NACOC Declares Frank Danquah Wanted Amid Heightened Narcotics Scrutiny
The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has officially declared Frank Danquah, born September 11, 1978, a wanted man in connection with suspected narcotics-related offenses. The announcement, made public on September 22, 2026, comes as authorities intensify efforts to clamp down on drug trafficking across Ghana. In its public notice, NACOC appealed to citizens for help in locating Mr. Danquah, encouraging anyone with information about his whereabouts to reach out via the Commission’s toll-free hotline, 0800 307 307. While details about the specific offenses remain undisclosed, NACOC’s wanted-persons page notes that individuals on the list are typically sought under the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019), a law covering importation, exportation, possession, and prohibited business involving narcotics. This latest development comes at a time when Ghana’s narcotics-control systems are under increased public scrutiny. Earlier this month, authorities began investigating the interception of approximately 3.9 tonnes of suspected cocaine shipped from Ghana to France. Six individuals have already been remanded in connection with the case, after prosecutors revealed that containers released from Tema Port for export had shown suspicious scan images. NACOC has not linked Frank Danquah to the France cocaine case in its notice. However, the timing of the wanted declaration underscores the broader efforts underway to strengthen enforcement and accountability within Ghana’s fight against illegal drugs. As the search for Frank Danquah intensifies, NACOC urges the public to assist in ensuring that those involved in narcotics offenses are brought to justice. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
GRA Launches VAT Compliance Drive, Targets 30% Gap by 2028
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has set an ambitious goal: to cut the country’s Value Added Tax (VAT) gap in half by the end of 2028. Currently, Ghana’s VAT gap, representing the difference between expected and actual VAT collections, stands at 60%. The GRA aims to reduce this to around 30% within the next four years. Dr. Martin Kolbil Yamborigya, Commissioner for the Domestic Tax Revenue Division, announced the new target during the launch of the GRA’s VAT Compliance Campaign. Speaking to journalists after visiting shops at the Accra Mall to assess adherence to VAT requirements, Dr. Yamborigya outlined the Authority’s VAT Strategic Plan. “According to our VAT strategic plan, we are hoping that between now and the end of 2028 we should be able to close this gap from the current 60% to about 30%,” he said. Achieving this, he explained, will require a significant increase in VAT collections and a commitment to broader compliance from both businesses and individuals. “That means that at least we should be able to collect 30% more in addition to what we are currently collecting,” he added. The GRA’s long-term objective, Dr. Yamborigya emphasized, is to foster a culture of consistent compliance, rather than relying solely on enforcement. “In the long run we expect every Ghanaian to comply so that the tax will be collected,” he stated. The Commissioner was quick to assure businesses that the ongoing VAT Compliance Campaign is focused on education, not intimidation. “This campaign is not meant to harass businesses and we don’t also intend to disadvantage any business,” he said. During compliance visits to the Accra Mall, officials discovered that some businesses were not consistently issuing VAT invoices. Rather than taking immediate punitive action, the GRA engaged with these businesses, encouraging them to improve their invoicing practices. “We realized that they were not religiously issuing VAT invoices and we only encourage them to make sure they do the right thing,” Dr. Yamborigya explained. “If we were not to show human face, we probably would have called for their arrest immediately,” he added, underscoring the Authority’s preference for education and engagement over punishment, unless non-compliance is shown to be deliberate. “We are going to be more engaging, we are going to be more educative. But where we find out that the non-compliance is deliberate, that’s what we apply.” Through this approach, Dr. Yamborigya said, the GRA is working to ensure that taxpayers understand their obligations and are given every opportunity to comply. “So we continue to show human face by ensuring that people know and understand their tax obligations and comply,” he concluded. With education at the forefront and enforcement as a last resort, the GRA hopes to boost compliance and close the VAT gap, strengthening Ghana’s revenue base for the future. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
High Court Adjourns Bail Hearing of Salomey Baffoe in Ghana Jollof False Information Case
