Day: November 18, 2023

UK government, GSS launches international data masterclass to empower data-driven decision making


The United Kingdom (UK) in Collaboration with Ghana Statistical Service has launched an international data masterclass to empower data-driven decision-making in Ghana.

The international data masterclass in Ghana is set to improve data and analytical literacy and help non-analytical leaders and future leaders across government to put evidence at the heart of decision-making.

The data masterclass would cover a spectrum of topics, including data analysis, data science and data visualisation, equipping participants with the essential skills to navigate the complexities of the modern data ecosystem.

It would equip participants with a unique opportunity to learn from relevant case studies, and keynote talks from leading data and statistics experts from Professor Samuel Kobina Annim, Ghana Government Statistician and Sir Ian Diamond, UK National Statistician.

Keith McMahon, Deputy British High Commissioner in her speech during the launch in Accra, said, understanding the language of data was key to making evide
nce-based decisions.

She said the online tool would improve the culture of data and analytical literacy, contributing to the creation of impactful policies.

Dr Faustina Frempong-Ainguah, Deputy Government Statistician, said the masterclass was geared to ensure all government officials, chief directors, managers, and directors enrol in the courses to help them gain the required skills to create and support a data culture in their respective organisations.

It would educate government officials on how to use data to improve decision-making, craft policies and communicate compelling narratives to advance the course of national development in Ghana.

However, while the primary target audience of the data masterclass is non-analytical leaders and future leaders, the course is available to all management-level professionals as well as serving as a refresher for those who are analytical.

The course will go live on Monday 4th December 2023. It will be available via the UN Learning Hub, here http://bit.ly/3R6rSDD.
It is free to access globally with no deadline.

The International Data Masterclass is an online course which was designed by the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS), in collaboration with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD).

The UK is committed to fostering a culture across government where decisions are grounded in robust data-driven insights to leave no one behind.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Social capital essential for business growth – Madam Sakyi-Bekoe


Madam Ohenewa Sakyi-Bekoe, a Development Consultant and Board Member, at WestlionCo, an African-centered entrepreneurship hub, has advised young and start-up entrepreneurs to develop social capital and cultivate meaningful relationships for sustainable business enterprises.

Business owners, she said, were responsible for identifying relevant connectors and collaborators to amass the required resources for building sustainable enterprises.

Madam Sakyi-Bekoe was speaking at the opening of the Second Africa Entrepreneurship Accelerator Summit 2023, in Accra.

She called on key stakeholders to beef up Small and Medium Enterprise support and create opportunities for businesses to thrive and grow.

Madam Angela Asante, the Presidential Advisor, Gender and Development, said entrepreneurship was a transformative force that held the potential to reshape Africa’s destiny, which was not merely an abstract concept but a transformative force.

She said some major challenges had long hindered the rise of youth entrepren
eurship on the continent, including access to education, finance, mentorship, and digital innovation.

‘It is our collective responsibility to break down these barriers and create an enabling environment for youth entrepreneurship to flourish as Africa is home to the youngest population in the world,’ she said.

Madam Asante assured participants of the Government’s determination to deepen entrepreneurship support on all fronts.

Mr Richard Densu, the Acting Chief Enterprise Business Officer at MTN Ghana, said African trade barriers were falling, even though intra-African trade held enormous potential.

He said though Africa was rich with a huge proportion of the world’s renewables and non-renewable natural resources, the continent still faced a significant economic gap, compared to the rest of the world.

This is evidenced by lower GDP per capita, reduced access to basic services, and a lag in key development indicators.

‘The fastest way to accelerate Africa’s economic growth and create prosperity for genera
tions to come is through entrepreneurship,’ he said.

Mr Densu said job creation, innovation and adaptability, wealth creation, resource mobilisation, and diversification were the reserves of a well-nurtured entrepreneurial economy.

‘There are six connectors that will consolidate Africa’s Entrepreneurship Acceleration including secure energy, efficient transport, reliable communication systems, resilient sanitation, affordable housing, and soft infrastructure,’ he added.

