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Tag: USAID

  • USAID cuts: Funding cuts could lead to one million child deaths

    USAID cuts: Funding cuts could lead to one million child deaths

    A leading global health organization has sounded the alarm over a potential crisis, warning that up to one million children could die from preventable diseases if the United States withdraws its financial support.

    Dr. Sania Nishtar, head of Gavi, an alliance that provides life-saving vaccines to developing nations, told the BBC that losing US funding would severely undermine global health security. Her warning comes amid reports from the New York Times that the Trump administration is considering halting contributions to Gavi, despite the US being its third-largest donor.

    While Gavi has not yet received an official notice of termination, Dr. Nishtar confirmed that discussions are ongoing with the White House and Congress to secure $300 million in funding for 2025, along with longer-term financial commitments. The US has previously pledged $1.6 billion for the 2026-2030 period, which accounts for approximately 15% of Gavi’s total budget.

    Since returning to office in January 2025, President Donald Trump has emphasized his “America First” approach, signaling a shift in overseas spending priorities.

    The international development sector has been preparing for widespread cuts, with USAID among the first agencies affected when the Trump administration imposed a 90-day freeze on all foreign aid earlier this year. The move was part of broader budget reductions overseen by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (Doge).

    Dr. Nishtar warned that without US support, 75 million children could miss critical vaccinations, exposing them to deadly diseases such as measles, tuberculosis, pneumonia, and polio. Additionally, the ability of health agencies and governments to maintain emergency vaccine stockpiles for outbreaks of Ebola, cholera, and mpox would be severely compromised.

    Medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has echoed Gavi’s concerns, emphasizing the devastating impact that funding cuts could have on global health efforts.

    “The consequences of this political decision will be catastrophic,” said MSF USA chief programs officer Carrie Teicher.

    The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) “fully supports” Gavi and was “engaging” with US authorities on the disruption caused by the withdrawal of US funding for major programmes, said Africa CDC emergencies incident manager Dr Ngongo Ngashi.

    He added: “We are prioritising routine vaccines but we also know how crucial vaccines for emergencies are.”

    Dr Ngashi also said it was “critical that we find our own funding streams – that are not dependent on the decision of partners” and which help Africans contribute “to advancing public health”.

    Gavi has said it will try to further broaden its donor base. Indonesia, a country that has previously been a recipient of Gavi’s assistance, became a donor last year.

    “As a lean and efficient organisation where 97 cents in every dollar raised goes towards our immunisation programmes, it is impossible to consider that any cut in funding by the US would not have disastrous implications for global health and for the safety of people everywhere,” Dr Sania Nishtar said.

    The BBC has contacted the US State Department, which runs what remains of USAID, for comment.

  • Nigeria, Kenya, and other African nations face HIV drug shortages over USAID funding freeze

    Nigeria, Kenya, and other African nations face HIV drug shortages over USAID funding freeze

    The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concerns about a possible shortage of HIV medications in eight countries, including Nigeria, due to the U.S. government’s decision to pause foreign aid under the Trump administration.

    According to the WHO, the funding freeze has severely impacted the supply of essential HIV drugs, putting millions of people at risk.

    The affected countries—Haiti, Kenya, Lesotho, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria, and Ukraine—could soon struggle to access life-saving treatments. The organization warned that this disruption could undo 20 years of progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

    “The disruptions to HIV programs could undo 20 years of progress,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus cautioned at a press conference.

    Shortly after taking office in January, President Donald Trump halted U.S. foreign aid, a move that has affected efforts to fight several diseases, including polio, malaria, and tuberculosis.

    The funding cuts have also put the WHO-led Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network in danger of shutting down. This network, which has over 700 sites worldwide, plays a crucial role in detecting and controlling measles outbreaks.

    The situation is especially concerning as measles cases are rising again in the United States.

    Dr. Ghebreyesus emphasized the need for a responsible approach to funding withdrawal, stating, “The United States has a responsibility to ensure that if it withdraws funding, it does so in an orderly and humane way that allows affected countries to find alternative resources.”

    The impact of the U.S. funding freeze goes beyond HIV treatment shortages. In Afghanistan, 167 health centers have already shut down due to lack of funds, and over 220 more could close by June unless urgent help arrives. The WHO warns that 80% of its essential healthcare programs in the country are now at risk.

    The situation has worsened with the U.S. withdrawing support from the WHO, an organization that used to receive about 20% of its budget from American contributions. As a result, the WHO has been forced to cut costs and freeze hiring.

    The Trump administration’s decision to reduce funding for international health programs was aimed at cutting administrative expenses. However, experts have raised serious concerns about the negative effects on global health efforts.

    This crisis highlights the importance of international funding in keeping healthcare systems running and stresses the need for new solutions to prevent a worldwide health emergency.

  • Let’s collaborate, no country has prospered on depending on handouts – Akufo-Addo to African leaders

    Let’s collaborate, no country has prospered on depending on handouts – Akufo-Addo to African leaders

    Former Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has once again urged African countries to work together to become self-sufficient instead of relying on foreign aid.

    Speaking at the launch of former Nigerian President Ibrahim Babangida’s autobiography, Akufo-Addo stressed that African leaders should move away from depending on donors and instead focus on building strong partnerships and long-term economic plans.

    “Too often, African nations look outside for solutions when the answers lie within our own borders,” he stated. “We must reject the notion that aid is the key to our development. No country has ever achieved lasting prosperity by depending on handouts.”

    His remarks come amid rising concerns over Africa’s economic vulnerabilities, including inflation, debt burdens, and global supply chain disruptions. Most of these vulnerabilities occasioned in part by the COVID-19 pandemic, the economic hardships of African countries has been underlying.

    The former ECOWAS Chair encouraged African countries to focus on trade and investment within the continent, saying that true development comes from working together and becoming self-sufficient.

    He pointed to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a key opportunity to boost Africa’s economy and drive growth.

    “If we are to move beyond our historical economic challenges, we must fully embrace the AfCFTA. Removing trade barriers and fostering economic integration will create the conditions necessary for sustainable growth,” he remarked.

    Mr. Akufo-Addo also cautioned against the long-term consequences of relying on donor support, which often comes with strings attached.

    “Foreign aid is not free—it comes with conditions that may not align with our long-term interests. We must prioritize investments in our people, industries, and agriculture to ensure true self-reliance,” he asserted.

    Turning his attention to West Africa, Mr. Akufo-Addo called for stronger collaboration between Ghana and Nigeria as a model for regional economic growth.

  • Ghana focused on food production amid USAID suspension – Mahama

    Ghana focused on food production amid USAID suspension – Mahama

    Former President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to boosting local food production in the wake of the suspension of USAID support, which has historically played a crucial role in Africa’s development efforts.

    The decision by former U.S. President Donald Trump to discontinue USAID, citing concerns over taxpayer spending on foreign aid, has raised economic concerns across the continent. In Ghana, the withdrawal of funding is expected to result in a revenue shortfall of $156 million.

