Month: March 2024

The Binduri District of the Upper East Region, has no networks of farmers, agro-input dealers, extension service providers, researchers, and financial institutions, which is adversely affecting agricultural value chain functionality.

To address this, World Vision Ghana for the second time running, organised an Agricultural Market Linkage Fair for agricultural value chain stakeholders in the District.

This was organised under the auspices of the Farmer Managed National Regeneration for Positive Land Utilisation Systems (FMNR PLUS) Project, funded by Knauer family with technical support from World Vision Germany.

A statement copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra said it was aimed at linking smallholder farmers, input dealers, agricultural extension officers, financial institutions, aggregators, tractor service providers, and research institutions to improved service delivery.

It said about 450 smallholder farmers, agricultural cooperatives, input dealers, extension officers, and tractor service providers
participated and shared their experiences to improve agricultural market systems in the district.

It provided an opportunity for value chain actors to have open forum discussions on the activities of various actors and how services and products could be accessed.

Some business deals were sealed and contacts exchanged for future business transactions.

According to Edward Anaba Akunyagra, the FMNR PLUS project manager, the lack of a vibrant agricultural network made access to critical agricultural services impossible and affected productivity and contributed to poverty and household food and nutrition insecurity.

‘Agricultural Market Linkage Fair presents an opportunity to bridge this gap to enable smallholders to access critical services to improve crop production and improved markets,’ he said.

Agricultural value chains play an important role in improving farmers’ incomes and household food security.

Aside from linking farmers to critical service providers, active value chains can also provide opportuni
ties for rural people, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth.

Additionally, functional value chains can help reduce poverty and hunger and improve access to markets for farmers.

For smallholder women farmers like Poanab Atinbun Mumuni, timely access to inputs and other services can increase crop yield, food security, and income for farmers.

She thanked World Vision Ghana for creating an opportunity for farmers to network for a better future.

Ayinga Abagre Yakubu, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Binduri District, described World Vision Ghana as a reliable development partner and thanked the organisation for its numerous interventions in the district.

He urged farmers and other stakeholders to take advantage of the enabling environment World Vision Ghana was creating to better their lives, livelihoods, and income.

Aside from the Savings for Transformation (S4T) that provides access to financial services to farmers, World Vision Ghana has facilitated the establishment of school eco-clubs to cre
ate environmental consciousness in children.

‘Support for dry season farming to enhance the livelihoods of vulnerable communities is a key intervention under the project’.

At the sidelines of the event, World Vision Ghana donated pumping machines and its accessories to support communities involved in dry season gardening as garden and hygiene apparatus to promote environmental stewardship among the youngsters.

The DCE urged women to take advantage of the support in various sectors being implemented by World Vision Ghana to build themselves for improved livelihoods.

World Vision Ghana has implemented some social interventions that have contributed to improving the lives, livelihoods, income, and food security of farmers in the district.

Other support includes, sanitation, and hygiene; environmental restoration and livelihood; and income-generating activities that aim to transform the lives of the most vulnerable children and their families.

World Vision is a child-focused humanitarian and relief organisa
tion focused on transforming the lives of the most vulnerable children.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) has arrested another person reportedly involved in a ‘sophisticated mobile money and sim swap fraud scheme.’

EOCO officials appeared before an Accra Circuit Court and filed an amended charge and facts sheet, after which the court retook the pleas of the accused persons.

The five accused persons namely Richmond Donkor Alias Chino, Cecilia Asabre, Salifu Eshum , Daniel Asomani Baawiah and Shadrack Anthony alias Target have been jointly charged with conspiracy to steal GHC113, 947.57.

They are being held on several charges, including abetment of stealing, attempt to steal, altering of forged documents, possession of forged documents, abetment of money laundering, and money laundering.

They have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The court, presided over by Mr Isaac Addo, admitted the five accused to bail in the sum of GHC600,000 each, with two sureties.

The court said the sureties should be public or civil servants earning GHC3,000 monthly.

It further ordered
the accused to deposit their passports at the Court’s registry.

