November 17, 2023 – Senegal Newswire

Duck Creek ouvre la voie à une nouvelle ère de technologies basées sur le cloud pour les assureurs IARD grâce au service Azure OpenAI de Microsoft

L’intégration du service Azure OpenAI et l’utilisation de la plateforme low-code de Duck Creek permettront aux assureurs de moderniser leur entreprise de manière responsable

BOSTON, 16 nov. 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Duck Creek Technologies, le fournisseur de solutions intelligentes qui définit l’avenir du secteur de l’assurance générale et IARD (incendies, accidents et risques divers), annonce une initiative révolutionnaire en collaboration avec Microsoft. Cette collaboration est vouée à donner aux assureurs les moyens de réinventer leur activité en facilitant des processus de mise en œuvre et en accélérant la mise sur le marché grâce à l’intelligence artificielle (IA) générative, une technologie de transformation qui permet la création d’applications innovantes et de solutions low-code.

La plateforme complète de Duck Creek est construite sur Microsoft Azure, la technologie privilégiée pour exploiter la puissance du service Azure OpenAI, alors que les grands modèles de langage (LLM) continuent de redéfinir et de transformer l’environnement technologique. Cette collaboration constitue une avancée majeure dans le secteur de l’assurance, qui favorise l’innovation et l’efficacité et promet d’influencer la manière dont les assureurs mènent leurs activités et communiquent avec leurs clients. En conjuguant l’expertise de Duck Creek dans les solutions d’assurance et les capacités de pointe de Microsoft, cette collaboration vise à créer un avenir aux perspectives plus prometteuses et plus agiles pour l’ensemble du secteur de l’assurance.

« L’IA générative est véritablement une technologie de transformation, et nos fidèles clients bénéficieront énormément de ses puissantes capacités alors que nous continuons à promouvoir la modernisation du secteur de l’assurance. Notre objectif est de permettre aux assureurs de développer plus rapidement des produits innovants et d’aider les employés avec des outils d’IA », a déclaré Mike Jackowski, président-directeur général de Duck Creek Technologies. « Cette initiative marque un nouveau chapitre dans l’évolution de notre partenariat de longue date, qui nous permet de faire œuvre de pionnier dans ce domaine en réunissant les talents exceptionnels de Microsoft et de Duck Creek afin de développer des solutions technologiques de pointe pour les secteurs de l’assurance générale et IARD. Ce faisant, nous sommes déterminés à guider l’adoption de l’IA générative par le secteur de l’assurance et à résoudre les problèmes d’innovation auxquels les assureurs sont confrontés, tout en respectant les normes les plus strictes en matière de conformité réglementaire et de responsabilité éthique. »

Duck Creek exploite cette technologie émergente pour proposer des solutions innovantes adaptées aux assureurs, en les aidant à se tourner vers l’avenir grâce aux éléments suivants :

Des solutions Copilot alimentées par des données en temps quasi réel, qui permettent aux assureurs de prendre des décisions éclairées et de répondre rapidement et efficacement à l’évolution des conditions du marché.
De meilleurs outils de productivité qui renforcent l’efficacité et la productivité dans l’ensemble de l’écosystème de l’assurance, et qui profitent aux consommateurs, aux agents, aux souscripteurs et aux experts en sinistres.
Des outils de configuration low-code de nouvelle génération qui simplifient le développement et l’adoption de produits d’assurance, permettant aux assureurs d’accélérer leur mise sur le marché de nouvelles configurations et de configurations existantes.

« Duck Creek poursuivra ses efforts pour apporter une IA responsable au secteur de l’assurance et permettre une transformation rapide de l’entreprise vers une expérience plus humaine », a ajouté Jess Keeney, directrice des produits et des technologies chez Duck Creek Technologies. « Nous évaluons constamment les moyens d’intégrer nos solutions de manière plus transparente dans l’environnement opérationnel de nos clients, et nous sommes déterminés à obtenir des résultats significatifs et à relever des défis majeurs pour les entreprises. Duck Creek et Microsoft partagent tous deux la même volonté d’améliorer le parcours du client tout au long du cycle de vie de l’assurance. Cette évolution marque un tournant dans la manière dont les souscripteurs utilisent les données des consommateurs et procèdent à l’analyse des risques, dans l’efficacité du traitement des sinistres, dans la détection des fraudes et dans la capacité du secteur à répondre aux besoins des clients et à s’adapter rapidement en fonction de leurs réactions. »

