Day: June 2, 2021

Accra, June 02, GNA – The State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), has held its maiden weekly media engagement series for State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) in Accra.

The event, which featured Dr Ben KD Asante, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ghana Gas and Mr Edwin Provencal, Managing Director, Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation (BOST), is to enable the SOEs’ CEOs share their success stories with their various stakeholders and the Ghanaian citizenry.

Over the years, SOEs and other specified entities have received significant investment from the Government to make them profitable and to contribute to the overall economic prosperity of the country.

Many of these SOEs have been able to turnaround their business operations tremendously over time through good leadership and best business practices despite the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The SIGA has identified SOEs that have performed remarkably well, and whose success stories are worth sharing.

Mr Joseph Cudjoe, Minister, Public Enterprises, said according to the State Register of specified entities were about 175 SOEs, joint venture companies and other state agencies.

He said in the SOEs, which were corporate with Government having 100 per cent share were 52, whereas joint venture companies were 46 and then other agencies 77; saying these were a big chunk of investments, which the Government had made.

He noted that if all these entities were operating profitably and efficiently, they would be creating a huge wealth for Ghana.

He lauded chief executive officers and boards of SOEs who were doing their best to turn the fortunes of their companies around.

“When board’s interest aligns with Government’s interest and management interest is aligned with board’s interest, then we are sure that we are going to see a kind of resulting (referring to the success story of BOST and Ghana Gas) that we are witnessing today,” he said.

He said it was the President’s wish that the problems of underperformance of some SOEs, which had saddled the country for over 60 years, would be a thing of the past.

Mr Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, Director-General, SIGA, said the Authority wanted the SOEs to engage with Ghanaians through the media to let them know their achievements and challenges.

He said SIGA sought to create excellence of public service with a private sector mind-set; so, that they would reap the benefits for Ghanaians and to the glory of God.

He noted that the Authority would ensure that on weekly basis, two chief executive officers of SOEs, would take their turn at the weekly media engagement series to brief Ghanaians on their achievements and challenges.

Dr Asante said the vision of Ghana Gas was to be an integrated and reliable gas services company.

He said the Company sought to contribute to Ghana’s industrialization process by installing and operating gas infrastructure required for gathering, processing and delivery of natural gas resources to the market in a safe, cost effective and environmentally responsive manner.

Dr Asante said the gas processing plant would be expanded to increase the capacity from 150 to 240MMscfd (Million standard cubic feet per day).

Concerning the Prestea-Kumasi Gas Pipeline Project, which was 60 per cent complete, Dr Asante said the project when completed would enable them to supply lean gas to Nyinahin and Kumasi for mineral processing and power generation.

On his part, Mr Provencal said BOST’s mandate was to develop a network of storage tanks, pipelines and other bulk transportation infrastructure throughout the country.

He said in the past, the Company used to be saddled with numerous challenges such as loans and debt payments, however, under his leadership, its fortunes were being turn around.

Mr Provencal said as at the end of 2020, BOST was able to make a profit of over GHC30 million, however, he was quick to add that despite the gains they had made in 2020, they were not yet out of the woods.

He said BOST would be run like any world class company, and that going forward their focus would be to enhance operational excellence and to aggressively grow business.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Some public schools within the greater Accra metropolis have hailed tv3’s Etornam Sey for her consistency and deliberate support for teenage girls in public schools.

As the world marks menstrual hygiene day, her foundation, INSPIRE TODAY, donated educational and other items worth 10 thousand cedis to over 300 girls of Dansoman ‘A’ Cluster of schools.

Dansoman Basic 1 will be the 11th public school in Ghana to receive such support from the Inspire Today team.

Coordinator of Ablekuma West School Health Educational Programme, Vincentia Bonuedi expressed worry over lack of support for teenage girls in public school ‘the girls miss school when they are menstruating, and sadly, the determined ones who come around stain themselves because they either do not have sanitary pads or they are not enough. We thank INSPIRE TODAY and Etornam for consistently supporting these girls, we need more of such supports’ she added
Executive secretary of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, Lucia Addae-Ntiri who is a member of INSPIRE TODAY Foundation says she was touched by the stories of these girls who can only boast of one under pant.

‘Imagine going through your menstrual cycle with a single pant, the entire 7 days, and their parents genuinely cannot afford to buy more than one pant for their girls’ she explained.