Lawyer for Shadrack Anthony, the fifth accused who was recently arrested by the EOCO, prayed for bail, saying his client had a fixed place of abode, was married with children, was gainfully employed, and would not interfere with police investigations when released.

The defence counsel told the court that Anthony was also unwell and would come to court at any time if granted bail.

The prosecution did not dispute the granting of bail and requested the court to admit them to bail on the same terms as the fifth accused person’s police enquiry bail term, which was GHC600,000 with two sureties.

The prosecution, however, opposed any variation of the bail terms.

The matter before the court is that on February 14, 2024, EOCO received complaints from a reputable bank in the country that GHC 113,947.57 had been stolen from six of its customers’ bank accounts via a sophisticated mobile money and sim deactivation and reactivation fraud scheme.

The prose
cution said with the collaboration of the Ghana Police Service, the individuals behind the scheme were arrested at Kasea on March 2, 2024, upon a tip-off.

The court heard that preliminary investigations revealed that the accused’s mode of operation was such that, with the connivance of some unscrupulous individuals within Vodafone (now

5 / 5

Telecel Ghana Ltd), AT (AirtelTigo), and the bank, mobile phone numbers attributed to particular bank accounts were swapped without the knowledge of the actual account holders.

‘This swapping enables the accused persons to take over control of the account holder’s banking channels (Mobile Application and USSD) and with this the accused persons transfer funds in the accounts of the victims to different bank accounts and mobile money accounts.’

The prosecution said investigations revealed that Anthony, the fifth accused, who is a registered third-party agent of Telecel Ghana Ltd, illegally gained access to the user login credentials of one Grace Chartey Gador, his empl
oyee, deactivated and reactivated the sim numbers of the bank customers to enable the other accused persons to steal the money from their accounts.

Preliminary investigations further showed that Richmond Donkor and Salifu Eshum, altered the same ECOWAS Identity card with the number GHA 001091841-0 in the name of one William Agyei Kwarteng and used the ID to swap the phone number attributed to the bank number 2030200665017 belonging to William Agyei Kwarteng.

The accused also transferred a total of GHC 33, 850 from the said account to bank numbers, 2030438618518 and 2100438618512 belonging to Cecilia Asabre, who withdraw the funds immediately the accounts were credited.

According to the prosecution, one Comfort Asamoah-Adu’s account was taken over, resulting in a total transfer of GHC10,341.2 from those accounts to Eshum’s MTN mobile money wallet.

‘Finally, our preliminary investigations showed that in an elaborate social engineering scheme, the fourth accused (Daniel Asomani Baawiah) attempted to steal an
unspecified money belonging to one Muhibatu Abdul Basit through her AT (AirtelTigo) cash number.’

Source: Ghana News Agency

Apostle Seth Dwamena Asante, the Nkwanta Area Head of the Church of Pentecost, Oti Region, Easter Sunday encouraged Christians to let the death and resurrection of the saviour Jesus Christ bring them peace and forgiveness.

He explained that the resurrection of Christ brought joy, peace, hope and forgiveness to those who believed in Him.

‘Therefore, as believers there is the need to emulate the teachings of Christ and let your lives shine in the society.’

Apostle Asante made the call during his sermon at the climax of the Nkwanta Zone Easter Convention, on the theme: ‘He is not here, He has risen.’

He said: ‘There is life beyond this existence hence the resurrection of Christ.’

He urged the congregants to live a Christ-like life by impacting positively on their communities.

A true Christian must live an exemplary life for others to emulate and by so doing the society would be a better place to live, he said.

Pastor Asante reflected on the resurrection and Jesus Christ’s appearance to the women, which he
explained as His show of appreciation to them on their contribution to His work on earth.

‘His appearance was also to show his love for mankind, clear doubt about his death and resurrection, and also breath in life into the lives of his disciples,’ he said.

‘Let’s embrace the benefits of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and seek his face in our daily lives and we shall all rise again even in death.’

Source: Ghana News Agency

An Accra Circuit Court has remanded into police custody a 25-year-old trader, Michael Azu, for failing to appear in court.

