Day: November 19, 2023

Assemblyman touts achievement as he seeks re-election


Mr Isaac Kwaku Kaliwa, the Assembly member of KpareKpare Electoral Area, says he has achieved success as the representative in the Municipal Assembly.

The aspiring assemblyman said the electoral area gained greater visibility due to his active participation in the deliberations of the House and all key sectors such as education, sanitation, and Communication among others had received massive boosts under his tenure as assemblyman.

Mr Kaliwa speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) said he lobbied for the establishment of two makeshift schools at Okuma-Akura and Adakope under his Electoral Area.

He again indicated that access to a communication network had been a major developmental challenge and concern for his Electoral Area over decades but under his watch, he joined the electoral area to a new MTN tower that ended the ‘no network’ trouble in the area.

The beneficiary Communities include Abongo-Akura, Papaye, Ayeremu, Chamba-Akura, Anyabour, Torgbe-Kope, Nwane, Survey Lane and Chain-Tokuro.

The aspirin
g assemblyman said the accumulated heaps of refuse sites in some communities were cleared to promote sanitation and improve the lives of the people.

Touching on farmers and Fulani’s issue, he said his Sterling leadership had helped to resolve the age-long problems between farmers and herdsmen.

He told GNA that for the first time in the area, farmers had been living with herdsmen without any issues as regards cattle grazing due to an amicable solution.

He noted that despite the many successes achieved, the electoral area was still having some developmental challenges but assured them of collective strategies to address them when retained.

He asked delegates to vote for him based on his experience and competence to enable him to complete ongoing projects and initiate others to improve livelihoods.

Source: Ghana News Agency

I will bridge the gap between the Assembly and the Electoral area – Aspirant


An Aspiring Assemblyman in the Adaklu Kodzobi Electoral Area, Mr Kwame Obed Dotse, at the weekend, promised to close the yawning gap between the Assembly and the Electoral area.

He accused the incumbent Assemblyman of detaching himself from the people thereby creating the gap.

Mr Kwame, who is a Marketer, made the promise in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at Adaklu Vodze in the Adaklu district.

He said though the incumbent Assemblyman, who was also the Presiding Member of the Assembly performed well on the floor of the Assembly, his performance in the Electoral Area was poor.

Mr Kwame stated that when elected he would work with the chiefs and other stakeholders to unite the five communities in the Electoral Area.

He said he would also organise periodic town hall meetings for open discussion of matters arising from Assembly meetings with the people, listen to the challenges of the various communities and raise them before the Assembly at their meetings.

The Aspiring Assemblyman promised to cham
pion youth participation in decision-making not only in the Electoral Area but across the district.

Mr Sampson Gakpo, the incumbent Assemblyman for Kodzobi Electoral Area, who is also contesting, when contacted by the GNA, advised his colleague contestants to shy away from maliciously mudslinging others when seeking the mandate of the people to represent them in the Assembly.

Mr Gakpo catalogued some development projects undertaken in the area under his watch which he said included a three-unit classroom block at Kodzobi Ando, a six-unit classroom block at Adaklu Dzakpo, a bridge over River Kalakpa also at Adaklu Dzakpo and a Community-based Health Planning and Services facility at Adaklu.

He said it was the duty of the Assembly to organise training for the Unit Committee members, which he regularly ensured to give them a briefing on the various discussions at the Assembly level.

The Presiding Member appealed to the electorate to give him the nod to continue with his development Agenda for the area.

So
urce: Ghana News Agency

Twenty-nine aspirants cleared to contest NPP parliamentary primaries in Volta


The vetting committee of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have cleared all the aspirants vying for the parliamentary candidacy on the ticket of the party in the Volta Region to contest.

A total of 29 aspirants including six women from 13 constituencies in the region have successfully gone through the vetting process.

Alhaji Masawudu Osman, National Third Vice Chairman of the NPP who chaired the committee told the media the process was successful.

He commended all the aspirants for successfully going through the process and advised them to adhere strictly to the party’s rules and regulations in their campaigns.

Some of the aspirants who spoke to the Ghana News Agency after their successful vetting described the process as smooth and fair, and commended the vetting committee for doing good work.

They also shared with the GNA some of the plans they have for their constituency and why the delegates should give them the nod.

Mrs Attoinetine Oklu, an aspirant from the Kpando constituency told GNA the constituen
cy deserved better development and that she would champion it when given the nod.

