Category: General

The European Union (EU) has committed EUR 32 million to boost vaccine production in Ghana under the Manufacturing and Access to Vaccines, Medicines and Health Technologies in Africa Initiative (MAV+).

The MAV+ is a global initiative backed by the EUR 1 million from the EU budget and the European Investment Bank to help create an enabling environment for local vaccines manufacturing in Africa.

Mr Irchad Razaaly, Ambassador of the European Union to Ghana, who was speaking at an event held in Accra to announce the support, said the funds would tackle barriers on both vaccine supply and demand.

He said the MAV+ existed because the EU acknowledged the complexity and urgent needs of the vaccine manufacturing sector.

‘A country that aspires to become a vaccine-manufacturing hub needs a 360-degree approach that is aimed at establishing a thriving ecosystem for the production of vaccine and drugs,’ he said.

In April this year, the EU through the European Investment Bank (EIB), provided five million as seed grant
funding to the vaccine -manufacturing unit at DEK vaccine limited.

Mr Razaaly said the EU also joined the German Development Corporation in a project aimed at upgrading the vaccine licensing capacity of Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).

Vaccine licensing, he said, was crucial to ensuring that vaccines made in Ghana met the quality standards that would see them gaining access to regional and global markets.

He said about weeks ago, the GAVI Board approved the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator, a financing instrument that would make up to USD 1 billion available support for sustainable vaccine manufacturing.

He said with the above support and others from for the EU and development partners, Ghana was well positioned to access the resources needed to continue its ambitious vaccine manufacturing agenda.

Mr Razaaly said the EU looked forward to supporting Ghana to develop a national vaccine policy to help lay down conditions for the government’s take-off of domestically produced vaccines.

Dr An
thony Nsiah-Asare, Presidential Advisor on Health, said the government was working tirelessly to ensure that Ghana became a vaccine manufacturing hub.
Source: Ghana News Agency

The Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union (ICU) Ghana has urged the government to take quick and needful measures to reverse the economic conundrum currently plaguing the country and bring the requisite economic relief to the people.

Mr Morgan Ayawine, the General Secretary, commended the government for taking steps to bailout certain distressed State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), especially, the National Investment Bank upon appeal by the Union.

It is to empower them to play their traditional roles in the economic scheme of Ghana to help grow and develop the national economy.

The General-Secretary in his Christmas and New Year message said the year 2023 had been fraught with dire economic vagaries ranging from hyperinflation to high lending rate engendering economic downturn in the country.

He said it adversely affected the real income of workers and drastically reduced workers’ purchasing power and this situation had left both workers and the citizenry in a social and economic quagmire.

‘Admittedly, the
economic downtown and its negative ramifications on businesses has caused attrition in sustainable employment and hampered new job creation thus exacerbating the already precarious unemployment situation and increasing the dependency rate and poverty levels in the country,’ he added.

He expressed appreciation to the social partners for their unreserved gratitude to the good Employers for their understanding and effective collaboration with the union for sustainable employment which brought about increased productivity and business profitability for economic progress.

He cautioned other employers, who were bent on pushing their agenda of outsourcing and casualization of jobs to destroy sustainable employment and amass abnormal profits thus jeopardizing the future financial security of workers to mend their ways and conform to the labour laws.

He urged gallant workers who were the pivot of the growth and development of the national economy, to press on and work harder in their efforts despite the current vic
issitudes of the economy until ‘we win the war over factors militating against full recovery of businesses and economic prosperity of the Ghanaian workforce.’
Source: Ghana News Agency

The Tarkwa Circuit Court has remanded a front desk officer of Access bank, Tarkwa branch, for dishonestly appropriating a cash sum of GH?9,190.57 belonging to a customer of the bank.

Edmond Nashiru, 30, in his statement to the police, said he needed money to organise a church programme, hence he resorted to the criminal act to raise funds.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge and his lawyer, Mr Bright Baiden, prayed the court, presided over by Mrs Hathie Ama Manu, to grant his client bail but that was declined, and the case adjourned to December 28, 2023.

The prosecutor, Chief Inspector Joseph Lartey, said the complaint was made by the management of Access Bank, Tarkwa branch, and Nashiru was the first point of call for customers who visited the bank with issues to be addressed.

He said on November 22, 2023, management of the bank reported to the police that, Daniel Atigah, a witness and customer, lodged a complainant that a total amount of GH? 9,190.57 had been withdrawn from his account.

Accor
ding to prosecution, management quickly activated an audit management team to investigate the issue and report their findings.

The team’s report indicated that Nashiru was responsible for the withdrawal so a formal complaint was lodged with the police and he was arrested to assist in investigations.

