POWER Project Trains 6,277 Women in Five Regions

The   Promoting Opportunities for Women Empowerment and Rights (POWER) project, aimed at empowering vulnerable rural women in five regions of Ghana and to influence their ability to control their income has begun yielding positive results. 

In all, six thousand Two hundred and 77 women have received training and put in groups and are participating actively in their economic activities to better their living standards. 

This was disclosed at a day’s mid-term dissemination workshop held in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region. 

The five year project being implemented by Action Aid Ghana (AAG), an advocacy Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with funding support from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, begun implementation in 2016 in five regions including Volta, Brong-Ahafo, Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions. 

It was also aimed at empowering more rural women to practice climate resilient sustainable agriculture, access to markets and other productive resources.

In an interview with GBConline, the Documentation, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of the POWER, Ms Priscilla Asangalisah, explained that, the initial  aim of the project was to empower 6,000 vulnerable rural women and influence their ability to control their income by practicing climate resilient sustainable agriculture, access to markets and other productive resources.  

Ms. Asangalisah said the research indicated that, the 6277 women exceeding the initial of 6,000 women targeted by the project while 93 percent of the targeted women reported increased skills and are now confidence in demanding for their rights and reporting cases of violence, which is more than the 70 percent set target. 

The Documentation Officer who indicated further that  the project seeks to promote economic livelihood opportunities for women and to advocate for reduction and redistribution of work burden particularly Unpaid Care Work (UCW)   on women,  stated that  the findings   revealed that many  households, communities and other stakeholders had now placed high  premium on  Women’s UCW and in some cases UCW  redistributed. 

In the area of access and control of resources by women particularly land to undertake agriculture activities as well as women actively participating in local government activities recorded 48 percent and 55 percent instead of the targets of 50 percent and 60 percent expected to be achieved at the end of the project in 2020. 

The report stated that in some communities, due to the project, childcare centers were built where women   could leave their children there and have ample time to carry out their farming activities to generate income for their households. 

Whilst indicating  that the research was necessary because it would enable the project  to identify challenges confronting it  and  to find ways  of addressing the challenges, the Documentation Officer  said it  would also  enable the project  to measures its  achievements so as to enable them device measures to sustain the gains made. 

The report stated further that, in some communities, due to the project, childcare centers were built where women could leave their children there and have ample time to carry out their farming activities to generate income for their households.

UE/R Girls Model JHS Commissioned at Pusiga by ActionAid

The concept of Girls Model Junior High Schools which was mooted in 2016 across the country has received another boost, as a three unit classroom block with its ancillary facilities has been commissioned and handed over by Action Aid Ghana to the District Director of the Ghana Education Service (GES), at Pusiga, Bawku in the Upper East Region.

 

The Three Unit Classroom Block fully furnished, with a Library stocked with books was constructed by Action Aid Ghana at a total cost of Two hundred and thirty-seven thousand Ghana cedis (GHC 237.000). 

It has a mechanized Borehole with 1000 liters capacity water tank mounted, a Urinal and six setter place of convenient and a changing room with sanitary pads for the girls. 

The Programmes Manager Action Aid Ghana Ahlassan Sulemana

In an interview with Radio Ghana, the Programme Manager Alhassna Sule indicated that, Action Aid believes that when the girl child is empowered, the whole society stands to gain hence, in all their educational interventions girls are given much attention to see how best they can be supported to overcome the few challenges they encounter as a results of the patriarchal society.  

He stated further that, anything that will hinder girls’ education from attaining greater heights in their future, have always been Action Aid concern. 

In her welcome address, the Headmistress of the school Madam Monica Mbatiig Poanaba said, Pusiga Girls Model JHS was established in 2016 with three teachers and six students along three other model schools, Binduri, Nabdam and Fumbisi Girls Model schools in the Upper East Region, with thirty pieces of mono desk from the Ghana Education Service (GES).  

She added that the current student population stands at sixty (60) with nine teachers made up of four females and five males. Mad. Mbatiig commended citizens of Pusiga in America, through the District Assembly donated One hundred pieces of dual desk to the school. 

