Day: December 24, 2023

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has honoured Ghanaian exporters with Exports Achievement Awards for their contribution towards Ghana’s economic development.

The President who was the Special Guest of Honour at the 31st and 32nd President’s National Awards for Export Achievement, commended the awardees for their invaluable efforts in building a sustainable economy.

He gave an assurance of his government’s commitment to improving the conditions that directly affect the private sector.

The Exporter of the Year award for both 2021 and 2022 was won by B5 Plus Limited whilst DTRT Apparel Limited, a Free Zones Enterprise secured the Woman Exporter of the Year awards for 2022.

Mr Mike Oquaye Jnr., Chief Executive Officer, Ghana Free Zones Authority, said, the pursuit of excellence in exports went hand in hand with environmental sustainability and ethical business practices.

He said the Authority had begun developing new special economic zones with sustainability as the driving force.

Dr. Afua Asabea Asar
e, Chief Executive Officer, Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), said, ‘as we bask in the glory of the achievements being honoured, we should collectively reaffirm our commitment to driving sustainable exports and in doing so, fortify the foundations of Ghana’s prosperity.’

Mr K.T Hammond, Minister of Trade and Industry, said the Government was committed to championing export as a channel for economic recovery and growth, adding an enabling environment would be created for businesses to thrive.

The event was attended by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr Fawaz Aliu, Deputy Minister of Energy, Herbert Krapa and Reginald Yofi Grant, Chief Executive Officer, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) amongst other dignitaries.

The Ghana Free Zones Authority in a Statement congratulated all awardees for their sterling performances and immense contributions to the country’s economic development and commended all stakeholders, including sponsors who made the event possible.
Source: Ghana News Agency

Christmas Day is one of the most widely celebrated holidays around the world, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, the central figure of Christianity.

It is a time of joy, giving, and coming together with family and friends to celebrate the spirit of love and goodwill and whether one observes it as a religious holiday or a festive occasion, it is a day filled with traditions, decorations, and a sense of togetherness.

On Christmas Day, Christians attend church services, reflect on the nativity story, and celebrate the hope and salvation that Jesus’ birth represents (Awarenessdays.com).

Additionally, Christmas has become a cultural and secular holiday celebrated by people of various backgrounds, often characterised by gift-giving, festive meals, and the exchange of holiday cards.

?The Day is observed on December 25 of every year as a public holiday in many countries for family and friends to meet at special gatherings and celebrate. Its mode of celebration vary by culture and tradition.

How it is cele
brated

In many instances, Christians attend Church Service on the day and on the eve of the day, and exchange gifts as a tradition inspired by the gifts brought to baby Jesus by the three wise men.

They also decorate their homes with Christmas trees, lights, ornaments and wreaths and share a special festive meal.

Many churches on this day or ahead, sing Christmas carols, as a cherished tradition that brings joy and festive spirit to the holiday season.

They watch Holiday Movies and TV specials, including those on the birth of Christ with loved ones and also give to charity.

Food in this festivity plays an important part in the celebration and, most commonly, Christmas is celebrated in homes with an abundance of food shared amongst family and friends.

The meal celebrates God’s provision and love, and is a time of generosity and friendship. (Publicholidays.com.my)

On December 26, termed as ‘The Boxing Day’, Christians and all who join in the celebration make boxes of parcels for their loved ones or engag
e in exchange of gifts as part of the Christmas celebration.

Christmas Carols

Christmas carols are sung in the weeks or days heading towards Christmas.

Among the Carols are Jingle Bells, Joy to the World, Oh Holy Night, While Shepherds Watch Their Flock by Night, O Come Emmanuel, and Silent Night among others, some of which are hymnal.

There are others composed by popular International Musicians like Celine Dion – And So This is Christmas, Mariah Cary – All I want for Christmas is You, Feliz Navidad -José Feliciano, Santa Claus is Coming to Town by The Jackson 5, 8 Days of Christmas By Destiny’s Child, and Blue Christmas By Elvis Presley.

In Ghana, notable highlife Musicians like Kaakyire Kwame Appiah released ‘Yeeko di Bronya’, Akosua Agyapong released ‘Its Christmas Time’ and Kwan Pa Band with ‘Christmas Jama’.

History of Christmas Day

Christmas Day’s history dates back to the early Christian Church’s decision to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The exact date of Jesus’ birth is not known, but De
cember 25 was chosen as the official date of celebration in the 4th century.

Over the centuries, Christmas traditions have evolved, incorporating elements from various cultures and regions. Today, Christmas is celebrated as both a religious holiday and a festive cultural event that brings people together in the spirit of giving and joy.

