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MP Takes Oti Movement Campaign to University Campuses

October 27, 2018

Mr Gyato (2nd from left) in a pose with Oti students at UCC

By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Krachi East in the Volta Region and Deputy Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Hon. Michael Yaw Gyato has begun an Oti Movement Campaign in tertiary institutions in the country.

The MP who kick-started his campaign on Friday from the University of Cape Coast (UCC) in the Central Region will today, continue with his tour to the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) Central Campus also in the region.

The tour is aimed at ensuring that the MP meets with students from the Oti enclave for education and sensitization on the processes and the intended referendum scheduled to take place on December 27 in the area to enable the proposed Oti Region be carved out of the Volta Region.

A section of the students in the meeting with Hon Gyato at UCC on Friday

Already, the Electoral Commission has begun the exhibition of the Voters’ register in affected areas expected to partake in December’s referendum.

The exercise is a result of recommendations from the Commission of Enquiry set up by government last year to investigate the substantial demand for new regions in some parts of the country including residents in the Oti area (northern Volta).

The argument for the demand of the new regions was to facilitate development and fast-track the decentralisation of the governance process. However, it sparked protests especially from some people in the Volta Region who expressed the view that development could be extended to their brothers and sisters in the Oti enclave without necessarily dividing the region into two.

Gyato is embarking on the tour to abreast students of the need for the yet-to-created region and to recruit them to continue with the education at the various communities to get people to vote “YES” in the referendum in order to achieve 80 per cent of the votes that will give them the Oti Region.

The students drawn from Krachi East and West, Nchumuru, Nkwanta North and South, Kadjebi-Akan, Biakoye, Buem, and Santrokofi, Akpafu, Lolobi and Likpe (SALL) communities on their part, promised to join the campaign in their various communities after their end of semester examination to ensure success in the referendum.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Ghana, Togo Commission Joint Border at Noepe-Akanu

Volta Online

October 26, 2018

By: Voltaonlinegh.com |

The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said Ghana and Togo stand ready to support and promote all efforts aimed at ensuring the success of the management of Noepe-Akanu joint border post and to strengthen the bonds of friendship and co-operation between Ghana and Togo.

Speaking at the official handing-over ceremony of the Noepe-Akanu Joint Border Post on Friday, 26th October, 2018, President Akufo-Addo indicated that “we believe it is in our economic interest for this project to succeed, for, with hard work, creativity and enterprise, it should create sufficient opportunities to enhance the prosperity of our people.”

Expressing the gratitude of the Ghanaian and Togolese people to the ECOWAS Commission and the European Union for their assistance in the construction of this joint border post, the President noted that the project was a welcome development.

President Akufo-Addo with Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe

He explained that the Joint Border Post would strengthen the movement of people, goods and services, increase intra-regional trade, reduce trade and logistics costs, improve cross-border security, and serve as an avenue for information sharing.

Additionally, with the border post fitted with weighbridges, baggage and pedestrian scanners, and state-of-the-art ICT equipment, joint inspections, sharing of intelligence and joint risk management initiatives should reduce substantially processing times along the border.

“Whilst reaping the benefits of this post, Ghana and Togo should also be mindful of, and be poised to address, any challenges that may arise, notably the maintenance of law and order, dealing with cross-border crimes, smuggling, and other related issues,” the President said.

The inauguration ceremony is as a result of the signing, on 26th July, 2017, of the Bilateral Agreement and Operating Procedures Manual between Ghana and Togo, which govern the joint operations and management of the border post.

The Agreement has made extensive provisions on institutional mechanisms and management arrangements, such as the formation of a Joint Committee, the establishment of a Management Authority to determine the administrative measures necessary for managing the joint border post, provision and control of security services, and maintaining the facilities.

President Akufo-Addo, thus, urged Ghanaian and Togolese officials to collaborate and address all difficulties within the confines of the Bilateral Agreement, so as to ensure that the joint border post provides a higher level of service than the current arrangements at Aflao and Kodjoviakope.

“Indeed, the time has come for West African integration. A functioning, common regional market in ECOWAS has to be a very fundamental objective for all the peoples and governments in the region, an objective that must consolidate the process of structural transformation of our national economies on which we must all be engaged,” the President added.

With the ECOWAS Commission having put in place plans to execute similar common border projects elsewhere in West Africa, President Akufo-Addo urged for the speedy implementation of these projects.

“ECOWAS must help establish the conditions for West African prosperity in the decades ahead,” the President added.

