The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has launched a new Compendium of forgotten foods in Africa which is a first-of-its-kind comprehensive collection of 100 African forgotten food crops.

Also referred to as neglected, underutilized or orphan crops, these species offer valuable benefits, including nutrition and diet diversification, while supporting resilient, climate-smart agriculture but they are at risk of being lost as foods such as maize, rice and wheat dominate African diets.

The compendium list includes crops’ botanical classification, agroecological suitability, agronomic requirements, traditional and medicinal uses, value-added prospects and nutritional content. Among the entries are: African locust beans, African nightshade, baobab, Bambara nut, bush mango, cassava, fonio, marula, moringa, teff and tigernut.

Produced by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)’s Regional Office for Africa with the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), the Compendium is a direct response to the UN Food Systems Summit and the Call for Collective Action in the Global Manifesto on Forgotten Foods.

Embracing both agricultural heritage and innovation can transform agrifood systems across Africa. By cataloguing these forgotten or underutilized crops, traditional knowledge is being honoured in the push to unlock the potential for better nutrition, sustainable agriculture, and resilience against the climate crisis.

In a joint foreword to the publication, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa Abebe Haile-Gabriel and FARA Executive Director Aggrey Agumya urged the mainstreaming of forgotten foods into African agrifood systems.

“Forgotten foods’ potential is not realized due to long years of neglect or slight consideration by researchers and development practitioners. Researchers who are interested in these commodities largely lack funding support since these commodities are not part of the big six food commodities supported across the globe. They are labelled as forgotten foods because they are forgotten by the research funders, researchers and development practitioners,” they said.

Intended as a sourcebook to enhance the knowledge of users working on various aspects of forgotten foods, the compendium is aimed at researchers, nutritionists, policy makers, development practitioners and anyone with an interest in food and agriculture in Africa.

The Compendium is a companion to the new publication Integrating Africa’s forgotten foods for better nutrition which explains the methodologies and analysis used to compile the Compendium.

The publication is part of FAO’s work in Africa for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life under the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31.

The Compendium of forgotten foods in Africa can be downloaded from the FAO website https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc5044en

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has commissioned the 2nd National Fire Service Training School built by the Akufo-Addo Government, bringing the total number of Fire Service Training Schools in Ghana to three.

Prior to the present governemt assuming office in 2017, Ghana had only one Fire Service Training School, located in Accra. About two months ago, Vice President Bawumia commissioned the  nation’s second Fire Service Training School in Wungu, in the North East Region.

Speaking at the commissioning of the third Fire Service Training School at Duayaw- Nkwanta in the Tano North District of the Ahafo Region, Dr. Bawumia said the commissioning marked the “unwavering commitment” of the Government towards strengthening the fire service and protecting lives and property.

“It is with immense pride and gratitude that I stand before you today, on this historic occasion—the commissioning of the first phase of the Duayaw Nkwanta Fire Academy and Training School. This milestone reflects the unwavering commitment of the Government of Ghana to the safety and well-being of its citizens,” Dr. Bawumia said.

“This training school stands as a testament to the government’s pledge in 2017 to increase the number of training schools for the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) from one (1) to four (4) since independence,” Dr. Bawumia added.

“We are happy to be here in less than seven (7) weeks following the successful commissioning of the Wungu Fire Academy and Training School in the North East Region on Friday, January 19, 2024, to commission the second and third Fire Academy and Training School in the country, specifically here at Duayaw Nkwanta in the Ahafo Region.”

“Today’s event which marks another significant step towards achieving the government’s commitment to protecting its citizenry is unwavering,” Dr. Bawumia added.

The newly-commissioned training school has  modern training facilities and equipment, including  two hydraulic platforms to reach the 16th floor, to fight fires and effect rescue for key institutions such as the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS). This, Dr. Bawumia described as “a strategic move to ensure the safety of lives, businesses, livelihoods, and property.”

The Vice President also highlighted significant support the government has offered the Ghana National Fire Service, including the provision of modern equipment and expansion of the human resource capacity of the Service in the past 7 years to respond efficiently to emergencies.

Among the equipment are: command vehicles, modern fire engines, drones, rapid intervention vehicles, buses, appropriate personal protective equipment (APPEs), rescue and firefighting equipment.

“This investment in modern equipment aligns with the government’s vision to empower the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to deliver on its lawful mandate of saving lives and properties. 

