Mpohor Wassa East District celebrates Ghana's Independence

93.8 Hectors of inland valley to be used for rice cultivation

The Mpohor Wassa East District is to benefit from an inland valley rice development project. The contract for the project has been awarded to Arab contractors of Egypt for the development of 93.8 hectors of inland valley to ease land preparation by farmers and also to control water movement on the valley to help produce quality rice more than once a year.

The District Chief Executive for Mpohor Wassa East District Hon. Anthony Bassaw disclosed this at the 25th edition of National Farmers Day Celebration held at Wassa- Angu in the Western Region.

He said agricultural activities in the district has not only promoted export to other parts of the world but also contributed to the setting up of some industries and plantations such as Benso Oil Plantation, Ayiem Oil Mill, Subri Industrial Plantation Limited and Norpalm Ghana Limited.

He noted that apart from being the backbone of the economy, agriculture is synonymous to rural development since it is the main source of employment, income and food for the rural masses, adding that agriculture contributes significantly in reducing poverty and hunger.

Sharing his thoughts on the theme of the celebration “accelerated agricultural modernization for food security and economic transformation” , the chief executive said modernisation implies the use of modern technology and equipment in the agric sector to boost production and to enable the sector provide food and raw materials to industries. He explain that the theme of the celebration is relevant and remains the strongest option in achieving the goal of becoming full scale agro-based middle income country, adding that the use of tractors, combine harvester, tiller machines, spraying machines, fertilizers, improved seedlings and other improved technology should replace the use of rudimentary tools such as the hole and cutlass which produce low agricultural productivity and yields.

Hon. Bassaw hinted that approval has been given for the establishment of farm mechanization centre in Wassa Angu under a specialized programme by government to improve farm mechanization in the country.

In an address the District Director of Agric Madam Elizabeth Braya said the theme is an indication of government’s intention and determination to transform agriculture and ensure sustainable food security and reduce poverty.

She further said the day is celebrated to encourage farmers to increase production to ensure food security.

She added that government have introduced a number of interventions aimed at improving performance in the agricultural sector and urged farmers to take advantage to expand and improve their farms

Madam Braya also appealed to farmers to work in collaboration with agricultural extension officers in order to benefit from the intervention.

Mr. Kwabena Nkrumah from Wassa Domama emerged as the overall winner. He received bicycle, spraying machine, cutlasses and Wellington boot.

Other winners also took home certificates, cutlasses, sewing machine and wellington.



SUBMITTED BY:
FRANK KWABENA DANSO, I S D
DABOASE.

One thousand applicants want job at NYEP

About one thousand applicants have applied to secure a job under the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) in the Mpohor Wassa East District. The number is expected to rise when other modules of the programme takes off next year. Currently five modules are being run at the District. This includes Community Protection Unit (CPU), Auxiliary Health Assistant (AHA), Teaching Assistant, Sanitation guards and zoom lion.

The Mpohor Wassa East District Co-ordinator of the NYEP, Mr. Boakye Yiadom disclosed this in an interview with the Information Services Department at Daboase in the Western Region.

He hinted that six new modules will be introduced next year to create employment opportunities for the unemployed in the district, explaining that the new modules will focus on areas such as Fire Service, Immigration, Custom Excise and Preventive Services (CEPS), Agriculture and Afforestation.

Mr. Boakye Yiadom further said the programme is training ten persons in Information Communication Technology (ICT), saying that the motive is to equip the trainees with employable skills so they could establish their own firms and employ others.

He assured existing beneficiaries of the programme not to entertain any fear that the new government will lay them off and sign up new persons, rather government will add to the numbers. He added that plans are far advanced to pay all outstanding arrears due them before next year.

Asked why some have been on the programme for more than three years, Mr. Boakye Yiadom said although the programme does not offer a permanent job, they could not be fired since they have not been able to secure a job yet, stressing that their experience is also required.

He reiterated that all existing teaching vacant positions in the district will be filled next year in order to augment teaching staff in the district.

According to the coordinator, Newmont Ghana has promised to adopt the programme in the district so they could assist the office with logistics and facilities to enhance their performance.
Touching on the challenges confronting the programme, Mr.Boakye Yiadom said there is no official vehicle assigned for the programme making monitoring and mobilization a herculean task to perform.

He also complained about the exemption of the co-ordinator from being a signatory to the NYEP account, adding that about GH¢300million is sitting in the account whilst funds are needed to run the office. He therefore called for the inclusion of the NYEP Coordinator as one of the signatories to the account.

Mr. Boakye Yiadom, however, expressed appreciation to the district assembly for assisting the programme whenever they are called upon.



SUBMITTED BY:
FRANK KWABENA DANSO, I S D
DABOASE.

Mpohor Wassa East District:Grasscutter Farmers Schooled on HIV/AIDS AND TB

A one-day workshop on HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis (TB) has been organized for Grasscutter farmers at Daboase in the Mpohor Wassa East District of the Western Region. It was organized by the Western Regional Grasscutter Famers Association under the Ministry of Trade and Industries. The objective was to sensitize Grasscutter Farmers on HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis and other preventable measures to avoid contracting any infection.

The Western Regional Chairman of the Grasscutter Farmers Association, Mr. Kennedy Kojo Afful advised the farmers not to indulge in activities that will put their lives and that of their families in danger by contracting the virus.

Mr. Afful however, said the Association is prepared to assist any farmer who will work assiduously, adding that the Association is seeking support from Ghana Development Agency (GDA) to provide all TB and AIDs patients with the necessary assistance.

The programme officer of the Area Development Programme (ADP) of World Vision Ghana, Mpohor Wassa East, Mr. Augustine Yawson hinted that World Vision will provide the farmers with the necessary resources and technical input so they could expand their farms.

