Accra — Agriculture, though has remained one of the priority areas of the development strategies of successive governments, is yet to make an impact in the overall national economic growth efforts.
Given that over 60% of Ghanaians are engaged in this sector, and also that poverty is most manifest here, there is no gainsaying that much work, together with political will, is required here if the national poverty situation is to be altered in a way that makes the Millennium Development Goal on poverty achievable.
One of the major reasons the agriculture sector is characterized by poverty is the constraint related to market access both internal and external. It is certainly not rewarding if farmers cannot be supported to market their produce at least to recover their production cost especially in a glut situation. Transporting their produce to the market itself has turned out to be the cost variable most prone to hikes. In the absence of a cheaper bulk haulage facility such as rail transport for farm produce, farmers' incomes have over the years been eroded by the ever-increasing road transport cost.
Access to foreign markets is also restricted by ridiculous standards and criteria set by the US and EU trading partners.
There is no doubt that one of the surest ways to secure the local market for Ghanaian farmers, is to design trade policies that are friendlier to the Ghanaian producer, and to use the budget as a tool for providing incentive to the local producer in our efforts at ensuring food sufficiency. We may fail in anything else, but we must not fail in our effort to feed ourselves.
It is in this regard that Public Agenda calls on the N.D.C. government to move the country beyond this annual ritual of awarding farmers for their hard work and introduce revolutionary measures to fundamentally transform the agricultural sector. In terms of a national strategy one would want to see some forms of subsidies for the producers of food crops, rehabilitation of the Kumasi - Accra rail transport network, an increase in the tariffs on rice and poultry products to create an agricultural support fund, the commitment of resources for the construction of irrigation dams, and food storage facilities, and the provision of incentives to food processing companies using local agriculture produce.
It's time indeed to move beyond the rhetoric, lip service and annual rituals that make little difference to the lot of farmers in this country.
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INDEPENDENT FARMERS UNION IDEA
I'm an entrepreneurial sort of person and I got an idea along those lines that I believe many of us who are grassroots thinkers have been overlooking.
So here goes my idea :
a) We have all kinds of Farmers and Farms that are struggling to make a profit. I believe that they are struggling because they are farming under a kind of Third World system that advantages the persons who convert what farmers produce.
b) In most Third World countries , the First & Second World countries will only build enough infrastructure to allow shipment of RAW MATERIALS from their source(s) to the modes of shipping transportation used to transport the RAW MATERIALS to those First & Second World countries that will turn the RAW MATERIALS into processed goods.
* For example - They will build a railroad line of tracks from some Third World country's gold and diamond mines ( e.g. Zaire ) to the Giant Ships docked and waiting to carry them to processors and sellers such as De Beers, Coca-Cola , Cadbury's etc..
c) What kinds of RAW MATERIALS do Farmers produce and/or have access to :
* Gold - Rice , Cocoa ,Mangos, etc
d) Major Problems stopping small farmers from taking advantage of the possibility of turning your products into a profitable business : LACK OF TIME
e) Solution - My Idea : Form an Independent Union Of Farmers . Having a Coop is great, but its only a way of further enriching the processors of our RAW MATERIALS.
* How would this work ?
1) Each Region would represent a chapter of this Independent Farmers Union
2) Generally speaking, each farmer would retain all of their rights ; just as they had before they joined the Independent Farmers Union .
3) The Independent Farmers Union would be finance collectively by individual members paying dues.
4) These dues which would be used to set-up business ventures in each Independent Farmers Union's Region.
Some Examples Of Businesses That could be set up
* Chicken Processing Plant, and restaurants that would sell the chickens could be supplied right their in each Independent Farmers Union's Region.
* Produce Markets
* Dairies
* Ice Cream Parlors (using fresh milk)
* Fast Food and/or Restaurants - featuring meat from various farm animals
* Supermarkets
* Chocolate Processors instead of giving your cocoa to companies like Cadburys. What do companies like DeBeers, Coca Cola,Cadburys and others have that entitles them to get rich off of our Natural wealth ? NOTHING.. We empower them by our economic laziness !!!
5) The Independent Farmers Union's would need persons with expertise in areas concerning the setting up and running of these businesses on behalf of the Independent Farmers Union's.
WE ARE MAKING HUNDREDS WHILE GIVING AWAY BILLIONS TO OUR ECONOMIC SLAVE MASTERS !!!
THERE IS NO REASON WHY WE CAN'T TAKE CONTROL OF OUR OWN COUNTRY !
- FEED YOURSELVES SUGGESTION -
NEIGHBORHOOD COOP GREENHOUSES
ANOTHER SUGGESTION IS FOR THOSE LIVING IN THE CITY TO POOL
THEIR RESOURCES TOGETHER AND MAKE NEIGHBORHOOD COOP
GREENHOUSES . HERE YOU CAN GROW SOME KIND OF FOODS AND NOT
BE TOTALLY DEPENDENT ON GROCERY STORES.
HERES SOME EXAMPLES OF WHAT BLACK AFRICANS HAVE DONE :
BLACK AFRICAN INVENTORS AND THEIR INVENTIONS
The type of Invention is capitalized (e.g. TRAFFIC SIGNAL, MOTOR, etc..)
We Black Africans Can Be Self-Sufficient . Here are some major Black Africans who have had an impact on the world With their initiative These are INVENTORS .
This Listing includes The Inventors Name, Their Invention and in some cases the date the invention was recognized and the inventions U.S. patent number.