As part of the donation and mentoring exercise, the girls were taken through personal hygiene tips and career path coaching.

A senior nursing officer at the Korlebu teaching hospital, Doris Otubea Bosompem, who is a member of the team was concerned about the increasing spate of teenage pregnancies as a result of poverty, encouraging society to support.
The Inspire Today team donated over 300 pieces of sanitary pads, underpants, toothbrushes, bathing soap, educational materials among others.

‘We honestly should do more than we are doing and we acknowledge the fact that government cannot do it alone. We are therefore calling for support to change the narrative for these girls who will need more than just empowerment speeches. We currently have about 21 public schools asking for similar support for their girls and we need funds to be able to reach far especially the rural communities,’ she explained.

As Ghana joins the world to mark menstrual hygiene day, it has become expedient to empower young girls to remain confident.

World Menstrual Hygiene Day is observed on May 28, every year. The aim of this day is to change the social stigma and taboos associated with menstruation.

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Source: Ghana Web

Caveman Watches has been adjudged 2021 Product of the year at the just ended 5th edition of the 2021 Ghana Manufacturing Awards held at the Kempinski Hotel.

The priceless awards is a recognition of the company’s dedication in building the watch Manufacturing industry as well as being a highly cherished company advocating for best business practices in the field.

Caveman watches also won the best Watch Manufacturing company of the year on the same night.

Addressing the media after receiving the Awards on behalf of the company, CEO of Caveman Watches, Anthony Dzamefe, expressed gratitude to the awards board and customers for pushing the company to this end.

“We have put in a lot of work against adversity and these awards are indications that we are doing something right and we can go all the way with the warm support we keep getting from Ghanaians over the world. This is a brand for the people”, he said

Anthony Dzamefe added that the company’s zeal to go beyond the Ghanaian border by satisfying the demands of customers across the globe is “an indication that the status quos can be broken and anything can be achieved when one believes.”

Caveman has manufactured branded watches for International giant companies, for the President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo other globally known personalities like Akon, Don Jazzy, Azuma Nelson and many others.

It was no surprise that The New York Times published caveman as a fast rising global watch brand putting Ghana in the discussion of world luxury watch brands.

The Manufacturing Awards is a yearly awards scheme organized by the Exodus Communications with the aim to educate, empower, encourage and rewards all Manufacturing Industries and stakeholders who have been working hard across the country.

Source: Ghana Web

Tema- A Tema District Magistrate’s Court has ordered a psychiatric medical assessment for Daniella Nyarkoh, a 21-year-old accused of murdering her 70-year-old father, Alex Nyarkoh.

The court, presided over by Mr Justice Joseph Mc’Arthur, remanded the suspect into police custody to reappear on June 15.

It ordered the Prosecutor, Inspector Emmanuel Mensah Kleku, to move a motion for the suspect to be referred to the Pantang Hospital for medical assessment, detention, and treatment.

Daniella was arraigned before the Court with a provisional charge of murder and her plea was not taken.

The prosecutor made the submission for the suspect to be remanded into a psychiatric hospital for medical assessment due to her current mental state.

The court subsequently directed the prosecutor to move a motion to enable the court to remand the suspect into a psychiatric hospital for the medical assessment.

Inspector Kleku told the court that on May 30, 2021, at about 0515 hours, the complainant, Prince Nyarkoh, 24, brother of Daniella, reported to the Tema Community Two Police that Daniella had stabbed their father to death.

He said Prince stayed with his siblings and parents on the ground floor of a storey building at BBC, Community Two.

Prosecution said Prince was accompanied by CPA Peter Amegashietse and the Crime Scene Management Team to the house and they found the lifeless body of the deceased lying in a pool of blood in a single room on the ground floor.

He said the team also detected that the deceased, who was diabetic, had his left leg amputated on medical grounds.

He said Daniella was arrested and two kitchen knives were retrieved at the crime scene.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Daniella was a senior high school graduate, currently unemployed, and for the past one week, had been behaving strangely.

Inspector Kleku said on May 29 she was sent to a prayer camp at Tema New Town where the family was advised to take her to a psychiatric hospital.

He said on May 30, around 0515 hours, the suspect, again started behaving abnormally and suddenly rushed to the storeroom, picked two knives and stabbed the father to death on his bed.

