Day: March 10, 2024

Despite a generally difficult local and international economic?climate in 2023, the Tema Port handled 18 million tonnes of cargo while the Takoradi Port handled eight million tonnes.

That was a boost in performance in the second half of the year after a dormant first half.

Mr Michael Achagwe Luguje, the Director General, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), at a media forum, revealed that the cargo traffic through the Ports of Ghana in 2023 was only a million tonnes short of the 2022 figures.

However, the Takoradi Port performed better in 2023 than in the previous year.

He attributed the boost in performance in the second half to GPHA’s initiatives in collaboration with its external stakeholders, as well as general economic factors.

The initiative included the introduction of a scheme to peg exchange rates charged on transit goods at three-month intervals to avoid increased costs as a result of fluctuating rates.?

He said the Authority had earlier in 2023 engaged its stakeholders in Ghana and ship
ping lines to gather information and facts contributing to the decline in import figures and the findings had been presented to the economic management team of Ghana.

Mr Luguje expressed confidence that measures would be implemented to reduce the rising cost of doing business in Ghana’s seaports.?

He said often, people thought GPHA was to blame for the high cost of doing business, adding that the port charges only constituted 10 per cent of the total cost of clearance.

‘A good chunk of it comes from duties and statutory taxes; the government’s attention has been drawn to it, and they are looking at it to see what can be done to reduce it,’ he said.

‘Apart from that, other operators like shipping lines and freight forwarders also contribute to it.’

He reminded the business community that the cost of doing business in the logistics sector was directly related to the efficiency of port systems and infrastructure.

That was why the GPHA was vigorously pursuing measures to augment ports’ efficiency in a bid t
o make Ghana the preferred hub in the sub-region.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI), has provided capacity building in groundnut seed production for 60 women producers to ensure high quality crop.

The women, selected from two Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA) groups in the Mion District of the Northern Region, were trained to meet the demand of improved seeds in the district.

The training was part of the Africa Dryland Crops Project implemented by CIMMYT- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre.

It was led by Mr. Abdul Rashid Issah, a Seed Systems Specialist at CSIR-SARI.

The participants were sensitised on practices including variety and site selection, good agronomic practices and seed certification standards, as well as harvesting and drying techniques, aflatoxin management, seed storage and marketing.

Mr Tou Moses Sampanbire, the Agriculture Extension Officer, Mion District, said there were numerous advantages in investing in groundnut production because it wa
s a lucrative source of revenue generation.

Mr Elijah Tanyan, the Secretary of the VSLA groups, on behalf of the participants, said the training was important in enhancing knowledge on groundnut seed production for improved yield.

He hoped the training would help increase the accessibility of the seeds in the district.

The VLSA groups were psyched on purchasing and loaning foundation seeds to members during the next production season using the groups’ savings.

They were also linked to seed companies where they could serve as out-growers.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Blakk Rasta, a Ghanaian reggae artiste and broadcaster, has said patriotism is a critical ingredient needed in every society to propel its development.

He, therefore, called on Ghanaians to inculcate in themselves the spirit of patriotism to make Ghana a better and attractive country and minimise the rate of migration, especially among the youth.

Blakk Rasta said some people, especially the youth, believed that Ghana was not good enough for them and therefore migrating to other countries for greener pastures.

‘Without patriotism, we can build all the factories in the world. Presidents can undertake development projects, but nothing will happen,’ the Barrack Obama hit maker, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.

He said ‘Patriotism is the backbone of every society. If you are patriotic, you will not steal from the nation. All the youth are running to the Western countries.

‘It is all because they believe that their country is nothing to write home about. There
is still hope, with patriotism, some other people will be so interested in running into our country,’ he said.

Blakk Rasta, who released a 20-track new music album, titled the ‘Salaga Soljah’, is on a nationwide tour dubbed; ‘My dear Ghana tour.’

The tour was intended to whip up the spirit of patriotism among students in Senior High Schools and members of the public on the streets and in market centres across the 16 Regions of Ghana.