« Les assureurs innovants veulent agir rapidement pour dégager une valeur commerciale tangible grâce à la puissance de l’IA générative », a commenté Bill Borden, vice-président des services financiers mondiaux chez Microsoft. « Nous nous réjouissons de renforcer notre collaboration avec Duck Creek. Elle nous permettra d’apporter de nouvelles capacités alimentées par l’IA générative pour aider nos clients communs dans le domaine de l’assurance à obtenir de nettes améliorations dans la productivité des employés, à réinventer la relation avec les clients et à redresser la courbe de l’innovation, de manière sécurisée et responsable. »

À propos de Duck Creek Technologies

Duck Creek Technologies est le fournisseur de solutions intelligentes qui définit l’avenir du secteur de l’assurance générale et IARD (incendies, accidents et risques divers). Notre plateforme, sur laquelle s’appuient les systèmes d’assurance modernes, permet au secteur de tirer parti de la puissance du cloud pour mener des opérations agiles, intelligentes et évolutives. Authenticité, détermination et transparence sont les mots clés de la philosophie de Duck Creek, et pour nous, l’assurance doit être au service des particuliers et des entreprises, au moment, à l’endroit et de la manière dont ils en ont le plus besoin. Nos solutions leaders sur le marché sont disponibles séparément ou sous la forme d’une suite complète, et toutes sont disponibles via Duck Creek OnDemand. Consultez le site www.duckcreek.com pour en savoir plus. Suivez l’actualité de Duck Creek sur nos réseaux sociaux – LinkedIn et Twitter.

Contact médias :
Carley Bunch
carley.bunch@duckcreek.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8981135

Duck Creek Introduz a Próxima Era de Tecnologia com Base em Nuvem para Seguradoras de P&C com o Serviço OpenAI da Microsoft Azure

Incorporação do Serviço Azure OpenAI e Uso da Plataforma Low-Code da Duck Creek Viabiliza que as Seguradoras se Modernizem de Forma Responsável

BOSTON, Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A Duck Creek Technologies, fornecedora de soluções inteligentes que definem o futuro do seguro de propriedades e acidentes (P&C) e geral, anuncia o lançamento de uma iniciativa revolucionária com a Microsoft. Essa colaboração capacita as seguradoras a reimaginar seus negócios, facilitando processos de implementação mais tranquilos e velocidade mais rápida no lançamento no mercado com a ajuda da inteligência artificial (IA) generativa – uma tecnologia transformadora que permite a criação de aplicativos e soluções low-code inovadoras.

A plataforma abrangente da Duck Creek é baseada na Microsoft Azure, a tecnologia preferida para a utilização da capacidade do Serviço Azure OpenAI, à medida que grandes modelos de linguagem (LLMs) continuam a redefinir e moldar o cenário tecnológico. Isso representa um salto significativo no setor de seguros, pois incentiva a inovação e a eficiência que prometem influenciar a forma como as seguradoras conduzem seus negócios e se envolvem com os clientes. Com a combinação da experiência da Duck Creek em soluções de seguros com os recursos de ponta da Microsoft, essa colaboração visa criar um futuro mais brilhante e ágil para todo o setor de seguros.

“A IA generativa é uma tecnologia verdadeiramente transformadora, e nossos clientes tão importantes se beneficiarão imensamente das suas capacidades potentes à medida que continuamos a impulsionar a modernização do setor de seguros. Nosso objetivo é capacitar as seguradoras para que possam inovar seus produtos mais rapidamente e ajudar os funcionários com ferramentas de IA”, disse Mike Jackowski, Diretor Executivo da Duck Creek Technologies. “Isso dá início ao próximo capítulo na evolução da nossa parceria de longa data, na qual somos pioneiros no espaço, unindo o talento excepcional da Microsoft e da Duck Creek no desenvolvimento de soluções de tecnologia de ponta para os setores de seguros de P&C e em geral. Estamos empenhados em liderar a adoção da IA generativa pelo setor de seguros e resolver os desafios com a inovação que as seguradoras enfrentam, mantendo os mais altos padrões de conformidade regulatória e responsabilidade ética.”

