December 10

WWW.DAILYHERITAGE.COM.GH
DAILY HERITAGE MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2018
03
Govt raps farmers,
fisherfolk
• Promises to pay fees
of wards to PhD level
BY KWADWO ANIM
THE GOVERN-
MENT has given the
education of wards of
farmers and fisherfolk
a boost with the
announcement of 24 scholarships
to be awarded to them.
The scholarships are for local
tertiary programmes ranging
from first degree to PhD in any
agricultural course of their
choice.
President Akufo-Addo made
this known while addressing a
gathering at this year’s annual
Farmers Day celebration in the
Northern Regional capital,
Tamale, on Friday.
“This gesture is a further testimony
of the government’s commitment
to making agriculture
attractive to all, especially the
youth.
•President Nana Akufo-Addo
“I want to end by thanking and congratulating
the farmers of Ghana for their
great response for the government’s programme
of ‘Planting for Food and Jobs’,
which has enabled our country to not only
experience a bumper harvest this year but
also for the first time in a long while export
food to our neighbours.”
He added: “I appeal to them to give
even greater support to our policies in agriculture
as they unfold and I congratulate
warmly this year’s award winners.
“In conclusion, Chairperson, it is often
said that ‘if you can read, thank a teacher’.
Should we not have the farmer and fisher
folks version, ‘If you have eaten today
thank a farmer and fisherman’.”
Obeng Boateng is best farmer
Meanwhile, 60-year old farmer, James
Obeng Boateng, from the Brong Ahafo Region,
emerged the 2018 National Best
Farmer.
Mr Boateng, from the Nkoranza South
district of the region, has been farming for
the past 18 years, producing cassava, cocoyam,
cereals, okro, pepper, garden eggs,
mango and cashew.
The father of six also rears cattle, goats,
sheep and manages two fish ponds as well
as 100 boxes of beehives.
Name Wa Univ. after Dombo — Akufo-Addo
BY WILBERFORCE ASARE
PRESIDENT NANA Dankwa Akufo-Addo
has proposed that the new autonomous University
being established in Wa, University of Business
and Integrated Development Studies
(UBIDS), should be named after one of three
founding fathers of the New Patriotic Party
(NPP), a party that prides itself on the Danquah-Dombo-Busia
Tradition, to honour him
for his contribution to Ghana's democratic evolution
and development.
Speaking at the 20th Anniversary and official
unveiling of the Legacy of Chief Simon D.
Dombo and the launch of the S. D. Dombo
Foundation for Development and Leadership
Studies, President Akufo-Addo, said "no monument
in his memory no matter how imposing
can compensate for the sacrifices he made to ensure
that we are where we are today."
"I think it is appropriate in the circumstances
that the new impending autonomous University
in Wa, University of Business and Integrated
Development Studies, be named after this man
who played such a prominent role in mobilising
the masses in the Northern sector of our country
to join the fight for national freedom and independence,
a man who's life became
synonymous with sacrifice and selflessness," the
President said.
The purpose of the Naa S.D. Dombo Foundation
for Development and Leadership Studies
(SDDFDLS) is to mobilise resources for community
development and appreciative leadership
studies in Africa.
The SDDFDLS strategic vision is to facilitate
community development and Youth Leadership
upbringing to become good citizens contributing
to national development.
The objectives of SDDFDLS is to know
more about Naa S.D. Dombo and his works, to
facilitate community development for deprived
areas, and to advocate food security and good
environmental governance.
The Man S. D. Dombo
Mr Dombo was a politician, teacher and
chief in the then Northern Territories of the
Gold Coast, part of which territories is known
today as the Upper West Region. As Douri-Na,
he was reputed to be the first educated chief in
the whole region.
He was also one of the founders of the
Northern People’s Party, which later merged
with the United Party and came under the banner
of the Progress Party (PP).
In the Second Republic, Chief Dombo was
Member of Parliament for the then Lambusie-Jirapa
constituency in the Upper Region, having
won the seat on the ticket of the PP, led by Dr
Kofi Abrefa Busia.
Chief Dombo was appointed Minister of
the Interior and later Minister of Health by
Prime Minister Busia. As Minister of Health,
Chief Dombo effected the proliferation of rural
clinics throughout the country.
This ensured that basic healthcare was available
at the point of need even in the hinterland.
The clinics were accompanied by low-cost bungalows
to house the health personnel. This was
in line with the PP government's Rural Development
Programme.
Chief Dombo retired from active politics
after his release from custody following the coup
d’état of January 13, 1972, led by the then
Colonel Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, which
overthrew the PP government.
Chief Dombo became an elder statesman
and a mentor to the younger generation, among
whom were John Agyekum Kufuor and the late
Alhaji Roland Issifu Alhassan. He helped form
the successor parties to the Progress Party,
namely the Popular Front Party, from 1979-81
and today’s New Patriotic Party.