Category: General

The Medical Director in charge of Afrolifeline Medical Centre at Shama in the Western Region, Dr Priscilla Gloria Nashlord Bekoe, has encouraged the public to take advantage of free health screenings, to know their fitness statuses.

She said it was important to promote good health and living conditions, as getting screened could help detect certain hidden diseases, for early treatment to prevent further complications.

Dr Bekoe gave the advice at one of such free health screening exercises organised as part of activities to mark the ‘2023 Shama Homecoming celebration.’

The people were screened for Malaria, diabetes, hypertension, malnutrition for children and Body Mass Index (BMI) among others.

The Homecoming is on the theme, ‘Breaking the Sins of Our Forefathers.’

Some beneficiaries were excited about the screening, saying it was a good course as they were thoroughly examined and given the needed medication and advice.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Developers Net (DN), a Non-governmental Organisation (NGO) in the Volta region, has held a workshop on sexual and reproductive health for girls at Amutsinu in the Ketu South Municipality.

The move was to create a sustainable solution to sexual and reproductive challenges to promote good hygienic menstrual health among girls.

Mr Yonnah Keleku, leader and Founder of the group said the aim was also to bring together development experts and stakeholders to tackle pressing issues in the various deprived communities.

‘We are focused on four thematic areas, which include Sexual and Reproductive Health, Gender Equality, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and Climate change.’

Mr Keleku said the group, which was made up of young entrepreneur nursing students, had the vision of empowering communities where the needs and aspirations of the vulnerable groups were acknowledged, respected, and met.

He said the NGO strived to build a society that upheld equality, inclusiveness, and sustainable development for all manner
of individuals.

‘Our mission is to collaborate with stakeholders, experts and communities to advocate and accelerate community-led changes.’

Mama Hodzige ll, the Ketu South Director of the National Commission for Civil Education (NCCE), who also participated in the one-day workshop commended the group for the effort in educating girls on gender-based violence.

Some beneficiaries who spoke to GNA expressed happiness about the training and thanked the organisers for the opportunity.

Each participating trainee was presented with a box of sanitary pads.

Source: Ghana News Agency

KGL Group, a leading player in Ghana’s digital landscape, has been honored with three prestigious awards at the National Communications Awards 2023: Ghana Digitalization Edition and Digitalization Expo 2023.

The awards ceremony, which celebrates excellence in communication, digital innovation and technology, recognized KGL Group for its significant contributions to Ghana’s digital economy.

The group’s innovative solutions and commitment to promoting digital transformation have played a crucial role in transforming the country’s digital landscape.

KGL Group’s awards included ‘Technology Visionary Leader of the Year’, ‘Technology Super Brand of the Year’, and ‘Charity Driven Digital Platform of the Year’.

These accolades are a testament to the group’s relentless pursuit of digital excellence and its commitment to making digital services accessible to all Ghanaians.

The ‘Technology Visionary Leader of the Year’ award was given in recognition of Dr. Michael Owusu’s pivotal role in steering KGL Group toward
the unprecedented technological advancements in revolutionizing the way Ghanaians interact with technology.

His visionary approach has not only simplified digital transactions but also made them more secure and efficient.

The ‘Technology Super Brand of the Year’ award was bestowed upon KGL Group for its efforts in promoting ground breaking innovations, and relentless dedication to advancing communication, telecommunications, technology, and digitalization in Ghana.

The group has been instrumental in equipping Ghanaians with the necessary skills to navigate the digital world to bridging the digital divide.

The ‘Charity Driven Digital Platform of the Year’ award also went to FootyCash by KEED Ghana, a platform developed by KGL Group.

This platform has been recognized for its charitable initiatives, showcasing KGL Group’s commitment to leveraging technology for positive societal impact.

The three awards are a reflection of KGL Group’s commitment to driving digital transformation in Ghana. The group’s innov
ative solutions and initiatives have not only enhanced the digital experience for Ghanaians but also contributed to the growth of the country’s digital economy.

Congratulations to KGL Group on this well-deserved recognition! Here’s too many more years of digital innovation and excellence.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Road Master Ghana, an NGO championing road safety, has organised a workshop for drivers and motor riders in the Tema Metropolitan Assembly on how to conduct themselves when driving on the roads.

In an interview with Ghana News Agency at Tema on the sidelines of the training, Mr Richard Timinka, a member of Road Master Ghana, said the team was made up of young professionals working together to educate the public on road safety.