High Court in Accra has adjourned the bail application hearing of Salomey Baffoe, accused of abetting social media personality Ghana Jollof in the publication of false information. The hearing, originally scheduled for earlier this week, will now take place on September 24, following a request from the prosecution for more time to respond. During the proceedings, Assistant State Attorney Carl Afedzi Forson explained to the court that he was not the main attorney on the case and that the Attorney-General’s office had only received the bail application on Friday. With Monday being a public holiday, the application had not yet been assigned to a lawyer, prompting the prosecution to seek a short adjournment. However, Salomey Baffoe’s counsel, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, opposed the request, arguing that matters involving a person’s liberty should not be subjected to the same procedural delays as civil cases. He pointed out that there was proof of service and that the State had not indicated any issue with short service. He further stressed that bail applications could be heard over weekends, and that further delay could see Baffoe spending nearly two weeks in custody before her bail application was even heard. The court acknowledged the seriousness of the liberty at stake and cautioned the prosecution against taking the matter lightly. Ultimately, the case was adjourned to September 24, with the court directing the Republic to file and serve any processes it intended to rely on by 9:00 a.m. on the day of the hearing. The story continues to unfold as both sides prepare for the next appearance, with the issue of timely justice and due process at the forefront. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Ghana’s Public Transport Fares to Rise by 8% After Weeks of Negotiation
For weeks, passengers and drivers across Ghana anxiously awaited news on transport fares. The air was thick with speculation as fuel prices climbed, spare parts became more expensive, and vehicle maintenance costs soared. Behind the scenes, intense discussions were underway between the government and the nation’s leading transport unions. It all began when the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and the Ghana Road Transport Coordinating Council (GRTCC) tabled a bold proposal: a 30% increase in fares to keep up with rising costs. The unions argued that without such an adjustment, the viability of commercial transport was at risk. Their representatives, including GPRTU’s Deputy Public Relations Officer, Samuel Amoah, insisted the 30% increment was essential and negotiations were ongoing. On September 8, union leaders met with the Ministry of Transport. The government acknowledged the unions’ concerns and proposed a GH¢2 per litre intervention on diesel to help cushion operators. The two sides agreed to form a joint team, made up of the Ministry, GPRTU, and GRTCC—to carefully review the true cost of running commercial vehicles. As negotiations progressed, it became clear that compromise was needed. The unions stood firm on their request, but the government sought to balance the interests of operators and the traveling public. After much deliberation, all parties agreed on a more modest 8% increase in fares. Starting Saturday, September 26, 2026, commuters will feel the change as new fares take effect nationwide. The 8% adjustment will impact trotros, shared taxis, and other public transport services, following the fare structure hammered out by the government and transport unions. While smaller than initially requested, this new rate reflects a hard-fought compromise after weeks of debate, a story that echoes the daily negotiations of life on Ghana’s busy roads. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Alexis Ayamdor Joins NDC Upper East Regional Secretary Race
The race for the position of Regional Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Upper East Region is gathering momentum following the declaration of intent by Hon. Alexis Adugdaa Ayamdor to contest the position. In a statement addressed to the NDC family and media houses, Mr. Ayamdor said his decision was reached after what he described as “careful reflection and extensive consultations.” He said he was offering himself to serve the party at the regional level, with a focus on strengthening its organisational structures and preparing it for future political contests. His campaign agenda centres on unity, organisation, discipline, accountability, effective communication, innovation and grassroots mobilisation. Mr. Ayamdor brings to the contest more than two decades of experience in governance, education, international development, project management, administration and community mobilisation. His professional career includes serving as District Chief Executive of the Bongo District Assembly, Programme Management Specialist and Northern Sector Office Coordinator for USAID, Programme Officer with Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Programme Facilitator under the IBIS Public Participation in Local Governance project, and Community Empowerment Programme Officer with TRAX-Ghana. He also served as an ECOWAS Parliament and Commission Intern and previously worked as a pupil-teacher in Bongo. He is currently an Industrial Liaison Officer at Bolgatanga Technical University. Beyond his professional career, Mr. Ayamdor is drawing attention to his longstanding involvement in grassroots politics within the NDC. According to his declaration, his political experience includes serving as a Unit Committee Member, elected Assembly