A Duck Creek está utilizando essa tecnologia emergente para selecionar soluções inovadoras para as seguradoras, ajudando-as a abraçar o futuro da tecnologia com:

Soluções Copilot alimentadas por dados quase em tempo real que capacitam as seguradoras a tomar decisões informadas e responder às mudanças das condições do mercado de forma rápida e eficaz.
Ferramentas de produtividade aprimoradas que aumentam a eficiência e a produtividade em todo o ecossistema de seguros, projetadas para beneficiar consumidores, agentes, subscritores e reguladores de sinistros.
A próxima era de ferramentas configuradoras low-code que simplificam o desenvolvimento e a adoção de produtos de seguros, permitindo que as seguradoras acelerem a colocação de configurações novas e contínuas no mercado.

“A Duck Creek continuará avançando a forma de utilizar o IA com responsabilidade no setor de seguros, viabilizando a rápida transformação dos negócios em direção a experiências humanizadas”, disse Jess Keeney, Diretora de Produtos e Tecnologia da Duck Creek Technologies. “Estamos avaliando consistentemente como nossas soluções podem se integrar mais integralmente aos cenários operacionais dos nossos clientes, e nos dedicamos a fornecer resultados significativos e enfrentar desafios comerciais importantes. Tanto a Duck Creek quanto a Microsoft compartilham uma dedicação comum para com o aprimoramento da jornada do cliente em todo o ciclo de vida do seguro. Isso é uma evolução significativa na forma como os subscritores utilizam os dados do consumidor e conduzem a análise de risco, eficiência do tratamento de sinistros, detecção de fraudes e capacidade do setor de atender às necessidades do cliente e de responder prontamente ao feedback.”

“As seguradoras inovadoras querem agir rapidamente para usar a capacidade da IA generativa para gerar valor comercial demonstrável”, disse Bill Borden, CVP da Worldwide Financial Services da Microsoft. “Estamos empolgados em aprofundar nossa colaboração com a Duck Creek na oferta de novos recursos de IA generativa para ajudar nossos clientes de seguros em conjunto a impulsionar melhorias marcantes na produtividade dos funcionários, reinventar o envolvimento do cliente e dobrar a curva da inovação – de forma segura e responsável.”

Sobre a Duck Creek Technologies

A Duck Creek Technologies é fornecedora de soluções inteligentes que definem o futuro do setor de seguros de propriedade e acidentes (P&C) e geral. Somos a plataforma utilizadas como base dos sistemas de seguros modernos, permitindo que a indústria capitalize o poder da nuvem para executar operações ágeis, inteligentes e perenes. Autenticidade, propósito e transparência são fundamentais para a Duck Creek, e acreditamos que o seguro deve estar disponível para indivíduos e empresas quando, onde e como eles mais precisarem. Nossas soluções líderes do mercado estão disponíveis de forma independente ou como um pacote completo disponíveis em Duck Creek OnDemand. Visite www.duckcreek.com para obter mais informação. Siga a Duck Creek nos nossos canais sociais para obter as mais recentes informações – LinkedIn e Twitter.

Contato com a Mídia:
Carley Bunch
carley.bunch@duckcreek.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8981135

ActionAid supports Konchuri school children with furniture

School Children at Konchuri Basic School in the Jirapa Municipality have been relieved of the challenge of inadequate furniture following a donation of 147 student furniture to the school by ActionAid Ghana (AAG) through its Child Sponsorship scheme.

The donation comprised mono and dual desks and hexagonal tables and chairs expected to benefit about 212 children in the school from Kindergarten to Junior High levels.

The student population of about 212 was managing about 30 benches gifted to the school by a philanthropist, which compelled the children to carry kitchen stools from their homes to the school.

Those who could not afford the chairs sat on the bare floor to receive academic instructions.

Speaking at a durbar at the community to hand over the furniture, Mr John Nkaw, the Country Director of ActionAid Ghana, said the situation hampered the effectiveness and quality of teaching and learning in the school.

He, therefore, expressed hope that the furniture would help aid effective teaching and learn
ing and contribute to improving the learning outcomes of the pupils.

Mr Nkaw explained that AAG, through its Public Policy Influencing Programme in the region, identified the furniture needs of the Koncuri Basic School after conducting a needs assessment and took the initiative to bridge the furniture gap.

The organisation also donated about 2000 school bags to the school children across 22 communities, including twelve communities in the Jirapa Municipality and eight communities in Lambussie District, with 336 children from Konchuri, Chacha and Guo Basic schools benefitting.

He said, ‘Let me indicate that the support being provided to the Konchuri Basic School has been made possible through the financial resources mobilised from the Child Sponsorship scheme.’

