Accra — Ghanaian small scale farmers, particularly women, are facing displacement from their farm lands.
In recent times, the northern parts of Ghana are said to be witnessing an influx of foreign companies engaged in jatropha and sugar-cane plantation for biofuel production.
Regrettably, some of these companies that are investing in biofuel production acquire large track of land but only pay the farmers for the portion of the land they utilize, in spite of an existing contract.
Current trends in the biofuel production, with major policy thrust globally points to many motivations. Some analysts have reckoned that it has been difficult to estimate the costs and benefits of production of biofuel.
The Global Convention on Food Security requires governments to develop and implement national food security plans and to create an international network of local, national, and regional food reserves.
Energy crisis and high cost of fossil fuel have given rise to the quest for alternative energy source of biofuel. Sadly, women as social and economic constituencies are often marginalized in most economic policies, even though they are most pinched by such policies.
In a developing country such as Ghana, biofuel production entails the use of productive lands and not marginal lands at the expense of food production for food and livelihood security.
The use of crops such as maize, soya bean, sugar cane, oil palm, sorghum for biofuel production also have serious implications for food security.
It is exactly the areas that women congregate such as agriculture which has long been an important source of income for them, that would be under attack amidst biofuel production craze.
Although women dominate in the agriculture sector, which engages over fifty percent of the population directly, only few of them are engaged in cash crop production, which is mostly supported by government to be competitive, compared to food crop which engages majority of women.
According to Mr. David Eli of Food Security Policy and Advocacy Network (FoodSPAN) prices of food went up last year because industrialized countries used them to produce fuel to correct the ills of climate change.
"People are crying because they don't have their livelihoods concerns being met. There is no policy guideline by government. What will happen to our land, food security in future if we leave our land to the production of jatropha for fuel?", he inquired.
In that regard, ActionAid Ghana in collaboration with FoodSPAN is implementing a two year project on biofuel production in Ghana. A study was commissioned to investigate and explore the debate into biofuel production in Ghana and its implications for livelihood and food security of small scale farmers, especially women, and the environment.
At a media dissemination workshop in Accra, lead researcher and General Secretary of the General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) of TUC, Mr. Kingsley Offei-Nkansah stressed that food security is about accessibility of food to a whole nation, household and every individual, although there are differential access to it.
He bemoaned that Africa is largely agricultural, but a net food importer and so must sit up, and wondered what would happen if it let out it lands for fuel production.
"Biofuel promotion in Africa is largely driven by foreign concerns with foreign interests largely to meet external demands on biofuel."
Mr. Offei-Nkansah noted there is no policy framework that guides biofuel development in Ghana.
However, he said some institutions including Energy Commission, Energy Ministry, Ministry of Food and Agriculture and Lands Commission have at various times examined biofuel production.
He mentioned small holder production, community energy development and large-scale plantation as the three identified models of biofuel of biofuel production.
He disclosed the large scale plantation model have serious implications for livelihood and food security of small-scale producers in Ghana, who are mostly women.
"Destruction of economic tress such as shea-nut and dawadawa trees actually deny community members, especially women their source of livelihood. It also restricts the hitherto extensive traditional rearing of animals in the affected communities."
The study revealed that the widespread practice of monoculture biofuel has caused destruction of forest with its effect on biodiversity.
It recommends among others a comprehensive policy framework that incorporates the views of all stakeholders, and clearly indicating sectoral linkages need to be put in place by policy makers and the government.
With regard to the production models, it proposes that biofuel production should be driven by local of community energy needs, rather than foreign driven or external energy needs.
Further, it stated that companies investing in biofuel production in various communities should be compelled by legislation to make full disclosure of their plans for the use of the lands and other resources in order to improve the knowledge of the local communities to make informed decisions.
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GHANA WOMEN LOSE THEIR FARMS TO BIOFUEL PRODUCTION
Here is some information that may help you FREE thinkers to put some information together like we do with puzzles .
1) HERES A LINK TO SOME HISTORICAL EVIDENCE AS TO WHY SO MANY ARE INTERESTED IN BLACK AFRICA : * [http://www.moreorless.au.com/killers/leopold.html?q=printme] * 16 European Nations Met A Plotted On How They Would Rob Africa Of Its Riches. * They met during two(2) Periods of time in two(2) places * The General Act Of Berlin Conference (Nov, 1884 to February, 1885) * Brussels Belgium to finalize SECRET agreements ( Nov, 1889 to July 1890)
2) The Book King Leopolds Ghost (1998) by Adam Hochschild documents some of This information.
