TOA Magazine July – September 2021 Edition by The Times of Africa

THE TIMES OF AFRICA BRINGING AFRICA TO THE WORLD

PUBLISHER’S

MESSAGE Agriculture, together with its linked sectors, is without a doubt the most important source of income in Africa and India, particularly in rural areas. It also makes a substantial contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). A green revolution, a white revolution, a yellow revolution, and a blue revolution have all occurred in Indian agriculture and sustainable agriculture. It promotes rural employment, food security, soil conservation, biodiversity protection, and sustainable and non-sustainable resource management. Gene-edited crops will be available in Africa and India in the coming years, allowing for a considerably greater range of crops to be grown. This technique allows scientists to accurately modify genes in DNA with the purpose of developing a superior crop variety, according to Global Agriculture towards 2050. Farmers will be able to select specific crop varieties with traits such as disease resistance, drought tolerance, or higher oil content in the future. In the future, producers will face new challenges related to water availability, environmental implications, and soil health. New technology, on the other hand, will aid them in dealing with these difficulties more effectively. The air is a renewable supply of water because it includes massive amounts of water that are always present and replenished throughout the year. Exploiting this renewable resource could lead to new water supply options. Maithri Aquatech, an Indian water start-up, is accomplishing the same. MEGHDOOT, a new and sustainable solution, is being developed all over the world. Climate change is difficult to keep track of, but here are some of the biggest headlines, scientific studies, and breakthroughs from this month that influenced our understanding of the issue. IPCC Forecasts Rise in Heatwaves, Glacier Melt, Ocean Warming, and Sea Levels Study on Extreme Once-In-a-Century Sea Level Events to Turn Annual Due to Global Warming Animals ‘Shapeshift’ to Cope with Warming Climate UN Reports on Disasters Across the Globe Are Interconnected and Have One Common Thread—Human Behaviour We are responsible for today and tomorrow! With all safety measures in place, let’s celebrate this festive season. Wishing all our readers happy autumn! Kirit Sobti www.thetimesofafrica.com

PORTRAIT OF The Times of Africa THE TIMES OF AFRICA is an international publication, which aspires to bring the stories of the economic, social and political fabric of the 54 nations of Africa to the World. For over a decade, we have been defying stereotypes and redrawing the lines to provide extensively researched reliable content for our robust readership network. Headquartered in New Delhi, the capital of India, we have our overseas offices in Burkina Faso, Niger, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya and Senegal. Our distribution network covers metro cities, diplomatic missions, national organizations, foreign agencies, corporate and export houses, business class hotels and airlines, both within the country and offshores. The circulation of our magazine is wide-ranging and our readership profile includes Presidents and Senior Government Ministers and Officials, Chief Executive Officers, Chairpersons, Managing Directors, Policy-makers, Technical and General Managers, Students, Think Tanks, Academia, Foreign Correspondents and local media, Captains of Indian Industry and other prominent dignitaries, among others. We have a strong online presence on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Our success in making TOA a brand within and outside India lies in the fact that we have focused on AfroIndian partnerships and provided a link to the African marketplace. It is our earnest endeavour to make our readers conversant with all things that matter to the continent.

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CONTENTS 08 COVER STORY

COVER STORY • Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Minister of Food and Agriculture, Ghana..................................................08 • The Kingdom Of Morocco .......................................15 CORPORATE • The State of the Oil Palm Industry Worldwide .........20 • Sustainable Water for Humanity’s Survival..............23 • More than Just a Technology Magazine! .................26 • K.S. Infosystems ....................................................27 • Indocrop.................................................................29 • Seelive Technologies ..............................................31 EVENT

• Tanzania International Model United Nation - Timun 2021 ..................................33 FACE-TO-FACE • Interview With Anton Pisaroglu on Guinea Coup ......36

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VOLUME 9 ISSUE 3 JULY-SEPTEMBER 2021

39 SPORTS • “It’s good to do the Unthinkable” Eliud Kipchoge .......................................................39 • Protecting the Rights of Future Generations Must Start Now: Future Equity, Climate Change & Travel .....................................................................42 EN VOGUE • Fashion Business, Internet & Corporate Style With Susie Bubble ..........................................................47 MEDIA CULTURE • New Media: Culture Across Africa and Asia .............50 BON APPETIT • Importance of Frozen Chicken in Ghana .................56

BRAINSTORM • Are you ready to challenge your brain?...................60

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Cover Story

“Mastery in farming is a skil skillll and d tthrough hro ough the sweat, determination on n and and hardwork ha ard dworrk of farmers, they bring life iffe to the the field” field d”

DR. OWUSU AFRIYIE AKOTO,

Minister of Food and Agriculture, Agricu ulture,, Ghana

Ghana has been transformed into the breadbasket of West Africa under the leadership of Hon. Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, advancing from “not being on track” in 2017 to “being on track” in 2019 on the African Agriculture Transformation Scorecard (AATS). Ghana was ranked fourth on the African continent by the Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) on its Global Food Security Index that same year (2019) (GFSI). Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto (born 19 October 1949) is a Ghanaian

agricultural economist and politician. Owusu Afriyie Akoto was born to Bafuor Osei Akoto, a prominent member of the pre-independence National Liberation Movement and the Manhyia Palace’s chief linguist. He received his tertiary education at the University of Ghana, Legon, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in agriculture.

as an Economist, Senior Economist, Principal Economist, and Chief Economic Advisor. He has also served as a consultant to the World Bank and the United Nations on Soft Commodities (Cocoa, Coffee, Sugar). Between 1995 to 2007, he was the CEO of two international commodity firms based in Ghana, Goldcrest Commodities Limited and Plantation Resources Limited.

He has earned his M.Sc. and PhD in Agricultural Economics from the University of Cambridge in England. He spent 18 years with the International Coffee Organization (ICO) in London, England,

Afriyie Akoto contested the Kwadaso constituency seat for the first time in 2004, receiving 20 percent of the delegates’ votes cast. He was defeated by fellow political rookie Josephine

The team introduces the newly developed Fertilizer Application Dashboard for Ghana

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Cover Story

concession speech to retain the legislative position and said that Nuamah had won the seat on merit. He was elected to the Parliament of the Republic of Ghana in 2008. He served two terms as the Member of Parliament for the Kwadaso Constituency in Kumasi, Ashanti Region. Until 2017, he served as the Deputy Ranking Member and then the substantive Ranking Member of the Committee on Food, Agriculture, and Cocoa Affairs in Parliament.

Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Minister of Food and Agriculture received the Executive Members of the Northern Youth For Peace and Development (NYUPED) as an awardee of the Prestigious National Achievers of Excellence Awards which is slated to take place on the 30th of October, 2021, in Tamale, the Northern Regional capital.

Hilda Addo, who received 26 votes. In the 2004 general election, Addo won the constituency election. Afriyie Akoto competed again in the constituency primary in 2007 and beat the incumbent. From 2009 to 2016, he was the Member of Parliament for Kwadaso. Afriyie Akoto served as the Deputy Ranking Member of the Committee on Food and Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs in Parliament. Afriyie

Akoto contested the main electoral district in June 2015 with the goal of having sufficient votes to allow him to fight the parliamentary election. The elections were contested by five other candidates, including Addo, a former electoral parliamentarian. Nuamah was the final winner, who won 191 of the voting. Of the total votes, Afriyie Akoto won 95. Afrijie Akoto offered to work with Nuamah in his

In 2017, he was appointed Minister of Food and Agriculture. He has led the design and implementation of Ghana’s wellknown and innovative agricultural flagship program, Planting for Food and Jobs, (PFJ). Dr Akoto was named SEED CHAMPION OF AFRICA by Africa Seeds, the African Union’s intergovernmental Seed Agency, in February 2019. Later the same year, he was appointed Chairman of the Board of the Inter African Coffee Organisation (IACO), a pan-African organization that promotes the interests of coffee producers on the continent, a position he held until December 2020. He is currently a cabinet minister in the Nana Akuffo-Addo administration, and serves as the Minister of Food and Agriculture of Ghana. He is also the Chairman of the ECOWAS Specialised Ministerial Technical Council for Agriculture (CTMS Agric). “Taking care of Farmers means taking care of the Nation. Let’s support our small holder farmers to provide sustainable agriculture.”

The Secretary of the National Patriotic Party (NPP) Constituency Officer’s Welfare and the Ayawaso West Constituency Chairman, Jeffery Edward Osei and his team acknowledged Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto efforts and support for the work of the President, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and praised my performance in helping build Ghana on 11th August. On behalf of the Executive Committee of the National Constituency Officer’s Welfare, they expressed their profound gratitude for lending a hand to the recent workshop held in Koforidua.

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- Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Minister of Food and Agriculture Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Minister of Food and Agriculture received a

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delegation from the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) and Development Gateway, fertilizer application and software development managers. The official launch of the Dashboard which is slated for September 22, 2021, at Alisa Hotel, Accra. The goal of this dashboard is to support development partners’ and the private sector’s efficient and effective responses to the evolving global health emergency, and ensure that sufficient quantities of appropriate fertilizers reach farmers in time for planting. Fertilizer use and its application have become very crucial to the quest by Africa and for that matter Ghana to achieve food sufficiency and improve agricultural export capacity. The programme ties in perfectly with what the Government of Ghana has since 2017, been doing under the flagship Planting for Food and Jobs programme, to support farmers by giving them adequate inputs, particularly fertilizers, in order to help increase their yields and expand their production.

IFAD is a specialized United Nations agency based in Rome that provides investment to the Agricultural sector of developing countries. The Director for the West and Central Division of the International Fund for Agricultural Development(IFAD), Nadine Gbossa paid a courtesy call on me at The Ministry Of Food And Agriculture Ghana

high priority agricultural value chains in Ghana. The Government of Ghana’s flagship programme Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) is key to IFAD and they are prepared to support small holders to take advantage of increased opportunities arising from such policies.

Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Minister for Food and Agriculture on behalf of the President Nana Addo Dankwa AkufoAddo inaugurated the Board of Directors of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture on Tuesday 11th August 2021.

The biennial award, according to the organizers, is in recognition of the outstanding contribution to the growth and development of the youth, particularly, in the northern regions of the country through the numerous interventions introduced under the Planting for Food and Jobs programme. The collaboration between the Government of Ghana and IFAD. Both parties have accomplished a lot together especially with the Rural Enterprise Project that seeks to provide opportunities to the youth. The project has encouraged the youth to venture into Agribusiness. Currently, they are working on a project in the Northern and Middle Belt of Ghana. The project is set out to engage vulnerable small holders in the

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Kenya’s High Commissioner to Ghana expressed his delight for the warm reception accorded him in Ghana. The High Commissioner, H.E. E.M Barine and his team were in Ghana to understudy how Ghana has been able to stabilize the price of food crops, especially in the Cocoa industry. Kenya is seeking to explore relations with Ghana especially in the field of Agriculture.

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Cover Story

with the aim of substantially increasing the production of various food crops including soya beans. The production of soya bean, which is currently being subsidized by the government, is to boost domestic livestock and poultry production.

The Country Representative of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) for Ghana, Rukia Yacoub, thanked Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Minister of Food and Agriculture for the excellent cooperation between the two institutions, especially,for the endorsement of the joint MOFA-WFP Smallholder Farmer E-commerce Access project which will benefit many farmers, including youth and women.

Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto says the government is committed to raising the country’s cocoa production and also find new markets to improve the country’s standing in the cocoa value chain. He recounted the advent effects of COVI-19 on the demand for Cocoa products in the international market. The Minister added that, government’s

determination to make the cocoa industry a lucrative one considering the fact that cocoa had been the backbone of the economy for over a century and still contributes to Ghana’s export earnings. The Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture initiated and implemented the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) program in 2017

Since 2017, Ghana has been able to increase its Soya Bean production capacity from 40,000 metric tonnes in 2016, 400,000 metric tonnes by the end of the 2020 crop season, thanks to the interventions under the Government’s flagship Planting for Food and Jobs programme. The Committee is made up of members drawn from the Ministries of Food and Agriculture, Trade and and Industry, Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Poultry Farmers Association of Ghana and Local Farmers Association. A report from the Regional Director of Agriculture in the Eastern Region showed positive participation in Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ). The Hon. Minister for Food and Agriculture Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto took note of the issues raised by the various stakeholders in Agriculture gathered at the Regional Coordinating Council. He promised that he and the Directors from the Ministry in Accra will work on improving these issues to move the Agrarian economy of the region forward. One of the modules of PFJ, Planting for Export and Rural Development (PERD) was exhibited on a private farm in the region. The young farmer produces coconut, cocoa and pineapple on large acres of land. Currently, he exports the pineapple to ready markets in Europe. “A promise well fulfilled” - Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Minister of Food and Agriculture

Inauguration the newly constituted Board of Ghana Cocoa Board(COCOBOD)

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The pilot registration for the enrolment of about 1.5 million cocoa farmers into

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the national pension scheme is set to start next week Monday, August 23, the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has disclosed. This is ahead of the roll-out of the full scheme for the 2021/2022 cocoa season.

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Details of the Government of Ghana flagship programme Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ): Planting For Food and Jobs made a considerable impact on national food

supply and food security in spite of the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Provisional Agricultural GDP growth rates increased from 4.7% in 2019 to 7.4% in 2020.

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A total of 53 poultry farmers were supported to produce 44,000 broilers under the input subsidy support in the Eastern, Greater Accra & Ashanti Regions as a pilot in 2020.

improvement in Extension Service Delivery.

Government has constructed a total of 80,000 metric tons of warehouses across the country.

We have increased Agric extension officers from 1,586 to 4,286.

Under the planting for food and jobs programme there has been an

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As of 2021 over 1,700,000 farmers have benefited from the Government’s planting for food programme.

The ratio of extension officers to farmers has reduced from 1:1,900 to 1:709.

Government has established Greenhouse Training centres established at:

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Akumadan - (14,440 m²) Bawjiase - (14,440 m²) Dawhenya - (38,260 m³) Total capacity - (67,140 m²)

Faso were distributed to 750 farmers in the Northern Regions and Oti Region.

23.188 Million Seedlings consisting of Cashew, Coffee, Coconut Oil Palm, Mango and rubber have been distributed. A solid foundation was laid for diversification of agricultural exports by the creation of the Tree Crop Development Authority. 2,370 Breeding pigs locally have been distributed in 2021 farmers in the following areas North, Ashanti, Volta, Central & Accra Regions.

sourced to 474 Western Greater

7,500 improved breeding stock Djalonke sheep sourced from Burkina

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9 mechanized boreholes drilled for 9 livestock breeding stations at Amrahia, Ejura, Nkwanto, Kintampo, Pong Tamale, Wulugu, Babile, Doba & Busa. 11 livestock sheds have been constructed for 5 livestock breeding stations at Ejura, Nkwanta, Babile, Doba & Busa. Agriculture Situation Prior to Inception of PFJ in 2017 Only 11% of food crop farmers using improved seeds • About 15% farmers using fertilizers Fertilizer application rates were 8kg/

Ha . Extension-Farmer Ratio was 1:1,900 Total number of Extension Agents in 2016 was 1,560 Agriculture Situation Prior to Inception of PFJ in 2017 Yields of most staple crop varieties (maize, rice & root tubers) were between 40%-45% of potential yields. Vegetable exports to the EU were banned. Rising devastating effects of the Fall Army Worm (FAW) on crops especially maize. All 68 mechanization centers were down and providing no service to farmers.

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spotlight country

THE KINGDOM OF

GNAOUA MUSIC CAN TAKE ANYONE TO A SPIRITUAL AND CULTURAL TRANCE Capital: Rabat • Population 35 million • Area 710,850 sq km (274,461 sq miles) (including W Sahara) • Major languages Arabic and Berber (official), French, Spanish • Major religion Islam • Life expectancy 74 years (men), 77 years (women) • Currency Dirham DATA: UN, World Bank

• 7th and 8th Centuries AD - Arab invasion; Idris founds the first major Muslim dynasty. • 10-17th Centuries - Dynasties and religious movements come and go, including the Almoravid movement which at its peak controlled Morocco and parts of present-day Algeria and Spain. • 1904 - France and Spain carve out zones of influence. • 1912 - Morocco becomes a French protectorate under the Treaty of Fez. • 1956 - End of French protectorate

Gnaoua music can take anyone to a spiritual and cultural trance. Since 2019, Gnawa music has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site and portrays the story of Sub-Saharan African slaves. This ritual song of traditional music and dance just

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let you move along with its rhythm. The artists wearing colorful costumes sing to the beat of “Lguembri” and “Qraqeb,” two instruments of Gnaoua’s music. No wonder famous performers like Led Zeppelin, Pat Metheny, Didier Lockwood

after unrest and strong nationalist sentiment. Spain keeps its two coastal enclaves. Sultan Mohammed became king in 1957. • 1961 - Death of King Mohammed; King Hassan II comes to power. • 1975-76 - Morocco annexes Western Sahara, but faces an ongoing guerrilla battle for independence. • 1998 - Morocco’s first opposition-led government comes to power. • 1999 - King Hassan II is succeeded by his son, Mohammed VI.

or Marcus Miller only came to Morocco to play with the greatest musicians. Traditionally performed across Morocco, the Gnaoua music is a spiritual music originating in the sub-Saharan

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spotlight country

Image: © nationsonline.org

region, although popular maâlems (master musicians) make the music very popular. The beats are repetitive and vibrant, led by a maâlem with a group of musicians and dancers.

in hand. Those involved in the purple enter a trance, which enables them to address their relationship with the local mystical powers known as the mluk, allowing supporters to return to normal state.

Music is traditionally a part of a major ceremony named Lila (Arabic for ‘night’), termed the supernatural powers, in particular to eliminate a member possessed by a djinn (genie). The entire night ceremony begins after the sacrifice of an animal, to ensure that the Spirits are there and then the maâlem and the clairvoyante lead the musician’s troops to play krakebs and burn incense to call on supernatural powers to take the followers

Seven is a typical number of lilas with the mystical power of seven various colours. In the lilac, the mluk is awakened by seven distinct incense, seven various dress colors, equal rhythms.

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Krakebes (sometimes called castanets) and a gimbri are crucial to the Gnaoua sound (a three-stringed guitar carved from a log with the back side covered in camel skin). The maâlem (master

musician) repeats each line or phrase repeated numerous times; the sound of the instruments intensifies as the dancers move in the distinctive rhythms and often enter the trance-like condition, clad in beautiful cowry shells and caps. Today the music is considerably more popular with evening concerts in Marrakech on the Jemaa el Fna square and the melodies in Essaouira’s medina. Gnaoua Music Festival performs on the main stage in the coastal town every year. It typically blends with world jazz and world music and music sensations including Randy Weston, Omar Sosa and Tony Allen, and frequently throughout the small hours of the night.