‘We have to stand firm and make sure Ghana works,’ Blakk Rasta, who is also the host of the ‘Urban Blend’ show on 3FM in Accra, insisted.

Touching on this year’s Presidential and Parliamentary elections, Blakk Rasta said he was expecting a peaceful election devoid of the sale of the consciences of electorates, saying, a situation that had caused Ghana to stagger all these years.

He encouraged the electorate to vote for people with sustainable vision for the growth of the country.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Seven Paramount Chiefs from Nzema and Ahanta areas in the Western Region, have given Professor Audrey Gadzekpo, a seven-day ultimatum to appear before the Regional House of Chiefs to retract and apologise for her homosexuality comment on Nzema culture.

Prof Gadzekpo, Board Chair of the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD Ghana), and also the Dean at the Faculty of Communication Studies, University of Ghana, on March 02, 2024, made allegations on Joy News File that ‘certain aspects of Nzema culture support homosexuality.’

Reacting to the matter, the Paramount chiefs said the scathing attacks and unsavoury comment by the CDD Ghana Board Chair, had the potential to denigrate the culture, history, tradition, and image of the Nzema people.

Awulae Amihere Kpanyinli III, Paramount Chief of Eastern Nzema Traditional Area, was addressing a news conference, at Sekondi, to register their displeasure over the comment.

He was flanked by the Vice President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs and Paramount Chief
of Gwira Traditional Area, Awulae Angama Tu-Agyan II, Paramount Chief of Lower Axim Traditional Area, Awulae Attibrukusu III, and Nana Kobina Nketsia V, Paramount Chief of Essikado Traditional Area.

The rest were Awulae Annor Adjaye III, Paramount Chief of Western Nzema Traditional Area, Awulae Agyevi Kwame II, Paramount Chief of Nsein Traditional Area and Nana Kwesi Agyemang IX, Paramount Chief of Lower Dixcove Traditional Area.

According to Awulae Kpanyinli III, as chiefs and custodians of Nzema customs and traditions, they were ready to vehemently debunk false and damaging allegations that sought to stain the history of their ethnic group.

He said: ‘We expected an academic Professor of Prof Audrey Gadzekpo’s calibre to exhibit a modicum of fair mindedness and objectivity as well as an absence of a rash motivation of an insatiable desire to join other forces to impose a Western norm on Ghana.’

He continued: ‘With particular reference to Nzema marriage, customs and practice, the work is too trivial to be
used to rationalise Prof Audrey Gadzekpo’s continued advocacy for Ghanaians to accept LGBT+ through the unfortunate and ill-informed suggestion that homosexuality and same sex marriage is a norm and part of Nzema culture.’

The Paramount Chief stated that the Nzema of both Ghana and La Côte D’Ivoire did not condone and practice homosexuality since it was as a social aberration.

‘There is and has never been a place for homosexuality and same sex marriage in Nzema culture,’ Awulae Kpanyinli III noted.

He said the outlandish claim by Prof Gadzekpo was, therefore, baseless, troubling and damaging to the Nzema people and their ancestors, saying; ‘marriage has always been and still remains a union of male and female, and never a union between same sex.’

He commended Ghana’s Parliament for passing the anti-LGBTQ+ bill and prayed for the President to assent it into law.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Penyi Akpatoeme Youth Association, has donated three desktop computers to the Akpatoeme Basic School.

The donation forms part of the Association’s ‘One classroom, One desktop computer’ initiative.

M Ernest Ahiabli, the lead initiator of the project, disclosed to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the gesture was part of their commitment to enhancing computer literacy of the students.

He lamented the lack of computers in the school for the past years.

‘Our students don’t have computers, but they are writing ICT exams. They have to use stones and other materials in place of real computers to learn. It is a pity,’ he stated.

Mr Ahiabli, however, stated that they would not wait for the Government to do everything for the school, hence their efforts to procure some of the computers for the students as a starter.

He mentioned that ‘the association would endeavour to procure 20 more desktop computers for the Akpatoeme Basic School before the end of the year.’

He also lauded the members of the association fo
r their contributions and urged them to keep offering their support until their agenda was fully enrolled.