Source: www.presidency.gov.gh

Oti Region Confusion: EC Personnel Chased out of Akpafu-Adomi

Volta Online

October 26, 2018

By: Voltaonlinegh.com |

The people Akpafu-Adomi, a community within the Hohoe Municipality in the Volta Region have no intention of joining the Oti Region though they have been earmarked to be part of the new region.

The community denied the Electoral Commission (EC) the opportunity to exhibit its voters’ register in the area.

The District Director of the Electoral Commission, Kwabena Kankam, told Citi News the EC had to withdraw its men after they were threatened.

The Assembly Member for Akpafu-Adomi, John Kwame Obimpe, confirmed that the community did indeed chase away the EC personnel.

He explained to citinewsroom.com that the chiefs have never been in favour of joining the new region if it meant being separated from the Hohoe municipality.

“We are not ready to be cut off from Hohoe. We want to be where Hohoe is. So if Hohoe will move to Oti, we the Akpafu and Lolobi will be ready to move to Oti. Without Hohoe, we are not ready to join any region or any district.”

Mr. Obimpe stressed that his people will “again sack them [EC personnel]” if they attempt to continue with the exhibition.

The community also vowed not to even engage with the Justice Brobbey Commission during the consultations.

“The Akpafu Chiefs met and said we did not petition so we are not going [to any of the engagements] so nobody should go and represent us anywhere,” Mr. Obimpe revealed.

On the way forward, he said if their attempts to get the Presidency’s attention fail, they will resort to the courts.

“When they went to the EC in Accra, they said they should book to go and see the president himself; so that is the next step… if all means fail then the final one, we will go to court for the court to place an injunction.”

These tensions come as the President of the National House of Chiefs, Togbe Afede XIV, insists that processes for the creation of new regions were not exhaustive enough.

He said not enough dissenting views were heard by the commission.

“A full inquiry, I believe would involve talking to even those who are against the process, but [the Commission] limited all the public hearings to the very areas where they said they had received petitions from,” Togbe Afede also said.

The chief’s recent comments follow petitions he received from the chiefs of Lolobi and Akpafu in the Volta Region who have sworn never to join the new Oti Region.

Source: www.citinewsroom.com

[Opinion] Elizabeth Ohene Should Have Lived in Apostle Paul’s Era “The People of Berea”

Volta Online

October 26, 2018

By: Horlali Yaw Haligah | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Madam Elizabeth Ohene’s writing prowess is not only worth admiring but also emulating. Her adroitness with how she weaves her thoughts regarding emerging social issues is amazing. I am an avid reader of her write ups which are mostly published in the Daily Graphic. I don’t want to believe that my love for her writing skills and depth of understanding of social issues are largely influenced by the fact that I happen to come from Abutia with her. Madam Ohene’s love for Abutia is seen in her reference of the town in some of her write ups and for me, this helps to put the name of the town in the mind maps of people. Also, my love for her write ups may also be due to the fact that she is an old student of Mawuli, a school we both pride ourselves in.

In her recent write up titled “Who Speaks for the Ewes?”, Madam Ohene presented personal opinions which had caught the attention of some people including myself. I however, disagree with some of her views which clearly seem to be in support of the creation of the Oti Region and at the same time against the views expressed by the Agbogbomefia Togbe Afede XIV of the Asogli Traditional area. Our elders say that “a leader’s handbag (ideas) is never completely empty”. This is symbolic of Madam Ohene’s writing piece. The bag in which she communicated from contained the wrong goods. I want to believe that Madam Elizabeth Ohene’s opinions as personal as she may make us believe may have emanated from people behind the scenes who speak through her as their chosen vessel. Her comments and demeanor I distilled from her piece, makes me feel she’s just a puppet in the hands of her puppeteers. Like the Berean Jews in Apostle Paul’s days, Madam Ohene should have thoroughly examined the issues calling for the creation of the Oti Region before coming out in a clandestine manner in what can be described as an attempt to silence people who hold contrary views. How I wish she was a Berean and lived in the era of Apostle Paul but that is past and gone.

While Madam Ohene claims to know her Ewe history very well, many will agree with me that this does not make her a repository or an authority of Ewe history. I well understand the position of Madam Ohene who cannot disagree with her kingmakers (the party in power) because two leaders do not fight in one house. As a proud young Ghanaian and an interested stakeholder in the affairs of Volta Region just like her, I have keenly followed recent issues relating to the proposed creation of the Oti Region from the Volta Region and matters arising. I must make it clear that I do not speak for any individual, chief or group in the region opposing the creation of the Oti Region.