Member, Presiding Member, Branch Secretary and Constituency Campaign Team Member. He also served on the Bongo Constituency Fundraising Committee for the 2024 elections. Mr. Ayamdor is currently the Regional Team-Lead of the Former MMDCEs Forum and serves as Secretary to the Constituency Council of Elders in Bongo. If given the opportunity to serve as Regional Secretary, Mr. Ayamdor says he will prioritise strengthening party structures, improving internal communication and coordination, deepening grassroots mobilisation and promoting accountability within the party. He has also identified greater participation of women and young people in party activities, election preparedness and effective party administration as key areas of focus. Mr. Ayamdor describes himself as a team player, listener, organiser and servant-leader. He says he intends to work closely with regional and constituency executives, branch executives, elected representatives, former leaders, cadres, women, youth and the wider membership of the party. His declaration adds a new dimension to the emerging contest for the NDC Upper East Regional Secretary position, with party organisation, grassroots mobilisation, internal coordination and election preparedness expected to feature prominently in the discussions ahead of the internal election. Mr. Ayamdor is therefore appealing to members of the NDC in the Upper East Region to support his candidature as he seeks to bring his experience, organisational skills and proposed agenda into the party’s conversation about its future direction in the region. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
25 Boreholes, 15 Water Guards: Talensi DCE Reveals Major Water and Sanitation Interventions
The Talensi District Chief Executive (DCE), Hon. John Millim Nabwomya, has outlined a number of interventions undertaken by the Talensi District Assembly in the areas of water and sanitation since he assumed office. Hon. Nabwomya made the disclosure during an exclusive engagement with Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen of Apexnewsgh on the “SPEAKOUT UPPER EAST” programme. According to the DCE, the Assembly has consistently observed the National Sanitation Day since the initiative was introduced by the government in September last year, with no month skipped. He explained that at the beginning of each month, the Environmental Health Directorate, in collaboration with other relevant departments, identifies a community, market or other public area for the sanitation exercise. He said traditional leaders, including chiefs and Tindamas, assembly members, queen mothers and other opinion leaders are informed ahead of the exercise to ensure broad community participation. Hon. Nabwomya cited the Tindongo Market as one of the locations where the exercise has been successfully undertaken, noting that the Assembly had visited the market several times as part of efforts to maintain sanitation standards. He said the exercise would continue across different communities in the district. On access to potable water, the DCE disclosed that the Assembly has so far handed over 25 boreholes to communities. He explained that some of the boreholes have been fitted with hand pumps, while others have been mechanised to improve access to water. He also noted that some government facilities, including the police station, Assembly offices and senior staff bungalows, previously depended on community water systems, which were often unreliable. To address the challenge, the Assembly has mechanised boreholes to serve some of these facilities. The DCE added that an additional 15 boreholes have already been drilled and are currently undergoing construction and other finishing works before they are handed over to beneficiary communities. Hon. Nabwomya also commended Republic Bank for supporting water supply in Pwalugu. He explained that Pwalugu had experienced serious challenges with access to water, with drilling attempts initially failing at several locations. According to him, Republic Bank responded after the water challenge in the community was highlighted in the media as part of the bank’s corporate social responsibility initiatives. He said the bank drilled at about three different locations before finally striking water at a suitable site. The borehole was subsequently mechanised and handed over to the community. Hon. Nabwomya said the facility is expected to provide water to approximately 1,000 households in Pwalugu. The DCE further disclosed that he personally purchased a polytank to address an urgent water challenge in Pwale, in the eastern part of the district. He explained that the community’s existing polytank had burst, forcing women to walk long distances in search of water. After the assembly member appealed to him for assistance, Hon. Nabwomya said he decided to personally finance the purchase because following the Assembly’s procurement procedures would have taken time. He said he subsequently handed over the polytank to the assembly member and youth leaders of the community, who transported it to Pwale for use. According to him, the intervention has reduced the burden on women who previously spent considerable time searching for water and has helped them return to their economic