He stated that there were a lot of deaths resulting from road accidents, hence the formation of Road Master Ghana, the organisation of the workshop and kenkey party for the drivers and motor riders to educate them on the essence of road safety.

Mr Timinka said the presence of the Police Motor Transport and Traffic Department (MTTD) on the roads helped to ensure road safety and reduce road accidents.

He cautioned drivers and motorcyclists to exhibit love among themselves to prevent overtaking, overspeeding, and jumping red lights, which may lead to injuries or death.

‘This programm
e would be organised more often to educate all road users,’ he said.

Nana Yaa Ampofowa Debrah II, the Larteh Kubease Obaahemaa (Queen mother), advised drivers and motorcyclists to adhere to traffic regulations, cautioning them to avoid overspeeding.

She appealed to the government to pay attention to the bad roads and cautioned drivers to slow down when they come across potholes.

She urged drivers to be careful on the roads and to avoid drinking alcohol while driving.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Paul Bruce Amoah of the Tema Regional MTTD highlighted the importance of road safety in driving, hence the partnership between the MTTD, Diver Vehicle Licensing Authority DVLA, Road Safety Commission, and Road Master Ghana, for the pre-Christmas road safety campaign.

He emphasised that the campaign seeks to prevent road accidents during and after Christmas, saying ‘The availability of the police on the roads is to ensure safety.’

Again, to prevent road accidents, drivers and motorcyclists should abide by the
driving rules and regulations provided by the government.

He further explained that the rules and regulations for drivers, when violated, would involve police punishment, and these include drunk driving, speeding, wrongful overtaking and driving under the influence of illicit, among others, were forbidden under the law.

He stated that about 95 per cent of all road accidents involved human error, based on road safety analysis, due to the carelessness of drivers.

He stressed that drivers should drive safely in order to record an accident-free Christmas and urged them to put road safety education into practice to reduce road accidents.

Mohammed Tijani, the National Okada Chairman, acknowledged the organisers for imparting to them the essence of road safety and cautioned his fellow motorcyclists and drivers to drive carefully on the roads.

He urged them all to adhere to the instructions of the traffic lights, and motorcyclists should also concentrate when riding with their helmets on.

Source: Ghana News A
gency

Ms Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe, a National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Ada, has urged the government to work to ensure that women across the country, especially, rural communities, regardless of their economic status, have equal access to sanitary pads.

She said: ‘All women deserve this.’

Ms Cudjoe, also the Deputy Minority Whip, addressing the Press in Parliament on Wednesday, called on the government to scrap all taxes on sanitary pads in the country to make them free for girls and women.

‘All that we are crying for women, is we all deserve this, as our children use this, we are crying for the poor, the farmers or the rural communities who cannot afford this, to get it free of charge from the government,’ she said.

Leading some female MPs, market women and female students from the University of Ghana City Campus to make the call, the group gave the government a one-month ultimatum to scrap all taxes on sanitary pads.

She also appealed for accessible and affordable menstrual hygiene pro
ducts.

Ms Cudjoe told the Press that the affordability and availability of sanitary pads were a fundamental necessity for health, dignity, and access to education.

‘We are just giving the government one month to come to the House and amend what he put in the budget statement otherwise we will advise ourselves.

‘They should stop taxing our blood,’ she said.

Ms Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the NDC MP for Ketu South, appealed to the government to work on the elimination of import duties on both imported and locally manufactured sanitary pads, adding that a waiver of Value Added Tax on sanitary pads would enhance accessibility and affordability, especially in marginalised communities to ensure equal access.

‘Countries are sharing these sanitary pads for students free of charge, others have set aside 3 million a year for these sanitary pads. We can do better than that for our children, we can do better than that for our women,’ she said.

The call for the elimination of import duties and Value Added Tax is rooted in
the belief that financial barriers should not deny anyone their basic human right to menstrual hygiene.

Ms Laadi Ayii Ayamba, an NDC MP for Pusiga, explained the ordeal of women in rural areas who did not practice proper menstrual hygiene due to their inability to afford sanitary pads.

She said most of them had to resort to the use of foreign materials that mostly caused the infection, as they did not practice proper menstrual hygiene, which later developed into ‘candidiasis, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, infertility and blockage of the tube.’

Meanwhile, the government announced a zero-rated Value Added Tax (VAT) on locally-produced sanitary pads for five years in the Budget Statement and Economic Policy delivered by Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, the Minister for Finance to Parliament on Wednesday, November 15 , 2023.

Source: Ghana News Agency

A total of 80 community ambassadors in the Mion District of the Northern Region have been trained to help promote positive behaviour change in young males towards sexuality issues confronting young females in the area.