Mr Mawuli Ahiabli Fiator, one of the leaders of the Association, called on the administration of the school to take good care of the computers.

He also gave the assurance that the association would provide more computers to the Akpatoeme Basic School and other schools in the neighboring communities.

Mr Fiator called on corporate Ghana to support the association to get more computers for the school.

He thanked the chiefs and elders of Penyi Akpatoeme for their support.

Mr Daniel Kodzo, the Headteacher of the Akpatoeme Basic School, received the items and expressed his gratitude on behalf of the school to the association.

He pledged to ensure that the items were used purposefully.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) in the Ashaiman District has discovered a total of 130 illegal infractions of power supply within its operational area.

The illegal connections were discovered during a three-day revenue mobilisation exercise embarked upon by the district office of the company.

Mr Kissi Ohenebeng, the Ashaiman District Manager of ECG, briefing the media, said that summonses had been issued to the customers who had already started reporting to their office to rectify the illegalities identified.

Mr Ohenebeng said with the support of staff from eight other districts as well as the Tema Regional Office of the company, they had visited over 5000 customers.

He said the company would explore legal means should customers default in payments of surcharges, adding that ‘illegal connection is stealing, which makes it a criminal offence.’

He cautioned customers to desist from such acts, as the consequences could be unpleasant when they were caught.

Mr Daniel Asare-Mensah, the Acting General M
anager of the ECG Tema Region, encouraged customers to be ready to pay for their power consumption and on time to avoid debt build-up.?

Mr Asare-Mensah indicated that similar exercises with support from the region’s workforce would be replicated in the other districts, stating that the Afienya and Prampram districts were next to run such special revenue mobilisation exercises.

The ECG Tema Region has eight districts, namely, Ashaiman, Tema North, Tema South, Afienya, Prampram, Ada, Nungua, and Juapong-Krobo districts.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Kwame Anane Frempong, the Founder of Pan African Centre for Climate Policy has called for the continuous amplify the voices of women in environmental enterprise, to build a more sustainable future for all.

He said women historically, had been at the forefront of movements for environmental conservation and sustainability, advocating for policies and practices that protected the planet for future generations.

‘It is crucial that we continue to empower and support women in their efforts to promote environmental education and lifelong learning,’ he said.

He advocated for further commitment towards amplifying their support for their work and promoting gender equality in all aspects of these efforts to build a more sustainable future for all.

Speaking with the Ghana News Agency at an event to mark the International Women’s Day, Mr Frempong acknowledged the contributions of women in environmental education and lifelong learning.

‘We also acknowledge the unique perspectives and voices that women bring to the
table when it comes to addressing environmental challenges,’ he added.

Mr Frempong said the creativity of women, empathy, and innovative thinking are invaluable assets in finding solutions to complex environmental issues.

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He encouraged society to unite in creating a world where women were empowered to make positive impacts on the environment and inspire others to do the same.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Rev. Jean-Paul Agidi, the Minister in charge of the Akim Tafo District of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana, said leadership is not about personal achievements, but people centered achievements.

He urged leaders at all levels to keep the people they lead in mind.

Rev. Agidi stated this in an online sermon he delivered on the theme: ‘The City and its People’.

‘Leadership is beyond infrastructure development, it is about the people and until they are safe and secure our leadership is incomplete,’ he noted.

Rev. Agidi said it was unfortunate that some leaders, when talking about achievements, made reference to their personal efforts and records without reflecting on the impact they had made on the people they lead.

Rev. Agidi said the greatest achievement of a good leader was when the people he or she led were satisfied, secured and had hope of a better future.

‘The people must experience love, security, success and long-lasting impacts in their lives as a result of our leadership,’ he said.

He r
eferred to the impactful leadership of Nehemiah on his people and the servant leadership style of Jesus Christ, which were perfect examples.

He called on leaders to always receive guidance from God.

The leader and the people were interdependent and played complementary roles to achieve a common goal.

Rev. Agidi, therefore, called on the people to support those who dedicate their time, efforts and lives to lead them in achieving a common goal.

Source: Ghana News Agency