Nana Yaw Okyere Aduachie, the ActionAid Board Chairperson, urged the leadership of the Konchuri Community and the Ghana Education Service to strengthen their partnership with AAG in the region and Ghana to promote educational development.

Mr Huudu
A. Kunaateh, the Jirapa Municipal Education Director, commended AAG for its interventions in the municipality to help reduce the challenges in the educational sector.

He said the furniture deficit in the municipality currently stood at 9,763 even though the Municipal Assembly had made strides in providing furniture to the schools.

‘The lack of proper furniture has posed challenges to our students’ learning environment, hindering their focus and comfort in classrooms. But today, thanks to Action Aid Ghana, we stand on the brink of change’, Mr Kunaateh explained.

In a speech read on his behalf, Mr Nicholas Soyiri, the Jirapa Municipal Chief Executive, said the Municipal Assembly was collaborating with the Municipal Education Directorate to improve the quality of education in the municipality.

He said as part of the efforts, the assembly had procured 500 dual desks to be distributed to selected basic schools in the municipality.

Mr Bamile Francis, the Head teacher of the school said the support by AAG to th
e school would encourage enrolment of the children as the lack of educational materials including furniture discouraged some children from attending school.

Source: Ghana News Agency

MTN Ghana Foundation celebrates graduation of Bright Scholarship beneficiaries

Officials from the MTN Ghana Foundation were at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology to share in the joy of 14 beneficiaries of its Bright Scholarship programme, as they graduated after successfully completing their programmes.

It was a proud moment for the MTN officials as they watched students, they had invested in receiving their certificates to crown years of hard work and commitment to academic work.

The Bright Scholarship covers tuition, accommodation, research devices and stipend for reading materials of beneficiaries who are mostly pursuing science and information communication technology (ICT) related courses.

Hundreds of other beneficiaries are graduating in various public tertiary institutions across the country thanks to the intervention of the MTN Ghana Foundation.

The 14 graduands at the KNUST graduated with Doctor of Pharmacy, Doctor of Optometry, and Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, one of them graduating as the overall best student in medicine and surgery.

Twenty-thre
e-year-old Dr. Albert Kwaku Boahin who achieved that feat, praised the MTN Ghana Foundation for the critical role it played in his success story.

‘MTN helped me very much in achieving this feat because they sponsored me by taking care of my fees, accommodation and even provided stipends every term,’ he stated.

Dr. Adjoa Enyidado Hackman, who pursued Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, said it was tough for her during her clinical years with her parents facing financial challenges until MTN stepped in to bring her some relief.

‘The MTN support even boosted my academic performance because I did not have any need to think about the financial aspect of my academics, so it really helped me,’ she testified.

She thanked the MTN Foundation and its stakeholders on behalf of her colleagues for the life changing intervention granted them.

Mr. Robert Kudzoe, Senior manager, MTN Ghana Foundation, expressed delight for the impact the investment made in the students after seeing them graduate.

‘This means that the inves
tment we made in these students has not gone to waste and these young people are going to add to the human resource of the country,’ Mr. Kudzoe noted.

He was happy about the positive impact the Foundation had made in contributing to the nation’s human resource needs.

Source: Ghana News Agency

AMO foundation and partners commission a training facility at Abepotia

AMO foundation in collaboration with ABaCus foundation and other partners have commissioned a multi-purpose training hall fitted with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre and a solar panel system at Abepotia, near Nkawkaw.

The new training hall has a production workshop fitted with machines and equipment used to produce learning materials, a staff office, conference room, ICT laboratory, reception area and painting room.

AMO, an organization in West Africa interested in improving the quality of Education in Ghana and leading producers of educational materials, is an acronym of ‘Agodi Ma Osuahu’ an akan adage which means ‘playing gives experience

The other partners were the Hofstee foundation, CCHO foundation and Mission foundation, all independent foundations based in the Netherlands.

Mrs. Theodosia W. Jackson, Chairperson of the Board of Governors of AMO Programme and Principal of Jackson College of Education, said the move was towards redefining AMO Programme’s social engagement strate
gy in the catchment area.

The centre is for the production of teaching and learning materials (TLM) made from wooden products and painted instead of plastics for early grade children in schools.

