Day: December 29, 2023

Inspire To Act in collaboration with Dawah Academy has begun the implementation of a project to educate members of the public on tuberculosis (TB) targeting a total of 16,000 family members in six districts in the Northern Region.

The year-long project being implemented in Tamale Metropolis, Sagnarigu, Nanumba North, Gushegu, Yendi and Karaga Districts will train some 120 faith-based actors, and an additional 120 clinical and non-clinical staff of the Ghana Health Services to intensify awareness of TB.

The project, ‘Promoting the Human Rights of People with and Affected by TB to Health Services, ‘ is supported by the Stop TB Partnership and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) with funding from USAID and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS and Tuberculosis.

Alhaji Abdul-Rashid Imoro, Executive Director of Inspire to Act, a youth advocacy organisation, at a consultative stakeholder engagement forum in Tamale to kick-start the project, said it was to build the capacities of some traditional auth
orities, faith-based actors, and other healthcare workers to champion campaigns on the abuse of the rights of persons affected by tuberculosis.

Participants were drawn from the Tamale Metropolis and Sagnarigu Municipality including some selected traditional authorities, staff of the Ghana Health Service, tuberculosis champions and other faith-based actors.

Alhaji Imoro said the project was intended to change the negative impression of tuberculosis patients to enable victims to access quality health care.

He urged members of the public not to stigmatise and discriminate against people affected by tuberculosis and said it was discouraging more people from knowing their status, thus leading to surging cases of the disease in the country.

Alhaji Abdul-Karim Ibrahim, Executive Director of Dawah Academy, an Islamic focus organisation and lead implementing partner of the project, underscored the significant role of traditional authorities and other stakeholders towards addressing some of the myths and misconcept
ions associated with tuberculosis.

He appealed to them to use their platforms to sensitise their followers on the disease as well as encourage them to avail themselves of testing and treatment.

Dr Anthony Gingong, Northern Regional Tuberculosis Coordinator, said his outfit, with the support of the health facilities and other NGOs, has intensified their advocacy and case search on tuberculosis, resulting in most of the cases recorded and treated at the various facilities.

He lauded the National Tuberculosis Programme for facilitating the regular flow of tuberculosis medications, which contributed significantly to the detection and treatment of cases in the region.

Bishop Raymond Kassim, Northern Regional Chairman of the Ghana Charismatic Council, commended partners for the project and said tuberculosis was still prevalent in the country.
Source: Ghana News Agency

The Cape Vibes Band, a renowned brass band crew based in Cape Coast, on Friday, treated children on admission at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH) to a variety of melodious carols to lighten up the mood for Christmas.

From slow, to mid to fast tempos, the band thrilled the sick children, their parents, and the staff on the ward with the perfect blend of tuneful sounds from trumpets, drums, and other instruments as they danced their hearts out.

With the atmosphere akin to a concert ground, even the bedridden children, were visibly entertained, smiled, and moved in their beds.

The band also donated assorted drinks and biscuits to the children as part of their visit.

The band also visited the Ankaful Prisons where it played live band music to entertain inmates and officers at the prison.

With a mission to touch lives and give back to society through music, the gesture formed part of the band’s Corporate Social Responsibilities.

Madam Afia Ofori Atakora, Chief Nursing Officer of CCTH, expressed grati
tude to the management of the band and underscored that music was therapeutic and facilitated the healing of the sick.

She commended them for putting smiles on the faces of the children, saying once they were happy, it meant they were getting well.

‘Music is healing to the soul and so when you are sick in bed and you hear the sound of music, it refreshes you and makes you happy.

‘The staff on the ward are also happy because you have brought Christmas to them. Even though they are working, they are also enjoying themselves,’ she said.

Mr Kenneth Sam, Music Director of Cape Vibes Band, indicated that they were obliged by their mission and the significance of the season to demonstrate love to the less fortunate.

‘They are supposed to be home enjoying Christmas with their families and friends but for some reason, they are unfortunately confined here.

‘And so, as a band, we decided to bring Christmas to them because they deserve it,’ he added.
Source: Ghana News Agency

A farewell ceremony has been held in Yaounde for the Indomitable Lions as they head to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.

The event was organized by the Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, to show support to the Lions ahead of their upcoming AFCON campaign.

Other state personalities attended the ceremony, including the President’s representative, Director of Civil Cabinet of the Presidency Samuel Mvondo Ayolo who presided at the event.

The President of FECAFOOT, Samuel Eto’o, as well as the Indomitable Lions’ head coach Rigobert Song and other football legends were present.

