Day: June 11, 2024

Fidelity Bank Ghana, the largest privately-owned Ghanaian bank, received two prestigious awards at the 13th Ghana Information Technology and TelcomAwards (GITTA).

Mr Julian Opuni, Managing Director, Fidelity Bank, was recognised as the Financial Inclusion Leader, while the Bank’s innovative WhatsApp Banking Assistant, Kukua, secured the Digital Chatbot Platform of the Year award.

The award for Financial Inclusion Leadership recognises Mr Opuni’s dedication to bringing banking services to the unbanked population in Ghana, a press release issued to the Ghana News Agency, Tuesday, said

Commenting on the award, the Managing Director highlighted Fidelity Bank’s numerous initiatives aimed at expanding financial inclusion.

‘This award is a testament to our relentless pursuit of bringing banking to the unbanked in Ghana,’ he said, and pointed to the Bank’s pioneering Smart Account, launched in 2013.

It requires minimal documentation and facilitates a five-minute account opening process.

He also emphasised the s
uccess of Fidelity Bank’s industry-leading agency banking network, the largest in the country with more than 6,000 active agents.

Mr Opuni again highlighted the Bank’s Interactive Voice Response (IVR) digital platform, which had reached over 500,000 individuals, and its digital reactivation programme that empowers remote-area customers to reactivate dormant accounts.

He announced the upcoming launch of a self-service digital loan product designed for the mass market, which further solidifies Fidelity Bank’s commitment to financial inclusion.

The recognition for Fidelity’s innovative WhatsApp Banking Assistant, Kukua, underscored the transformative power of chatbots in enhancing customer service within the financial services industry.

‘We’re delighted to receive this award for Kukua. Since launching in 2020, we have witnessed a dramatic shift in how our customers interact with the bank,’ Mr Opuni stated.

‘Over 200,000 users rely on Kukua as their trusted 24/7 customer care agent, offering them unparallele
d convenience and accessibility.

‘Kukua simplifies everyday banking tasks, allowing customers to open accounts instantly, pay bills, transfer funds between Fidelity accounts, and check current exchange rates, all through the familiar platform of WhatsApp…

‘We are constantly working to expand Kukua’s capabilities, ensuring it remains a valuable and trusted resource for our customers.’

Fidelity Bank’s impressive performance at the GITTA awards on Friday, June 7, adds to their leadership in both financial inclusion and customer service innovation.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) Training Centre, in collaboration with Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL), USA, has organised a one-day seminar on innovative solutions and ideas.

The seminar held at the ECG Training Centre in Tema was under the International Technical Exchange programme.

It was aimed at improving modern trends in power systems for the electricity distribution sector in the sub-region.

Participants at the seminar included officers of the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo), Northen Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), ECG, the Volta River Authority (VRA), and the Bui Power Authority.

Experts and professionals at the seminar held discussions on transformer monitoring and control, micro-grid power plant controller applications, as well as powerful computing and software for distribution management.

Other areas covered included the use of travelling waves to locate faults on transmission lines.

Mr. Godfred Mensah, the Director of the ECG Training Centre, in an address, en
couraged participants to take advantage of the seminar and show enthusiasm towards the knowledge to be shared.

Mr. Sthit Sharma, the team leader of SEL, together with his colleagues, took participants through the various topics of discussion.

Participants, during an open session, shared their experiences on the various topics and provided input on the technologies that were discussed to enhance their work.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Concerned Youth of Keta in the Volta Region has appealed to the Inspector General of Police to launch an investigation into an alleged Police brutality leading to the death of their colleague, who died in Police custody.

This, they said, would enable the Ghanaian people to build greater trust and confidence in the Police within the Municipality.

Mr Fosman Doe, the Convenor of the group, in a press conference at Keta-Deviame, called for swift action against all officers involved in the alleged assault leading to the death of Mr Jerry Kpesenu, a landlord at Keta.

‘We the concerned and law-abiding youth, both home and abroad, gather here today with heavy hearts to address the barbaric, unprofessional, and inhumane act by some police officers at the Keta Police division.’

He said the untimely death of Mr Kpesenu popularly known as Maya in a police cell called for proper investigations to unravel the actual death of the deceased.

Mr Doe alleged that the deceased was brutally assaulted and manhandled in hi
s residence by the police.