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spotlight country

Photo source: Moroccan National Tourism Office

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CORPORATE

THE STATE OF THE OIL PALM INDUSTRY WORLDWIDE

Just like many other countries around the world, oil palm is aboriginal to Ghana. This is because the country’s weather and apt soil conditions allow for its vast production. Oil palm is a local staple food for Ghanaians of all cultural backgrounds and has created job opportunities for many over the years. Aside from this, it contributes immeasurably to the country’s coffers. I’ve been thinking about the oil palm industry for a few weeks now. A Turkish processing company asked that I research the possibility of them importing Palm Kernel Shells. Palm Kernel Shells or PKS are the shell fragments that are left over after the palm kernel is crushed in the mill. I am aware of PKS’s availability; I

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just didn’t know that it is extremely sought after. The shells, not to talk of the palm kernel. That got me thinking about the entire palm oil industry. On the international level, oil palm accounts for more than half of the global import and export trade of all vegetable oils. As a result of its frequent production around the world, oil palm can also be found in a variety of stuff including food, nonessentials, and biofuels. In the same vein, it is globally the most edible oil having exceeded all others in 2015 according to the International Institute for Sustainable Development (2019). The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) also estimated its global production at 50 million tonnes in the crop year ending

September 2011. Yet, the state of the oil palm industry throughout the world is often swept under the carpet and rarely discussed, at least from my light research conducted. Regardless, it is an indisputable fact that one of the most contentious issues on sustainable agriculture across the world has to do with the oil palm industry. Most controversial is the seeming disparity between its economic impacts and its environmental and social effects; I’m talking about issues relating to deforestation & the loss of biodiversity, social tensions & conflicts due to land acquisition. In a 2019 report by The Guardian,

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worldwide annual production of palm oil according to the USDA from 2018 to 2019 was nearly 81.6 million tons. This shows that a significant proportion of people use products or items containing oil palm around the world. There are an estimated three billion users of palm oil products in 150 countries. There is a global average user consumption of 8kg of palm oil annually. Oil palm grows mainly in Asia, Africa and Latin America with Indonesia and Malaysia being its principal producers. These leading producers of oil palm, i.e. Indonesia and Malaysia, offer the international market 85% of global oil palm produce. But in spite of these high production figures increasing revenues in these countries, there are mega environmental and social damages. THE DOMINANT NATURE OF THE OIL PALM INDUSTRY Oil palm cannot be spoken of without its source - the palm tree. It is general knowledge that the palm tree from which we subsequently derive the oil palm has immeasurable benefits. I believe that one way or the other we all may have shared in the numerous benefits of the palm tree. If you’re an adult Ghanaian that mostly lived in Ghana, then chances are that you cracked the shell one time and chewed on the nut. Palm trees are unquestionably among the most vital trees here on planet earth. All of its parts can be transformed into something valuable. Aside from the oil palm, other items such as palm wine, woods, brooms, palm kernel, mats, among others can be gotten from the palm tree. Oh and Palm Kernel Shell! It is also an indisputable fact that oil palm is the most popular item derived from the palm tree. It is hauled out of the palm fruit and used for cooking oil, soaps, waxes, toothpastes and many more. With this knowledge, it can be noted that the

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dominant nature of the oil palm industry can be attributed to its universal and continual relevance. Factors contributing to Oil Palm dominance. After what you’ve read so far, it would be safe to say that the oil palm industry has a lot to control. This dominance of the oil palm industry can be hinged on five forces or factors. • The first has to do with its replacement of less healthy fatty foods in the west. • Then, the fact that producers have reduced their prices. • Third, it has substituted more expensive oils in homes and personal care products. • Fourth, because it is economical, it has been widely adopted as cooking oil in particularly developing countries across the world. • Lastly, because these countries continue to consume more fat, much of it in the form of palm oil. AN INGREDIENT IN ALMOST EVERYTHING In line with the above already discussed, oil palm is almost in everything, from foods to cosmetics and biofuels. It is also the most common cooking oil across the world because of its high heat resistance, long shelf life and, most importantly, its low price. This notion is substantiated by an estimation of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) that palm oil can be found in about 50% of packaged items in the supermarket. This ranges from everything like detergents, to candy, to cosmetics. Oil Palms also have higher production rates than other vegetable oils as it demands smaller amounts of energy, fertilizer and pesticides to produce. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) agrees. WWF

has stated that oil palm produces around thirty-five percent (35%) of all vegetable oil. Oil farm farmers do this on less than 10% of all land allocated to oil-producing crops. In contrast, other oils such as coconut oil or soybean oil would utilise anywhere between four (4) and ten (10) times more land. A DRIVING FORCE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL EFFECTS Though oil palm production contributes immensely to the creation of employment opportunities and revenues, it forms part of the factors responsible for some forms of social and environmental destruction including the following; forest and peatland burning and the resulting haze; deforestation and the loss of biodiversity; social tensions and conflicts due to land acquisition; infringement of local rights in rural communities; and the unjust treatment of smallholder farmers. Hence, despite its high production rate across the world, it is apparent that the expansion of oil palm plantations means that palm oil production would contribute largely to escalating the already existent destruction of lands, thus deforestation and other social problems. On a scale as large as the oil palm industry, the numbers get worrisome. The increasing dedication of land once occupied by tropical forests and other species-rich habitats to palm oil plantations has made palm oil production a major threat to biodiversity. Oil palm plantations are also a huge source of greenhouse gas emissions. They are typically established on land converted from swamp forests and clearing the land releases large amounts of carbon dioxide and methane which also forms part of air pollution. The creation of 2.5 metric tons of sewage by an oil palm mill can also result in soil and water pollution. Climate change can also be intensified through these activities.

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CORPORATE

The produce and applications of the oil palm tree is varied, beneficial and impressive, with lots of pros but these cons mentioned above are all 100% facts. Sustainability of the oil palm industry Following the last paragraph, you might wonder if the oil palm industry is doing more harm than good. It is very true that despite its environmental and social effects, the oil palm industry contributes massively to economies around the world. It will therefore be wrong for consumers to think that shunning items containing oil palm is the best way to deal with the environmental consequences associated with the production of oil palms or plantations. The limited usage of oil palm will only lead to the consumption of other

alternate oils in order to meet global demand. However, there is no equal alternative. Other oils, for example, sunflower oil, soybean oil and rapeseed oil, are nowhere near the efficiency of oil palm. Stopping the use of oil palms will only swing the crop’s biodiversity impacts to places where its replacement oils are produced. In light of this, government leaders all around the world should be encouraged to deliberate on measures that can be taken in the oil palm industry to curb its environmental and social effects. Again, there must be policies and laws on the cultivation and production of oil palms in ways that are environmentally and socially friendly.

Institutions set up to oversee the works of oil palm plantations must function properly. Furthermore, people who go against socially friendly policies must be punished in accordance with the law. Managers or authorities of oil palm plantations have time and time again said they will adopt technologically approved machinery and procedures for cultivation and production. These would curb if not totally eradicate oil palm’s “bad side”. For its vital role in today’s world and for posterity’s sake, just like other industries, it’s time to give the oil palm industry the paramountcy it deserves in today’s headlines. It’s never too late to start improving something as important as this.

Source: BLACKMORE Maxwell Ampong is a Senior Partner at BlackMore Investments, a trade and corporate finance boutique firm. He writes about trending and relevant economic topics, and general perspective pieces.

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CORPORATE

SUSTAINABLE WATER FOR HUMANITY'S SURVIVAL

Earth is in a state of despair: there are global water shortages caused by historically poor management of water resources, paired with the frequent natural disasters occurring across the planet, as a result of climate change and global warming. With our population growing, there is an increased demand for water from the same water sources we have always had access to. Overexploitation of these sources is causing them to dry up, following which we resort to digging deeper and deeper. This digging is causing us to unearth toxic minerals which mix with our water sources. Yet this cycle continues. But Earth is home. It is the only planet known to man where life exists, where humanity exists, and that too because of the presence of water. The United Nations, among other global organisations, have been warning us about freshwater being

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unavailable by 2050, for decades. While there has been a change in how we approach the matter of water, it is not rapid enough. There is still a dependence on unsustainable water solutions, poor water infrastructure, and ignorance of good WASH practices, especially in developing nations. A CHANGE IS NEEDED The issue with current common water solutions is that they utilise dated purification methods, and only purify only one-third of all water they utilise, while the remaining two-thirds is rejected as wastewater. With global water scarcity, these solutions are clearly not suitable for use. Another major concern is nonrevenue water, i.e. water lost before it reaches the user. Many public water utility providers depend on date water purification as mentioned earlier while also on dated infrastructure. Usually, this

includes pipes that require repair, causing water to leak from them. These leaks can add up to large volumes over a month, let alone a year. While there are advances in water purification, water recycling and reuse, a potential answer to water scarcity lies up in the sky. Water on land exists most likely due to the natural hydrological cycle. It evaporates from the seas and oceans in large quantities, travels a large distance in the atmosphere, and later condenses and falls to the ground. This eventually replenishes surface water bodies and even sinks deep into the ground into groundwater aquifers. Global warming is, unfortunately, causing these surface and groundwater sources to dry up. But why limit ourselves to relying on these sources? RENEWABLE WATER, FROM AIR The air contains vast volumes of

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CORPORATE

Photo Credit: Maithri Aquatech’s Founder Ramkrishna Mukkavilli, next to the MEGHDOOT Signature model, capable of generating up to 5000 Litres of Water on a Daily Basis.

water, ever-present, and also replenished throughout the year, making it a renewable source of water. Tapping into this renewable source can open new avenues for water supply. This is exactly what Maithri Aquatech, an Indian water start-up is doing. Utilising the concept of Atmospheric Water Generation (AWG), the company has developed a solution known as – MEGHDOOT (Sanskrit for “Messenger of the Skies”) that draws water from air for consumption. Their solution is a plug-and-play system, capable of running on renewable energy and is eco-friendly. Maithri Aquatech was founded by Ramkrishna Mukkavilli, an Indian Entrepreneur, after

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noticing the severe cases of water scarcity in India. Now since the development of MEGHDOOT, the company is exploring new opportunities for utilisation of their technology, not limited to just drinking, but also for use in medical, industrial and pharmaceutical applications. What makes atmospheric water viable is that, while it has zero water wastage, stress on surface and groundwater bodies is reduced. Large scale utilisation of such a solution would allow groundwater aquifers to recover and surface water sources to once again replenish. BUILDING A CULTURE OF SUSTAINABILITY AND INNOVATION

New and sustainable solutions such as MEGHDOOT are being developed across the planet. While in some locations such solutions are readily accepted, many developing countries, especially those with water scarcity are still hesitant to shift from older and unsustainable technologies. The prime reason behind this is the lack of knowledge of the gravity of the water problem and the importance of sustainability. Countries should learn to embrace Sustainability as a concept, and accept solutions that can enable them to move towards a sustainable and resourcerich future. After all, water is not just for humanity, but for the whole planet.