She however lauded the efforts of Parents for assisting the school with teaching and learning materials. 

The Headmistress emphasized that, Pusiga Girls Model School’s vision is to empower the girl child to become positive, creative, innovative and inspirational leaders in future, through hard work and determination in a secure environment. 

The mission is to promote a culture of equal rights for educational excellence within a caring and secure environment with the values of discipline, mutual care respect for all levels in society. She was grateful to the Chief of Pusiga Naba Ayumah Aquak Ibrahim for the release of land for the construction of the school. 

A representative who spoke on behalf of the Pusiga Chief Azorang Alentis thanked Action Aid Ghana for their kind gesture and urged all stakeholders to ensure that the facility is taken proper care of, to serve its purpose efficiently. 

The District Director of Education Pusiga Madam Lydia Issaka charge the students to take their studies seriously as the enabling environment is provided, to become the prominent personalities of the future. She stated that women constituted the majority and has a lot of talents to offer for the development of mother Ghana. 

The sod cutting by the Hon District chief Executive Zubero Abdulai

A sod was later cut jointly by the District Chief Executive of Puisge Hon Zubero Abdulai and the District Director of Education to officially commission and handover the facility.

The Success Story of a 52 year Old Visually Impaired Poultry Farmer

Seweh on his way to feed his Birds

Many people with health and disabilities challenges in the Ghanaian society and elsewhere   would often give up in life and resort to begging. 

The story here is different in the case of Ignatius Seynale Seweh, a- 52 -year-old visually impaired man.  

In fact Mr. Serweh has demonstrated and confirmed the statement that “Disability is Not Inability”. I knew of Seweh cotton (not personally) when he contributed to my URA Sunrise Morning Show and any programme of interest on Ura Radio the Ghana Broad Casting Cooperation through phone calls before I left for school in 2013. 

I returned from school in 2016, and Seweh had become a panel member of the morning show run by my colleague. 

I became more curious by his zeal and tenacity of purpose.  One day I entered the studios to cast news on the hour at 10 am when the show had ended and lo and behold here was Ignacious Seynalie Seweh,  my first time encountered with him, What!  

A visually impaired man? I booked an appointment with him  to hear his story. I first put him on my Personality Profile , a weekly programme I hosted at the station where he mentioned poultry farming as his source of living.  

To see things for myself I decided to pay him a visit to his poultry farm at Pusu-Namoo. The 52- year visually impaired man has about 1000 layers.  

I watched him fed the fowls. I said to myself “Disability is Not Inability” I admired Seweh’s passion in his trades so much. I started recollecting about some disabled persons in the world who contributed to the world economy. 

Imagine the world of science without Stephen Hawking, the Olympics without Tanni Grey Thompson and the horrendous thought of television without Stephen Fry. 

The works of these extraordinary people proved that disability does not mean inability, and that everyone can contribute in his or her own way to community development and the nation as a whole. 

The only thing that must be considered and worked at is the mindset that once,   one is physically challenged, he or she cannot contribute to society. 

Narrating his predicament further, the  52  man  said,  he was  born  to one  Peter Apuri and Mary  Emile Pealore from  the Mayoro community  in the Kassena Nankana Municipality of the Upper East  Region  both of blessed memory. He said born and raised up in Tamale of the Northern Region, he attended the Bagabaga Junior High School and later gained admission to the Tamale Technical Institute, now Tamale Technical University to pursue agriculture engineering intermediary and diploma respectively   and completed in 1996. 

Mr. Seweh stated that after obtaining his diploma certificate in Agricultural Engineering and doing one year National Service, he was gainfully employed by the Ghana Cotton Ginnery and posted to Wa in the Upper West Region in 1987 as a mechanic. 

He stressed that by dent of his hard work at the Wa office, he was selected among six workers to partner with a Consultant from   the United States of America to establish the Cotton Ginnery at Pusu-Namoo in the Upper East Region. 

He noted that upon completing the work before the scheduled time the Senior Management of the Company decided to maintain him and others at the Bolgatanga office to see to the fullest operation of the new set up. 

