Tuesday, 28 May 2024
Monday, 27 May 2024
K-Ricebelt project: South Korea invests in Ghana’s rice production (Daily Graphic, Monday, May 27, 2024 )
The intervention, which covers 25 various projects including agriculture, forms part of the Republic of Korea's aim to strengthen the economic and bilateral relations between them and Ghana Korea.The South Korean Ambassador to Ghana, Kyong Sig Park, made this known at a ground-breaking ceremony and opening of an Agricultural Official Development
Assistance (ODA) Desk held at Dawhenya in the Greater Accra Region on Friday, as part of the ongoing K-Ricebelt Programme. It was jointly organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, And Rural Affairs (MAFRA) of Korea and the Ministry of Food And Agriculture (MoFA), of Ghana.
K-Ricebelt project
Ghana, Senegal, Guinea, Gambia, Cameroun, Kenya, Uganda, Guinea-Bissau, Cote d’Ivoire, and Sierra Leone, with Ghana’s project serving as the lead country, are benefiting from a South Korean developmental initiative as a swift response to the danger over food security in Africa by helping these countries to increase rice production and reduce their reliance on imports.
Known as the K-Ricebelt project, it is aimed at providing small farmers in the beneficiary countries with resilient rice varieties to combat the challenges posed by the climate crisis. It is the Republic of Korea’s ODA project aimed at contributing to achieving zero hunger in Africa by building rice seed production complexes in African countries to produce high-yielding rice seeds and supplying them to farmers.
As part of the effort to streamline communication with the Ghanaian government, MAFRA has established an Agricultural ODA Desk in Ghana to manage the K-Ricebelt programme comprehensively and also provide and acquire improved support in times of need.
The ground-breaking ceremony was attended by the Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture in charge of Crops, Yaw Frimpong Addo; the Ambassador of Korea to Ghana, Kyong Sig Park; the Director of MAFRA, Sang Jun Lee; the Executive Director of Korea Rural Community Corporation (KRC), Park Tae Sun; the Chief Director of MoFA, Paul Siameh, the Acting Chief Executive of the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA), Richard Oppong-Boateng, among other dignitaries.
Ambassador Park said Ghana had a bright future for food sustainability and expressed the hope that the latest intervention would contribute to achieving food security.
For his part, Mr Addo said about 50 per cent of rice consumed in Ghana was imported adding that the intervention to boost rice seeds production in Ghana would go a long way to increase local consumption of rice as the seeds would be readily available to farmers under the project.
The Director of MAFRA, Sang Jun Lee, said the K-Ricebelt was aimed at improving the food security of African countries that consumed rice leveraging the Korean experience and agricultural policy.
The event also marked the beginning of construction works on 100 hectares of land for a rice seed cultivation complex at Dawhenya. The project of increasing agricultural productivity through irrigation infrastructure modernisation has three main objectives, namely establishing a rice seed cultivation complex through modernisation of the irrigation infrastructure and consolidation of the farmland, production of high-yielding rice seeds from the established cultivation complex and increasing farming household income and alleviate poverty in rural areas.
To achieve these goals, the project follows a set of five components that comprise the scope of work. These are land development, provision of equipment, dispatch of Korean experts to supervise the project, invitational training programme in Korea, as well as capacity building and training workshops in Ghana.
The project was officially launched on November 2, 2023, following the signing of a $ 7,800,000 grant agreement in May 2023 between the MAFRA of the Republic of Korea and the MoFA of Ghana, in tandem with the Korea Rural Community Corporation and the GIDA as the administrative implementation bodies for the project.
via: https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/ghana-news-k-ricebelt-project-south-korea-invests-in-ghanas-rice-production.html
Thursday, 23 May 2024
Fuel tanker drivers call off strike(Graphuic Online, Thursday May 23, 2024 )
Fuel tanker drivers in Ghana have called off their sit down strike over what they say was bad conditions of service.
Known as the Ghana National Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union, they announced an indefinite sit-down strike on Tuesday and were demanding an improved conditions of service, especially in respect of remuneration.
But after a meeting with all stakeholders, the tanker drivers issued a communique to call off the sit down strike.
The communique stated that framework for their remuneration has been adopted and the implementation of the framework was expected to commence by the end of June 2024.
Graphic Online's Benjamin Xornam Glover reported from Tema on Tuesday that the members of the union at a press conference said despite an already agreed policy framework aimed at enhancing their salaries and other working conditions, which has been pending since November 2023, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and the sector Ministry have refused to implement the policy.
via: https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/tanker-drivers-call-off-strike-over.html
Tuesday, 21 May 2024
Tanker drivers declare strike over conditions of service (Graphic Online, Tuesday May 21, 2024)
Fuel tanker drivers in Ghana have declared a sit down strike over what they say was bad conditions of service.