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Meghdoot can produce gallons of clean, safe, & great tasting drinking water each day from the humid ambient air

M.: +91 - 70132 36131 www.Maithriaqua.com

E-mail: info@maithriaqua.co.in

CORPORATE

Indusgtry Era A SMART WAY TO INDUSTRY

More than just a technology magazine! It is a source of the latest news, inspiration, and motivation for the world’s most pre-eminent organizations, steadfast leaders, solution providers, and budding entrepreneurs. In the last couple of years, the magazine has culminated into a paradigmatic, global brand, which has been encouraging and developing excellence within the marketing world. We also give a peek into the professional and personal lives of successful leaders, who through their numerous qualities, are capable of influencing individuals for the better. It is an excellent media through which the top-level business men and women share the challenges their organizations are addressing through their innovative and unique solutions. The magazine proffers excellent articles which partake in the technology trends in every vertical prevalent across the world.

associations, and different sectors being further explored. It is pertinent to mention that today IndustryEra reaches more than 90000 industry leaders each month either physically or through the online subscription basis. We are equally present through various social media channels which are there to portray our competency in the best way possible. We give our readers the latest news on discoveries and inventions beyond retail, big data, security, cloud, and I.o.T. areas just to name a few. We also provide the readers with the knowledge they need to gain from the various industrial sectors.

IndustryEra ensures that they are offering a comprehensive view of the latest technological innovations in multiple verticals. The magazine also gives a closer look at what are the technology trends that can impact any organization in the days to come. IndustryEra is, in a way transforming the way leaders are thinking and analysing various subjects. Alongside, we ensure that when we write, it is in a language which is understandable by everyone without the requirement of too many jargons. Since the language is simple and easy to read the magazine has gained prominence around the globe as a medium of information exchange.

IndustryEra has culminated into one of the essential sources of information and knowledge sharing medium, which gives the readers an idea of the latest in technology in this continually evolving world. IndustryEra is a technology magazine that sheds light on how technology is transforming every aspect of our experiences—from culture to industry, science to purpose. The discoveries and innovations that our editorial team reveals lead to new methods of thinking, new

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corporate

KS Infosystem is all about assembling, networking, trade & distribution, consultancy services, annual maintenance contracts the key segments that work handin-hand towards achieving and improvising the objective of the company. It provides software, hardware and AV related solutions in services and in collaborations with other recognized bodies within India and abroad. Sony, Cisco, Extron, Vidyo, Delta, HP, Amx, Jabra, Hpro, Revolabs, HCL, Samsung, Polycom, Acer, Hitachi, Vigilant, Toshiba, LG, Kyocera, Clearone, Quickheal, Ahuja, Epson, Casio, IBM, Dell Etc. are the channel partners.

SUCCESS STORY It has successfully implemented many projects and services in Africa. The initiative of KSInfosystem towards Revenue Collection got recognition from the WORLD Bank through PRCG. The project was launched in cities like Kasai and Kananga. KS Infosystems introduced the application of modern information and communication technology (ICT) in revenue collection. K.S. Infosystems has to its name the management of the most prestigious football tournament – MTN Africa Cup of Nations (CAN ‘08) and other tournaments like Zenith Cup, etc. held in Ghana in collaboration with our local partner Turnstile Prints Ltd. K.S. Infosystems undertook the control of the entire stadia gates and printing of entry tickets with unique technologies like RFID chips, holograms & colour coding & for the security at the turnstiles by introducing access cards which were the first of its kind to be used in any part of Africa.

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K.S. Infosystems has set up an Assembly Plant of Desktops, Laptops & Mobiles in Ghana, 2010-2012. The production of Desktops & Laptops is 10,000 each per month and mobiles 100,000 per month approximately. K.S. Infosystems launched a state-of-the-art technology centre housing the latest mobile phone repairing equipment in the Gambia. K.S. Infosystems have also introduced Networking Infrastructure where a varying number of new campuses are coming with a seating capacity of 125 nodes for Data on wireless and wired mixed with fully secure in terms of hardware (IP Surveillance) and software (firewall and AV) security. Project so required high degree of security features and needs to be provided, in offices usually use removable media like memory stick, CD-ROM, external HDD etc, hence making the network prone to viruses, worms etc. Once a virus is resident in a network it creates huge broadcast and unicast storms

hence bringing down the network to its knees as CPU of the switches and other devices become over utilized due to huge traffic. KS Infosystem, Deployment of web based application for calculation of Communication Service Tax from the CDR fetched from various telecom operators. Live integration with telecom operators in Subah Infosolution Ghana. K.S. Infosystems have set up a Smart Classroom & AV Equipment in Africa Institute of Sanitation & Waste Management (KNUST) (Zoomlion Institute) & Liberty American School in Ghana. KS Infosystem has developed a unique Software of DOUANES that will help to connect all posts with each other in Senegal through the system of Quittance, Passavant, Escort & Depot system. By this software the Government would be able to track vehicle & goods deport of all regions.

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corporate

Indocorp, an ISO 9001:2015 certified company; has added milestones in its journey towards professional excellence. It is presently involved in numerous projects of prime importance for the development of African nations like Ghana, Senegal, Cameroon, DR Congo, Niger, Burkina Faso etc. Indocorp has developed a steady international clientele which means good business not only for us but also for clients. Indocorp offers a range of products through online service in Agriculture, Automobiles, Dairy Equipments, Drill Rig, Electrical Equipments, Fisheries, Food Processing, Healthcare & Surgical Equipments, Irrigation Equipments, Laundry Equipments, Mining and Construction Miscellaneous, Recycling of Waste Paper & Plastic, RO Plant, Units Small Scale Industry and Solar Energy. At present, Indocorp is working on various projects which include solar energy, waste cycling plants, Ports, Harbours & Inland Waterways, Fibre Lining of Wooden Canoes, Mining, Defence, Construction and Railways, Dredging, Development of Industrial Parks, Power Engineering, Block Farming and Low Cost Housing.

SUCCESS STORY Indocorp has introduced LESDEP which has been implemented in different districts of Ghana. The mission of this program is to focus on training unemployed people to acquire viable skills within the shortest possible time in their localities. Other initiatives are “Incubators cum Training Centre & Skill Development Institutes” to promote, aid & foster the growth of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) & generation of local entrepreneurs Providing proactive assistance to the local entrepreneurs and household women, and training the rural and urban unskilled labour force in operating simple machines for enhancing their productivity. “SKD Tractor Assembly Plant” to be

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an assembly line for local production & fabrication of tractors & related components Providing employment to the youth and rural dwellers through mechanised land preparation, transportation of agricultural products to marketing centres and more. “Waste Management” for keeping cities clean, green & healthy. In technical collaboration with Indian manufacturers, we provide a range of tools and equipment along with technology transfer. “Modernization of Fishing Industry” for culturing, processing, preserving, storing, transporting, marketing of fish related equipment & accessories by using the latest in technology from India to Africa they offer a range of products and services like FRP lining of boats, fibreglass and aluminium

boats, training to the local youth and marine consultancy. “Plastic Recycling,” the process of recycling plastics by using simple and manageable machines while generating employment. “Food Processing,” offering food processing manufacturing units in the micro and small scales of production, helps boost the rural economies by generating new income opportunities for the locals. “Fruit Juice Processing Unit” is ISO certified semi-automatic and easyto-handle processing and packaging solutions that can handle multiple fruits. Tin packaging and bottle packaging table-top solutions available. “Jute Bag Plant,” Jute is a natural fibre that is available easily across Africa.

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corporate

Seelive offers an array of sensors that suits today’s industrial needs and are qualitative, sustainable, and technology-driven. Seelive products are easy to configure, install, integrate, and maintain. Seelive claims to be excellent and to guarantee a high level of security in all their processes. Seelive has received the certificate according to ISO 9001:2015 certification of Quality Management System as well as Certificate of Compliance (IoT Sensors and Devices). Seelive offers a range of products under different projects such as Krishi Pacemaker. This project named Krishi Pacemaker for paddy fields is a smart IOT system that can monitor the condition of a paddy field and automatically controls

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the water level of the field. The system has several sensors to measure the water level, moisture, temperature and humidity of the field. Waste bin sensor is another product which measures fill-levels in bins via ultrasonic beams. The sensor can monitor any type of waste (liquid, mixed waste, paper, plastics, glass, bio-waste, electronics, metal) in bins and containers of various types and sizes. SeeLive’s drain sensor detects the blockage areas by determining the level of water in the drain. The sensor is equipped with a filllevel measurement of up to 5 meters. It measures temperature and fill-level and reports the same to the server in realtime. SeeLive Pressure Sensors offer a solution for all pressure applications across many industries. The sensor is

a fully compensated, amplified output pressure sensor for harsh media and/or liquids. It helps to diagnose whether there is water, how strong the water pressure is. No human intervention is required as the sensor works on AI technology. Chlorine sensor control and monitors residual chlorine levels accurately and affordably. Motor pressure system sensor is installed at the water treatment plant and monitors the level of water waste at the water treatment plant. It also monitors MPS and drains reserves. Whenever there is any blockade, it automatically turns on the motor to decongest it. The intimation is also sent to the authorities whenever such a situation arises as it may require further action.

