L' Observateur Burundi

Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagin has emphasized the role of traditional authorities in the country’s development and has called on them to actively get more involved in the development of their traditional areas.

He urged chiefs, queens and other elders in the various traditional areas to engage the government and leadership of government openly and frankly on issues affecting development of their areas.

‘Talk to us, the chiefs, and about us, to shift the political discourse from deception to development,’ the Speaker said, adding, ‘The traditional authorities continue to be the most powerful institution in this country, and I anticipate that you will play an important role in body politics and as custodians of Ghana’s rich resources.’

Speaker Bagbin , who last year was honoured as the Tengmaale Naa, the Development Chief of the Takopo Traditional Area, made the call at the Wilaa Festival of the Takopo Traditional Area, held on the theme: ‘Nuoriyeni, Maarong Aneng Maaluu (Unity, Peace and
Development).’

The Speaker observed: ‘The country is retrogressing faster than the people think it is progressing…Our lands are being destroyed by foreigners introduced by citizens, we cannot feed our children in school, and yet, every morning, we are on all Radio and TV stations, defending things and explaining why only corn is fed to our children for a whole week.’

He wondered why some people in authority did not care about what was happening to the less privileged; and this, he said, had made most of the youth to be full of excuses in their dealings.

‘No sincerity, no honesty, no respect for elders these days. And all these could be attributed to the decay of our culture, tradition and values.’

The Speaker referred to a statement of the Greek Philosopher Socrates, that, ‘an unexamined life is not worth living, ‘and explained that there was therefore the need for leaders to take a deep introspection of themselves and ask themselves what they wanted for the country.

‘Almost everything is gone amok in th
is country,’ he said.

Speaker Bagbin said as a country, traditional leaders should be reminded that it was their culture which identified them and anchored them to development.

In an apparent reference to the brouhaha over the expected presidential assent to the anti-gay, lesbian queer practices bill, the Speaker said: ‘As Ghanaians, we should be mindful of what we accept in our culture in the name of globalisation and human rights.

Speaker Bagbin, a Catholic by faith also quoted the Bible, citing 1 Corinthians 6: 12 that, ‘all things are lawful but not all are expedient.’

Touching on the theme, the Speaker said it was very apt and inspiring and to him, festivals were used as effective catalysts for unity, peace and development.

‘Festivals are effective tools of sustainable development and peacebuilding. The celebration of festivals gives meaning to life and communal living. I dare say, any community without a festival is a dead society,’ he said.

He therefore used the occasion to call on all sons and d
aughters of the Takpo Traditional Area to get involved in issues of concern and be interested in the development of the community.

He also used the occasion to applaud Takpo Naa, Queen mothers, Queens, Elders and People of Takopo for the establishment and continuous celebration of the Wilaa Festival for more than twenty-six years now.

He pledged to do everything possible within his means, to support the development and well-being of the people of the area.

Takpo is richly endowed in gold and Azumah Resources Limited has been given the licence to exploit it.

However, not much has been done.

Mr Bagbin therefore called on the Government through the Minerals Commission to grant them community mining licenses to enable the teeming youth in the area to engage in legal and responsible mining with the community.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Ghana Revenue Authority Workers Union (GRAWU) has urged the government to support GRA with the right technology and resources to boost revenue collection.

Addressing the 10th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Accra, Mr Theophilus Kwesi Ehun, the Chairman of GRAWU, said the GRA was prepared to engage the government on ways that would enhance revenue collection.

‘Whatever strategy, whatever idea that it is that will help our work, that is what we stand to do. Without GRA, we have no union, and without GRA, the economy cannot also thrive. So we call on the government that our doors are opened.’

The NEC meeting, which was held on the theme ‘Transparency and Fairness in Tax System Revenue Mobilization: The Role of Labor,’ aimed to promote transparency and efficient tax administration.

Mr Ehun emphasized that the attainment of revenue targets could be attributed to the dedication and commitment of the GRA staff.

Ehun highlighted the importance of GRA’s role in the economy, stating that without GR
A, the union would not exist, and the economy would struggle to thrive.

The Commissioner of Customs, Alhaji Seidu Iddrisu Iddisah, in an address read on his behalf by Assistant Commissioner, Mr. Fechin Akoto, said transparency and fairness in the tax system were key to enhancing revenue mobilization and the role of labour was crucial.

He said a robust tax system was the lifeblood of any nation, allowing investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure and social services.

However, a system perceived as opaque or unfair breeds discontent and discourages compliance.