activities. Hon. Nabwomya also disclosed that about 15 young men have been engaged and deployed as Blue Water Guards to help protect water resources in the district. He said the guards were handed over to the Assembly and are being deployed to monitor water bodies and help prevent pollution resulting from economic activities. He explained that protecting water sources is important to safeguarding the health of residents and ensuring the sustainability of water systems within the district. In the area of waste management, the DCE said the Assembly has secured a site for a dumpsite at Yameriga through the appropriate legal processes. He said the move is intended to improve waste management and support efforts to protect the environment and public health. To further strengthen the work of environmental health officers, Hon. Nabwomya disclosed that the Assembly has procured three brand-new motorbikes to facilitate their movement across communities. He said the motorbikes would enable sanitation officers to travel to different locations to monitor sanitation activities, enforce environmental health standards and respond to sanitation challenges more effectively. Hon. Nabwomya said the Assembly would continue to collaborate with traditional authorities, communities, development partners and other stakeholders to improve access to potable water and strengthen sanitation across the Talensi District. He maintained that sustained community participation and effective monitoring remain essential to ensuring that investments in water and sanitation translate into lasting improvements in the lives of residents. The engagement formed part of Apexnewsgh’s “SPEAKOUT UPPER EAST” programme, which provides a platform for district leaders to account to the public on development initiatives, achievements and challenges. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
SCRAS Project Records 51% Adoption of Sustainable Farming Practices Among 7,200 Farmers – NABOCADO
The Monitoring, Evaluation and Accountability Coordinator of NABOCADO, Dr. Michael Ayamga, has disclosed that 51 percent of the 7,200 farmers supported under the organisation’s SCRAS Project have comprehensively adopted sustainable agricultural practices. According to him, the farmers are spread across six districts and 16 rural communities where the project is being implemented. Dr. Ayamga made the disclosure during an exchange learning activity organised under the Strengthening of Smallholder Farmers’ Resilience towards a Changing Climate and Promotion of Environmentally Friendly Agriculture in the Diocese of Navrongo-Bolgatanga SCRAS Project. He explained that the project focuses on promoting sustainable agriculture, climate change adaptation and mitigation, as well as women’s enterprise development to help farming households diversify their sources of livelihood. Dr. Ayamga said 51 percent of the farmers have so far comprehensively adopted the sustainable agricultural practices being promoted by the project. He explained that “comprehensive adoption” refers to farmers who have consistently adopted compost application and at least two other sustainable farming practices on their fields over a number of years. He, however, noted that almost all the farmers supported by the project have adopted at least one or two of the sustainable practices. The target crops under the project include millet, sorghum, beans and groundnuts, with Dr. Ayamga indicating that assessments have recorded an average 13 percent increase in yields across the crops. He said although the project had set a target of a 15 percent increase, the results represented progressive improvement and farmers were being encouraged to continue adopting the practices to further improve or sustain their yields. According to him, the yields recorded by farmers using sustainable practices are not significantly different from those of farmers who rely heavily on external inputs such as synthetic fertilisers. Dr. Ayamga said the SCRAS Project also encourages farmers to develop and use local solutions to address challenges affecting agricultural production. He said the innovations cover areas including soil fertility, pest control and post-harvest storage. According to him, assessments conducted by the project indicate that the adoption of plant-based and other locally available solutions has contributed significantly to reducing post-harvest losses. He noted that food shortages are not caused only by low agricultural yields, but are also linked to poor storage practices, which can result in significant quantities of harvested produce being destroyed. He said the use of plant-based materials and shrubs to control pests in storage facilities has contributed to a 64 percent reduction in post-harvest losses among participating farmers. Dr. Ayamga further disclosed that local innovations promoted under the project have also contributed to reducing livestock losses, particularly among guinea fowl farmers. He explained that many smallholder farmers rear guinea fowls, chickens, goats and other livestock as an alternative source of income when they are unable to immediately sell their farm produce. However, guinea fowl mortality has been a major challenge. According to him, the adoption of locally developed