There were cultural displays, after which the President’s representative extended a symbol of support to the Lions by handing over the Cameroon flag to Fabrice Ondoa on behalf of President Paul Biya. ‘In the name of the President of the Republic, I give you this flag of Cameroon so that you should defend the colours of Cameroon at the 34th edition of the Afcon’ Samuel Mvondo Ayolo said.

The five Indomitable Lions who were present at the event; Leonel Ateba, Wilfried Nathan, Fabrice ondoa, Njie Clinton and Faris Moumbagna are expected to take off for Saudi Arabia on December 30th while the others will join them there.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) and the Central East Motor Traffic and Transport Department have embarked on a joint education and coordinated enforcement exercise to enhance road safety during and after the Christmas festivities.

The exercise, started on Thursday, December 28, along the Kasoa-YooMart-Liberia Camp stretch, is focused on unprescribed lamps, vehicles with relay drivers and logbooks, among others.

Passengers, during the outreach, also received education and encouraged to ensure that drivers adhered to all road safety rules and report recalcitrant ones to the police.

Miss Catherine Hamilton, Greater Accra Regional Director, NRSA, said the exercise would be replicated on other highways, adding that next year, the NRSA would carry out an exercise to address jaywalking.

Jaywalking is the act of walking across a street in a careless and dangerous way, or not at the proper place.

She said such exercises would help the Authority to make informed decisions and direct future policies gear
ed towards improving road safety.

Ms Hamilton wished Ghanaians a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year and urged them to enjoy the yuletide in moderation.
Source: Ghana News Agency

Ghanaian entrepreneur, Hamamat Beauty, has stressed the tangible impact the diaspora is making on the local economy, contributing to the development of the country.

She said this at the African Diaspora Investment Summit, which aims to foster collaboration with emerging Ghanaian businesses as well as empower their initiatives.

Highly distinguished personalities in the diaspora converged to explore avenues for investment on the African continent while also shedding light on challenges and opportunities.

Hamamat, who was one of the key speakers at the event, highlighted the need to harness the potential of the African diaspora for investment, innovation, and sustainable development.

She noted that the Diaspora had a crucial role to play in using the skills to change the narrative and help businesses on the continent, urging them to increase their investments.

Hamamat shared her perspective on navigating regulatory landscapes and leveraging technology for financial inclusion.

On stage was Forbes Africa He
ad of Digital Media PeaceHyde and Social Media Tycoon, Patricia Bright.

One of the key highlights of the summit was the rich tapestry of cultures and backgrounds represented.

Participants also engaged in dialogues that went beyond the surface, delving into the intricacies of sustainable development and responsible investment.

The summit served as a platform to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit within the African diaspora.

Participants shared their various success stories and insights into how they were contributing to the economic growth of the continent.
Source: Ghana News Agency

The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) is leading a coordinated enforcement action aimed at minimising risks associated with travel this festive season.

The Authority in collaboration with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) and the Motor Traffic and Transport Directorate (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service, has intensified vehicle inspections on major highways in the Ashanti Region.

One such joint operation has been undertaken at Yawkwei in the Asante-Akim South Municipality during a thorough inspection of vehicles and documents of motorists conducted on the Konongo-Nkawaw stretch.

The team inspected the conditions of vehicles to ensure they were worthy for the road and also engaged the passengers on the need for the exercise and reminded them of their roles in ensuring safety on the road.

Motorists who did not have reflectors and other relevant equipment were made to buy on the spot while others, especially heavy-duty trucks with proscribed lamps above the windscreens were asked to remo
ve them.

Regulation 65 of the Road Traffic Regulation (LI 2180) prohibits the use of proscribed lamps which often blurs the vision of other road users.

Mr. Kwame Koduah Atuahene, Director for Regulation, Inspection and Compliance, NRSA, said the three public sector implementing agencies had been conducting such exercises regularly and that it had been intensified in response to the increasing vehicular movements during the yuletide.

He said the Authority had safety inspectors stationed at major lorry terminals whose duties were to ensure that vehicles leaving those terminals met the minimum safety requirements.

‘We have chosen to come to the major highways trying to target vehicles that are not coming from the terminals,’ he explained.

According to him the Authority and its partners conducted an exercise about a year ago to clamp down on vehicles with proscribed lamps which was successful, but the phenomenon seemed to be coming back hence the exercise was also focusing on addressing that practice.