Married to  Madam  Salima Yahiya  with three  issues, Mr. Seweh said he lost his  sight in 2007  whilst  still in active service  with the office of the Upper East Cotton Ginnery  until the Company folded up  in 2011 under the administration of the later President Atta Mills of blessed memory. Regarding the lost his sight, Mr. Seweh stated that, it was one afternoon when he decided to drive his own private car to his hometown Mayoro in Navrongo when the accident occurred. 

A motorist also from Navrongo on top speed hit him his car bonnet in front, the windscreen of the car did not scratch yet he suddenly went blank inside the car and that ended his sight. 

He indicated that he was initially admitted at a hospital in Bawku in the Upper East Region where the first, second, third and fourth eye surgery operations were performed upon him in succession leading to him losing his sight. 

The visually impaired man who stated that the government did not pay the end of service benefits of the workers after the Pusu Namoo Cotton Ginnery where he was working folded up, indicated that despite his physically challenged nature, he managed to organize his colleagues from the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions to go on hunger strike which drew the attention of the government at that time to pay the end of service benefits of the workers.    

Before becoming visually impaired he said he was the National Secretary of the General Staff Association and was very abreast with industrial relations issues. Through this rich experience he managed to organize the workers to go on hunger strike which led President Atta Mills to invite them to Accra and assured them that they will be paid which he did. He commended the media for the role they played. 

He said but for the Media nobody would have heard of their plight. It was even reported by the BBC that a blind man led the strike in Ghana for nonpayment of entitlements. 

Mr. Seweh said he decided to go and peruse diploma in education at the University of Education, Winneba after the Cotton Ginnery got folded up and when he completed he applied for a job at the Ghana Education Service but was turned down. 

He decided that if the state will not employ him he must create the employment for himself since he had the passion for poultry farm, saying he learnt a bit of the trade from his father. 

Seweh in the process of feeding the birds

He said he is able to make profit from the poultry farm to make a leaving though things are not all that rosy; he detests being looked down upon as a physically challenged person.  Mr. Seweh stressed, the poultry farm is paying and he does not leave on charity.

Seweh to draw water for the birds

He however, will not reject any assistance genuine to enable him expand his poultry farm. The 52- year- old visually impaired who had employed a boy to assist him on the farm, recalled one of the major challenges he encountered in establishing the poultry farm when he applied for a loan from a bank and was turned down but never gave up in establishing his trade. 

Attempted suicide by the Visually Impaired Man

He indicated that, he attempted drinking the bottle of insecticide, one hot afternoon to end up his life, when one of his friends called him and asked him to prepare and go with him to town on motorbike to town for refreshment rather than staying always being indoors. 

This he said saved his life and broke the culture of silence as his friend made it a routine. He then, realized that God had begun the process of re-integrating him into society. 

Mr. Seweh, however said, what actually define his moment of life was when he saw two visually impair kids at Akropong Akropng School for the Blind charting and running to the dinner hall and later on managed to swerve the pillars that were in front of them. 

The 52 –year- old visually impaired stated, these two kids who have a long way to grow in life and were not bordered about their predicaments, how much more he as a grown up. That period became a defining moment for my life.

 Lessons to learn from the 52 year old visually impaired

He did not give up in life like many other physically challenged persons would have done. Apart from him leading the above mentioned hunger strike, he defied all orders and attended and completed   tertiary education. 

He was not bordered after the Ghana Education Service refused to offer him employment.  He created employment for himself. 

In conclusion, it is very important for all physically challenged persons irrespective of their situations to learn from Mr. Seweh and also establish some trades for their living.  

There is also the urgent need for government and other stakeholders to support physically challenged persons like Mr Seweh who had begun something on his own to grow.

Agric Officers Trained on Frafra Potato Production -UE/R

Seedlings of Frafra Potato on the field ready to be translated

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Savannah Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI) partnered with Africa Climate Change Adaptation Initiative (ACCAI) of the University of Ghana, to disseminate research findings and a climate smart agriculture innovation for large scale Frafra Potato production to farmers in a training workshop, organized in Manga Station of CSIR-SARI. 

