Day: March 4, 2024

Accra: Master Theodore Akuamoah, a past student of Artcom Academy, a private school in the Akatsi South Municipality of the Volta Region, has received this year’s Presidential Independence Day Awards for excellent academic performance.

Master Akuamoah, who is currently a first-year student at Mawuli Senior High School in Ho, received the recognition in Accra on Friday, March 1, 2024, together with 45 other students who excelled in the 2023 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in an address during the event, congratulated the award recipients.

He said education must not be a privilege but a fundamental right and that all must reflect on the crucial role of education ‘because the success of the youth depends on a solid educational foundation.’

Mr Georgios Badaro, Managing Director of Nestlé Ghana Limited, reiterated his firm belief that the move to award students would also inspire others to reach higher heights.

The awards ceremony, which was held at the A
ccra International Conference Centre, was attended by ministers of state, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional leaders, heads of departments and agencies, parents of awardees, teachers as well as other students.

It was in collaboration between Nestlé Ghana Limited and the Ministry of Education as part of their commitment to boosting academic excellence at the basic level.

The students, including those visually impaired and hearing impaired were selected from public and private schools across the country.

Master Theodore Akuamoah

Mr Mawuko Noah, Proprietor of Artcom Academy, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that for his school to be among the ten selected private schools across the country, was as result of hard work by the school’s management body as well as the entire teaching staff.

He said the school, since its establishment in 2003 and with a current pupil’s population of over 700, also grabbed a similar student award in 2017.

Each student received a laptop, a plaque, Nestlé souvenirs, and o
ne year supply of Nestlé products as well as a signed certificate by the President of the Republic of Ghana.

The students also engaged in exciting activities including a tour of the Nestlé factory in Tema, a visit to the Jubilee House, the Ministry of Education, and an air-experience at the Air Force Base in Burma Camp prior to the official awards event.

The 67th Independence Anniversary is on the theme: ‘Our Democracy, Our Pride.’

Since its inception in 1993, the President’s Independence Day Awards, continues to reward excellence in academic performance.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra: Hajia Samira Bawumia, the wife of the Vice President, has launched a ‘Wear Ghana Everyday’ campaign as part of efforts to promote made-in-Ghana fabrics.

At the launch of this year’s ‘Wear Ghana Festival’ in Accra, Mrs Bawumia, who has dazzled Ghanaians over the years with her breathtaking and bespoke Ghanaian designs, advocated an increased patronage of locally produced textiles and designs.

She said everyday should be a ‘Ghana Day’ and not only on Fridays, adding; ‘Let us infuse our daily lives with the vibrancy of our culture. Whether in the office, at school, or during leisure. Our clothing is a canvas that tells the story of our nation’.

She appealed to employers to allow their staff to wear Ghana every day to express their patriotism and contribute to the growth of the Ghanaian economy.

‘Let us create a workplace culture that celebrates our identity,’ she added.

The event was organised by the National Commission on Culture, under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, in p
artnership with the Ghana Tourism Authority.

The ‘Wear Ghana Festival’ is an annual event instituted to promote national identity and encourage the patronage of local fabrics.

The Second Lady received a citation jointly presented by the leadership of the Ghana National Tailors and Dressmakers Association, and the Ghana Association of Beauticians and Hairdressers for her outstanding contribution to the growth of the fashion Industry.

They said the fashion industry had seen remarkable growth since 2017.

The Ghana Export Promotion Authority valued Ghana’s export revenues from the fashion industry hovering around $43 million in 2020, which is a huge increase because the industry was nearing collapse due to excessive importation of second-hand goods and influx of cheap replica fabrics.

The Queenmothers’ Foundation, led by Nana Serwaa Bonsu, Queenmother of Offinso-Kayera, also named the Second Lady as ‘Dwabisohemaa Adwoa Adepa’ in recognition for her distinct role in promoting Ghana’s culture through fashion.

N
ana Serwa Bonsu said Ghana’s Kente and local prints had seen increased patronage since the Second Lady assumed office in 2017.

Mrs Bawumia has been celebrated widely for her fashion statements, particularly on Independence Day celebrations.

She skilfully blends locally sourced fabrics to produce intricate designs that become signature pieces being replicated across the country and internationally.

Source: Ghana News Agency

They included the Minister of State Bello Bouba Maigari, Territorial Administration Minister, Paul Atanga Nji, who represented president Paul Biya in the event.