Having followed issues on the proposed creation of Oti Region and statements made by people including the revered Togbe Afede (who’s earned this status over the years), it is important to state that Togbe Afede has in no way purported to arrogate himself as the spokesperson or King of the Volta Region as imperceptibly being suggested by Madam Ohene. Every individual not limited to citizens of the Volta Region have the right to express their opinion and dissatisfaction about an intended course of action that they believe will unjustifiably not be in their interest and in the interest of the larger society. It is very misleading to seem to suggest that one must be a constitutional authority before raising issues of constitutionality when confronted with an issue. This view is not only unfair but weak when it comes to the defense of the constitution. While it is important to note that the Supreme Court has the constitutional mandate to interpret constitutional matters and make rulings to defend and uphold the spirit and letter of the constitution, citizens also have a significant role to play in defending the constitution which includes reasonably speaking against issues in a constitutional way unless Togbe Afede has done otherwise. Or Madam Ohene wants to suggest that individuals or groups who are against the creation of the Oti Region should shut up as a perfect example of the expression of freedom of speech?

As a Chief with many subjects who has had to solve and continues to solve many conflicts not only in the region, Togbe Afede has a better understanding of traditional matters and how if not well handled can lead to flammable situations than Madam Elizabeth Ohene. The issue of the delimitation of traditional boundaries is a sensitive issue and if not well handled will likely serve as a source of conflict. This brings to mind years of unresolved land dispute between the people of Nkonya and Alavanyo in the Volta Region. One can only imagine the results of the forceful inclusion of the people of Akpafu and Lolobi Traditional areas who have expressed strong reservations and indignation against their likely inclusion in the creation of the proposed Oti Region. Yes, there are independent chiefdoms in present-day Eweland as argued by Madam Ohene but who says the people of Eweland can only speak against issues that concerns them only when they have one King who sees to all their affairs or must return to the rule of King Agorkoli? It is worthy to point out that different chiefdoms also in some parts of Northern Ghana are also protesting the split of the Northern Region with regards to the issue of traditional boundaries and securing their traditional identity and power.

Like how the Ashanti Region is made up of Ashantis hence the name of the region derived, the Volta Region perhaps may have been called Ewe Region but that is not the case. It will be an intellectual dishonesty to say that the Volta Region is made up of only Ewes and no one has said or made this statement anywhere in protest against the creation of the Oti Region and in defense of the regional unity for the Volta. I find it more worrying and regrettably snooping that Madam Elizabeth Ohene have failed to advance any strong arguments in support of the creation of the Oti Region but only to say that “Now I am not against the creation of the Oti Region but I am for peace”. For me and like many others, the call for the creation of not only the Oti Region but others as well is a lazy and unthinkable approach by politicians in their attempt to bring development. This approach by politicians is largely anchored on their selfish aim of amassing political benefits. The small gazelle they say (citizens) runs to save its life but the lion (ruling party) chases to fill its belly.

The mere creation of new regions is not sufficient to bring about the needed development but what is more important is to understand and prescribe the right development medication. Currently, what we are all witnessing can be compared to a medical doctor prescribing ORS to cure HIV/AIDS. If a leader loves you he makes sure you build your house on a rock. This government wants us to build our house on sand plated with rocks. Is the call for the creation of new regions not indicative that our much touted local government and decentralization system has comatosed and failed to address the felt needs of the local people? Is there no possibility to ensure that the system of local governance can be made to work effectively and efficiently in addressing issues of development? There is a saying that “if the owner of a land leads you, you can’t get lost”. I am quick to say that Madam Ohene and her political entourage feels Ghana belongs to them. That feeling is what is making us lost. If the distance between the areas calling for the Oti Region and the regional capital, Ho is far and the road linking these places is bad and making travelling frustrating, why can’t government hasten the process of completing the Eastern Corridor road project, or better, through its Ministry of Railway Development construct a railway system linking the northern part of Volta to the southern part? This definitely will reduce travelling time and will inherently bring some level of development. Strategic areas in the northern part of the region should not only be identified but through the deliberate efforts of government should be transformed into growth poles to magnetically attract development. These and many other creative avenues are what we can use to bring about development, reduce poverty and narrow the widening gap of inequality.

I want to make the point that a leader who understands proverbs reconciles difficulties. We must tread cautiously as a country and rather encourage diverse groups of people to learn how to live together and how they can collectively find solutions to the common everyday problems that confront them. Creating regions based on the request of particular ethnic groups and groups who advance the argument that they have a large share of natural resources is sharply against the efforts of national cohesion and a recipe for potential danger. It is time we did away with partisan politics and viewed issues through the lens of patriotism with the interest of the nation at heart.

