Day: March 23, 2024

Mr John Kuuku Dsane, a retired Forensic Psychiatry Specialist, who worked in the United Kingdom, said Ghana can rake in more revenue, annually, by instituting the 24-hour-economy for growth advancement.

He said the country could take advantage of that economic policy to position herself as an attractive destination for investment, fostering economic growth, creating job opportunities, and contributing to the development of the retail sector.

Mr Dsane, now based in Ghana, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview on Friday that due to evolving the global economic landscape, it was imperative to consider the adoption of the proposal as a policy to enhance job creation and employment opportunities for the youth.

‘Embracing the 24-hour- economy is a strategic move for Ghana to catalyze economic growth, reduce unemployment, and enhance global competitiveness,’ he said.

‘By adopting a holistic approach and implementing supportive policies and infrastructure, Ghana could unlock its full economic potential and i
mprove the well-being of the citizenry.’

He outlined the key reasons and benefits of transitioning to a 24-hour system of work and suggested strategies for its successful implementation to encourage businesses to operate ’24-seven’.

These include tax incentives, regulatory reforms, and financial support for businesses making the transition, investment in reliable and efficient infrastructures like transportation, energy and communication systems to support uninterrupted operations.

Others are to provide training to equip the workforce with the skills required to make a 24-hour working system thrive, ensuring a seamless transition and maximizing the benefits of extended working hours.

Mr Dsane stressed on public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about the benefits while addressing concerns or misconceptions about the policy.

Seeking collaboration with international organisations and countries that had been successful in the implementation of a 24-hour-economy must also be prioritised, he said.

‘A c
ontinuous economy accommodates the diverse lifestyles and preferences of individuals. It also allows for flexible work schedules, enabling employees to choose hours that best suit their needs.’

Source: Ghana News Agency

About 111,609 small holder Farmers have benefitted from the ‘Grow Ghana’ an initiative of Yara Ghana Limited, to help improve food security and farmer resilience.

The beneficiaries were mostly women and persons living with disabilities in some selected regions in Ghana.

In 2022, Yara Ghana Limited began a rapid response initiative dubbed ‘Grow Ghana’ to help small holder Farmers avert food insecurity occasioned by the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on global supply chains and limited fertilizer availability.

Yara, in collaboration with the African Fertilizer Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP) committed USD 20 million dollars to supply 18,000 metric tonnes of premium fertilizers to Farmers for free as well as access to low-cost high quality crops.

This was made known at a closure event of the initiative in Koforidua where 3,875 bags of fertilizers were distributed to women and persons with disabilities farmer groups.

Mrs Theresa Randolph, country Manager, Yara Ghana Limited, said impact of resilient, susta
inable and profitability farming system for small holder Farmers through the initiative had been huge.

She explained that under the initiative small holder Farmers who were women and persons living with disabilities were each given a free bag of fertilizer on every two bags of fertilizer purchased.

‘That way we reduced the cost of every acre of farming by 33.3 percent to women and vulnerable persons to improve yield and food security,’ she disclosed.

Approximately 18,000 metric tons of YaraMila Actyva fertilizers, were distributed for free and increased production of over 500,000 metric tons of cereals.

The initiative provided employment for over 500 community-based agents, supporting the monitoring of distribution in the retail and distributor shops as well as technical support through farmer-based demonstration fields.

Mr Yaw Frimpong Addo, a deputy minister of agriculture in charge of crops commended Yara and partners for the initiative and hoped that the gains made would be sustained.

He said the se
cond phase of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) was a further boost to the agriculture sector especially smallholder Farmers and other vulnerable groups to increase yields as well as profits.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Ghana Water Company Limited is challenged with high turbidity levels in treating potable water for the people of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan area.

The Daboase Water Treatment Plant, was currently recording alarmingly high levels of turbidity as a result of suspended particles.

The company, which initially had to deal with only 100 Nephelometric Turbidity Units, NTU at the time of construction is now grappling with 7000 NTU.

Nana Yaw Barimah Barnie, the Communication Officer of the Company said the situation caused the Company a great deal in terms of frequent breakdown of machinery and cost on treatment chemicals.

The company, to mark World Water Day, took students of the Daboase Senior High on a tour of the old treatment plant as well as the new facility under construction aimed at curbing the incessant water crisis in the metropolis.

He said illegal mining was not only destroying the environment but the lives of many Ghanaians and expressed worry that the Pra River which was once a source of
life and sustenance was gradually losing its life…. Let’s cast our minds to the CHAD River, is it the stage we want to get to us Ghanaians ‘.

The 2024 World Water Day, themed ‘Leveraging Water for Peace’ raised awareness on the interconnectedness of water, peace, and sustainable development.

It also highlights the importance of collaborative and holistic approaches to water management in fostering peace and stability globally.

The Project Manager of Strabag, the company in charge of the Sekondi-Takoradi Water Supply Expansion Project, Mr. Vlad Falup noted how work was progressing on the over 70 Euro project to be completed in 2025 to solve the water situation in the metropolis.

The company was not able to meet the current target of 20 million gallons a day due to faulty pumps.

It is therefore hoped that the water rationing and other challenges with regards to potable water would be met when the new plant was fully constructed and becomes operational in 2025.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Kwadwo Atta Apeakorang, an environmental activist, has called for wider education on water to save the nation’s water bodies from further degradation.

He was at a loss as to why there was very little or no activity on water by the Parliament of Ghana as the nation joined the rest of the world in observing World Water Day 2024.