She said improving the road network in the area was one of her priorities, especially one linking Kpando township to Torkor and the expansion of the harbour.

Mrs Oklu said when given the nod, she would use the position to lobby investors to bring job opportunities to the area for the youth and look for financial support for farmers and traders to expand their businesses.

‘I know I will win the primaries because during the balloting I picked number two, and because the Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia also picked number two and won, I will also win,’ she said.

Ms Millicent Nana Yaa Sokro, an aspirant from Ho Central told GNA she would prioritise women empowerment, youth entrepreneurship and job creation when given the nod.

She urged the party faithful to be united and that only with unity would they be able to break the eight and appealed to the delegates to vote for her.

Mr Samuel Wisdom Doe Haligah, an aspirant from Ket
u South said his cordial relationship with the grassroots and his work for the party in the constituency would speak for him come December 2.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Ho Technical University holds graduation ceremony for 1,500


More than 1,500 have graduated from various programmes at the Ho Technical University (HTU) at its 24th graduation ceremonies.

There were graduates from the faculties of Applied Sciences and Technology, Arts and Design, the Built and Natural Environment, and the HTU Business School.

There were also students from the Faculty of Engineering, and each received a certificate.

Three students graduated with Master of Technology, 512 with Bachelor of Technology, and 1037 with Higher National Diploma.

Professor Ben Honyenugah, Vice Chancellor of the University, in a report, said the University was graduating its first batch of the four year Bachelor in Hospitality and Tourism Management, which was a niche area.

He commended the resilience to pursue the various courses, and said all had been built and destined to succeed in their various fields of endeavour.

The Vice chancellor mentioned the introduction of new programmes, including BSC Economics and Innovation, BTECH Biomedical Engineering, BTECH Real Estate a
nd Facilities Management, and BTECH Architectural Technology.

He said all new programmes had passed approval stages, and would help provide the needed engineering and management skills to build the nation.

Prof Honyenuga further mentioned investment in academic resources including infrastructure, and said classrooms, ICT labs etc were being provided and improved.

He said MOUs, including with the NAVY and some foreign countries, had begun to bear fruit with new program development, and foreign exchanges for both student and staff.

The University had boosted its national and international reputation with success in various awards and pitch competitions including the coveted national innovation event, YouStart.

The Ho Technical University had also won a national culinary competition.

Prof Honyenuga said the University would, however, required financial clearance to recruit more staff for its expansion, and also appealed for the completion of four age-old GETFund projects, which continued to stall even thou
gh at near completion.

The Vice Chancellor further appealed that the niche hospitality management department required a hotel school with the needed facilities to aid teaching and learning.

Ms. Evelyn Fortitude-Terkpor, a product of the University who had become a successful agro-investor, was guest speaker, and urged graduates to place value in the offerings of the University, and to pursue excellence in all endeavours.

Mr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, Minister for Education, in a speech read on his behalf, commended the University for its strides in excellence, and that its progress aligned with the Government’s efforts to develop the nation’s industrial prospects.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Universities must be decolonised and grounded in African realities, experiences for development 


Professor Jophus Anamuah-Mensah, a renowned educationist, says for the universities to be more responsive to Ghana’s developmental needs they must be decolonised and grounded in African realities and experiences.

He said they must be re-engineered to embrace the ‘Sankofarian’ principle to integrate African indigenous knowledge systems and epistemologies in the curriculum and knowledge production.

Professor Anamuah-Mensah was speaking at the 21st Congregation of the Methodist University Ghana in Accra on the topic: Decolonising the Mindset in Ghanaian Universities: Is Sankofa an Option?’. 

A total number of 701 students graduated  out of which 143 are Postgraduate students, 498 Undergraduate students, 40 Diploma students and 20 Certificate students.

For the Bachelor’s degrees, 34 had First Class Honours, 162 Second Class Upper, 229 Second Class Lower, 58 Third Class and 15 had ordinary Pass.

There were a total of 13 awards to 12 deserving graduates for their excellent performance, these are made up of 10
undergraduate and three postgraduate students.

Out of these, five are females (receiving six awards) and seven are males.

‘Universities must recognize the value of indigenous knowledge system, its ontology and epistemology,’ he added.

He said the Universities should recognize that the indigenous knowledge system was unique and rich and designed to be ardent consumers of the products of foreign industries instead of being engineered to produce superior goods and services.

