Category: General

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under its Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEFSGP) has awarded grant of about $180,000, to eight Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Ghana.

This is to enhance biodiversity management, governance, and sustainable livelihood activities of these CSOs.

The grant is the fourth direct funding support to the Civil Society Organizations in the Weto Landscape in the South Afadzato socio-ecological production landscapes of the Volta Region of Ghana.

Key activities being supported under the grant include the acquisition of improved technologies for transforming nature-based raw materials into finished products that meet national and international standards.

Mr Sukhrob Khoshmukhamedov, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Ghana sharing this with the media said the UNDP was committed to supporting Ghana by empowering CSOs.

They do so through entrepreneurial skills training, innovation, technology transfer, knowledge management, and access to finan
cial resources to foster sustainable development and address societal challenges.

The grant initiatives will support the documentation of sacred groves along the Afadzato South socio-ecological production landscape and improve community knowledge on conservation and sustainable harvesting of medicinal plants from the wild, he explained.

Additionally, the initiatives will modernize apiculture and processing of organic honey to meet international standards.

‘As we embark on this journey of environmental stewardship, this grant marks a crucial step in our efforts to address environmental challenges.

Let us harness the power of collaboration and innovation to drive meaningful change in safeguarding our natural heritage for future generations’.

The CSOs awarded pledged to restore the protected areas and put in place the necessary conservation measures to ensure biodiversity conservation in Ghana.

Over the years, through UNDP GEF Small Grant Programme, the Weto Platform was formed, comprising CSOs, traditiona
l authorities, and government institutions.

Activities over the years under the platform included the conservation of 135,500 hectares of ridge forestland as a community-managed natural regeneration area.

Out of this, 15,000 hectares have been placed under agroforestry and sustainable land management, improving livelihoods.

Activities under the new grant will advance environmental stewardship, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in Ghana.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Safe Water Network, will host the 2024 ‘Beyond the Pipe’ Forum, a pivotal gathering of global leaders in the water sector, on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, to help address issues on sustainable access to water in Ghana.

This forum, to be held at the Accra Marriot Hotel from 9:00 AM to 14:00 00 hours, would be officiated by the Deputy Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Mr Amidu Issahaku Chinnia.

It would also feature insights from esteemed figures such as Safe Water Network’s new Chief Executive Chris Williams and Founder and Chair of the Stone Family Foundation, John Stone, a statement from Safe Water Network to the Ghana News Agency disclosed.

This year’s forum will foster a robust dialogue aimed at scaling safe water enterprises (SWEs) to deliver safely managed water access in Ghana and, eventually, across other areas of need across Africa.

With sessions covering enabling environments, financial viability, technical and operational improvements, and impact and data management, the forum, according
to the statement promised to be an incubator for actionable solutions and sustainable strategies.

Safe Water Network extended gratitude to its partners and funders, notably the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation; the Stone Family Foundation; One Foundation; the Osprey Foundation; Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust; and USAID for their unwavering support.

Keynote speakers and panelists, drawn from public and private sectors, and bilateral and multilateral organizations, would share their diverse perspectives.

Notable sessions include ‘Financial Viability for Rural Water Supply – A Vision for Sustainable Solutions,’ led by John Stone, and ‘Enabling Environment and Financial Viability,’ with panel discussions moderated by Samuel Agyeman.

The forum will also feature a presentation by the Ghana Country Director of Safe Water Network, Charles Nimako, showcasing progress and discussing the next steps in providing sustainable water services.

Safe Water Network’s commitment to advancing global health and
economic development through reliable and affordable water access has already significantly impacted millions of lives, it noted.

Currently operating in 10 regions, 38 districts, and 156 communities, Safe Water Network has successfully served over 504,000 people in Ghana alone.

Safe Water Network is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to developing sustainable water solutions for underserved communities.

By implementing community-based water systems and building operational capacity, Safe Water Network has established itself as a leader in the water sector, fostering the health and economic development of millions worldwide.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Ecobank Ghana has launched a Sustainability Week Celebration to challenge the status quo, embrace creative solutions, and build a better and more sustainable future for Ghana.

The week is focused on transforming waste into a powerful engine for economic growth, job creation, and environmental protection.

Speaking at the launch, Mrs Abena Osei-Poku, Managing Director Ecobank Ghana, said sustainability was beginning to gain global attention in recent times, particularly by progressive and forward-looking business organisations.?