Known as the Ghana National Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union, they announced the indefinite sit-down strike on Tuesday.
They are demanding improved conditions of service.
Graphic Online's Benjamin Xornam Glover reports from Tema that members of the union at a press conference said despite an already agreed policy framework aimed at enhancing their salaries and other working conditions, which has been pending since November 2023, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and the sector Ministry have refused to implement the policy.
Monday, 20 May 2024
Chief Justice encourages youth to show interest in law (Daily Graphic, Monday, May 20, 2024 Page 71)
She has, therefore, stressed the significance of instilling an understanding of the law among young people. Chief Justice Torkornoo stated this last Friday when she swore into office newly elected executives of the Justice Club at Chemu Senior High Technical School in Tema.
The executives were Benjamin Ofotsu Freeman, President; Mary Sowah, Vice-President, Ruth Klutse, Secretary; Boatemaa Acquah, Organiser; Samuel Ato Koomson, Assistant Organiser, and Abigail Asare, Treasurer, with Francis Kobena Tandoh and Wisdom Agama, tutors at Chemu SHTS, as Patrons.
CJ mentoring programme
The initiative is part of the annual Chief Justice's Mentoring Programme. Historically, the Annual Chief Justice’s Mentoring Programme, an initiative of former Chief Justice, Justice Georgina T. Wood, first female Chief Justice of Ghana, was a day’s programme that sought to expose students to the structure of the court system and whip up their interest in the legal profession.
Since assuming office, Justice Torkornoo has taken the initiative a notch higher with the establishment of Justice Clubs in second cycle institutions, where seasoned mentors drawn from the bar and bench have been assigned to mentor club members.
Values of the law
Justice Torkornoo said apart from orienting students on the rule of law, the Justice Club would also assist students to navigate the complex yet interesting world of the law and aid young people to appreciate the values the law affords to those who have an encounter with it.
She highlighted the importance of cultivating an appreciation for the principles of law and justice from an early age, adding that this would enhance the effectiveness of justice delivery and promote peace and prosperity.
“When things are done in an orderly fashion, there’s peace, and as there’s peace, people invest, and when people invest, there’s an increase in prosperity,” she explained. “There’s a direct linkage between societies that respect the rule of law and societies that are highly prosperous, she added.”
She expressed the hope that the Justice Club would awaken a spirit of excellence in each member as they grew in engagement with the tenets of law.
Pilot
The Chairperson of the CJ Mentoring Programme, Prof. Justice Olivia Anku Tsede, who is a Justice of the Court of Appeal, said so far, six schools, including Chemu SHTS, had been selected to serve as pilots in the formation of the Justice Clubs.
She said to ensure adequate and continuous mentoring, judges, magistrates and lawyers had been assigned to the clubs to interact and mentor the students. Prof. Justice Anku Tsede said membership of the Justice Clubs went beyond students and it was open to people outside the schools, adding that since 2015, the UNFPA has collaborated with the Judicial Service in organising the mentoring programme for some head porters, popularly known as kayayei, to inspire them to pursue the law profession.
“ Two of such girls have made it to the University of Ghana and Accra Technical University respectively,” she stated.
Appreciation
The President of the Chemu SHTS Justice Club, Benjamin Ofotsu Freeman, expressed appreciation to the Chief Justice for the initiative, which he said would inspire them to aim high in their academic pursuits
The Headmistress of Chemu SHTS, Vicentia Kyere Anin-Agyei, also said the establishment of the Justice Club would challenge students to read more and desire knowledge. She appealed for the stocking of the school's library and upgrading of the ICT facility into an electronic library to enhance research to help students in their analysis and academic work.
via: https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/ghana-news-chief-justice-encourages-youth-to-show-interest-in-law.html
Wednesday, 15 May 2024
Monday, 13 May 2024
Friday, 10 May 2024
Ghanaian Chef to attempt Guinness World Record longest baking marathon (Graphic Showbiz, Friday, May10, 2024)
Ghanaian Chef, Gertrude Osei Mensah is gearing up for the attempt at breaking the Guinness World Record longest baking marathon by an individual.
The record attempt is programmed to take place from Monday, June 3 - 7, 2024 at Tema Community 1, Samtashie Plaza, Meridian Road over an estimated time of 120 hours.
She will attempt to defeat the current record held by Irish Chef, Allan Fisher . Fisher’s record of 47 hours 21 minutes and 21 seconds was achieved in Matsue, Shimane, Japan, from 25 to 27 September 2023.