    A significant portion of this—$78.2 million—was allocated to essential health programmes, including malaria prevention, maternal and child health, family planning, and HIV/AIDS interventions.

    Speaking at the town hall forum of the Munich Security Conference in Germany on Friday, President Mahama acknowledged the challenges posed by the funding cut but stressed the need for self-reliance.

    He urged African nations to take proactive measures to mitigate the impact by increasing agricultural output and exploring alternative funding sources.

  • Northern part of Ghana cut off global procurement supply chain by USAID via chemonics

    Northern part of Ghana cut off global procurement supply chain by USAID via chemonics

    The Ghana Health Service (GHS) in the Northern Region has confirmed that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has suspended its support for the Global Procurement Supply Chain through Chemonics.

    This decision directly affects the Last Mile Distribution (LMD) of health commodities, which ensures the delivery of essential medicines and supplies to healthcare facilities.

    Dr. Abdulai Bukari, the Northern Regional Director of the GHS, described the situation as a major setback for healthcare delivery in the Northern, North East, and Savannah regions. “This development means that SkyNet Express, the logistics company responsible for transporting health commodities, has been directed to freeze its services for 90 days,” he stated.

    The suspension follows an executive order issued by U.S. President Donald Trump, triggering a global freeze on U.S. foreign aid. This decision has disrupted the supply chain of essential health products, creating an urgent need for alternative solutions.

    Among the immediate concerns are:

    • Stockouts of Essential Medicines and Vaccines: The halt in LMD services poses a risk of severe shortages in medicines, vaccines, and critical health supplies, potentially crippling healthcare facilities.
    • Weakened Procurement and Supply Chain Management: The loss of technical support from Chemonics affects inventory tracking, reporting, and overall supply chain efficiency.
    • Disruptions to Public Health Programs: Key USAID-funded health initiatives, including maternal and child healthcare, malaria prevention, family planning, and HIV/AIDS treatment, are at risk of service interruptions.

    In response, the Regional Health Management Team (RHMT) held an emergency meeting with District Health Management Teams (DHMTs) and Budget Management Centre (BMC) heads to assess the impact and explore solutions. After deliberations, they considered a temporary measure to sustain deliveries. “While we seek long-term solutions, SkyNet Express, which was engaged by USAID for LMD, could serve as a stop-gap measure to maintain scheduled distributions in 2025,” a statement from the meeting revealed.

    Health officials are calling for urgent intervention to prevent a full-blown crisis. “We urgently seek guidance on possible interventions to bridge supply chain gaps and ensure uninterrupted access to essential health commodities,” Dr. Bukari emphasized. He further appealed for engagement with development partners and key stakeholders to explore alternative funding and distribution mechanisms to sustain critical health services.

    Authorities are now looking to the government and donor agencies for immediate action to mitigate the crisis and prevent disruptions to healthcare in northern Ghana.

  • US decision to cut $138M in aid puts health and HIV/AIDS projects in Ghana at risk

    US decision to cut $138M in aid puts health and HIV/AIDS projects in Ghana at risk

    Ghana stands to lose an estimated $138.7 million in funding this year after the United States decided to withdraw support for HIV/AIDS programs.

    The allocation, requested through the USAID Foreign Assistance Discretionary Request Report, was designated to aid essential sectors such as healthcare, economic development, education, and governance.

    “In terms of aid, Ghana on average receives more than $130 million annually.Last year alone, bilateral support from USAID totalled over $150 million, which was dedicated to health, agriculture, education, governance, and other critical sectors. This year, Ghana submitted a request for $138.7 million, and now, that amount will no longer be available.”

    The health sector is expected to face severe repercussions, with a $69.2 million funding request aimed at tackling malaria, bolstering health security, and improving maternal and child health, family planning, reproductive health, and nutrition now at risk.

    The withdrawal of U.S. aid jeopardizes these vital programs.

    The struggle against HIV/AIDS will also take a major hit.

    Since 2007, Ghana has received support through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a program designed to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and assist those living with the virus.

    Over time, more than $132 million has been invested in Ghana through PEPFAR, working alongside local partners to combat the epidemic.

    However, with the recent reduction in funding, initiatives focused on antiretroviral treatment, testing, and prevention efforts will face significant disruptions.

    The U.S. funding cut presents a serious challenge for Ghana, as the country may experience funding gaps that could undermine essential public health programs and economic growth initiatives.

    Moving forward, Ghana may need to explore other avenues of financial support to continue advancing in these crucial sectors.

  • New humanitarian route to Gaza on schedule – USAID

    New humanitarian route to Gaza on schedule – USAID

    The US is getting ready to help people in Gaza with food, medicine, and other urgent help. They plan to have everything ready by the middle of the month.

    The new route led by the US will give help to only a few people in Gaza, not all who need it. This was emphasized by a USAID official to The Associated Press. This is one of the first times the agency has said how things are going for the Biden administration’s $320 million Gaza pier project. USAID is working to make sure the project is safe and things are getting to the right places.

    At a factory in southern Georgia, USAID Administrator Samantha Power will announce on Friday a $200 million investment to increase US production of emergency food for hungry children under 5. This is needed because conflicts in Gaza, Sudan, Haiti and other places are causing more children to go hungry.

    USAID allowed one of the workers in Gaza to be interviewed, but asked that the person remain anonymous because of security reasons related to their work in conflict areas.

    The war between Israel and Hamas has been going on for almost seven months, and Israel is not allowing enough food and supplies to reach Gaza. As a result, half of Gaza’s 2. 3 million people are in danger of not having enough food to eat, according to health officials from other countries. Under pressure from the US and other countries, Israeli officials have started to slowly open some border crossings to allow relief shipments to come in.

    Young children under 5 are some of the first to die when there is not enough food because of wars, droughts, or other disasters. Officials at a hospital in northern Gaza said that the first people died from not having enough food in early March. They said that most of the people who died were children.

    USAID is working with the UN World Food Program, Israel, and others to make sure the pier is safe and food can be delivered easily. The US military is also helping to build the pier so that aid can be sent by ship. President Joe Biden felt pressure to help the people in Gaza because of the bad situation there. The US gives military help to Israel, and President Biden announced a project to help Gaza in March.

    The US Central Command said on Friday that putting together the floating pier in the water has stopped for now because strong winds and big waves are making it dangerous for the soldiers. The half-built pier and the military ships are now at the Port of Ashdod and will keep working there.

    A person from the US government said the installation will be delayed for a few days because of rough seas. It might not happen until later next week. The person in charge, who didn’t want their name to be shared, said that the break in the operation might last even longer if the weather stays bad because the military and divers need to go in the water to finish the work.

    The United Nations has not spoken much about its role in giving aid to people.

