Day: August 29, 2022

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Weather will be partly cloudy with few sunny intervals across the country this morning

Accra, Aug. 29, GNA – Variable cloudy conditions are expected over the country this morning, which could produce a few cases of slight rain partially over the middle sector.

Mist and fogs patches will form over mountainous areas, forest places and portions of the coastline early this morning reducing visibility.

However, partly cloudy weather is expected to prevail today with few cases of slight rain or drizzle in the country.

There will be slight rains in some parts of the northern sector in the evening today, early morning mist will however form over the coastal, forest and hilly places.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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UMB awards cash grant to young female entrepreneur on the Springboard Show?

Accra, Aug.29, GNA – The Universal Merchant Bank Ghana (UMB), has presented a cash grant of GHS5,000 to Ewudzie-Sampson, a young female ‘agripreneur’, in support of her online grocery business.  

The story of Elselund Ewudzie-Sampson, also known as Adwoa Agbogbloshie was brought to prominence during a segment on the highly rated, youth focused show, The Springboard Virtual University.

The host of the show, Reverend Albert Ocran invited Adwoa on the show following commendations from social media on her work ethic and innovation. 

Adwoa’s enterprise was highlighted as an example of young, inspiring entrepreneurship. 

A statement to the Ghana News Agency said, moved by Adwoa’s story, UMB extended the financial support to her.  

The statement said UMB was lending its expertise and support through its unique SME value proposition, to further propel Adwoa’s business growth. 

Nana Dwemoh Benneh, the Chief Executive Officer of the Bank, stated, “UMB has been a partner of Springboard since 2018 and we have continued this sponsorship because the objectives of Springboard align with our origin story. 

We are the Bank set up to promote Ghanaian start-ups and SMEs and we have been doing this since 1972.”

He further said, “We were moved to support the Big Samps Market because their story inspires us all. We want to support her growth, and in so doing, remind all our customers and Ghana, that when it comes to SMEs, you cannot go wrong with UMB.

Big Samps Market’s story is also an exemplar of the national policy we all are eager to see succeed, that is converting our youth bulge into a powerful wave of entrepreneurs.” 

Mrs Comfort Ocran, the CEO of Legacy and Legacy and Executive Director of Springboard Roadshow Foundation, urged young entrepreneurs to be inspired by the story of Adwoa Agbogbloshie.

 She further admonished the upcoming generation to stay the cause, exploring homegrown solutions and indigenous means of solving challenges. 

In her response to the support, Ms Elselund Ewudzie-Sampson of Big Samps Market, expressed appreciation for the support and vote of confidence in her business.

 She said, “This is serendipity and the grace of God, as all this is happening during our 5th anniversary. I am truly grateful to UMB for the support. You are truly now a part of the Big Samps story. 

We are confident that as your latest SME banking customer, you will groom and grow us, as you have done to many other corporates, since 1972.” 

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Obuasi Spillage: EPA worried over rampant oil spillage at fuel stations

Obuasi (Ash), Aug. 29, GNA – Mr Prempeh Adarkwa Yiadom, the Obuasi Area Head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has bemoaned the rampant spillage of oil on the floors of fuel stations in the Municipality, which could affect groundwater and cause fire outbreaks.

He has, therefore, charged Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and fuel pump attendants to strictly adhere to the safety guidelines of their operations.

Mr Yiadom made the call at a training workshop organised by the EPA for LPG and fuel pump attendants at Obuasi in the Ashanti Region.

Citing the June 3 disaster that hit the country in 2015, he said though the country had made headway in terms of preventing future occurrences, there was still more room for improvement.

“Even though we have made strides in our efforts to prevent future disasters, I think more needs to be done regarding attitude of fuel/gas station operators and the application of environmental laws,” he stated.

Mr Yiadom said investigations into the June 3 disaster concluded that the ensuing fire outbreak during the floods was said to have been caused by a cigarette smoker, who dropped a lighted stub into the water that had oil floating on top.

That, he said, could have been prevented if all the safety protocols were adhered to.

On the rationale behind the workshop, he said the EPA was responsible for protecting and improving the environment, hence the training was to equip the participants with the requisite skills and knowledge on safe handling of petroleum products.

It will also alert them to respond timeously and efficiently to the regulatory requirements of the Agency and how to manage their facilities to prevent accidents.

He said the EPA would continue to monitor the operations of the LPG/Fuel stations to make sure that they applied the knowledge acquired.

Mr Joseph Kobina Yankah, Assistant District Officer 1 in-charge of safety at the Obuasi Command, Ghana National Fire Service, who took participants through Fire safety risk and management, advised them to always put in place measures to prevent fire outbreaks.

He said fuel stations were expected to fix fire extinguishers, fire detecting alarms and dry sand at their operational areas.

Mr Yankah said the Fire Service would continue to intensify monitoring to see whether fire extinguishers, sounders, smoke detectors at the Fuel/ gas stations were available and working.

A participant, Mr Emmanuel Krah, of the Ridge Total Filling Station, lauded the EPA for the workshop, describing it as “an eye-opener.”

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Shell apologises for unwholesome fuel incident at Atimpoku Filling station

Accra, Aug 29, GNA – Vivo Energy Ghana, the main distributor of Shell products, has explained that floodwater seeped into its underground super tank at the Atimpoku Shell Filling Station on Sunday, stalling the engines of some vehicles, which refuelled at the station.

They have accordingly apologised for the situation and reassured that they would remain committed to their safety measures.

A statement signed by Shirley Tony Kum, Corporate Communications Manager of Vivo Energy Ghana, and copied to the Ghana News Agency, said: “There was water ingress into the underground Super tank after the downpour in the area. This resulted in the stalling of the engines for a number of customers who had earlier carried out transactions at the station.”

The statement said on hearing about the incident, sales at the station were immediately halted and all customers who were involved were also immediately contacted and alternative arrangements made for them where possible.

“We confirm an incident which, happened on Sunday, 28 August 2022 at our Adomi Bridge (Atimpoku) Shell Filling station.”

“We continue to be in touch with the affected customers to ensure full closure, whilst further investigations continue to permanently resolve the issue and prevent any future occurrence,” it said.

“We apologise to all impacted customers whilst we work with our Technical Team to resolve this issue.

“We wish to reassure all our cherished customers that this is an isolated case, and we remain committed to ensuring the strictest levels of quality and safety at all our service stations.”

Social Media channels have carried photos and videos of Customers of the Atimpoku Shell Filling station complaining of some contamination after buying fuel, which attracted public criticism.

Source: Ghana News Agency