‘A professional invitation to our brother to report himself at the Police station on an issue against him would have saved all pain and grief to us.’

The youth demanded that the IGP immediately interdict the officers in the alleged murder case to pave the way for thorough investigations into the circumstances leading to the death of the deceased.

They demanded that the IGP set up a five-member committee including families of the deceased and a youth representative Keta to aid in the investigation.

They also requested for an independent autopsy to be conducted to ascertain the cause of death.

The youth have given the IGP a seven-day ultimatum to address their grievances and take charge of all funeral arrangements.

The late Kpesenu was allegedly tortured and arrested by the Keta Police on Thursday, June 6, in his residence after a complaint was lodged against him for ceasing tools belonging to an electrician, who visited the premises to fix an air-condition in one of his tenant’
s rooms.

Informational gathered by the Ghana News Agency indicated that the tenant failed to inform the deceased about plans to install an air-condition, whilst a complaint was later lodged leading to his arrest.

The deceased was later pronounced dead in Police custody after an arrest was affected.

However, the Police at Keta are yet to comment on the matter.

The deceased’s body has since been deposited at the Keta Hospital morgue awaiting autopsy.

GNA’s information shows that the current incident brings to four, Police brutality and high-handedness on suspects in their custody in the last 12 months, with similar cases in Akatsi, Ho, and Hohoe, not receiving justice.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Guests started arriving at the palace at about 11 am on Sunday. Planning committee members hurriedly put finishing touches to seating arrangements and other protocols at the forecourt.

Two royal guards were spotted around the seat to be occupied by the Ga Mantse, ostensibly to ensure nobody tampered with security in that area.

Talking drums were in tune for the occasion as the muscular men on duty made them produced heavy and pleasant rhythm, serenading dignitaries seated and adorned in radiant Kente and other traditional costumes.

King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II was receiving the overlord of the Ashanti Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and everything had to be in order. The Asantehene’s visit to the Ga State happened some 78 years after his predecessors had done same.

Weeks before the royal visit, the Ga Mantse and his entourage had travelled to Manhyia Palace to present assorted items, including a ram, on the 25th leadership anniversary of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and it was time for the custodian of the Ashanti
land to reciprocate the gesture.

The grand durbar, which attracted hundreds of dignitaries and citizens from both regions, only solidified the cordial relationship between the two distinguished traditional rulers.

It also signified unity and collaboration between the people of both regions and beyond.

For about three hours, participants witnessed the chemistry of beautiful Ga and Ashanti cultures, depicted through drumming, music and dance.

Perhaps, the Asafo companies (traditional warriors) should have warned the invited guests to come with earmuff or headphones because they were going to be ‘bombarded’ every minute with traditional gun salutes, delivered by muskets at the square.

As host, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru and his entourage paved the way to the forecourt and greeted observers from far and near, awaiting proceedings of the historic meeting.

The Ga Mantse’s team included the Paramount Chief of Sempe, Nii Adote Otintor II, other Paramount Chiefs, Queens, and Priestesses of the Ga State. The Gbese M
antse and Adonten of the Ga State, Nii Ayi-Bonte II, also featured prominently.

An attractive all-white group of maidens carrying calabashes lined with white feathers led the procession of the Ga Royals, and clearly caught the gaze of persons experiencing that aspect of Ga tradition for the first time.

Mr Henry Quartey, Minister of the Interior together with some government officials and members of the Ga Traditional Council, subsequently took turns to pay homage to His Royal Majesty King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II.

At about 1 pm, the sirens and dispatch riders ushered in the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and his eminent team of traditional rulers, appearing in colorful Kente and radiant ornaments.

After all traditional permissions and clearance were granted, the royal guests from Ashanti took their seats on a special dais provided at the forecourt.

Traditional, Christian, and Muslim religious leaders blessed the durbar before Nii Ayi-Bonte proceeded to officially welcome Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. Several digni
taries later lined up to pay homage to the Asantehene.

Part of the customs at the gathering required Nii Kwashie Gborlor IV, Chief of Ngleshie Amanfro, to perform the ‘Obonu’ dance, a special Ga traditional dance reserved for special occasions. The ‘Kple’ ritual dance performed by Ga women also had its place during the celebration.

State security agencies on duty ensured the gathering was peaceful as history was re-enacted on Sunday, June 9, 2024.