He said the body of the deceased had been conveyed to the Tema General Hospital mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Hohoe (V/R)- The Gbi Traditional Council, Hohoe, has officially announced the demise of Mamaga Dewotornyo I, Paramount Queen mother of the Gbi Traditional Area.

The late Mamaga Dewotornyo, who reigned for 50 years, hailed from the Asamani and Kadrake Royal families and was as well the Queen mother of Hohoe and the Torkorni Royal clan.

She was born on 20th September 1940 and was enstooled with her title at the age of 29 years on August 29, 1969.

Togbe Adzofuwusu IV, Divisional Chief of Gbi-Atabu announced the demise of the late Paramount Queen mother on behalf of Togbe Worde IV, Acting President of the Gbi Traditional Council.

He said the Council had also with effect, declared a four-day period of grief and calmness from Tuesday, June 1, 2021, to Friday, June 4, 2021, at 1200 hours in the Gbi Traditional Area.

Togbe Adzofuwusu described Mamaga Dewotornyo as a promising and vibrant lady when she was enstooled as Mamaga.

“Mamaga Dewotornyo during her 50 years reign was able to initiate a lot of projects to enhance the image of Queen mothers in the Municipality,” he said.

The Divisional Chief said the late Mamaga established and

institutionalised the Hohoe Municipal Council of Queenmothers.

She was the President of the Council and also a member of the Volta Regional Paramount Queenmothers Association until her demise.

The Divisional Chief said “with age, Mamaga started showing signs of ill health. Most often, she regained her strength and continued to perform her duties as the Paramount Queenmother of Gbi Traditional Area.”

He said the late Mamaga became ill again in early 2019 and all efforts made to have Mamaga regain her health eluded them.

Togbe Adzofuwusu called on people in the traditional area to go about their daily activities with sobriety during the period of mourning.

The Traditional Council has opened a book of condolence to the general public in memory of the late Paramount Queenmother.

Flags will fly at half-mast in the traditional area with indigenes of the Gbi land and sympathisers observing the mourning period in red and black attires.

The Traditional Council has also chosen from July 15 to July 18, 2021, for the funeral arrangements of Mamaga Dewotornyo.

Togbe Amenu XIII, on behalf of Deiga Kwadzo Dei XII, Paramount Chief of Peki Traditional Area, expressed condolences to the traditional area in a solidarity message.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The third (3rd) edition of Women in Food and Agricultural Leadership Training Forum (WOFAGRIC) And Gold in The Soil Awards, powered by Agrihouse Foundation, has received 131 nominations of deserving women farmers and agribusinesses.

The event is set to take place from the 23rd to the 24th of June 2021 at the Akayet Hotel, Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region, under the theme: “Women in Agric- Surviving, Thriving and Making Waves Beyond the Pandemic.”

The event, primarily designed to empower women in the agricultural sector, also seeks to increase their participation in agribusiness and recognize exceptional performance of trailblazers who push the boundaries along the value chain. It is further designed to bring together actors in the agric value chain such as farmers, aggregators, transporters, buyers, input dealers, suppliers, agro companies and many others in a serene environment where knowledge, ideas and relevant skills will be shared to the benefit of the farmers and others in the agric value chain especially women.

Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, has noted that the Foundation is excited with the balanced women Farmers and Agribusiness value chain representation, with the entries received so far, from women from the Upper East and West respectively.

“50% of the entries received, are from women farmers, farming between 10-65 acres of maize, yam, groundnut, soya beans, vegetables, Bambara beans, millet and sorghum. 32% of the women are largely into Processing, Packaging and marketing of Shea, Neem, Moringa, Boabab, Dawada, groundnut, oils, etc. 15% are into distribution and marketing of Input (seeds, fertilizers, etc) and about 3% of these women are into Tractor and Equipment operating and hiring,” she highlighted.

The Foundation has also noted that majority of the women farmers who submitted entries are between ages 25-65years, “This for us is a positive signal. It is great to know we have very young women in the Upper East and West Regions, who are taking Agric seriously and contributing to enhancing nutrition and changing livelihoods,” she revealed, adding that all the entries received are from women, who have been operating their businesses within a period of 2 to 40years.