Ghana and Christmas celebration

Ghana, as a Christian dominated country will join the rest of the world to commemorate the festivity and in similar ways as many other parts of the world with church attendance, decorations, togetherness and wining and dining and gifts sharing.

Most Reverend Dr Paul Kwabena Boafo, the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana, in his Christmas and 2024 New Year Message, said Christmas was a celebration of the coming of light into the darkness of the world.

‘Around the world today and in our nation, there are many places and hearts of seeming darkness in all kinds of wars, fear, anxieties and uncertainties of life.’

‘Christ who is the
greatest gift to humanity by God is our light in a time of despair and darkness and at Christmas, the world longs for the light of God to shine into the dark places of life, especially in our economic, political and financial darkness,’ he said.
Source: Ghana News Agency

Female inmates and officers at the Akuse Local Prison have been treated to local Ghanaian dishes by Regain Hope, a Christian charity organisation.

The organisation, which has been in existence for 10 years, served fufu and banku with variety of soups as part of its Christmas denotation exercise to interact with them and preach the word of God.

Apart from catering for the physical needs of the inmates, their spiritual lives were also touched as they received books and a Christmas message to guide them in their faith and comfort them in their present situation.

Delivering the message, the Reverend Professor Ivy Drafor-Ameyah, Executive Director of Regain Hope, appealed to the inmates and officers to listen to the voice of God in all endeavours.

She cited Matthew 1:18-25 as a specific scripture in reference to the circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ and the near decision of Joseph to divorce his wife, Mary, for suspected fornication.

Rev. Prof. Drafor-Amenyah said God’s ways are different f
rom human predictions and so people needed to listen to His voice and modify their actions.

‘Having a peaceful mind and heart is better for every individual…The Prison must be considered as a state of mind and not the structural prison where you are presently confined, because many are walking freely and yet separated from the love of God,’ she said.

‘Anybody who does not know God is in prison and needs to be restored’.

She commended the management of the Akuse Prison for complementing the government’s efforts in providing the inmates with entrepreneurial skills.

Mr Ernest Flecture, a member of the Advisory Board of Regain Hope, said the annual Fufu-Party festival resonated with the teachings of God and gave a feeling of satisfaction and fulfilment seeing the inmates dance and having a good time.

It was a big relief to see their little assistance having a bigger impact on the inmates, he said, and pledged his commitment to supporting the programme every year.

Other members of the Advisory Board, includi
ng Mr Richmond Efodzo and Nana Asi Aryin, expressed delight at the success of the programme and said although it was heartbreaking to see young people in prison, the message delivered would transform their lives when they regained their freedom.

They encourage the public, especially the youth, to listen to the Word of God and follow through to prevent them from falling into similar situations, which would deny them their freedom.

Some of the officers who spoke off-record expressed their appreciation to the organsation for the treat, which they said was the first of its kind at the Akuse Local Prison.
Source: Ghana News Agency

Some of the flood victims in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region are yet to be relocated from the Roman Catholic Junior High School classrooms to the temporary shelters constructed at Aveyime and Degorme.

A visit by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) revealed that about 99 per cent of the victims had been relocated by Togbe Kwasi Nego VI, the Mankralo of Mepe, and Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament (MP) of North Tongu to pave the way for academic work to continue.

Some 400 and 300 victims were relocated by Togbe Nego and the MP, respectively.

However, a few still live in the classrooms as others had moved to live with their relatives.

Mr Kugah Jacob, who was still living in the classroom, said he was working on his house, which was submerged during the spillage.

He indicated that the repair works were almost complete and he would move his family back home upon completion.

Some of the relocated victims told the GNA that the new location was comfortable.

Madam Abah Sophia, a flood vi
ctim, who was relocated to Mepe Degorme, said privacy issues were not breached as compared to when they were living at the St. Kizito Senior High Technical School.

Issues of hygiene were regulated and the relevant stakeholders often visited to support them with relief items, she said and lauded Togbe Nego for his continuous support.

Mr Bubune Glah, another victim, said though the new environment was comfortable, they needed security protection as was done at the previous camp.

He called for government support to rebuild their houses and put their businesses on track to restore their livelihoods.

Mr Gorden Akurugu, the Volta Regional Head of Food and Drug Authority (FDA) said food safety issues were being handled professionally, fishing had resumed full-scale, and sachet water business had bounced back.

Mr Hope Smith Lomotey, Regional Director, Environmental Protection Agency, said some houses were not habitable due to their structural integrity and that conscious efforts must be made to relocate the rest
of the victims.
Source: Ghana News Agency

The usual buzz associated with Christmas eve sales is slow in the Central Business District of Tamale as few people were spotted shopping in the area on Sunday.