    “We want to see more activities on land. ” “This is a sea mission,” said UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric on Wednesday. “We are helping them, but they need to follow certain rules, like being independent and not involved in the military. ”

    The problems with giving first aid through a newly opened land path to north Gaza on Wednesday showed the unsureness about safety and the risk for aid workers. Israeli people living in occupied territories stopped the group of vehicles from passing through. Then, Hamas fighters changed the direction of a World Food Program truck in Gaza before it reached where it was supposed to go.

    A factory in Fitzgerald, Georgia was producing a special nutrient-packed paste, and it was one of only two factories in the US making it. The ready-to-use therapeutic food, RUTF, is made to save the lives of children under 5 who are extremely hungry. It is given to them in a hospital or clinic.

    In Gaza, they really need paste in the northern part of the area. Regular people are not getting much help, getting bombed by Israel, and have to hide because of the fighting.

    The number of young children who are very malnourished has gone up a lot, from 1% to 30% in just five months because of the war, according to the USAID official. The official said it was the quickest increase in hunger in recent history, even faster than in serious conflicts and food shortages in Somalia or South Sudan.

    One of the only hospitals in northern Gaza, Kamal Adwan hospital, is overwhelmed with parents bringing in many sick children with malnutrition for help, according to the official. Aid workers think there are many hungry children who aren’t getting help because their families can’t get them to places with food and medical care because of the fighting and checkpoints.

    We need to give more help to the very hungry children and make sure there is no fighting so that aid workers can help them and their families get the treatment they need.

  • Majority of Liberian pharmacies selling stolen aid medicine – USAid

    Majority of Liberian pharmacies selling stolen aid medicine – USAid

    USAid’s Mission Director, Jim Wright, recently denounced rampant “acts of fraud” in Liberia, revealing that approximately 90% of pharmacies in the country are trafficking stolen medicine donated by aid organizations.

    He emphasized that such illicit practices deprive Liberians of access to vital donated medications, rendering them only available to those who can afford to purchase them.

    In response to this alarming revelation, six Liberian civil groups have initiated a nationwide media campaign. The campaign aims to monitor the distribution of aid medical supplies and raise awareness that donated medicines are intended to be distributed free of charge and should not be sold.

    Mr. Wright urged for heightened accountability measures, advocating for the prosecution of individuals involved in the theft and sale of donated health supplies.

    As of now, Liberian authorities have not yet commented on the matter.

  • GHS2.8m provided by U.S. to facilitate school licensing, others

    GHS2.8m provided by U.S. to facilitate school licensing, others

    The United States Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has allocated 2.8 million Ghana cedis (equivalent to USD 225,000) towards the creation and implementation of the School Licensing and Inspection Management System (SLIMS) database.

    This funding encompasses the procurement of 100 tablets for the National Schools Inspectorate Authority (NaSIA) to facilitate the digital collection of school inspection data.

    The aim is to enhance the efficiency of licensing, monitoring, and evaluation processes for all educational institutions across Ghana by consolidating data onto a unified platform.

    USAID-Ghana Mission Director, Kimberly Rosen, expressed optimism that this support would enhance the quality of education and foster greater accountability within schools.

    “The United States is proud to support the use of technology in Ghana’s educational system – not just for instruction but for sound management and accountability,” she added.

    Rosen highlighted the launch of three education initiatives over the preceding seven months, aimed at expanding educational access, bolstering sectoral accountability, and fostering public-private partnerships.

    The first initiative, the Strengthening Accountability in Ghana’s Education System (SAGES) government-to-government (G2G) agreement, seeks to institutionalize mechanisms for education accountability across all tiers of governance.

    She further elaborated on the third initiative, the Advancing Partnerships for Improved Learning (APIL) Activity, which focuses on supporting over 200 low-fee private schools to deliver quality education to children in underserved and marginalized communities in northern Ghana.

    “The second, the SAGES Systems Strengthening Activity complemented the G2G agreement by providing technical assistance to the Ministry of Education and its agencies to support education management and citizen engagement.”

    “The third initiative, the Advancing Partnerships for Improved Learning (APIL) Activity, supports more than 200 low-fee private schools to provide quality education for children in underserved and marginalised communities in northern Ghana,” she added.

    The United States stands as Ghana’s principal bilateral development partner, with USAID’s development assistance exceeding $140 million in the past year, dedicated to various sectors including education, healthcare, economic growth, and agriculture.

  • Akosombo dam spillage: USAID pledges $500k aid to affected schools

    Akosombo dam spillage: USAID pledges $500k aid to affected schools


    In a bid to restore normalcy in flood-affected communities across the Volta Region, a $500,000 USAID support is poised to benefit schools and students.

    These schools bore the brunt of the severe impact of the flood crisis, with many either submerged or repurposed as shelters for displaced residents.

    US Ambassador Virginia Palmer underscored the life-saving collaboration between Ghana and the United States, particularly in response to the spillage of the Akosombo and Kpong Dams in October 2023.

    This event displaced numerous residents in the Greater Accra, Eastern, and Volta Regions, hitting the North Tongu District, especially the town of Mepe, the hardest.

    Despite a significant reduction in floodwaters and the return of many residents to their homes, the aftermath reveals the destruction of several school buildings and educational materials. Some schools continue to serve as temporary shelters for displaced residents yet to return home.

    During a working visit with the Minister for Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, US Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Virginia Palmer, highlighted the substantial benefits arising from the collaboration between Ghana and the United States.

    She emphasized the active efforts of USAID and UNICEF to restore teaching and learning in flood-affected areas by providing assistance to the affected schools and communities.

    In his address, Minister for Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, encouraged parents in the affected areas to seize the opportunity of the government’s free SHS policy and enroll their children in school.

    Acknowledging the implementation of several initiatives aimed at rebuilding the affected communities and schools, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu, emphasized the ongoing commitment to these efforts.

  • USAID, UNICEF partner Education Ministry to provide school items worth $500,000 to students in flood-affected communities

    USAID, UNICEF partner Education Ministry to provide school items worth $500,000 to students in flood-affected communities

    The United States Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is partnering with UNICEF and the Ministry of Education to provide $500,000 worth of school supplies to children in the flood communities.

    This was revealed by the US Ambassador to Ghana, Madam Virginia Evelyn Palmer at Battor in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region, when she visited some of the impacted towns to gain first-hand knowledge of the situation.

    The Ambassador interacted with flood survivors, including teachers, parents, students, the chiefs and queens of the areas, and was impressed by their deep bravery and resilience in the face of the adversity.

    She also met with government officials and the Member of Parliament (MP) of the area to discuss sustainable ways of supporting these communities and expressed solidarity with the affected people, and the country.

    The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr Fiachra McAsey, the UNICEF Deputy Country Representative, Barbara Clemens, the World Food Programme, Country Director, and other officials. Madam Palmer stated that in the face of adversity collective dedication would light the way to recovery.

