Sweet potato needs attention

Root and Tuber Liaison Officer at the Directorate of Crop Services, Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA, George Prah, has proposed a swift policy intervention that will boost the capacity of farmers in the cultivation and production of sweet potato.

 

He told the B&FT in an exclusive interview that government must speedily outline a number of policy interventions that will be targeted at transforming the entire value chain of the food crop. 

Such an intervention, he said, must look at capital injection, a strategy to strengthen production techniques, research and extension as well as marketing and processing of the tuber for profitability among all stakeholders in the value-chain.

Sweet potato which has been identified as one of the key root and tuber crop, addresses malnutrition among children in the country with high content of Vitamin A.

“Sweet potato, apart from being one of the starchy staples, is a source of carbohydrates and the new ones we have developed is very rich in beta carotene- prerequisite for vitamin A which is very good for children eye sight, and nutrition,” he said.

Available statistics by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) 2012 indicate that 12,000 children in Ghana die every year of under- weight related ailments due to malnutrition. 

The statistics also indicate that under nutrition contributes to about half of all child deaths beyond early infancy and accounts for the death of one out of every thirteen children in the country who die before their fifth birthday.

Sweet potato a secondary crop because it complements the major root crops like cassava and yam and has many positive attribute such as production of more carbohydrate per unit area per unit.

Mr. Prah explained that four new varieties of sweet potato with vitamin A were developed and released in December 2012 by the Crop Research Institute, and in total there are about eight varieties of sweet potato in the country, which are rich in beta carotene.

Among some of the varieties released were Apomuden, Faara, Okumkom, Santompona, Sauti, Otoo (RTIP) Tek Santom (KNUST), Patron, Ligri, Dadanyuie and Bohye (WAAPP).

Sweet potato is the seventh most important food crop in the world; in developing countries, it ranks fifth in terms of economic value of production and among the tropical root crops, it is the second most important after cassava. 

In sub-Saharan Africa, where the crop is grown on some 13.37 million hectares of land, it is the third most important root crop after cassava and yam.

The largest producer in Africa is Tanzania, followed closely by Nigeria with production figures of about 3.6 and 3.3 million tonnes respectively.

Sweet potato improvement programmes in Ghana over the last decade have focused on providing varieties that were drought, pest and disease tolerant. 

Major growing areas

The Sweet Potato which is mainly cultivated in commercial quantities in all regions except the Western region is mainly planted in pure stands. In the northern sector; it is sometimes intercropped with yam or other crops. The crop is either planted in mounds or in ridges. 

It was estimated that a total of 9,622 hectares of sweet potato was cultivated during the 2012 cropping season. 

The Upper East region cultivated 5,550 hectares representing 57.7 percent of total area cropped while Upper West and Eastern regions cultivated 1,157 hectares (12.0 %) and 1,030 hectares (10.7 %) respectively.

In terms of output, an estimated total of 131,990 metric tons of sweet potatoes was produced. Out of the total production, Upper East region produced the highest of 46,000 metric tons presenting 34.9 percent; Eastern, 34,910 mt (26.4 %), Upper West, 19,530 mt (14.8) and Volta region, 15,340 mt (11.6 %). 

The district/municipal performance in terms of cropped area and production. It reveals that, sweet potato production is highly concentrated along the Afram River in the Kwahu East district of the Eastern region. It is estimated that, 934 hectares were cropped yielding about 33,000 metric tons.

Other major producing districts/municipals include; Bawku Municipal (12,500 mt), Wa Municipal (11,070 mt) and Akatsi district (7,700 mt). 

In 2009, a Root and Tuber Improvement and Marketing Programme (RTIMP) was implemented in about 26 District, Municipal and Metropolitan assemblies across the country especially in the Northern part of the country. 

The International Fund for Agricultural Development, (IFAD) in collaboration with the government also jointly sponsored the project to help enhance food security and increase the incomes of roots and tuber farmers thereby improving their livelihood development.

China-Ghana Graduates Association launched

The Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Sun Baohong has officially inaugurated the China-Ghana Graduates Association (CGGA) with a call on Ghanaian students’ studying in China to return home to become the country’s economic backbone.

