The Akrofuom Police in the Ashanti Region have apprehended an unemployed man for allegedly assaulting his colleague with a cutlass following a disagreement.
According to a police report obtained by MyNewsGh.com, 27-year-old Patrick Akomea of Betenase arrived at the station with fresh wounds on his left arm, bleeding heavily.
He reported, in the presence of witnesses, that he was attacked by a man named Joe during a heated argument, resulting in the inflicted wounds.
The police successfully arrested the suspect, Isaac Mensah, and he is set to undergo processing and be presented in court for prosecution.
It was all joy at Brofoyedru, a farming community in the Akrofoum District when a 28-year-old farmer from Akrofuom, Joseph Tawiah Ayaaba, was adjudged the overall District Best Farmer.
For his prize, Mr. Ayaaba took home an Anglogold Ashanti-sponsored motorised tricycle, 40-inch LED TV, GTP wax print, 10 machete, Sunphosate Glyphosate Weedicide, Knapsack sprayer, Wellington boot, Brush cutter, Portable seed planter and 5 bars of keysoap.
His award comes as a feather in the cap of the Assembly and the Agric Directorate who have over the years campaigned to get more of the youth in the district to get involved in Agriculture.
The people of Akrofuom though are mainly into farming, most of the youth do not show interest in farming but are rather into mining. This the District Best Farmer, Joseph Tawiah Ayaaba said was unfortunate but mentioned that his award will encourage the youth to develop interest in mining.
“I developed interest in mining at the age of 16 and have not looked back. I encourage the youth who have interest in farming to work closely with the District extension officers who will guide them to adopt the best faring methods to increase yield,” he added.
The District Chief Executive, Maurice Jonas Woode, while delivering his speech at the 38th National Farmers’ Day under the theme ‘Accelerating agricultural development through value addition’, underscored the importance of adding value to agriculture. He said there was the need for stakeholders to reflect on how to overcome the challenges facing the agriculture sector by focusing on how to add value to agricultural products.
He said the Akrofoum district is on course to build a robust, resilient and equitable food systems that can withstand shocks. He said this is evidenced in the success chalked in the implementation of various government interventions in the agric sector.
He said “in our efforts to fulfil this year’s team, the Assembly has as of August, 2022 received and distributed 53,000 oil palm seedlings from the Minerals Development Fund to support the PERD program. We are in the process of acquiring additional 12,000 seedlings. This is anticipated to supply raw materials for the proposed oil palm factory in the district”.
MCE Woode admonished farmers in the district to embrace the value addition concept in agriculture.
He said it was about time farmers thought about taking their farm produce to the next level of production which will help reduce post-harvest losses, reduce imports and sets the path for economic growth and transformation.
The District Director of Agriculture, Richard Nyamekye, congratulated farmers in the District for their immense role in the successful implementation of government’s flagship programmes.
He spoke on the relevance of observing the national farmers day celebrations and charged farmers not to rest on their oars but continue to work hard to achieve food security and also set the country on the path of economic recovery.
Traditional and religious leaders, Assembly members and Heads of department were all present.
Odikro of Okyerekrom in the Akrofuom district, Nana Adyei Amoako Gyampa II, has expressed worry about an abandoned pit dug by AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) mine.
According to the chief, AGA has turned deaf ears to this concern raised after the pit collapsed in 2012 posing as a threat to farmers who have their farmlands around the pit.
The pit, which has allegedly claimed 10 lives since 2012 has remained one of the major concerns of the chief and residents in the area.
Addressing the press, Nana Amoako Gyampa II gave a two-week ultimatum to AngloGold Ashanti to reclaim the pit or face their wrath.
Some residents noted that their relatives who ply their farming activities around the pit kept going missing after the pit collapsed.
They added that harmful chemicals such as cyanide and mercury used in retrieving gold by the company in 2012 has polluted the river they use to feed their various homes.
The chief and residents, however, cautioned the mining company to reclaim the dangerous pit or face their anger after the 14-day given ultimatum.
Abandoned AngloGold Ashanti pit swallows 10 people at Okyereko – Chief alleges.
Member of Parliament for Akrofuom constituency, Alex Blankson together with the District Chief Executive Mr. Maurice Jonas Woode has commissioned a three-unit classroom block at the Akrofoum D/A School in the Ashanti Region.
Speaking at the commisioning of the project, the DCE stated that the school which serves as the only source of education for students in the community is forced to run a shift system in order to accomadate every shool child in the community.
The worrying situation informed leadership of the community to come togther and put up a structure for these students.
Mr Woode stated that subsequently, the assembly had to step in to put up a three (3) unit classroom block with Headteacher’s office, staff common room and furniture for both teachers and pupils, in an emergency move, to lessen their burden.
He added that about GH¢240,000 from the Stool Lands revenue was used to put up the structure to accommodate 800 pupils.
He was quick to add that, the Assembly has lined up additional classroom blocks and again fenced the school to ward off encroaches.
He encouraged parents to show interest in children’s education.
He said “We all know efforts Government is making in investing in education to take away the cash burden off parents, but parents must also do their best by showing interest in their children’s academic performance and general wellbeing in school.”
MP to roll out ‘Super Mock’ exams
The Member of Parliament for Akrofuom Constituency reiterated his commitment to improving teaching and learning by announcing the introduction of mock examinations for BECE candidates, known as ‘super mock’.
He said the mock exams will prepare the BECE candidates adequately for the main exams.
He praised the District Education Directorate and the District Chief Executive for their efforts in facilitating quality education in the district.
The District Director of Education, George Sarfo Kantanka lauded the DCE and MP for uniting to lobby for development in the area.
He added that it was only unity that will enhance development at Akrofuom.
While citing the plethora of challenges facing the education sector in the District including lack of staff bungalow and other infrastructure, Mr. Sarfo Kantanka called on other stakeholders, institutions and individuals to come in, and complement the efforts of the Assembly and the MP.
