Monthly Archives: November 2011

REGIONAL DIARY
Wednesday 30TH November, 2011
NORTHERN STAR’ RICE LAUNCHED
STORY BY: G.B. Gibbah, Tema.
 
Mrs. Comfort Aniagyei, Managing Director of GhanaMade, a company that promotes and markets made in Ghana products, has called on government to enable them compete favorably with their foreign counterparts.
 
She said the cost of most imported products were comparably cheaper because of incentives producers receive from their respective governments.
 
Mrs. Aniagyei made the call here on Saturday during the launch of high quality Ghana rice named ‘Northern Star.’
Northern star, parboiled rice produced in the Northern Ghana has many excellent qualities.
 
Mrs. Aniagyei said there was the need to process more of our raw materials and consume more local products in other to spur the growth of the economy.
She said products in Ghana made are of high quality and have improved packages.
 
She said: “Any time a Ghanaian buys a foreign product and ignore its local alternative; he has made that coutry richer and created employment to the detriment of Ghana”.
 
Mrs. Aniagyei said GhanaMade has established 15 outlets in Tema, Accra, Ashaiman and Asamankese and was poised to expand to other areas so as to promote Ghanaian products and create more employment.
 
Mr. Joseph Gayin, a research scientist with the Food Research Institute, extolling the qualities of Northern Star, said it contained essential vitamins such as vitamin B, consist of whole grain, good flavoured, grains do not stick, translucent and recommended it for diabetic patients.
 
He, however, expressed concern that though rice could be grown in all the ten regions of the country only 30 percent of the rice consumed is produced locally.
 
“That is a clear indication that we provide market and employment for foreigners,” he said.
 
Prof. Lade Worsonu, a renowned surgeon, who was the guest speaker, in reference to a Ga proverb that says it is your favourite food that kills you, advised Ghanaian to let food be their only medicine.
 
In line with that, he urged Ghanaian to choose foods that were wholesome and healthy especially foods sold by Ghana Made shops.
 
Prof. Worsonu noted that unemployment was a disease, adding that GhanaMade by creating jobs for Ghanaians was helping with their wellness.
 
He said the management of GhanaMade consisted of a doctor and an accountant and by combining their resources they would ensure that products were healthy and affordable.
 

DAILY GRAPHIC
WENEDAY 30th NOVEMBER, 2011
UDS PARTNERS TWO UNIVERSITIES TO SUPPORT SADA
STORY BY: Nururdeen Salifu, Tamale
 
The University for Development Studies (UDS) and two other universities outside the country have entered into a partnership to support the work of the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA).
 
The UDS, the University of Louisville (UofL) and the University of West Indies (UWI) will undertake joint research and feasibility studies on a number of development interventions challenges of the north.
 
Additionally, the UDS has the unique exposure and knowledge of the culture and living conditions in the Savannah areas. It also boast a rich experience in community entry, community mobilization and the sue of participatory rural appraisal techniques.
 
At a meeting in Tamale between the officials of SADA and representatives of the three universities, the Chief Executive Officer of SADA, Alhaji Gilbert Iddi, noted that the partnership among the three universities would focus on research in areas relevant to the mandate of SADA.
 
“They would conduct appraisals and feasibility studies on the project we intend to implement. They would also look into value-addition for a number of products,” he stated.
 
Alhaji Iddi mentioned that SADA intended to establish industrial villages, where various people involve in local industries such as the agro and smock industries could work together.
 
“These industrial villages would have a cluster of small and medium scale business. When they are together, it becomes easier for SADA and other partners to extend a hand of support to them,” he explained.
 
The Pro-Vice Chancellor of the UDS, Prof. David Miller, noted that many people were of the opinion that SADA has not started operations, simply because they had not seen any physical structures.
 
“SADA started working since the law was passed and we have been working hand in hand with it to bring into fruition a number of initiatives. For us, knowledge is not relevant until it is seen to be contributing to the advancement of our communities,” he noted.
 
The leader of the visiting team, which comprised staff of the UofL and UWI, Dr. Therisa Rajack-Talley, said the two foreign universities would do collaborative research and academic exchanges with the UDS in a number of areas.
 
These areas, she mentioned, included women and gender development, peace and Pan-African studies, mental health, pediatrics, nutrition and participatory development.