The prosecutor said on July 3, 2023, while Nashiru was on duty, Atigah went to the banking hall and complained of an error with his Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card, and he directed him to fill a form requesting for a new card without his knowledge.

The problem persisted and Atigah went back to the bank for it to be rectified but Nashiru was not on duty and a different staff issued another ATM card to him, the prosecutor said.

He said Nashiru took custody of the other ATM card, which he intentionally assisted Atigah to apply for and was using it to make withdrawals from his account.
Source: Ghana News Agency

The Ministry of Finance has launched its Women’s Mentoring Programme with a call on the mentees to embrace the opportunities that the programme presents to develop and grow their careers.

Mrs Abena Osei-Asare, a Deputy Minister of Finance said, ‘Your potential is boundless, and with collective support, we will create an environment that will enable you to grow and glow.’

She expressed confidence that the mentoring platform would provide women with an opportunity for learning as well as enable the Ministry to transfer leadership and management skills to the intended staff.

‘It will be a powerful catalyst for the professional growth of our female staff and this initiative will be more than just a guiding hand; it will be a partnership built on trust, mutual respect, and the shared pursuit of excellence,’ she added.

The Deputy Minister said as they navigate the exciting journey together, ‘Let us try to embody the key themes that encapsulate the spirit of the Mentorship Series, Empowerment, Collaboration, and
Resilience.’

She said that importantly, the Ministry would reap some critical benefits and according to European Union’s Women Empowerment Principles, 95 per cent of staff with mentors self-report that their productivity increases; employees without mentoring support were 35 per cent, more likely to leave their jobs than employees who had participated in mentoring programmes.

’77 per cent of companies indicate that mentoring programmes decreased brain drain,’ she added.

She said in addition to these, ‘we must also recall that, compared to other employees, mentors are also more likely to report greater job satisfaction and organizational commitment and have greater career success and report an increase in work-related fulfilment.’

She commended the leadership that has put such a bold vision into action: a vision to create a conveyor belt of strong and competent women in the Ministry and the nation over generations to come.

She recommended the ‘G-R-O-W model’ which was a four-step structure, which is – Goa
l, Reality, Options and Wrap-up.

She said it used key elements to create an effective conversation and its core characteristics were Goal, Reality, Option and Wrap-up.

She said the initiative stands as a testament to the Ministry’s forward-looking approach, providing a structured platform for the talented women of our organization to receive the support and guidance necessary for their continued success.

Dr Mrs Stella Agyenim-Boateng, the Vice Chairperson, of the Public Services Commission commended the leadership of the Ministry for the initiative to support young women into leadership roles.

She called on the mentees to be committed to the initiative and ensure it did not fail and urged all parties in the partnership to take their responsibilities seriously.

Ms Eva Mends, Chief Director of the Ministry of Finance, said the Ministry had created a conducive environment for women to contribute to the growth and development of the country.

She said the programme was an intentional approach and interventio
n to support young women in taking advantage of opportunities delivered on the mandate.

The Chief Director urged the mentees to always be prepared, present and reliable for opportunities.
Source: Ghana News Agency

The Central Business District of Takoradi is geared up for this

year’s Yuletide as traders begin to occupy every space, including sidewalks, with their

goods.

Along the streets, one could easily tell that the metropolis was ready for the yuletide.

Shoes, red hats, toys and different shapes and sizes of hampers, drinks, biscuits, wrappers,

and firecrackers among other things were on display.

A visit by the Ghana News Agency to the Takoradi Mall and some big shops in the area saw

enthusiastic crowd doing some shopping ahead of the festive season.

The GNA also observed some prices of goods were discounted to get more customers to

purchase.

Some shops too were giving out gifts to customers to show appreciation to them for their

service and loyalty throughout the year.

Some traders told the GNA that though people were not trooping in large numbers to shop,

they hoped the atmosphere would change by the weekend.

Madam Elizabeth Opare, a gift shop owner, said business had not been good as expected,

esp
ecially for this year’s Christmas.

‘Few people had placed orders of different kinds of gifts for loved ones, we hope for a good

turnout,’ she said.

‘I also think because parents and guardians are enrolling their wards in various senior high

schools, we are not getting the numbers expected to patronise our goods.’

Madam Abigail Adjei, a boutique shop owner, urged customers and the public to be on

guard, especially when buying online.

‘Certain individuals will use this festive season to scam people, thus the public should

beware of online marketing fraudsters’ she said.

Some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) had also seized the opportunity to organise

health screening for people ahead of the festive season to aid in a healthy celebration.

Christmas is celebrated across the world to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ and

served as a period of reunion for most families across the world.
Source: Ghana News Agency

The Most Reverend Dr. Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith, the Primate and Metropolitan Archbishop of the Church of the Province of West Africa (CPWA), Anglican Communion, has called on Christians to embrace the spirit of compassion and generosity this Christmas.