    “We must stand together, united in our resolve to support you to rebuild and recover,” she said, adding that the assistance would aid in the restoration of education and learning in the impacted towns.

    The Ambassador disclosed that the US donated $100,000 in October 2023, to help save lives, lessen suffering and facilitate the recovery of flood victims.

    She said USAID also worked with the World Food Programme and the National Disaster Management Organisation, to set up temporary shelters, water, sanitation and hygiene services to the victims and send one-time cash donations to 700 affected families.

    “Today we are scaling up that support with $500,000 of additional support, with the focus specifically, to help schools return to normalcy and for students to continue to learn. This will help restore teaching and learning in communities affected by the floods,” she said.

    The Ambassador said through the Akosombo Safe Activity the USAID and UNICEF were supplying temporary school tents and necessary supplies like recreational kits and “schools-in-a-box,” which included teaching and learning materials.

    Madam Palmer said the US was Ghana’s biggest bilateral development partner and the decades of collaboration had saved thousands of lives and pledged its dedication to helping the people of Ghana, particularly in times of humanitarian need. She used the visit to donate some educational materials to the affected communities.

    Barbara Clemens, the World Food Programme Country Director praised the US and the Government of Ghana for the successful collaboration and support from others in handling the crisis.

    Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Minister for Education, said to prevent the truncation of children’s education in the affected areas, they redistributed some of them to other schools and provided them with guidance and counseling.

    He said they had also carried out school health awareness campaigns aimed at ensuring that the children remained healthy to continue with their education and commended the children for their determination so far.

    Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, in an address delivered on his behalf by Mr Divine Osborn Fenu, the District Chief Executive for North Tongu, thanked the US Ambassador for the visit.

    He expressed his gratitude for the ongoing support and collaboration between Ghana and the USA, saying the Ambassador’s visit highlighted the strong and enduring friendship between the two nations.

    Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the MP of North Tongu, also commended the Ambassador for her visit and for the US’s ongoing assistance to the flood-affected areas.

  • Victims of Akosombo Dam spillage to receive over GHS1.1M in support from USAID

    Victims of Akosombo Dam spillage to receive over GHS1.1M in support from USAID

    The US Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer, has disclosed that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will contribute more than GH₵1.1 million to support the government’s relief efforts for those affected by the Akosombo Dam spillage.

    She made this announcement during a media briefing at the launch of the US Global Water Strategy High Priority Country Plan in Accra on Friday, stating, “I am very pleased to announce that we will be providing just over GH₵1.1 million to support the government’s relief efforts for those affected.”

    In a separate development, the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, representing the Ministry of Finance, has also donated GH₵2 million to assist individuals affected by the Akosombo dam spillage.

    The contribution was made at the North Tongu District Assembly in Mepe, Volta Region, following Mr. Ofori-Atta’s visit to the affected areas on Friday. Additionally, staff from the Finance Ministry donated GH¢50,000 towards the same cause.

    Mr. Ofori-Atta expressed his appreciation and stated, “Let us be encouraged. The Ministry of Finance, as a family concerned about what has happened to our brothers and sisters, working in collaboration with the VRA, has brought a total of GHS2 million to be able to support the relief efforts and to acknowledge the spontaneous response of Ghanaians.”

    He also emphasized the need for long-term solutions to ensure that affected individuals have access to the necessary resources for faster recovery, especially in the context of health concerns that may impact their return to their homes.

  • $60 million worth USAID/Ghana SAGES Activity, launched

    A $60 million education initiative called “Strengthening Accountability in Ghana’s Education System (SAGES)” has been officially introduced in Accra.

    Over the course of five years, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will collaborate with the Ministry of Education to enhance accountability and transparency within Ghana’s education sector.

    SAGES aims to enhance primary education in 17 districts across four regions of Ghana, benefiting 1,254 schools and communities, as well as 508,269 students nationwide.

    Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, Deputy Minister of Education, emphasized the importance of teamwork among education sector stakeholders to successfully implement the SAGES initiative. He also noted that $10 million had been allocated to the Ghana Education Service and its key partners to strengthen the education accountability framework.

    The Deputy Minister highlighted that accountability within the program would be data-driven, employing diagnostic interventions to address challenges and weaknesses in Ghana’s education sector.

    Robust systems would be established to measure, compare, and transform data, building on past investments in the sector.

    Rev. Fordjour cited the success of the USAID’s previous program in 2015, the “Reading Radio Programme and Classroom-based phonics lessons,” which significantly improved reading proficiency among pupils, demonstrating the positive impact of such initiatives.

    Madam Kimberly Rosen, USAID Ghana Mission Director, emphasized the strong partnership between Ghana and the United States and their shared commitment to improving education for children, promoting good governance, and fostering sustainable development through the launch of SAGES.

    Madam Rosen said, “this new activity is a $60-million investment in Ghana’s educations system, which means an investment in Ghana’s future. Of this $60 million, USAID will provide $10million directly to Government of Ghana to support government service delivery at national and district levels.”

    She stated that USAID was providing extra help in the form of technical assistance to the Ministry of Education and other national organizations, as well as funding for over 1,200 elementary schools in the Northern Region.

    “It is essential that education accountability has an impact on every learner. For that to happen, the Education Accountability Framework must drive change throughout the education system to improve the impact of education delivery.

    This would entail teachers consistently arriving punctually and staying throughout the school day, supported by their community practice and colleagues engaged in mutual learning and sharing. Additionally, headteachers receive support from School Improvement Support officers. This collective support system aids teachers in assessing students’ progress against established benchmarks,” explained Ms. Rosen.

    She expressed confidence that the USAID-supported initiative would have a significant and enduring impact on Ghana’s educational development.

    Mrs. Mamle Andrews, Chief Director at the Ministry of Education, emphasized that the SAGES initiative represented a shared commitment among all stakeholders to provide every child in the country with quality education. It prioritizes accountability to ensure that no child is left behind, offering teachers the necessary resources for excellence in teaching.

    Madam Rose F. Tchwenko, Country Director of Care International in Ghana, underscored her organization’s dedication to leaving no child behind. She expressed optimism that the investments made under SAGES would yield long-term benefits for future generations.

    The USAID/Ghana SAGES activity is divided into two parts. The first component supports the Ministry of Education Accountability Framework on a national level, as well as citizen involvement in 17 districts across four regions.

    Care International would lead a system strengthening activity in Ghana’s 17 districts under the second component.

  • USAID launches programme worth $14m to support basic education

    USAID launches programme worth $14m to support basic education

    The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has initiated a new project worth $14.39 million over a five-year period to provide support to low-cost private schools in Northern Ghana.

    This marks USAID’s inaugural venture into Ghana’s private school sector, with the aim of enhancing accessibility to 213 carefully chosen low-cost private schools in the northern region.

    A statement from USAID indicated that Grace Lang, the Deputy Mission Director of USAID, collaborated with Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Minister of Education, to inaugurate this project in Tamale.

