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The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has begun the process to install irrigation facilities in eight regions to provide an all year-round production of raw materials to feed government’s 24-hour policy. 

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Dubbed, “Irrigation for wealth creation”, the first phase of the programme will focus on the Volta, Oti, Central, North East, Northern, Savannah, Upper West and Upper East regions.

Consequently, the sector minister, Eric Opoku, has tasked regional ministers to lead negotiations to secure 10,000 hectares of land for the project, which will begin immediately after Parliament approves the government’s budget.

Target

The 10,000-hectare target is expected to contribute to the country’s potential irrigable land of 1.9 million hectares. Currently, only 1.6 per cent of  the 1.9 million hectares is under irrigation, significantly below the West and Central African average of 13.9 per cent.

The regional ministers who met with the Minister of Food and Agriculture yesterday are to begin negotiations with chiefs in the areas marked for the project.

The negotiations, surveying, mapping and design of the project are expected to begin from February 18, this year.

The minister said phase two would cover all the other regions. 

Irrigation

Mr. Opoku said the project aligned with the government’s vision of utilising agriculture as a driving force for economic growth.

He said farming in Ghana was seasonal, and that the government was resetting the sector by moving away from rainfall to irrigation-based agriculture.

That, he said, would help the farmers to farm throughout the year, adding, “For the 24-hour policy to work to perfection, there is the need to ensure sustainable agriculture production

“If you set up a factory here that takes raw materials from the agriculture sector and if production is seasonal, agriculture will produce the raw materials for three months and the remaining months will not be functional.

“But if you have an irrigation infrastructure in place to ensure water supply throughout the year it will provide an uninterrupted supply for the industry,” he added. 

Smallholder farmers

For areas where smallholder farmers already operate in, he said the project would not have a negative impact on them, saying the government would provide them with the facilities to enable them to work throughout the year.

“It is going to affect them positively but as for the land we have the assurance that these are areas earmarked for irrigation long ago, so we only have to finalise the discussions with the chiefs,” he said. 

‘DON ANCELOTTI CARLO HAS TAKEN CHARGE OF MORE ERUROPEAN CUP’

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IN the history of world football association; Don Carlo Ancelotti has now overseen more European Cup matches than any other Real Madrid coach. His recent game against Manchester City marked his 72nd match in charge of the team in this prestigious competition, surpassing previous records held by other legendary figures in the club’s history. Ancelotti’s experience and success in the UEFA Champions League have solidified his place as one of the most influential managers in European football.

AG’s discontinuation of cases a ploy to whitewash implicated NDC officials – Godfred Dame

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The recent statements by former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Godfred Dame highlight a growing controversy over the discontinuation of high-profile criminal cases involving former government officials from the John Mahama administration.

Mr. Dame has raised concerns that the decision to drop these cases is a deliberate move to clear the officials of any wrongdoing without judicial review. He argues that this is part of a broader strategy by the current government to protect members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and undermine the judicial process.

The criticism comes in the wake of the Attorney-General, Dominic Ayine, dropping several cases involving ex-officials, with the justification that they lacked merit and were politically motivated.

Despite Ayine’s defense, Mr. Dame believes this approach is highly problematic, suggesting that it sets a dangerous precedent for how governance and the rule of law should function in Ghana.

Dame’s comments reflect broader concerns within the country about the integrity of the justice system, with some seeing this as an attack on accountability efforts, especially in relation to the fight against corruption.

His assertion that this has no precedent in Ghana’s Fourth Republic suggests that such a shift in handling high-profile criminal cases could have long-term consequences for the country’s legal and political landscape.

‘THE EMOTIONS GOT THE BETTER ME’ LIVERPOOL MANAGER ARNE SLOT FUMES.

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Dutchman Slot, 46, was shown a red card after approaching referee Michael Oliver on the pitch following the full-time whistle at Goodison Park.

Everton scored a 98th-minute equaliser in a dramatic conclusion to the 2-2 draw, in which Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure and Liverpool’s Curtis Jones were both also sent off after the game had ended.

About the incident which led to his red card, Slot said on Friday: “There is an ongoing process now and I have to respect that.”

He added: “Emotions got the better of me. If I could do that differently, if I look back I would love to do that differently, and I hope to do that differently next time.”

As it stands, Slot will be on the touchline for Sunday’s Premier League match against Wolves at Anfield (14:00 GMT) while the Football Association reviews Oliver’s report and decides whether it will take further action.