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eventS

TANZANIA INTERNATIONAL MODEL UNITED NATION - TIMUN 2021

Photo Credit: Dr. Hortencia Nuhu - Chairperson of YUNA Tanzania

150 young people from 16 countries (Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, Sudan, the United Kingdom and Togo) participated in the Tanzania International Model United Nations – TIMUN 2021 organized by the Youth of United Nations Association (YUNA) Tanzania from 23 - 26, August 2021 at the Institute of Tourism (Maruhubi), Zanzibar. The theme of the conference is: “Youth engagement towards the

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realization of the Sustainable development Goals Decade of Action”. For 24 years, the Youth of United Nations Association (YUNA) Tanzania has been organizing this conference aimed at empowering Tanzanian and non-Tanzanian youth between the ages of 18 - 30 on leadership and diplomacy issues. The participants, apart from representing the various member states of the UN, should also explain in detail the

strategies being taken by those countries in implementing international agreements including the 2030 Agenda of Sustainable Development Goals. In a 3-day conference in Zanzibar, young people discussed in depth their participation in the SDGs decade of action and came up with resolutions in four thematic areas: Healthy Nations with youth on steering wheel; Critical Youth Skills towards 2030, Empowered Youth

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events

Photo Credit: Hon. Dr. Saada Mkuya Salum - Minister of State in the Office of 1st Vice President of Zanzibar

for Decent Work and Employment as well as the Youth potentials in leadership and peacebuilding for sustainable peace and development. Honorable Dr. Saada Mkuya, Minister of State in the office of the First Vice President of Zanzibar has represented the President of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar and the Chairman of the Revolutionary Council as the guest of honor. In her speech she said; “The President of Zanzibar recognizes the existence of this gathering and its importance in shaping the formulation of policies and laws that will improve the well-being of young people in our countries. The government congratulates YUNA Tanzania for making this event a success while all precautions to protect the UVIKO-19 are under consideration and we are ready to host this conference again

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here in Zanzibar next year. There are many efforts being made to improve the well-being of the people and especially the youth in the four specific areas you are discussing. The government is making every effort to improve the health sector, improve education, develop policies and strategies that will reduce the problem of youth employment including the blue economy policy as well as bringing young people closer to the leadership and decision-making process through direct appointment to public offices and through the National Youth Council which carries the voices of young people from the shehia level to the National level. However, through this forum, we welcome youth ideas to further improve the development efforts undertaken by the government. In addition to participating in this forum, we also invite you to visit various tourist destinations to see the beauty of the

islands of Zanzibar”. Speaking at the closing session of the conference, Dr. Hortencia Nuhu, Chairperson of Youth of United Nations Association of Tanzania stated that; “Our role as YUNA Tanzania is to bring young people closer to UN activities, where we provide them with experience of the principles and procedures at UN meetings, and also to ensure that their voices are heard on issues affecting youth welfare that need to be addressed and given priority by UN member states. Through the resolutions adopted at this conference, it is our call on the government and other development partners including the youth themselves to take appropriate action that will enable the achievement of the sustainable development goals by 2030 with the youth at the forefront as leaders of change in society ”.

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eventS

Photo Credit: Joseph Brighton Malekela - Coordinator of Tanzania International Model UN 2021

Speaking with the media, the coordinator of Tanzania International Model United Nations 2021 Conference Mr. Joseph Brighton Malekela stated that; “This conference is being held in Zanzibar for the first time and has provided a great opportunity for young people of 16 countries to discuss in detail their role in the 10 years of implementation of the SDGs. This conference is the culmination of a series of online and face-to-face discussions held as pre-activities in Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Mtwara where young people had the opportunity to express their views on specific thematic areas of the conference which are Youth and Health, Youth and Education, Youth and Employment as well as Youth and Leadership. In this conference we have found resolutions that clearly show how youth are willing to be fully involved in the

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Through information sharing from the young people who participated in this 15-nation conference, we have exchanged experiences and are ready to be part of the change that will make the world a better place to live by 2030 ”.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation through the Zanzibar SubOffice, United Nations Tanzania, United Nations Association - UNA, People’s Bank of Zanzibar (PBZ), German Embassy in Tanzania, HakiElimu, Africa - Asia Youth Foundation, Global Peace Foundation Tanzania, Open Society for East Africa - OSIEA, ElimikaWikiendi and Young Creative Leaders.

The Tanzania International Model United Nations as a simulation of the UN General Assembly, despite being organized by YUNA Tanzania, it is also supported by the Prime Minister’ Office, Policy, Parliamentary affairs, Labor, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disabilities ; Zanzibar Revolutionary Government through the Ministry of Information, Youth, Culture and Sports;

Other key figures who attended this conference as special guests are Hon. Idrissa Kitwana Mustafa (Urban West Regional Commissioner in Zanzibar), Mr. Shaibu Ibrahim Mohammed (Director of Youth Development Zanzibar), Ms. Kathrin Steinbell (Deputy Head of Mission of Germany Embassy in Tanzania) and Mr. Reynald Maeda (Executive Director of the United Nations Association - UNA).

process of completing the implementation of global goals for the next 10 years at the national and international levels.

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FACE-TO-FACE

Interviewee: MR ANTON PISAROGLU Political Consultant Interviewer: ATLANTA MAHANTA, Sr. Multimedia Journalist, TOA

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FACE-TO-FACE

INTERVIEW WITH

ANTON PISAROGLU ON GUINEA COUP Interviewee: MR. ANTON PISAROGLU, Political Consultant Interviewer: ATLANTA MAHANTA, Sr. Multimedia Journalist, TOA Q. MR. PISAROGLU, YOU ARE AN EUROPEAN POLITICAL CONSULTANT AND STRATEGIST, THAT HAS EXTENSIVE INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE, INCLUDING ON THE AFRICAN CONTINENT. HOW DO YOU SEE THE CURRENT SITUATION IN GUINEA-CONAKRY, NAMELY THE REMOVAL OF PRESIDENT ALPHA CONDÉ BY THE MILITARY? A: It is a sad situation and, unfortunately, not that unusual for Africa. Over the last 50-60 years we have witnessed many such cases in various countries, many military coups. And not only in Sub-Saharan Africa, but also in the Middle East, in Asia, South America and even Europe.

owe this, in large part, to the tremendous influence of Nelson Mandela, a man who embodied a creed so powerful that changed the history and the politics in South Africa – and on the entire continent. It is therefore possible to build a democracy with a very difficult history behind, as long as you don’t let the past

decide for the future. Q. RETURNING TO THE REPUBLIC OF GUINEA, PLEASE SHARE YOUR WORKING EXPERIENCE WITH THE PRESIDENT ALPHA CONDÉ? A: Yes, together with another Romanian political consultant we met him and we

I won’t go into details about history, but it is clear that the fragility of the political institutions is a consequence of widespread poverty and therefore of the constant state of discontent of the majority of people. It is a very long and hard process to reconcile fractured and poor societies and to give people hope that, in time, little by little, things can and will improve. Q. SO, SHOULD WE EXPECT COUPS IN AFRICA AS LONG AS AFRICAN COUNTRIES ARE UNDERDEVELOPED? A: Well, there are positive signs as well on the continent. Just last month, in the Zambian presidential election, we saw the incumbent president Lungu being defeated by the opposition candidate Hakainde Hichilema and we also saw a peaceful transition of power in that country. So, there is hope. It is true, though, that the southern part of Africa has better internalized the democratic norms. I would say that we

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Photo Credit: Anton Pisaroglu, Political Consultant and Alpha Condé President of Guinea

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FACE-TO-FACE

worked for a while with him and his team in 2019 and 2020. Mr. Condé came across as a calm man, but he was undoubtedly deeply concerned about the problems of his countries and the multiple challenges that this government had to face. And he was a statesman, a man who was known and listened to on the international stage. Q. BUT WASN’T THE 2020 REFERENDUM A CONTROVERSIAL ONE SINCE IT ALLOWED PRESIDENT ALPHA CONDÉ TO RUN FOR A THIRD TERM ? A: Yes, it was controversial from this point of view, but it also allowed for some progressive measures to be promoted, such as banning forced marriage and female genital mutilation or a better representation of women in governmental

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institutions. Q. AND WHAT WAS YOUR TAKE ON THE SITUATION TO PRESIDENT CONDÉ AT THAT TIME? A: I won’t go into the details of our collaboration, but I will say that we always tried to steer things towards a peaceful outcome. We were very much aware of the potential for political violence in Guinea and we thought that permanent and serious efforts had to be made in order to avoid conflict. Q. AND TODAY, IF YOU WERE TO ADVISE HIM, WHAT OPTIONS WOULD YOU SAY HE HAS IN THIS UNWANTED SITUATION? A: This is beyond my regular work as a political consultant. My work is related to the legal democratic processes, such

as elections and referendums. In This situation, this non-negotiated political change, as I see it, calls for international mediators, for people with the experience and credentials to be neutral and respected arbiters. What I think though is that Mr. Alpha Condé should be freed and he should be allowed to resume his duties as president. And after that Guinea should have a national political conversation about the way forward. There are several options here, including recall elections or new presidential elections, but it would be best for Guinea to solve this problem in a peaceful and democratic manner. Otherwise, the cycle of violence and retribution will never stop.