The continent could openly embrace modern technology and ideas, with no historical imprint from which to break free, he noted.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Cape Coast Technical University inducts third Vice-Chancellor, Registrar into office


The Cape Coast Technical University (CCTU) has inducted Professor Kwaku Adutwum Ayim Boakye as the Vice-Chancellor and Dr Anthony Hercules Turkson as the Registrar, respectively, of the University.

Being the third Vice-Chancellor succeeding Prof. Joshua Owusu-Sekyere, he pledged to activate an open-door policy that was inclusive and transformative with dedicated stewardship.

Addressing a colourful ceremony on Friday, graced by representatives of sister technical universities, students, friends and family, the Tourism Professor touted the mission of the university as producing high-quality manpower needs of the country.

He said the university was aware of the exigencies of the times, which demanded technologically capable, climate aware, emotionally intelligent and morally upright graduates to achieve organisational goals.

For that matter, he stated that the university’s empowering skills of critical thinking, creativity, communication and collaboration had heightened its excellence in producing cutting-e
dge innovative interventions to ease some human endeavours.

Typical of such are the invention of solar-powered tricycles, solar-driven automatic handwashing machines, bamboo base sanitary pads, and strong partnerships with industry for job creation and entrepreneurship.

Equally, the CCTU had been outstanding in winning several international awards, while a grant writing team had won many grants totalling GHC3 million to support research, innovation and skills development.

Prof. Boakye rallied support in achieving the five pillars of the university’s 2021-2025 Strategic Vision of quality teaching and learning, research and innovation, infrastructural development, enhanced student welfare, community outreach and institutional capacity.

‘After studying the system for six months, I am convinced that adopting a corporate and entrepreneurial mindset and culture is the ‘sine qua non’ for our achievement of greatness and global recognition, he said.

‘To this end, my management team will build on the gains achiev
ed in the past by adopting the philosophy of Institutionalised intentional excellence.’

‘This maxim is based on our strategy to harness the undeniable God-given intelligence of each worker of CCTU and position it to be both intentional and institutionalised.’

Having published 45 scholarly and technical papers and played a key advisory role in many projects, committees of government and international bodies on tourism development, he was exceedingly grateful for his elevation after his 19-year career in tourism.

With research interests in tourism safety, governance, transatlantic slave trade and destination management, Prof Boakye has successfully trained more than 10 PhDs and 20 M Phil holders.

Administratively, he had occupied many portfolios including being the Dean of International Relations at the University of Cape Coast in 2019, until his new appointment.

Though born in Takoradi to Dr Joseph Kwasi Ayim Boakye (deceased) and Mrs Comfort Ayim Boakye, the CCTU Vice-Chancellor had spent more than 42 ye
ars of his life in Cape Coast.

He has six siblings and is a Christian with two children.

Dr Turkson, the Registrar, on the other hand, started as an Assistant Planning Officer at the university in 2007 and rose through the ranks with a total of 32 papers.

He was born in August 1971 at Assin Fosu.

Presiding, Prof Harold Amonoo Kwofie, the Chairman of the Council, said the ceremony signified the beginning of a new chapter of leadership for the University for growth and development.

He urged the leadership to renew its sense of nationalism and fiercely fight social ills that would derail its course of achieving service in integrity and development.

‘You are now the face of the University, and everybody will be monitoring your style of leadership,’ he said.

‘Therefore, you must bear the responsibility of upholding the values and traditions that have sustained its growth over the years.’

Source: Ghana News Agency

Bunso Cocoa College holds third matriculation, admits 65 students


The Bunso Cocoa College, affiliated to the University of Cape Coast (UCC), has matriculated the third cohort of 65 students to pursue a two-year Diploma in Agronomy and Extension.

Dr Mercy Asamoah, the Rector, administered the matriculation oath and urged the students to abide by the rules of the schools to sustain its vision.

