Day: November 9, 2023

Mr Abu Kansangbata, a former Deputy Upper West Regional Minster has cautioned Ghanaians to lower their expectations in the forthcoming budget statement to be presented to Parliament for the fiscal year. He said: ‘we must not overlook the current state of our economy, which is currently not displaying a favourable outlook’. In a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Thursday, Mr Kasangbata said the paramount importance of the budget statement served as a comprehensive roadmap for rejuvenating the Ghanaian economy and renewing of collective hope for a brighter future. He said ‘as we anticipate the release of the forthcoming budget statement, our hopes, must rest on the realization of tangible changes in our nation’s taxation system. The focus should be on lightening the tax burden, fostering prosperity, and addressing critical issues in healthcare, education, energy, and the manufacturing sector’. Mr Kasangbata said while the realization of the expectations remained uncertain, hopes for a brighter economic outlook and improved living conditions should be the clarion call of Ghanaians. He said the current tax structure was seen as a roadblock to economic growth, hampering businesses’ ability to thrive and urged the government to introduce a more compassionate and balanced approach to taxation, facilitating the nation’s journey towards prosperity. The former Deputy Minister mentioned healthcare, education, and the long-standing energy crisis that continued to plague the nation as major issues that needed redress. ‘Additionally, our crucial manufacturing sector, with its pivotal role in job creation and economic growth, should receive the attention it rightfully deserves in the budget.Inflation has been a concern, with a rate of 38% in September, though showing a slight improvement from August’s 40%. Addressing inflation is crucial to maintain economic stability’. He said the debt-to-GDP ratio, at 71.9%, raised concerns about sustainability and managing and reducing the debt burden was vital for long-term economic health. ‘The monetary policy rate and exchange rate fluctuations add complexity to the situation. A steady monetary policy and exchange rate management are essential for economic stability. Reports from ISSER suggest a 30-40% haircut on Eurobonds, reflecting the need for debt restructuring’.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Seth Ogoe Ayim, the Chief Executive Officer of Bountiful Technologies Company Limited has advised students, especially girls to take keen interest in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programme. This, he said, would bridge the gender gap in STEM education and empower the next generation of female leaders in Ghana. Speaking at the Girl Powered STEM Workshop in Accra to celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child, Mr Ayim said globally, 20 per cent women were in STEM, adding that ‘the girl power programme is to enable our girls to see STEM as fun.’ The Girl Powered STEM Workshop was organised by Bountiful STEM Educational Foundation and Bountiful Technologies Ltd in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Vex Robotics, REC Foundation and Goethe Institute, Accra. The workshop which saw over 200 girls in attendance from across public schools in Accra was on the theme ‘Explore Endless Possibilities’ Mr Ayim said STEM education was not only about equations and formulas but a gateway to innovation, problem-solving, and building a brighter future, saying ‘Every girl should have the opportunity to explore these fields and realize her full potential. ‘Research has shown that girls lose interest in STEM as early as in class two or third grade or second grade, so we want to make sure that these girls get excited. We don’t want them to wait till they go to high school or the university before we start to introduce STEM to them. ‘There should be an equal opportunity for girls to be able to compete with the boys or the men in technology. ‘As we know, women in our culture are always left behind so we want girls to come out of their comfort zone to compete with the boys or even contribute to society in terms of the digital economy,’ he said. Mr Ayim, therefore, appealed to Ghanaians to spread the word and inspire more young girls to pursue STEM careers and encouraged them to explore, be creative, and innovative. Mr Aaron Kwaku Twum Akwaboah, Director of Strategy and Innovation at the Ministry of Education said Ghana would only live up to its full STEM potential by supporting the efforts of girls and women in the STEM field. According to him ‘the Minister is very keen on STEM education and sees it as a way to transform the country’s fortunes and fulfil the Ghanaian dream.’ Dr Stella Asare, Deputy Director of Edutech noted that girls deserve an equal opportunities and representation in STEM fields, saying they have the potentials in contributing to the advancement of humanity and the planet but ‘they face barriers that prevent them from pursuing their dreams. ‘Some of these barriers include lack of access to quality education, lack of role models and mentors, lack of confidence and self-esteem, gender stereotypes and biases that discourage them from exploring their interests and talents in STEM,’ she added. Madam Miriam Amponsah, President Women in Engineering, the ECG Chapter, said ‘according to UNESCO’s 2020 Gender Report, girls’ enrolment in school has increased steadily over time’ adding that ‘however, there is still a great gender disparity in higher levels of education, example in STEM subjects.’ According to her, ‘over the years, we have carried out several Career Guidance and Mentorship programmes for females in JHS, SHS and the university.’ ‘Last year we organized a career guidance programme for girls in selected primary and JHS in Takoradi,’ she added. Madam Amponsah advised the students to embrace STEM with enthusiasm, curiosity, and confidence and ‘let it take you to places you have never imagined.’ She appealed to parents to motivate and encourage their children to take interest in STEM programmes saying guiding young girls at a tender age to take courses in STEM would go a long way to sustain their interest to stay in those fields. Mrs Victoria Ansah, National STEM Coordinator, Science Education Unit of Ghana Education Service said her outfit was working with the government to make STEM education easier for students, especially females. Madam Selina Appiah, President of Bountiful STEM Educational Foundation stated that it was possible for girls to pursue any of the STEM programmes, hence the need for the Foundation to organise the Girl-Powered Workshop. She said the organisation would reach out to various schools in the 16 regions in Ghana for them to know that girls could also pursue STEM programmes in schools. Madam Appiah appealed to the government and other stakeholders to support the foundation, saying it would go a long way to motivate the girls to develop interest and pursue STEM programmes in schools.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Ghana Navy has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Fly Zipline Ghana Limited to recover the company’s lost drones. The company, which operates delivery drones, has lost drones and supplies along major river bodies nationwide. A statement issued on Thursday said the MoU, signed on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at the Naval Headquarters, Burma Camp, Accra, will allow the Navy to assist in the recovery of the company’s missing drones and supplies. The agreement, signed by Rear Admiral Issah Adam Yakubu, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), and Mr Mawuli Atiemo, the General Manager Fly Zipline Ghana Limited, also seeks to enhance collaborations in capacity building and training opportunities between the two institutions. Rear Admiral Yakubu said the agreement was a good step that was in accordance with the Ghana Navy’s principal objective of providing sea defence and maritime support. He said Fly Zipline Ghana’s request for assistance was timely and within the capabilities of the Navy. The CNS said the collaborations would enhance capacity building and afford training opportunities between the two institutions. He also revealed plans for the Navy to develop a Drone Squadron, which he said will oversee the operation of its drones to aid in search and rescue missions. Mr Mawuli Atiemo stated that the signing of the MoU would strengthen collaboration in sharing ideas that would benefit the country. The Ghana Navy last April offered Fly Zipline Ghana access to its Maritime Operations Centre and its web-based monitoring platform.