Prof Anamuah-Mensah, who was also a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Education Winneba, said although Ghanaian Universities, since their set-up had Africanized their academic staff, still continued to develop curricula, and pedagogic structures that were based on borrowed epistemologies that made them look like those in the developed north.

He said in an attempt to become global tended to be institution in outlook, they were foreign to local cultures, populations, and development challenges.

He said being clothed in a deconte
xtualised, colonial mindset, woven through the long history of colonial subjugation, ‘we seem to have developed an attitude of acceptance that devalues our values but celebrates the Western cultural values.’

The Educationist said the people had imbibed Western epistemologies and ignored their own but when there were difficulties, we ran to the wisdom of the old, adding there is an identity crisis.

‘The Akan symbol, Sankofa and its philosophical and epistemological underpinnings offer the best option for creating a decolonized mindset,’ he added.

He said it admonished stakeholders to look to the past to make positive progress in future.

Prof Phillip Ebow Bondzi-Simpson, the Vice-Chancellor, MUG said the University had introduced the Professional Engagement Series for professionals to interact with the students to have a feel of the blend of theory and practice.

He said this was to complement the attachments and internships, which were being mainstreamed into every programme. 

The Vice-Chancellor said the
University was being repositioned as a research-intensive one. 

He advised the graduates to be level-headed at all times and embrace life, knowing that in the face of opportunity, setbacks exist; but in the face of setbacks, success was assured with discipline, hard work, focus, perseverance and the fear of God. 

He said learning must be continuous and lifelong and as they leave,  they should do well to come back for their access, top-up, master and PhD programmes and/or the several relevant short courses on offer.

Source: Ghana News Agency

We need to create entrepreneurship and innovation hubs within our schools


Ms. Constance Swaniker, the Founder and President of Design and Technology Institute (DTI ), has called for the creation of entrepreneurship and innovation hubs within schools to incubate start-up companies.

She said this would provide budding entrepreneurs access to impact capital to nurture and drive entrepreneurship among graduates to reduce the overreliance of the graduates on the government for jobs.

Ms Swaniker was speaking at fourth graduation of the Institute with 217 learners.

She said, ‘our engineering, applied sciences, and skill-based programmes need competency-based learning.’

The Founder said stakeholders must ensure that if the engineering training demanded that the students rolled up their sleeves and get their hands dirty, so must it be.

She said they must begin to pay attention to the health and safety in the laboratories and workshops, mimicking how professional industrial settings were set up.

‘We do not need more lawyers but engineers, architects, fabricators, industrialists, creat
ive artists,

and real nation builders to drive the country’s industrialisation agenda,’ she added.

These are the real sectors that have the potential to create jobs and promote economic growth.

She said as a country, ‘we continue to be bedevilled with poverty, poor work ethics and time management, a lack of self-motivation, low productivity, and a general lack of honesty and integrity.’

Ms Swaniker said to produce whole-quality graduates (of character) for the nation, issues of integrity, selflessness, maturity, emotional stability, and the ability to work with little or no supervision and in a team were essential considerations in DTI’s approach to the training the youth received.

She said they ensure that their graduates develop 21st-century learning skills often called the four C’s, critical thinking, creative thinking, collaboration and communication.

He said DTI provided equal opportunities and believed that all young people should have a fair chance to succeed in life and be given access to qualit
y education to reach any job, profession, or position

Mrs Julianna Asamoah-Krodua, Coordinator of Student Affairs at DTI, said, ‘our learners have shown outstanding academic excellence, not only in their assessments but also in their everyday commitment to learning.’

She said their dedication was a testament to the quality of education they received and the tireless efforts of the facilitators and supporting staff.

She said DTI remained dedicated to fostering an inclusive and diverse learning environment.

‘We firmly believe that embracing diversity enriches our collective experiences and prepares our learners for the realities of the world beyond our institution’s walls,’ she added.

‘We equip them with essential skills to thrive in the challenging outside terrain, including anger management, stress coping mechanisms, and time management skills,’ she added.

She said DTI was committed to maintaining its position as a center of Technical and Vocational educational excellence in Ghana and across Africa.

Ms
Dzigbordi Kwaku-Dooso, Founder and CEO of DCG Consulting Group, commended the Management team for support in equipping these students with the appropriate skills set for the future.

She called on the graduates to demonstrate all the skills acquired to contribute to the development of the economy the betterment of their families.