The two-day training workshop dubbed “Dissemination of Proven Technologies for Large-scale Production of Frafra potato in the Upper East Region” brought together about (40) Agricultural Extension Agents (AEAs), from the fifteen (15) Municipalities and District Assemblies in the Upper East Region. 

The two-day training workshop was organized with funds received by ACCAI network from the Open Society Foundation in 2015.  

The network which is coordinated by Prof. Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu, Centre for African Wetlands, University of Ghana, Legon is made up of five universities [University of Ghana, Mekelle University (Ethiopia) and University of Dar-es-Salaam (Tanzania) and University of the Witwatersrand, Stellenbosch University (South Africa)] conducting research under five thematic areas - Reigniting interest in Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) for food security in Africa, Urban-rural food system dynamics in the face of climate change, Soil fertility management and farming systems, Nutrition and technology for food systems in Africa and Climate change resource conflict and food systems. 

Group photograh of the Agriculture Extension Officers at the workshop at Manga

The aim of the workshop was to train the AEAs to further disseminate the innovation and proven technologies for large scale production of Frafra Potato to farmers across the Upper East Region. 

The new technology which is a cutting propagation method (a climate smart adaptation strategy), would allow for the rapid establishment and expansion of Frafra potato fields across the region. 

In 2017, the Manga Station of CSIR-SARI developed five newly improved Frafra potato varieties which were approved and released by National Seed Council as (UE021- WAAPP Piesa 1 ‘WAAPP Frafra potato’; UE023- Manga-Moya ‘Well done Manga station’; UW020- Maa-Lana ‘I can’t believe how far I have made it’; UW022- Naachem-Tiir ‘Hope for the youth’; ACC01022- Nutsugah Piesa ‘Nutsugah’s Frafra potato’). 

With the released varieties, farmers can reap maximum output with little input. 

Speaking to Radio Ghana, Dr. Francis Kusi, a Host plant Resistant Entomologist and Senior Research Scientist at the Manga Research Station indicated that, the five varieties are the first Frafra potato varieties to be released in Africa. 

Taking the Agriculture Extension Agents through the economic analysis of the crop, Dr. Kusi stressed that farmers in the Upper East and West Regions of Ghana can really make a good fortune out of the cultivation of the crop. 

Dr. Naalamle Amissah a Horticulturist and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Crop Science, University of Ghana, presented research carried out by the University of Ghana under the ACCAI “Reigniting interest in Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) for food security in Africa” thematic area, which she leads.

 Dr. Amissah emphasized the need for nutritious food in achieving food security and spoke about the role of underutilized crop species in attaining food and nutrition security in Ghana and their ability to support Sustainable Development Goals 1,2, 3, 8 and 15. 

The research carried out by CSIR-SARI and ACCAI-UG addressed the importance of adding value to Frafra potato and creating awareness about its high iron content. 

She stated that, Frafra Potato has the added advantage of tolerating drought conditions and thriving on marginal soils, one of the key problems confronting farmers in Northern Ghana. 

Dr. Amissah also spoke about the importance of crop species diversity and the need for other indigenous crops with potential for achieving food security to be researched into. 

Fulbright Scholar to Ghana and Assistant Professor Dr. Denita Hadziabdic Guerry of the University of Tennessee, a Population Genetics expert talked about her collaboration with Drs Amissah and Kusi  saqying, her research under the Fulbright Scholar Programme will assess the genetic diversity and spatial structure of the Frafra potato across different geographical regions and identify the best varieties to be used in future breeding projects. 

The workshop was very interactive with the AEA’s sharing farmers’ experiences on Frafra Potato cultivation in their respective Districts. The AEA’s commended the organizers for the hands-on nature of the workshop and promised to share the technologies learned with farmers.