    “A quality education should not depend on where you live. We want every child to have access to quality education. The $14 million activity we are launching today will support low-cost private schools that serve rural and disadvantaged communities.”

    “The activity will support the schools to improve education access, quality, and learning outcomes for students, and increase private sector investments in northern Ghana,” USAID Deputy Mission Director Lang said in the statement.

    As outlined in the statement, the newly initiated USAID program aims to achieve several key objectives. These include the enhancement of teacher certification and retention, the reinforcement of school leadership capabilities and overall quality, and the implementation of a comprehensive investment strategy to support school improvements.

    Furthermore, the activity will facilitate the provision of accessible financing alternatives for specifically chosen low-cost private schools that cater to underprivileged communities in the northern region of Ghana.

    “The activity is committed to serving populations in the most under-resourced locations in the northern section of the country.”

    “The activity will also strengthen the relationship and regulator capacity of the Ministry of Education and its agencies in its oversight of private schools,” the statement added.

    By the end of the five-year period, USAID envisions that the project will have enhanced business acumen for over 200 school leaders. It aims to equip 400 teacher mentors with evidence-based classroom best practices, allowing them to instruct an additional 2,000 teachers, and certify 1,200 untrained teachers.

    Furthermore, the statement outlined that Opportunity International, the USAID implementing partner, will establish a School Capacity Building Fund (SCBF). This fund is designed to aid the identified schools in enhancing their operations and becoming more financially sound through the provision of catalytic grants.

  • Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources introduces URBAN-WASH project to enhance Urban Water and Sanitation

    Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources introduces URBAN-WASH project to enhance Urban Water and Sanitation

    The Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources (MSWR) has initiated the URBAN-WASH project in Ghana, with support from USAID.

    This project aims to strengthen urban resilience by building and applying new evidence in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) practices.

    Launched under the MSWR’s guidance, this USAID-backed initiative seeks to enhance water and sanitation initiatives across urban areas in Ghana.

    The URBAN-WASH project holds great promise in addressing critical challenges and advancing sustainable WASH practices in the country.

    Spanning a duration of five years (2021-2026), the URBAN-WASH project, supported by USAID, is a research and learning activity designed to generate valuable evidence through practical research.

    The primary objective is to foster the implementation of sustainable, equitable, and climate-resilient policies and programs in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) as well as Water Resources Management within urban and peri-urban regions.

    By focusing on applied research, this initiative aims to drive positive change and promote effective strategies in Ghana’s urban water and sanitation sector.

    The key objective of the URBAN-WASH project is to fill knowledge gaps among Service Providers and Government institutions in USAID priority countries, including Ghana. It aims to enhance the evidence base necessary for informed decision-making processes.

    By focusing on these goals, the project seeks to strengthen the capacity of stakeholders and improve their ability to make well-informed decisions regarding water, sanitation, and hygiene in urban settings.

    The research conducted under the URBAN-WASH project will have a dual focus. Firstly, it will concentrate on pro-poor subsidy initiatives in Accra, aiming to identify scalable, financially sustainable, and effective projects that effectively reach the most vulnerable populations.

    Secondly, the research will primarily center around water quality, water equity, and non-revenue water in Kumasi and Tamale. This comprehensive approach will contribute to a deeper understanding of these critical areas and facilitate the development of targeted strategies and interventions to address the specific challenges faced in each location.

    Mrs. Patricia Sampson, the Director of Administration at the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources (MSWR), delivered the keynote address on behalf of the Minister during the project launch.

    She highlighted that the research aimed to tackle the various challenges encountered by the country and expressed gratitude for Ghana’s fortunate selection as one of the participating countries.

    “Ladies and Gentlemen, I am extremely happy that this project is being implemented now as it will enhance efforts that Government and Partners are already making to provide sustainable water and sanitation services in the country. It also aligns with the Ministry’s WASH Sector Development Programme (GWASHSDP) 2021-2030 launched two weeks ago,” she stated.

    She said even though evidence showed that access to basic water services in urban areas stood at 96.4 per cent per the Ghana Statistical Service Population and Housing Census, 2021, there was evidence that some segments of the population within the lower income group still lack access to basic water services.

    “The Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources has made and is still making great efforts to make WASH services accessible to all. Several strategies are therefore being adopted to ensure universal water access,” Mrs Sampson stated.

    She expressed gratitude to the USAID, Aquaya and other development partners who have shown their willingness to support the initiative.

    Mr Daniel Asseh Allan, Senior Manager Water Utilities Performance Monitoring- PURC in the early 2000s PURC through its social policy study realised that the poor paid more for water than those connected.

    “Through various engagement with stakeholders including study tours of some African countries it became clear that the poor were a key and peculiar stakeholder in the urban water value chain.

    “Kenya decided to take care of its urban poor by doing pro poor interventions because they realised that if you do not take care of them, they can vandalise your system and still get water while your

    costs increase through loss of water and negatively affect water quality in the distribution systems and even reduce pressures and thus ability to serve utility customers,” Mr Allan stated.

    He noted: “If the poor do not get water, even if they do not vandalise the system, they are less likely to report when they see bursts and rather capitalise on it to get water.

    The Senior Manager said over the years PURC worked with Ghana Water Company Limited to encourage the creation of a Pro Poor unit to help in this endeavour and that “We have been involved with many studies and interventions over the years to promote the progress of these pro poor programs.”

    Mr Allan said looking at the sector it had been important to look at the full integrity of the system in terms of not just water and its quality but Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) as well.

    “We are very pleased with this study and this launch and ready to contribute to ensure that Ghana’s Water Sector gains from evidence that has been gathered from around the world and for Ghana to share its own knowledge as the sector grows and improves especially with a view to apply new evidence to the progress of the sector.”

  • One-year Farmer Support Activity worth $7m launched by USAID

    One-year Farmer Support Activity worth $7m launched by USAID

    The US government, in collaboration with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United Nations’ World Food Programme, has initiated a one-year program in Ghana to provide crucial assistance to farmers during the lean season.

    With a value of $7 million, the recently launched Farmer Support Activity aims to strengthen food security in the country.

    The Farmer Support Activity focuses on providing support and building the capacity of farmers, particularly those in the northern regions of Ghana. A total of 17,000 farming households in 17 districts across the Northern, North-East, Upper East, and Upper West regions will receive a cash transfer of $3,500 each.

    Kimberly Rosen, the Mission Director for USAID, emphasized that the cash transfers will be directly deposited into the mobile money accounts of small-scale farmers, ensuring accessibility and convenience. This method enables them to efficiently access the funds they need.

    “The cash transfer provided through this programme serves as a flexible tool that farmers can utilise to address their urgent needs. This flexibility empowers farmers to invest in their farms and purchase inputs, cover labour costs or attend to other important requirements. It is important to note that this programme is part of a broader commitment to support Ghana’s agricultural sector.”

