Day: February 11, 2024

A 45- year -old Methodist Minister, the Very Reverend Nana Addo Acquah, has been inducted into office as the Adjoafua Circuit Superintendent Minister in the Bia West District of the Western North Region.

The Very Rev. Acquah was initially responsible for only a society in the Sefwi Bekwai Diocese but will now superintend over Methodist Church activities in 20 societies constituting the Circuit.

The Diocesan Bishop, Right Reverend Robert Felix Bassaw, who officiated, advised the newly inducted Minister not to lord it over his congregation but humble himself and work with the members towards the growth of the Circuit, physically and spiritually.

He wondered why some church members used their positions to usurp powers and cautioned against that character, which sometimes disintegrated the church.

Rt Rev Bassaw entreated the new Superintendent Minister to exercise his office with love, sympathy and care for all the members without discrimination.

He implored the members to let unity continue to prevail befor
e, during, and after the general election as Ghanaians went to the polls for the parliamentary and presidential elections in December, this year.

Very Rev Acquah, on his part, commended the Church for the honour done him and promised to discharge his duties effectively.

He, however, called for cooperation to enhance the spiritual upliftment of the Church.

Very Rev. Acquah was born at Ekwamkrom in the Gomoa Central District of the Central Region in December 1978.

He had his basic and secondary education in Kumasi and continued at the University of Cape Coast for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Science and further studied for a Post Graduate Certificate in Education at the University of Education Winneba.

In 2012 he attended the Trinity Theological Seminary, where he received a Masters Degree in Divinity in 2015.

elections in December, this year.

Very Rev Acquah has been in the ministry for nine years and served in places like Sefwi Bodi, Awaso and Adjoafua all in the Sefwi Bekwai Diocese.

He is married with four daughters.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr John Dramani Mahama, the Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament of North Tongu, and his partners have commissioned phase two of the housing project for flood-displaced constituents.

Dubbed; ‘Alternative Housing Project’, the disability-friendly project would provide free accommodation and utilities to 300 victims of the Akosombo Dam Spillage.

Mr Ablakwa, during a commissioning ceremony at the project site at Mepe in the Volta Region, which was executed within seven months, said his duty as the representative of the people focused on action over words.

‘I have been consistent with my pledge at the beginning of the disaster in September 2023, and all victims in my beloved constituency must equally enjoy the same love and care,’ he said.

Mr Ablakwa, however, expressed worry over the delay of government intervention since the disaster occurred to provide suitable accommodation for the people.

He assured all the affected that Parliament wo
uld perform its duties to ensure that the Government did the needful.

Mr Ablakwa expressed profound appreciation to all donors for their contribution, in kind and cash, towards the completion of the second project.

He revealed that talks were underway with other philanthropic groups to execute similar projects in other areas for displaced residents.

Mr Mahama, the Special Guest, commended Mr Ablakwa and his team, as well as the traditional authorities, for the good job done so far.

He assured the people that the next NDC government would put the interest of the Ghanaian citizens first regardless of any situation.

Mr Mahama said the delay by the Government to assist the victims was worrying and unacceptable.

Togbe Tepre Hodo IV, the President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, and Chairperson of the event, reiterated the need for traditional authorities and political parties to work together for the common good of the people.

He said the task must not always be the usual politicking but ‘focus must
be on the development of our communities instead.’

Sheikh Dr Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, the National Chief Iman, the chiefs from Volta and beyond, and other high-profile dignitaries, witnessed the event.

A block was named after the National Chief Iman, whose contributions were a sign of love and peace regardless of people’s religious background.

Some features of the newly constructed and electric-fenced residence include large kitchens, halls with television sets, meeting and storage rooms, and modern washrooms.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The mortal remains of the late Dr Ebenezer Nii Armah Tackie, the father of the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, was has been laid to rest in a private burial.

This was after a burial service characterised by traditional rites was held at the Ga Mantse Palace in Accra for the former Dean of the Faculty of Environmental and Development Studies and Head of the Department of Architecture, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

He was 83 years old and left behind four children and seven grandchildren.

Clad in red and black attire, mourners from diverse fields converged at the Ga Mantse Palace in Accra to pay their last respect as they slowly filled pass the mortal remains of the deceased.

Among them was Rebecca Akufo-Addo, First Lady of the Ghana, paramount chiefs of the various Ga traditional areas, a delegation from the National House of Chiefs, paramount chiefs from other ethnic groups, clergy, Members of Parliament, members of the Ghana Institute of Engineers and Planners, and th
e Ghana Bar Association.