‘Everything learnt in the classroom needs to be exhibited at the workplace to make it enjoyable,’ she added.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Specific microeconomic policies needed for Ghanaians well-being – Economists


Some Economists have proposed the introduction of specific microeconomic policies into national budget, and ensure its full implementation.

The policies should support small businesses and productive sectors, as well as low-income earning workforce.

The Economists said the move would help in making macroeconomic gains reflect in the well-being of Ghanaians.

They said this in relation to the 2024 budget, presented by Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, Finance Minister, on Wednesday, November 15.

Ghana’s economy has recorded a growth, averaging 3.2 per cent in the first half of 2023 compared to 2.9 per cent in same period in 2022, which, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, Ken Ofori-Atta, described as a signal of ‘a strong rebound.’

This growth is expected to indirectly reflect in the microeconomy, but Dr Daniel Amateye Anim-Prempeh, Chief Economist, Policy Initiative for Economic Development (PIED), holds a different view.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency on Friday, November 17, he said the country not having any specific pol
icies directed at the vulnerable group, would not make macroeconomic gains yield the expected benefits to Ghanaians.

‘The assumption is that once the macroeconomy grows, it would create opportunities that will cushion Ghanaians, but without specific microeconomic policies, we won’t see the impact in the lives of Ghanaians,’ he said.

‘As a nation, we must have deliberate policies in the budget to support vulnerable groups in society, as the assumption of macroeconomy growth indirectly improving the living standards and income levels, does not address the issue,’ he noted.

The Economist lauded government for the social interventions like the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP), National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Free Senior High School (Free SHS).

He, however, explained that such interventions, do not support the translation of improvements in macroeconomic growth into tangible benefits, particularly, better living conditions of Ghanaians for the productive force.

‘These policies are geared
towards people who are economically unproductive, but the microeconomic specific policies will be focused on the economically productive group,’ Dr Anim-Prempeh.

He urged government to create structures that would have some of the energetic youth into vocational training, and capital support provided to be able to cater for themselves and families.

He also called for a conducive environment to propel sustainable growth in industry – a sector whose fortunes and contribution to the overall economic growth had been dwindling in recent times.

Professor Yaw Nyarkoh, an Economist, also explained that often, government was pre-occupied with macroeconomic numbers with the budget, which did not help in the development of the country.

‘Sometimes the numbers just fly by… what do they mean by 1.5 per cent versus 1.7, per cent growth,’ the New York University professor of economics asked when he spoke at a forum, ‘Achimota Speaks,’ in Accra on November 16.

‘If you are in the ministry of finance it’s very important, b
ut if you are looking for the development of Ghana, then we must go back to our micro economics,’ he said.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Tax stakeholders to meet in Ghana over domestic resource mobilisation and illicit financial flows in Africa


Key stakeholders in Africa’s tax sector are set to meet in Ghana to unpack domestic resource mobilisation and illicit financial flows issues in Africa.

The 11th Pan-African Conference on Illicit Financial Flows and Taxation (PAC) conference provides a platform for tax stakeholders to explore ways in which African countries can take the lead on international conversations that are beginning to have direct implications on domestic resource mobilisation and illicit financial flows.

According to a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra the conference is organised by Tax Justice Network Africa (TJNA) and The African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF and would bring together officials working on tax issues from Pan-African Organizations, tax administrations, ministries of Finance, civil society organisations, parliamentarians, and academia/researchers from Africa and beyond, on the theme ‘Making Global Tax Governance Work for Africa.

The conference is a platform that will enable the attendees to contri
bute to the development of a common African position on key international conversations that affect African countries’ efforts to raise domestic resources.

It is also a platform to identify actions and solutions for actors such as African governments, parliamentarians, civil society organisations, the private sector and other policy players that are key in mobilising domestic resources within the context and will present the opportunity to grow partnerships and collaborations between the different actors.

‘To meet its development aspirations, Africa will need additional resources to respond to global crises and to realign with the priorities of both the SDGs and Agenda 2063’. According to Africa Economic Outlook 2022, the continent’s additional financial needs for 2020-2022 were estimated at USD 432 billion. Africa’s Annual Sustainable Development Goals financing gap is around USD 190 billion (African Union 2023). This gap can be bridged by developing regional value chains, improving equitable and fair entr
y to accessible markets through intra-Africa trade and revenue mobilisation through effective and inclusive tax collection and combatting IFFs.