    Through a multi-sectoral initiative that includes the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the National Identification Authority and MTN, the World Food Programme has identified, targeted and registered vulnerable smallholder farmers. According to WFP Representative and Country Director, Barbara Clemens, this is to ensure that these farmers do not compromise on quantity and quality.

    “Going into this lean season, this project seeks to identify and support them, so that they’re not consuming their inputs or making some negative coping choices like reducing the size of land for cultivation or buying less food for their households. We’re going to make sure that we’re there when the assistance is needed and is given to the right person so that they can increase their productivity,” she said.

    Deputy Agric Minister, Yaw Frimpong Addo urged the farmers to be prudent with the investment.

    “There are several households that couldn’t benefit from this programme, so I will call the beneficiaries, the lucky ones. You need to prove to the donors that the money is used for the right things. The team on this project have strong financial backgrounds and will monitor so farmers need to be accountable,” he stated

    The Farmer Support Activity will run till March 2024.

  • Ghanaian smallholder farmers to receive $7m support from USAID

    Ghanaian smallholder farmers to receive $7m support from USAID

    To tackle the challenges faced by small-scale farmers in rural areas of Ghana, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is partnering with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to allocate approximately US$7 million in crucial assistance.

    The funding will be distributed in two installments through a specially designed cash transfer program, benefiting around 17,000 farming households in selected districts within the northern regions of Ghana.

    Barbara Clemens, the Representative and Country Director of the World Food Programme in Ghana, emphasized the significance of this initiative in addressing the needs of the targeted beneficiaries.

    “Starting in June, 17,000 targeted productive smallholder farmers in 163 communities and 17 districts in Northern Ghana will be assisted with MoMo cash transfers to mitigate the risks of shocks and loss of productive assets due to input prices caused by inflation,” she said.

    “During this lean season, from June to August 2023, farmers will use these transfers to buy the inputs and food they need, when they need them,” she added.

    “Let me emphasize the who and where of this initiative. Productive ( and the key word is productive) smallholder farmers in Northern, Northeast, Upper East and Upper West were targeted to receive this assistance because they are in USAID’s zone of influence,” she noted.

    On his part, the Deputy Minister for Ministry of Food and Agriculture in charge of Crops, Yaw Frimpong Addo indicated that the Farmer Support Activity project is in line with government phase two of the planting for food and jobs which seeks to shift agriculture activities from the subsistence to commercial terrain.

    “This project we are launching today there’s a component in the new PFJ chapter two which will be launched latest by early next month. It is a 5 year program and it is about commercial agriculture which focuses on from input subsidy to input credit,” he said.

  • USAID ceases all food supplies to Ethiopia

    USAID ceases all food supplies to Ethiopia

    The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has stated that it is suspending food aid to all of Ethiopia, a month after suspending help to the war-torn Tigray area due to unlawful diversions.

    The agency on Thursday cited “a widespread and coordinated campaign” to divert aid from those in need as the reason for the suspension in Ethiopia, which has grappled with rampant hunger amid civil war and drought.

    “We made the difficult but necessary decision that we cannot move forward with distribution of food assistance until reforms are in place,” said a statement by a spokesperson for the US government’s main international aid agency.

    “Our intention is to immediately resume food assistance once we are confident in the integrity of delivery systems to get assistance to its intended recipients,” the statement added.

    The statement did not say who was behind the diversions, but in a separate statement released hours late by the US Embassy in Ethiopia, both governments said they were conducting “investigations so that the perpetrators of such diversions are held to account.”

    “The two governments commit to collaborate toward an efficient aid distribution system in Ethiopia, which would safeguard assistance from diversion,” it said.

    The pause comes after USAID and the World Food Programme froze food aid to the Tigray region in northern Ethiopia, where war between regional forces and Ethiopia’s government broke out in November 2020. The two sides agreed to a truce in November last year. The agencies cited the diversion of aid shipments to local markets as the reason for the suspension.

    On Thursday, The Washington Post newspaper cited a report by the Humanitarian Resilience Development Donor Group, which it described as an organization of donors briefed by USAID, that identified “a coordinated and criminal scheme” to divert the aid.

    The report said the “scheme appears to be orchestrated by federal and regional Government of Ethiopia (GoE) entities, with military units across the country benefitting from humanitarian assistance” and that “significant diversions” had been documented in seven of Ethiopia’s nine regions, according to the Post.

    On Thursday, top US diplomat Antony Blinken met with his Ethiopian counterpart, Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen, during a trip to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

    State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Blinken “welcomed the Ethiopian government’s commitment to work together to conduct a full investigation into the diversion of US food assistance and to hold accountable those found responsible”.

    According to the World Food Programme, more than 20 million people across Ethiopia are in need of food assistance. In fiscal year 2022, USAID distributed $1.5bn to the country, most of it in food aid.

  • AIDS Commission says Ghana needs about $86m to eliminate HIV/AIDS

    AIDS Commission says Ghana needs about $86m to eliminate HIV/AIDS

    The Ghana AIDS Commission has disclosed that the country needs about US $ 86 million to eliminate the disease.

    It is estimated that Ghana needs about $132 million to effectively fight new HIV infections to ensure its elimination by 2030.

    Currently, funds from donor partners such as the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the Global Fund, and UNAIDS amount to $45.2 million, leaving a funding deficit of more than 86 million dollars.

    If Ghana does not make up for the deficit in funding, it may miss the target to eliminate the disease at the set target.

    Dr Kyeremeh Atuahene, the Director General of the Ghana AIDS Commission disclosed this in an interview on the sideline of a USAID Focal Country Collaboration (FCC) Plan Workshop organised by SEND Ghana, in Accra, on Tuesday.

    He indicated that the situation could erode the successes made in reducing new infections over the years.

    “We have to find a way of filling this huge funding gap, otherwise, we stand the risk of reversing the gains that we have spent many years and resources to make,” he said.

    The FCC Plan involves USAID, Global Fund, UNAIDS, Government of Ghana (GOG) jointly promoting human rights, reducing stigmatisation and discrimination against Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV), Key Populations and Tuberculosis patients, and ensuring progress towards achieving the 10-10-10 society enablers.

    The objective of the workshop was to, therefore, review and prioritise the FCC Project activities for the next two years.

    Dr Atuahene called on Ghanaians to support the AIDS Commission to address the funding gap.

    He also called for funding support for constitutionally mandated bodies to protect the rights of vulnerable groups like People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV).

    Dr Atuahene noted that human rights protection was a function of law and indicated that they were constitutional and legally mandated bodies to enforce laws and protect the human rights of the citizens of the country.

    He said concentrating funding on only Non-Governmental Organisations at the expense of such bodies was inimical to the fight against the disease.