‘As a leading bank in Ghana, we have found it necessary to join the numerous elite organisations

across the globe to institute a sustainability week to create mass awareness on the subject,’ she said.

The theme for the celebration is ‘Promoting Sustainability Through Waste Transformation: The Ecobank Way.’

Waste has become a global challenge today. Every year, the world generates a staggering 2.1 billion tons of municipal solid waste, with this number expected to balloon to 3.4 bi
llion tons by 2050.

In Africa, that number translates to 250 million tons annually, placing immense strain on infrastructure and the environment, while threatening the livelihood of future generations.

Ghana is not immune to the challenges of sustainability. We generate an estimated 1.7 million tons of waste each year, with urban centres facing the brunt of improper waste management. This not only impacts public health but also squanders valuable resources and pollutes our precious environment.

Mrs Osei-Poku said the bank intended to use the week to showcase its commitment to building a more sustainable future.

She said waste transformation had come in as a burgeoning industry with the potential to create jobs, foster innovation, and contribute to a circular economy.

The Waste-to-Wealth initiative is a new phenomenon in many countries, where organisations work to convert waste from environmental and economic liabilities to valuable resources that create jobs and provide community development opportunitie
s.

She reiterated Ecobank Ghana’s commitment to playing a leading role in propelling Ghana’s waste transformation journey.

‘We are actively financing businesses and projects that promote responsible waste management practices. These include supporting waste collection and sorting facilities, composting initiatives, and the development of innovative recycling technologies,’ she said

The bank currently provides financing and suitable payment platforms for our customers in the waste management sector, and we intend to do more, she said.

‘Internally, we are implementing stricter waste segregation policies within our branches and offices, partnering with recycling companies, and exploring ways to further reduce our paper consumption. ‘

Country Chief Risk Officer at Ecobank Ghana, Mrs Joana Mensah touted the achievements of the bank in promoting sustainability in its operations.

‘We are actively promoting sustainable financing solutions. We are proud to be the first commercial bank in Ghana to be accredited t
o the Green Climate Fund, allowing us to support medium-sized climate-resilient and low-emission projects of up to US$ 250 million,’ she stated.

Ecobank’s collaborations with organizations like AfDB and the Energy Commission both under the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa and accelerating solar action programmes were providing crucial funding for women-led agribusinesses and clean energy initiatives.

Mrs Mensah said the bank’s first climate project, under the Accelerating Solar Action Programme, worth US$ 30 million was approved by the GCF board on March 5 2024 to provide SMEs and households with solar panels and systems.

As part of the sustainability week celebration, the bank will donate recycled products, including upcycled washing basins, recycled exercise books, and recycled waste bins, among others, to the St. Paul’s Senior High School in the Volta region.

The students will also have the rare opportunity to engage waste transformation experts to discuss sustainability issues, including
its implications for local communities.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Lieutenant General Thomas Oppong-Peprah Monday called on the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare at the Police Headquarters in Accra.

The visit was to enhance collaboration between the Police and the Ghana Armed Forces and explore avenues to ensure the continuous peace and security of the country.

A statement issued in Accra said it was the maiden official visit by Lt. Gen. Oppong-Peprah to the Police Headquarters since assuming the highest Military Office.

The CDS assured the Police leadership of maintaining the strong working relationship between the two institutions for the betterment of Ghana, building upon the legacies of his predecessors.

Dr. Akuffo Dampare congratulated the CDS on his appointment and expressed gratitude for the visit and also assured him of the commitment of the Police Administration to continuously work with the Ghana Armed Forces and all the sister security agencies in the country.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The President of Eastern Nzema Traditional Council (ENTC), Awulae Amihere Kpanyinli III has appealed to chiefs to collaborate with the Physical Planning Department of the Ellembelle District Assembly to design proper town lay-out plans to ensure community development is based on modern standards.

In this regard, Awulae Amihere Kpanyinli III stated categorically that town layout was compulsory for every Chief in the District.

The Paramount chief was addressing the first meeting of the Eastern Nzema Traditional Council at Atuabo in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region.

He charged traditional rulers to be in constant touch with the District Assembly to ensure strategic planning, modernisation and beautification of various towns in the district.

Awulae Amihere Kpanyinli III said proper town lay-out paved the way for easy accessibility, especially in times of emergency.