interventions has resulted in a 44 percent reduction in guinea fowl mortality among participating farmers. He said farmers visited during the exchange learning activity had been able to raise guinea fowls beyond the stages where mortality is usually high. On climate change, Dr. Ayamga said the project works directly with communities to develop Community Climate Change Adaptation Action Plans. He explained that communities identify the climate-related hazards they face and, with support from the project, develop practical measures they can implement to reduce the impact of those hazards. He stressed that communities may not be able to prevent climate-related events from occurring, but they can strengthen their capacity to withstand their effects. According to him, 26 communities across the six districts have so far developed such climate change adaptation plans. He said the plans are guiding communities in implementing adaptation and mitigation activities. Tree planting and the integration of trees into farming systems, he added, are among the activities being implemented under the plans. Dr. Ayamga said the interventions are intended to strengthen the adaptive capacity of communities so that households can continue their livelihood activities and secure food even when climate-related hazards occur. The NABOCADO coordinator also highlighted the project’s focus on women’s economic empowerment. He further explained that the project recognises the vulnerability of women who depend heavily on agriculture for their livelihoods and therefore promotes alternative income-generating activities. According to him, women are supported with technical training, basic record-keeping and financial management skills to enable them to establish and manage sustainable businesses. He disclosed that approximately 2,580 women are currently engaged in various livelihood and income-generating activities across the project communities. He said the livelihood diversification programme is intended to reduce households’ overdependence on a single source of income, particularly agriculture, which can be severely affected by climate change. Dr. Ayamga emphasised that the SCRAS Project is not primarily an input-distribution programme but a knowledge-based intervention designed to encourage farmers and communities to adopt sustainable practices. He explained that the project engages communities over several years to allow farmers to understand, test and eventually adopt the practices. According to him, demonstration farms play an important role in the process, with early adopters serving as examples for other farmers. He said Bongo and Talensi have been part of the programme since 2011 and are expected to exit the project this year. Builsa South and West Mamprusi were subsequently brought into the programme in 2017 and are expected to exit next year. Dr. Ayamga said communities that have been engaged for several years are increasingly becoming learning centres for farmers from newer project areas because of their experience with sustainable agricultural practices. He explained that farmers from newer communities are taken to these established communities to observe and learn from farmers who have already adopted the practices and experienced their benefits over time. The Monitoring, Evaluation and Accountability Coordinator disclosed that the SCRAS Project is currently being implemented in Kassena-Nankana West, Builsa South, Bongo, West Mamprusi, Nabdam and Talensi. However, the farmers could barely contain their excitement as NABOCADO Team visited their various farms. Smiling and exchanging cheerful words, they
NABOCADO Promotes Sustainable Farming Practices to Help Smallholder Farmers Build Climate Resilience
The Director of Livelihood and Agriculture Programme at the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocesan Development Organization (NABOCADO), Dominic Avea Aniah, has highlighted a range of sustainable agricultural practices being promoted among smallholder farmers to improve productivity, build resilience to climate change and reduce dependence on agrochemicals. With conviction, Mr. Aniah described a new chapter unfolding for the region’s farmers. Gone were the days of relying solely on expensive chemical fertilizers and external inputs. Instead, NABOCADO was ushering in a wave of sustainable, climate-smart practices, methods designed not only to boost yields but also to build resilience against the ever-shifting climate. He spoke of compost, made from farm residues and livestock droppings, now replacing synthetic fertilizers. He explained how integrating cereals and legumes, especially nitrogen-fixing beans, replenished soil nutrients and nurtured healthier crops. Crop rotation, he emphasized, was more than tradition: it was a shield against pests and the notorious Striga weed, which once choked maize and other cereals. “When you rotate with soybean, Striga loses its grip,” Mr. Aniah explained, his voice confident. The exchange was not just talk. On demonstration farms, local farmers saw firsthand the results of these innovations. One plot, Mr. Aniah pointed out, had switched from maize to soybean this season. The difference was clear: healthier plants, fewer weeds, and less need for costly