On December 7, 2023, Azu, who is being held for defrauding by false pretence, failed to turn up in court and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest.

When accused person appeared before the court on January 9, 2024, the court remanded him into police custody to reappear on January 22.

Azu is being held for allegedly collecting GHC250,000 from a trader under the pretext of providing him with a KIA Rino Truck, but failed.

He has denied the charge, and he was admitted to bail.

The prosecution, led by Superintendent of Police Augustine Yirenkyi, said the complainant Kwadwo Tetteh was a trader residing at Odumase Krobo.

It said the accused person and the complainant knew themselves as they were in the supply of large quantities of sachet water to various customers.

The court heard that in September 2020, Azu approached the complainant at Konkomba and collected GHC250,000, saying his b
rother abroad had shipped KIA Rino Trucks to him to be cleared at Tema Harbour.

The prosecution said the accused told the complainant that if the mount was given to him, he could give him one of the vehicles to facilitate his supply of sachet water.

The prosecutor said the complainant believed the accused person and he gave the accused person the money.

The prosecution said the accused person after taking the money went into hiding.

The complainant reported the matter to the Police and the accused person was arrested.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Kuoro Bamula Basinjia Chiemina, the Divisional Chief of Kandia in the Sissala West District, says the remains of the Gwollu defence wall should be considered as one single act that needs to be celebrated and promoted.

As Ghana celebrates Heritage Month, the Ghana News Agency (GNA) interviewed some individuals about the relevance of the Gwollu defence wall, which was built in the 18th century to protect the residents from being enslaved by slave raiders.

Kuoro Chiemina said it was imperative to highlight the remarkable heritage of the Sissala people, especially the Gwollu Slave Defence Wall as an extraordinary act of human freedom.

Kuoro Chiemina added that the Gwollu wall was not just a physical structure but a symbol of hope, courage, and resistance against the injustice of the slave trade.

He added that it signified the bravery and ingenuity of their forebearers in the face of unimaginable adversity.

He called for an event to be celebrated saying, ‘As we mark Ghana’s heritage Month, we must honour and
celebrate the Sissala from Gwollu and the adjoining areas’ people for their contribution to the fight against the slave trade.

‘We must continue to preserve and protect this heritage for future generations, as a reminder of the atrocities of the past and the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of overwhelming odds’, the Chief observed.

The Executive Director of the Sissala Heritage Foundation told the GNA in an interview that: ‘This wall is a physical testament to the resilience and determination of the people’s forebears in resisting the dehumanising slave trade that was perpetrated against Ghanaians and Africans.’ 

He argued that the wall was a reminder that Africans were not co-conspirators or actors in the slave trade, as some people claim. 

He said the Sissala people, through the Gwollu wall, showed their unwavering commitment to human freedom, civil liberties, and the preservation of human dignity. 

Mr Hara Dauda, a native of Gwollu said the wall symbolised the commitment
of their ancestors and that it would be unfair to limit the wall to only the people of Gwollu as other communities joined to build the wall, which indicated that they were united.

‘The unity of our ancestors- it’s a responsibility on us to use the motivation to develop, it belongs to all of us. There were two walls, an inner one and the bigger one around the town, where the adjoining communities dug a big hole as a trap for the enemy.

‘We have to have the mindsets of our ancestors to protect and develop the area,’ he explained.

Some of the settlers said the name Gwollu meant, ‘Let us surround it,’ to protect the residents and the people from being enslaved and transported to the Western world.

Kuoro Kuri Buktie Limann IV, the Paramount Chief of the Gwollu Traditional Area, said the people of Gwollu built an anti-slavery wall against the raiders whom he said were led by Samori and Babatu Zato.

The anti-slave walls were built of mud, and herbs that had holes in them where the locals hid and pointed their b
ows and arrows at the enemy each time they came to attack, and this eventually protected them from the raiders.

The Paramount Chief appealed to the Government to construct roads linking to those important tourist sites in the region as that could boost tourism and woo investors to the area.

