Day: June 25, 2024

Mr Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, Minister of Transport, has called on Bolt and other transport companies to invest in the Electrical Vehicle(EV) space.

He called for partnerships with the private sector to invest in charging stations across the country, assembling and manufacturing, and maintenance and repair services for EVs to create jobs and stimulate economic growth.

This is in a speech read on behalf of the Minister at the award ceremony of the Bolt Accelerator Programme in Accra.

In December 2023, the government launched the National Electric Vehicle Policy to pave the way for the uptake of EVs for a cleaner and more sustainable transport future.

The shift towards EVs, he said, represented a significant step in reducing the country’s dependence on fossil fuels, combating climate change, and improving air quality in the cities. 

‘The policy presents us with a unique opportunity to drive investment in green transport and innovative technologies,’ he said.

He commended Bolt for the commitment and for supporti
ng driver-partners beyond the platform through training and funding of entrepreneurial ventures. 

The initiatives, he stressed, aligned with the government’s vision of job creation and empowering the youth for economic growth.

He said one of the key policy objectives of the Ministry was geared towards the application of new and appropriate technologies and innovations to transport infrastructure and service delivery.

‘We are confident that collaboration with industry players and stakeholders will be critical as we explore and roll out innovative initiatives that empower people, promote entrepreneurship, and safeguard the natural environment,’ he said.

He said that through innovative technologies, the Ministry had collaborated with the Motor Traffic and Transport Department of the Ghana Police Service to automate traffic law enforcement. 

‘We have also launched Transport Ghana with very unique features, including passenger manifests, pre-departure checks, vehicle tracking, electronic ticketing, and a road
safety watch to ensure road safety,’ he said.

Ms Lola Masha, Bolt Regional Manager, North and West Africa, said the BAP was first introduced and piloted in Nigeria in September 2023 and then expanded to Ghana and Kenya.

The Company works with the Transport Ministry and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority to ensure regulatory compliance in the sector.

She said the Company would continue to innovate and keep empowering Bolt and courier drivers to improve their capacities and competencies.

Mr Ali Zaryab, Bolt Food Country Manager, welcomed the government’s collaborative efforts to invest in the country’s EV sector.

BAP provides an opportunity for Bolt drivers, couriers, and their families to turn their innovative business ideas and pitches into reality.

The business ideas focus on sustainability, safety, or inclusive transportation.

The top 10 awardees were presented with 2,000 euros each in seed funding to start their entrepreneurial journey.

They were presented with certificates, access to busin
ess mentorship bootcamp experience, and a learning journey with Bolt Academy.

Mr Agbenya Kobla Adogla won the best pitch, Mr Samuel Agbagbo won the most scalable idea, and Mr William Nana Acheampong got the most innovative idea.

They were presented with a laptop each to aid their entrepreneurial potential.

The awardees commended the organisers for the opportunity and pledged to make good use of the funds to improve the transport sector.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Dr. Seyni Salack, the Regional Thematic Coordinator for the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change, Adaptation and Land Use (WASCAL), has advocated a comprehensive disaster-related information Management System for Ghana.

He said an observation by the Center after an engagement with State institutions in Ghana revealed a disjointed and individualised approach in communicating disaster-related issues, particularly early warnings of prospective disasters.

Dr. Salack was speaking during a training organised by WASCAL to enhance Ghana’s disaster Management System and climate change response.

The event is aimed at training personnel from relevant institutions in the disaster management ecosystem in Ghana to prepare for, prevent, and mitigate the impact of climate-related disasters in the country.

The five-day training programme will also enable the institutions to harmonise information and data collection and develop people-centred and problem-solving strategies in disaster management.

The part
icipants were drawn from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the Ghana Meteorological Agency, the Ghana Hydrological Authority, and representatives from the Ghana Journalist Association.

‘I believe that the entire African system, particularly West Africa, will be placed in a grey zone. When it comes to climatic calamities, we are neither bad nor good,’ he said.

He said presently, what they had seen in Ghana was that there were a lot of initiatives patched here and there that needed to be linked up.

‘One of the recommendations, which is primarily aimed at Ghana, is to bring together the existing sub-systems and put the fundamentals of disaster risk management together,’ he said.

He said by the end of the training programme, he expressed the hope to have a unified Ghana early warning system and an anticipatory action framework for disaster risk management.