Some shop owners, who do not open their shops on Sundays, were seen in their shops hoping to get buyers.

While hawkers flooded the streets at the Central Business District, some shops recorded a small number of buyers.

Iddrisu Yahaya, a hawker in the area, said sales was down and expressed hope that things may improve later in the day.
Source: Ghana News Agency

Dr Joseph Obeng, President of The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), has called on government to ensure fair and equitable taxes for all citizens.

He said the taxation system carried by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) was making some businesses not to comply due to inequalities.

He said this at a national stakeholders forum on tax equity in Ghana in Accra. The forum was on the theme: ‘Promoting Tax Equity In Ghana – The Role Of Key Stakeholders.’

He said the tendency where some businesses pay a rate of 22 per cent, others a rate of 4 per cent while others are exempted from paying because of not meeting the threshold of GHC200,000 worth of goods as unfair and unjustified.

‘The consumer has the discretion of buying what he or she wants, the one paying 22 per cent VAT and those paying 4 per cent VAT stand at a disadvantage since their goods are likely to be priced high while those not paying any VAT at all sell at affordable prices and are able to make good sales,’ he noted.

Mr Obeng said governm
ent must implement policies to restructure the Value Added Tax (VAT) to ensure full compliance.

‘To increase productivity, we must reduce taxes to compete with other developed countries,’ he said.

He said artisans, carpenters, mechanics, tailors and electricians must also pay taxes for more revenue income.

He said the few entitled to pay were also being taxed more than their output, leading to low revenue.

Dr Obeng urged government to widen the tax net to rake in revenue from businesses, which hitherto did not pay taxes.

According to him this would enable government harness enough revenue for national development, adding that barely 4 million out of 13 million are paying VAT.

‘We need to find innovative ways of bringing a lot more people to comply with their tax obligations, failure to do that enforces discrimination,’ he stated.

Dr Alex Ampaabeng, Senior Programmes Officer, International Budget Partnership (IBP), noted that the current system where only a fraction of the population pays taxes was a di
sincentive to others and prevent them from paying taxes.

He said government must put in place the right programmes and systems to ensure that there was a parity in the payments of taxes.

He said available statistics indicated that the number of persons in the informal sector who paid taxes was low, causing nuisance to tax equity.

Mr Ampaabeng called on Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), to play a crucial role in fair and equitable taxation by advising and engaging key stakeholders.

He bemoaned the idea of taxing only the poor and needy who only make a tiny fraction from their own businesses.

He urged government to collaborate and elevate to effective digital taxation, adopting policies to ensure online workers are taxed as well.

‘Government should tag with the riding apps like Uber, Bolt, and Yango to ensure payment of taxes and also to ensure safety cybercrime,’ he added.

The Forum saw discussions on how different stakeholders’ could work harmoniously to promote tax equity in Ghana,l and enhanced civ
il society relationship to engage different actors for tax equity and also Identified key priority areas for civil society organizations to impact tax equity efforts in Ghana.
Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Sulemana Zulkalneini, the Senior Development Planning Officer at the Krachi West Municipal Assembly has been adjudged the Most Active Development Planning Officer of the Oti Region for 2023.

He was the former Kadjebi District Planning Officer.

A Citation from the Oti Regional Co-ordinating Council, jointly signed by the Regional Minister, Mr Joshua Makubu and the Regional Co-ordinating Director, and Mr Issaka Braimah Basintale, reads: ‘We acknowledge and commend you for your outstanding dedication and exemplary service as the Most Active Development Planning Officer in the Oti Region for the year 2023’.

‘In recognition of your tireless efforts and active participation in all programmes and activities organised by the Regional Planning Co-ordinating Unit Secretariat, you

have consistently demonstrated a high level of commitment and professionalism’.

‘Your punctuality, unwavering presence, and proactive engagement have significantly contributed to the success of various initiatives undertaken by the Un
it’.

The Citation, sighted by the Ghana News Agency, said Mr Zulkalneini’s prompt submission of data/information whenever requested reflected his reliability and efficiency.

‘Your willingness to engage in meaningful discussions and offer valuable suggestions to enhance the effectiveness of the Regional Development Planning Unit and class showcases your dedication to continuous improvement and collaborative problem-solving’.

‘Your exemplary work serves as an inspiration to your colleagues and stands as a testament to your commitment to the Development Planning profession. AYEKOO’.

Mr Zulkalneini told the GNA in an interview that the Award was dedicated to his colleagues at his former station, Kadjebi, saying: ‘without them it would not be possible’.