Mr Iddisah said the GRA was committed to increasing transparency in its operations, including simplifying tax codes, providing clear and accessible information to taxpayers and ensuring efficient communication channels for inquiries and feedback.

‘By demystifying the tax system, we empower citizens to understand their obligations and contribute meaningfully,’ he said, adding that fairness was essential to ensure that certain segments did no
t disproportionately carry the burden while a select few avoid their fair share,’ he said.

He urged Ghanaian workers to advocate for progressive tax structures that ensure high-income earners contribute proportionally and educate members about their tax obligations and benefits of a robust revenue system.

‘Together, through transparency and fairness, we can build a tax system that is not just efficient but also inspires trust and fosters a sense of shared responsibility amongst all Ghanaians,’ he added.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Panellists at the launch of PwC Ghana’s Gender Diversity Banking Report have called for deliberate effort and effective collaboration among stakeholders to ensure more women are represented at the top of the banking industry.

Dubbed ‘Changing Currency: Examining Trends and Challenges of Female Participation in Ghana’s Banking Sector,’ the comprehensive report, which is a culmination of responses from a survey conducted over four months, delves into the experiences and insights of women in Ghana’s banking sector.

The survey focuses on females in senior management positions, as well as female board members. Through interviews conducted across 13 banks in Ghana, PwC sought to identify the myriad issues hindering women’s career advancement as well as analyse the factors that propel them in the industry.

Among the key findings are that many female executives believe that banks regard diversity and inclusion as secondary considerations, overlooking the pivotal role they play in driving progress and strengthening
organizational resilience.

Also, establishing healthy work-life integration affects women across all levels within bank hierarchies, but is particularly pronounced at the upper echelons, where female representation is scarce, and the stakes are elevated.

Initiatives and partnerships spanning the industry are viewed as avenues to offer increased education and collaboration opportunities for women in banking

Andrea Dwamenah, a Manager at PwC who presented the key findings, said 26 people were interviewed, most of them women in senior management positions, and Human Resources Executives to fully understand the bank’s position on diversity, inclusion, and work-life integration, among others.

She said the report was to look deeper into what was leading to the disparity in the number of men at the top compared to women to help understand the financial services industry.

Dwamenah said,’ Many women in the industry would like the opportunity to have a network where they could share ideas from even outside of thei
r banks, so some would want to be mentored by women in other banks. So, I guess that makes them feel a bit more open to discussing certain things and also to build their networks and knowledge transfer as well.’

On other inhibitors to the representation of women in senior positions, Dwamenah mentioned women’s self-doubt about themselves, doubts from people they work with, family objections and societal expectations.

She said there was also the issue of sexual harassment and its handling within the Ghanaian banking sector, adding that some banks do take it seriously.

‘And we know that last year or so there were dismissals. But there’s still room to do more because it’s still happening. It’s still the elephant in the room in the banking sector and needs to be highlighted, and discussed and ways to see how it can be banished,’ she added.

Dwamena said she expected the report to trigger conversations, uncomfortable ones, because they needed to be heard.

‘And I expect it to be a long discourse. I don’t want it
to be spoken about once and then goes away,’ she said.

The Changing Currency report highlights the pivotal role women play in advancing Ghana’s banking sector and sheds light on the avenues they must go through to be fully engaged stakeholders in the industry,’ Clara Amarteifio-Taylor Partner and Inclusion and Diversity Leader, stated. ‘It is my hope that through the report, more women feel empowered to push themselves to excel within the sector.’

‘Conducting a study on female participation in Ghana’s banking sector was essential,’ Vish Ashiagbor, Country Senior Partner, remarked. ‘By gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities women face in the financial services industry, we enhance our ability to provide tailored solutions that drive positive change.’

The launch event attracted a distinguished audience of senior executives from across Ghana’s banking sector. It featured insightful panel discussions with esteemed industry leaders, including Dr. Cynthia Forson, Board Member at Cal
Bank; John Awuah, CEO and President of the Ghana Association of Bankers, and Pearl Nkrumah, Executive Director at Access Bank.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has announced an upward review of fees and charges for all services it provides for the public, effective, Monday, April 01.

The Ministry in an announcement, which was made available to the Ghana News Agency said in accordance with the Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous and Provisions) Regulations 2023, (LI 2481) there would be an upward adjustment of Fees and Charges for all services provided by the Ministry.

It said the adjustment would take effect from Monday, April 01.

According to the announcement, the new processing fees for various types of passport documents include Expedited Application 48 pages GHS 800.00, Expedites Application 32 pages GHS 700.00, Standard Application 32 pages GHS 500.00, Standard Application 48 pages GHS 644.00.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Eastwood Anaba Ministries (EAM), a non-denominational organization in Bolgatanga, Upper East Region, has commissioned the first phase of a multi-purpose facility at Damolg-Tindongo in the Nabdam District.