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SPORTS

“It’s good to do the Unthinkable” - Eliud Kipchoge

Eliud Kipchoge, Kenya

Most people consider running a sport but not Eliud Kipchoge. It’s difficult to put Eliud Kipchoge’s incredible sub-twohour marathon into context given how recently it occurred. Like Roger Bannister in 1954, the Kenyan achieved something that many people thought could not be accomplished physically. Some disagree about the technicalities, but the facts remain outstanding. Kipchoge

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raced a special course in Wien, Austria on 12 October 2019 at a time of 1:59:40 26.2 km. It did not count as an official world marathon record because pacing and fluids were not regular competition rules and it was not an “open” race. He was handled by a car and the elite team throughout was meticulously coordinated. But the moment was beyond the rules: the sense of opportunity and Kipchoges’ emotions subsequently ensured that he

would consider the completion of the 1:59 challenge he had previously failed to complete in the years to come as his most significant achievement. Kipchoge would have become the largest marathon rider of all time, aside from his challenge. In his running career, he won 12 of his 13 marathons including a marathon in Rio 2016 and four in London. In addition he owns a world

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SPORTS

record marathon running at the 2018 Berlin Marathon, a blistering time of 2:01:39, and a huge 1 minute and 18 seconds off the previous record. He has been running at a high level since 2002, and specialized in the 5000 m – winning bronze during the 2004 Athens Olympics and silver in Beijing 2008. He was born in the district of Nandi in Kenya. Kipchoge has three children. The event, held on 9 August, was shifted from Tokyo to Sapporo in northern Japan owing to dread of the heat of the capital. Kipchoge is expected to be one of the Games’ major stars after his heroics in

Vienna. The Kenyan runner is the finest male marathoner in the world, having won gold in both the Tokyo and Rio Olympics in 2016, and breaking the world record in the Berlin marathon in 2018. “Kipchoge: The Last Milestone,” a new documentary, gives an inside look at how he and his training group prepare for large races in Kaptagat. Kenyan runners attend Kaptagat, which is similar to a boarding school. Athletes spend Sundays with their families (Kipchoge only runs alone on Sundays), then spend the rest of the week at the camp training, eating, and sleeping together.

Kipchoge has been training there since 2002, and he now serves as a leader and mentor to fellow marathoners who train with him under Patrick Sang’s guidance. The presence of Kipchoge in Kaptagat has attracted other great runners. People are chosen for their mindsets when they are recruited to train at Kaptagat, according to Kipchoge. O ther coaches are looking for marathoners that have a positive attitude and value self-discipline and teamwork above everything else. Every marathoner in the camp, including Kipchoge, will be able to push the group to be better and faster as a result.

Kipchoge and other Kenyan marathoners train near Kaptagat. Courtesy of the DDA Group/”The Last Milestone”

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SPORTS

Eliud Kipchoge approaches the end of his sub-2-hour marathon in Vienna. Reuters

The marathoners at Kaptagat adhere to a strict schedule, which Kipchoge assists in establishing. Every Thursday is set aside for a long run - 18.6 miles (30 kilometers) or more. Strength and conditioning, core workouts, plyometrics, and speed training are included on other days, along with lots of ice baths and muscle massages for recovery. Kipchoge covers a distance between 5,900 and 6,200 miles (9,500 to 10,000 kilometers) each year. His rest periods occur over the three weeks following a large race, which he uses to recuperate at home. Kipchoge made history in 2019 by being the first person to complete a marathon in under 2 hours, finishing

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in 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 40 seconds in Vienna, Austria. However, the event was created solely to assist Kipchoge in reaching the milestone, it did not constitute a new world record. Kipchoge ran at a scorching 4:34 mile pace to run a sub-2-hour marathon. That required extreme mental fortitude as well as the ability to run through excruciating pain. “I have a huge plan to inspire the youth, and inspire everybody in this world. I want to inspire Kenyans and make running the Kenyan lifestyle. I want to actually tell those people, those young people to respect the sport, or treat the sport like a

profession. ..... So I want to tell the young people: please concentrate, be selfdisciplined and above all respect the sport and make the sport a real profession,” the double Olympic marathon gold medallist told journalists at the airport. (The Tokyo Olympic Games) He won by 80 seconds over Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands, who came second. Belgium’s Bashir Abdi won bronze to round up the track and field at the Tokyo Olympics. Kipchoge joins Abebe Bikila of Ethiopia and Waldemar Cierpinski as the third athlete to win multiple gold medals in the men’s marathon.

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TRAVEL & EXPLORE

Protecting the rights of future generations must start now:

Future Equity, Climate Change & Travel By Atlanta Mahanta Sr. Multimedia Journalist

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TRAVEL & EXPLORE

The discernment and familiarity with the major issues influencing present day society, particularly general and worldwide environmental dangers, is without a doubt an issue that worries the survival of individuals on earth and should be tended to. The intricacy of the components that shape this setting is basic in ecological instruction. Its test is to make society mindful of the social and ecological dangers it creates, permitting conduct changes in association with nature. In the field of natural issues, the issues and arrangements, and the expenses and advantages, include distinctive on-screen characters and require coordination between people in general, private and common society, through their different associations. It is a reality that requests another instructive situation in which NGOs introduce themselves as key players for their mastery and profile for the improvement of non-formal ecological training forms. The end result of the field experience offers a perspective of the overall supposition among the members about the desires of society on the part to be played by NGOs in connection to ecological instruction rehearses. It is expected that these establishments keep up a wide natural instruction, covering perspectives that are enlightening and intentional, as well as basic and routed to all portions of society, working in association with different NGOs and associations in general society and private parts, bolstered by paid proficient instructors, with solid individual abilities that go past a scholastic foundation and expert experience, with incredible relational limit.

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Field experience is an encounter of inquiries, and causes the passage into new fields of research. What are the limits of ecological instruction with respect to sustainable development? What is the effectiveness of non-formal environmental education on the diversity of groups and their demands? How is it possible to solve problems related to lack of funding and structure for the development of educational programs? How should environmental education interact with other educational aspects such as education for peace, human rights, intercultural education, international development and communication?In this way, we can likewise feature the expanding challenges confronted when setting up NGO associations with different associations, for example, reshaping customary capacities, new inner hierarchical procedures, lawful ampleness, changes in preparing HR and institutional administration, accomplishing productivity and adequacy, straightforwardness, better assessment, quality outcomes and furthermore acknowledgment and authenticity inside common society.

Likewise there are characterized limits essential to the accomplishment of the activities of NGOs, for example, the heterogeneity of associations and issues, for example, the subsidizing of their administrations and also their capacity to get and measure positive aftereffects of the ventures, as in the age of new social practices.A big question mark arises if one thinks deeply whether this beautiful planet earth will ever remain a habitable place for our future generations. It ensures

THE TIMES OF AFRICA 43

TRAVEL & EXPLORE

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TRAVEL & EXPLORE

Overview of Climate Change Vulnerability in Africa

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Date source: UNEP/GRID-Arendal

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TRAVEL & EXPLORE

fair conditions for future generations. Protecting our world and its life should become the core function of all our progressive developments. Africa is very vulnerable to effects of climate change due to its current level of economic development, which endangers or reverses the effort on food security, human health and broad economic growth and development in the middle of the century. Africa needs the financial resources and technical skills to adapt and develop appropriate low-carbon technologies to the effect of climate change. In a recent World Bank research, the cost of adapting to a temperature shift of about 2°C by 2050 is projected at between $75 billion and $ 100 billion a year. With approximately two or three

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percent of global emissions, while Africa has contributed negligibly to the changing climate, it is disproportionately the most vulnerable region in the world. The prevailing low socio-economic growth rates in the continent drive this vulnerability. Although climate change is worldwide, its consequences are disproportionately prone to the poor. They lack the means to supply products and services that they need to buffer and restore from the harshest climate change impacts. In Africa, this is the case. To this end, UNEP Africa Climate Change Agency in the region focuses on supporting countries in implementing their commitments to climate change in a manner that meets key socio-economic priorities - food safety, creation, revenue and entrepreneurs’ opportunities for young people, and economic development to implement

climate action commitments – popularly known as NDCs. Project actions to inform and validate climate action trajectories that maximize environmental and socioeconomic benefits in the long run by UNEP • EU-UNEP Africa Low Emissions Development Project • Supporting Implementation of the NDCs in the Waste Sector in Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal • NDCs Action Project • National Adaptation Plans (NAPS) readiness project • Supporting countries to establish interagency policy task forces for policy coherence towards optimal NDCs implementation • Youth skills retooling to take up climate action as an opportunity to offer impactful solutions to society

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EN VOGUE

FASHION BUSINESS, INTERNET & CORPORATE STYLE WITH

SUSIE BUBBLE

47 THE www.thetimesofafrica.com TIMES OF AFRICA

THE TIMES OF AFRICA 47

EN VOGUE

The meteoric rise of Zionfelix, GhKwaku, RonnieIsEverywhere, thousands of Instagram shops and tens of thousands of social media influencers are products of millions of Ghanaians running to the internet when the pandemic started. During the lockdown, the internet was inescapable. The statistics which are not unknown to the fashion business. In partnership with China’s top retailer, JD.com, the British Fashion Council has been supporting British designers to bring their Vogue and GQ prize to the lucrative market since 2017. Its partner and supporter, the Value Retail-owned outlet Bicester Village, is

also more than aware of the numbers. The impact of this on retailers in the short term has been divided. Those offering essential items such as food and cleaning products experienced high demand. But non-essential retailers such as those selling clothes and clothing accessories were forced to close stores or experienced a steep decline in sales. Susanna Lau, also known as Susie Bubble, is a writer and editor living and working in London. Susie started her fashion blog, ‘Style Bubble’ in March 2006, and is now one of the most prolifically read blogs of its type.