NB: The writer is a Development Practitioner and Youth Advocate.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

We Are Quiet not because We Are Cowards – Kpassa Chief Tells Oti Detractors

Volta Online

October 26, 2018

By: Obrempongba Kwame Owusu | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The Paramount Chief of Kpassa Traditional Area in the Nkwanta North District of the Volta Region, Ubor Konja Tassun VI has warned chiefs at the southern Volta who are opposing the creation of the proposed Oti Region not to mistake the silence of the chiefs and people in the Oti enclave to be cowardice.

He said the people in the Oti area are not cowards but peace loving people but are also ever ready for anyone who will resist them by any attempt to deny their right or mar the processes leading to the creation of the new Oti Region.

Addressing a rally at Kpassa to encourage residents to check that their names are in the voter register to enable them vote during the referendum, the Paramount Chief emphasised that lands in the Oti enclave are not owned by the people of southern Volta neither is Volta Region a kingdom one must seek permission from before getting it divided.

DCE, Jackson Kwasme Jakayi with the NPP Constituency Women’s Organiser at the rally

He appealed to citizens in the Oti enclave to go and check their names to enable them vote in the referendum scheduled for December 27.

The Electoral Commission has commenced the exhibition of Voters register exercise in only the 47 districts in the proposed Western North, Oti, Savannah and Brong East regions in readiness for the referendums later.

The exercise was as a result of recommendations by a nine-member Commission of Enquiry set up by government last year to solicit views of people in the areas where the demands were made.

Although the demand for the regions are aimed at facilitating development and fast-tracking the decentralisation of the governance process, it provoked some agitations from the people of the Volta Region who believed that government could get the needed development to the people without carving out the proposed Oti from the region.

The District Chief Executive for the area, Jackson Kwame Jakayi revealed that the fighting of the region started forty years ago and both National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP) had it in their manifestos to grant their demand.

He described as “unfortunate” provocative statements coming from people who are expected to know better, especially some chiefs from the southern Volta.

He therefore encouraged residents to go out and check their names to enable them vote during the referendum.

Some residents of the area expressed optimism that the new region when created would bring jobs and also improve socio- economic activities in the area.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Volta Region Places 3rd in Teenage Pregnancy

Volta Online

October 26, 2018

By: Fred Duhoe | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The Keta Municipal Health Director, Madam Perfect Titiati has expressed worry over the alarming teenage pregnancy rate being recorded in the Volta Region specifically in the Keta Municipality.

Madam Titiati who considered the situation as very worrying, revealed that the region placed third in the 2017 records of teenage pregnancy in the country.

“Statistics from our health records show that Volta Region recorded a total of 10,041 teenage pregnancies in 2017 representing 14.6% with about 239 between the ages of 10-14 years.”

She added that by the end of September 2018, the region had recorded a total of 7,236 teenage pregnancies representing 14.2 per cent placing the region at 3rd followed by Brong Ahafo and Upper East regions.

The Health Director made the disclosure at a durbar of students, parents and teachers at Keta Senior High Technical School (KETASCO) campus organised by the Keta Municipal Health Directorate in collaboration with National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Ghana Education Service (GES) and Health Keepers, a non-governmental organisation.

Keta Municipal Health Director ( with her back to the camera) addressing the durbar

The Durbar which was under the theme: “Teenage Pregnancy or Academic Certificate?” was to sensitise and educate the adolescent girl to choose their “Books before Babies” by abstaining from premarital sexual activities in an attempt to aimed arrest teenage pregnancy in the municipality.

Madam Titiati underscored the need for the education saying, in the unlikely event that these teenagers get pregnant, their parents must commit all their time and resources to ensure proper healthcare to avoid needless deaths.

The NCCE Boss, Ms. Josephine Nkrumah advised the students to consider their books as partners, stay focused and look up to successful women in high places and make them their role models.

“Parents, religious leaders, teachers and everyone will talk to you but the responsibility is much more on you the child. Hence, choose books and acquire good academic certificates over a few minutes’ pleasure of sex.”

She entreated every girl child to desist from asking money from boys and men who are not their parents and report any man who tries to take advantage of them for the laws to deal with such people, saying, “age 16 and below is considered a compulsory rape age” requiring punitive measures be taken against men who abuse girls of those ages.

