Day: January 20, 2024

Cape Coast restrategises with business partners to promote development


Businesses in Cape Coast have been challenged to build strong partnerships and adopt collaborative strategies to ensure sustainable development with minimal challenges.

The experts and stakeholders, who made the call at a business forum, also observed that the penchant for competition had created a hostile business climate, which was killing many businesses.

The two-day forum heralded the Fourth Osabarimba Royal Awards as part of activities marking the 25th anniversary of Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II as the Oguaamanhen (Paramount Chief of Cape Coast).

The forum identified the prospects as well as challenges to enable stakeholders to strategise to revamp businesses and woo investors to transform the Central Regional Capital.

Chiefs, business owners, lecturers, heads of state organisations and students, who participated, identified countless opportunities in education, tourism, hospitality, agriculture, agro-processing, and fishing among others, which were worth investing in.

In their view, creating trustwort
hy partnerships would establish a symbiotic support system where businesses could work together at different levels to ensure they flourished collectively and contributed meaningfully to the local economy.

They noted that toning down on the competition and going into partnerships was critical in business growth in the contemporary world.

Nana Obiri Aduama, the Nkosohen of Oguaa Traditional Area and General Manager of the Ridge Royal Hotel explained that building partnerships did not necessarily mean merging businesses but making arrangements in areas of mutual benefits.

‘For instance, market women can put their monies together and send one person to buy the items at the farmgate in bulk, instead of going individually, which will affect their capital and inevitably inflate the prices too,’ he said.

‘If we come together to do business, it will drive down the prices, ease the burden on consumers and boost our businesses for our collective good.’

Nana Aduama encouraged market women to take records of their b
usiness activities to help them get access to credit facilities and effectively trace their profitability.

‘There is a lot of money in Cape Coast and if we change our mindset and work together, the city will develop.’

‘Businesses should plan well, looking at the long term, building capital and growing the market.’

Dr Richard Adu Agyapong, a Lecturer at the School of Business, University of Cape Coast (UCC), entreated entrepreneurs to leverage the power of technology and innovation to improve their services and expand their customer base.

He said it was cheaper to create brand awareness and build strong relationships with a wider customer base on social media such as Facebook and Instagram with millions of active users across the globe.

Dr Charles Hackman Kwamena Essel, also a Lecturer with the UCC School of Business, urged business owners to develop a progressive mindset and adopt the attitude of resilience and perseverance.

That would improve decision-making skills, strengthen customer relationships, e
nhance risk management, and promote sustainability and ethical practices among others, he noted.

He entreated the youth to learn new skills rather than getting fixated on what they knew already even when there were no opportunities for same.

Madam Nicholina Naa Yeye Adumuah, the Central Regional Head, National Insurance Commission (NIC), appealed to business leaders to identify young talents in different areas and mentor them to help the ancient city to grow.

She said the city was abound of talented youth who needed guidance and grooming to reach their potential.

‘There are a lot nurturing we can do and so let’s go back to the basic and secondary schools and the universities and see how we can nurture the young students to help the development of Oguaa,’ she said.

As a regulator of insurance companies in the region, she attested to the numerous opportunities and wooed insurance companies to extend their operations to the area.

Nana Pokoo-Aikins, the Central Regional Chairman of the Ghana National Chambe
r of Commerce, called on business owners to collaborate with academia to polish the skills of their workforce.

Also the Development Chief of Kakumdo Traditional Area, he observed that investors depended largely on the skillset of local artisans for cheaper operations, therefore the new to constantly update their skills to stay in business.

He said it was critical to build the capacity of local businesses to take advantage of the city’s resources.

Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, Oguaamanhen, reiterated the need to embrace digital marketing and social media for business operations.

He said the forum had been fruitful and urged participants to put the knowledge acquired into practice to transform Cape Coast.

‘We are going to build on all the discussions, and we will produce a document and make sure it works,’ he said.

‘We have an aim, and we are working towards that aim.’

The annual Osabarimba Royal Awards, jointly instituted by the Ridge Royal Hotel and the Oguaa Traditional Council, seeks to reward businesses
and individuals for their exceptional achievements and contributions to the development of Cape Coast.

The awards ceremony, scheduled for Saturday, January 20, at the Emintsimadze Palace, would be preceded by ‘a night with Kwaw Paintsil Ansah’, a legendary Ghanaian filmmaker, on Friday and be crowned with a movie night at the Ridge Royal Hotel on Sunday.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Cocoa Marketing Company donates to UHAS


The Cocoa Marketing Company, a subsidiary of the Ghana Cocoa Board has donated essential Information and Communications Technology (ICT) equipment to the University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ho, in the Volta Region.

The donation was made by Mr Francis Amoah-Frimpong, Volta Regional Administrator of the Ghana Cocoa Board, on behalf of Cocoa Marketing Company (Ghana) Limited.

The donation included two all-in-one desktop computers, two HP LaserJet printers, two projectors, and a laptop.

Mr Amoah-Frimpong highlighted that the donation symbolised Cocoa Marketing Company Limited’s commitment to supporting institutions dedicated to community development.

