Kenyasi (B/A), Nov. 3, GNA – An Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report released has indicated that the fish kill at the Water Storage Facility (WSF) at the Newmont Ghana Gold limited Ahafo Mine was due to oxygen depletion and over population of the fish stock.      It said the fish kill was not as a result of elevated levels of sodium cyanide and or heavy metal contamination.      A copy of the report made available to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Kenyasi in the Asutifi District of the Brong Ahafo Region on Friday said “Based on the result of the analysis, it is evident that the fish kill was not as a result of elevation levels of sodium cyanide and or heavy metal contamination.      “However, it was as a result of oxygen depletion and over population of fish stock in the Water Storage Facility (WSF).”      The report was an investigation into Fish Mortality in the Water Storage Facility (WSF) at Newmont Ghana Gold Limited Ahafo Mine at Kenyasi.      The report said at the time of writing, results of metal analysis were yet to be received, and although those data were relevant to the study, they were not the source of the fish kill, adding “Their presence in the water will result in bioaccumulation in the fish muscles”.         It said the fact that the section of the water where the incident occurred had turned green in colour as in eutrophic water; it was likely that an increase in organic matter and nutrients in the water encouraged algal growth in the pond.      The report said this was confirmed by the dense population of algae present in the water and by the greenish colouration observed in the water.      These algae made a high demand on oxygen at night and early hours but generated oxygen at day time. It was possible that the increase in algal population and or decomposition of algae and other organic matter in the water resulted in a critical oxygen depletion which eventually led to the fish kill.      “This assertion is collaborated by the high BOD levels and the account of the community, which said that they saw the fishes coming up, meaning that the fishes were gasping for air,” the report added.      The EPA conducted the investigations based on a report by the Centre for Environmental Impact Analysis (CEIA) an environmental integrity and non-governmental organisation that 3,000 fishes that were discovered dead in a dam at the premises of the Mine on January 3, 2012 was as a result of cyanide spillage.     GNA...

Sagnarigu (N/R), Nov. 3, GNA – The people of Sagnarigu community in the Northern Region have been advised to adhere to peace and promote oneness to ensure speedy the development of the area and the nation at large.   Alhaji Saani Abdul-Razak, Northern Regional Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) observed that violence create retrogression, bitterness and ill-feeling and also destroys societies prematurely, and advised all Ghanaians to abhor violence and promote peace.   Citing examples from war-torn countries, he said many children and families had been disintegrated and development had come to a stand-still, saying that, “without peace, no development can take place.”   Alhaji Abdul-Razak was speaking at Sagnarigu on Friday during a durbar organized by the Center for Active Learning and Integrated Development (CALID) and sponsored by Star-Ghana.   He encouraged the people to promote peace, and that, a peaceful nation would attract investment, create jobs and enhance living standards of the people, saying that “we should ensure that the coming elections is peaceful.”   Mr. Sumani Mohammed Awal, Coordinator for CALID, challenged political leaders and followers to preach peace during their campaigns to show their commitment toward peaceful elections.   He observed that Africa has in recent times witnessed a number of political disturbances, usually emanating from bad forms of governance and political intolerance, adding that, elections in the Northern region during the last elections witnessed some violent clashes and cautioned the youth against violence.   Mr. Awal urged the people to dispel the fear of any violence and come out in their numbers to exercise their franchise during the polls.     GNA...