He mentioned those roads to include: Gwollu -Jeffisi-Han-Wa road and the Hamile-Gwollu-Tumu-Navrongo road which, when tarred, would ease the burden of tourists who might want to visit the area.

He also appealed to the Ghana Tourism Authority to be interested in both the history and the relics for posterity.

Kuoro Limann identified Southern Burkina Faso through Gwollu and other towns right up to the Salaga slave Market as places where slaves were gathered and sold.

The GNA also found out that besides Gwollu being the hometown of the first President to have come from Northern Ghana where the tomb of Dr Hilla Liman currently rests, a traditional bone setting centre where bone fractures and dislocations are treated can be
found in Gwollu.

It boasts of a local Viagra that treats men with infertility issues and the crocodile pond, ‘Kalgwe’ where crocodiles are preserved and protected by humans.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Most Reverend Dr Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith, the Anglican Archbishop of Ghana, says Jesus’ triumphant victory over death provides an antidote to the world’s prevailing challenges.

He said Easter was a moment when Christians were reminded of the seeds of hope that lay inside the call to love in victory.

‘It is true that we can easily become overwhelmed when we witness the tragedies that continue to unfold in so many other parts of the world. We might shake our heads in despair as we see more and more homeless individuals living on the streets with no clear answer in sight,’ the Archbishop said.

Archbishop Ben-Smith, also the Primate and Metropolitan Archbishop of the Church of the Province of West Africa (CPWA), in his 2024 Easter message, said the resurrected Christ provided remedies in addressing some of those prevalent societal issues such as violence and hatred.

Anglicans across all the 13 dioceses in Ghana, joined Christians across the world to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ after 40 day
s of Lent.

Archbishop Ben-Smith said the increasing violence in schools and communities raised concerns about the future and that Christians must play crucial roles in shaping a more compassionate and harmonious society.

The Archbishop noted that in the face of all of those issues, Christians felt helpless, and said they needed to know that ‘Jesus’ triumph and victory over the powers of hatred and evil provides a potent antidote to this, inspiring optimism and calling for action.’

He explained that by taking Jesus’ gospel seriously and living His way, Anglicans and the wider Christian communities could be a powerful force for good and transformation in their larger community.

‘We must be a people of hope, a community of service, generosity, and practical assistance to those in need. We must also be a communion of forgiveness, healing, welcome, and hospitality,’ he urged Christians, emphasising Paul’s faith, hope and love in Corinthians 13:13.

He said as some 50 countries across the world, including Ghana
, went into elections this year, there was the urgent need to avoid violence and ‘let the Spirit guide us in making the correct decisions that will assure victory for Ghana and Ghanaians despite the odds’.

‘We are first and foremost God’s treasured ones and citizens of a beautiful and blessed country,’ the Archbishop of Ghana said.

Source: Ghana News Agency

International Justice Mission (IJM) Ghana, a non governmental Organisation has organised a stakeholders’ forum to dialogue on the findings of a research conducted by the Institute of Statistical and Economics Research (ISSER) from the University of Ghana.

The forum form ends a project on Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) funded project on the fight against human trafficking in Ghana.

Madam Anita Budu, Country Director of International Justice Mission Ghana, addressing the stakeholders said, four years ago the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs funded IJM with a sum of $1.8m to carry out a project, that is, strengthening the criminal justice system’s responsible to human trafficking.

She said the Project began as a two-year project in 2019 and was extended by another two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, which slowed down activities to carry out the project.

Madam Budu, continued that the goal of the project was to support existing gove
rnment structures in the fight against human trafficking in Ghana, especially on the Volta Lake and the Kotoka International Airport through capacity building and collaborative casework.

Also another major goal was to highlight the important role survivors of trafficking, the media, coalition of NGOs Against Child Trafficking, members of Parliament in advocacy towards the fight against human trafficking and provide support to them in their advocacy efforts to call for the allocation of resources to the fight.

She noted that the grant covered a specific projects, which are proportion of IJM’s overall projects such as work in communities and aftercare support, which were not covered at the end of the research.