She said ‘the colourful teaching and learning materials are to help the children to know the roots of whatever they learn in the classroom with confidence to redefine teaching at the Basic level’

Rev Dr Kofi Amfo-Akonnor, Vice Board Chairperson of AMO foundation said the AMO foundation aimed to use hands – on and project-based learning to improve and make education more exciting for students especially at the basic level.

‘ We have all sorts of learning materials at the center that play roles in the subjects taught in school such as Mathematics, English, and Science,’ he noted.

The foundation has partnered the Ghana Education Service to produce wooden teaching and learning materials for schools in the Northern part of Ghana and measures were advanced to extend to schools nationwide.

He noted that the AMO Program
me had 24 model schools in which the foundation provided the learning materials for use and organized capacity development for educators as well.

Mr. Rik Oosterbaan, President of ABaCus foundation said one of the foundation’s objectives was to support humanitarian and community development projects in the field of education.

Nana Kwasi Dwamena Anim, Krontihene of Kwahu- Obomeng commended AMO Programme and ABaCus foundation for the immense support in children’s education in the community.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Cultural Games Association of Ghana to popularise local sports globally

The Cultural Games Association (CGA) of Ghana has launched a series of new local sports as it seeks to rejuvenate traditional sports and promote them internationally.

The newly introduced sports include chaskele, amanball, pushboxing, catapult, ampe, skyball, and NTE games.

These sporting activities have been redesigned to satisfy the international community and would feature at various local and international tournaments.

Speaking at the launch of these games in Accra, Nana Boateng Gyimah II, Krontihene of Senchi Asokore and National President of CGA- Ghana, said the aim of redesigning these sporting events was to generate interest and understanding of these cultural games in communities.

‘We strive to rebrand the standard of global cultural games and sports to make the industry attractive to all people. There is a probability of partaking in the World Cultural Games and Sports and effectively keeping our professionals active,’ he said.

Nana Boateng Gyimah II who is known in private life as Dr. Ernest
Boateng Gyimah, stated that the association had plans to take cultural games to schools with the National Inter-Schools Cultural Games as they seek to develop interest among the youth and unearth their talents.

He also added that they seek to introduce the Cultural Games Personality Awards soon as they recognise the efforts of individuals who have excelled in various cultural sports.

‘With the awards scheme initiative, we seek to raise awareness about excellence in cultural games and sports, develop and promote networking among interest groups, and establish partnerships with government sports agencies, sports associations, and academic representatives,’ he said.

Nana Gyimah II also disclosed that they are preparing for the first ever Ghana International Cultural Games in March 2024.

The games, he says, would take positive steps towards collective efforts to achieve unified goals that challenge tribalism, religious abuse, gender discrimination, among others.

The launch of these games at the Accra Sports
Stadium was graced by officials of the National Sports Authority, Traditional Chiefs and Queens in Greater Accra, and officials from member associations from Nigeria, Benin, and the United Kingdom.

Source: Ghana News Agency

FIFA 2026 World Cup: Black Stars leave it late to snatch maximum points

Inaki Williams scored the only goal in what appeared to be the last action of the 2026 World Cup Qualifier between the Blacks stars and their counterparts from Madagascar at the Baba Yara Stadium on Friday.

A swift attack from the left which was headed home by the Athletic Bilbao forward denied the visitors who had played their hearts out and were on the way to securing a vital away point.

On a day that Coach Chris Hughton started both Williams and Antoine Semenyo in attack, the expectation was that Ghana was going to run over one of the minnows of African football, but the Stars had to labour for the sole goal of the match.

The visitors started the match on the front foot, displaying their attacking intent right from the blast of the whistle by Moroccan referee, Guezza Samir.

They kept possession in the early exchanges, creating two quick chances within the first three minutes, and for a moment one would have thought they were the home team.

The only time the Black Stars came close to the opposition go
al area within the first 10 minutes was in the sixth minute, but Jordan Ayew’s feeble shot was calmly collected by goalkeeper Melvin Andrien.

Four minutes later, Inaki Williams found himself in a goal-scoring position after controlling a cross from the left flank, but his effort went over the crossbar.

After matching the Black Stars in their own backyard for 20 minutes, the Bareas of Madagascar grew in confidence as they comfortably dictated the pace of the game with the Stars playing as if nothing was at stake.

But for a brilliant save by Richard Ofori, Madagascar almost broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark when Dorian Bertrand launched a long drive from 30 yards.