3) GHANA is the opening act and the STAR that God is raising to show the world what the scripture Righteousness Exalts A Nation means .
4) Because of this honored position, GHANA is also being targeted by THE WHORE OF BABYLON .
5) GHANAIANS have been a nation that has been busy and productive with their hands ; while also believing that GOD IS.
6) Therefore THE WHORE OF BABYLON is trying to entice GHANA with her glitter & sparkle of substance . Her use of the airwaves ; assisted by The Prince (D-Evil) of the power of the Airwaves (The Media) is a major weapon of deceit THE WHORE uses .
7) The GRASS ISNT GREENER OVER THERE .There is no Grass or production over there. GHANA and Africa are actually among the RICHEST NATIONS ON EARTH !
8) Why else did King Leoepold s Belgium and 15 other nations SECRETLY CONSPIRE against Black Africa ?
9) GHANA , THE BLACK STAR , with Our great World leader President Kwame Nkrumah was interfered with by the same forces that set up Judas Mobutu in King Leopolds Congo; after killing the great Patrice Lumumba.
10) President Kwame Nkrumah had first class plans for GHANA . Because of this he was overthrown.
11) Since that time GHANA has been one of many so-called Third World Countries that have been manipulated by THE ROBBERS (See Daniel 11:14) .
12) THE CONCEPT OF MONEY is the major weapon that THE ROBBERS are and have been using to control so-called Third World Countries .
13) This use of so-called Money would not work against us if not for SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS in High Places ; namely some corruptible leaders who allow THE ROBBERS to do what they do.
14) Here are some revealing Money-Related links : *[http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=The+Comprehensiv e+Annual+Financial+Report+Exposed+]
* [http://cafr1.com/]
* There are two(2) sets of books one (1) with the phony balance and another with the real balance. Dont look at the BUDGET..Look at the TOTAL MONEY Balance.
* THE TRUTH ABOUT DIAMONDS - [http://janineroberts.org/]
* Bakken OIL Field Find - Suppression of The Worlds Riches. [http://ixquick.com/do/metasearch.pl?query=Bakken+Oil+Field+Find&cat=web&pl =ff&language=english]
* Minister Lindsey Williams on the conspiracy of THE OIL ROBBERS
*[http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=Lindsey+Williams +&aq=f]
15) In the 1970s Americas farmers made the mistake of taking welfare (subsidies, loans, etc..) from their BANKERS .
16) Now only a few farmers are left. Americans rarely grow their own food.
17) Africans can learn from the mistakes of others. Develop local coops between growers, sellers and buyers.
18) DONT FOLLOW LEADERS WHO REFUSE TO FOLLOW GOD.
19) Its not just their WORDS, its also their ACTIONS. A TREE IS KNOWN BY ITS FRUIT.
20) Remember Nimrod and THE TOWER OF BABEL. God was against it then and God doesnt change his mind.
21) Any movements that are trying to bring Man together without GOD is another attempt at re-building THE TOWER OF BABEL .
22) BEWARE OF THE GOD-LESS GLOBAL ORGANIZATIONS . They may do great things, but if they dont have Gods love, its a waste of time (1st Corinthians 13 ) .
23) BY PEACE SHALL Many Be deceived (Daniel 8:25) .DOES THE TERM PEACEKEEPERS ring a Bell ?
24) Develop LOCAL COOPS between GROWER, SELLERS and BUYERS .
25) WE BLACK AFRICANS HAVE & CAN BE SELF-SUFFICIENT .
26) SOME BLACK INVENTORS AND THEIR AMAZING INVENTIONS .