Other Ministers were Issa Tchiroma Bakary, Jean Ernest Massena NGALLE BIBEHE, Ketcha courtes, Hamadou Moustapha and Yaouba Abdoulaye, Mbairobe and a host of government officials.

The three Northern Governors representing North, Far North and Adamawa, were present.

One speaker after another praised the initiative, which goes beyond the renovation of this legendary mosque inaugurated in 1981 by the late President Ahmadou Ahidjo, and praised the surge of national solidarity that enabled the initiator of the project, His Majesty El Rachidini, to offer the people of Garoua this architectural gem, whose guided tour enabled guests to appreciate the beauty of the work.

Alongside the event, on the same Friday evening, the Lamido of Garoua treated his guests to a cultural evening featuring a beautiful fantasia and a succession of musicians on the podium.

T
he later part of the programme took another turn when the Minister of Transport was elevated to the dignity of ‘Chetima’ of the Lamida of Garoua.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Accra: Takoradi, March 4, GNA – Mr. Christian Kwabena Andrews, the Founder and Leader of the Ghana Union Movement, (GUM), has announced that he will choose his running mate from the Western Region.

The decision stemmed from the fact that, the Region in the 2020 elections, gave GUM, the highest votes, indicating the desire of ‘Westerners’ to see most of the projects and programmes by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah revived.

Mr Andrews, popularly known as Osofo Kyiri Abosom declared at the weekend during a meet the press and stakeholders’ engagement in Takoradi in the Western Region, to talk more about the party’s principles and philosophies aimed at lessening the economic burden of the Ghanaians.

He said, ‘I have asked the people to engage with the chiefs and religious leaders and whoever they select from the Region becomes my running mate in the 2024 presidential elections’.

The GUM flagbearer said the party was an epitome of hope, restoration, and revival of the Ghanaian economy and social life and prayed that Ghanaia
ns supported it to achieve its vision for the country, adding, ‘GUM is not a small party, therefore let’s continue to support the party to the high office of the land.’

The GUM party, Mr Andrews said, intended to run an all-inclusive government to ‘save’ the country from ‘demons and witches’ destroying the fortunes: oil, gold and other natural resources meant for the holistic development of the Nation.

He urged Ghanaians to be alert to the happenings in the country, reason through it very critically and make the best of decisions come 2024.

He added that it was time Ghanaians used their brains very actively to avoid being used.

Mr Andrews said, ‘We have no monies to spend, but I entreat you to be very circumspect, digest the policies presented to you, as against taking tokens and peanuts to sell the very foundation and future of the country into the hands of some selfish individuals who avoid the collective good for individualism.’

The GUM party, born out of the ideologies of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah first appe
ared on the ballot paper in 2020, as a first timer, during which Mr. Andrews secured 105,548 of the valid presidential votes cast, representing 0.08 percent, and thus placing third to the NPP and the NDC.

The party’s core principle was that every Ghanaian must arise to contribute impactfully to the development of the country to turn around the country’s economic, political, and social structure.

Mr Andrews believed that there should be a new Ghana with unity and peace, industrialization, free ports, employment for all, strict monitoring, and punishment for corrupt practices.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra: The Ghana Youth Environmental Movement (GYEM) has launched the Climate Action and Peace Education (CAPE) Project in Accra to address climate change, particularly in the context of Ghana’s vulnerability to climate-related disasters

 The project is designed to address critical issues surrounding climate change and peacebuilding, aimed to empower Ghanaian youth with the knowledge and tools necessary to become agents of positive change in their communities.

Miss Glory Emmanuella Appiah, the National Coordinator for GYEM, speaking at the launch, said the CAPE Project would focus on two key areas: climate action and peacebuilding.

She said the Project aimed to increase awareness and engagement among Ghanaian youth by equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills in disaster risk reduction.

CAPE seeks to empower them to take meaningful action in response to the threats posed by climate change.

She said with Ghana preparing for the upcoming 2024 elections, the CAPE Project would strategically rai
se awareness of peacebuilding.

‘The project seeks to promote peace among youth by fostering a deeper understanding of the intersection between climate change, peace, and security,’ she added.

The National Coordinator said the Project would enhance Ghanaian youth awareness of climate change and its real-life consequences, including galamsey, agriculture, food security, and conflict.