“These resources will not only enhance the Ghana National Fire Service’s capacity to handle diverse and complex firefighting scenarios, but also contribute to the overall safety and security of our communities.”

The support, Dr. Bawumia continued, has impacted positively on the operations of the Ghana Fire Service.

“The Service in 2022, recorded 6154 fires as against 5973 fires in 2023 which translates to a 2.94% rate of reduction. This feat is clearly a testament to the effectiveness of the government’s initiatives, support, training, and the dedicated efforts of the firefighting force,” the Vice President stated.

On the staff strength of the Service, Dr. Bawumia noted that the current government has almost doubled the personnel of the Fire Service from the number it met in 2017.

“It is unprecedented in the history of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) for a single government to recruit over 7000 personnel, increasing the workforce to over 15000 in just 7 years.” 

“This achievement, spearheaded by the NPP Government, led by His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, showcases the administration’s commitment to enhancing the capabilities of our firefighting force to provide world class emergency firefighting and rescue services to the good people of this great country of ours.”

Despite the huge contributions and successes chalked, Dr. Bawumia stressed that a lot more has to be done to protect lives and property, assuring that government is ever committed to support the Service realize its vision and mandate.

The Acting President of the Duayaw Nkwanta Traditional Council, Nana Boakye Bonsu, expressed gratitude to government, for the training school.

The Chief Fire Officer, on behalf of the Service, expresses gratitude to the Government for what he described as immense support, the Government has offered the Service, which he said, has significantly boosted their operations.

The 3rd Fire Service Academy and Training School built by the Akufo-Addo Government, is ready for commissioning in the Eastern Region.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.

The Duayaw Nkwanta Traditional Council has expressed immense gratitude to the Government of President Akufo-Addo, for making its dream of having a Fire Service Academy and Training School in the area possible.

The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, on Tuesday March 26, 2024, commissioned a new Fire Service Training School in Duayaw Nkwanta, the second Fire training school built by the Akufo-Addo Government, to take the national tally of fire academy and training school in Ghana to three.

Speaking at the commissioning, Acting President of Duayaw Nkwanta Traditional Council, Nana Boakye Bonsu, expressed the joy and gratitude of his people to President Nana Akufo-Addo and Vice President Bawumia.

“Indeed, today is a great day for our Municipality and the Traditional Area. The reason is that the dream and concept of this wonderful project that we are witnessing today, was initiated and conceived by wonderful persons like tje late Nana Boakye Tromo III, Omanhene and Presidemt of the Duayaw Kwanta Traditional Council,” he said.

“The entire Traditional Council wants to take this opportunity to express our profound gratitude to the government.”

“Duayaw Nkwanta will always remember the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Vice President Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and the NPP Government.”

Facilities at the training school include dormitory blocks for men and women, classroom blocks, administration blocks, as well as modern training equipment such as hydraulic platforms to reach the 16th floor, to fight fires and effect rescue operations.

The Vice President announced that a third Fire Service Training School built by the government in the Eastern Region, will soon be commissioned.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.

The ECOWAS Regional Consultation Workshop, aimed at addressing humanitarian challenges faced by vulnerable populations across Member States, commenced in Abuja, Nigeria. The workshop, scheduled from March 26th to 28th, 2024, brings together key stakeholders to validate baseline data on the humanitarian needs assessment of Persons of Concern (PoCs), including IDPs, Refugees, Returnees, Stateless People, Asylum Seekers, and their Host Communities.

In her opening remarks, Dr. Sintiki T. Ugbe, Director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs at the ECOWAS Commission, highlighted the importance of collective action in addressing humanitarian crises in the region. He emphasized the workshop’s objective to analyze priorities, challenges, and opportunities based on data collated from the region, including the significant displacement caused by conflicts and climate change-related concerns. Dr. Ugbe stressed the need for coordinated efforts to address the increasing humanitarian events and reaffirmed ECOWAS’ commitment to assisting Member States in reducing the suffering of affected populations.

Additionally, the Director Humanitarian Affairs of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mr Ezulu Valentine, representing the Government of Nigeria, emphasized the urgency of validating baseline data on humanitarian needs. He underscored Nigeria’s commitment to addressing internal displacement and offering international protection to those in need. The Permanent Secretary urged collective action in delivering effective humanitarian assistance to the region’s most vulnerable populations, ensuring that no one is left behind.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).