In a touching tribute to his father, the Ga Mantse, described his late father as an ambitious and selfless person who combined his academic job with his private consultancy and leadership roles in several groups.

‘At an advanced age, instead of taking over as Mantse, he preferred to advise me behind the scenes, and ensured that our great heritage was well maintained for future generations. He was my chief advisor and I am bereft of his wise counsel’, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II added.

Also paying tribute, a representative of the Ga Paramount Stool Dzase Tunma We, Abola, noted that the late Dr Tackie made time to attend to every meeting of the Ga Paramount Stool Dzase and issues that affected his royal ruling house despite his busy schedule.

Furthermore, the representative indicated that the late Dr Tackie was instrumental in gathering historical materials of the late Ga Mantse, King Tackie Tawiah I, who reigned as Ga Mantse from 1862-1902, adding ‘your contributions towards the gro
wth of the Ga State will never be forgotten.’

Delivering the sermon, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan Williams, Presiding Archbishop and General Overseer of the Action Chapel International, reminded the mourners to be deliberate in working on their salvation.

Death, he said, was inevitable irrespective of age, or status in life, as it was appointed onto man to die once, but after that judgement, as he referenced the scriptures of the holy Bible.

He therefore urged each and everyone to live in peace and harmony, and always pray for God’s forgiveness, because ‘we have an account to give to our maker for the kind of life we live here on earth. Real life begins after death.’

Prayers were said for the bereaved family and the Ga State after which the casket containing the mortal remains of the late Dr Tackie was lifted and taken around the funeral grounds three times according to tradition before the final interment.

Some of the projects the late Dr Tackie supervised and planned as an architect were the new Kumasi S
hopping Mall, Kumasi Central and Bantama Market, and the Makola Shopping Mall.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Nkwanta South Traders Association has called on the Interior Ministry to review the curfew imposed on the township as their businesses are suffering.

Mr Richard Owusu Ansah (Paa Rich), the Secretary of the Association, said the current curfew from 1700 to 0600 hours, resulting from the ethnic conflict, was affecting their business activities.

Business activities in the Nkwanta South and adjoining communities have been affected since November 2023 due to inter-tribal conflict, which has resulted in about 14 deaths, with many properties destroyed.

The traders stressed the need for the review of the curfew to enable their businesses to return to normalcy, as the once vibrant business centre was almost a ghost town.

The traders made the request when they presented food items to the security agencies as part of their support to ensure peace in the Nkwanta South Municipality.

Chief Superintendent Michael Asiedu, the Divisional Police Commander, who received the items, commended the traders for the gesture.

He assured them of the police and other security agencies commitment to working assiduously to restore peace.

Chief Supt. Asiedu urged residents to cooperate with the police by providing the necessary support to quell the conflict in the area.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Right Reverend Dr Lt. Col. Bliss Divine Agbeko (Rtd), the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ghana (EPCG), has advised Ghanaians, Christians especially, to work hard to impact others positively.

‘We shall be remembered by how our works impact our communities and the lives of others, so let’s work to leave our footprints in the sands of life after we are dead and gone,’ he admonished.

‘Leave positive footprints in the ‘sand of life’ when you die,’ he said.

Rt. Rev. Agbeko gave the advice in a homily at the burial service of the late Mama Dzakuia II, the Queen of Adaklu Waya in the Adaklu District of the Volta Region.

Mama Dzakuia, who reigned for 66 years, was installed queen at the tender age of 13 in 1956. She died on 5th May 2022.

Rt. Rev. Dr Agbeko, who based his homily on the theme: ‘By Your Works You will be Remembered,’ noted that one could be remembered by either good or evil deeds, but it was always better to be remembered for one’s good deeds.

Mama Dzaku
ia, who was known in private life as Victoria Ama Doe Dzah, was an educationist and served as a government appointee in the then Ho District Assembly from 1988 to 2000.

Her biography stated the strong network she built of friends who assisted her to execute most of her projects in the community.

The Adaklu Traditional Council, in a tribute, said she would be remembered for an enunciating moment in 2016, when she participated in a programme organised by Joy TV known as ‘Joy Ballot Box,’ in which she brought a ‘mud-like water’ the people were drinking from River Todzie, to demonstrate the need for potable water for the town.

It said her relentless advocacy for potable water yielded dividends, though she could not live to see the project’s commissioning.

The Chiefs and people of Adaklu Waya described Mama Dzakuia as a ‘sparkling sun among dimming stars, affable and very zealous for the development of Waya.’