Mr Eric Nana Takyi, Kadjebi District Director of Health Services, said: ‘There is no doubt about this award. You truly deserve it’.
Source: Ghana News Agency

A Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) Compound has been inaugurated at Yag-yili in the Tamale Metropolis to provide quality health care to the people.

The fully equipped facility will provide preventive and primary health care services to residents of Yag-yili and its environs, a rural part of Tamale, which lacked access to health facilities.

Mr Haruna Iddrisu, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale South, constructed the CHPS Compound as part of efforts to extend health services to rural Tamale.

This brings to 12 the total number of CHPS Compounds Mr Iddrisu has constructed since he became the MP for the area.

Mr Iddrisu, who was joined by the Chief of Yag-yili and his elders in the Northern Region, and officials of the Tamale Metropolitan Health Directorate to inaugurate the CHPS Compound, touted his contribution to improving access to quality health care delivery in the Metropolis.

‘I have built more CHPS Compounds than the Tamale Metro,’ he added.

The Ghana News Agency learnt that
out of the 66 demarcated CHPS Zones for the Tamale Metropolis, only 16 have been built. And out of the 16, the MP alone has constructed 12.

Mr Iddrisu assured the people of his commitment to continuously address the felt needs of his constituents and commended them for their support.

Dr Barikisu Seidu, the Tamale Metropolitan Director of Health, expressed gratitude to the MP for working relentlessly to bridge the CHPS Compound deficit and improve access to quality health care services in the area.

She said more communities in the Metropolis needed health facilities and appealed to him to help renovate and equip other CHPS Compounds and health facilities to serve the people.

Yabugu-Lana, Chief of Yag-yili, said the facility had come as a great relief for the people who would not have to travel to other towns to access health care services.

He commended Mr Iddrisu for addressing their health needs and prayed for God’s blessings in all his endeavours.
Source: Ghana News Agency

Archbishop Charles Agyinasare, Founder and Senior Pastor, Perez Chapel International, has asked Christians to live noble and honest lives, a duty that the celebration of Christmas places on all.?

He said the festive season must re-waken society on the qualities Joseph, the father of Jesus Christ exhibited where he resolved to be noble and not disgrace the Virgin Mary even after knowing that she was pregnant.?

Delivering a Sunday service sermon on the eve of Christ at the Perez Dome, the Archbishop, who raised concerns about having people wanting to do what was right and just, said: ‘These days we don’t have too many noble men.’?

His sermon, which dwelt largely on family creation and togetherness, urged married men and potential husbands to desist from the disgrace they put their wives and wives-to-be through when the women cheated.?

‘Unfortunately, there are guys telling others the number of women they had slept with. They think it is pride, they are rather cheap. Joseph didn’t say anything about Mary to
people. He was a noble man,’ he said.?

‘I am not saying the women must be indulging in promiscuity, however, if you are a man and your wife did that and you don’t love her anymore, don’t beat her, let her go in peace, ‘ the Archbishop added.?

He urged young women to overlook their wealth, social and economic statues and accept young hard working men who had dreams and vision.?

The Archbishop said: ‘This Christmas, if the young men come with marriage proposals, accept them, help them with the processes. It is not wrong to support the guy to marry you.’?

Narrating his experience when he met his wife, the Archbishop said he bought six pieces of clothes, had two from his wife and another two from his sisters for his marriage.

He said his wife also gave him her jewelries to be used as part of the marriage items.

He said it was unfortunate that several young men and women looked down on their partners because of their financial background.?

‘…When I met my wife, I could only take her from Akim Oda to Asamank
ese, but today, I have taken her to Japan, Hawaii, Singapore amongst others,’ the Archbishop said.
Source: Ghana News Agency

The Western Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Ndede Siah, has appealed to the party hierarchy and all ardent supporters to bury their differences and unite for a common cause.

He advised the party faithful to forge ahead for victory in the December 7, 2024, general election.

In a Christmas message copied to the Ghana News Agency in Takoradi, Mr Siah conveyed warm felicitations from the executives in the region to all NPP faithful and sympathisers, urging them to remain solidly behind the party in the run-up to the election.

He advised the members to be civil in their utterances and avoid hate speeches that had the tendency to fuel conflict and jeopardise the peace of the nation.

He stressed the need for the party to sell its message to Ghanaians to allow them to make informed decisions.

‘I can assure Ghanaians that the year 2024 is pregnant with peace, love, unity, prosperity and better conditions of living.’

He appealed to Ghanaians to rally behind the Government as it adopts prag
matic measures to address the country’s challenges.
Source: Ghana News Agency