This was done so that the Navy could track and follow Zipline’s flight operations and respond swiftly if a drone or supply fell into any of the water bodies over which Zipline operates.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The American Tower Corporation (ATC) has commissioned an ultra-modern Digital Communities Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre for the Mangu Methodist Basic School in Wa to advance ICT teaching and learning. Digital Communities are computer-equipped learning centres that utilise uninterrupted power supply and broadband connection from ATC tower sites to provide access to ICT services and training to basic school pupils and residents in underserved communities. Speaking at the commissioning of the facility in Wa, Mr Ivan Nortey, the ATC Ghana Head of Asset Management, explained that the Corporation placed premium on the Digital Communities programme because it was a key initiative to drive the development of skilled professionals for Ghana’s telecommunications industry. He said globally, ATC’s sustainability initiatives focused greatly on digital literacy by leveraging technology to improve access to quality education and enhance the livelihoods of underserved and unserved communities. ‘The Digital Communities project is also in line with the Government of Ghana’s vision to digitalise all aspects of the Ghanaian economy under its Digital Ghana Agenda. We at ATC Ghana, are proud to play a role in supporting this vision of an inclusive digital economy while encouraging many brilliant young people to go into the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) space,’ Mr Nortey explained. He said the Corporation had completed and commissioned 10 fully equipped centres across the country since 2018 with an additional nine centres completed and awaiting commissioning for use including the centre at Mangu. He encouraged the school children to take advantage of the ICT learning centre, which was a foundation towards a career in STEM. Madam Monica Achana, the Upper West Regional Manager of the Methodist Education Unit, expressed gratitude to ATC for bequeathing the facility to the school, saying it would improve ICT teaching and learning. She said the impact of the ICT centre would not be limited to that school but the Wa Municipality, the Upper West Region and the country as a whole. Madam Achana said computer literacy was important to enhancing children’s critical thinking abilities. The Education Manager assured the leadership of ATC of a good maintenance culture for the facility to ensure it lived its purpose. Madam Monica Danaah, the Headmistress of the Mangu Methodist Primary School, thanked ATC for the gesture and said: ‘Let us embrace this moment with open hearts and open minds, for it marks the beginning of a new chapter in our educational journey.’ She said the school had been dedicated to the holistic development of students and that the Digital Community Centre would play a pivotal role in creating a brighter and promising future for the children. ‘The possibilities are endless, and we are excited to see the transformative effects that this centre will have on the lives of our students and the community at large’, she added. The Digital Communities ICT Centre at the Wa Methodist Basic School was equipped with ten computers with internet connectivity. The event was attended by the Paramount Chief of the Dorimon Traditional Area, the Chief of Mangu and his elders, representatives of the Wa Municipal Education Directorate and the Municipal Assembly, among others.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Board of the Universal Merchant Bank (UMB) has appointed Samuel Sakyi-Hyde as the Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Bank. He is expected to continue to drive the growth strategy of the Bank, as the process of executive succession is secured, within regulatory and statutory guidelines. A statement issued in Accra and copied to GNA by Kofi Sarfo Akyea, Representative of the Corporate Communications Department, said Mr Sakyi-Hyde is a leading Ghanaian banker with almost three decades of experience. His career track includes periods at UniCredit Ghana Limited where he served as the Chief Executive Officer. He has since 2019 served as General Manager, Consumer Banking at UMB, where he is recognized and acclaimed for bringing the Consumer Banking Division of the Bank into the black for the first time in a decade. Mr. George Smith Graham, the Board Chairman at UMB, said: ‘Sakyi-Hyde comes to the role as part of the succession protocol being deployed, as Nana Dwemoh Benneh proceeds to retire from the Bank. It is a testament to the robust governance framework we have in place and it is anticipated that the growth strategy and trajectory we have in place will continue seamlessly.’ Mr Sakyi-Hyde said: ‘I am humbled by the appointment and look forward to contributing to the Bank’s 50-year heritage of positive impact in this market. Our brand is strong and the fundamentals of our business are healthy.’ He pledged to continue to vigorously pursue the Bank’s growth strategy of achieving dominance in SME and prioritise a digital-led offering.