Highlighting on the theme for this year’s event, “Surviving, Thriving and Making Waves beyond the Pandemic,” Ms. Akosa said, 2021 WOFAGRIC and Gold in the Soil Awards would explore ways to enhance women’s resilience and recovery from the effects of the pandemic. The event will enable women in agribusiness develop, improve and sustain new agricultural practices, as well as develop their business within this pandemic era and beyond.

For her part, the Deputy Director – Development, of the Canadian Embassy, Ms. Stephanie Brunet, said, “The theme for this year’s event could not be more appropriate in view of the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the agricultural value chains, particularly for women farmers.

She said since 2017, Canada has been providing support to the Government of Ghana to improve its agriculture sector through an initiative called Modernizing Agriculture in Ghana (MAG). Through MAG, Canada has made available 125 million Canadian dollars of assistance directly to the Government of Ghana to help modernize the sector.

“That is why Canada is also proud to have supported the Women in Food and Agriculture Leadership Training and the Gold in the Soil Award in 2019 and 2020, and we look forward to working together on this year’s event. We strongly believe that women are critical to the sustainability of Ghana’s agriculture and that successful women farmers deserved to be recognized for their achievement and contributions to the nation,” She ended.

The core objectives of the initiative will among other things will seek to attract and boost the interest of women in agribusiness and motivate them to display their products and services while recognising their efforts in agribusiness.

Since its inception three years (3) ago, WOFAGRIC and Gold in the soil awards has impacted the lives and businesses of women in the agri-business space. So far 25% of women participants who were not into Agribusiness as at the time they attended the event, have now ventured into agribusiness. Similarly, about 900 women who were groomed to take up leadership roles have had their capacity built up to push for growth and expansion at the grassroots.

In 2019, almost a quarter of the nominees for the Gold in the Soil Awards made entries into the National Best Farmers Award Scheme at district, regional and national levels with about 7 of them winning laurels at the district and regional levels whilst 2 of them picked up awards at the National awards.

The training offered on proper management and book keeping have proven impactful. A follow up evaluation carried out 3 months after each event reveals that, past participants have been able to access loan facilities to support their farms and businesses.

Furthermore, information and guidance provided by the Netherlands embassy and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) equipped some of the women farmers on the standard procedures, best practices and how to go documentations to export their produce. This has helped about 13 women to start the process to go into exportation.

The WOFAGRIC and Gold in soil awards have chalked many successes over the years. The maiden edition held in the Volta region and the second edition hosted in the Ashanti region have proved worthwhile. This year’s edition promises to be much more educative, fun-filled and rewarding.

The two (2)-day event will unfold under two (2) main segments thus:
a) Women in Food and Agricultural Leadership Training and Capacity Building Session:

This full day session will deploy different learning approaches including opinion sharing, focused group discussions, dialogues, panel discussions, mentoring and demonstrations, to Train and build capacity of women Farmers and Agribusinesses.

Resource persons from various institutions, will be training our women on various topics, right from Production, Management and Marketing.

The full day session, aims at providing a platform to exchange best practices and share valuable lessons learnt in handling and scaling up the Women in Agribusiness sector.

b) The Gold in the Soil Awards:
Day Two (2) of the event, is the Gold in the Soil Awards. The awards sessions aim at recognizing and rewarding outstanding women in Agriculture. A documentary on activities and impact of these women will be produced and broadcasted on various platforms, to inspire and motivate other women who want to venture into Agribusiness. The 131 entries received, has been shortlisted to 45.

The Farms and Businesses of these women are currently being visited in the Upper East and Upper West Regions, to document and share their extraordinary farming and business journey.

Out of the 45 women shortlisted, 15 women will be recognized and awarded, in the 15 categories, they sent entries to, namely; She-Innovates Award, Climate-Smart Women Project Award, The Change Champion Award, Lady of The Region Export Award, Development Partner Award, Princess Carla Award, She-Operates Award, Outstanding Woman in Extension Services Award, The Super Woman Farmer Award, Star Woman Agripreneur Award (Woman Agripreneur Award), Royal Agro Award, Diamond in the Rough Award, Feed to Food Awards – (Poultry, Livestock & Fisheries) and the ultimate, Gold in the Soil Award.

“We are poised to reward excellence by recognising the efforts of our incredible agriwomen, most of whom have unfortunately remained unsung heroes despite their mammoth contribution to the Agric discipline. WOFAGRIC and the GOLD IN THE SOIL AWARDS, will continuously identify such women, shed light on their endeavours and reward their industry and resilience,” Ms. Akosa emphasized.

