March 20, 2023

GHAPROHA appeals to PURC to intervene in high water charges

The Ghana Progressive Hotels Association (GHAPROHA) has appealed to the Ministry of Water and Sanitation, and the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to intervene in the high water bills for hotels. The group noted the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) tariffs were too high for industry players, the Reverend Emmanuel Geadda-Asando, National President of GRAPROHA, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Tema. He noted that even though the PURC increased the water tariff by eight percent in its last price adjustment, the GWCL charges for hotels amounted to 167 percent. Rev. Geadda-Asando said that forfeited PURC’s recognition that water was life and fundamental to human and peoples’ rights and was also critical to businesses and organizations. He said, ‘immediately the PURC announced the agreed percentage increments, GWCL began to target hotels throughout the country and sent astronomical bills to individual hotels electronically for February 2023’. He cited for instance that the current average cost per unit of consumption for hotels (classified as commercial users) was GHC11.22 before the PURC announcement. ‘But when we received our bills, the costs had shot up to GHC30.00. A hotel that paid GHC3,500.00 for January 2023 bill is now billed to pay GHC9,200.00 for February for the same consumption. ‘Consumption 75 X 11.22 per unit price in January was GHC841.50, but February’s consumption of the same is GHC 2,250.00 without other changes,’ he said. The GHAPROHA President emphasized that the calculated percentage increase was 167 percent which according to the association was extraordinary, punitive, and prohibitive to their operations. He, therefore, reiterated calls to the PURC and the sector ministry to intervene and find solutions to the prohibitive increases in water tariffs relative to hotels. Rev. Geadda-Asando said hoteliers were law-abiding citizens who generated jobs, and provided sustainability of incomes, and contributed to the economy through the payment of over 20 taxes, charges, and levies to government agencies and District Assemblies. ‘Our members do not wish to embark on industrial action, which may be detrimental to the image of the government. We believe the government should intervene to bring the utility service providers to order,’ he said. He stated that it must be put on record that though water was a critical factor for hoteliers’ services, it was not the sole factor as several operational costs combined to make their services seamless. The GHAPROHA President said hoteliers intend to push the cost to their guests and customers, however doing so would mean the cost of doing business in Ghana would be high and make them less competitive, and eventually drive tourists to other destinations. He added that other implications downsizing of operations, staff layoff, inability to pay the new tariffs due to potential low sales revenue; coupled with the current unfavourable economic environment; Rev. Geadda-Asando appealed to the GWCL and the Electricity Company of Ghana to avoid threats of cutting supplies to the hospitality industry but use their usual normal approach to solicit payments from hotels and restaurants.

Source: Ghana News Agency

March 20, 2023

Mahama files nomination tomorrow

Former President John Dramani Mahama will on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 file his nomination to contest the presidential primaries of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). The former President, who is seeking to lead the Party in a Presidential election for the fourth time, picked his nomination forms on February 22, 2023. A statement issued by Madam Joyce Bawah Mogtari, Spokesperson to Mr Mahama, said the former President would arrive at the NDC’s headquarters at 1300hours on Tuesday to file his nomination forms. ‘Originally planned for Monday, the John Mahama Campaign says it is very sorry for the postponement, which is in response to a request from the Party to reschedule because of the presentation of the Party’s True State of the Nation Address on Monday, ‘ it said. The statement said Mr Mahama would, however, continue his first phase tour of the Ashanti Region, which would end today, Monday, March 20, 2022. Former President Mahama was the flagbearer of the NDC in the 2012, 2016, and 2020 presidential elections. He clinched victory in 2012 but lost in 2016 and 2020. It is the desire of the Former President to rewrite history by clinching a second term in Office after completing his first term in January 2017. The NDC’s internal primaries is the first hurdle to cross, with three persons aiming to give Mr Mahama a run for his money. The other flagbearer aspirants are: Mr Kojo Bonsu, a former Mayor of Kumasi; Mr Ernest Kwaku Kobeah, a businessman, and Dr Kwabena Duffuor, a former Minister of Finance. The NDC is expected to hold its presidential and parliamentary primaries on Saturday, May 13, 2023 to elect a flagbearer and parliamentary candidates for the 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary primaries

Source: Ghana News Agency

March 20, 2023

Bisa Kdei receives heart-warming birthday message from father

Ghanaian Highlife star Bisa Kdei has received lots of love and words of inspiration on the occasion of his 37th birthday celebration. Mr. Appiah Dei, who is the musician’s biological father, has also wished his son well in his endeavours labelling him the ‘King of Highlife Music’. Mr. Dei also mentioned how inspirational his son’s song have been over the past few years and was proud of his impact. Bisa Kdei, who posted this message on his social media in a response grateful to his father for recognising him as a ‘King’ of Highlife. Over the years, Bisa Kdei has released multiple successful albums and singles and had won several awards for his work. Bisa Kdei, who is one of the last standing highlife musicians in Ghana, has churned out some amazing hit songs in the past, including, ‘Brother,’ ‘Asew,’ ‘Mansa,’ among others.