The NCCE Director further admonished adolescent girls to read books to empower themselves while calling on parents to supervise what their children watch on television and other media spaces which have socially corrupt contents.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Elizabeth Ohene Writes: Who Speaks for the Ewes?

Volta Online

October 26, 2018

By: Voltaonlinegh.com |

At the last Census in 2010, out of the 25 million people in Ghana, almost two million people said they were Ewes. I am one of them.

I have not lived in the Volta Region since I left in 1964 to go to the University (I was 19 then and I am now 73 years old), and that would mean more than two-thirds of my life has been lived outside the Volta Region.

But I call it my home since Abutia, my home village, is in the geographical space of the Volta Region.

I do not call myself a “Voltarian” or “Voltain” or whatever computation of the word that is used by some to describe those who come from that region.

I do not regard the Volta Region as an Ewe region because I have always known the area of the Trans Volta Togoland in which I was born, to be an area inhabited not only by Ewes but also by people who were not Ewes, like all the Avatime and Likpe and Akpafu and Buem and Krachi people I went to school with.

I knew that the Peki people were definitely Ewes but they were not part of Trans Volta Togoland.

Since I tend to have strong opinions on most issues, I have always been reluctant to make any claims on behalf of groups that I could be counted as being part of.

I speak on my own behalf only. Right now there are things being claimed on behalf of “Ewes” that I feel constrained to formally disclaim myself from.

There seems to be something called “Eweland” which is said to be at risk from the creation of an Oti Region.

One of the things I learnt as a child about the Ewes was that after their experience of a dictator king and the flight from Notsie to their present-day abodes, they vowed that never again would they subjugate themselves under one king.

That is why there are so many independent chiefdoms in present-day Eweland and there are and there is no king of Ewes or Volta Region.

All true Ewes know that. There will be a good opportunity to write a full article about the Ewes but this is not the day.

This weekend, the President of the National House of Chiefs, Togbe Afede XIV, purported to speak on behalf of the people of the Volta Region and in the interest of the peace-loving people of the region and comprehensively condemned the proposals to create the Oti Region.

It is not clear when he became a constitutional authority as well as being the financial guru he is reputed to be. He says the Commission of Enquiry into the setting up of new regions did a shoddy job

Brave man. He says it is unconstitutional not to allow the entire Volta Region to vote in the referendum, and advises that the 1992 Constitution would be bastardised if there was a yes or no question in the referendum. Very brave man.

I do not know how Togbe Afede X1V came to acquire the power to speak on behalf of “the people of the Volta Region”. He certainly does not speak on behalf of this Ewe woman from Abutia.

I prefer the Supreme Court to decide on what is constitutional and what is not.

There is a suggestion that those who are against the creation of the Oti Region are for peace. Now, I am not against the creation of Oti Region, but I am certainly for peace.

Indeed, the only people who have been threatening war are those who claim to be against the Oti Region.

I have never heard anyone claim the lands occupied by the people in the proposed Oti Region as being “Eweland”, and yet today, I hear these people, mostly Guans, generally accepted as having lived here longer than any other group, being referred to as “settlers”!

In the cacophony of voices in this Region creation debate in the Volta Region, everybody claims to be speaking for some majority.

For the avoidance of all doubt, this Ewe woman would want it to be understood that I would be happy with, or without an Oti Region.

I know my Ewe history well enough to state that there is no Ewe chief that can purport to speak on behalf of Ewes.

Article was first published in the Wednesday’s edition of Daily Graphic newspaper

Source: www.graphic.com.gh

Elect Leaders Who Can Ensure Victory in 2020 – Hannah Bissiw Tells Volta NDC Women

Volta Online

October 25, 2018

By: Obremponba Kwame Owusu | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Aspiring National Women’s Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Hanna Louisa Bissiw has appealed to delegates of the party in the Volta Region to consider her vast experience and give her the mandate to lead the women’s wing of the party.

According to her, President Nana Akufo-Addo and his New Patriotic Party (NPP) had already failed Ghanaians and so, there was the need to forge ahead in unity, put the party first and during the upcoming delegates congress, elect leaders who can ensure victory for the NDC in the 2020 general elections.

The former Deputy Minister and Member of Parliament for Tano South while addressing NDC women’s wing on Wednesday at the northern part of the region at Nkwanta said the NPP’s promises of one million dollars per constituency, one district-one factory, one village-one dam are all failed promises.

Dr Bissiw in a photo with the NDC women at Nkwanta

She added that the marginal depreciation of the cedi among others gave the signal that the NPP government had failed Ghanaians therefore, the onus now lies on the delegates to elect capable leaders who can secure a win for the party in election 2020.