The College had experienced faculty members and academic facilities for holistic learning, she said, and urged them to prioritise their studies to leverage the excellent expertise of market-oriented tree crop manpower education.

She admonished the students to participate in the field practical training sessions since they formed part of the programme they had been admitted to pursue.

The Rector announced that sale of admission forms for weekend programme scheduled to begin next year was ongoing to expand access.

She appealed for a new block to accommodate the increasing numbers of students and a 48-seater bus to help convey students for field and practical training.

Professor Gra
ce Vanderpuije, a representative of the Vice Chancellor of UCC, reminded the students of their mission in the school and advised them to always be guided by the rules and regulations.

The Bunso Cocoa College was established in 1950 to train technical and field staff of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).

It is now upgraded to a tertiary institution accredited by the Ghana Tertiary Education Council.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The University of Ghana organises a send-off ceremony for the 2021-2023 Retirees


The University of Ghana has, organised a send-off ceremony for the 2021-2023 retirees on its main Legon Campus.

The retired workers were 386 in all.

In a farewell address by the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Nana ABA Appiah Amfo, said the University was not able to organise send-off parties in 2021 and 2022 due to restrictions created by the COVID-19 pandemic and this year’s organisation was in grand style it coincided with the University’s 75th Anniversary celebration.

She expressed gratitude to all retirees for their diverse contributions in the history of the University.

Prof Amfo indicated that the wisdom and experience of retirees had not only shaped the minds of the students, staff and clients, but also enriched the fabric of the university community.

She urged them to continue to associate with the University in any capacity that would bring them joy and fulfillment as they worked to bring a world-class research-intensive university shaped in technology and anchored in humanism.

R
egarding pensioners who retired in 2019 and were not given a send-off would be considered for an appropriate send-off party.

On behalf of the University Council and Management, Prof Amfo reiterated her gratitude to the cherished Retirees for their service and added that, the new chapter in their lives be filled with joy, fulfillment and well deserved relaxation.

Felicitations were extended to the retirees by representatives of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), the Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA), the Federation of Universities Senior Staff Association (FUSSAG) and Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU).

The Retirees were presented with their awards, certificate of service and three yards of the 75th Anniversary cloth.

In attendance were the Registrar of the University of Ghana, Mrs Emelia N.K. Agyei-Mensah and the Director of Public Affairs Directorate, Dr. Elizier Ameyaw Buronya who acted as Master of Ceremony for occasion.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Parliament/STAR-Ghana to organise forum to commemorate 30 years of uninterrupted democracy


Ghana’s Parliament will on Monday, November 20, 2023, partner STAR-Ghana Foundation to organise a breakfast forum to commemorate 30 years of uninterrupted parliamentary democracy under the Fourth Republic.

The event, which would coincide with the fifth anniversary of the STAR-Ghana Foundation, is in recognition of the need for more effective engagement with the public and wider participation in the work of Parliament, having been ranked first in Africa.

A press release by Mr David Sebastian Damoah, Director of Media Relations, Parliament, said about 150 participants from Parliament, Civil Society Organisations, Think Tanks, Trade Unions, and the media, among others would attend the forum.

The forum, dubbed: ‘Thirty Years of Parliamentary Democracy under the Fourth Republic: Reflection on citizens engagement and the way forward’, would have Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford, the Speaker, deliver the keynote address whilst guest speakers would be Professor Akosua Darkwah, University of Ghana and Dr Rasheed Draman,
Africa Centre for Parliamentary Studies, the press release said.

It said the Speaker’s breakfast forum was to consolidate the relationship between Parliament and CSOs by exploring new ways of working together for accountable governance.

It said for more public participation in the work of Parliament, it would set up a ‘Citizens’ Bureau,’ within Parliamentary Service to institutionalise Parliament-citizens’ engagement through partnerships with the media, CSOs and think tanks.

The Bureau, the release said would develop and maintain a database of CSOs with the opportunity to easily share information and research findings with Parliament whilst accessing relevant information from Parliament to support their work.

