Day: May 8, 2024

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Zenith Bank’s 2024 Q1 profit up 41 per cent, boosted by loan, asset and deposit growth


Zenith Bank (Ghana) Limited emerged from the First Quarter (Q1) of 2024 with impressive financial results, showcasing a robust performance across profitability, liquidity, and capital adequacy.

The Bank’s unaudited financial statements for the period revealed a continuation of the stellar performance in 2023 with a 41.03 per cent year-on-year growth in profitability to GHS306.5 million, compared with GHS217.3 million in the same period of 2023.

This performance was driven by a marked increase in both interest income and non-interest income, with interest income growing by 59 per cent to GHS437.6 million in Q1 2024 from GHS275.2 million in Q1 2023.

Consequently, net interest income, which reflects the difference between interest income and interest expense, also saw a substantial rise of 59.2 per cent to GHS302.2 million in Q1 of 2024, up from GHS189.8 million in Q1 of 2023.

Fees and commission income also grew by 9.6 per cent to GHS64.3 million in Q1 of 2024 compared to GHS58.7 million in Q1 of 2023.

Thi
s increase, in addition to the trading income of GHGHS91 million, helped to diversify Zenith Bank’s revenue streams.

The Bank’s balance sheet also defines its strategic growth as its total assets grew by 39.6 percent to GHS15.1 billion in Q1 of 2024, from GHS10.8 billion in the comparative period of 2023.

A striking feature of this growth was a 54.9 per cent increase in loans and advances to GHS2.1 billion in Q1 of 2024, reaffirming the Bank’s commitment to enhancing credit availability to various real sectors of the economy.

This also suggested a strong demand for credit from businesses and consumers, potentially indicating a pick-up in economic activities.

The growth was also reflected in a GHS1.75 billion increase in investment securities year on year, underscoring the Bank’s strategic approach to diversifying its portfolio of earning assets.

Deposits from customers reached GHS12.7 billion in the first quarter of 2024 compared to GHS9.3 billion last year, indicating a 36.4 per cent increase year on ye
ar.

This surge not only reflected the growing trust and confidence of the Bank’s clientele but also underscores its reputation for delivering exceptional value and customer service.

Beyond profitability, the Bank maintained a firm grip on its financial well-being. Its liquidity ratio, a key metric for measuring a Bank’s ability to meet short-term obligations, improved to 99.84 per cent in Q1 9f 2024, compared to 92 per cent in the same period last year.

This indicated Zenith Bank Ghana’s exceptional capability to manage its cash flow and fulfil its short-term financial commitments.

Furthermore, the Bank boasts an impressive Capital Adequacy Ratio of 31.76 per cent at the end of Q1 of 2024, surpassing the regulatory minimum requirement of 10 per cent.

This robust capital adequacy ratio is a testament to the Bank’s strong capital base and its ability to absorb potential losses and maintain financial stability during economic downturns.

Zenith Bank Ghana’s credit quality continues to improve, notwithstandi
ng the growth in risk assets.

The Bank’s Non-performing loans ratio dropped from 5.05 per cent in Q1 of 2023 to 2.14 per cent in Q1 of this year, suggesting credit risk management strategies are proving effective, leading to a high-quality loan portfolio.

Mr. Henry Onwuzurigbo, the Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank (Ghana) Limited, assured that, ‘Our approach is to deepen our understanding of customer needs and to provide financial solutions that will foster beneficial synergies for all stakeholders.’

He said the bank’s commitment to this strategy had been pivotal in achieving the remarkable results seen today, and ‘we remain extremely grateful to customers for the beneficial relationship over the years. We will continue to team up with them for excellence in the remaining quarters of the year.’

Source: Ghana News Agency

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We’ve not announced Societe Generale’s exit from Ghana – MD


Contrary to rumours in the media, Mr Hakim Ouzzani, Managing Director, Societe Generale Ghana, says, the French bank has not announced any plans of exiting the country.

He explained that though its mother French company, Societe Generale, was implementing some global reforms in its business offerings to make it more efficient, there had not been any decision on exiting the Ghanaian market.

‘In the context of this strategy of the Group and following decisions taken on some activities over the world, in France, Africa, and elsewhere, some rumours have indeed taken root regarding SG Ghana,’ he said.

‘It’s important to mention to all our stakeholders and stakeholders that the news item being circulated in the media was not issued by the Group nor by SG Bank. We don’t want to comment further.’ Mr Ouzzani added.

He said this at the 44th Annual General Meeting of the bank, held concurrently in-person in Accra and virtually, on Wednesday, May 8.

He stated that despite the economic challenges and its attendant im
pact on the banking sector, SG Ghana recorded a 290 per cent growth over that of 2022, with a GHS424.8 million profit after tax in 2023.

Combined with the efficient management of cost and the decline in net cost of risk on sovereign facilities, the return on equity for the year consequently soared to 28 per cent from the 10 per cent presented in 2022,’ he said.

On the impact of the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) in 2023, the MD noted that the government’s fiscal measure had minimal impact on its profitability.

He added that the DDEP posed an indirect third-party risk (the inability of clients to repay loans due to the investment of company funds in government securities.

Mr Ouzzani acknowledged that high utility tariffs eroded purchasing power due to rates of high inflation and currency depreciation, high-interest rates, made the cost of borrowing ‘very high’ in 2023.

While lauding the profitability of the bank, some shareholders who spoke with the Ghana News Agency after the AGM called for clar
ity and definite decision from the bank about their exit from the country.

‘The performance of the bank gives us a lot of confidence because the bank is growing from strength to strength. That’s why we’re saying that what came as a rumour that they’re leaving Ghana is a source of concern to us,’ said, Mr Samson Ashong, a shareholder.

‘So, even if it’s true that they’re leaving, they should explain to us why they’re going, when and how they’re going to deal with the shareholders. We want more assurance that they’ll remain here,’ he said.

Mr Sas Goerge, president of the Association of Shareholders on the Ghana Stock Market, noted that the exit of the bank would not be a new thing because similar occurrences had happened in the country in the past.

He noted that the responses from the bank at the AGM signalled that its decision of the bank to exit Ghana ‘is not open yet,’ attributing it to secrecy conditions of banks.

He, therefore, called on the bank to provide timely information to stakeholders and shareh
olders to douse the rumours.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Fidelity Bank hands over classroom block to Abbeykope D/A Basic School


Fidelity Bank, the nation’s largest privately-owned bank, has handed over a newly-constructed three-unit classroom block to the Abbeykope D/A Basic School in the Ningo Prampram District in the Greater Accra Region.

The project formed part of the Bank’s Orange Impact initiative.

The support include renovation of an existing six-unit block in the school and the installation of a rainwater harvesting system.

The reconstruction and ancillary projects are expected to transform the learning environment of the pupils in the community. Key stakeholders in the community witnessed the handing-over ceremony on Tuesday.

Abbeykope D/A Basic School, according to authorities, had not been renovated since its inception in 2006.

The deplorable state of the institution, is said to have caused inconveniences for teachers and learners.

Dreamjuly Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, identified the situation and recommended the school to be selected for the Fidelity Bank Orange Impact initiative.

In a speech read on
his behalf, Mr Atta Yeboah Gyan, Deputy Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, emphasised the Bank’s commitment to ‘educational equity.’

‘We were struck by the potential of the Abbeykorpe community and the challenges they faced…Limited resources meant pupils did not have the same opportunities as others. The new classrooms and renovations aim to bridge that gap and empower students to reach their full potential,’ he said.

As part of the project, Fidelity Bank in partnership with EcoSchools, provided six recycling bins to improve sanitation.

Highlighting the project’s transformative potential, Mr. Enoch Anyingmor Teye, Headmaster of the School, expressed gratitude to Fidelity Bank and urged other well-meaning organisations to join Fidelity Bank’s efforts in enhancing educational opportunities.

Mrs. Solace Osei-Appiah, District Director of Education, commended Fidelity Bank for its commitment to proper procedures and approvals throughout the project.

Launched in 2022 as part of the Bank’s 15th anniversary cel
ebration, the Orange Impact initiative empowers 15 under-resourced schools across Ghana over a five-year period.

Through continued collaboration, investment, tailored resources, and infrastructure improvements, ‘Orange Impact’ is helping shape the future of Ghanaian youth by ensuring quality education for all.

Apart from Abbeykorpe D/A Basic School, other schools, including Nyameyekrom M/A Primary, Duose D/A Primary, Mamprobi Ebenezer 4, Okogyeasuo M/A Basic, and Fodome Kordzeto M/A Primary and JHS, have benefited from the initiative.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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COVID-19: Upper East achieves herd immunity


Mr Dominic Yeboah, the Upper East Regional Cordinator for the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), says the Region has attained herd immunity against COVID-19.

He said a total of 806,688 representing 91.9 percent of residents had taken at least a dose of the vaccine which gave them some level of immunity out of 877,624 targeted population in the Region.

Mr Yeboah in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Bolgatanga, said ‘Those who have taken full doses that we can be very sure of their immunity, at the optimum level, are 723,820 representing about 82.5 percent of the population.

‘So technically, in Public Health, if you vaccinate above 80 percent, we say you have attained herd immunity; meaning a lot of people are covered and there is the possibility that even if the organism is found in circulation, it would not be able to cause serious disease outbreak,’ he said.

The EPI Coordinator said even though a lot of residents had received COVID-19 vaccines in the Region
, it was important for them to take booster and additional doses to maintain their immunity levels.

‘There is the need to sustain the gains that we have made over the years, so that we can all be safe. The fact that COVID-19 is declared not a public health emergency, does not mean the virus does not exist,’ he said.

Asked if there was any recorded case of the virus in the Region as recorded in Greater Accra, Mr Yeboah said ‘We have not recorded any case, but then, our population is mobile, people move around, so we cannot tell when anyone can pick the virus. That is why we undertake vaccination exercises from time to time’.

Speaking on the five-day ongoing 10th national COVID-19 vaccination exercise in the Region, which began on May 5, 2024, the EPI Coordinator said despite some challenges including the unwillingness of residents to patronize the vaccines, the exercise had started smoothly across all 15 Municipalities and Districts in the Region.

He said 176 teams were deployed across the 15 Municipalitie
s and Districts to vaccinate a targeted population of 21,000 who required any of the doses, including booster doses.

He disclosed that as of the second day of the vaccination exercise, a total of 2,527, representing 12 percent of the targeted population was vaccinated.

Mr Yeboah said some members of the public who hitherto resisted the vaccines owing to some rumours about the vaccines, eventually dispelled the rumours after they realized the vaccines were good and protected them from the virus.

‘Just that it takes us a lot of time for us to engage and get their buy-in so I urge the public that COVID-19 is not completely off the hook. There is the need to continue to vaccinate to keep ourselves protected,’ he said.

He said the Region had enough Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccines to cater for the five-day exercise and indicated that pregnant women and people under 18years were eligible for the vaccine.

‘Apart from pregnant women and people under 18years, any individual above 18years, even if they have o
ther health conditions, they can still take the vaccine,’ the EPI Coordinator said.

He said even though some intense COVID-19 protocols were relaxed, the use of nose masks and adherence to hand washing protocols should be part of residents to check Respiratory Tract Infections (RTI) and other disease conditions.

‘If for nothing at all, hand washing, use of nose masks and hand sanitizers should not necessarily be used because of COVID. The protocols are there to prevent other conditions as well and advisable we heed to it so that we can get protected from other diseases,’ Mr Yeboah said.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Let’s invest into midwives to improve maternal health – RISE Ghana


The Rural Initiatives for Self-Empowerment Ghana (RISE-Ghana), a non-government organisation, has underscored the urgent need to invest in midwives to improve maternal and child healthcare and adapt to climate change and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

According to the RISE-Ghana, climate change was affecting healthcare delivery globally and locally and there was a need to invest in midwives to adapt climate resilient solutions to ensure positive maternal and child health outcomes and contribute to protect the environment.

This was in a statement to commemorate this year’s International Day of the Midwife on the theme ‘Midwives: A Vital Climate Solution’ and copied to the Ghana News Agency, by Mr Awal Ahmed Kariama, Executive Director, RISE-Ghana.

‘RISE-Ghana joins the rest of the world to salute midwives across the globe and particular those working under difficult conditions to deliver quality services to mothers and babies.

‘This year’s team could not have come at a better time than n
ow when climate change poses the greatest health challenge evidenced by increased heatwaves and natural disasters which sadly disproportionately affects women and babies,’ it said.

The statement revealed that there was evidence that healthcare services were responsible for five percent of greenhouse gas emissions globally, adding that midwives had huge potentials to adapt health systems and advance local and international targets to lower carbon emission.

‘Their vital solutions to climate change can be seen and felt in many respects, for instance, midwives deliver environmentally sustainable health services and play a key role in making health systems more climate resilient,’ it added.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Public reminded of ongoing national COVID-19 vaccination


The Ghana Health Service (GHS) and partners under the Ministry of Health have reminded members of the public about the ongoing National COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign (NaCVaDs).

The national campaign, which will end on May 9, is aimed at increasing the immunisation of Ghanaians against COVID-19, by vaccinating them with the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

Eligible individuals for vaccination include those aged 18 years and older, who were yet to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, individuals, who have not completed their vaccination series, and those, who have not received booster doses.

It is the 10th round of the national vaccination and has as its theme: ‘Protect Yourself, Protect Your Family, Get Vaccinated Against COVID’19’.

Dr Abdulai Abukari, Northern Regional Director of Health, speaking at a press briefing in Tamale on the situational update of COVID-19 in the region, said it was important for particularly people of the region to take part in the exercise.

He said the region had undertaken nine rounds
of National COVID-19 immunisation and 18 rounds of Global Communities’ Supported Regional COVID-19 vaccination campaigns.

He said, ‘The vaccination will take place at health centres and at temporary posts set up in schools, markets, churches, bus stations and even house -to-house in your neighborhood to vaccinate all eligible persons’.

Dr Abukari urged Ghanaians, who were yet to be vaccinated, to do so to build immunity against the disease, saying that COVID-19 could escalate in the accumulation of a sizeable population of non-immune individuals.

He said 293 teams of vaccinators, volunteers and 67 supervisors at different levels had been recruited and trained to undertake the vaccination exercise for the campaign period.

He said even though the national response to the pandemic had gained significant improvement over the past four years, cases were recorded globally, underscoring the need for Ghanaians to be vaccinated.

He said the COVID-19 vaccines were safe and free of charge, adding that all one neede
d was to present any national identification card as prove of citizenship.

He said contrary to the myths against the potency of COVID-19 vaccination, vaccines had helped the world to put the pandemic under control and urged members of the public to receive the vaccines and encourage others to do so.

Mr Fuseini Mahama, Northern Regional Coordinator of Expanded Programme on Immunisation, said the region’s management of the disease was commendable.

He said, ‘The response to the COVID-19 in the Northern Region is implemented within the framework of the national response and coordinated by a multi-sectoral Regional Public Health Emergency Management Committee (RPHEMC) under the chairmanship of the Regional Minister.’

Source: Ghana News Agency

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AstraZeneca vaccine not administered in Ghana anymore- GHS


The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has announced that AstraZeneca vaccines would no longer be administered in the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Director-General of the GHS, stated that the Service had not purchased the AstraZeneca Vaccines in the last two years and urged those who had already taken them not to panic.

He gave the assurance when he toured some health facilities in Ga East as part of the COVID-19 Vaccination and Child Health Promotion Week/African Vaccination Week Campaign.

This follows reports in international media that AstraZeneca had withdrawn its COVID-19 vaccination worldwide, admitting that the medication could cause very rare but life-threatening complications.

In Ghana, a total of 10, 545, 038 AstraZeneca vaccine doses were administered.

Dr Kuma-Aboagye suggested that AstraZeneca’s decision to withdraw their COVID-19 vaccines from the global market was driven by commercial considerations.

He assured that no adverse events had been reported because of
administering AstraZeneca shots in the country and that the only vaccine now available in the system was Johnson and Johnson.

AstraZeneca, formerly known as Covishield, a British-Swedish company, withdrew its EU marketing authorization for the vaccine, Vaxzevria, in 2021.

The authorisation is the approval to market a drug in the EU’s member states. The withdrawal was due to a ‘surplus of available updated vaccines’ against new variants of the novel coronavirus, the company said.

Dr. Micheal Adjabeng, Surveillance Officer for the World Health Organization Ghana, stated that his office, in collaboration with the Food and Drugs Authority, would ensure that the best vaccine was available to the public.

The country recorded five active COVID-19 cases recently.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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West Africa Pharma and Healthcare Expo 2024 opened in Accra


The third West Africa Pharma and Healthcare Expo opened in Accra, with the government pledging to make Ghana’s pharmaceutical hub the biggest on the African continent.

Dr Benard Okoe Boye, the minister-designate of health, who opened the conference and exhibition on behalf of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo on Wednesday, stated that the government remained committed to leveraging the potential of e-pharmacy and digital health to transform healthcare delivery.

The two-day Expo, held at the Accra International Conference Center, is expected to provide an opportunity for the pharmaceutical industry to explore the transformative potential of e-pharmacy and digital health delivery in West Africa.

According to Dr Oko Boye, statistics reveal that digital advancements like expo telemedicine and mobile health applications are changing the way people get healthcare services.

‘In West Africa, mobile penetration stands at over 80 per cent indicating a vast potential for leveraging digital platforms to improve
healthcare access and delivery,’ he said.

Commenting on the Expo’s theme, ‘E-pharmacy and Digital Health,’ Dr Oko Boye emphasized the need for the pharmaceutical industry to embrace e-pharmacy to enhance efficiency, accessibility, and affordability within healthcare systems.

‘With over 50 per cent of Africans having access to the internet, digital health solutions have the potential to overcome long-standing barriers and ensure that quality healthcare is accessible to all citizens, regardless of geographical location or socioeconomic status,’ he said.

Dr. Okoe Boye stated that a recent regional assembly in Dakar, which focused on pharmacy practice regulation and electronic pharmacy, highlighted the importance of member countries embracing and adopting a National Electronic Pharmacy Platform concept.

He said Ghana’s National Electronic Pharmacy Platform ecosystem had reached 226 operational electronic pharmacies as of August 2023.

However, data privacy has remained a worry in e-health, with reports indica
ting that just forty per cent of healthcare businesses have strong data security mechanisms in place.

Mr Harrison Abutiate, CEO of Ghana National Chamber of Pharmacy, said the Expo would champion pharmaceutical excellence in Ghana and beyond.

He said the chamber’s pharmaceutical business groups include 343 pharmaceutical importers, 1,500 pharmaceutical wholesalers, 5,000 pharmaceutical retailers, over 19,000 over-the-counter medicine sellers, and 500 small-scale manufacturers.

Mr Abutiate said the chamber was poised to contribute its part to advance e-health services in the country and beyond.

Mr. Thomas James, the Chief Executive of WegVoraus, organizers of the Expo said exhibitors from India, Ghana, Turkey, Pakistan, USA and Italy are participating in the exhibition.

‘The exhibition would serve as an avenue for pharmaceutical manufacturers, importers and suppliers to partner with each other to improve investment in the industry,’ he said.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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We need to establish more viable African Carriers to help facilitate trade- CEO Kenya Airways


Mr Allen Kilavuka, the Chief Executive Officer of Kenya Airways, says there is a need to establish more viable African Carriers to help facilitate trade among the various countries on the Continent.

He said Kenya Airways was collaborating closely with other African Carriers to develop a viable entity to serve the Continent and stand strong against any competition.

Mr Kilavuka was speaking to journalists during his recent visit to Ghana. The visit is a follow-up visit by Kenyan President William Ruto earlier this month and officials from the Kenyan Tourism Board in February.

In partnership with Kenya Airways (KQ), they led a consortium of over 15 travel trade companies for in-market activations to boost intra-Africa trade.

He said the purpose of the visit was also to cement their relationship in the aviation market and identify areas of mutual support and collaboration.

The CEO said, ‘we need to be involved more in the travel market to develop the aviation market, we recommend collaboration and cooperatio
n with other airlines.’

Mr Kilavuka said Ghana was a critical market for the Airline because it was the Company’s Hub in the West Africa Region, adding that they had developed Accra as the hub, simply because of the support from regulatory agencies as part of their operations.

He said last year the Company had for the first time in seven years recorded an operating profit as an airline, adding that they had also recorded the highest revenue number in the history of the company.

‘We have also recorded the highest number of passengers in the history of the company, including being voted the second most efficient airline in Africa,’ he added.

Mr. Kilavuka said was anticipating a 20 per cent growth in revenue this year.

He said the Airline was considering operating some direct flights to the new Kumasi International Airport in Ghana as part of efforts to deepen bilateral trade and tourism between the two friendly countries.

‘We are looking at this marketplace favourably, so in the first place, it [operating
flights to Kumasi Airport] is something to consider,’ he added.

The Kumasi International Airport, located at the heart of Ghana’s second most populated city, Kumasi, has undergone a total makeover within the past half-decade.

The new ultra-modern terminal building, which is capable of handling over 800,000 passengers per year, has modern passenger processing installations in place and is equipped with navigation aids.

Mr. Kilavuka said that flying to Kumasi looks viable and would be favourably considered by its management.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Kumbo Press Men Poised to fight climate change, assist vulnerable children, support churches

By Wirngo Amos

This laudable decision was arrived at on May 5, 2024 during the WPFD in Kumbo. The day was commemorated under the theme ‘ A press for the planet; Journalism in the face of environmental crisis’

The celebration started with a Thanksgiving Mass at St. Cornilius Parish Bamkikai where funds were raised to assist in the construction of the Priests house.

During his homily, Rev. Father Evaristus Kiven urged all christians to embrace love which has become a scarce resource especially during the ongoing upheavals. He continued that God created man in his image and has designed a purpose for all creation. Hence love according to him is a command from God. He praised media men in Kumbo for partnering with his parish to raise funds for the construction of the priests house. He prayed God’s blessings and guidance on the media men as they indulge into this risky profession.

Edwin Kilofenyuy, deputy manager of Radio evangelium Kumbo, gave a discourse to media men on the topic, ‘The role of the journalist
in climate change awareness’ According to him, journalists are watch dogs of the society and has the responsibility to inform them on the changes. This information will instill hope and drive fear from them. ‘Let’s look at Kumbo now, there is excessive heat, this is strange because everyone knew Kumbo as one of the coldest places in Cameroon, the rains has become very irregular, we now have strange birds amongst others. It is our responsibility as journalists to educate and inform our communities on these changes’ Edwin Narrated.

During their meeting, media men in Kumbo resolved that:

They will support vulnerable children in schools in Kumbo. priority was given to Presbyterian School Bamkikai where 21 pupils will benefit through payment of school fees and diadatic materials

Tree planting launching will take place by media men themselves. This is to fight climate change and to educate the population to follow suit

Support churches, hospitals and other institutions through Thanksgivings, donations and other
identified needs.

Hold a debate and education program over Radio Evangelium Kumbo (FM 100.5) every Saturday from 1-3pm. The program has been named ‘Kumbo Press Time’ During these programs, specialists in various identified fields shall be invited to enlighten the masses.

It was also resolved that media men should be councious about the times and to report only that which is true and helpful

The next outing for the Thanksgiving church service shall be at Tobin Baptist Church.

Let the various media houses issue press cards to their members and they should all belong to the Kumbo Press Forum.

At the end of the celebration Amos WIRNGO was given a vote of confidence to continue as the coordinator for Kumbo Press Forum.

It all ended with wining, dinning and chat talks.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

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Industrial pollution: EPA to install real time air quality monitors?


The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will soon install air quality monitors at industries to enhance its supervision and data collection of industrial pollution.

Dr Kingsford John Kurugu, the Acting Executive Director of EPA, explained that the strategy was to protect host communities of industries, people who commute there, as well as workers.

?Dr Kurugu, who disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, stated that the motive was to have access to real time data on the levels of pollution rather than the current dispensation where the factories submitted reports of their emissions.

‘With this new system, when residents for instance complain about health issues linked to industrial pollution, it will be easy for us to retrieve data, analyze it, know the veracity and make a decision,’ he said.

?Dr Kurugu stated that the initiative would be implemented under a public-private partnership arrangement.

He added that the Ministry of Finance was working on the framework for that initiative to ensure i
ts operationalisation.

‘Air pollution is one of the crucial issues due to its impact on our health systems, children, and the economy. That is why with the support of stakeholders we are working aggressively to enhance monitoring,’ he said.

The Acting Executive Director noted that the quality of air influences the health and well-being of people especially those within the vulnerable brackets.

The EPA, he said, was working with partners to install air quality monitoring sensors in Accra and other parts of the country gathering data on air.

‘We are not gathering data, but we are sharing it with the public on our social media just to give them an idea of the air around them,’ he added.

Responding to the question of enforcement of available regulations, especially sources from the transport sector and waste sector, he mentioned that EPA had started a coordinated institutional approach to monitor air quality among heavy traffic areas and enforcement regime needed to reduce emissions.

Air?pollution,?linked?t
o climate change, had?been identified as the top two risk factors contributing to death and disability in the country, according to a recent World Bank report titled,?’Climate And Health Vulnerability Assessment For Ghana.’

On the economic costs of air pollution, the report said a study in Accra, by the?World Health Organisation Urban Health Initiative showed that Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease patients spent the most amount of time in the hospital, an average of 29 days.

It said lung cancer patients, with 23 days, Road Traffic Injuries (RTI) patients, with 21 day and pneumonia patients who stayed an average of 8.5 days in the hospital.?

The highest number of affected people in terms of socioeconomic status are the middle income, representing 44.8 per cent, followed by the poor, forming 31 per cent and the poorest, representing 13.8 per cent.?

The treatment of air pollution-related diseases is very costly, with patients who suffered RTI paying on average US$885 for medical care, patients who have l
ung cancer paying as much as US$2135, stroke patients, paying US$351 and Ischemic heart disease patients, paying US$638, on average.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Santa bike riders lay hands on thieves

By Stephen TADAHA

Commercial Bikers from Santa in the North West Rgion, have delivered two suspected thieves specialised in the theft of motorcycles, to the Babadjou Gendarmerie brigade in exchange of one of their stolen bikes which was found and held at the brigade unit.

The barter took place at the premises of the Babadjou Gendarmerie brigade on Tuesday May 7, 2024. Elements of the National Gendarmerie had intercepted the bike at the Babadjou control post and it happened to be one of the over 16 bikes which had gone missing in Santa in just a week.

The bikers from Santa say when they got the news, and in the process of regaining their bike, they were asked to bring the suspects whom they already had in hand.

‘ 3 bikes were stolen in Santa on Sunday and we had vibes that the bikes are here in Babadjou. This adds to over 10 others that were stolen in a week.’ Their leader told us.

It is when the suspect was brought to book that identification procedures were carried out to handover the bike to its rightf
ul owner meantime the search for other missing bikes is ongoing by competent authorities.

‘ I’m really happy getting back my bike. It is thanks my colleagues and collaboration with security forces that I got it back. It’s really good news ‘ the owner told us.

The suspects according to sources, are members of a gang specialized in the theft of bikes from Santa and its surroundings, to other cities where they liquidate them.

Before handing them over to security forces, the suspects were served mob justice to near death, are being exploited for further clarifications.

Source: Cameroon News Agency