All of that culminated in Otumfuo Osei Tutu’s generous contribution of GHS 500,000 to an educational endowment fund in the Ga State to help cater for needs of children, who he described as ‘the future’ of the region.

The Asantehene was instructive when he stated that chieftaincy was ‘no longer about war and conquering territories’ but a push for progress and development of the nation.

Expressing readiness to offer support, he noted that the decade-long relationship between both regions would be sustained.

Otumfuo again sealed his pledge, donating assorted item
s and cash towards the 2024 Homowo celebrations.

King Tackie Teilko Tsuru was honoured by the respect shown to him and his people and thanked the Asantehene for the financial support and called for unity among the people of the Ga State.

For Mr Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus Glover, Greater Accra Regional Minister, said the Ga State was privileged to host the Ashanti King, and would tap into his rich expertise.

He described the Asantehene’s reign as ‘an epitome of peace and symbol of quality leadership,’ saying the Ashanti King had made chieftaincy ‘beautiful’.

The beauty of the celebration goes beyond the Ga and Ashanti Kingdom. It was an occasion worth emulating by other traditional rulers as the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu and King Tackie Teiko Tsuru renewed a significant bond of friendship and brotherhood.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The people of Abura Brenyi in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese District of the Central Region have appealed to the Ghana Highways Authority to quickly correct a sharp curve on the road between Abura Tsetsi and Mankessim to halt rampant accidents in the community.

According to Nana Kwame Tawiah Okuragya I, Odikro, the sharp curve had claimed lives and destroyed properties in recent times.

Furthermore, he said a vehicle approaching the sharp curve with speed could crash a pedestrian trying to cross from the opposite direction because visibility had been blocked by some buildings very close to the road.

He, therefore, called on relevant authorities to ensure the road was cleared to ensure safety for users.

The Odikro also appealed to the contractor working on the road to put dust suspension mechanisms in place to reduce the impact of dust on the health of people in the community.

Nana Okuragya appealed to pedestrians to be extra vigilant and not allow drivers to endanger their lives.

According to the National Ro
ad Safety Authority in the Central Region, there had been a significant reduction in road crash-related deaths in 2024 with 204 for the first half of the year, compared with 214 in 2023.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Professor Kofi Ewusie Nunoo, Coordinator of Ocean Governance Project, University of Ghana School of Law has tasked pupils to plant and nurture trees in homes and schools to curb the devastating effects of climate change.

Prof. Nunoo said the shift in Ghana’s raining season and this year’s heavy rains amidst storms, were all due to climate change.

He was speaking at a tree planting exercise at Osu Manhean Basic School in Accra. The exercise was to mark World Environment Day held on the theme: ‘Accelerating Land Restoration, Draught Resilience and Desertification Progress.’

Prof. Nunoo said trees, apart from providing humankind with food and making the environment beautiful, curb climate change.

He said the tree planting exercise should be sustained at all levels to save the environment, and further asked the public to desist from dumping waste into the sea and other river bodies.

Ms. Laureen Darku, Environment Manager, Tullow Ghana Limited, said her organisation had partnered Women in Water Sanitation and
Climate Change to plant ornamental and vegetable trees.

Ms. Darku said 250 seedlings were to be planted by the pupils, adding her organization wants to bring back ‘backyard gardens’ into various schools.

She said: ‘We want to plant things that would beautify our environment and bring back the responsibility of nurturing trees.

‘From here we expect the students will be able to take care of these gardens. We should be able to go backyard gardens and pick up tomatoes and other vegetables.’

According to Ms. Darku, her organisation took care of land reclamation but had decided to provide support for schools in beautifying the school environment.

Ms. Sandra S. Kyere, Executive Director, Women in Water Sanitation and Climate Change, said her organisation was motivated to planting trees to restore degraded lands and recover buffer zones in the country.

She said her organisation had partnered some organisations to support public schools in their beautification projects.

Ms. Kyere said although Osu Manhean Schoo
l in the Korley Klottey Municipal Directorate was selected for the tree planting exercise, the project would be extended to other schools.

She said her organization would also provide waste bins to some schools to facilitate waste segregation.

The tree planting exercise was undertaken by Women in Water Sanitation and Climate Change in partnership with Tullow Ghana Limited, Modec Production Service JV Limited, University of Ghana Oceans Governance Project and Society of Petroleum Engineers.

Source: Ghana News Agency