It said such engagements would reduce the misunderstanding between Parliament and the public as well as serve as an early warning signal to the elected representatives of the people on vexed issues for early resolution.

Source: Ghana News Agency

John Mantse Akwetey outlines seven-point agenda for Ningo-Prampram


Mr. John Mantse Akwetey, an aspirant for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary primary for the Ningo-Prampram constituency, has outlined a seven-point agenda for constituents to spur him into victory.

Mr. Akwetey is among three hopefuls who have expressed interest in representing the party as the parliamentary candidate for the constituency for the 2024 general election.

The other two aspirants are Mrs. Patricia Narko Kumodji-Nartey, a consultant and paralegal, and Mr. Michael Tetteh Eku, the NPP constituency chairman, who doubles as the Ningo-Prampram District Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO).

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in an interview, he said the agenda included the empowerment of electoral area coordinators and polling station executives through the establishment of dedicated offices in each electoral area.?

He said the officers would operate on designated days to actively engage with party members and listen to their concerns and contributions.

He state
d that as part of the agenda, they would place the electoral area coordinators and polling station executives at the heart of political campaign, as their dedication and grass-root efforts were invaluable, and together.

Mr. Akwetey added that he would launch a job profile database for the party’s delegates, dividing them into three key groups, namely job seekers, artisans, and student interns.

He explained that the job seekers would be assisted in their employment search, while the artisans would showcase and support skilled tradespeople, and internship opportunities would be provided for students to facilitate their educational career growth.

‘We plan to rebrand and reposition our political party by focusing on the issues that matter most to young people. We’ll also engage with them through social media, town hall meetings, and youth-led initiatives to ensure their voices are heard and valued in our party’s decision-making process,’ he said.

The parliamentary candidate hopeful said he would also launch t
he Needy Constituents Scholarship Fund, adding that it would empower deserving individuals within the constituency by providing scholarships and support for higher education and vocational training.

Mr. Akwetey added that if voted as the NPP parliamentary candidate for Ningo-Prampram, he would also introduce an inter-electoral area of fun games and cooking competitions to unite the community and strengthen the party’s purpose.?

He noted that he and his team would establish an award scheme to recognise and honour the dedicated, long-serving party members who had selflessly contributed to the growth of the party in the constituency.?

Mr. Akwetey, who is the Public Relations Officer for the Ghana TVET Service, hails from New Ningo and served as a polling station secretary and electoral area coordinator, respectively, from 2008 to 2011 and 2014 to 2017.

He also acted as the NPP’s Communications Director for the Ningo-Prampram Constituency and served within the IT strongroom at the national headquarters of the
NPP for the 2016 and 2020 elections.

Mr. Akwetey also contested for the Greater Accra Region’s slot in 2021 as a Council of State member.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Election 2024: Vote for development, not money-Christians told


The Rev. Dr Fred Deegbe, a former Chairman of the Christian Council, has urged Christians to vote for politicians who will develop the country and not those who will offer money at the polls.

‘We must critically assess them and see whether they have something (development) to offer the people and not just because they have money…’

Rev. Deegbe said this at a National Christian Forum (NCF) 2023 organised by the Advocate for Christ Ghana (A4CG) in partnership with the Action Chapel International, Methodist Church of Ghana, Frimpong Manso Institute and some media organisations.

The forum was on the theme: ‘Election 2024: Assessing the impact of Political Parties and how Christians should vote’.

The forum, in its fourth year, aims to evaluate the impact of political parties and governments on various aspects of national life, including the Church, government, public and private sectors, media, citizens, and overall national development.

Rev. Deegbe urged political parties and governments to tackle corruption
, which he said was permeating into all spheres of life and if not checked could affect future generations negatively.

‘We are seeing corruption at the national level trickling down… if our national leaders are displaying this, and if we Church leaders are not condemning this, then what are doing?’ He asked.

Rev. Julius Coomson, a Pastor at Legon Interdenominational Church, called for a campaign against corruption targeting the youth.

