556 ASCUM members attend two-week seminar on beekeeping

Akim Oda (E/R), June 7, GNA- Five Hundred and fifty six members of the Abibiman Sankofa Cultural Movement (ASCUM), on Saturday, ended a two-week seminar on beekeeping. Facilitators, made up of Agriculture Extension Officers and experienced beekeepers in the area, shared experiences with the participants, some of whom were already in the beekeeping business. ASCUM, a Community Based Organisation (CBO), operating in most districts of the Eastern Region, uses traditional culture to promote income-generating activities for the people to help alleviate poverty in the communities.

Most of the participants were drawn from Tetekasum, Trio, Oboango, Dokrochewa, Sowatey, Booase and Densuso in the Suhum Kraboa Coaltar District and Akim Oda and surrounding areas. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Akim Oda in the Birim Central Municipality, Mr Freeman Madzi, Executive Director of ASCUM, said the Movement spent over GH¢400 to organise the programme for its members.

He said the Movement's prime objective was to assist its members to acquire a decent employment. Mr Madzi pointed out that over 1000 members were involved in large plantations of maize, cassava, cocoyam and plantain farming, while others engaged in ceramic production and distillation of akpeteshie (local gin). Mr Emmanuel Annor, Zonal Committee Chairman of ASCUM, advised the participants to put the skills acquired to practice and pledged that the Movement would support them later with managerial training and micro credit to enable them to start their own businesses. Mr Annor urged the communities in the Akim Oda area to register with ASCUM to help improve their lot.