"I wish to represent Ghana in showcasing my baking craft on this international platform," Chef Gertrude said Chef Gertrude is the CEO of Bakes and Bites and a former student of Our Lady of Mercy (OLAM) Senior High School, Tema where she studied Home Economics. She also holds a Professional Diploma in Pastry Making, Cake Designing and Sugarcraft from Cake Tekniks Internartional.
"It is my desire to train and mentor brilliant, serious and willing but less privileged youth in Tema and Ashaiman in the baking craft for free to promote and throw more light on Technical and Vocational Education and Training(T-VET) and reduce the level of unemployment in Ghana,” she said.
Wednesday, 8 May 2024
Greater Accra REGSEC declares Ramsar sites security zones(Daily Graphic, Wednesday, May 8, 2024 Back Page)
The Greater Accra Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has consequently taken over the security of the Ramsar sites with immediate effect. A statement issued by the REGSEC yesterday said it had “noted with great concern the impunity with which some Ghanaians and foreigners were carelessly building in all Ramsar sites within the region, which was causing serious flooding, posing threats to the city and its dwellers.
It said the decision was taken at a REGSEC emergency meeting yesterday “in line with its mandate as stipulated in the Security and Intelligence Agencies Act, 2020 (Act 1030), which, among other things, indicates that REGSEC should take immediate steps to ensure law and order”.
The decision comes after it emerged that the once beautiful Sakumo Lagoon and Densu Delta (Weija) Ramsar sites are being encroached upon by developers, despite attempts by both the local government authorities and the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council to stop individuals and estate developers from using the lands for construction.
Defiance
Despite attempts by both the local government authorities and the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council to stop individuals and estate developers from using the Sakumo Lagoon and Densu Delta (Weija) Ramsar sites for construction, developers continue to encroach upon the sites with impunity.
Daniel Titus-Glover (hands akimbo), Greater Accra Regional Minister designate, and some members of the REGSEC during the tour of the Sakumo Ramsar site
Encroachers, said to be influential persons with political clout, continue to encroach on the wetlands around the Sakumo Ramsar site despite the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA), TDC Ghana Limited and the Greater Accra Regional Security Council (REGSEC) ordering developers to halt construction in the Ramsar site and to produce permits or face sanctions.
A similar defiant posture at the Weija Ramsar site has seen continuous construction works in the area, with the two situations compelling the Regional Minister designate, Daniel Titus-Glover, leading a team from the Greater Accra REGSEC on a tour of the Ramsar sites last Thursday and Friday.
via: https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/ghana-news-greater-accra-regsec-declares-ramsar-sites-security-zones.html
LMI Holdings warehouse obtains EDGE certification (Daily Graphic, Wednesday, May 8, 2024 Page 43)
The EDGE certification is awarded to institutions that demonstrate resource efficiency of at least 20 per cent in energy, water and embodied energy in materials. This is the first warehouse in Ghana to receive this certification
EDGE is an online platform and international green building certification system that promotes green building standard. An innovation of IFC, EDGE certification is supported by the government of the United Kingdom (UK) with initial funding by the Switzerland State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
By creating a green building certification system for emerging economies, IFC addresses climate change, while simultaneously helping to boost prosperity through the construction of buildings with improved operational costs.
LMI Holdings is a diversified Ghanaian company with interests in the construction, industrial park development, real estate development, warehousing and logistics, utilities and information and communications technology (ICT) sectors.
It is the primary developer of the Tema Free Zones enclave, which hosts more than 80 companies operating in various sectors, including building materials and agro-processing.
As EDGE Champions, LMI Holdings mega warehouses have committed to
continuing to build green and to certify most of their portfolio with
EDGE. At a ceremony to present the certification to the company on
Monday, April 29, this year, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of LMI
holdings, Kojo Botsio Aduhene, said the achievement reaffirmed LMI
Holdings’ commitment to sustainable practices and environmental
responsibility, adding that going forward, LMI Holdings would prioritise
the environment as its contribution to Ghana's climate agenda.
Kyle Kelhofer (left), IFC's Senior Country Manager, presenting the certificate to Emmanuel Apatae Manu (2nd from left), MD of LMI Logistics Group, Kojo Botsio Aduhene (2nd from right), CEO, LMI Holdings. With them are Joseph Ocran (right), Board Member, and Annabelle Obeng-Frimpong (middle), Business Coordinator, LMI Holdings
“We are honoured to receive the IFC Green Buildings EDGE Certification. We see it as a testament to our dedication to environmental responsibility. Our team is committed to continuous innovation, and this recognition fuels our passion to set new industry standards for eco-friendly operations,” Mr Aduhene said.