The a
bsence of retro-reflective tapes and fire extinguishers, he disclosed, were the common violations identified during the exercise and stressed a need for motorists to prioritise their own safety and that of other road users.

Mr Kwasi Agyenim Boateng, the Regional Director of NRSA, underlined the need for drivers to do their own safety inspections on their vehicles every day before hitting the road.

He said the spot inspection by the team served as a second layer of the safety net to help reduce the risks of road crashes with the ultimate goal of saving lives.

The Regional Director reminded motorists that they had a duty to make it a priority to observe all road traffic regulations to make the roads safer for everybody.
Source: Ghana News Agency

Mrs Yvonne Nana Afriyie Opare, the newly appointed Managing Director of Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), has pledged her commitment to maintaining and enhancing relationships with stakeholders to achieve success in the management and operations of the Company.

Mr Opare made the commitment when the Board introduced her to staff at a durbar in Accra.

The Managing Director said she would continue on the solid foundation laid by her predecessors and expressed her willingness to enhance areas requiring improvement and set new achievable goals.

She said in the area of collaboration individual strengths, experiences and expertise tied together would propel the Company to the greatest heights.

She said it was important to capitalize on the strategic location of Ghana to maximize international passenger and cargo traffic as well as increase throughput to domestic airports.

Mrs Opare urged staff to remain focused, and diligent in their work and uphold the values and statutes of the Company.

She expressed e
xcitement about the opportunities ahead and highlighted the need to work together hand in hand with mutual respect, passion and the spirit of excellence to achieve greater success.

Mr Paul Adom-Otchere, the Board Chairman of GACL, commended staff for their unwavering support to the Board and Management of the Company.

He expressed the hope that the same level of support would be accorded the new Managing Director.

Mrs Opare is an accomplished business executive with close to 20 years of quality experience in management positions and engagements.

She holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a specialisation in Operations Management from American Intercontinental University in Illinois, USA.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems from DeVry University in Atlanta, Georgia, USA after receiving her secondary education at Achimota School in Ghana.

Mrs. Opare’s corporate journey began in the United States, where she had professional work engagements with Fortune 500 companie
s such as Hewlett-Packard Enterprise and Eli Lilly.

She also earned a professional real estate license in the US State of Georgia, excelling in the ultra-competitive US real estate sector and winning the prestigious North American Association of Realtors Million Dollar Sales Club award for two consecutive years in 2006 and 2007.

Mrs Opare later returned to Ghana, motivated by her desire to leverage her wealth of expertise to contribute to national development.

Over two decades, Mrs. Opare has honed skills in key domains of corporate leadership, business development and management.

This includes strategy development and execution, resource harmonisation, human resource management and project management.

Others are operations management, financial management, business negotiation, brand-building strategic positioning and brand portfolio development.

Her leadership competencies and skills also extend into the domains of strategic stakeholder management, corporate governance and diplomacy, gender inclusivit
y, social inclusion and sustainability.

She has built a track record of building and sustaining international business relationships with high-profile multinational organisations, including Schlumberger, Expro Gulf Limited, Lukoil, and Transocean Limited. Across these high-level engagements, Mrs Opare has led organisations to deliver on strategic corporate partnership objectives.

Mrs Opare has demonstrated business development prowess by navigating high-profile business negotiations and successfully facilitating multi-million-dollar business-to-business transactions.

She has also brokered a considerable number of public-private partnership deals to deliver high-impact projects in Ghana.

Mrs Opare’s professional track record includes her tenures as CEO and General Manager of Vantage Real Estate Group and Blackwell Realty Limited, where she led and played leading roles in mainstreaming contemporary business management practices and building a culture of corporate excellence.

She also developed human resour
ce capacity, transformed business operations, scaled capacity, optimised functionality, diversified product and service portfolios, and strategically positioned the organisations for market leadership.

Her expertise in facilities management and project management ensured effective oversight across the developmental life cycle of various infrastructure projects.

She has experience collaborating with multiple stakeholders within complex business ecosystems.

Having built and operationalised a world-class private enterprise that catered for specialised customer segments, Mrs Opare is well-acquainted with the nuances of both entrepreneurship and corporate business. She is experienced in global procurements and has built an extensive global network of trading partnerships with internationally recognized brands such as Duravit, Bosch, Hansgrohe, Ideal Standard, and Villeroy and Boch, among others.

A wife and mother of three daughters, Mrs Opare possesses the perfect combination of personal qualities, professio
nal expertise and leadership competencies required to deliver excellence in impact-driven organisations.
Source: Ghana News Agency