Style Bubble consists of Susie’s thoughts, personal experiences and observations on fashion with a focus on spotlighting young and unknown talent. Previously, Susie was editor of Dazed Digital, the website of Dazed & Confused magazine, from 2008-2010. She now works full-time on freelance content creation for brands such as Prada and Gucci and also writes regularly for publications such as Elle, Grazia and Guardian. She also sits on the experts panel for the LVMH Prize. Recently she has been actively involved in the #StopAsianHate campaign, getting

Source: Maxwell Investments Group

Photo credit: Susie Bubble Photo image: Gettyimage

48 THE TIMES OF AFRICA

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EN VOGUE

involved with spreading awareness online together with other prominent Asian American designers and fashion professionals. She is currently working on a project to support ESEA women in the UK. During the lockdown, she also co-founded a bubble tea and bubble waffle shop called Dot Dot in Stoke Newington in North London to explore her Hong Kong roots. The following is authored by Susie Bubble. On how important one’s fashion is to entrepreneurial success. My own style has been pretty important to establishing both my USP in writing and I guess in terms of personal branding projects. I love young designers and experimental design and I’m not scared of colour and print. I think my style is open-minded and that in turn translates to the projects I do and the type of writing I do for publications. I’ve always wanted to promote fashion as a medium for self-expression on your own terms – not to please other people – but to please yourself! On where one can find and follow trending business wear. I don’t have a prescriptive notion of “business wear”. Those days of dress codes are definitely eroding and particularly post pandemic. I think it’s more important to feel comfortable in your own style and skin, whatever that may be. I feel most “powerful” when I’m wearing things that feel the most me – vintage Comme des Garcons pieces, Simone Rocha or Molly Goddard dresses. They’re not typical business attire but that’s the beauty of working for yourself – there is no dress code! On giving some tips on how to dress for that power meeting. Like I said above, dress for yourself and not for others. You

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should convey the essence of who you are. If you’re not into wearing suits or typical power dressing attire, then wearing them would make you feel like an imposter. Not that I’m saying dress as casually as possible. I guess I think idiosyncratic style is more important than a jacket with power shoulders. On quitting her job for full-time blogging/influencer work and excelling at it. Also on clear signs someone should look out for if they ever wonder “is the fashion business for me”. Are you eternally curious? Are you someone that thrives on creativity? This business is very tough and longevity is also a tricky thing to maintain. The main thing is keeping up your enthusiasm and love for the industry – whether you’re a designer, photographer, stylist, writer or anyone else – and do the machinations of an industry that is always in flux stimulate you. The day you lose interest, and your curiosity begins to wane, then you’ll know it’s not for you. On her view on influencer work and how one becomes an influencer. I don’t think there’s one hard and fast way of “becoming” an influencer and even that term has a lot of variations of what it means. The more important thing is to find out exactly what you want to project on Instagram – is it great imagery, great tastemaking, writing, photography, art direction, video content? What is your niche? What is your POV? It’s more important to hone those things before setting out to embark on monetisation. Hone in on content first before trying to sell your voice. On the benefits of the fast fashion business model and how businesspeople can make the most out of it like the big corporations in fashion do. The fast fashion model needs to be revisited in terms of who it is uplifting. If you can produce quantity, responsibly, then there’s nothing inherently wrong with fast fashion. The problem is the lines of “responsible

production” are very vague. And if you are thinking of profit above responsibility then I’m not sure that’s a good angle to go with. Maybe it is about creating/ producing ad hoc and not ordering huge quantities in advance but instead meeting the demands of the market in that instance. Maybe it’s about onshoring production with local factories that can still provide quantity. There are a lot of ways of approaching the business model but I think we can all agree that it doesn’t work currently! On corporate dress code for women. Persona/personality is so important in your attire, whatever field you work in. I understand there are workplaces that require very formal dress codes but I really think the pandemic has changed all of that. On fashion dropshipping and advice for Ghana’s fashion entrepreneurs. It’s a business model that I think works really well with smaller and independent designers as long as you have a good wholesaler/ supplier that can fulfil ad hoc orders. It’s not something I’m super familiar with as I don’t work on the design side but if you can make it work for your brand or online ecommerce, then I would say just make sure you have good contracts and agreements with your suppliers. Also it’s a great way of testing out what works for your audience so there’s more room for creativity. On casual work fashion and how it’s done. You’re speaking to the wrong person as I don’t really believe in tracksuits. I’m not a fan of this WFH [work from home] attire. I’m very comfortable in dresses and ornate fabrics. For me, I love a contrast. Trainers and tomboy shoes with dressy girly things. As long as my feet are comfortable, I’m comfortable! On collaborating with Ghana’s High Fashion advocates like Nana Akua Addo and promising talents like Lharley Lartey and Cindy Lita Adio.

THE TIMES OF AFRICA 49

New Media

NEW MEDIA:

CULTURE ACROSS AFRICA AND ASIA By Atlanta Mahanta Sr. Multimedia Journalist

50 THE TIMES OF AFRICA

New Media

New media and technology are growing in the world as well as in Asia and Africa is not isolated from it especially among the educated and new generation. But still, it must reach out to the people of Africa, where we can witness many indigenous populations as well as those who are educated but are unaware of the use of cyberspace. In the world, most of the indigenous communities are found in 54 countries in the continent Africa. Indigenous people, who share a very strong bond with their tradition and culture as their identity. They can also have a say at local, national and international levels for their identities and policies that will sustain their well-being and protect their lands, territories, and resources. They chose to follow their traditional

practice as their lifestyle and live with nature. There is an essential need to do research about these specific indigenous communities who are struggling for their basic needs. The scope of this webinar can be made efficient and productive utilisation of visual culture throughout every corner of Africa and how it can affect and promote their lives. Awareness of visual ethics is very essential for the proper representation of one’s identity. New media offers dynamic information through the internet. How do we smudge these boundaries? Here we are talking about two continents, Asia with 49 countries and Africa with 54 countries. We are not able to travel now, like how we used to. Thanks to new media, we can connect

virtually and exchange information. Who is going to communicate and exchange ideas and information? It’s you! The way you communicate, represent yourself in cyberspace is going to define your identity and it will be there forever as a part of big data. Therefore, each one of us is responsible to portray our culture, which is our living style, the way we speak, the food we eat, what we wear, our traditional rituals, folk songs and dance, and how it is passed on to the next generation. It all matters! Before you explore the world You must know your identity, your roots from where you belong and understand your culture, pick up the useful and share that information with the world. You have a platform. Here, again a representation of one’s identity and one’s community is two different dimensions but

New Media

it is all connected. Many scholars are doing their research work on culture, languages, ethnic tribes, their food habits, outfits, the climate differences. Researchers were searching for the overlapping point. The common grounds where Asia and Africa can connect and help each other. I believe acceptance is another way of understanding than just observing. Irrespective of our differences we must accept the differences and promote the concept of global citizen. On the other hand the world is going through a crisis, and it is more than COVID19, Food scarcity, Unemployment, Flood, Locust outbreak, Ebola, Racism, there is also debate going on Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, river nile dam.

52 THE TIMES OF AFRICA

The data of outlook 2020 crisis in Africa states about displacement and food insecurity in Central African Republic, Somalia has Seen persistent instability and conflict since 1991. More than 5 million Somalis need some form of assistance; over 1 million face crisis levels of food insecurity. Instability has driven a massive rise in displacement, from 9,000 people at the start of 2018 to nearly 5 lacs (as of October 2019) in Burkina Faso. Civil conflict in South Sudan has killed almost 4lacs people since 2013. Nigeria faces multiple conflicts, most prominently a decade-long insurgency in the northeast and rising communal violence in central areas and the northwest. And this list will go on. How hard power is setting up propaganda and ruining the situation even more. “Power is like the weather.

Everyone depends on it and talks about it, but few understand it. A country’s soft power is its ability to make friends and influence people - not through military, but through its most attractive assets notably culture, education, language and values. In short, it is the things that make people love a country rather than fear it; things that are often the products of people, institutions and brands rather than governments. The soft power in this hard world. WHY SOFT POWER MATTERS MORE THAN EVER For a start, the world is increasingly multipolar and hyper-connected, with wealth, power and information being

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New Media

ever more widely diffused. The rise of democracy, social media and direct action mean governments must be increasingly responsive to national and global public opinion. Mass peer-to-peer international cultural contact is on the increase and is changing the nature of cultural relations. Increasing diffusion of information and opportunity due to the internet and digitalisation is leading to a greater diffusion of influence and hence a greater role for soft power, which is largely outside the direct control of governments. Soft power and influence is key to building the global coalitions needed to tackle these challenges and ensuring respect for the rules-based international system in general. WHAT IS HARD POWER? Power has historically been focused on “strength in war,” where resources such as population, land and mineral deposits, economic strength, political stability, and military might were of supreme importance. If a state had a strong navy, a welltrained army, and economic and demographic, it would likely be able to compel or bribe its neighbors with its objectives. Unfortunately, applying these resources could also encourage neighbors to balance against a powerful state. Resources of power could produce fear and opposition. Hard power resources include aircraft carriers, bombers, and tank divisions as well as the economic might to crush another’s economy or control its markets. Hard power can also come from economic resources that translate into the military. HOW HAS SOFT POWER CONTRIBUTED TO AFRICA’S DEVELOPMENT OR SOLVED ANY ISSUE TILL NOW? For example: The African Growth

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THE TIMES OF AFRICA 53

New Media

and Opportunity Act, The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, Millennium Challenge Corporation, U.S. African Command have shown that the United States knows how to build soft power reserves and apply them. These programs first show that America recognizes the values it should showcase.

54 THE TIMES OF AFRICA

Caring about the poor victims of HIV and underdevelopment and creating programs that help them are well received on the world stage. Standing up for good governance, anti-corruption measures, and economic reform works too, when they are packaged transparently along with generosity. This credibility will be

important to bring Africans onboard for future programs. Some will be more challenging and require hard power, such as the conflict in Daaarfur, political problems in Zimbabwe, Africa’s civil wars, and continued energy security problems. All will require as much soft power support as the hard power.

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New Media

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THE TIMES OF AFRICA 55

BON APPETIT

IMPORTANCE OF FROZEN CHICKEN IN GHANA By Maxwell Ampong, CEO, Maxwell Investments Group

BON APPETIT

Figure 1. Ghana imports and exports trend for poultry meat.