Prof Afua Hesse, a Paediatric Surgeon, said the fight against corruption must not be left to politicians alone.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Oti Region: NPP clears 21 parliamentary candidates to contest in primary


Twenty-one parliamentary aspirants of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Oti Region have been cleared by the vetting committee to contest the upcoming primary on December 2.

They signed an undertaking to remain resolute behind the party, irrespective of whoever emerges as the winner.

The committee was under the chairmanship of Mr Salam Mustapha, the National Youth Organiser of the NPP, Dr Asiedu Kokro, the Deputy Director of Communications, and Mr Abdul Taric Bonsu, the Deputy Nasara Coordinator.

Mr Mustapha, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency after the vetting, appealed to the candidates to conduct their campaigns in a civilised and mature manner.

He urged them to refrain from insults, acrimony, and false accusations against each other.

Mr Evans Yaw Dapaah, the Regional Chairman of the NPP, emphasised on the Party’s mission to ‘break the eight’ and nobody should do anything to jeopardise that goal.

He gave the assurance that the regional executives were fully prepared to support the constitu
encies to win the seats.

He urged the executives of the constituencies to remain neutral, fair, transparent, and ensure a level playing field for all aspirants.

The NPP was poised to capture all the parliamentary seats in the region, he said, and called for all hands-on deck to realise that dream.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Go digital or risk losing out of business – Private health providers advised


The Healthcare Federation of Ghana has urged private health service providers to take advantage of the current technological advancements to improve services to their clients.

The Federation noted that the wave of digital transformation globally was revolutionising various industries, hence it was imperative for the private health sector to adapt it in earnest. The private health service providers have no option than to adopt the digital health practices, involving the digitalisation of business processes thus allowing patients to exchange personal health data to foster data-driven decision-making.

Dr Maxwell Antwi, the Country Director of PharmAccess Group Ghana and Board Member of the Healthcare Federation of Ghana, made the call at a cocktail in Accra on Friday.

Unity in diversity should be a guiding principle for the growth of every Association, he stated.

‘Digital transformation, data connectivity and personal data exchange are transforming many industries globally, but health is left behind,’ Dr An
twi said.

He cited various technological advancements in the telecommunication industry mentioning P and T, the town postmaster, mobitel sim card, CDs and DVDs, which were currently out of the system.

He said adopting digital health and digitalisation of business processes would create an enabling environment for patients to exchange their personal health data and position their businesses on the right track.

‘If you cannot stop the storm, adjust your sails. Come under one umbrella and ride on one elephant,’ Dr Antwi advised.

Sharing his thoughts on policy-making and implementation processes in the country, he said the health sector alone contributed about five per cent to Ghana’s GDP and 20 per cent to GDP growth, hence it deserved a seat at the political table.

‘It is said that if you are not around the table then you are on the menu to be eaten. Therefore, it is better to be around the table to be heard and listened to. The best option is to be the chef in the kitchen who prepares the menu,’ Dr Antwi
added.

He charged private health providers to be at the centre of influencing health agenda for politicians, especially as the 2024 Election approaches, adding; ‘It’s crucial to be part of Manifesto discussions’.

Dr Lynda Ajoa, the First Vice President of the West African Private Healthcare Federation, expressed concerns about the existing state of healthcare delivery in Ghana.

She noted that the absence of affordable financing for private health providers hindered the quality of healthcare delivery, thus impeding the realisation of the Universal Health Coverage.

She, therefore, appealed to the Government to consider lowering the interest rates to enable companies access affordable loans to ensure quality healthcare delivery.

Dr Samuel Donkor, the President, Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana, expressed the Association’s readiness to partner with the private health service providers to improve the quality of care to patients.

The Healthcare Federation of Ghana is the country chapter of the Africa Healthcar
e Federation affiliated to the African Union.

It comprised regional federations; West Africa, East Africa, Central Africa, North Africa and Southern Africa federations.

Source: Ghana News Agency