conditions.
A section of participants
Mr. Fiafor urged journalists to frequently highlight negative human activities such as bush burning, destruction of forest reserves and pollution of water bodies which exacerbate climate change effects leading to irregular rainfall, drought and low crop yields.
“Frequent highlight of these negative human activities and their impact on agriculture is what will compel government to attach great importance to addressing climate change effects and challenges confronting agriculture”, he emphasised.
He also observed that there was the need for more journalists to be trained on climate change and agriculture reporting in order to be on top of issues whenever they were reporting. “Journalists should also develop interest in learning about these subjects to enable them report effectively”, he added.
The Advocacy Officer in charge of Oxfam Ghana country programme, Mrs. Lillian Mwintome Kuutiero, reiterated that series of meetings had been held with 20 communities and local authorities in the four beneficiary districts to enable local people to identify key challenges they faced and support them to work with the authorities to address these challenges.
According to her, the organisation had also raised awareness on climate change and how community people could cope with erratic weather conditions. She explained that these awareness were carried out through radio programmes, advertising on 45 billboards, creation of clubs in 25 basic and senior high schools as well as training of journalists to report on the issues of climate change and agriculture.
“Some of the district assemblies have also adopted our plans and integrating them into their medium term development programmes and for us this is an indication that they appreciate what we’re doing to address climate change issues in their districts”, Mrs. Kuutiero indicated.
Oxfam Ghana is an international confederation of 19 organisations networked in over 90 countries with the common aim of building a future free from the injustices of poverty. Since 1986, Oxfam has invested in water and sanitation, education, agriculture and other sectors in Ghana, especially Northern Ghana.

Thursday, August 4, 2016

NDC’s Dr. Kuuire Embarks On Massive Developmental Projects


Dr. Richard Kuuire

Even before the electorate of the Nandom Constituency vote for him to represent them in Ghana’s parliament, Dr. Richard Kuuire of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has so far sank 32 new boreholes in 23 different communities.

He has also repaired 4 other existing boreholes that broke down in 3 different communities in the Nandom Constituency.

Dr. Kuuire who spoke to Savannahnews shortly after handing over the projects at their different locations in Nandom, said the initiative was in fulfilment of promises he made to constituents prior to being elected the parliamentary aspirant for the Nandom Constituency.

“Considering the number of hours our mothers, sisters and particularly school children spend in searching for water on daily basis, I decided to end the problem of insufficient water even before I am voted to represent my people in parliament come December 7.

“Some other areas earmarked for provision of boreholes could not be reached because of flooding. They will be assisted later. I have in collaboration with the District Assembly secured another set of boreholes....over 10...which will also be constructed by September”, he promised.

Additionally, the former Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service also announced the extension of electricity to 7 different communities. They include Tom, Zimuopare, Nabugangn, Naapaal, Ko-vaarpuo, Nandomle and Betaglu. 

“In addition to electricity and water, I am also building basic schools in certain communities where they lack such amenities. My plan for the education sector is quite strategic and the sector will get the needed boost. 

File Picture
“More textbooks for effective teaching and learning were received through my efforts. The District Education Directorate is in touch and we are exploring more opportunities to help boost education in Nandom. An Education Fund for the needy but brilliant students particularly the girl child is envisaged”, Dr. Kuuire revealed.

Dr. Kuuire further noted that he was currently lobbying the Ministry of Roads and Highways to improve upon the road network in the Nandom area especially the Lawra-Nandom-Hamile road.


He thanked citizens, both home and abroad, who were contributing in diverse ways to enable him execute the projects. “I must acknowledge that, I wouldn't have been able to get these projects to my constituents without the support of well-meaning Nandome in Ghana and the diaspora and I thank them so much for their continuous support towards the development of our homeland Nandom”.
He urged all his supporters to refrain from acts of violence. “I want to let you all know that I am still very much committed to conducting my campaign in the most peaceful and civil manner”, he maintained. 

Meanwhile, Dr. Richard Kuuire appealed to the electorate to vote massively for him and President John Dramani Mahama on December 7 to enable him and the next NDC government bring more development projects to them.