He urged management of the university to maintain the equipment properly to maximise its benefits and ensure that it was utilised effectively to enhance academic and administrative operations.

Prof. Lydia Aziato, Vice-Chancellor of the University, expressed gratitude for the donation, and acknowledged its importance to the University.

She emphasised th
e need for greater cooperation between the University, and Cocoa Marketing Company (Ghana) Limited.

Madam Yaa Amankwaa Opuni, the Registrar of UHAS, pledged to take good care of the items and ensure that they were utilised efficiently.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Nkonya Senior High School to get 12-seater modern Washrooms courtesy old student, family


An old student of Nkonya Senior High School (NKOSEC) in the Oti region has committed to construct a 12-seater modern washroom facility for the girls dormitory of the school.

Richard Kojo Acheampong, a Ghanaian based in Britain, and his wife, who are both old students of the school, undertook to offer the support after becoming aware of the deplorable state of the make-shift facility serving as washroom for the female students.

In an interview, Mr. Acheampong said he was shocked when he visited the school recently and was shown the structure used by the female students as washroom.

‘So, my wife and I decided to construct a modern washroom facility for the female students,’ the benefactor stated.

He was hopeful that the 150,000-cedi project would be completed between 45 and 60 days.

Mr. Acheampong, a businessman, author, and philanthropist said he was funding the project from proceeds of his recently launched memoir, titled: ‘Crushed But Not Destroyed.’

When completed, the project would include a roofed
walkway from the new facility to the girls’ dormitory block for easy access even during rains.

The project will also renovate the old washrooms in the female dormitory, which have been out of use, having broken down for over a decade.

‘This is our small way of giving back to the school and the community which nurtured us to be what we are today,’ he said.

The initiative, Mr. Acheampong believes would prick the consciences of other old students and members of the community to come together and support the school in other ways.

Breaking the ground for the start of the project, Ernest Etornam Parku, the headmaster of the school, thanked the benefactor for bringing solution to one of the major problems in Nkonya Senior High School.

‘We are all happy that finally, somebody has heard our cry and is providing a modern sanitation facility for the female students. The female students are also very happy that their dignity is being restored,’ Felix Edu, an assistant headmaster of the school, said in an interview.

M
r Acheampong completed NKOSEC in 1989, and now resides in the United Kingdom where he runs a number of businesses.

NKOSEC is located between Kadjebi and Ntumda in the Nkonya Traditional area in the Biakoye District of the Oti Region. It was Founded in 1964 and has produced many great individuals who have served Ghana in various capacities.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Students from University of Buffalo visit Parliament


The All-African Students Union, from the University of Buffalo, United States of America (USA), has visited the Parliament of Ghana, to familiarise with parliamentary processes and practices.

The visit forms part of the Union’s Annual Global Experiential Programme in Ghana.

It was organised by Parliament’s Department of Public Engagement as part of efforts to bring Parliament closer to the people.

Dr Dorothy Siaw-Asamoah, leader of the delegation, and a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Buffalo, USA, revealed that the visit was to promote a better understanding of Ghana’s rich political and cultural heritage among the students.

‘The visit also intends to expose them to a unique global and diverse experience in social innovation and entrepreneurial leadership,’ she said.

The students were taken through on the evolution of Ghana’s Parliament, its functions, and basic parliamentary processes, as well as Ghana’s democratic governance with a perspective on social innovation.

Source: Ghana N
ews Agency

Guinea makes a step closer to knockout stages after beating The Gambia


Guinea recorded a lone goal victory over The Gambia in their second group game on Friday to enhance their chances of making progress to the next stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations.

Guinea broke the deadlock in the 70th minutes through Aguibou Camara.?

The 22-year old finished off a great team play after latching on to a pass from Morgan Guilavogui to score the opener.?

The Gambia Coach Tom Sainfait introduced two attackers Mohamed Badamosi and Ali Sowe into the game in search of equalizer but they were kept at bay by the resolute Guinea defense.

Guinea now have four points from two games and currently occupies the second position. They would play against already qualified Senegal at the Charles Konan

Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro on Tuesday, January 23.?

Gambia with no point would play Cameroon in their last game on Tuesday, January 23.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Gambia Coach remains confident despite being pointless


Tom Saintfiet Head Coach of Gambian national team, is confident his side will qualify to the knockout stages despite going pointless after two matches in the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

‘We’re still alive, the situation just got more complicated.’

‘We can still qualify with three points in our next game,’ insisted the Scorpions’ boss.

‘We haven’t scored yet so to win we have to find goals against Cameroon,’ he said.

The Belgian reiterated he never called Guinea the group’s weakest side, stating: ‘The weakest in Group C is Gambia, Guinea are the most dangerous,’ he noted in a press conference after the match.

Saintfiet, however, conceded Guinea were better in the first half before Gambia improved after the break.

‘In the first half Guinea were stronger but in the second period we raised our level more,’ the Belgian stated.

‘I’ll stay positive because we did it against a difficult, quality team like Guinea.’

Saintfiet felt Gambia created openings and were unfortunate to have a goal dis
allowed before Guinea’s winner.