‘Overall, I am glad to lead a team that has been committed to delivering a uniquely Ghanaian perspective to world-class banking, since 1972,’ he added.

Source: Ghana News Agency

A day’s forum to solicit the support of government and other key stakeholders in the donkey value chain as part of the fight against donkey hide trade in the country has been held in Tamale. The forum was to draw the government’s attention to formulating policies and programmes geared towards safeguarding the donkey species from extinction in the country. It was organised by Donyaepa and the Ghana National Poultry Network Association (GAPNET) as part of the Fight Against Donkey Extinction (FADE) Ghana project. It brought together various stakeholders from the Northern, Upper East, Upper West, North East and Savannah Regions including representatives of Municipal and District Assemblies, Department of Veterinary Services, representatives of the Donkey Value Chain Network Stakeholders among others. With funding support from the Brooke UK through Brooke West Africa Dakar Senegal, the project seeks to fight against illegal mass slaughter of donkeys for their hide for export to China. Professor Roger Adamu Lure Kanton, National Advocacy Officer, FADE project, speaking during the event, underscored the need for urgent actions to safeguard the donkey species, which served as the major backbone to agriculture and other socio-economic activities. He said although the project, in collaboration with some stakeholders, had successfully closed some slaughterhouses in the North East Region where donkeys were being slaughtered in droves approximately 100 – 50 per day, there was need for legislation to support the fight. He said, ‘We must resist the mass slaughter of donkeys being perpetuated by some faceless Ghanaian collaborators with their Chinese accomplices.’ Mr Mohammed Awal Fuseini, the Vice Chairman of the Donkey Value Chain Operators in the Bongo District of the Upper East Region said the indiscriminate slaughter of donkeys was adversely affecting rural farmers, especially female farmers, who relied on them for their livelihoods. He expressed the need for more research to be conducted on the breeding of the species, to enable farmers to make informed choices on the calibre of breeds suitable for them. Dr John Akwasi Ohemeng, North East Regional Director of the Veterinary Services urged farmers not to abuse donkeys. Participants proposed the enactment of by-laws to regulate the rearing and slaughtering of donkeys, investing in multiple breeds for tourism purposes, commercialisation of donkey farming, research on the nutritional value of donkeys, instituting an award scheme for the best donkey farmer in the annual National Farmers’ Day where hardworking farmers would receive awards among others.

Source: Ghana News Agency