The CEO of LMI Holdings said the green certification aligned with the
company’s broader sustainability vision, which was further supported by
a $30 million loan from the IFC in 2022 to develop a 16.8-megawatt
rooftop solar plant that will power businesses operating in the Tema
Free Zone. The investment is projected to increase Ghana’s solar
capacity by nine per cent and reduce carbon emission by over 10,000
tonnes a year.
Benchmark
The IFC's Senior Country Manager for Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone, Kyle Kelhofer, said despite the clear business case for green building, current investment in the area was minimal due to market barriers such as insufficient government incentives, limited green construction capacity and high perceived costs.
He said the EDGE Green Building Certification awarded to LMI Holdings Mega Warehousing was a significant step towards sustainable industrial development which set a benchmark for the sector.
The Team Lead, EDGE Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria Climate Business Department, Dennis Papa Odenyi Quansah, said in assessing the 100,000 square metre LMI Mega Warehouse, the team took into consideration LMI’s innovative technology and designs that included sustainability features such as reduced window-to wall ratio, a reflective roof, high performance glass, efficient ceiling fans, efficient water fixtures and low carbon materials that reflected LMI’s commitment to environmental conservation.
Writer’s email: Benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh
via: https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/ghana-news-lmi-holdings-warehouse-obtains-edge-certification.html
Tuesday, 7 May 2024
Mark Adu builds capacity of football stakeholders (Graphic Sports(Online) Tuesday, May 7, 2024)
Spearheaded by the founder of AA Sports International and former Ghana international, Mark Adu Amofah, the clinic served as a homage to his roots in Ashaiman, where his football journey commenced.
Mark Adu Amofah, renowned for his illustrious career with teams such as Ashaiman Young Brazilians, Tema Real Sportive, Liberty Professionals, and Asante Kotoko, delivered a resonant message through a representative, Nana Ama Oforiwa Antwi.
He urged aspiring players to embrace the spirit of Ashaiman, characterised by resilience, passion, and an unwavering love for the game, to propel themselves beyond limitations.
Under the theme "Elevating Excellence, Shaping Tomorrow's Champions," Mr. Amofah emphasised the importance of ambition and focus in achieving success both on and off the field.
He pledged AA Sports International's dedication to supporting Ashaiman's football community, offering guidance and opportunities for aspiring talents to flourish.
The initiative garnered commendation from key figures in Ghanaian football, including Kudjoe Fianoo, Chairman of the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA), who lauded Amofah and AA Sports International for their commitment to societal development.
Fianoo stressed the significance of equipping stakeholders with the requisite skills and knowledge, highlighting the essential business aspect of football investments.
via: https://www.graphic.com.gh/sports/sports-news/mark-adu-builds-capacity-of-football-stakeholders.html
Monday, 6 May 2024
Friday, 3 May 2024
Strengthening maritime security, ties: Ghana Navy welcomes USS Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams (Daily Graphic, Friday, May 3, 2024 Page 20)
The port visit is to strengthen the partnership between the two nations as they seek to work together for a stable, secure and prosperous Gulf of Guinea and West Africa region.
The 784-foot-long ship which arrived last Tuesday is optimised to support a variety of maritime-based missions and is designed around four core capabilities. It is in Ghana as part of the second annual African Maritime Forces Summit (AMFS) and the Naval Infantry Leaders Symposium-Africa (NILS-A) that took place in Ghana from April 30 to May 2, 2024.
The symposium was attended by government and military leaders from more than 40 countries from four continents, including Europe.
Obangame Express 2024
While in Ghana, USS 'Woody' Williams and its sailors will participate in a week-long military exercise, Obangame Express 2024, the largest West African maritime exercise for navies along the Gulf of Guinea.
USS Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams, the warship
The military exercise at sea is aimed at how participating countries can work together to combat piracy and other illicit maritime activities, including illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
USS Hershel 'Woody" Williams is the first US Navy Ship assigned to
the US Africa Command area of operations to conduct missions in the
Mediterranean and waters around East, South and West Africa operating
with regional partners.
Partnerships
Interacting with journalists at the Tema Port after a tour of the vessel, US Africa Command (AFRICOM) Deputy Commander of Civil-Military Engagement, Ambassador Robert Scott, said the US was pleased with the partnership with Africa and other participating countries at the symposium to learn about maritime security.
via : https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/ghana-news-strengthening-maritime-security-ties-ghana-navy-welcomes-uss-hershel-woody-williams.html
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
-
THE Minister of the Interior, Mr Cletus Avoka and the Director General of the Ghana Immigration Service, Mrs Elizabeth Adjei, have jointly c...