    “NGOs can contribute, but they have serious limitations when it comes to, you know, formulating laws and enforcing laws. That is not within their domain. And so, when we concentrate funding in the hands of NGOs at the exclusion of these state agencies, with the legal mandate for human rights and law enforcement, we end up not getting the optimal benefits of the investment we make with such resources.

    “So, I am emphasising that we give funding to such bodies through the Ghana AIDS Commission so that those bodies like the Attorney General’s Department, the judicial service and all the law enforcement agencies, the prison service, the police, and the others, they all play critical role reducing stigma and eliminating stigma and discrimination in this country. And so, we have to work with them,” he added.

  • Kamala Harris says she’s in Ghana to promote opportunities for economic growth

    Kamala Harris says she’s in Ghana to promote opportunities for economic growth

    Harris anticipates meeting farmers, women, students, and businesspeople while in Ghana. The Cape Coast Castle will also be on her itinerary.

    After arriving in Ghana on Sunday (26 March) to start her three-nation tour of the continent, Vice President of the United States of America Kamala Harris stated that her mission in the continent is to promote economic growth and opportunities.

    The 49th vice president of the United States will visit Ghana, where he will meet with farmers, businesspeople, students, and women. In the Central Region, slaves were housed at the Cape Coast Castle, which will also be visited by the visitor.

    “In particular on this trip, I intend to do work that will focus on increasing investment here on the continent, and facilitating economic growth and opportunity, specifically in the areas of economic empowerment of women and girls, empowerment of youth entrepreneurship, digital inclusion and to support the work that must be done to increase food security, including adaptation to the effect of economic crisis,” Harris said at the Kotoka International Airport.

    She was welcomed at the airport by Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia, who led the government delegation including foreign minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey.

    Also at the airport to welcome Harris and her husband Douglas Emhoff was the US ambassador to Ghana Virginia Palmer and a host of school children carrying miniature flags of Ghana.

    She said her visit is to strengthen the economic relations between the US and Ghana.

    “We are looking forward to this trip as a further statement of the long and enduring and very important relationship and friendship between the people of the United States and those who live on the continent of Africa,” Harris said.

    “I am very excited about the future of Africa. I am very excited about the impact of the future of Africa on the rest of the world including the United States of America. When I look at what is happening on this continent and the fact that the median age is 19 years old, and what that tells us about the growth of opportunities, of innovations, of possibilities, I see in all of that great opportunities and not only for the people of this continent but the people of the world,” she added.

    She said: “I am here to address some of the issues that relate to the partnership between this continent, its people and the people of the United States and to reinforce the work that we will continue to do together be that on addressing the climate crisis, to supply chain, to our work together on international rules and nuance.

    Harris is scheduled to leave Ghana on March 29 to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania before ending the tour in Lusaka, Zambia on 2 April.

  • USAID gives Ghana $35.9m grant to support agric market systems

    A $35.9 million grant package has been set aside by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to guarantee food security in Ghana.

    Smallholder farmers, especially women and young people, as well as out growers, buyers, processors, and exporters would benefit from the Ghana Market Systems and Resilience (MSR) Activity Project.

    They would have access to small-scale farmers, and others would have access to a financing amount between $5,000 and $25,000 for various projects under the Grant Facility, which is expected to take effect in the first quarter of 2023.

    The package is expected to be utilized over a five-year period to increase the production of foodstuffs such as maize, shea, and beans, among other essential food crops, to help in the fight against food insecurity in Ghana.

    According to Team Leader for Agribusiness and Financial Services at MSR Activity Ghana, Mr. Raymond Denteh, the grant project, which was launched on Monday, December 12, aims to ensure resilience and inclusivity in the Ghanaian market system.

    A roadshow would also be organized in the northern sector to educate prospective applicants on eligibility requirements, the application process, and the nature of the grant. 

    He added, “The project is to support and strengthen the agricultural market system for increased efficiency, productivity, and investment to drive economic growth and increase the incomes of households in catchment regions,” adding that women, young people, and people with disabilities are the main focus of the project.

    Monitoring and evaluation manager for the Ghana MSR Activity, Mr. Eric Sunu, also said that the grant would target private sector businesses and NGOs, noting that applicants whose projects best aligned with the goals of the project would benefit. 

    The grant will primarily benefit NGOs and private sector companies, according to Mr. Eric Sunu, the monitoring and evaluation manager for the Ghana MSR Activity. Applicants with projects that are most in line with the project’s objectives will receive funding, he added.

    He, therefore, encouraged applicants to ensure that they took part in the roadshows to acquaint themselves with the application processes and requirements to benefit and affect the lives of others.

     

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • 44,000 teachers fail teacher licensure examinations

    Over 36% of teachers who wrote the 2022 Ghana Teacher Licensure Examination have failed, according to the registrar for the National Teaching Council, Christian Addai-Poku.

    The percentage represents 44,000 out of the 120,000 teachers who sat for the examination.

    Speaking about the poor performance of the candidates, the registrar remarked that the findings were concerning because the teachers who are expected to facilitate knowledge transfer are performing poorly on the tests.

    His comments were made at the Institute of Teacher Education and Development’s town hall meeting during the 2022–23 Cohort of Leading Girls’ Learning Program (INTED).

    According to Addai-Poku, only 26% of the total instructor population at the second-cycle level teachers are female which is uninspiring, while adding that female teachers need to be encouraged to be more involved.

    “Having more female teachers at the second-cycle level would enable the girls in the schools to have role models they can look up to in these female teachers,” he added.

    ‘INTED’ is a Leading Girls’ Learning Programme with support from USAID, which seeks to address attitudes and barriers against girls in second-cycle schools to improve their learning environment. The programme also builds the competencies and skills of teachers in second-cycle institutions to improve the teaching and learning outcomes in schools.

    Mr Divine Ayidzoe, Chief Director, Ministry of Education, also added that very soon, an entrance examination for persons who wanted to enrol in the various Colleges of Education would be instituted to attract bright students who would advance the teaching profession in the nation, according to the Ghanaian Publisher newspaper.

    Mr Kwabena Ampoful, Executive Director, INTED, added that INTED, over the past decade, had worked with development partners to improve the quality of teaching and leadership practices in Senior High Schools.

  • CSIR-CRI launches technology park to boost food security

    The Crop Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-CRI) has launched its technology park to boost food security in the country.

    Dubbed “Innovation, Research, Extension and Advisory Coordination Hub” (iREACH), it is aimed at encouraging farmers to adopt the improved agricultural technologies to increase productivity and quality.

    It is under the sponsorship of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)with support from the Kansas University in the United States of America, West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF) and Africa Rising.

    The technologies include improved crop varieties of cowpea, maize, soybean and peanuts.

    Among the varieties of the peanuts are CRI Yenyawaso, CRI Dehyee and CRI Obolo.

    They have early maturity period between 85-90 days and are tolerant to aflatoxin and high oil content and resistant to rust.

