Channel funds for National Cathedral into rice and sugar production - Trade Expert to Akuffo-Addo

Channel funds for National Cathedral into rice and sugar production - Trade Expert to Akuffo-Addo 

A Ghanaian based Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) student and a trade expert, Zankawah Sanusi Kris has admonished president Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo to leave the matters of God to the clergy and concentrate on arresting the current economic downturn through industrialization.

Commenting on the controversial National Cathedral Project in an exclusive interview with blogger, Ananpansah B. Abraham,he said nothing at this point can save the face of Ghana in the midst of the worsening national crisis, except a shift towards adopting a protectionist policy aimed at boosting rice and sugarcane production.

"Nothing can salvage our economy at this critical stage rather than embarking on a massive industrialization drive. Nigeria in August 2019 implemented a protectionist measure by banning all rice imports and embarked on massive rice production, today they are able to bridge the demand and supply gap of rice. So Mr. President the citizens need food and not a Cathedral,"he noted. 

According to him,the much-talked-about National Cathedral project is a sole promise by the president and there can be no justification for government to invest a whopping $400 million up from the initial $100 million into such a project in a circular country like Ghana at a time when the world's economy is rapidly descending into doldrums with so many challenges.

He's with the firm conviction that part of the funds to be allocated for the national Cathedral project should be used to procure plants for rice processing and value addition to provide jobs for the teaming youth. 

"As of February this year, a complete 40ton/hr rice processing line plant exported to Burkina Faso cost about $160,000, such statistics suggest that with only $100 million the government could procure about 625 or many of these plants or much bigger ones which could produce 25,000 tons of rice per hour relieving the country from some of the burden of Rice importation and ostensibly the pressure it brings on foreign exchange reserves. 

"The remaining balance of $300 million could be channelled into the cultivation of rice and sugarcane and other operation/overhead cost to feed these plants and that of the Komenda Sugar factory,".

In his analysis, quoting from the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC world), Ghana in 2020 alone imported $151 million worth of raw Sugar, becoming the 45th largest importer of raw Sugar worldwide. The country also imported $391 million worth of Rice, becoming the 20th largest importer of Rice globally.

In the same year, Rice importation was the 3rd most imported commodity in the country. Ghana imports Rice primarily from: Vietnam ($282 million), Thailand ($45.5 million), India ($27.3 million), Pakistan ($20.6 million), and China ($5.95 million).  

This he said compels the country to outsource employment distorting the external sector by pushing the country much deeper into trade deficit and balance of payment crisis.  

These rice plants he pointed out are energy-friendly, use firewood, solar energy, and diesel to power them,adding that,"in the final analysis, the government will be creating employment, feeding its citizens and also becoming a net exporter of rice and sugar with the by-products from the rice production used for other economic purposes such as sodium for soap manufacture or poultry feed.

Source: Ananpansah Bartholomew Abraham

Assemblyman donates set of football hose to Canteen FC ahead of gala games

Assemblyman donates set of football hose to Canteen FC ahead of gala games

The Assemblyman for the Canteen Electoral Area in the West Gonja Municipal,hon.Ananpansah Bartholomew Abraham in his usual fashion, has donated a set of Football Hose to the Canteen Young Stars Football club ahead of the much anticipated Astro Turf Gala Games.

Made up of 12 pieces in a set,the classic three strip Football Hose is to enhance the uniformity and uniqueness of the team in striving for the ultimate trophy.

The donation according to the honorable man follows a request made to him by the team through the team captain in one of the normal training sessions highly patronized by the Assemblyman.

At a brief ceremony to handover the items,the Assemblyman who always join the team for training encouraged the players to put up their best for the Canteen community.

Whilst pledging the continuous commitment of the office of the Assemblyman as well as the entire Sports Management Committee to the endeavors of the team, the Assemblyman who doubles as the interim Team Financiar said there was a lot of talent inherent in the Canteen team worth unearthing.

He disclosed that it became necessary for him to sponsor the mowing of the Canteen Central Park barely a month ago as a way to facilitate the training of the team, adding that,he will personally take up the transportation cost of the team throughout the period of the matches.

The young Assemblyman called on the entire Canteen Community to arise and support the team both physically, morally, financially to lift the image of the electoral area, urging stakeholders to consider the Canteen Central Park for standard construction as well.

The team Captain, Seidu Muzabiru who received the items on behalf of the team thanked the Assemblyman for the continuous support, describing the gesture as a 'huge relieve.