He reminded traditional rulers to follow the town layout plan before the land was sold to prospective developers.

Abusuakpanyinli Y
emi of Aiyinasi reminded the District Assembly to ensure that communities had proper town layout before building permits were given out.

He said proper layouts facilitated the movement of fire tenders by the Ghana National Fire Service to elbow their way through quickly the nook and cranny of towns to extinguish the fire.

Abusuakpanyinli Yemi also deplored the practice where people were allowed to develop structures in public streets.

He urged the District Assembly Physical Planning Department to ensure that their land planning scheme was consistent with the original layout plan which belonged to Aiyinasi but not to conflict with that of Awiaso.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Ahead of the 2024 World Water Day celebration, World Vision Ghana has renewed its commitment to ensuring that every child has access to safe water.

Mr Joshua Baidoo, Director for Integrated Programmes of World Vision, Ghana, said Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) played an essential role in ensuring children enjoyed life to the fullest, hence the commitment.

Mr Baidoo was speaking at a press soiree organised by World Vision Ghana in Accra on Tuesday.

The event was for World Vision Ghana and media organisations to bond well and pool resources and expertise together to drive and accelerate community and national development.

He said World Vision Ghana understood the issues of WASH and had prioritised the provision of safe drinking water in its programming for decades.

‘The communities we work in now have access to clean and safe drinking water, reducing incidence of water-borne illnesses such as diarrhoea and cholera, which can sometimes lead to child mortality,’ he said.

Mr Baidoo commended the media
as a great partner in raising the voices of the most vulnerable children, their families and communities that were desperately in need of clean and safe drinking water.

The Director said two years ago, World Vision Ghana launched a five-year strategic plan designed to expand its outreach to 3.3 million most vulnerable children with life-saving development interventions.

They are WASH services, quality education, health, food and nutrition, livelihood and income generations, child protection as well as environmental restoration concept for Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration principles.

He said the strategy named: ‘Accelerating our Commitment to the Most Vulnerable Children’ also entailed systems strengthening at the national and sub-national level to facilitate the effective delivery of essential services for children and their families.

He said the strategy outlined three technical programmes as pillars for achieving the strategic objectives.

These are Healthy, Environment and Wellness (HEAL); Reading,
Improvement and Skills Enhancement (RISE) and Livelihood Improvement and Family Empowerment (LIFE).

He expressed the hope that the meeting would strengthen the collaborative efforts with the media and showcase World Vision’s technical competence in the various sectors.

Mr Robe L. Wamisho, Technical Programme Manager, WASH, said 85,200 people in communities were provided with access to safe drinking water, while providing 19 health facilities with improved water facilities on-site.

He said 56,492 people gained access to improved household sanitation facilities with 77 communities certified as Open Defecation Free.

‘…38 schools with a total population of 11, 981 pupils were provided with clean water on their school premises and 27 schools also received waste bins for effective waste management,’ he added.

He said 298 water and sanitation management teams and 44 WASH schools clubs were formed with 631 faith leaders involved in WASH programme actives.

Mr Samuel Gmalu, Programme Manager, Humanitarian and Eme
rgency Affair, said 8,000 Asylum Seekers and host community members were reached with humanitarian assistance through the Burkina Faso Asylum Seekers Emergency Response.

He said 85 partners were trained in peace building and conflict sensitivity programmes in Gushiegu and Karaga Area.

Mr Maxwell Amedi, Programme Manager, Food Security and Livelihoods said 290 new Saving for Transformation (S4T) Groups comprising 6,133 members caring for 15,394 children were formed and trained.

He said 4,792 Saving Group members were trained in financial literacy skills, while training 1,072 individuals in additional livelihoods, including beekeeping, Shea, and groundnut processing was ongoing.

He said the LIFE technical programme sought to build and maintain peaceful, inclusive, and cohesive families and communities to promote love and justice for one million vulnerable children by 2025.

Mr Sasu Brako, Acting Programme Manager, RISE, said 4,2652 children were participating in unlock literacy interventions across World Vi
sion Ghana’s programming areas.

He said 32,450 learners from kindergarten to primary three were reached with improved literacy instruction in 264 schools with 360 early childhood teachers and early grade teachers receiving in-service training in unlock literacy and learning roots methodology.

Source: Ghana News Agency