* Sarah Boone - IRONING BOARD - April 26, 1892
* John A. Burr - LAWN MOWER
* Marie V. Brittan Brown - HOME SECURITY SYSTEM - Dec 2, 1969
* Buridge & Marshman - TYPEWRITER
* George Carruthers - X-RAY MACHINE
* George Washington Carver - PEANUT BUTTER - PAINTS PAINT STAINS ETC
* John Clark - TRACK ATHLETE TRAINER
* W.A. Dietz - SHOE
* Joseph Dickinson - PLAYER PIANO - ARM FOR RECORD PLAYER
* P.B. Downing - POSTAL LETTER BOX
* Charles R. Drew - BLOOD PLASMA STORAGE SYSTEM
* T. Elkins - TOILET (COMMODE)
* Robert Flemming Jr. - GUITAR
* Cathleen McCoy Garrett SIREN - HORN LIGHT INDICATOR
* George F. Grant - GOLF TEE
* J. Gregory - MOTOR
* Joanna Hardin - KEYBOARD STAND - Feb 23, 1993
* Michael Harney - LANTERN
* Solomon Harper - THERMO(HEATED) HAIR CURLERS
* Augustus Jackson - ICE CREAM
* B.F. Jackson - GAS BURNER
* H.A. Jackson - KITCHEN TABLE
* Ruane Jeter - DIGITAL TOASTER - April 14, 1987
* Isaac R. Johnson - BICYCLE FRAME
* John A. Johnson - WRENCH
* Lonnie Johnson - SUPER SOAKER WATERGUN
* P. Johnson - EYE PROTECTOR (GOGGLES)
* W. Johnson - EGG BEATER
* Frederick M. Jones - DEFROSTER - REFRIGERATION CONTROLS AIR CONDITIONER
* Jones & Long - BOTTLE CAPS
* John H. Jordan - CLOTHES DRESSER
* Mary B. Kenner - SANITARY BELT (TAMPONS) - May 15, 1956
* Mary B. Kenner - SANITARY BELT (WATERPROOF) - April 14, 1959
* Mary B. Kenner - BATHROOM TISSUE HOLDER - Nov 19, 1982
* Mary B. Kenner - BACKWASHER ( BATHTUB OR SHOWER MOUNTED) - July 29,1987
* Lewis Latimer & Nichols - ELECTIC LAMP
* W.A. Lavalette - PRINTING PRESS
* F.W. Leslie - ENVELOPE SEAL
* Maurice W. Lee PRESSURE COOKER
* A.L. Lewis - WINDOW CLEANER
* John L. Love - PENCIL SHARPENER
* Tony J. Marshall - FIRE EXTINGUISHER
* Alexander Miles - ELEVATOR
* Jan E. Matzeliger - SHOE LASTING MACHINE
* W.A. Martin - LOCK
* Garrett A. Morgan - GAS MASK - Traffic Signal
* Lydia Newman - HAIR BRUSH - Nov 15, 1898
* Alice H. Parker - HEATING FURNACE - Dec 23, 1919
* J.F. Pickering - AIR SHIP (BLIMP)
* Purdy & Sadgwar - FOLDING CHAIR
* W.B. Purvis - FOUNTAIN PEN
* L.P. Ray - DUST PAN
* W.H. Richardson - BABY BUGGY
* Walter Sammons - PRESSING COMB
* G.T. Sampson - CLOTHES DRYER
* Dewey Sanderson - URINALYSIS MACHINE
* Ralph Sanderson - HYDRAULIC SHOCK ABSORBER
* S.R. Scottron - CURTAIN ROD
* Adolph Shamms - MULTI -STAGE ROCKET
* .W. Smith - LAWN SPRINKLER
* Richard B. Spikes - AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFT
* J. Standard - REFRIGERATOR
* T.W. Stewart - MOP
* Maxine Snowden - RAIN HAT - 1983
* Theora Stephens - PRESSING & CURLING IRON
* Rufus J. Weaver - STAIR -CLIMBING WHEELCHAIR
* Paul E. Williams - HELICOPTER
* J.B. Winters - FIRE ESCAPE LADDER
* Granville T. Woods - Telephone System Apparatus Oct 11, 1887 Patent # 371, 241
* Granville T. Woods - Roller Coaster
* Granville T. Woods - Auto Air Brake - June 10, 1902 - Patent # 701, 98
* Granville T. Woods - Telegraph Transmission Devices - Dec 2, 1884 Patents # - 308, 816 (7)
* Thanks to The Black Inventors Museum *
* Address : P.O. Box 76128 - Los Angeles , Calif. (90076)
* Phone (310) 859-4602)
* Director : Ghanaian Mr. Hamza Salifa
* Major Contributor of Information : SEESTAH Imahkus Nzinga Okofo