Durbar of Chief and People of Tongo-Beo Organized By World Vision

A durbar of Chief and people of Tongo-Beo has been organized by World Vision International Ghana, WVI, to herald back the initiator of the Farmer Managed Natural Regenerated FMNR Mr. Tonny Rinaudo and the success chalked by WVI GH at “The Beating Famine Conference 2019 held in Bamako, Mali where WVI Ghana pulled four Awards. 

FMNR is a low cost land restoration technique that combats poverty and hunger among subsistence farmers by increasing food, timber production and resilience to climate extremes. 

The technique involves the organized regrowth and management of trees, and shrubs from felled trees stumps, sprouting root systems or seeds.  

It was initiated by Tony Rinaudo and piloted in the Talensi Area Development Project in four communities including Yameriga, Tongo-Beo, Wakiii and Yinduri, with funding from the Australian Government after the success of both phase one and two. 

World Vision International Ghana WVI GH is a Christian Relief Development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and other communities worldwide to reach their full potentials, by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. 

To achieve this, WV established the FMMR Project in 2009, to work together with the communities to fight against environmental degradation and to build resilience among the people. 

Speaking to Radio Ghana, the Regional Operations Manager Timothy Akanpabadai stated that in a retrospective look that, in times past, there were trickster rules and regulations regarding the environment by authorities and custodians of the land such as chiefs and Tindanas. 

He further indicated that, there were certain woodlot, shrines and forest that were forbidden for just a branch to cut thoughtless felling a tree or burning the bush. Mr. Akanpabadai added by that, our forbears were able to bequeath to this generations a beautiful environment. 

But due to indiscipline and lawlessness, the vegetative cover of the environment has vanished and the rippling effects are the scotching sun and the erratic rainfall which results in food insecurity. 

He texpressed World Vision’s resolve to continue until the whole northern sector and for that matter Ghana as a whole is regreened. 

The Chief of Tongo-beo Naba Bilia Namalten, the Excellence in Land Restoration, male Individual restoration Champion Award Winner stated that, the year of his enskinment, followed the piloting of FMNR and he embraced it as the panacea to the restoration of the environment in his traditional Area. 

Naba Namalten appeal to WV to replicate same in some other communities. The other three were; Land Restoration Award Winner, Individual female category went to Saparkroug Cecilia Topok Excellence in land Restoration innovative Award Yameriga community, World Vision International Ghana took the Excellence in land Restoration, NGO Restoration Supporter Award.

UE/R Biennial NUGDPA Congress currently underway in Narongo

Dignitaries at the high table in the congress at Navrongo

The clergy has been called upon, to pay attention to the challenges facing the Laity today in living out their God-Given vocation of family life; the delicate role of the pastor in providing the necessary pastoral care.

Group photogragp of some dignitaries  at the congress, UDS Campus Navrongo

The call was made during the opening ceremony of the 27^th National and 15^th Biennial National Union of Ghanaian Diocesan Priest’s Association NUGDPA Congress, currently under in Navrongo at University for Development Studies UDS Campus. 

The theme for the congress is “Challenges of in the Catholic Marriages; the role of the Priest” The Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese, the host was founded by the Society of the Missionaries of Africa, the White Fathers in 1906, having entered the then Gold Coast from the Upper Volta now Burkina Faso. 

The mission became an Apostolic Prefecture in 1926 and was later raised to the status of an Apostolic Vicaeiate in 1934. 

The Navrongo Diocese was established in 1956, until 1977 when it was renamed, the Diocese of Navrongo-Bolgatanga following the transfer of the Episcopal See from Navrongo to Bolgatanga, the capital of the Upper East Regional. 

Rt. Rev. Alfred Adjenta Bishop of Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese addressing the Biennial Congress at UDS 

In his address, Bishop of the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese Rt. Rev. Alfred Adjenta indicated that, the church feels the joys and hope, grief and anguish of the masses within and beyond the region. 

The Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese he said cannot alienate itself from the situation of the very people the church is called to server. 

Bishop Adjenta stated that, the social dimension of the Gospel emphasized by Pope Francis shows the deep correlation between evangelization and human advancement. 