Like Oliver Twist,he called on the Assemblyman to keep the love and supporting spirit for the team and Canteen as a whole, pledging that they will never let him and the community down.

To him,it is victory all the way for the Canteen this time around.

Source: Office of the Assemblyman, Canteen Electoral Area

Renowned educationist laid to rest amidst rousing farewell

Renowned educationist laid to rest amidst rousing farewell

The mortal remains of a renowned educationist and former Northern Regional Chairman of the Ghana National Association of teachers(GNAT),Sir Emmanuel Kpalsowura Kuntala Ntoba has been laid to rest at his hometown in Busunu, Suburb of Damongo in the West Gonja Municipal of the Savannah Region.

The legendary K. K. Ntoba who served as headmaster for Bole Senior High school and Yendi Senior High School among others passed onto glory on Sunday, 15th May, 2022, at the West Gonja Catholic Hospital after battling a short illness.

The Former educationist was given a rousing farewell at his hometown, Busunu, on Saturday, 4th June, 2022,  by former students, school mates, church Associates,colleagues from the educational sector and members of his home community. Indeed,it is a very long and sorrowful journey!

Biography:

The late Emmanuel Kpalsowura Kuntala Ntoba popularly known as KK Ntoba was born on the 6th of September, 1959, to Chief Kpalsowura Kuntala Ntoba and Madam Tusua Yaw, both of blessed memory.

He was the first of the two children born to his parents and has fourteen other siblings from other two wives of his father.

Mr. Ntoba enrolled into formal education in the year 1966 at the Busunu L/A primary school and proceeded to Damongo for his middle day school where he later gained admission into the St. Charles Minor Seminary/Secondary school in the year 1974 for his GCE 'O' level certificate.This was after passing a very competitive entrance examination.

He proceeded to the Nandom Secondary school where he obtained his 'A' level certificate in 1981 which qualified him to enroll into the university of cape coast where he obtained a Diploma in Basic Education and Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and French.

He did his mandatory one year National Service at the Nkoranza Secondary/Technical school in 1986 and later got recruited as a full time teacher in the same school in 1988, where he provided excellent service as an English teacher until 1990 when he left Ghana for Nigeria.

While in Nigeria, Mr. Ntoba taught in the Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri in the Borno state from 1991 to 1992 and later returned to Ghana and continued to teach English language, Literature in English and French from July,1992 to September 1995 in his alma mater, St. charles Minor seminary in Tamale.

The Name K K Ntoba became a household name among students in almost all the secondary schools in Tamale including schools where he did not have a formal teaching engagement because of his exceptional knowledge in English, French and Latin.

In 1995, he was posted to Damongo Secondary school where he taught English language, Literature in english and French until september, 2011, when he was promoted to the rank of Director in the Ghana education service and posted to E.P Agric secondary school in Tatale as headmaster.

Due to his hard work, good managerial and leadership skills, he was again posted to Yendi Senior High school from 2014- 2016 and finally to Bole senior high school from 2016 - 2019 where he went on compulsory retirement at the age of 60.

While in active service, Late K K Ntoba held various positions in many Associations including; Welfare Secretary of GNAT, Nkoranza District(1987 - 1990), Local Chairman of GNAT, Damongo(1998 - 2005), West Gonja District GNAT Chairman( 2012 - 2015), Northern Region Representative to the National GNAT council, Member of the District GNAT council, member of the Regional GNAT council, Northern Regional GNAT chairman for six years, Secretary to Northern Regional CHASS, Board Chairman, Damongo nursing and midwifery training college, member of the Savannah Region Consultative Forum and co - chairperson of the Busunu Professionals Association.

As an ardent Catholic and a believer of Jesus Christ, Mr. Emmanuel Kuntala Ntoba equally devoted his time to the service of God and the Catholic Church as a whole. 

He showed his devotion by joining the Catholic Youth Organization as a young boy and legion of mary as a teenager.

When he became an adult, he was initiated into the Noble Order of the Knights and Ladies Auxiliary of the St John International.

He left behind a wife and five children namely; Alberta Katan Kuntala, Angela Kanyiti Kuntala, Bernard Akumfo Kuntala, Basil Borenyi Kuntala and Anita Besipo - Anye Kuntala.

The funeral ceremony of the late K K Ntoba witnessed the presence of prominent politicians, members of the catholic church in the Damongo Diocese, chiefs and people of Busunu, heads of senior high schools across the five Northern regions, former students  and members of St. John's international.

Source: Ananpansah Bartholomew Abraham