Dr Archibald Letsa, the Volta Regional Minister, said her advocacy for the development of Adaklu was
par excellence.

‘Mama Dzakuia was a symbol of unity and trustworthiness, who did not discriminate,’ Mr Kwame Agbodza, the Member of Parliament for Adaklu, and Minority Chief Whip, said in his tribute.

Present were the Oti Regional Minister, Madam Juliana Kpedekpo, the immediate past District Chief Executive of Adaklu, Mr Bright Nyatsikor, chiefs from the various communities in Volta, Oti, Eastern and Ashanti regions among others to pay their last respect.

Mr Agbodza, on behalf of the National Democratic Congress, presented GHC10,000 to the bereaved family.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Board of Directors of Access Holdings Plc has confirmed the passing of Dr Herbert Wigwe, CFR, the Company’s founding Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and former Group Managing Director of its flagship subsidiary, Access Bank Plc.

In a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency, the Board of Access Holdings Plc said Dr Wigwe died alongside his wife and son on Friday, February 9, 2024, in a helicopter accident in the United States of America.

‘The entire Access Family mourns the loss of Herbert, Doreen and Chizi. We extend our deep and sincere sympathies to his family and loved ones,’ it said.

The statement said Dr Wigwe was a key driving force and a larger-than-life personality who brought his remarkable passion, energy, and experience to the transformation of the Access franchise since joining the Bank in 2002.

Commenting on the passage of Dr Wigwe, Mr Abubakar Jimoh, Chairman of Access Holdings said: ‘The Access Family has suffered a major loss with the passing of Dr Wigwe who was a great friend an
d fine gentleman.

‘He had a prodigious intellect, admirable personal qualities, and vast business experience which he brought to bear on the Access Family and for which we owe him a debt of gratitude.

‘We remain confident that the Access Group will build further on Dr Wigwe’s legacy of growth and operational excellence.’

Dr Wigwe was instrumental in the growth of Access Bank, which he co-founded with his friend and business partner Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede.

He took over as Access Bank Group CEO in 2014, focusing on the Bank’s expansion in Nigeria and Africa before taking the helm at Access Holdings in 2022.

Under his leadership, Access Bank drove its African strategy to become Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest retail bank by customer base.

Mr Olumide Olatunji, Country Managing Director for Access Bank Ghana, said: ‘We are deeply saddened by the demise of Dr Herbert Wigwe, who was a man of many colours because of the exceptional impact he had on the growth of the banking industry and communities we serve.’

‘As
our first Board Chairman and a pan Africanist, Dr Wigwe was pivotal in nurturing and making the Access Bank franchise relevant in Ghana as a key development partner. His legacy will never be forgotten’.

Dr Wigwe was a member of the Access Bank UK board as well as the board of the Nigerian Business Coalition Against AIDS (NiBUCAA).

He has long been an advocate for the eradication of malaria in Africa, working with the Corporate Alliance on Malaria to support this objective.

He also sat on the board of the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company and Friends Africa and was an honorary member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria and a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and Institute of Credit Administration.

A two-time winner of the African Banker of the Year award from the African Banker Awards, Dr Wigwe was a passionate advocate of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which form the bedrock of Access Holdings’ growth strategy.

His academic credentials include a
degree in Accounting from the University of Nigeria, an MA in Banking and Finance from the University College of North Wales (now Bangor University), and an MSc in Financial Economics from the University of London. He also completed the Harvard Business School Executive Management Programme.

Dr Wigwe recently founded Wigwe University, Africa’s first ivy league institution dedicated to providing a world-class education and raising the next generation of fearless leaders.

Access Holdings Plc is a leading multinational financial services group that offers commercial banking, lending, payment, insurance, and asset management services.

Headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, Access Holdings operates through a network of more than 700 branches and service outlets, spanning three continents, 20 countries, and 60+ million customers.

Access transitioned into a holding company to drive rapid growth and become a full-scale ecosystem player offering interconnected services across customer needs.

Established in 2022, Access
Holdings Plc consists of the Access Bank Group; Access Pensions; a Payment and Switching Services Company; a Digital Lending Company, and an Insurance Brokerage Company.

The banking vertical serves its various markets through four business segments: Retail, Business, Commercial and Corporate, and has enjoyed what is it arguably Africa’s most successful banking growth trajectory in the last eighteen years, becoming one of Africa’s largest retail banks by customer base and Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest bank by total assets.

Access Holdings strives to deliver sustainable economic growth that is profitable, environmentally responsible, and socially relevant, helping customers to access more and achieve their dreams.

Source: Ghana News Agency