Source: Ghana News Agency

March 20, 2023

Leeds University, Innohub launch Executive Programme in Entrepreneurship

Leeds University Business School, UK, has partnered with Innohub in Ghana to design and launch a brand-new programme for entrepreneurship ecosystem actors and policy drivers across the African continent. The Executive Programme in Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Leadership is aimed at providing insights around how to unlock true value through sponsoring entrepreneurship. A news brief from the two Organisations said it would provide policy makers, enterprise support organisations and programme funders with the tools and frameworks to evaluate local entrepreneurial ecosystems they operated in, and identify ways in which it could be adapted for deeper meaningful impact. It said the highly interactive programme would interrogate various models of entrepreneurship ecosystem development around the world, drawing on deep lessons towards creating sustainable pathways for ecosystem development. The brief said at the launch, Tone Thomas Vaduthala, Director of Executive Programmes, said: ‘The Leeds University Business School has a strong record of supporting entrepreneurship in our local region. So we are excited about the opportunity to partner with Innohub to support organisations across Africa in this journey.’ It said the programme would consist of a five-day immersion at the University of Leeds in the UK, augmented with follow-on implementation support as needed. ‘This programme also aim to create a cross-country ecosystem of entrepreneurship between the various entrepreneurship support organisations in Africa, providing opportunities to share best practices and learn from each other’s experiences.’ Nelson Amo, CEO of Innohub, said: ‘This programme could not have come at a better time for a continent that needs to radically create economic opportunities for its significantly large youth force. ‘With a growing interest in entrepreneurship across the continent, African countries have both an opportunity and a challenge to design programme that will help transition necessity entrepreneurs into transformational businesses that create jobs and shared prosperity. ‘ Innohub is excited to partner with the Leeds Business School towards making this happen.’ The brief said the inaugural cohort of the programme would begin in August 2023 and asked prospective students to visit https://www.innohub.com.gh/leeds/ to know more about the programme and sign up. It said entrepreneurship was the key to unlocking resilient growth across Africa, but only when driven by both socially productive and growth-oriented new businesses. ‘It is an enabler for socio-economic growth and development in Africa, especially within the context of youth unemployment and increasing youth population for which the traditional, and indeed emerging, industrial sectors will not be able to produce sufficient jobs to meet demand, ‘ the brief added and urged actors in the sector to take advantage of the opportunity.

Source: Ghana News Agency

March 20, 2023

Handball Association of Ghana (HAG) ends training course for Instructors

A three-day training course for referees and instructors of handball, organized by the Handball Association of Ghana (HAG), ended successfully at the Media Centre of the Accra Sports Stadium. The course, which began on March 15, with 36 participants from the Ghana Police Service and other participants across the country, ended on Friday, March 17. Speaking at the closing ceremony, Mr. Edward Patrick Nii Lante Bannerman, President HAG stressed on the importance of training courses to improving the performance of referees in Ghana. He said, ‘it’s been a very good exercise. I’m told it is the first of its kind in Ghana and we would not stop it, we would continue with the good things to take handball to the next level’. He called on the participants to ensure that they share knowledge with other young referees across the country. He said, ‘I want to encourage everyone of you that whatever you have learned here, put it in to good practice, don’t allow people to intimidate you because integrity is such a venture, be your own person when you are officiating’. ‘Be discipline on and off the court. This is because people would be monitoring you, so you need to be very mindful of your actions and your activities’. He expressed gratitude to the facilitators and promised to maintain their relationship for the development of handball in the country. The Course instructors were, Mr. Charles W. Mensah, Mr. Diabate Mamoudzou and Mrs. Diarrassouba.

Source: Ghana News Agency

March 20, 2023

OpenLabs, AltSchool sign agreement to promote digital education in Africa

The OpenLabs Ghana and the AltSchool Africa, both Information Technology (I.T) training institutions, have signed an agreement to provide digital content training to Ghanaian youth and equip young people with employable skills. The partnership also seeks to empower more women to express interest in I.T. profession by providing them with flexible online digital learning tools to develop and nurture their skills. Under the Agreement, AltSchool would create digital content on data science, product management, and software engineering as well as expose students to online international jobs. Dr Sujith Jayaprakash, the Director of Openlabs Ghana, and Mr Adewale Yusuf, Chief Executive Officer, AltSchool, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective institutions at the OpenLabs Campus in Accra. Dr Jayaprakash described the agreement as ‘the beginning of the new future,’ saying the initiative would enhance the skills of its students to create digital learning solutions and impact the technology industry in Africa and the world. ‘For us, this is the move towards digital education. Students will get access to digital content that do not only educate them but would also help them to acquire a job from the international job market,’ he said. Mr Yusuf said Africa’s youthful population provided an opportunity for the continent to boost its human resource capacity and transform the continent by embracing technology. He expressed concern about the teaching methods applied in African schools, saying the current curriculum did not equip students with employable skills. ‘Our curriculum is obsolete. We have to provide the students with the required skills and make sure they learn marketable skills. The world is developing and we are not catching up enough.’ Mr Yusuf said. Madam Joana Ivy Abbiw, General Manager in Charge of Sales and Marketing, OpenLabs Ghana, encouraged women to take up professions in the IT space and improve their skills on emerging technologies. ‘Most women, because of our orientation believe that IT is not for them. But now it’s changing and daily we see that this profession has a place for women. ‘Going digital will help the women to, in her own comfort zone, also pursue a programme in I.T. without intimidation,’ she said. According to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, some 230 million jobs across the continent will require some level of digital skills by 2030. That translates to a potential for 650 million training opportunities and an estimated $130 billion market.

