Day: December 24, 2023

Dr George Agyekum Donkor, the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), has once again been recognised as one of the 100 personalities transforming Africa.

Financial Afrik, a leading business news magazine, in its annual rankings, now in the ninth year, highlights influential individuals for their accomplishments within the year.

It recognises their positive impacts and contributions to Africa’s socio-economic development.

In December 2022, Dr Donkor featured as a ‘Development Banker’ of the Year, and in 2023, he featured again as an ‘Integrator,’ says an EDIB release shared with the Ghana News Agency.

This speaks not only to his efforts towards positioning the sub-region for growth but also his commitment to enhancing regional integration for sustainable development.

Dr Donkor’s leadership of EBID saw significant achievements including upgrading of the Bank’s credit rating by Moody’s and Fitch, improvement in the quality of the Bank’s por
tfolio and the development of a more robust governance structure.

Chief amongst these achievements has been the overall increase in the Bank’s interventions, with a total of USD 3.8 Billion deployed, to-date, for various projects all over the ECOWAS sub-region.

‘Guided by an ambitious strategy for 2021-2025, EBID continues to grow with Dr Donkor at the helm and is expected to keep doing bigger exploits,’ the release said.

EBID is the development finance institution of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) comprising 15 member states: Ghana, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

Based in Lomé, Togo’s capital, the Bank is committed to financing developmental projects and programmes covering diverse initiatives from infrastructure and basic amenities, rural development and environment, industry, and social services sectors, through its private and public sector windows.

EBID interven
es through long, medium, and short-term loans, equity participation, lines of credit, refinancing, financial engineering operations and related services.
Source: Ghana News Agency

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