Over the years, WOFAGRIC and Gold in the Soil Awards has received support from the Canadian Embassy, YARA Ghana, ABSA BANK, OCP, Interplast, Peg Africa, Motorking, Women in Agriculture Development (WIAD), ABSA, National Farmers and Fishermen Winners Association of Ghana (NFFAWAG), and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA).

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Source: Ghana Web

NSPO 006 Accra- Asante Kotoko and Hearts have no difficulties in edging their opponents in the round of 64 as they sailed through into the Round 32 of this year’s MTN FA Cup.

NSPO 006

Accra- Asante Kotoko and Hearts have no difficulties in edging their opponents in the round of 64 as they sailed through into the Round 32 of this year’s MTN FA Cup.

The Phobians recorded an emphatic 3-0 victory against Liberty Professional with Daniel Afriyie Barnieh scoring a brace while Kwadwo Obeng Junior grabbed the other goal.

Bekwai Youth Football Academy (BYFA) couldn’t produce any shock against Asante Kotoko as the Porcupine Warriors edged them 2-0 at the Nana Gyamfi Park.

Two second-half goals from Fabio Gama and Emmanuel Keyekeh were enough for the defending champions.

Division One League side Tema Youth produced the shocker of Round 64 when they annihilated Premier league side Inter Allies 5-1 at the Tema Sports Stadium.

Inter Allies who are bottom placed in the 2020/21 Ghana Premier League could ignite their woeful season with cup triumph as they were embarrassed by the second-tier side.

Dreams FC also lost on penalties 4-2 to Division One league side Phar Rangers after regulation time ended in a 2-2 draw.

Below are some results of round 64:

Hearts of Oak 3-0 Liberty Professionals

Skyy FC 2-0 Ebusua Dwarfs

Eleven Wise 0-1 Medeama

BYFA 0-2 Asante Kotoko

Elmina Sharks 1-0 Metro Stars

King Faisal 0-1 Ashantigold

Aduana Stars 1-0 Eleven Wonders

Tema Youth 5-1 Inter Allies

WAFA 4-0 Akatsi Stars

Berekum Chelsea 3-1 Bofoakwa

Phar Rangers 2-2 Dreams (4-2 on penalties)

Berekum Chelsea 3-1 Bofoakwa

Great Olympics 2-0 Charity Stars

Vipers 1-0 Star Madrid

Tamale United 1-1 Tamale City (4-5 on penalties)

Paga Crocodiles 0-0 Freedom Fighters

Okyeman Planners 0-0 Young Wise (4-5 on penalties)

Source: Ghana News Agency

Ellembelle (W/R)- Mr Isaac Polley, the Ellembelle District Census Officer, has expressed worry over how a section of the public was “playing politics” with the census exercise and called for a stop to the practice.

He said it was a national exercise and field officers were selected based on merit and not on political affiliation.

Mr Polley was speaking at the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) 10-day intensive training workshop for potential field officers in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region.

He said the primary purpose of the training was to help participants to know the concepts and definitions of the Census, as well as their duties and responsibilities as field officers for the enumeration.

The GSS is training 280 persons out of which 160 would be selected as field officers to enumerate structures and residents of the District.

Mr Polley said the training would adopt a participant-centred approach, which involved lectures, video presentations, face-to-face interactions, mock interviews, assessment and field practice.

He said small group discussions using English and local languages would be used to ensure that concepts, definitions and procedures for collecting data were well understood.

It is also expected that each participant would be able to interpret and use an Enumeration Area (EA) Chart, carry out listing of structures and complete a listing form.

They would also be taught how to enumerate a household population, institutional population and floating population using the CAPI system.

Mr Polley said each trainee had been given a hard copy of the Field Officer’s Manual, questionnaire and tablet among other things for the training.

“This is a national exercise and for the next few days we will require you to sacrifice your time and your energy. Despite the full-time requirements, we hope that you will find time outside of the training to reflect on what you are being taught here”, he said.

The listing of structures is slated for June 13, 2021 across the country with census Night being June 27, 2021.

The enumeration of persons in households and long-stay institutions would be enumerated from 28th June to 11th July, 2021.

Source: Ghana News Agency