Mr Apeakorang observed that he did not hear any statement or any activity on the celebration of the Day by the House even though it just went on recess before the celebration of the Day.

World Water Day is held every year on 22 March and it’s a United Nations (UN) day focused on raising awareness of the importance of freshwater.

This year’s theme was ‘Water for Peace’ with the aim to highlight the tensions that can emerge over resources like water, leading to potential instability and conflict, but also the role that water can play, if carefully managed, in promoting peace.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Accra, Mr Apeakorang, who is also the Founder and Pr
esident for Save the Nation for Future Leaders, a pressure group, described water as ‘God, and source of life.’

The environmental activist, who oppose vehemently to the discharge of wastewater and faecal waste liquid into gutters and storm drains, drew attention to the importance of water as he explained in scientific, physical, mystery, spiritual and metaphysical terms the of role of water in human reproduction, domestic and industrial uses, the generation, growth and development of flora and fauna.

‘Water is God, water is completely life. You can’t joke with it,’ he exclaimed, and said it was time for Ghanaians to take up issues of water and sanitation more seriously

Mr Apeakorang suggested that religious groups to discuss and educate their congregants on water during the week of the World Water Day and engage in Water and Sanitation Theology, by preaching and having sermons on the need to keep water clean and protect it from pollution and damage.

‘The Islamists could dedicate Friday to water, Seventh D
ay Adventist, Saturday, to water; other Christian groups Sunday to water,’ the President and Founder said, and added, ‘the traditionalists can also choose a day during the week to hold discussions and activities on water.’

He called on educational institutions at all the levels-Pre- School, Lower Primary, Upper Primary, Junior High School, Senior High School and the Tertiary Level- to engage actively in water and sanitation activities during the week of World Water Day.

Mr Apeakorang called also on the Environmental Protection Agency, the Water Resources Commission, the Ministry of Environment and Science, Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation and other government agencies, as well as non-government organisations and the private sector to engage in activities to protect the nation’s water resource and water bodies.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Ghana Navy has ended its 2024 Exercise Sea Lion to test the endurance and combat readiness of its ships along the Aboadze beach in the Shama District of the Western Region.

The Exercise, which started on Monday, March 18 to Friday, March 22, was also aimed at enhancing the ocean navigation, internal security operations and amphibious landing skills of Navy personnel to help strengthen Ghana’s maritime security.

As part of the five-day event, two Ghana Navy Ships (GNS) Ankobra and Volta sailed from the Tema Harbour along the Greenwich Meridian to the Equator for the Crossing of the Line ceremony.

The Army Special Operations Brigade, the Special Boat Squadron of the Ghana Navy and the Fighter Squadron of the Ghana Air Force participated in an amphibious simulation exercise to end the Exercise Sea Lion 2024.

It was based on a scenario where a Regional Minister and his family were kidnapped and held hostage by terrorists in their house, and later rescued by Special Forces through the open sea.

Rear Admir
al Issah Yakubu, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), speaking at the end of the exercise commended the crew members and all the personnel for their unwavering dedication, professionalism, and teamwork in ensuring the success of the event.

He said crossing the equator at the centre of the earth was not only a nautical feat but also symbolised unity among the branches of the Ghana Armed Forces.

He said: ‘Through meticulous planning, rigorous training, and coordinated efforts, we have triumphed over challenges and showcased the unparalleled strength and readiness of our military.

‘I extend my deepest appreciation to each member involved in this exercise, as your unwavering courage, resilience, and adaptability have undoubtedly made us stronger and more prepared for future endeavours.’

Rear Admiral Yakubu noted that it was imperative for personnel to acknowledge the sacrifices and contributions of all those who served the GAF before them.

‘Our achievements today are built upon the foundations laid by those who h
ave dedicated their lives to protect and defend our dear country, and we honour their legacy and humbly carry the torch forward, upholding the traditions of excellence that define our noble profession,’ he said.

Brigadier General Isaac Nicholas Paintsil, the Commander, Army Special Brigade, congratulated the team for a successful exercise, and said the Ghana Army and Navy would continue to collaborate to hold such exercise to help prepare the military to avert possible attacks.

The event was attended by Commodore Emmanuel Ayesu Kwafo, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Daniel Atobrah Bondah, Commanding Officer (CO) of the Second Infantry Battalion, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Arthur Osei-Akoto, Western Regional Police Commander, and other officers and men of the GAF, media, as well as selected students from Senior High Schools within the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Albert Kofi Owusu, General Manager of Ghana News Agency (GNA) has commended staff of the Tamale Office of GNA for their dedication and commitment to duty despite the challenges they go through to gather and report news.

He said the Tamale Office was noted for producing quality stories and urged the staff to keep to their good works to serve the country with credible information.

Mr Owusu said this when he visited the office to interact with staff members and brief them about efforts being made to improve operations.

Mr Owusu, who had earlier visited Bolgatanga to inaugurate the Agency’s renovated Office in the Upper East Region, was accompanied by Mr Joseph Baffoe Director of Administration of the GNA.

Mr Owusu encouraged the staff to strive beyond their immediate challenges to continue to serve the nation and expressed management’s commitment to improve their operations.

He said preparatory works were ongoing to begin renovation works at the Tamale Office of the Agency under a facility from African D
evelopment Bank.

Mr Eric Amoh, Northern Regional Manager, GNA, briefed the General Manager on the operations of the office saying, despite the challenges, staff were committed to deliver on the mandate of the Agency.

Source: Ghana News Agency