The Coordinator said Meteorological Department, NADMO and Hydo Services must speak together so that they could seamlessly convey one
message.

He said the harmonisation of disaster information systems was crucial in establishing credibility in early warnings since all the relevant agencies had been engaged.

Professor Emmanuel Wendsoryré Ramdé, the Executive Director for WASCAL, advocated a multi-disciplinary approach between State institutions, academia, and civil society organisations (CSOs) to address climate-induced disasters in Ghana.

He said the training programme reflected one of WASCAL’s priority areas, which included the capacity building of State institutions in disaster management systems.

Mrs. Charlotte Norman, the Director for Climate Change Adaptation at NADMO, said early warnings were key to mitigating the impact of climate-related disasters.

The training programme, she noted, would equip the relevant agencies on how to improve early warnings and information systems on disasters.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The United Nations (UN) has launched some recommendations for urgent action to be taken to curb harm from spread of mis and disinformation and hate speech.

It said the world must respond to the harm caused by the spread of online hate and lies while robustly upholding human rights.

In a statement, Mr António Guterres, UN Secretary General, at the launch of the United Nations Global Principles For Information Integrity, said misinformation, disinformation, hate speech and other risks to the information ecosystem were fueling conflict, threatening democracy and human rights, and undermining public health and climate action.

He said their proliferation was being supercharged by the rapid rise of readily available Artificial Intelligence (Al) technologies, increasing the threat to groups often targeted in information spaces, including children.

‘The United Nations Global Principles for Information Integrity aim to empower people to demand their rights,’ said the Secretary-General.

He said: ‘At a time when bi
llions of people are exposed to false narratives, distortions and lies, these principles lay out a clear path forward, firmly rooted in human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression and opinion.’

One year after the launch of his report into information integrity on digital platforms, Mr Guterres has put forward a framework for coordinated international action to make information spaces safer and more humane.

He issued an urgent appeal to government, tech companies, advertisers and the PR industry to step up and take responsibility for the spread and monetisation of content that resulted in harm.

The statement said the United Nations’ own missions, operations, and priorities were compromised by the erosion of information integrity, including vital peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts.

Some of the recommendations are : Governments, tech companies, advertisers, media and other stakeholders should refrain from using, supporting or amplifying disinformation and hate speech for any purpose.

Gove
rnments should provide timely access to information, guarantee a free, viable, independent, and plural media landscape and ensure strong protections for journalists, researchers and civil society.

‘Tech companies should ensure safety and privacy by design in all products, alongside consistent application of policies and resources across countries and languages, with particular attention to the needs of those groups often targeted online,’ the statement said.

‘They should elevate crisis response and take measures to support information integrity around elections…advertisers should demand transparency in digital advertising processes from the tech sector to help ensure that ad budgets do not inadvertently fund disinformation or hate or undermine human rights,’ it added.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Bono Regional Office of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has ordered an Accra-based Road construction firm putting up speed ramps on the Abesim-Sunyani highway to stop work with immediate effect.

According to Madam Abigail Atinpoka, the Bono Regional Head of the NRSA, the directive followed agitations by some commercial drivers using the stretch and other road agencies, and stakeholders.

However, the Authority asked the contractors to continue executing other components of the project including re-painting of the pedestrian crossing points, fixing and replacement of road signs and construction of 20-metre pavements on both sides of the road.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani, Madam Atinpoka explained the project, being executed by the NRSA in the region, was aimed at controlling the disturbing cases of pedestrian knockdowns on the stretch.

She explained the Authority sought funding from the Road Fund and awarded the execution of the contract to bring sanity on the ro
ad, and thereby, make it friendlier for school children.

Madam Atinpoka said commercial drivers on the stretch had raised ‘red alert’ over the nature of the six speed ramps on the Sunyani-Abesim stretch, saying due to the level of tensions from the drivers and other stakeholders, there was the need for the contractor to suspend the work.

She said the Authority was currently engaging the Sunyani Municipal Assembly, transport unions and other road agencies to resolve the problem and called on the drivers to remain calm.

Meanwhile, some aggrieved commercial drivers using the stretch have threatened a street protest to register their displeasure over the construction of the ramps.