The Premier League initially reported on its website that Slot would be banned for two matches “for using offensive, insulting, or abusive language” – but that was later deleted. It is understood human error was to blame for the erroneous post.

Liverpool were adamant that James Tarkowski’s late leveller, which was checked by the video assistant referee (VAR), should have been ruled out for a shove on defender Ibrahima Konate in the build-up.

But Slot, who was unable to speak to the media after Wednesday’s match because of his red card, also voiced frustration over the amount of stoppage time played, after five minutes were initially added.

“I think what happened was that the extra five minutes ended up being eight. It happened a lot,” said Slot, whose assistant Sipke Hulshoff was also sent off.

“I should have acted differently after the game, but it’s an emotional sport and sometimes individuals make wrong decisions and that’s definitely what I did.”

RAUL ASENCIO AND PAU CUBARSI STATISTICS THIS SEASON

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It seems like Raul Asencio has really impressed Real Madrid fans with his standout performance against Manchester City in the Champions League, especially with key defenders like Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, and David Alaba out. His display has sparked comparisons to Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsi, a highly rated young defender, but it seems Asencio has quickly earned a lot of praise for his all-around defensive abilities.

While it’s clear that Asencio’s showing is catching attention, the comparisons to Cubarsi are still a bit premature, given the difference in their experience and ages. Cubarsi, being just 18 and already a regular starter for Barcelona, has a significant edge in terms of playing time. Asencio, at 21, is still building his consistency and isn’t yet a regular in the Madrid defense.

Despite the differences, the buzz around Asencio seems to be growing, and many fans are starting to see his potential as one of the top defenders in the game. It’s interesting to see how the debate between him and Cubarsi will unfold as both players continue to develop.

Do you think Asencio can maintain this level of performance, or is it too early to crown him as the next big defensive star?

MURTALA REITRATES GOV’T COMMITTMENT TO COMBAT ILLEGAL MINING

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The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Samuel Abu Jinapor, has reiterated the government’s commitment to fighting illegal mining, also known as “galamsey.” Despite the challenges involved, he emphasized that the government would not rest until it successfully tackles the issue.

He pointed out that while the government is taking charge, it also seeks support and cooperation from various stakeholders, including the National House of Chiefs, who were engaged by the President in October 2022 for their assistance in the fight.

A key part of the government’s new strategy involves Operation Halt II. Mr. Jinapor explained that the government has provided the Military High Command with a comprehensive list of all legally licensed small-scale mining companies in the country.

This measure ensures that soldiers on the ground can distinguish between lawful mining operations and illegal ones, enabling more targeted actions against “galamsey.

” He assured that no political or influential figures would be allowed to interfere with the operations of Operation Halt II, underscoring the seriousness of the government’s approach.

#Fast News

KUMASI Nurse, 3 Kids Burnt To Death

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A tragic fire at Gyinyaase in the Asokwa Municipality of the Ashanti Region has claimed the lives of a nurse, Linda Agyemang, and her three children. The victims, aged 35 (Linda), 14, 10, and 4, were trapped in their three-bedroom apartment in the early hours of Saturday, February 8, 2025, around 4:00 AM, when the fire broke out.

Neighbors and passers-by made desperate attempts to rescue the family, but their efforts were hampered when a gas cylinder exploded, intensifying the flames and trapping the family inside. Despite the best efforts of the community, they were unable to save them. The charred remains of Linda and her children were transported to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) for preservation.

Three other occupants of the house were rescued and are receiving treatment at Kumasi South Hospital.

Residents are devastated by the loss, and authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire. The Ashanti Regional Public Relations Officer for the Ghana National Fire Service, DO II Peter Addai, confirmed the incident and noted that firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze, but the victims were already burnt by the time they were found.

This incident has left the community in shock and mourning, as they try to come to terms with the loss of the lives of a mother and her children.

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LAGOS STATE UNVEILS NEW INDUSTRIAL POLICY

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The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment, has launched a new industrial policy aimed at fostering a sustainable industrial environment within the state. The initiative was announced by the State Commissioner, Folashade Ambrose, during the Lagos State Industrial Policy Consultative Assembly and Validation Workshop at Alausa, Ikeja.

Ambrose highlighted the necessity to align the state’s industrial policies with both domestic needs and international best practices, emphasizing that the world is moving toward a new era driven by technology, sustainability, and global competitiveness. She mentioned that the new industrial policy, spanning from 2025 to 2030, would be a key document in making Lagos a hub of industrial excellence, where businesses thrive, investments flourish, and job creation is maximized.

