Rift Valley Regional Coordinator Mr. Abdi Hassan and his Eastern Counterpart Mr. Paul Rotich have put on notice politicians against financing criminals who cause insecurity in the region. Speaking after chairing a security meeting involving the Regional and County Security Intelligence Committees from five counties, Mr. Hassan said the government would not give in to threats or intimidation from political leaders seeking termination of the security operation that has been going on in the North Rift and the neighbouring counties. The meeting comprised security teams from Laikipia, Meru, Isiolo, Samburu, and Marsabit. Mr. Hassan said that his team is currently addressing the long-standing cattle rustling in the region, adding that no threats from politicians would stop the government from working and delivering services to the taxpayers. He added that enough security officers would be deployed to the Northern Corridor to ensure that the area gets developed, and he also warned those behind funding criminals to reverse security gains that their days are numbered. He said that over 200 firearms have been surrendered, and Samburu County is leading in yielding to the government amnesty, urging criminals in the bush to hand over the illegal guns and join other Kenyans in nation-building. Eastern RC Mr. Paul Rotich said that the multi-agency team had arrested several foreigners who sneaked into the country without immigration documents, which he said has greatly reduced the trafficking of hard drugs from a neighbouring country. Rotich challenged pastoralist communities to stop the outdated cultural practices and instead take their children to school so that they could get an opportunity to effectively compete with their counterparts from other parts of the country in building the nation. He added that National Police Reservists (NPRs) are part of the security personnel that are organised to deal with rustling and other crimes in the absence of police and should work closely under the County Police Commander and no t the local politicians. The RC further directed County Commissioners and the security teams to disarm NPRs who would be found not to work for communities. Rotich reminded the administrators that they earn salaries from tax-payers' kitty and should therefore ensure that residents receive the best services from the government. Source: Kenya News Agency Two agro-based companies, New Okaff Industries Limited and OMNI Fert in the agriculture value chain, have donated agricultural inputs, items and some cash to support the upcoming National Farmers' Day. This year's National Farmers' Day Celebration is the 39th ceremony and comes off December 1, which provides an opportunity to highlight the importance of sustainable agriculture practices, celebrate the contributions of farmers, and reflect on the positives. OMNI Fert, an indigenous Ghanaian company, providing affordable fertilizers to scale up crop production donated an amount GhS50, 000 and has supported the ceremony since 2017. The New Okaff Industries Limited donated GhS90,000 worth of items, including organic fertilizers, anti-snake larvae (insecticide) and natural baths. It also presented a cash amount of GhS10, 000. The items, together with the cash donations, were received on behalf of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture by Mr Yaw Frimpong, Deputy Minister for the Agriculture sector. He commended the entities for their unflinching support over the years, adding that items and cash would help the farmers great and the ceremony at large. The annual National Farmers' Day celebrates Ghanaian farmers and fishers for their contribution to the economy, from innovative farming techniques to sustainable practices in fishing and the nation's profound appreciation of the role and contribution of farmers to national development. The theme for this year's Farmers' Day Celebration, is 'Delivering Smart Solutions for Sustainable Food Security and Resilience,' and it is relevant to achieving food security in Ghana within the context of an increase in population growth and its accompanying food system issues. Dr. Bryan Acheampong, sector Minister undertook a diagnosis of the sector leading to the understanding, appreciation and implementation of interventions. At the national level, the event has been opened for a five-day agriculture fair and grand durbar to allow farmers to network with industry players, and lea rn and adopt new technologies, machinery and research innovations in agriculture. The five-day National Agricultural Festival, Agrifest Ghana 2023 would begin November 27 to December 1. The Agrifest Ghana 2023 will be held on the principal streets of the Ministerial enclave in Accra. The last day of Agrifest which marks the first Friday of December would be celebrated with an Awards Night Ceremony at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Auditorium and President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo would confer national honours on best-performing farmers and fishers. A total of fifteen award categories would receive recognition at the awards night in Tarkwa. Regional Farmers' Day celebration would continue to be held in all 16 regions and Regional Ministers would confer regional honours on the best-performing farmers in their region on behalf of the President. There would be five (5) regional award categories per region, namely: The Regional Best Farmer, Regional Best Livestock Farmer, Regional Best Fema le Farmer, Regional Best Fisher, and Regional Physically Challenged Farmers. Source: Ghana News Agency
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