* 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
WHO BROUGHT THE SLAVES TO AMERICA ? [ http://isohunt.com/torrent_details/42787621/Who+brought+the+slaves+to+ameri ca?tab=summary] for full length video
FRITZ SPRINGMEIER A Bold Christian Truthseeker The Top 13 Illuminati Bloodlines [ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k73Q2_f4vKU ]
WAKE UP !!! STAY UP !!!
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Life Is A Game. Have Fun . Luke 18:17 - Isaiah 11:6
Ethiopia : Japan & Ethiopia Sign Agreement For Water Development
QUESTIONS :
Whats In This For Japan ? Whats In This For Ethiopia ?
Will Ethiopia Be In Control Of Its Resources ?
Beware of the Global Organizations that want to control your everyday lives. In the
1970s Americas farmers made the mistake of taking welfare (subsidies, loans, etc..)
from their bankers. Now only a few farmers are left. Americans rarely grow their own
food. Africans can learn from the mistakes of others. Develop local coops between
growers, sellers and buyers. Never give up your sovereignty to anyone.
Jesus Christ said Take precautions against being deceived or trick. (paraphrased from
Matthew 24).
WHO WE ARE ON THE WORLDS STAGE.
1) Each African country is like a separate neighborhood in the
world community. And each African country is responsible for
running their own neighborhood.
2) Each State within those African neighborhoods (countries)
are like houses in their own African neighborhood (country). And
each of these States within their unique African neighborhood is
responsible for their house in their African neighborhood.
3) Each city within their unique African states House is like a family living in their area of their African state House.
4) Each individual person living in their city is a cell of the Body
of Adam ; with a free will and a unique purpose that only that
person can fulfill. The contest isnt won by the fast or strong, but
those who never quit will win. Those who take a chance to win,
when they have the opportunity to win, will win !!! The contest isnt
won by the fast or strong, but those who never quit will win. Those
who take a chance to win, when they have the opportunity to win,
will win !!!
CONCLUSION
a) Each of us are responsible for our own lives.
b) Yet each of us are cells in the Body of Adam . Each of us cells
are going through a stage of existence where we will either
develop into fruitful cells that reproduce . Or we will become
diseased cells that will feed on and corrupt the healthy part of the
Body. That is why its important for us to also be team players ; for
the Bodys sake. * When we pray we say OUR FATHER . Not my
Father GIVE US..not give me.
c) Governments are like organs & systems of the body.
Managing the teams of the Body. God the Creator of All is the
Architect and Designer of All that is . He alone knows how to run
the Government. Isaiah 9:6 The GOVERNMENT shall be on
HIS (Jesus Christ) shoulders , not man .
d) Man has tried and tried to play God. The most famous
instance was when Nimrod and all the inhabitants of the earth
tried to build a tower (The Tower of Babylon) to Heaven see
Genesis 10. Africa is no stranger to being used to bring the
world together as one. Remember We Are The World ?
e) Governments are under Gods direction. We who are Gods
children should follow his guidance. Any governments that exist
today and / or movements should be under Gods guidance.
f) People maintain your freedom and dont give them an inch , ever!!!! Dont forget Achebes book "Things Fall Apart " .
First the Pastors Came
Then The Commissioners Came
Then The Governor & The Troops Came And The People
Paid These Outsiders Taxes To Continue To Live On Their Own
Lands
Next Many People Were Forced Off Their Lands ; While
Persons Like Cecil Rhodes, (AND) Businesses like DeBeers got
filthy rich from robbing us of our wealth.
And all of these African Tragedies didnt even mention the Slave Trade that has weakened Africa to this day.
g) Achebes book is at work again .
The pastors of agricultural commodities are disguised as
things like Private Enterprises. Many individual African countries
may have Private Enterprises NOW.
* In America Many Pastors Are Now Working For The Government
To Train Their Congregations To Obey Government Control; Even
If They Want To Imprison Us For Nothing !!!
WHAT ARE THEIR FUTURE PLANS ?
In Achebes book after the pastors , came the
commissioners. The agricultural commodities commissioners
could be the New Laws & Regulations designed to condition the
people depend on others instead of their own God-given talent .
The ultimate goal of evil is to trick righteous people into being
evil. This is done by either fear, lust, or pride temptations. Evil
attempts to get righteous people to get rid of their conscious.
Some have sold their souls. Please pray for our leaders and each
other.
* Zimbabwe: WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION ....CONTROLS !!! THE WATER
ZIMBABWE and other countries should control their own
resources. One thing I like about President Mugabe is that he is
not allowing that colonialism to continue in Zimbabwe.
1) Do you Africans remember people like Cecil Rhodes ?
Rhodesia was what Zimbabwe was called.
2) How about that bloody absentee demon-directed King Leopold II ?
" King Leopold's Ghost " (1998) Adam Hochschild - this book is
very informative and enlightening about a wide spectrum of
historical views of what the Congo and other oppressed lands
are and have gone through.
[Check Out :
WHO BROUGHT THE SLAVES TO AMERICA ? [ http://isohunt.com/torrent_details/42787621/Who+brought+the+slaves+to+ameri ca?tab=summary]
for full length video
FRITZ SPRINGMEIER A Bold Christian Truthseeker
The Top 13 Illuminati Bloodlines [ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k73Q2_f4vKU ]
WAKE UP !!! STAY UP !!!
[ libradio.net ]
[http://www.infowars.com/infowars.asx]
[gcnlive.com]
Life Is A Game. Have Fun . Luke 18:17 - Isaiah 11:6