Accra, Nov. 3, GNA – The Electoral Commission (EC) on Saturday fixed November 6th as the date to dialogue with Presidential Candidates contesting Election 2012.   The EC and Presidential Candidates dialogue aims at building on the integrity of the electoral process for a peaceful poll in December, Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, EC Chairman, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview.   He said the dialogue was to brief the candidate on preparations towards Election Day, and also to develop a healthy relationship between the EC and the candidates.      Dr Afari-Gyan told the GNA that the platform was also to listen to any concern of the political parties and assured the political leadership that Ghana's electoral system had an inbuilt mechanism for free, fair and transparent election.   The EC Chairman reiterated that electoral management was a shared responsibility among all stakeholders, including the political parties, media, electoral administrators and democratic institutions.   He therefore charged all to play their roles effectively to ensure that the credibility of the electoral process was not tarnished.   The platform also seeks to offer the candidates the opportunity to fraternise, share jokes, and dialogue as leaders of the opposition sits on the same table with the ruling presidential candidate and vice presidential candidate.   The Presidential Candidates expected to participate in the dialogue are; President John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Convention People’s Party’s (CPP) Dr Michael Abu Sakara Foster and Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom of the Progressive Peoples Party (PPP).   The rest are The Peoples National Convention’s (PNC) Mr Hassan Ayariga, United Front Party’s (UFP) Mr Akwasi Adddai Odike, the Great Consolidated Popular Party’s (GCPP) Mr Henry Lartey and an Independent Candidate, Mr Jacob Osei Yeboah.   GNA’s investigation indicates that the EC on October 20th, 2008 held the maiden inter-presidential candidates' dialogue dubbed: "Safeguarding the Integrity of the Ballot".   The maiden dialogue was attended by Presidential Candidates who contested Election 2008; NPP Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, and his running mate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia; Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), Mr Emmanuel Ansah-Antwi; Democratic People's Party (DPP), Mr Thomas N. Ward-Brew; and the running mate of the PNC, Ms Petra Maria Amegashie.   Others were; CPP, Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, and independent presidential candidate, Mr Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah.   The NDC was represented by the General Secretary, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia and National Chairman, Dr Kwabena Adjei while the Reformed Patriotic Democrats was represented by Mr Francis Kyei, General Secretary.   Since 1992, Ghana has had uninterrupted democratic practice, conducting five globally acclaimed successful elections.     GNA...

Wisconsin, Nov. 3, GNA – With only four days to go for the United States elections, the two leading political parties have stepped up their campaign activities to win more votes.   At Wisconsin, believed to be a battleground in US elections for both the Republican and the Democrats, have seen the current Democrats regime visit the State five times and is yet to make another last appearance by Monday.   The Republicans have set up a call-centre at Wisconsin where volunteers were seen busily calling and reminding or persuading friends and families to give their vote to Romney.   A visit to the Mitt Romney Call Centre at Madison-Wisconsin saw about 12 volunteers making calls to convince last minute voters and swing voters.   Mr. Greg Christensen, an Engineer, told the GNA that though he voted for Barack Obama in the 2008 elections, the Democrats government had not lived up to expectation in terms of national defence, health care, taxes and spending on federal agencies.   He said, “The race may be close for both Obama and Romney but I think Romney will win”, adding that, “I have made over 90 calls and sent messages within just an hour.”   Mr. Brian Schemming, First Vice Chairman of the Republican Party at Wisconsin said the Republicans won both majority in Congress and in the Senate in 2010 and that it would not be surprising should the party carry the federal electoral victory.   He said Wisconsin was a major determining State in getting a party to the White House and therefore the party was poised at working for victory in that state.     Mildred Siabi-Mensah, GNA Special Correspondent in Wisconsin, USA (Courtesy US Embassy)  ...

Kpalgigbini (N/R), Nov. 02, GNA – The Yendi Municipality on Friday honoured seventeen selected farmers who had contributed to the development of agriculture in the Yendi Municipality of the Northern Region.       Asutana Micheal Baba of Kuga was adjudged the best farmer for the District and he was presented with cutlasses, two jute sacks, radio recorder, a bottle of atrazine, wellington boots and a motor bike     Other award winners were; Nafisa Hardi  of Bunbon, the best woman farmer; Mama Sibidow of Kuni, the best Agro-Forestry Farmer;  Lefei Jaldido of Adibo, the best yam farmer; Mr Nson Aboleh Evans of Yendi, the best worker farmer; Fatimah Mohammed of Yendi, the best shea nut picker.        Mr Issah Zakaria, Yendi Municipal Chief Executive, commended farmers in the area for helping to meet the country’s food needs and for contributing towards the development of the economy.       He said government was committed to building a strong and viable agriculture sector and that through the Youth in Agriculture Block farm Programme, government made available inputs at affordable rates to the youth and other small scale farmers.       Mr Zakaria said with the fertilizer subsidy, a total of 37, 854 bags of assorted fertilizer were received and distributed to farmers during the 2012 farming season.       He said the country was left with some few days to the Presidential and Parliamentary elections and urged all to ensure that the peace in the area remains.        The Yendi Municipal Director of Agriculture, Ambrose Buokanso Ansaayiri, said Farmer Based Organizations (FBOS) are the core component of Agriculture Extension delivery system in the nation and urged all interested in farming to join such organisations.         The Best Farmer, Asutana Michel Baba, appealed to the fertilizer distribution agents to sell the fertilizer at approved rates adding that currently prices of the commodity was very high.   GNA  ...