One of the main sources of animal protein for many households in Ghana comes from frozen Chicken (Kwadzo et al., 2013). According to the United States development agency (USDA, 2017) , one of Ghana’s most consumed and highly preferred animal proteins is frozen chicken. As much as there is a high demand for it, a sizable proportion of frozen chicken is not produced in Ghana. Ghana highly depends on the imports of frozen chicken from developed countries (Banson et al., 2015). Most of the frozen chicken in Ghana is imported from countries such as Belgium, the United States of America, Poland, Brazil, and the Netherlands. In 2011 Ghana imported over 155,000 metric tons of frozen chicken worth $169 million. The Ghana National Association of Poultry Farmers (GNAPF) reported that over 135,000 metric tons of frozen chicken were imported from European countries between 2016 to 2017. This represents a seventy-six percent increase in the importation of frozen chicken from the European Union. While the demand for frozen chicken continues to rise, the domestic supply appears to be stagnant over the years. Below is the trend of Ghana’s importation of poultry meat. As shown in Figure 1, there has been an upsurge in importation

from 93,108 metric tons in 2016 to about 222,000 metric tons in 2018. Comparatively, the exportation of poultry meat to other countries is safe to say, nil, as shown in Figure 1. On average, the consumption of chicken in Ghana grows at a rate of six percent (6%) per year. This trend of chicken consumption will continue to increase due to rapid population growth and economic growth. The local industry used to be responsible for providing high-quality protein meat and supplied about ninety-five percent of the country’s total domestic poultry meat requirement. However, since the mid-1990s, the share of domestic production has declined. Domestic chicken meat production only supplies less than twenty percent of the total domestic demand, with the excess demand met by imports (Naggujja et al., 2020; Randon & Ashitey, 2011). Naggujja et al., 2020 assert that because of structural constraints such as the high cost of poultry feeds, equipment, and financing for efficient production, domestic producers are unable to produce to meet the increasing demand for the commodity. One of the major issues hampering poultry production in Ghana is the high cost of production. The soaring cost of

Source: FAOSTAT 2020

production is largely due to the high cost of feed and medicines. The feeds used in poultry production in Ghana include; corn or imported yellow corn, soybean cake, cotton-seed cake, copra cake, kernel cake, soybean meal, and fish meal; vitamin-mineral premixes are generally imported. Most of the imported feeds are taxed, and the cost of corn in Ghana is also ever-rising. The average cost of producing chicken meat in Ghana is far above the imported ones. The cost of feed has been known to be more than seventy percent (70%) of the cost of producing chicken meat (Banson et al., 2015). Poor and inadequate local infrastructure also contributes to the high cost. The majority of poultry production in the country takes place in the rural hinterlands, away from the urban areas where the demand is high. These high costs have resulted in a reduction in the returns on producing chicken meat locally. As a result, many of the producers in the country have diverted from broilers production to producing layers (Etuah et al., 2020; Rudloff & Schmieg, 2016). Aside from the high cost of production, inadequate protection of the poultry industry from unfair competition and trade practices is a cause of the low

BON APPETIT

domestic production. It leads to the very high imports of foreign-produced frozen chicken into the Ghanaian market. The domestic cost of producing a unit is far above the price of imported chicken. The poultry imported from Europe and the United States of America is heavily subsidized, making the imports artificially low-cost compared to the domestic produce. Imported chicken is about thirtyfive to forty percent cheaper than what is produced domestically. The local farmer cannot compete. This phenomenon is not healthy for the domestic industry as it undermines the growth of the local industry. As a result, imported chicken tends to be less expensive than what is produced domestically (Banson et al., 2015). Furthermore, the growing strong preference, for various reasons, for imported frozen chicken is also a contributing factor in Ghana becoming a net importer of frozen chicken. The strong preference for the imported poultry meat is due to its availability in different parts, sizes, and forms. This makes it very convenient for the average Ghanaian household compared to whole dressed birds, which is the dominant meat product of the local poultry industry (Dziwornu et al., 2014; Takyi-Mensah, 2012). This is also one of the reasons why most local poultry farmers have shifted their attention from broiler production to the production of layers (Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), 2013). It is worth iterating that constraints responsible for the slow growth of the country’s poultry production are lack of processing capacity, inadequate finance and access to credit, low diseaseresistant breeds of livestock leading to high incidence of livestock diseases, and limited access to appropriate technology. I had an interesting discussion with IDS LIMITED, an leading importer of frozen

58 THE TIMES OF AFRICA

products on the use of technology in the industry. The need for affordable and efficient equipment in the local demand of poultry was not understated by them. To them, they’d easily purchase from local producers as well once local production gets competitive, and meet quality demands that the market dictates. The guys at IDS Limited are however deploying impressive use of modern technology in the distribution and supply of their commodities. Nonetheless, despite the many challenges of poultry production in Ghana, the country needs to change this trajectory. Measures need to be implemented to cut the high dependency on imported chicken to revamp the industry. Ghana stands to gain a lot if it is able to address the major constraints faced by the industry. Among the reasons why government and other stakeholders need to pay critical attention to the development of the industry is; • The ever-increasing demand for chicken consumption. Frozen chicken remains one of the most preferred sources of animal protein in the country. The demand for chicken meat continues to increase; again, the consumption of it on average increases at a rate of about six percent (6%) per year. According to the USDA (2017), the demand for chicken meat is expected to increase astronomically in the years ahead. There is still an estimated seventyfour percent (74%) demand market share to be yet to be satisfied. The popularity of chicken in the diets of most households in Ghana can be attributed to its comparatively lower price, strong consumer perception of safety, and health advantages compared to other sources of meat protein (Takyi-Mensah, 2012). Asante-Addo et al., 2020, stated that there is a shifting consumer preference for variety, perceived safety, convenience, and healthier attributes responsible for

shaping patterns of chicken meat demand in Ghana. They observe that the changes in preferences have led to the increasing consumption of imported poultry meat. They also found evidence suggesting that consumers enjoy positive satisfaction from choosing fresh and cut chicken meat. This finding indicates a general preference for chicken meat produced domestically to imported chicken meat (Asante-Addo & Weible, 2019) if local poultry can meet market demand standards. Like I earlier stated, there have been studies that have concluded that Ghanaians actually prefer domestic chicken meat to imported chicken; these studies also reveal that Ghanaians are on the average willing to pay a premium for it, once the difference is clear. Consumers have been known to perceive the domestic meats to be fresh, free of antibiotics and hormones (Asante-Addo & Weible, 2019). Even amid all these challenges, the production of chicken for meat is still a viable and profitable venture. Investigations on the poultry industry, particularly the broiler sub-sector, have established domestic meat production’s profitability (Anang et al., 2013; Ayamga et al., 2006; Dziwornu, 2014; Etuah, 2014; Etuah et al., 2020). Developing the poultry industry to be more efficient and meet the domestic demand, likewise leading to reducing imports, will improve the strength of the domestic currency as well. • Employment reduction.

and

poverty

Another reason for the country to pay critical attention to the development of the industry is that it has the potential to serve as a vehicle that can be used to solve the issue of high unemployment and alleviate poverty in the country. Unemployment and poverty are still prevalent in Ghana, a major concern to policy-makers and other stakeholders. (Dadzie et al., 2020; Poku-

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BON APPETIT

Boansi et al., 2020). Poultry production is one of the avenues for alleviating poverty and ensuring food and nutrition security, particularly in the country’s rural areas. Studies have established that the poultry industry is an important source of employment for people living in rural areas. It can directly contribute to the improvement of rural livelihoods and community development through employment creation and income generation.

committed to existing policy measures put in place to revamp the industry. New policies can also be implemented to complement the existing policies to develop its industry to reap its full benefit. These policies should create an enabling environment to attract and encourage private players in the space, like IDS Limited, to invest in the industry, especially in processing infrastructure, storage, packaging, and marketing.

Poultry production can create employment for the many youths out of jobs, generate revenue for the government, and stimulate growth, thereby reducing rural poverty (AmanorBoadu et al., 2016).

Efforts have been made. The Agricultural Development Bank Ghana announced a US$ 87 million loan facility in support of the government’s Broiler Revitalisation Programme, which aimed at increasing the domestic production of chicken.

Given the potential of the industry and the benefits the country stands to benefit from, the government needs to be more

Interventions like this are necessary to improve production output that will match the capacity of the processing industry.

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More such investments are key for the development of the industry. Given that the high cost of production is the main impediment for poultry producers, caused by the high cost of feed, it is important to curtail this by promoting the domestic production of feed. The country has favorable weather conditions and fertile land that can be cultivated to produce yellow corn. An investment in the establishment of plants for the production of poultry feed will aid in reducing the cost of production for the producer. The government should provide encouragement and promotion of the local producers to produce the poultry products. The countries that Ghana has been importing frozen chicken from are mostly heavily subsidized. Therefore it will not be a bad idea for Ghana to emulate this by providing subsidies to producers in the industry.

THE TIMES OF AFRICA 59

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TOA Magazine July – September 2021 Edition

Articles inside

Importance of Frozen Chicken in Ghana

Are you ready to challenge your brain?

• “It’s good to do the Unthinkable” - Eliud Kipchoge

• Fashion Business, Internet & Corporate Style With Susie Bubble

• Protecting the Rights of Future Generations Must Start Now: Future Equity, Climate Change & Travel

New Media: Culture Across Africa and Asia

Interview With Anton Pisaroglu on Guinea Coup

The Kingdom Of Morocco

Indocrop

• Tanzania International Model United Nation - Timun 2021

Sustainable Water for Humanity’s Survival

• Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Minister of Food and Agriculture, Ghana

Seelive Technologies

The State of the Oil Palm Industry Worldwide

K.S. Infosystems