‘During this season, may the light of Christ illuminate our hearts and guide us on the path of righteousness. Let us embrace the spirit of compassion and generosity, reaching out to those in need and sharing the blessings bestowed upon us,’ the Archbishop said in his 2023 Christmas message.

He urged the Christian Communion to let their unity and faith strengthen the bonds that connects them, transcending borders and differences.

Archbishop Ben-Smith said amidst the festivities and the exchange of gifts, Christians must not lose sight of the true essence of Christmas – a celebration of love, hope, and redemption.

He stated that the nativity story reminded Christians that God’s greatest gift to humanity was to be born in a humble manger, emphasizing the simplic
ity and purity of divine love.

Archbishop Ben-smith, also the Archbishop of the Internal Province of Ghana (IpG), said in a world often filled with challenges and uncertainties, Christmas served as a beacon of hope.

‘Let the message of peace echoed by the angels at Christ’s birth resonate in our lives, inspiring us to be peacemakers in our communities and beyond,’ he added.

‘As we join in worship and celebration, may the love of Christ permeate every aspect of our existence. May the joy of Christmas be a source of comfort for those facing trials and a reason for gratitude among the fortunate,’ he prayed.
Source: Ghana News Agency

Major General Thomas Oppong-Peprah, Chief of the Army Staff, has asked personnel in the Army to remain focused and selfless in the performance of their duties, especially as the country heads for the polls in 2024.

‘2024 is also an election year, and you will be expected to support the conduct of peaceful elections. Our success will largely depend on sound intelligence and total commitment to defend our country at all cost.

‘Therefore, I urge all of you to keep your ears to the ground at all times and remain selfless and focused in the performance of your duties,’ he said.

Major General Oppong-Peprah said this in a speech read on his behalf by Brigadier General BB Owusu, Chief Staff Officer Army, at the end of year West African Soldiers Social Activity (WASSA) at the Headquarters Southern Command, Ghana Army.

The occasion offered an opportunity for the personnel to interact with each other, take stock of the passing year and plan for the future.

It was also used to award hardworking military and defence
civilian staff of the Command, who exhibited extraordinary work ethic in the past year.

‘If the level of commitment and loyalty that you have demonstrated over the year is anything to go by, then I am sure that we shall be successful in the conduct of our duties in the coming year as well,’ he said.

Major General Oppong-Peprah noted that a lot would be expected of the Army in 2024 in the area of Internal Security Operations such as the Operation HALT II, to stop illegal miners, who were degrading the environment in many parts of the country.

He commended the military leadership for the commitment shown towards the spiritual welfare of all ranks through the conduct of Non-Denominational Religious Services and weekly Padre Hours.

He admonished them to stay strong in their respective religious faith, love their neighbour, trust and obey all leaders, and hold their friends close and stand up for loved ones.

Brigadier General Samuel Yeboah Asare, the General Officer Commanding of the Headquarters Southern Com
mand, urged the command to continue to be disciplined and fearless in the discharge of all duties.

‘Avoid illegal one-man operations, and other activities and habits that will land you in trouble.

‘I also charge you all to join in the crusade to strengthen civil-military cooperation and to foster better relations with other sister security agencies.’ he added.
Source: Ghana News Agency

Legendary Ghanaian musician Kwame Kaakyire Fosu, popularly known as KK Fosu, has apologised to Samini and Kokoveli for not including them in the artiste’s line-up for his 25th anniversary pre-concert bash.

KK Fosu is billed to host a pre-concert bash at the De Place Bar and Restaurant in Sakumono on Monday, January 1, 2024, as he celebrates 25 years in the music industry.

The likes of Kwabena Kwabena, Tinny, Ras Kuuku, Kofi Nti, Ras Kuuku, Epixode, and Afriyie Wutah will grace the pre-concert bash ahead of the main concert slated later next year.

Speaking in an interview, KK Fosu revealed that the pre-concert was to make way for the main concert and was apologetic for not including his old friends Samini and Kokoveli, who were part of the ‘Trinity’ music group.

‘I saw a social media post that suggested that I had neglected Samini and Kokoveli, who were part of the Trinity music group. I actually wanted to make their appearance a surprise; I didn’t intend to snub them.

‘The January concert is just a prel
ude to the main concert, and I want my fans to turn and show me love as I celebrate my 25 years in the music industry,’ he said.

The upcoming 25-year pre-concert bash is an all-day event, with popular comedian DKB set to host the show.

The award-winning musician has graced the music scene for more than two decades and is considered one of the finest singers to emerge from Ghana.
Source:Ghana News Agency