‘The goal against us was unexpected. I thanked the players because I can’t speak negatively about the team I lead,’ he added.

Saintfiet identified scoring goals as key to beating Cameroon in their final group match.

Despite the odds, Saintfiet retains belief his side can pull off a famous upset to reach the AFCON knockouts.

Source: Ghana News Agency

‘It was a revenge’ – Guinea Coach boasts after beating Gambia


Guinea Coach Kaba Diawara has said their lone goal victory over The Gambia in the second game of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), is a revenge mission accomplished.

Guinea suffered a similar defeat from The Gambia during the 2021 AFCON.

Mohamed Bayo’s goal gave Guinea a key win in Group C after losing to the same opponents at the 2021 finals.

‘This victory is payback for that previous loss which was so hard to take,’ Diawara told reporters.

‘Winning is more important because it shows we’ve improved over two years and worked hard to get better,’ he stated.

The former Guinea international felt the performance highlighted their progress despite some first-half struggles.

‘What didn’t go well early on was our lack of efficiency, but after changes, things improved,’ he said.

‘Creating chances is the hard part, now we just need to finish them off, and that will come in time.’

Diawara described their upcoming clash with Senegal as ‘the group final’, emphasising his lofty ambitions.

‘Facing
Senegal will be the group’s biggest game and we’re aiming to beat the champions, not just play them,’ he insisted.

He said, ‘With four points already, we’re targeting top spot and trying to qualify in first place from the group.’

Source: Ghana News Agency

Cameroon Coach Rigobert takes responsibility for defeat against Senegal


Rigobert Song Head Coach of Cameroon has taken full responsibility of the 3-1 defeat suffered at the hands of Senegal in the second game of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The Indomitable Lions coach stated at press conference held after the match, that ‘When there is a defeat, we must bear responsibility, and therefore we must admit that Senegal was better than us in the match,’ he said.?

According to Song, his young players would need experience to show up strong on such occasions.

‘Senegal was stronger than us. Their players were in their places on the field. They deserved their victory. For our part, we have young players in the national team, and they are at the beginning of their experience.’

Commenting on the match, he said, ‘I think that the players did everything they could during the match, and small details made the difference in the match.

‘We admit that the competitor was better than us,’ he explained.

Cameroon drew the first game against Guinea and lost to Senegal in the
second match with just a point heading into the third game.?

Song, however, is optimistic, and said that he will lead the Indomitable Lions to the second round of the competition.

‘I am always optimistic. As long as there is a final match, there are no calculations to make. The next match will be a final for us, and I know that we would qualify for the second round,’ he stated.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Senegal makes easy work out of Cameroon


Defending champions Senegal is on course to make a successful defence of their title after defeating Cameroon 3-1 in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro on Friday evening.?

Senegal took an early lead through Ismaila Sarr, with 16 minutes into the game following a teasing pass inside the box while he lurked behind and gleefully pounced on a rebound to register the game’s opener.

The Teranga controlled the second half as they ended the first half and they managed to double their lead.?

Sarr turned provider this time after teeing a perfect pass to the waiting feet of Habib Dailo who made no mistake to slot in the cushioning goal for the Terranga Lions of Senegal.?

Cameroon’s Jean Charles Castelleto slashed Senegal’s lead into two after rising highest to head home a cross from Oliver Ntcham on the 83rd minute to bring the game to 2-1.

The Indomitable Lions after scoring started mounting pressure on Senegal.?

With just 2 minutes to end the game, Sad
io Mane got his first goal of the tournament and Senegal’s third of the night.?

He made no mistake after he was connected with a Pape Gueye pass to score. Andre Onana was beaten completely.?

The win means Senegal has six points out of two games and have qualified to the knockout stage.?

Cameroon needs a win to progress to the knockout in their last game against Gambia on Tuesday.?

Senegal would play their last group match against Guinea at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro on Tuesday, 23 January.?

Source: Ghana News Agency

AFCON 2023: What Cape Verde’s qualification means to Ghana’s chances of progressing


The Black Stars of Ghana’s qualification to the Round of 16 hinges on a lot of factors that could either go their way in their group or in other groups.

Cape Verde, who are in Ghana’s group, secured qualification to the knockout rounds after beating Mozambique 3-0 at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan.

The Blue Sharks of Cape Verde, in fact, would progress as group winners, with Ghana and Egypt, as well as Mozambique, fighting for the second automatic qualification spot.

For the Black Stars of Ghana, a win against Mozambique on Monday would brighten their qualification chances, either as the second-placed team or as one of the four best-ranked third-placed teams.

Yes, four teams with better point accumulation and goal difference who finished third in their respective groups would be selected to join the first two teams of every group to make the round of 16.

So, the Black Stars chances of qualifying for the next round look bright with a win against Mozambique, and an Egypt draw or loss could ev
en lead to a second-place finish.

A draw for the Black Stars against Mozambique would see them finish third, and it wouldn’t be a good result but could still progress considering the outcomes of other group games.

The highly anticipated clash between Ghana and Mozambique would be played at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe in Abidjan on Monday, January 22, 2024.

Source: Ghana News Agency