Touching on beneficiaries, she said, the Project was implemented in nine regions; Savannas, Northern, Bono East, Greater Accra, Volta, Oti, Eastern, Central and Bono regions, with over 70 districts benefiting from its implementation including work implemented by CARITAS International.

She also noted s
ome of the achievements chalked at the end of the project saying, 272 victims have been rescued by Law Enforcement and Department of Social welfare from crossborder trafficking and from child trafficking on Lake Volta.

Through investigations, 115 suspects were apprehended, and State prosecutors from the Attorney General’s and police prosecutors processed 38 cases of trafficking for prosecution.

‘This project will not have been successful without the support of some members of Parliament, the human trafficking secretariat, gallant officers from EOCO, police commanders in all the nine regions, Anti- Human Trafficking Unit’s from nine regions, diligent and relentless prosecutors, courageous survivors, passion driven Media personnel, supporting NGOs partners from CNACT and key figures who all worked to ensure justice for the vulnerable was made possible, we say a big thank you ‘ she said.

She further called on the various groups to continue with the good works in combating human trafficking in Ghana and beyond
until all are free for a better future.

Madam Budu, also commended ISSER for the evaluation and research conducted at the end of the project ‘because the research will them evaluate the success of the project’s implementation and the way forward in the fight against human trafficking as an organisation.’

The forum which took place in Accra at conference of the Africa Regent Hotel saw dignitaries from the various Law Enforcement agencies including Leaders of Ghana Survivor Network (survivors of child trafficking), DSP William Ayaregah Director, Anti Human Trafficking Unit of the Ghana Police Service, Madam Abena Annobea Asare Director, Human Trafficking Secretariat (HTS), Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP).

Others include Justice Lydia Osei Mafo High Court Judge and representative of the Chief Justice, Mr. Jacob Soung Deputy Director of the Judicial Training Institute, Mr. Innocent Agbolosu, Oti Regional DSW Director, Patrick Awoonor, EOCO, Isaac Arthur, President of Coalition of NG
Os Against Child Trafficking (CNACT), all pledged their continued support to IJM Ghana in the fight against human trafficking in Ghana.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Pastor Robert Lugushie, the Bono Regional Youth Coordinator, Deeper Life Bible Church has inducted 45 young people into the youth division of the church.

The inductees, comprising 20 boys and 25 girls between 13 and 15 years, were drawn from the church’s various districts and locations.

They were born in the church and had successfully undergone the 22 doctrines upon which the Deeper Life Church was established in the children division of the church.

Pastor Lugushie administered the induction of the young people at a short ceremony held at the Church’s Retreat Ground at Ayakomaso, near Nsoatre in the Sunyani West Municipality, on the sidelines of the Easter Retreat of the church.

Hundreds of young people drawn from the various districts and locations of the church are gathered attending the four-day retreat of the church on the theme: ‘The all-sufficient Jesus’.

The Easter Retreat has created an opportunity for the young people to listen to live transmission sermons via satellite from Dr William Kumuyi,
the General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry.

Pastor Lugushie commended the children for making themselves available for God to use them to save souls and assured them that they would never regret in life for their decision and choice to serve in the vineyard of God.

He also thanked their parents and teachers for helping to sustain and secure the young people’s salvation.

Pastor Lugushie said God was always happy when children were kept safe in his kingdom and assured that the youth division of the church would also contribute towards the upbringing and development of the young people in a God-fearing way to enable them grow to become useful adults in society and in the church.

He tasked the various district youth coordinators and leaders of the church to endeavour to draw closer, help identify and tackle the pressing spiritual and physical challenges that might confront the young people.

Pastor Lugushie said this would whip the interest and desire of the youth to stay, serve and wors
hip God in the church to secure their eternal salvation.

Pastor Charles Ollu, the Pastor In-charge of the New-Dormaa location of the church in the Sunyani Municipality took the young people through Bible drills and asked them to see their godly and divine calling as unique and a great opportunity.

Source: Ghana News Agency