She said it would also empower youth in flood-prone communities with the knowledge and skills to

mitigate hazards and reduce their vulnerability to climate-related disasters.

‘We will sensitize youth on the relationship between climate change, peace, and security, fostering a culture of peace and dialogue in the run-up to the elections,’ she said.

The project will comprise a series of impactful activities such as the Climate4 Peace Campaign, which will take place in Bolgatanga, bringing together 500 youth from the northern regions of Ghana to highlight the correlation between climate action and peacebuilding.

She said follow
ing this, the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) training would occur in Mepe, targeting youth groups in the Volta Region to enhance awareness of everyday hazards and disaster preparedness.

Finally, the ‘Kokuromotie’ Climate Arts and Photography Competition will serve as the culmination of the CAPE project.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra: A 59-year-old car dealer accused of swindling a businessman of GHC620,000 in a gold transaction has been remanded into Police custody by the Achimota Circuit Court.

Gbegoueu Evrard, a French national, is said to have collected the money under the pretext of selling to the complainant, Hayford Boadi, gold but failed.

Evrard is facing a charge of defrauding by false pretences.

His accomplices are Ernest Kweku Antwi, a 32-year-old aluminum fabricator, and Jordan Ansah, a 24-year-old private security man.

Evrard and his two accomplices have been jointly charged with conspiracy to commit crime to wit defrauding by false pretence.

Antwi and Ansah have pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Evrard ‘s plea could not be taken by the court because there was no French interpreter available. It therefore preserved his plea.

The court presided over by Mr Isaac Addo ordered the Registrar of the court to make arrangement for a French interpreter to assist the court at the next sitting on March 13, 2024

Assistant S
uperintendent of Police (ASP) Stephen Ahiale said the complainant was a resident of Dunkwa-on-Offin in the Central Region.

Prosecution said during the year 2021, Evrard told a witness that he had a friend in Ghana who dealt in refined gold.

The prosecution said the witness contacted the complainant and informed him about the business which he (the complainant) expressed interest in.

ASP Ahiale said the complainant later contacted Evrard on mobile phone through the said witness to import the raw gold and Evrard told them that his friend who was a gold dealer needed some money to perform some rituals on the gold before it could be sold out.

Prosecution said to convince the complainant and the witness, Evrard took photographs of himself and the said gold and forwarded them.

Based on that representation, the complainant parted with GHC620,000 in bits to Evrard, through the witness for the said rituals.

However, after Evrard collected the money, he failed to honour his promise and ‘kept tossing the complaina
nt and witness with different stories.’

In February 2024, the witness lured Evrard with another Gold business transaction for a white man client in Accra.

Prosecution said Evrard on hearing the quantum of money involved, he quickly conspired with Antwi and Ansah and one Abdallah, now at large, to defraud the witness.

The prosecutor said Evrard invited the witness to meet him in Accra in a few days to see the said gold.

Prosecution said the witness on his arrival in Accra from Ivory Coast reported the case to the Police for investigations.

On February 20, 2024, Evrard met the witness in Accra and took him to a gated house at Lapaz Fishpond to meet one Abdullai who was his partner for the said gold business.

While the said business meeting was going on in the house, the Police swiftly entered and arrested the three accused persons with five coated metallic objects, looking like refined gold bars in their possession.

Prosecution said Abdullai however managed to escape through a back door of the house.

Th
e court was told that the exhibits were being forwarded for an Assay testing and report to enhance investigations.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra: Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, commended the Atlantic African Initiative launched by HM King Mohammed VI for Sahel States.

GCC States welcome the Atlantic African Initiative of HM King Mohammed VI which will strengthen cooperation between Sahel and Atlantic coast States, Albudaiwi said during the ministerial meeting held on Sunday in Riyadh, between GCC States and the Kingdom of Morocco.

On this occasion, Albudaiwi underlined the importance of the strategic partnership between Morocco and Gulf Cooperation Council countries, as well as the aspiration of the Council’s member States to further consolidate economic relations between the two parties.

This meeting, which was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, and Their Highnesses and Excellencies the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the GCC member countries, was the opportunity to strengthen the strong foundations of the strategic partners
hip between the two parties, in accordance with the Vision of HM King Mohammed VI, and His brothers heads of State from the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Source: Ghana News Agency