Day: April 25, 2023

Over 50, 000 Tea and Coffee farmers from Embu and Kirinyaga counties are set to be trained on crop diversification by Non-Governmental Organization, Rainforest Alliance to increase revenue streams as well as conserve climate.

The program dubbed, Mt. Kenya Sustainable Landscape and Livelihoods Program, earmarked to run for five years is aimed at training farmers on how to diversify to other high value crops such as macadamia, grafted avocado, dairy and goat farming, beekeeping and rearing small livestock including rabbits among others.

The development comes at a time when earnings from the two cash crops that have for long been the main source of income for farmers are on a downward trend due to climate change, hence reduced and erratic rainfall leading to poor production.

Speaking at an Embu Hotel Monday, during a meeting with Tea Factory Chairmen from the two counties to bring them up to speed with the new development, an Official from the NGO, Julius Ng’ang’a, said the two crops could no longer meet and sustain the financial needs of farmers’ due climate change, high cost of production and price volatility.

This, he said, called for a change in tact to help farmers reduce the financial risks associated with reliance on a few crops, as a result of unfavorable weather or market shocks.

‘Growing a wide range of crops will greatly help in expanding the market potential,’ said Ng’ang’a, noting that they will also be assisting in linking farmers to markets locally and internationally.

The NGO official said in the near future, they plan to extend the program to other coffee growing counties around Mt. Kenya Region including Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Nyeri, Murang’a and Laikipia.

Factory chairmen present hailed the initiative as transformative, which would go a long way in making farming a lucrative venture and also make it attractive to the young people.

‘Tea alone is having a big load on farmers and diversification is a welcome move in assisting our growers improve their livelihoods,’ said Rukuriri Tea Factory (Embu) Chairman Joseph Rwanjau.

His Thumaita Factory (Kirinyaga) counterpart Richard Magu equally called on farmers to embrace and uphold the new concept that will see them not only acquire requisite knowledge and skills, but also seed capital.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Amid the ongoing violence in Sudan, 82 Ghanaian nationals have been evacuated from that country to safety, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, has said.

A statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, copied to the Ghana News Agency Monday said the Ministry in collaboration with the its Missions in Cairo, Addis Ababa, the Honorary Consul in Khartoum and student leaders had so far successfully evacuated two batches of 50 and 27 persons identified as Ghanaian nationals to safety in Gedaref, Sudan.

It said they would be transported on Wednesday, April 26th, to the Ethiopian border town of Metema where they would be received by Ghanaian Embassy officials, processed for Ethiopian entry visas and, subsequently, repatriated home.

They comprise 34 males and 43 females.

Additionally, the statement said, three Ghanaian footballers and two others working for an Australian Mining Company were being evacuated through the Egyptian border post of Wadi Halfa, north of Sudan.

‘This brings a total of 82 Ghanaian nationals who have been evacuated to safety,’ the statement said.

‘The Ministry takes the opportunity to inform the public, particularly, Ghanaians stranded in Sudan, to take note of the contact details of the Honorary Consul who is on standby to assist them to be evacuated to safety.’

It urged them to contact Mr Osama Ataaelmanna on phone number +249-92920-0000 for further assistance.

The public would be apprised of new development in due course, it assured.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Chief Abubakarr AmaduToloba, the Chief of Dogon, a suburb of Madina in Accra, has advised Muslim youth to hold on to moral uprightness and live above reproach after the Eid-ul-Ftr celebration.

‘The end of Ramadan does not mean bringing an end to the humane and upright nature of your character,’ he said, and urged all Muslims, especially the youth,to continue to abide by the virtues of Ramadan.

Chief Toloba, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, implored parents to play their expected rolesin the upbringing of their children and ensure they avoid unruly behaviour and other social vices.

‘As parents you need to devote your time to monitor the routine activities of your children and help them make decisions that will shape their future for the good of society,’ he said.

He said the Madina Municipality was noted for peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians and entreated the youth not to do anything that would tarnish its image.

‘All inhabitants of the area have a noble duty to live responsibly to keep the peace we are all enjoying.’

He said his doors were opened to all for constructive ideas to promote the development of the area and paid glowing tribute to Chief Amadu Baba Seidu, the Chief of Madina, for his exemplary leadership, whichhad ensured peace.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Member of Parliament(MP) for Madina, Mr Francis Xavier Sosu, has feted children at Madina in Accra as part of this year’s ‘Sosu Children’s Salafest.’

The yearly event, organised in collaboration with Hayaat Studios and Ham Dan Events, was the third in series held at the end of Ramadan.

The children were treated to food varieties and drinks, after which they were entertained through bouncing castles, musical chairs, eating competition, Quran quiz, fun games, sack race, and tag of war.

Mr Sosu said Eid-ul- Fitr was a special occasion on the Muslim calendar that improved the spirituality of Muslims, reconciled them with Allah while they learnt to forgive one another.

‘In a festival like this, children need to be monitored so that they stayed within the bounds of what is morally acceptable’, he said, adding that they would be given mentorship souvenirs to inspire confidence in them to pursue their dreams and careers.

Asked about his fate in the upcoming primaries of the National Democratic Congress, he said he would go unopposed due to the disqualification of his competitor, who was discovered to have leanings to the NPP-led Government.

He said his chances in the 2024 elections would largely be determined by his numerous interventions and projects in the constituency, and that his constituents would certainly extend his mandate to continue his good works.

For the first time the constituency had benefitted from the Islam Project, which supports community members in a range of endeavours.

He mentioned one of the key programmes as ‘makaranta improvement programmes,’ harmonising the curriculum of all education processes and paving the way for the introduction of innovative programmes to make the children knowledgeable.

The Moshie Youth Chief of Greater Accra, AlhajiMohammed Bashiru, expressed gratitude to the MP for the reforms and interventions for the wellbeing of the Muslim community.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Wasum Augustine, former Mayor of the Balikumbat council in Ngoketunjia division in the North West region is relieved after a girl he was accused of killing was found alive in Douala.

Iyeh Precious, daughter of Nwanyek Philip was recently found in the economic capital, Douala hawking, we learned. This is coming years after the former Mayor was jailed by the hitherto missing girl’s father for allegedly kidnapping and killing his daughter.

CNA gathered from sources close to the family that this was a ploy to get Mayor Wasum Augustine off his seat.

The said girl disappeared in June 2015 and has not been seen for the past years. Her father was a councillor at the Balikumbat council and also a friend to the Mayor, we learned. The matter was brought before the Ndop high court in 2016 and Wasum Augustine served a pre-trial detention for more than two years at the Ndop prison.

In December 2018, the accused was released on basis that there were no evidence to support that he committed the act. The girl’s father later on filed an appeal against the court’s decision and it was later on overruled by the North West court of appeal and the accused was arrested once again in 2022 and detained at the Bamenda central prison.

We gathered that the case may see another twist as the girl has been identified and detained by security forces in Douala. Another source revealed that for the past years, the girl’s name has been changed just for her father to win the case against the former Mayor.

Source: Cameroon News Agency