Very Rev, Fr. Augustine Abasi Chaplincy of UDS on his keynote address at the Congress

In a keynote address delivered by Very Reverent Father Augustine Abasi, the Chaplin of UDS on the theme, “The Challenges of the Catholic Marriages; the role of the Priest, stressed that, the catholic marriage in its uniqueness has a peculiar challenges emanating from its own understanding and living out its own uniqueness. 

Father Abasi stated that there are internal and external challenges specific to age, background, cultural experiences, and religious context and maturity of those players involved and the environment contribute significantly to the challenges. 

Very Rev. Fr. Francis Appiah Kubi President of UNGDPA

The President of NUGDPA Rev. Father Francis Appiah Kubi in his address said it has been observed that, adult Christian, traditionally married do not have access to the sacraments; they can neither take communion nor fully participates in the life ecclesial community because they are considered ‘public sinners’. 

As a result, those young people he indicated that, become accustomed to life without Sacrament and consequently, the church becomes alien to them.

Upper East Regional Minister Ms Paulina Abayage in her address at the Congress

The Upper East Regional Ms Paulina Abayage a guest to the occasion indicated that, if society is to remain the haven of peace and harmony that Ghana desires, there is the need to strengthen institutions and structures that has the capacity to mould families Oasis of love, unity and fraternity.

She therefore urged the Cleagy to remain committed to working for the sanctity of marriages as the foundation of life and humility.

A Cross secrion of some Priests at the Congress at UDS IN Navrongo

The opening ceremony of the 27th National and 15th Biennial National Union of Ghanaian Diocesan Priest’s Association NUGDPA Congress brought together about 500 priests and thier Bishops, chiefs, Ministers of State, MMDCEs, the Muslim community among other functionaries.

UE/ Regional Minister Paid Last Courtesy Calls on Paramouncies-KNWD

 Paga Pio's Palace

The Upper Easst Regional Minister Ms Paulina Abayage has paid her last courtesy call on two paramount Chiefs in the Kassean Nankana West Districts. 

Her first point of call was at the Paga Pio’s Palace to pay homage, ask for support as she embarks on her development agenda in the Region.

Paga Pe Charles Awiah Awampaga III  in the middle Paramount Chief of the KNWD

The paga Chief, Pe Charles Awiah Awampaga III, was grateful for the visit and her appointment by the President Nana Addo saying, since the days of Independence, no woman has ever been elevated to the level of a Regional Minister. 

Divisional and Subdivisonal Chiefs at the Paga pio Palace

Pe Awiah III advised her to stand up to the task and be assured of the total support of his traditional area in her development drive.

Upper East Region Minister Ms Paulina Abayage speaking at the Paga Pio's Palace

On her part, the Regional Minister stated that, as the daughter of land coming home mainly for development, she will stop at nothing to ensure that, the fair share of the region and for that matter the Paga traditional area is brought home. 

Ms Abayage indicated that, Nana Addo has rolled out a lot social interventions that will be inure to benefit of the region because of her potentials. 

She mentioned that ten Dams are to be constructed in the KNWD on the back of One Village One-Dam policy, to increase irrigation farming, rearing for Food and Jobs soon to be rolled out, One-District One Factory and the fertilizer subsidy under Planting for Food and Jobs has boosted the production of cereals for export among others. 

Mirogu Paramount Chief Naba Anthony Abisah Atosige Anonsona in the middle

The Minister story was different at the Mirogu Chief’s Palace. The Paramount Chief of Mirogu, Naba Anthony Abisa Atosige Anonsona III was happy of Minister’s visit adding that, women are always meticulous in handling issues and was hopeful that Ms Abayage was not going to let Mirogu down.

Mirogu Chief and his sub-chiefs at his Palace

 Naba Anonsona III indicated that, the mirages of problems confronting his traditional area were the Mirogu Senior High which lacked classrooms, dormitories, teacher’s accommodation and means of transport to make it a boarding school. 

He emphasized that, of the Nabango School is also in deplorable state. He added that, the road network in his traditional area is nothing to write home about especially, the main one linking Mirogu to Navrongo and appealed to the Minister to come their aid.