The only brightest spot in the Black Stars setup after 40 minutes was Mohammed Kudus who occasionally showed glimpses of individual brilliance with incisive passes in the midfield.

The Black Stars displayed an uninspiring first half, failing to create any decent chance with the away team going into the break the better side for the first 4
5 minutes.

Coach Chris Hughton started the second half with two substitutions, bringing on Dennis Odoi and Majeed Ashimeru for Alidu Seidu and Baba Iddrisu respectively.

The Stars started the second half an improved side, playing with some sense of urgency which saw them raiding the goal area of the visitors in search of the opener.

They would however not succumb to the incessant pressure as they stood firm to repel all the threats.

A 55th-minute header by Daniel Amartey from a corner kick missed the woodwork by inches.

The Bareas missed a glorious opportunity to break the virginity of the match in the 60th minute against the run of play, but for a timely clearance on the goal line by Nicholas Opoku after Richard Ofori was completely beaten.

As Ghana raced against time to find the back of the net, Coach Hughton introduced Nuamah whose first involvement created the best chance of the half, but Williams fluffed the opportunity.

The impact of Nuamah on the game was glaring as he mesmerised the backline of
the visitors with his pace and drilling skills, forcing them to make mistakes in their vital area.

Goalkeeper Andrien proved to be the stumbling block between the Stars and the opener, saving chances upon chances in the last 10 minutes.

It had to take the last action of the match for the Black Stars to finally break a stubborn side determined to leave the Baba Yara Stadium with at least a point.

Williams headed home a cross from Gideon Mensah to record his first goal for the Black Stars since switching nationality to play for Ghana.

His goal sent the fans into a wild jubilation, having sat on tenterhooks throughout the match.

Source: Ghana News Agency

NPP clears 20 aspirants to contest parliamentary primaries in UWR

All the 20 aspirants of New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary primaries in orphan constituencies in the Upper West Region have been cleared for the contest after a two-day vetting exercise.

Dr Daniel Dawda Tanko, the Upper West Regional Secretary of the NPP, revealed this to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Wa after the vetting.

The NPP had eight orphan constituencies in the Upper West Region with a total of 21 aspirants.

However, the Nadowli-Kaleo constituency had a candidate going into the primaries unopposed and was thus vetted and cleared earlier.

The Sissala West had three aspirants, three in the Lawra and two in Jirapa constituencies; two in the Daffiama-Bussie-Issa, four in the Wa West, three in the Wa East and three in Wa Central Constituencies.

These numbers are made up of four females, one each in the Sissala West, Wa West, Jirapa and Wa Central Constituencies while 17 were males.

The number also included all sitting Municipal and District Chief Executives (MDCEs) except the DCE for Nadowli-K
aleo who did not file to contest in the primaries.

Dr. Tanko explained that all the aspirants had proved their capabilities and qualification to contest in the primaries.

He said bearing no issues arising after the vetting, all the candidates had been cleared to go about their campaign towards the election.

‘We did not receive any petition against any of the aspirants, so the vetting committee has passed all the aspirants to go about their campaign unless something comes up between now and December 2 and if nothing comes up all of them stand that chance of representing their constituencies’, he explained.

Dr Tanko urged the aspirants to conduct their campaign with decorum to ensure the party remained united to execute the party’s agenda of ‘Breaking the 8’ in the 2024 general election.

Meanwhile, some of the aspirants, who spoke to the GNA after the vetting, expressed their abilities to wrestle their respective constituency seats from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in 2024 if they were elected as
the parliamentary candidates.

Dr Stephen Yir-Eru Engmen, an aspirant in the Lawra Constituency, said complacency caused the NPP to lose the Lawra Constituency parliamentary seat to the NDC in the 2020 general elections.

Dr. Engmen, a former Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Northern Development Authority (NDA), added that misunderstandings within the NPP in the constituency also contributed to the loss of the party in 2024.

He said he would leave no stone unturned to ensure the party was united to reclaim the seat from the NDC if he was elected the parliamentary candidate for the party in the Lawra constituency.

‘I know that I am coming against a veteran politician (Mr Bede Ziedeng) who is on the seat now.

At least I will be the last person who will want to underestimate what the incumbent is capable of doing’, Dr Engmen asserted.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Makers and Partners calls for strengthening of institutions to fight fraud

Makers and Partners (MAP), a chartered accountancy firm, has underscored the need to devote time and resources to strengthening institutions that are mandated to help combat fraud and corruption.