The aspiring NDC National Women’s Organiser said when given the mandate, she would focus her attention and restructure the women’s wing in the party to play effective role to recapture power from the NPP.

Dr Hanna Louisa Bissiw had therefore called on party supporters to go into the elections with the love for the party and with one purpose to appoint executives capable of leading the party to recapture power in 2020.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Minister Expresses Shock at Togbe Afede’s Comments on Creation of New Regions

Volta Online

October 24, 2018

Dan Botwe, Minister, Regional Reorganisation and development — Mr. Dan Botwe

By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com |

The Minister for Regional Reorganisation and Development, Hon. Daniel Botwe has expressed shock at comments made by the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State and President of National House of Chiefs, Togbe Afede XIV on processes leading to the creation of new regions saying, those comments were baseless and should be disregarded.

In a release dated October 24 and signed by the Minister, Togbe Afede had been consulted more than anyone on the issue of creation of new regions and for Togbe to later come out and condemn the work of the Commission as shoddy was unbelievable.

The release was in response to Voltaonlinegh.com’s story on October 21 headlined, “We Want the Law to be Respected, Commission of Enquiry Did Shoddy Work -Togbe Afede” where the Agbogbomefia in addressing a delegation of Ewefiawo fe Haborbor (Association of Ewe Chiefs) and Anlo Youth representatives who called on him at the Asogli Palace in Ho, registered his displeasure with the work of the commission set up to investigate the demand for the new regions.

He among other things suggested that the creation of the proposed Oti Region out of the Volta Region and other new regions involved the alteration of existing boundaries, thus, people in those affected regions must be allowed to partake in the referendums scheduled to be held later.

Mr Botwe said the Ministry had for some time remained quiet on views expressed by respected chiefs on the matter “but has found it imperative in this instance to respond to attacks on the Commission of Inquiry into the Creation of Regions by no less a person than Togbe Afede XIV.”

According to him, the Commission made up of eminent Ghanaians, was constitutional in its work to the satisfaction of government.

“The Commission adhered strictly to the provisions outlined in the 1992 Constitution of Ghana relating to the creation of regions. Government is thus satisfied with the manner in which the commission conducted its work and the subsequent report submitted. Even though members of the Commission may not bear the title Togbe, they are eminent people in Ghana.”

The Minister added that members of the Commission rather did a good job deserving of “commendation not insults.”

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

Peasant Farmer Devises Means to Protect Maize Farm from Birds

Volta Online

October 24, 2018

By: Fred Duhoe | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Maize has been one of Ghana’s most cultivated crops over the years with most farmers having it on their farms whether on large or small scale.

In September last year, fall armyworms invaded maize farms in parts of Ghana and some other neighbouring countries causing distraction to acres of cultivated maize farms. The fall armyworms proved difficult to control even with chemical sprays.

This became a hurdle for the sector minister, Dr Akoto Osei while farmers also counted their losses.

However, a visit to a maize farm of Torgbui Boni at Anloga in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region revealed a different story. Here, the farmer devised a strategy to prevent flocks of weaver birds which entered the farm to feed on the cultivated farmland of about 100×100 plot of land.

The farm located in the midst of households looked very green, a sign of a productive maize farm, thus, attracting these birds.

“How do these birds even know that the maize is ready for consumption? I haven’t seen or experienced this kind of disturbance from weaver birds before. At least with these hard plastic bottles covering the maize, the birds can’t peel the husk to gain access,” Torgbui Boni observed.

Meanwhile, a young farmer, Torgbui’s grandson, Emmanuel Boni busied himself to scare the birds away. For his strategy to save the little left on the farm, the boy was seen cutting the base of plastic bottles which he fixed on the maize as a form of protective coat to secure the maize. Empty sachet rubbers were also not left out.

The young farmer protecting his maize from birds

Narrating his reasons, the young farmer who was tasked by his grandfather said “protecting the maize this way makes it difficult for the stubborn weaver birds to destroy the maize. We have no option than to use this method in order to harvest what we’ve sowed.”

Products of maize find their ways to almost every dining table in Ghana and in most West African countries. Banku one of the staple foods of the Ghanaian people, especially those from the Volta Region is made from maize and any attempt by the hungry weaver birds to harvest the maize before its rightful owner will mean denying them of their favourite food.

Maize, one of the easily cultivated crops and which can be preserved for a longer period has a bag in Ghana currently being sold at about GH₵500.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com

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