In an interview with the GNA, the drivers, mostly cabbies, described the nature of the ramps as ‘unfriendly’, and asked the contractors to stop work or face their anger.

Besides worsening the heavy vehicular traffic on the Sunyani-Abesim stretch, the drivers observed the nature of the speed ramps could lead to crashes on the road.

H
owever, the drivers lauded the repainting of the pedestrian crossing points as well as the fixing and replacement of road signs which would improve sanity on that particular road.

During the visit, the GNA noticed the contractors had virtually completed work on the construction of speed ramps, as other components of the project were on-going.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Investing in commercial spaces off-plan is a strategic move offering many benefits for potential buyers and for property developers.

This concept becomes even more enticing when considering the allure of high-end mixed-use residential properties located near a major airport such as Accra’s Kotoka International Airport.

Such developments present a unique opportunity for investors looking to capitalize on the burgeoning demand for luxury living combined with exclusive shopping experiences.

There are enormous advantages to purchasing off-plan commercial spaces within upscale properties such as Prestige, particularly in attracting high-end designer brands as commercial tenants.

One of the primary reasons why individuals should consider investing in commercial spaces off-plan is the substantial return on investment.

By purchasing a commercial unit before its completion, buyers often secure a lower price compared to the market value post-development.

This initial investment allows investors to benefit from th
e property’s appreciation over time, resulting in increased capital growth.

Furthermore, commercial entities, especially high-end designer brands, are willing to pay a premium to secure prime retail space in prestigious locations. As such, leasing out these spaces to renowned tenants can significantly enhance rental yields and overall profitability.

Additionally, for world-class brands purchasing off-plan commercial spaces offers them a certain level of flexibility and customization. Renowned brands who purchase commercial space within Prestige, being developed by i2 Development in the enclave of the Kotoka International Airport, can tailor the design and layout of the commercial unit to suit their specific needs and preferences.

This level of customization can be particularly appealing to high-end designer brands that prioritize creating unique and immersive retail experiences for their customers when they take up part of the available four well-designed floors, offering a total commercial gross area of o
ver 20,000 square meters.

By providing commercial spaces that are specifically curated to meet the demands of luxury retailers, Prestige by i2 Development has attracted premium tenants that add value to the overall property portfolio.

Picture living at your bespoke apartment within Prestige and just a few floors below, you have all the world-renowned authentic fashion brands such as Christian Louboutin, Versace, Dolce and Gabbana, Ferragamo, Guiseppe Zanotti and many more, stocked by Savile Row, one of Ghana’s finest authentic brand’s shops. The fashion retailer has become one of the first to acquire a commercial space at Prestige.

Nana Sarfo, Chief Executive Officer of Savile Row, said the decision to acquire a commercial space within the Prestige was to enable the fashion house to be closer to its core customers and to serve residents of Prestige in a congenial and spacious showroom.

He said the synergy between commercial and residential spaces creates a vibrant and dynamic community that fosters a luxu
rious lifestyle.

He said residents living in these exclusive properties had convenient access to premium retail outlets, luxury boutiques, and upscale dining establishments, enhancing their overall living experience.

Furthermore, the symbiotic relationship between commercial tenants and residential occupants within mixed-use properties generate a sense of cohesion and synergy. Retail establishments that cater to luxury clientele benefit from having a captive audience of affluent residents who appreciate convenience and premium offerings.

Conversely, residents enjoy the convenience of having world-class amenities and services at their doorstep, creating a seamless and integrated living environment.

Mr Youssef Aitour, Co-founder and Managing Director of i2 Development, said the presence of high-end designer brands within the development adds a sense of exclusivity and prestige, further elevating the property’s desirability and value.

He said investing in off-plan commercial spaces within high-end mixed-use
residential properties near major airports in Africa presents a lucrative opportunity for savvy investors seeking to capitalize.

He said the prestige project’s exclusive location, in the enclave of Kotoka International Airport, one minute walking distance from Terminal 3 means all the best Accra had to offer leisure and business travellers are all a minute away.

From famed shopping Malls, restaurants, nightclubs, offices of major international companies operating in Ghana, and of course, the Kotoka International Airport are all within reach-in 60 seconds.

He said with impeccable attention to detail, the project was expected to cater to the ultimate luxury living whether one opts for a studio, one or two-bedroom, or a penthouse.

Source: Ghana News Agency