The capacity-building training, which targeted four communities, including Sang, Nayilifong, Zakpalsi and Bayanwaya, brought together 10 young boys and 10 men from each beneficiary community to empower them on how to safeguard the rights of women and girls in their areas.

It is being implemented by Activista Ghana in partnership with the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service, and funded by Power to Youth Ghana, a consortium of three organisations comprising Norsaac, Songtaba and GH Alliance.

The event formed part of Activista Ghana’s four-month sensitisation campaign dubbed: ‘Positive Masculinity’, which focuses on enhancing positive behaviour change in
young males towards sexuality issues confronting young females to reduce sexual and gender-based violence in the District.

Mr Issahaku Abdul-Latif, Northern Regional Coordinator of Activista Ghana, speaking during the training, underscored the crucial role of the ambassadors, saying they would act as mediators between the various law enforcement agencies and their communities in ensuring the safety and well-being of women and girls.

He said the fight against sexual and gender-based violence was a collective responsibility, adding that aside from the ambassadors, community members are encouraged to play an integral role to ensure that the incidence of abuse meted out to women and girls was minimised.

He urged the ambassadors not to relent in their efforts to report perpetrators of domestic violence to law enforcement agencies for the necessary actions to be taken.

Participants were taken through the various channels of reporting cases of abuse, institutions mandated to receive reports of abuse cases and th
e need to raise awareness for men and young boys to support women and girls.

Mr Amadu Hamza, Assembly Member for Sang-Bayanwaya Electoral Area in the District, expressed his readiness to collaborate with the ambassadors and the security services in the area to ensure that the issues of gender-based violence were properly tackled in the communities.

Mr Nassam Amadu, President of Sang Youth Centre, commended Activista Ghana and partners for their immense contribution towards ensuring that the issues affecting women’s active participation in community development were prioritised.

Activista Ghana, as part of the campaign, has engaged traditional authorities and other opinion leaders in the area to rally their support for effective partnership between the ambassadors and the communities.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Fiaseman Rural Bank PLC at Bogoso in the Western Region, has recommended payment of GH? 2.7 million worth of dividend to its shareholders for the 2022 financial year.

Although the Bank encountered challenges, the Board of Directors, Management and some prominent personalities worked hard to make way for the approval.

Dr Anthony Sarpong, the Board Chairman of Fiaseman Rural Bank PLC, announced this at the 34th Annual General Meeting (AGM), to discuss the 2021 and 2022 annual report.

‘Currently we are paying 0.86 per cent of our dividend per share to shareholders, compared to 0.6 per cent paid in the last year, which is a plus to the current board and management.

It also shows a good sign that the bank is doing well, and going forward we may even be able to pay GH?1.00 per share,’ said the Board Chairman.

On the bank’s performance, Dr Sarpong stated that despite the economic challenges, Fiaseman Rural Bank PLC performed incredibly well by recording an impressive profit before tax of GH?14, 398, 799 in 202
2, as against GH?11, 099, 819 in 2021 representing a growth of 29.72 per cent.

This, he explained, was due to the astute leadership style of the Board, Management and staff to ensure better returns for all stakeholders.

The Board Chairman said the total assets of the bank grew from GH?240, 708, 291 in 2021 to GH?351,893, 819 representing 46.19 per cent, added that, ‘Every bank thrives on deposit and I am glad to inform you that the deposit of the bank grew from GH?208, 240, 311 in 2021 to GH?308, 273,143 representing 48.03 per cent.

He mentioned that the banks’ investment in Treasury Bills and other investment increased from GH?109, 216, 538 in 2021 to GH?175, 373, 811 representing a growth of 60. 57 per cent.

The Board Chairman said out of the total investment in government securities, GH?18, 281, 575 constituted bonds which were affected by the DDEP and same was exchanged for GH?19, 733, 935. (including accrued coupon).

Additionally, he revealed that the shareholders’ funds appreciated by 28.76 per cen
t from GH?24, 507, 853 in 2021 to GH?31, 555, 106 in 2022, while a total of GH?163, 518 was spent in relation to Corporate Social Responsibility.

The bank awarded scholarship to 23 tertiary students, donated two motorbikes to the Ghana Police Service at Prestea, constructed a police post at Bawdie, supported Appiatse disaster victims, Ghana Education Service training of new teachers and rehabilitated the regional directorate, assisted the Ghana National Association of tailors and dressmakers, and the Ghana National Fire Service, Dr Sarpong added.