PAC 2023 explores the aspect of forging partnerships and collaborations to promote and mobilise action amongst tax sector players.

Strengthening these alliances is essential for African countries to take the lead on international conversations on domestic resource mobilisation and illicit financial flows in the continent.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Ghana to host 3iAfrica Summit to unlock Innovation and Growth


The 3iAfrica Summit, a pioneering event poised to unlock Africa’s digital and financial potential, will be held in Accra, Ghana from May 13 to May 15, 2024.

It is expected to draw over 2,000 industry leaders from more than 80 countries to ignite innovation and harness the impact of FinTechs in the digital financial economies across the continent.

The Summit is on the theme: ‘Unleashing Africa’s FinTech and Digital Economic Potential.’ 

A statement issued in Accra said the 3iAfrica Summit was a collaborative initiative by the Bank of Ghana (BOG), Development Bank Ghana (DBG), and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) through Elevandi.

It aims to be a strategic platform to showcase Africa’s digital prowess and to stimulate both local and international investments in the burgeoning FinTech sector.

The Summit promises a dynamic agenda filled with plenary sessions, interactive workshops, and policy dialogues featuring distinguished global and regional leaders.

 An innovation exhibition and showcase of d
igital financial solutions will be the key highlights, offering a glimpse into the future of financial technology and creating a nexus for enthusiasts and innovators.

Dr. Maxwell Opoku-Afari, First Deputy Governor of BOG said, ‘we look forward to the 3iAfrica Summit becoming a beacon for financial technology and a turning point in Africa’s digital revolution.’

He said the conversations and collaborations that would start were set to chart a new course for the continent’s economic landscape.

Mr Kwamina Duker, CEO of DBG, said, ‘the Bank is thrilled to facilitate this global platform where Africa’s innovative FinTech solutions will take centre stage, inviting and fostering strategic partnerships.’

Mr Sopnendu Mohanty, Chief FinTech Officer of MAS and Chairman of the Elevandi Board, said the event would also be a crucial juncture for enhancing cooperation between Africa and Asia’s financial sectors.

‘The 3iAfrica Summit symbolizes a bridge connecting the vibrant tech ecosystems of Africa and Asia. We’re exc
ited to support a space where sustainable and revolutionary financial sector initiatives can flourish,’ he said.

The Summit is an unparalleled opportunity for businesses, enthusiasts, and policymakers to amplify their brand, engage with industry leaders, and forge lasting partnerships.

Attendees will gain access to a wealth of networking sessions designed to unlock new collaborative opportunities.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Environmental Protection Agency procures 45 new vehicles to enhance operations


The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has secured 45 new vehicles to enhance its operations across the country.

The vehicles procured with precision are tools designed for compliance, monitoring, and investigations, ensuring that they uphold the highest standards in safeguarding the environment.

Dr Kwaku Afriyie, Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovations, commissioned the vehicles on behalf of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana.

He said the EPA had evolved as an advisory body to the Government through regulations and coordination of anything regarding the environment to enforcement.

Dr Afriyie said currently, the bill for accommodating new developments in the environmental sector was before the Parliament of Ghana for approval.

‘If this bill is passed, what is going to happen is that the powers of the EPA will be mostly enlarged and evolve from advisory through regulation and coordination to more enforcement because environmental issues have become very
important,’ he added.

He urged the staff of EPA to put the vehicles to good use, stating that having done that, their enforcement mechanisms would come to the fore.

‘So, as I said, your enforcement will be backed by legislation, but that does not mean that you should take the law into your own hands,’ he stressed.

Professor Kwasi Appeaning Addo, Board Chair of EPA, said in a strategic distribution, the 45 vehicles had found their purposes in every regional office, empowering the teams to execute their responsibilities seamlessly.

He said four area offices, namely Kasoa, Dunkwa-On-Offin, Akim Oda, and Obuasi stood equipped with these vehicles, amplifying their reach and impact in key operational areas.

The Board Chair added that acknowledging the critical importance of Greater Accra West, Amasaman, and the Ashanti Region, they had allocated two vehicles to each of these regional offices.

‘This thoughtful distribution ensures that our presence and influence extend to regions where environmental challenges
demand our focused attention,’

‘As we embark on this journey with our new fleet, let us reinforce our commitment to environmental protection, recognising that these vehicles represent not just mobility, but our collective resolve to create a sustainable and healthy future for generations to come,’ he stressed.

Source: Ghana News Agency