Their return will help in promoting Ghana’s social development, and China – Ghana economic and trade cooperation as well as to help transform the economic and social – political stature of the two countries.

She was speaking at the ceremony that brought together a number of youth within the country, potential students, past students among others. The Association is committed to creating a common educational and cultural platform for the training of individuals of both countries and the sharing of knowledge and positive values that would impact society.

Ambassador Baohong said: “Ghanaians should learn from Chinese people with the attributes of love for the country, accountability, sacrifice, maintenance culture, tourism and cherish locally produced goods which will help shape Ghana to a better pedestal.”

She indicated that the Chinese government has granted scholarship opportunities to more than 500 Ghanaian nationals studying in China.

“The number of self-supporting Ghanaian students’ pursuing various career choices has been extended to 4,600 with an overwhelming number of Ghanaian graduates return to Ghana well advanced in their study in China.

“Ghanaian graduates studying in China are area group of elites in Ghana who have wide knowledge and deep understanding of China should endeavor to let Ghanaians understand the real China.

“They become emotionally bonds of China traditional friendship and the rich resources of China- Ghana people – to- people while providing inexhaustible intellectual support for the social and economic development of Ghana. 

“Ghanaians with clear mind, strong language background and adaptability culture makes Ghanaian students oversea brilliant with outstanding performances amongst students in China,” she said.

She added: “Ghanaians should uphold to the strong belief of another’s good quality or suggestion whereby one can cure defects and sincerely hoping that Ghana would learn the successful experience of China.

She said although the Association is young, its presence will serve as a catalyst in advancing the traditional friendship and cooperation in various fields between China and Ghana.

The Association, she said needs the support of governments of both countries to encourage the successful academic and career progression of China Ghanaian graduates.

The Minister for Youth and Sports, Mr Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye urged the youth to incorporate the spirit of selfless volunteerism in other to contribute to the development of the country, adding that there was a need to advocate for change in the mental setup of young people to appreciate the spirit of sacrifice in order to build a better future.

He said the relationship between Ghana and China has gone beyond trade and commerce and that it was important for nationals of both countries to come together to advance a new trend of friendship which includes the appreciation of cultural and traditional values.

He therefore called for a rigorous change in mental attitude needed to reform and re-orient the youth to fight for what is desirable and right for the country.

The President of CGGA, Mr. Charles Mawuenyega said there is the need for active collaboration between Chinese stakeholders and relevant Ghanaian governmental organisations and established associations to deepen the already cordial relations between the two nations.

He explained that the CGGA will seek to promote a network of Chinese and Ghanaian graduates and interested individuals who are committed to promoting a mutually beneficial relationship between China and Ghana in particular and the African continent in general.

“Ghanaian students to cultivate the spirit of volunteerism by working with local people and grass-root organisations,” he remarked.

Chamber of Mines launches 2016 industry awards

Ghana Chamber of Mines has launched this year’s Ghana Mining Industry Awards to recognise excellence and the contribution of mining companies and individuals to the development of the country.

The award which is the second since its inception in 2015 is on the theme “Recognising excellence in Ghana’s mining industry for sustainable development.” The award is scheduled to take place in the first week of December this year.

The Chief Executive of the Chamber, Mr. Sulemana Koney, who launched the awards, said the Chamber has included new categories to the awards scheme and these are Best Mining Student of University of Mining and Technology, Best Mining Reporter and Best Community Safety Brigade.

The other categories are Best Performer in Environment Management, Best Performer in Local Content, Best Performer in Mine Supplies and Support Services, Mining Company of the Year, CSR project of the year, Lifetime Achievement Award, Best Innovative Company, Best Performer in Occupational Health and Safety and Best Essay in Inter Mine First Aid and Safety Competition.

The Mining Industry Awards add up to the Chamber’s biennial mining conference and exhibition, the Mining Summit which is held to forge partnerships with counterparts from other parts of the world.

Mr. Koney said the Chamber would continue to work with government and stakeholders to reinforce the successes and impact of the industry in the development process of the country.