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains, underscoring the need for stronger local production capacity. Ambrose stressed that Lagos, as Nigeria’s commercial capital, should lead in creating a self-sufficient, innovative, and globally competitive industrial ecosystem, leveraging the state’s human capital, geographic advantage, and entrepreneurial strength.

Ambrose also reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration to drive a technology-driven economy and a sustainable, climate-resilient state. The assembly was presented not only as a meeting but as a call to action to shape the future of Lagos’ industrial sector.

Guest speaker Reuben Bamidele, National Programme Officer at UNIDO, emphasized the importance of sustainability, innovation, and global best practices in developing a resilient industrial landscape. He lauded Lagos for its focus on policy-driven industrialization and suggested more efforts in promoting public-private partnerships in green industrialization, environmental sustainability, and circular economy, while enhancing industrial energy efficiency and resource-efficient production.

In addition, Adeniyi Akinlusi, Managing Director of Lekki Worldwide Investments Limited, referred to the assembly as a reaffirmation that Lagos is “ready for business.” He highlighted that a successful African strategy must include a Nigerian strategy, with Lagos at the forefront.

This initiative has been widely praised by attendees, who expressed support for policies that empower industries and businesses, strengthening the state’s economy.

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GOMA RESIDENTS EXPRESS FEARS OVER INCREASED TENSIONS AND ESCALATIONS

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The escalating military presence in Bukavu has heightened fears among residents, as security concerns grow both within the city and in surrounding areas. The increasing unrest has left the population uncertain about their safety and the region’s future.

According to local accounts, the violence has extended beyond Bukavu, affecting nearby towns such as Nova and Bibuhey. Raimond Mukobelwa reports that many residents have fled toward neighboring countries, including Burundi and Tanzania, in search of safety. The displacement has triggered a sharp rise in demand for basic goods like flour and salt, while others have relocated from Kavumu to Bukavu in hopes of finding greater security.

Despite a significant military deployment in Bukavu, concerns persist. Pascal Buhendwa describes the city’s streets as heavily patrolled, yet the heightened security has done little to alleviate fears. Reports of unidentified individuals potentially infiltrating the city have added to the unease, leaving residents anxious about possible attacks or further destabilization.

Many locals express deep exhaustion from the ongoing violence. Furaha Ntakwinja highlights the severe psychological strain caused by the conflict, emphasizing how the constant presence of military trucks and newly arrived soldiers has become a daily source of anxiety. The relentless fear and uncertainty have left residents overwhelmed, struggling with sleeplessness and stress.

Collectively, these testimonies reflect a city in turmoil. As Bukavu grapples with escalating violence and an uncertain future, its people remain desperate for peace and stability.

#Fast TV

Greater Accra Council of State election marred temporarily by chaos

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The Greater Accra Council of State election on Tuesday, February 11, was temporarily marred by chaos after one of the aspirants, Musah Ziyad, was blocked by the police while attempting to enter the polling room with some persons.

Amid the commotion, the Greater Regional Minister Linda Ocloo fled through the exit door.

However, calm was subsequently restored, allowing the election to continue.

A total of 58 delegates are expected to cast their ballots to elect a representative for the region.

The election is being supervised by the Electoral Commission (EC), with the Greater Accra Regional Director of the EC, Mrs Gladys Pinkrah, confirming the smooth conduct of the process.

Thirteen candidates are contesting the election in the Greater Accra Region.

They include Afotey-Agbo Joseph Nii Laryea, Summertime Kwabillna Ampong, Sampson Seyram Kwadzo Agbemabiese, Horvey Charles Yaw, Redeemer Worwui, Joseph Tetten Sottie, Annan Helbert Nii Aryee, Musah Ziyad, Samuel Duah, Albert Borketey Naawu, Nene Drolor Bosso Adamtey (I), Edmund Siaw Akugbey, and Obed Nyarko.

Meanwhile, three of the 13 candidates have withdrawn from the race limiting the number to 10. They include Obed Nyarko, Albert Borketey Naawu and Musah Ziyad who was at the centre of the confusion.

A similar incident occurred in the Ashanti region where the election was suspended after some heavily built men stormed the polling area and allegedly destroyed election materials and also assaulted some journalists in the process.

The Council of State is an advisory body established under Articles 89 to 92 of the 1992 Constitution to counsel the President in the performance of his duties.

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