inputs. Other demonstration sites showcased cover cropping and plant-based products for pest control, showing that nature’s own resources could replace many chemicals. The project, funded by Misereor and Bistum Münster, spread across six districts, Kassena-Nankana West, Builsa South, Bongo, West Mamprusi, Nabdam, and Talensi, touching the lives of over 5,000 farmers. Women found new opportunities too, forming savings and lending groups to start businesses and strengthen their households. Mr. Aniah reminded everyone that the goal was not just bigger harvests, but sustainable progress. Compost, he said, released nutrients gradually, building up the soil year after year, unlike synthetic fertilizers that quickly faded. The SCRAS Project, he concluded, was about practical, affordable farming, methods that protected both land and livelihoods for generations to come. As the activity ended and farmers prepared to return home, they carried with them more than just new knowledge, they carried hope for a greener, more resilient future for their farms and communities. Meanwhile, beneficiary farmers, Abdul-Rauf Mahamadu, Yin Bugmah, and Assibi Tiia, stood at the edge of a demonstration farm, their faces beaming with satisfaction. Not long ago, these fields had been like any others in Keta, West Mamprusi, and Nabdam: tilled heavily, dependent on expensive fertilizers, and often plagued by stubborn weeds. But this year was different. Their journey began when NABOCADO, through the SCRAS Project, invited them to a series of farmer training sessions. “We had always done things the old way,” Abdul-Rauf recalled, his hands tracing the lines of the healthy soybean stalks. “But NABOCADO showed us another path.” For the first time, the farmers learned to make and use compost, embrace zero tillage, and practice crop rotation, techniques that sounded strange at first, but soon revealed their worth. “Before the training, we didn’t know what compost was for or that you could plant without ploughing the land,” Abdul-Rauf explained. “Now, our crops are stronger and the soil is happier.” Season after season, they had planted maize and soybeans the same way, never pausing to consider the toll on the land. But with NABOCADO’s guidance, they rotated their crops: soybeans where maize once grew, and vice versa. The result? Lush, green fields and the promise of harvests bigger than ever before. Abdul-Rauf’s eyes sparkled as he estimated four to five bags of soybeans and up to seven of maize from the demonstration plot. The cost savings were equally striking. Gone were the days of buying bag after bag of fertilizer, herbicides, and insecticides, expenses that often left them with little or nothing after the sale of their grain. “Sometimes, after subtracting all we spent, we made no profit at all,” Abdul-Rauf admitted. But with compost and the new methods, input costs dropped dramatically. “We hardly had to buy anything. And the results are even better than before.” The farm’s transformation drew attention from across the community. Fellow farmers came to watch and learn, eager to try the new practices themselves. Even passing traders stopped to marvel at the thriving soybeans. “They ask me, ‘How did you do it?’ and I tell them, it’s thanks to NABOCADO’s training.” As the sun set behind the demonstration farm, Abdul-Rauf spoke for his friends and neighbors. “We are grateful to NABOCADO for opening our eyes. We hope more farmers will join us on this new journey, for the good of our land and our future.” Source: Apexnewsgh/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
STRIGA: Agric Director Urges Media to Intensify Awareness on Parasitic Weed
The Upper East Regional Director of Agriculture, Alhaji Zakaria Fuseini, has challenged journalists to take a more active role in educating the public and amplifying farmers’ concerns in the fight against Striga, a persistent agricultural challenge in northern Ghana. Speaking at a sensitisation forum for media practitioners on Striga control in northern Ghana held on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at the Blue Sky Hotel in Zuarungu, Alhaji Fuseini said the media could become a critical link between agricultural experts, policymakers and farmers. The programme was organised by the Forum for Natural Regeneration (FONAR) in collaboration with the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Upper East Region Chapter. Alhaji Fuseini said Striga repeatedly appeared in reports submitted by agricultural extension officers across the region, describing it as a problem farmers encounter season after season. He observed that while farmers had considerable practical experience dealing with the weed, many still lacked sufficient public information on its causes, persistence and effective control measures. He said this was where the media could make a significant difference. MoFA, he explained, had been working with farmers through improved seed varieties, agronomic recommendations and agricultural extension services. However, because extension services operate largely at the district and community levels, he said the media was needed to take the message to a much wider audience. Alhaji Fuseini therefore urged journalists to use the forum to interrogate