Ghana: Press focuses on benefits of PFJ 2 launched by President Akufo-Addo, others

APA – Accra (Ghana)
The report that the launch of the phase two of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ 2.0) in Tamale, the Northern Regional Capital by President Akufo-Addo on Monday would provide affordable and timely credit designed to meet the needs of farmers is one of the leading stories in the Ghanaian press on Wednesday.
The Ghanaian Times reports that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Monday launched phase two of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ 2.0) in Tamale, the Northern Regional Capital.
Aimed at providing affordable and timely credit designed to meet the needs of farmers’ needs, the phase two of the PFJ, also known as input credit system, will replace the input subsidy under the first phase.
It is based on four main principles namely; value chain driven, market-driven, private sector focus and promoting inclusivity.
Targeting about 1.2 million farmers across the country, the phase two will focus on grains such as maize, rice, soyabeans, and sorghum, roots and tubers such as yam, vegetables, and poultry such as broiler production and processing.
The phase two further seeks to also improve access to agricultural inputs, foster the adoption of modern farming practices and technologies, and catapult the agricultural sector to new heights.
Launching the initiative, President Akufo-Addo said the PFJ was in line with government’s unwavering commitment to the growth and prosperity of farming communities.
He said the initial phase, which was launched in 2017, was to promote food security, immediate availability of selected food crops on the market, and also to provide jobs for Ghanaians.
He explained that, the PFJ 2.0 would consolidate gains in the agriculture sector of these country so far made under the phase one of the PFJ.
He said the first phase benefited more than 2.7 million farmers and other agriculture value chain actors across the country.
The newspaper says that Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) in collaboration with the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) has organised a business forum focused on Gha­na’s investment and regulatory landscape.
The event availed an oppor­tunity to orient the Japanese business community on the investment trends and oppor­tunities within the different sectors of Ghana to guide their expansion and investment decisions.
The forum also provided an avenue for existing Japanese investors operating in Ghana to know about the role GIPC can play to facilitate their business operations in the country and learn more of its unique Af­tercare services, purposed to address post-establishment issues.
Speaking at the event, the Centre’s CEO, Mr Yofi Grant, underscored that Ghana’s engagement with the Japanese business community over the years had been a dynamic one, with Japan being the 12th highest FDI contributor to Ghana within the period of 2017 to 2022.
He mentioned that though the current economic landscape faced some challenges as countries emerge from the global political and health crisis, there were still several opportunities in Ghana, and Africa at large, that investors could leverage.
“Beyond all that is happening in the world, there is a tacit agreement that Africa has a significant role to play in reviving the global economy, considering its vast unexplored resources and market. We believe that Ghana is an entry point to this real potential,” Mr Grant said.
He added, “Ghana recognises the quality of Japanese business operations and is very keen on exploring and maintaining mutually beneficial partnerships with the Japanese business community.”
Taking his turn to address the audience, the Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, Hisanobu Mochizuki, noted that the past decade had seen increased Japanese investments in Ghana, with a potential for more.
The Ghanaian Times also reports that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has tasked Ghana’s maritime industry players to leverage the emerging blue economy to maximise the economic benefits therein to enhance the livelihoods of Ghanaians.
According to President Akufo-Addo, the Gulf of Guinea which spans about 13 countries in West and Central Africa is vital for Ghana and West Africa with an estimated regional GDP of US$550 billion annually.
Launching Ghana’s National Integrated Maritime Strategy (NIMS) in Accra yesterday, President Akufo-Addo said stakeholders must take advantage of technology to be ahead of criminals in that space.
“Equally important is the sea’s contribution to communication technology as it holds underwater interconnectivity communication fiber cables.
“You must find innovative solutions to strengthen further the innovative gains made by encouraging conducive environments for businesses to thrive. Technology has become a vital tool in our quest to a sustained and peaceful maritime domain.
“I must stress the need for multifaceted technological approach to deny the unauthorised under water surface and above water resources by criminals and economic saboteurs,” the President urged.
Jointly developed by the Ministries of Transport, National Security, Defence, Energy, Fisheries, Foreign Affairs, Interior, and Justice along with international and private sector partners, the NIMS is a forward-thinking strategy designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and address challenges facing Ghana’s maritime sector.
It is expected that the successful operationalisation of the NIMS and its detailed implementation plan would bolster collaboration between local stakeholders and inter-national partners to achieve the aim of a safe and secure maritime domain with a thriving blue economy to enhance the livelihoods of Ghanaians.
The Graphic says that the President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Okraku, has unveiled plans to enhance the prize money for the victors of the Ghana Premier League in the upcoming 2023/2024 league season.
This announcement was made during the launch of the new league campaign, held on August 29, 2023, at the Eastern Premier Hotel in Koforidua, Eastern Region.
During the previous season, Medeama Sporting Club secured the championship and received a prize of GH¢300,000, a figure that drew criticism within the football community. Many believed this sum to be inadequate and not reflective of the premier team in Ghana.
In light of this, Mr. Okraku’s recent declaration indicates that the champion of the 2023/24 league season will receive an increased prize of GH¢500,000, along with a trophy and 40 medals.
The runner-up will be presented with GH¢200,000, while the third-place team will obtain GH¢100,000. Mr. Okraku highlighted that this season’s alterations will also encompass cash rewards for the clubs concluding the season in the 4th to 10th positions.
His intention is to amplify the competitive spirit of the league in the forthcoming campaign.
“To increase the competitiveness of the league, the Ghana Football Association will reward from the first to the 10th place in the 2023/24 betPawa Premier League,” he said.
In earlier instances, Accra Hearts of Oak clinched a prize of GH¢250,000 for their victory in the 2020/21 season. Subsequently, Kumasi Asante Kotoko secured the same sum for their first-place position in the subsequent season.
The previous season brought a marginal increase, as Medeama SC emerged as champions and earned a prize of GH¢300,000 for their remarkable performance.
GIK/APA