Asasetre (W/R), Nov. 02, GNA - The MP for Ellembelle, Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has affirmed his decision to bring more social interventions to accelerate the pace of development in the area.    He said the NDC-led administration is committed towards the economic emancipation of the citizenry.      Mr Buah, who doubles as the deputy Minister for Energy, was addressing a teeming crowd of NDC party faithfuls at the Asasetre zone after a keep-fit exercise from Tandan to Bomoakpole.      Outlining his vision for the area,  he promised to establish an elderly village as a special center  to cater for the social and economic needs of the aged.      He said the Ellembelle food basket will also be established where there will be collaboration with major stakeholders such as the Christian council, farmers and fishermen to make food available to the deprived in the area.      Mr Buah said it was also his intension to create a youth camp for each town to bring the youth together to foster social integration and forge a network for jobs.      He said the impending elections is about sharing ideas and choice and entreated all to be peaceful as they go about their campaigns.      He urged party members to move from house to house to explain government policies and manifestos to the electorate and dismiss the falsehoods being peddled against the party by the opposition NPP.      The Propaganda Secretary of the Asasetre zone, Mr Daniel Adea-Kaku, asked the NPP to tell Ghanaians the truth and stop promising heaven on earth just to win power.     GNA  ...

Apemenim (W/R), Nov. 02, GNA - Farmers in the Ahanta West District of the Western Region would from next year start benefiting from highly subsidized palm nut seedlings.   The District Chief Executive for the area, Mr Joseph Dofoyenah said this on Friday at this year’s District Farmers Day celebration at Apemenim.   He said in view of the proliferation of inferior oil palm seedlings in the District, the Assembly had decided to undertake the cultivation of about 30,000 quality oil palm seedlings next year and sell them under subsidized prices for farmers.   Speaking on the theme: “Grow more food; Strengthening Farmer Based Organisation (FBOs) to Enhance Bargaining Power at the Market Place”, the DCE entreated all unemployed youth to consider undertaking farming activities as it is very profitable.   Mr Dofoyenah said all the great nations in the world have successfully transformed their local economies through sustainable agriculture mechanization programmes and improved marketing strategies adding that as a developing nation we need to re-focus our attention and set our priorities right.   “We can achieve a lot as a people if we collectively resolve to change our attitude on what we grow, what we eat, and what we wear and be more nationalistic in building a better Ghana”, he opined.   The DCE said government had taken a number of interventions towards sustainable agriculture including payment of bonuses to farmers, provision of subsidy on fertilizers, mass cocoa spraying, supply of agriculture inputs as well as the introduction of modern techniques of farming and new varieties of drought resistant cereals.   Mr Dofoyenah said the district agriculture directorate in collaboration with other donor partners is undertaking studies on cassava flour for bread making, local poultry improvement programme, cassava multiplication and pig-feed environmental projects to improve the local economy.   He said farmers acting collectively in strong producer associations or cooperatives would be able to take advantage of many opportunities including access to markets, strong bargaining power and better economic conditions.   Mr Ofori Acheampong, the District Director of Agriculture, said 28 farmers in the District were selected for various awards in this year’s District Farmers Day for their meritorious service and contribution towards the sustenance of food security.   Some of the award recipients received cutlasses, sewing machines, mobile phones, wax prints, spraying machines, wellington boots, animal feeds, among others.   Mr Andrew Asamoah, 45, from Kanfakrom was adjudged the overall best district farmer.      He took home a pair of wellington boots, 4 cutlasses, mobile phone, bicycle, spraying machine, animal feed, radio cassette and a certificate.         GNA  ...