The two-phase facility, known as ‘Gibeath Ha-Elohim’ which means the ‘Hill of God’ in the Hebrew language, was constructed for educational, Christian worship and development purposes.

The completed first phase of the facility comprised an 800-seater air-conditioned auditorium known as ‘Naab Naam Tent’, four syndicate rooms, a three-bedroom residential accommodation, a baptismal pond with changing rooms, outdoor event centre and two gazebos.

The phase two of the project, still under construction comprises of a 100-seater library complex, children’s playground, guest accommodation, administrative block, and a clinic facility, with both phases of the project positioned on 11-acre piece of land on a hill.

The ‘Naab Naam Tent’ was constructed on the farmland of the late Mr Pantia Kolog Naab, father of Rev
erend Eastwood Anaba, the President of EAM, whilst the adjoining edifices sat on other acquired pieces of land around the farmland.

Reverend Anaba and his wife, Reverend Mrs Rosemond Anaba, built the property in honour of their late parents, and a way to give back to the village which gave them life and opportunity to serve humankind.

Speaking at a ceremony to dedicate the facility to God, Reverend Anaba noted that some people had forgotten the significant contributions of their parents in their lives and said such people did not honour their parents.

‘Many of us have forgotten about our fathers and mothers. The Bible said honour thy father and thy mother. This is the first command with a promise,’ he said.

The renowned preacher of the gospel urged Christians to honour their parents despite all odds and give back to society as a form of appreciation.

He said the facility was opened to the District Assembly, Chiefs, the Regional Coordinating Council, the Ghana Police Service, and other stakeholders who ma
y wish to hold meetings or conferences in the district.

He said there would be storerooms for food and clothing for less privileged people in the community, and educational scholarship for needy children in the area, ‘The dream is so deep. It is the most important thing my wife and I can ever do in life.’

Reverend Anaba, also the Founder of Fountain Gate Chapel (FGC) and Senior Pastor of Desert Pastures, a branch of the FGC, said there was a seven-member Management Board in place to manage the facility.

He expressed gratitude to his stepmother, his brothers and sisters, his wife’s family members, the partners of EAM, members and leadership of the FGC, and friends worldwide for the support.

Pastor Mensa Otabil, the Founder and General Overseer of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), who dedicated the first phase of the project as the Special Guest of Honour, said some people abandoned their villages and never wanted to associate with them due to painful memories.

He said even though Reverend An
aba faced rejection, abandonment, poverty, and hunger and had painful memories, he never neglected his village, ‘For him to come back here, shows his true character.’

He described Reverend Anaba as ‘A man of remembrance, honour and gratitude. It is a heart that God delights in. It is that singular reason David was called the man after God’s heart, because he did not forget.’

Source: Ghana News Agency

Prophet Fred Antwi, the Duayaw-Nkwanta Area Head, Church of Pentecost, has urged Ghanaians to love one another as demonstrated by Jesus Christ.

He said true love ought to begin from the home and extend to the community and society, saying genuine love breeds and strengthens unity, understanding, and fellow feeling that translates into harmony and peaceful co-existence.

Prophet Antwi gave the advice in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the sidelines of the closing session of a four-day Easter convention of the church held at Duayaw-Nkwanta in the Tano North Municipality of the Ahafo Region.

Touching on the theme for the convention, ‘It is finished,’ a theme chosen from John 19:30, Prophet Antwi said the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ ought to bring hope and strengthen the love among all Ghanaians irrespective of their religious inclinations.

In love, unity, and co-existence, he said Ghanaians could easily overcome challenges confronting growth and development of the nation.

‘When we
love one another and work hard in unity of mind and purpose, there’s no way we will fail in transforming our nation,’ he inspired.

As an election year, Prophet Antwi said with love and social cohesion, the nation could sail through the elections successfully and preserve national peace and stability.

He advised the citizenry against confusion, antagonism, and conflicts that could trigger violence and disturb the prevailing peace of the nation.

Prophet Antwi said with prayers God would direct the nation to choose leaders ‘after His own heart’ and advised the youth against the lustful desire to get rich quickly.

That attitude, he added, would lead them into unproductive and unhealthy lifestyles that would ruin their future, and cautioned them against drug abuse, alcoholism, sport betting and gambling as well as partisan fanaticism.

Prophet Antwi said the nation needed the youth much alive and healthy to contribute positively to national development.

Source: Ghana News Agency