Mr Alfred Aryee, Partner at MAP noted that fighting the menace is a collective responsibility; however, there was a need to equip such institutions with the requisite skills needed to identify corrupt practices and fraud related issues.

Mr Aryee made these remarks at the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) Fraud Conference, on the theme: ‘Winning the Fight against Fraud and Corruption in Ghana, A Collective Responsibility’.

The ACFE stands as the world’s largest anti-fraud organisation dedicated to reducing business fraud globally.

As part of this year’s International Fraud Awareness Week, ACFE Ghana Chapter has organised a two-day conference to bring together anti-fraud stakeholders to assess and analyse Ghana’s position and to forge stronger collaboration to minimize the impact of fraud.

Mr Aryee
said as part of their contribution, the Firm had been offering free training in forensic audit to state institutions to help build their capacity.

He further explained that its corporate social responsibility (CSR) where internal auditors of some state institutions were being trained, therefore, aimed at strengthening their Internal Audit Function to be able to tackle corruption.

Mr Aryee therefore called for an effective collaboration among all stakeholders and reiterated the Firm’s commitment to partner other institutions who may need their services, particularly in forensic investigation training.

Mr John Awuah, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Association of Banks said fair and public processes should be established and utilised in the determination of policies and resources to limit personal influence; while regulating lobbying and encouraging free access to decision making.

He said individuals working in institutions in both the public and private sectors needed to be equipped with the right knowled
ge, patience, and commitment to effectively engage and root out corruption.

Mr Awuah, who was the guest speaker for the Conference touched on ‘Right to Information’, saying timely response in compliance with the requirements of right to information request must always be observed.

‘The Right to Information Act, 2019 (ACT 989) was passed a few years ago but already we have recorded instances of non-compliance resulting in the Right to Information Commission imposing sanctions.’

He recommended that clear and rigorous guidelines should be established for withholding sensitive information; while conscious efforts were being made to share information on national expenditure and resource allocation with the public in a timely and meaningful manner.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Tourism Minister urges journalists to hone Ghana’s peace to attract tourists, investments

Dr Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, Minister of Tourism Arts and Culture, has urged journalists to highlight and emphasise the peaceful nature of the country to help attract tourists and investments.

He said one of the key things that motivated tourists and investments was the peaceful nature of a destination adding that Ghana was one of the most stable countries in the world.

‘Despite the fact that we have over 70 ethnic groups and different religions, we still live in peace and harmony as brothers and sisters’.

Dr Awal addressing journalists in Koforidua, in the Eastern region, during a Media Capacity Building Training on Tourism said it was aimed at recognising the media as partners in the Ministry’s chain to make sure Ghanaians appreciated the role of tourism, arts and culture in the national development effort.

He said journalists must also emphasize the heritage tourism of the country which included the forts and castles as well as its culinary delights such as local foods to attract tourists who would have
taste of the foods.

Dr Awal said the government had appreciated the role of tourism, arts, and culture in the country’s development by giving attention to the sector in its budget allocations.

He said the Ministry was expecting a total of 1.2 million international tourists and 1.2 million domestic tourism which was expected to accrue $3.6 billion receipts from international tourism this year.

Dr Awal said the Ministry was not only preserving culture and making money but also creating jobs for the youth.

He said the Ministry hoped to receive 2 million international tourists a year by 2026 adding that by 2026, it was the hope that tourism, arts, and culture would become the number one contributor to Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Dr Awal revealed that the government and the Ministry were committed to fixing all tourism roads systematically, adding that it had already begun from key tourist attractions.

He called on journalists to highlight and tell tourism stories to help create jobs and opportunit
ies for all.

Dr Awal said the Ministry would work with the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to institute a national tourism, arts, and culture awards scheme to honour hardworking journalists.

Mr Geoffrey D. Tamakloe, a Director at the Ministry on behalf of Mr John Yaw Agbeko, Chief Director of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), gave an overview of the Ministry, its functions and agencies and development partners it worked with.

He said the Ministry was supposed to create a conducive environment for economic development through partnerships with the private sector in diaspora.

Madam Dinah Adu-Owusu, Eastern Regional Director, Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) admonished the participants to propagate the message on the country’s tourism sector to the citizenry and globally.

Ghana is currently the most preferred tourism destination in West Africa.

Participants were drawn from the Eastern, Greater Accra, Volta, and Oti regions.

Source: Ghana News Agency