Mr. Yawson also advised them to organize themselves and interact with each other to compare notes and also share ideas on the best practices to improve their lot. He commended the farmers for coming together to form an association since strength lies in unity.

The Western Regional Vice Chairman of the Association, Mr. Stephen Kobina expressed appreciation to World Vision for assisting the association in all endeavour.

Questionnaires were given to the farmers to assess their knowledge, attitude, behaviour and perception on HIV and TB.

Sumbmitted by: Amos Adjei
ISD-Daboase

Mpohor Wassa East District: MP calls for the regulation of community radio

The Member of Parliament for the Mpohor Wassa East constituency, Hon. Anthony Evans Amoah has called for the regulation of the operations of community radio in order to check the content of the information being disseminated to the community. This he said will bring sanity and circumspection in the conduct of the operators of the radio.

Mr. Amoah made the call at the 3rd Ordinary meeting of the 3rd session of the Mpohor Wassa East District Assembly at Daboase in the Western region.

The former Western Regional Minister said the current proliferation of community radio in the district give calls for some regulation since any slip of unguarded information disseminated to the community can create chaos and a state of insecurity for the people.

He further said community radio has become a platform for people to settle personal scores, adding that some operators are in the business to make money hence anything is allowed to be broadcasted on the radio.

Hon. Amoah acknowledged the invaluable contribution of community radio in the development of any organized community but was quick to add that they can equally pose a great danger to development if nothing is done about the content of what goes out to the people.

The Member of Parliament therefore, implored the district assembly to consult the Information Ministry and the National Communication Authority in finding the best and appropriate means of formulating a policy which will serve as a code of conduct for the operators.

The meeting was used to make some amendment and also to deliberate and approve the District Assembly’s budget for 2010


SUBMITTED BY:
FRANK KWABENA DANSO, I S D
DABOASE.

PROJECT ABANDONED AT DABOASE SENIOR HIGH AND TECHNICAL SCHOOL (DSTS)

This 12-unit classroom block is at a standstill since it started five years ago. Students and teachers at the school are calling for the completion of the project to ease the overcrowding situation at the school.

By: Frank K. Danso,

ISD-Daboase

DISTRICT MAP

Mpohor Wassa East District is located at the south-eastern end of the Western Region. It is bounded on the northeast and southeast by the Twifo Hemang Lower Denkyira (THLD) and Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem Municipal all in the Central Region.
The District is again bounded on the west by the Wassa Amenfi West District Assembly, and in the south, by the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolitan. On the east, it shares boundaries with Ahanta West District Assembly (AWDA).
The District was carved out from Wassa Fiase Mpohor District in 1988 and occupies an area of 1880 square kilometres (464,553) of which 344 square km 85,000 hectares are used as cultivable land. The District capital is Daboase, which is 6.7 km from the Cape Coast Takoradi main road.

Credit : Ghanaweb

MAP OF WESTERN REGION

Immunization Exercise

165 Communities will be covered in the fourth and final round of this year’s immunization exercise in the Mpohor Wassa East District of the Western Region. The three-day exercise is expected to immunize more than 32,000 children against polio and other diseases.

The District Disease Control Officer of the Ghana Health Service, Mr. Joseph Kwabena Arthur disclosed this in an interview with the Information Services Department at Daboase.

The Disease control officer said that the last round of the immunization exercise is a mixed bag, explaining that the exercise will include a deworming exercise for children between the ages of two and five years, provision of vitamin A to both expectant and nursing mothers.

He also said the G.H.S. is liaising with the veterinary service department to conduct dogs and cats census along side the immunization exercise, saying that the collaboration is aimed at controlling rabies in the country. According to Mr. Arthur the communities have been adequately informed about the immunization exercise through mediums such as community radios, churches and social mobilization.

Meanwhile the District has been divided into five zones with 260 volunteers forming 130 teams of which each team is assigned a community to operate in, the officer disclosed.

Notwithstanding the voluntary nature of the work, the officer said volunteers are given some allowance in order to motivate them for their efforts.

On the challenges confronting the exercise, Mr. Arthur mentioned lack of vehicles as a bane in their operation since most decentralized departments are reluctant in releasing their vehicles for the exercise. He also identified cultural beliefs of the people as a stumbling block to the work, explaining that most rural folks have a negative perception about the exercise.

“Some people are difficult to reach and other areas are also difficult to reach,” he stressed.

Mr. Joseph Kwabena Arthur, however, expressed his appreciation to the DCE. Hon. Anthony Bassaw and the Assembly for ensuring that vehicles are released for the exercise on time, expressing the hope that this will go a long way in achieving a hundred percent record with the exercise.

Again he appealed to donor agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to assist the office in fueling the vehicles.

Mr. Arthur told the Information Services Department that the team is poised at achieving a hundred percent record in the last round of the exercise since most of their needs have been met.

So far 94,933 children have been immunized in the first three exercises. The last round of the immunization exercise begins today the 12th of November and expected to end 14th November, 2009.


SUBMITTED BY:

Frank k. Danso, ISD.

Dabose.

Assemly to honour former DCE and dedicated staff

The Mpohor Wassa East District Assembly will honour and award the immediate past District Chief Executive, Mr. Edward Tawiah Ampronfi and other hard working and dedicated senior and junior staff of the Assembly this year.

The award is to recognize their contribution to the development of the District and also serve as a means of motivating other staff to emulate their foot steps.

The District Chief Executive, Hon. Anthony Bassaw disclosed this at the 2nd ordinary meeting of the 3rd session of the Assembly at Daboase in the Western Region.

The DCE said it is only when people are recognized for their work that others will be motivated to work hard in order to be recognized.

He acknowledged the invaluable role played by the former DCE for the past eight years as one that needs commendation and reward hence the need for the honour.