agricultural policies and interventions rather than simply reproduce statements from officials. He specifically encouraged journalists to ask why some farmers struggle to obtain certified seeds, why certain interventions require several seasons before results become visible, and what additional measures government could introduce to strengthen Striga control. He stressed that constructive scrutiny would help ensure that challenges confronting farmers were properly identified and addressed. The Regional Director further pointed out that agricultural practices and land restoration must work together in tackling Striga. He explained that MoFA’s agronomic interventions and FONAR’s land restoration initiatives represented complementary approaches rather than competing solutions, with healthy soils and proper crop management both important to addressing the problem. Participants were also expected to receive technical education on the biology of Striga, factors responsible for its persistence and recommended control measures before, during and after planting. The forum also included a planned farm visit, where journalists were expected to interact directly with farmers and examine their experiences with Striga control. Alhaji Fuseini said such firsthand experiences were crucial because farmers ultimately provided the practical test of whether recommendations being promoted by experts were producing results. He urged journalists to ensure that farmers remained central to their reporting, saying their experiences should inform public discussion about agricultural challenges and solutions. He thanked FONAR, the GJA Upper East Region Chapter and participating media practitioners for supporting the initiative and expressed hope that the forum would strengthen public education and reporting on Striga and agricultural development in northern Ghana. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
GJA Upper East Chairman Challenges Journalists to Lead the Fight Against Striga
The Upper East Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr. Albert Sore, has challenged journalists to look beyond headline-making agricultural crises and investigate the less visible problems that continue to undermine farmers’ livelihoods. Mr. Sore said Striga was one such challenge that had affected farmers for years but had not received the level of sustained media attention that issues such as floods, drought and rising food prices often attract. He made the remarks on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at the Blue Sky Hotel in Zuarungu, Bolgatanga East, during a day’s sensitisation forum for media practitioners on Striga control in Northern Ghana. The engagement brought together journalists, FONAR and officials from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to deepen media understanding of the parasitic weed and its implications for farmers. Mr. Sore said journalists could play an important role in ensuring that technical knowledge about Striga reached farming communities and the wider public. He admitted that many media practitioners might not yet have a full understanding of the weed, including why it persists, how it damages crops and what farmers can realistically do to control it. He therefore urged journalists to use the forum to engage experts critically and ask the difficult questions that farmers themselves would want answered. He particularly encouraged participants to use the field visit to understand the lived experiences of farmers, including the length of time they had battled Striga, the costs involved, the methods they had attempted and the support they needed. According to him, such firsthand accounts would enable journalists to produce stories that went beyond simply describing the existence of the problem. Mr. Sore argued that agriculture deserved consistent media attention because several challenges affecting food production develop gradually and may remain unnoticed until their effects become severe. He urged journalists to continuously follow agricultural interventions and hold discussions on whether such interventions were producing the desired results. At the same time, he cautioned media practitioners to maintain professional standards by relying on verified facts and avoiding sensational reporting, particularly when dealing with technical agricultural matters. He said farmers needed accurate, balanced and consistent reporting that could help inform policymakers, development partners and the public. Mr. Sore stressed that the sensitisation programme should not end with the day’s activities. He called on individual journalists and media houses to continue returning to the Striga story, investigate interventions being implemented and report on both progress and outstanding challenges. He commended FONAR and MoFA for recognising the media as an important partner and expressed the hope that the engagement would lead to stronger collaboration between the GJA, FONAR, MoFA and other stakeholders in addressing agricultural challenges in Northern Ghana. He concluded by urging journalists to make the most of the engagement and use the knowledge gained to tell farmers’ stories accurately, responsibly and meaningfully. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen