FBNBank inaugurates Tema Community 6 branch (Daily Graphic, Thurs. August 10, 2023. Page 30)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FBNBank Ghana has opened a new full-service branch at Tema Community 6 in the Greater Accra Region to provide comprehensive financial services for its customers in the Metropolis and its environs. 

The Community 6 branch, located along the Tema Hospital Road brings to three the number of FBNBanks in Tema and 24 full service branches as well as  three agencies nationwide.

The expansion also reinforcing the bank’s commitment to working together with all its customer segments to meet banking needs of its diverse customer base.

Inuagurating the facility last Thursday the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director of FBNBank Ghana, Victor Yaw Asante, said the opening of the new branch in Tema was line with the bank’ s agenda to improve it's network in order  to cater for individual, commercial and corporate clients.

"As we continue to get closer to our customers and clients and also develop customized products and services to suit their needs, even for the prospective clients, we bring alive our brand promise of putting our stakeholders first." he said

Mr Asante noted that over the last few years, the bank has seen a number of businesses established in Tema  to meet the growing needs of the fast-growing human population.

He indicated that a number of these businesses happened to be Small and Medium Enterprises (SMESs), adding that apart from these businesses, and institutions, the Tema area has an appreciably large population both young and old residents, who all needed an exciting and solutioning oriented banking relationship like what FBNBank offers hence the expansion of it's physical touch point in the Metropolis. 

Economic challenges

Mr Asante said although the current economic challenges have heightened the role of banks, FBN Bank Ghana was  well placed to make a difference through its offerings and propositions.

In keeping with their  promise to keep their customers at the core of their services.

The CEO said  with the opening of the Hospital Road branch in Tema, every individual, institution or corporate would benefit from FBNBank's exciting products, services and experience.

He expressed the hope that the opening of the new branch in Tema will contribute significantly to the FBNBank success story in Ghana and be a catalyst for their customers to achieve their own individual and corporate goals. 

Support

The Metropolitan Chief Executive for Tema, Yohane Amarh Ashitey, commended FBNBank for expanding its  banking services to the Metropolis, stressing that it would support the business community and boost the economic growth.

Mr Ashitey said the TMA recognising the need to improve business development have decided to deploy the use of technology for the payment of bills as opposed to handwritten bills and receipts as well as issuance of building permits via an online portal, stressing that the presence of FBNBank and other financial institution would support the digitisation agenda of the Assembly and help improve local tax collection. 

 

via: https://www.graphic.com.gh/business/business-news/fbnbank-inaugurates-tema-community-6-branch.html

Taekwondo: G/A wins Korean Ambassador’s Cup (Daily Graphic, Tuesday, August 1, 2023 Page 47)

 

Ghanaian company begins chilli pepper export (Daily Graphic, Tuesday, August 1, 2023 Page 33)

 

Tema youth urges dialogue to address fishers, Port Authority furore.( Daily Graphic, Saturday, July 29, 2023. Page 28)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Tema Youth Association, a youth group in the Tema Metropolis of the Greater Accra Region, has urged stakeholders in the area to use dialogue in resolving the cause of the recent canoe accident that led to the death of two fishermen. 

The group has further called on the relevant authorities to engage in dialogue with the fishing community to address their concerns and work collaboratively towards improved safety measures on the waters.

“We believe that effective communication and cooperation between the maritime authorities and the fishing community is vital to fostering a safer and more secure environment for all stakeholders,” the group said.

The call was made in a statement signed and issued yesterday by the General Secretary of the Association, Marcus Larbie.

Two fishermen from Tema died at sea in the early hours of last Thursday, sparking a furore between fishers and port authorities over what caused their death.

The fishers, mostly from Tema Manhean (Newtown), claimed the two were part of 12 members who were on a ritual Homowo fishing expedition, when a patrol boat from the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) rammed into their canoe at the Tema Port anchorage, causing it to capsize.

But the GPHA denied that assertion, saying no such incident happened at sea.

The Association commended the Tema Metropolitan Security Committee (MESEC) and the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Yohanne Amarh Ashitey, for setting up a five-member committee to probe the circumstances that led to the incident.

“We understand that the Mayor of Tema is investigating the incident to determine the cause and circumstances surrounding the collision, whereas the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Tema East Constituency has tailored a written request before Parliament seeking national attention on this matter and evoking legislative sanctions to carry out further investigations and recommendations,” the statement said

Transparency

The association said as the public awaited the findings of the investigative committee, it would encourage all relevant authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent inquiry to ascertain accountability and ensure that measures were put in place to prevent such unfortunate incidents from recurring.

The canoe, Adesa Na Ohetsui, which translates: “Man be patient”, was carrying 12 fishermen, who were on a Homowo ritual fishing expedition with the backing of the Tema Traditional Council.

The statement said the traditional festival of Homowo held immense cultural significance for the people of Tema, adding that it was time for celebration and unity when members of the community come together to commemorate their heritage and give thanks for a bountiful harvest season.It added that the two fishermen, who were among the 12 onboard the canoe, were entrusted with the task of providing fish for the festival by the Chief Fishermen; they were dedicated individuals known for their commitment to preserving and upholding our cultural practices.

The group said losing the two members of the community, especially in such tragic circumstances, was an immeasurable loss that would be felt deeply throughout the community.

The group, however, encouraged everyone in the community to come together to offer the needed support and stand in solidarity with the families affected by this tragedy during these challenging times.

 

via: https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/tema-youth-urges-dialogue-to-address-fishers-port-authority-furore.html

 

4 Fishermen convicted for flouting closed season( Daily Graphic, Saturday, July 28, 2023. Page 6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Four fishermen have been convicted at the TDC District Court in Tema for flouting the close season fishing imposed by the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development. 

The four; Kennedy Ganavudo, 22, Francis Bobole, 20, Jonas Ametepe Kushi, 35 and Kobla Aboste, 46, were fined a total of GH¢19,200 (400 penalty units each) or in default would each be subjected to a one-month jail term.

The Magistrate, Benedicta Antwi slapped sentence on the four after hearing the brief facts of the case.  

 The court further ordered the police to confiscate the fish catch found in possession of the fishermen as well as their fishing equipment.

Three out of the four convicted persons pleaded guilty. Francis Bobole however pleaded guilty with explanation.

Bobole told the court that they had travelled to Togo on a fishing expedition but due to the bad weather conditions, they did not realise they had strayed into Ghana waters where the close season was in force at the time of their arrest.

The court after hearing the explanation returned a plea of guilty as the explanation did not raise any reasonable defence.

Brief Facts

The facts as narrated in court by Inspector Hilda A. Sarkodie, was that on July 25, 2023, at about 4 pm, a joint personnel of the Fisheries Enforcement Unit (FEU), comprising of officers from the Monitoring Control Surveillance Division (MCSD) and officers from the Marine Police on board a Ghana Navy vessel embarked on patrol on the seas to track down fishermen failing to observe the close season which started on July 1, 2023.

She said in the process, the four fishermen were arrested in two separate canoes fishing, contrary to  section 84 of the Fisheries Act 625, while an unspecified quantity of fish were also found in their possession on the canoes.

The Prosecution said the four fishermen were handed over to the police and after investigations were charged with the offence and arraigned

During the pre-sentencing mitigation, the four fishermen asked for leniency. The Court after hearing from the prosecution that the convicts were first time offenders imposed a fine of 400 penalty units on each of the four fishers. (The monetary value of a penalty unit currently stands at GH¢12.00)

The court also ordered the police to confiscate the fish catch found in possession of the fishermen as well as their fishing equipment

At the time of filing this report, the relatives of the four fishers had started an arrangement to pay the fines imposed by the court.

Ban

The close season was implemented by the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD) in collaboration with the Fisheries Commission and other stakeholders in accordance with section 84 of the Fisheries Act 625.

The Act seeks to, among other objectives; allow replenishment of the country’s over exploited and depleted fish stocks as that the schedule was the favourable period for fishes to reproduce.

This year, canoe and inshore fishers were expected to observe the closed season from July 1 to 31, 2023, while industrial trawlers were to observe the closed Season from July 1 to August 31, 2023.

via: https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/tema-4-fishermen-convicted-for-flouting-close-season.html

Controversy over 2 fishers death at sea(Daily Graphic, Friday, July 28, 2023. Front Page)

 

 

 

 

Two fishermen from Tema died at sea in the early hours of Thursday, sparking a furore between fishers and port authorities over what caused their death. 

The fishers, mostly from Tema Manhean (Newtown), claimed the two were part of 12 members who were on a ritual Homowo fishing expedition, when a patrol boat from the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) rammed into their canoe at the Tema Port anchorage, causing it to capsize.

But the GPHA denied that assertion, saying no such incident happened at sea.

The canoe, Adesa Na Ohetsui, which translates: “Man be patient”, was carrying 12 fishermen, who were on a Homowo ritual fishing expedition with the backing of the Tema Traditional Council.

The fishermen said they were hauling their net within the anchorage when they were rammed by the patrol boat that was at the scene to drive them away.

The deceased have been identified as Francis Tetteh Larbi, 27, and Samuel Acquaye Allotey, 45, both residents of Tema Newtown.

Outrage, investigation

The incident, which occurred around 1:30 a.m., sparked anger and outrage among the fishing community, who had called for an independent investigation into the incident.

They also demanded that the GPHA be held accountable for the incident, insisting that the patrol boat belonged to the authority.

However, a statement from the GPHA refuted the allegations, saying “There was never a collision between the Security Patrol Boat and any fishing boat whatsoever”.

“We wish to emphasise that GPHA is a responsible organisation involved in search and rescue missions and as such will not abandon victims of a collision even if it involved our own craft,” the statement signed by the Marketing and Public Affairs Manager of the Tema Port, Abena Serwaa Opoku Fosu, said.

The statement explained that the Port Control Station last Wednesday, about half past midnight, received a distress call from MV. SEASPAN DUBAI for assistance to ward off several fishing boats which had surrounded their vessel.

It said the security patrol team, which comprised the Ghana Navy, Marine Police and GPHA Security, responded timeously, cautioned and asked the said fishing boats to leave. 

“At 0118HRS, MT. MARINA ‘M’, which was also at the anchorage, also called the Port Control Station for assistance to ward off a suspicious looking fishing boat with about nine occupants.

The team again responded by cautioning and directing the boat and its occupants to row out,” the statement added.

On their way back, it said, the patrol team chanced upon another set of fishermen who had cast their nets and were fishing within the terminal 3 basin, close to a container vessel.

The GPHA said the nets were seized, and the men were cautioned and led out of the basin.

He added that “all patrol activities were halted at 0455HRS on Thursday July 27, without any incident of collision whatsoever”. 

Near brawl

There was also a near-clash between the police and a crowd of people who had gathered at the Canoe Landing Basin where the bodies were retrieved.

The crowd prevented the police from conveying the bodies of the deceased in a police pick-up truck, arguing that their kinsmen were not criminals to be carried away as such.

The police were eventually forced to call in a hearse which conveyed the bodies to the International Maritime Hospital mortuary for autopsy and preservation.

The Commander of the Marine Police Unit in Tema, Superintendent Charles Osei, confirmed the incident at sea to the Daily Graphic and said investigations were underway to establish the identity of the boat and the cause of the incident.

Chief fisherman

The Tema Awudun Chief Fisherman, Nii Ashitey Odametey II, told the Daily Graphic that the traditional council undertook expeditions to catch particular fish for the performance of rites as part of the annual traditional Homowo festival.

He said the various stakeholders, including the GPHA and Marine Police, were aware of the expedition and that about 20 canoes were at sea for the expedition when the incident occurred.

The Chairman of the Tema Canoe Owners Association, Nii Adjiete Quaye, said they received information that a tugboat had rammed into the canoe and subsequently left the fishermen to their fate.

He said a vessel plying the anchorage that chanced upon the incident rescued the 10, turn up the capsized canoe, after which the fisherfolk realised two of their colleagues were unaccounted for.

"They then informed the rescue vessel, which had just left, but it returned and assisted to retrieve the bodies of the deceased who were found trapped in the fishing net," Nii Quaye insisted.

The GPHA, in its statement, explained that at 01:18 a.m., MT Marina ‘M’, which was also at the anchorage, also called the Port Control Station for assistance to ward off a suspicious looking fishing boat with about nine occupants.

"On their way back, the Patrol Team chanced upon another set of fishermen who had cast their nets and were fishing within the terminal 3 basin, close to a container vessel.

The nets were seized, and the men were cautioned and led out of the basin after which all patrol activities were halted at 04:55 a.m. on Thursday, July 27, without any incident of collision whatsoever," the statement said.

The Tema Metropolitan Security Committee (MESEC) has set up a five-member committee to probe the circumstances that led to the incident.

The committee, which is made up of representatives from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the police, the Ghana National Fire Service, the National Investigations Bureau, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the Tema Metropolitan Assembly, has five days to submit its report.

The Tema Municipal Chief Executive, Yohane Amarh Ashitey, who also led the Metropolitan Security Council to commiserate with the fishermen and the families of the deceased, pledged that anyone found to have deliberately played a role in the incident would be  prosecuted.

 

via : https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/controversy-over-2-fishers-death-at-sea.html

Public Health Alert: Suspected black flies invade Dawhenya (Graphic Online, Monday, July 24, 2023)

 

Some insects suspected to be black flies have invaded some communities in the North Dawhenya Electoral Area of the Greater Accra Region.  

The flies have been leaving blood stains at the spots bite on the human body and this has been creating anxiety among residents. 

Some of the affected residents say they have been continuously scratching their skin resulting in swells on their body. 

Areas affected are Abbeykope, Miotso, Eagle Nest Estates, Mackweon Estates among others. 

The Assembly member for North Dawhenya Electoral Area, Moses Nii-P Kutor on Monday morning [July 24, 2023] told Graphic Online that he has informed the District Health Directorate and the Environmental Health Office to come to the aid of the community. 

"The stings of the flies we are told are poisonous and leave sores and other skin diseases on their victims," he said.

He called for an urgent attention to the situation so that the residents can go back to thier normal activities. 

"The situation is getting worse by the day and my worry is about the children, especially those in school who keep complaining about the invasion and the painful bites," he said.

Meanwhile, a source at the District Health Directorate of the Ningo Prampram District has confirmed the presence of the insects in the community and indicated that efforts were underway to investigate the issues.

The source said, they were working together with the Environmental Health Office in the District to map out strategies including carrying out fumigation in the affected communities. 

via : https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/health/public-health-alert-black-flies-invade-dawhenya.html