    The other improved varieties are roots and tubers such as yam, cassava and sweet potatoes, among others.

    At the demonstration, improved agronomic practices and insect pests and diseases management strategies to cultivate the improved crop varieties to increase productivity were also presented to the participants.

    Dr P.V Vara Prasad, Director of Collaborative Research on Sustainable Intensification at the Kansas University, indicated that about 30 per cent of food was lost during harvest, after harvest and storage in both developed and developing countries in the world.

    That, he said, had been estimated that about 9.5 billion people worldwide were affected and not having food to eat.

    “This means that there is the need to increase and provide access to food for all,” he said.

    He urged farmers to use the improved technologies to boost production as he called for effective collaboration between government and non-government institutions, and the need for human and institutions capacity building towards food security.

    “We should bring all these together to make sure that the technologies are showcased and disseminated to farmers and entrepreneurs for adoption,” he mentioned.

    He advised the youth to take up agricultural production because “agriculture is food, technology, business and health”.

    The Project Coordinator, Prof. Emmanuel Otoo, chief research scientist at the CSIR-CRI, said a good number of technologies had been developed which needed to be disseminated to the end users.

    However, funds to do that remained a great constraint to the institute, and therefore, appealed to other companies and donors to partner with them to help disseminate the technologies towards food security in the country.

    Prof. Moses B. Mochiah, Director, CSIR-CRI, used the occasion to appeal to government to help do away with obsolete machines/equipment to ensure higher productivity.

    Some of the farmers noted the technologies had broadened their knowledge and could be applied to cultivate several crops even throughout dry seasons.

  • Accountability project deepens local governance — Dan Botwe

    The Ghana Strengthening Accountability Mechanism (GSAM) initiative has made a significant contribution to encouraging accountable governance, which has sped up local development.

    Dan Botwe, the Minister of Local Government, Decentralization, and Rural Development, who made this claim, noted that the eight years of GSAM implementation with support from USAID had been advantageous for the nation, particularly the lessons learned to strengthen democracy and good governance at the local level.

    Mr Botwe, in a speech read on his behalf at public accountability conference in Accra last Wednesday, said the GSAM had strengthened the capacity of civil society to advocate, monitor and investigate efforts of primary actors, particularly metropolitan, municipal, district assemblies (MMDAs) to ensure sustainable, accountable and inclusive delivery of quality services to citizens.

    The conference was part of the eighth-year activities of the USAID-supported Ghana Strengthening GSAM activity designed to deepen and sustain responsive and accountable governance at the local level.

    The rationale for GSAM activity was to address inadequate citizens’ engagement in local governance processes, increase access to information on MMDAs development processes, deal with real or perceived corruption due to weak oversight and poor service delivery.

    The interventions from GSAM, the minister said, had contributed to improving the responsiveness of MMDAs to citizens’ demands and efficiency in the management and implementation of development projects in communities, working in close collaboration with key stakeholders.

    Commendation

    Commending USAID for the initiative, Mr Botwe said: “We are, therefore, interested in consolidating the gains made with regard to the management interventions that have generated positive results relating to accountability and transparency practices in the MMDAs.”

    The Deputy Chief of Party for GSAM, Samuel Boateng, said key lessons learnt from the project included the fact that there was a need for mixed communication methods to reach citizens with needed information.

    He noted that prior to the GSAM activity, MMDAs relied mainly on assembly and unit committee members, traditional authorities and some opinion leaders to provide information to citizens on capital projects.

    However, many citizens remained poorly informed about capital projects because these leaders mostly did not relay such information to citizens.

    Other lessons were that the MMDAs had less control of centrally-funded projects. He explained that MMDAs had little control over projects that were implemented by the central government and as a result exercise weak oversight of these projects.

    He said the impact of GSAM had been positive, revealing that 51 per cent of 880 community priority needs identified with GSAM support were integrated and budgeted for in the 2022-2025 Medium-Term Development Plans (MTDPs) in 50 districts.

    Setbacks

    The Chairperson for Star Ghana Foundation, Dr Esther Ofei Aboagye, said interventions such as the GSAM provided civil society organisations (CSOs) opportunities to initiate action, collect data, build capacities, engage district-level authorities and back communities to exact accountability.

    The mission director of USAID, Kimberly Rosen, said a USAID-commissioned impact evaluation of the GSAM activity revealed that citizen action with the support of local CSOs had improved consultation between citizens and their respective local governments on infrastructure development.

  • Ban on fishing lifted

    Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Mavis Hawa Koomson, has announced the lifting of the ban on fishing for artisanal and canoe fishers in the country.

    She announced this at a ceremony at Ekumfi Otuam in the Central Region. This is after her outfit in collaboration with the Fisheries Commission, implemented the closed fishing season for inshore and artisanal fleets for a month.

    During the ceremony, she pointed the famous huge wooden key, which she had used to “lock up” the sea at Tema Manhean, seaward and turned it to indicate the lifting of the one-month ban.

    Before that, a linguist from the community, Okyeame Metanwoho, had offered four bottles of Schnapps, each from the four coastal regions, to seek permission from the gods to re-enter the sea and ask for a bumper harvest as the fishing season began.

    A joyous applause welcomed the lifting of the ban.

    The ceremony was attended by fisher associations and groups, fishery agency officials and representatives from civil society organisations, academicians, traditional authorities and other players in the fishing industry.

    Background

    The Ministry of Fisheries, in collaboration with the Fisheries Commission, implemented the closed fishing season for inshore and artisanal fleets from July 1 to July 31 as a crucial component of “sustainable fisheries management”.

    The goal is to lessen the pressure on fish stock during the peak production period, so that the fish can lay eggs (spawn) to replenish populations that have been decimated by illegal fishing and other natural occurrences.

    Fisher associations and other officials from the fisheries agency applauded the ministry for its audacious move to bring some sanity into onshore fishing activities.

    Addressing challenges

    The minister said the government was not oblivious of the challenges in the sector, for which reason it had adopted strategic and critical interventions aimed at recovering the fast depleting fishery stocks.

    She said her outfit would use every legal means to ensure that people whose actions stalled the ministry’s efforts were arrested to face the law.

    The Mission Director for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Kimberly Rosen, said: “We commend you and your team for the bold decision to continue implementing the closed season and also commend your commitment to end illegal transhipment at sea and the subsequent ministerial directive on the use of appropriate fishing gear by the industrial trawler sector.”

    She said the US government was ready and determined to support efforts by the Ministry of Fisheries to boost the fishing industry.

    Caution

    The Chief Director of the Fisheries Commission, Fred Kwasi Antwi Boadu, urged fishermen to stop the use of illegal methods in fishing, since such practices reduced the fish population.

    He said those illegal actions and climate change had led to a sharp decline in catch, which was harming and depleting fisheries resources which, he said, required conscious efforts to restore.

    Source: Graphiconline.com.gh