He said at the Ghana Club 100 awards, the bank placed 53rd position, and in the Association of Rural Banks Ghana – the bank won the Best Regional Rural Bank-Western Region and was also placed among the top 15 companies in the Wassaman Entertainment Awards in 2022.

On the outlook for the coming years, the Board Chairman stressed that ‘Looking at the significant role your bank is playing in the Rural bank in sub-sector, it is incumbent upon us to maintain the momen
tum so as not to be taken by events.

The board is poised to invest in human capital since every sustainable business thrives on well-trained human resources.’

Again, the bank shall deepen its quest to serve its esteemed customers with the state-of-the-art technology given the digitalisation of the banking industry.

The bank is also collaborating with ARB Bank PLC to take advantage of the mobile and Agency Banking Application which would take off in the fourth quarter of 2023.

In view of this, the Bank was entreating its cherished customers to take advantage of the new developments when rolled out, Dr Sarpong advised.

He expressed appreciation to their forefathers who established the bank, patrons in development, regulators, traditional authorities, shareholders, customers, past and present directors, management and staff for their dedication and commitment all these years.

Mr Alex Kwasi Awuah, the Managing Director of ARB Apex Bank PLC, appealed to the Government to release their locked-up funds and red
uce the tax on rural banks to use those monies to develop their respective operational areas.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has urged stakeholders in the agriculture value chain to embrace technology and digitalisation to take advantage of the changing dynamics of the industry.

The Vice President expressed excitement about the possibilities available to leverage big data and Artificial Intelligence to bring some certainty into a venture dependent on the weather in Africa.

‘The future of agriculture is no more about cutlasses and hoes. The emerging technologies in Artificial Intelligence, blockchain, internet of things, etc are now the way to go to make agriculture smart in conformity to the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This is one of the ways to make agriculture attractive to this new generation.’

Vice President Bawumia made the call during the commissioning of the Siriboe Institute of Agribusiness and Skills Development at Juaben in the Ashanti Region.

The brainchild of Nana Yaw Sarpong Siriboe I, Akyempimhene of Juaben Traditional Area and reigning National Best Farmer, the Institute aims to
train and equip students with adequate theoretical and technical skills in agribusiness and entrepreneurship.

It is also intended to empower students to establish and operate their enterprises effectively.

The 700-seater capacity facility, with spaces for formal lectures, demonstrations, and workshops, a creche for young mothers to enable them gain knowledge without sacrificing their maternal obligations, a cafeteria and practical demonstration farm located in the 400-acre Siriboe Farms Complex.

The Institute was established with his prize money (one million Ghana Cedis) for winning the 2022 Best Farmer Award, resources from his farm (Siriboe Farms) and his personal savings, according to Nana Yaw Sarpong Siriboe I, who is the third-youngest person to win the National Best Farmer Award.

Dr Bawumia reiterated the Government’s commitment to providing skills training, especially to the youth.

He lauded the Founder of the Institute for recognizing the importance of skills development, practical training, and
hands-on experience for the youth.

‘Today, this centre is being opened to offer opportunities for young people who have the desire to engage in smart Agriculture and the skills set needed for the future of work.

‘I am particularly delighted with the partnership of this centre with other academic institutions of higher learning and the High Schools. It provides proof that Siriboe Institute of Agribusiness and Skills development is youth focused.

‘Within the last seven years the NPP government has put a lot of measures in place to build the Start-up and Entrepreneurship Innovation Ecosystem in Ghana’.

Currently Ghana ranks 99th on the global Innovation index and among the top five robust start-ups ecosystem in Africa.

He said the government had provided support for the youth through Start-ups and MSMEs such as the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), the Ghana Enterprise Agency (GEA), the Youth Employment Agency, the National Youth Authority and other Ministries, department, and agenc
ies.

‘The government also has supported 45 Innovation Hubs across the country through NEIP with about US$ 7 million, with this centre we are launching today being part of the beneficiaries of the new NEIP Hubs Grant Programme,’the Vice President stated.

Dr Bawumia challenged the leadership of the Institute to make it a ‘centre of excellence for agriculture innovation and skills development’, thus, pledged government’s support to achieve the goal.

The ceremony was attended by the Omanhene of the Juaben traditional Area, Nana Otuo Siriboe II, who is also Chairperson of the Council of State; Nana Effah Apenteng, Omanhene of Bompata traditional area; Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, Minister for Education, Mrs Ama Pomaa Boateng, MP for Juaben; and representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and the ADB Bank.

Source: Ghana News Agency