   Wechiau (U/W), Nov. 2, GNA – Mr Abu Nabong, a 35-year old maize farmer from Mwanduanu in the Sissala East District has emerged as the 2012 Regional Best Farmer for the Upper West Region.      Mr Nabong took away a corn mill, a spraying and sewing machines, 12 machetes, a radio cassette recorder, one pair of Wellington boots and a certificate as his prize.       In all 22 farmers including three women were honored at a ceremony in Wechiau in the Wa West District of the Upper West Region.       Mr Nabong has 350 acres of maize, 110 acres of groundnuts, five acres of yam, 50 acres of rice, two acres each of cashew, bambara beans and groundnuts and an acre of tomato.      He also has 1,500 cattle, 80 sheep, 50 goats, 45 local fowls, 15 ducks, 150 pigeons and a donkey.       The 2012 Regional Best Farmer is also a proud owner of three tractors, animal drawn ridges and block cart, four shellers and one grinding mill.       Mr Nabong has also built a mosque for the community, offered free tractor services to needy people in the community and help to transport sick people to Tumu or Wa for medical care.       Alhaji Amidu Sulemana, Upper West Regional Minister, thanked all farmers in the region for their commitment and dedication to food production in the country.       He said the theme for the occasion: “Grow More Food – Strengthening Farmer-Based Organisations (FBOs), for Market Place Bargaining Power” was appropriate because it was linked to the Medium-Term Agricultural Sector Investment Plan (METASIP) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.       He said the Plan which has a lifespan of five years was geared at empowering the farmer to bargain for fair prices for their produce and equipping them with the requisite knowledge and practices to manage their farms in view of the dwindling number of Agricultural officers.   Alhaji Sulemana urged framers in the region to turn their attention to some of the non-traditional export crops including fruit-tree crops such as mango, cashew, shea as well as industrial crops such as cotton and moringa.       He said government since 2008 had introduced subsidies in prices of farm inputs such as fertilizers farm machinery and improved seeds adding that this had gone a long way to mitigate the sufferings of farmers while boosting the yields of the various crops.       The Regional Minister said a total of 13,345.9 metric tonnes of fertilizer (266,918 bags) were distributed in the region for the 2012 cropping season.       Alhaji Sulemana expressed concern that the fertilizer was being smuggled out of the region into neighbouring Burkina Faso, thereby, denying some farmers especially those in the Sissala area access to fertilizer.                GNA  ...

    Winneba (C/R), Nov. 02, GNA - Thirteen farmers and fishermen were on Friday awarded in the Effutu Municipal National Farmers’ Day celebration at Nsuaekyre.       They were presented with ice chests, aluminum bows, wellington boots, knapsack sprayers, weedicides, shovels, television set and certificates.        Mrs Mary Asmah, a 40-year old farmer from Effutu Nsuaekyre , was adjudged the District’s best farmer.       The theme for the celebration was: “Grow more food; strengthening farmer based organizations for market place bargaining power”.          Mr Emmanuel Oduro, Effutu Municipal MOFA, urged farmers to adopt modern farming practices, especially usage of approved chemical to food production.         He said through the support of Effutu Municipal Assembly the Ministry has been able establish a 15-acre maize farm at New Winneba.          He said ten farmers in the area have been also introduced to the cultivation of Chili Pepper for export.          Mr Mike Allen Hammah, MP for Effutu, commended the farmers for their immerse contribution to the development of the nation and hoped they will continue to work harder to increase productivity.         He said the government will continue to give support and intervention to increase food production in the country and appealed to chiefs and land owners to release land for agriculture.         Nii Ephraim, Effutu Municipal Chief Executive, said government has introduced useful policies and programmes including the root and tuber improvement and market, northern rural growth , youth in agriculture and the supply of subsidized fertilizer to help increase food production.           He said for the past three years the Municipal Directorate of MOFA in collaboration with Assembly has also introduced programmes such as the Farmer Based Organizations in other to adopt best farming techniques and practice.           The MCE said under the programme over 100 youth have been supported to cultivate over 150 acres of maize.                                GNA  ...

     Sekondi, Nov. 02, GNA - The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) on Friday honoured 18 farmers who had contributed towards the development of agriculture in the area at this year’s Metropolitan Farmers Day celebration at Sekondi.       Mr Emmanuel Kofi Tawiah, 54, who was adjudged the Metropolitan Best Farmer, was presented with a 24-inch LCD television, four pairs of wellington boots, one full piece of wax print, a refrigerator, among other items.       Mr Joseph Oko-Adotey, 48, who won the Metropolitan Best Fisherman award, was presented with items including an outboard motor and 21 inch colour television.       Captain Anthony Cudjoe (rtd), the Metropolitan Chief Executive, commended farmers and fishermen in the area for helping to meet the country’s food needs and for contributing towards the development of the economy.       He said the NDC government was committed to building a strong and viable agriculture sector.       Captain Cudjoe said the fertilizer subsidy programme was an ample testimony of the government determination to assist farmers with inputs, machinery and equipment to deliver.   He urged the teeming youth including the unemployed to avail themselves of the government’s agricultural interventions to improve their lot and to put them in a better position to contribute positively towards the country’s development.   GNA  ...