Source: Ghana News Agency

March 20, 2023

Residents appeal for regular eye screening for children

Some residents of Bawiesibelle, a community in the Sissala East Municipality, have stressed the need for parents to ensure regular eye screening for their children for early detection of possible eye defects for intervention. They said good eye condition was paramount for the proper education of children as any eye defect of a child could unduly affect the effective participation of the child in teaching and learning. Madam Saida Akate, a resident of the community, said this during a free eye screening at the community organised by Bliss Eye Care, a private eye clinic in Wa, in collaboration with the Bawiesibelle community. The exercise formed part of activities of a coronation ceremony of Alhaji Abdul Salam Bachewii Akate as Kuoro Balugubanie Sapara II, Paramount Chief of the Bawiesibelle Traditional Area. Bliss Eye Care had been organising routine eye screening for people in communities in the region with a special focus on school children under its Blissful Sight for Kids (BS4Ks) project. A total of 605 people in the community benefited from the exercise, out of which 535 had pathological issues, 13 had refractive errors and 12 had cataract and Glaucoma. Madam Akate, a member of the event organizing team, noted that the chief of the community had placed a premium on the health and well-being of the people of the community, which informed their decision to include the eye screening exercise as part of the activities of the coronation ceremony. ‘It is an amazing thing that has been done and we are hoping that such opportunities will come more frequently so that people will be educated, especially children, and they will have an understanding of how to take care of their eyesight for a better future’, she explained. Madam Akate commended Bliss Eye Care for the intervention and said it would be an eye opener for the community members on proper ways to care for the eyes of their children saying, ‘If you don’t have good eyesight, it is a disability that is hard to deal with.’ The beneficiaries who required medication or corrective glasses were offered at no cost. Dr. Zakarea Al-hasan Balure, the Founder and Manager of Bliss Eye Care, expressed concern about the inability of people in hard-to-reach communities to seek eye care, especially for their children. He indicated that people in rural communities were unable to visit the eye care facilities for screening due to their remoteness from those facilities thereby exposing them to serious eye problems. He said some of the people in the community, for instance who took part in the screening did not know the use of the eye drop that was given to them, probably because they had never seen an eye drop before. He, however, appealed to the people to develop an interest in caring for their children’s eyes.

Source: Ghana News Agency

March 20, 2023

SIC Insurance fertile grounds for women – Mrs Tufuor

Mrs. Cynthia Kwarteng Tufuor, Tema Regional Manager of the SIC Insurance Company PLC has revealed that the company has created a congenial atmosphere that attract women to work there comfortably. As a result, she said they had integrated about 60 per cent of their workforce made up of women as the insurance industry, needed qualities of women as they had good listening skills, with the ability to easily create relationships, with persuasive skills. ‘Due to the natural qualities of women, they often ventured into the insurance industry as the work involve marketing and convincing clients to roll onto existing schemes,’ she noted and encouraged women to explore employment opportunities within the insurance industry. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Tema on the prospects of women in the insurance industry, she said it was about time that conscious efforts were made by women to push themselves into corporate leadership by upgrading their knowledge and skills in whatever profession they found themselves. She stressed that a well-educated woman that possessed all the required skills, knowledge, confidence, and ability to excel could grab leadership opportunities anytime, anywhere. Mrs. Tufuor said ‘women who are empowered with the knowledge and skills will be more productive and well-honoured at whatever working field they find themselves, if women can uphold their skills, they could rise to the occasion when they are called upon.’ According to her, women in SIC resolved to acquire the necessary education and skills when they realized that fewer women were in leadership, ‘currently women are climbing the leadership ladder’. Women’s participation in leadership roles, Mrs Tufuor noted helped in the advancement of gender equality and affected both the range and quality of policies formulated for the betterment of society. She urged women to support and encourage each other and serve as mentors for the younger ones to aim high, adding that because of lack of mentorship, most women veered off their chosen careers to others. Mrs. Tufuor said if women who have gone through the process of reaching the top could carry others along, most fields of professions would have a good number of women in leadership in the next five years and beyond. She encouraged mothers, married women, and young girls who might have gotten pregnant in their teenage years not to use that as an excuse not to excel, stressing that ‘pregnancy is not an excuse, you can still make it.’

Source: Ghana News Agency