Gambia News Gazette

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

Addis Ababa: Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has held discussion with leaders of the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council and fathers from various regions on pertinent issues today.

“This afternoon, I engaged in discussions with leaders of the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council and fathers from various regions on pertinent issues,” the premier wrote on his Facebook.

Recall that the prime minister has been conducting discussions with community representatives from across the country in recent weeks.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Mr Peter Nortsu Kotoe, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Akatsi North in the Volta Region, has said Technical and Vocational Education (TVET) is crucial in transforming Ghana’s economy into a 24-hour economy.

‘By equipping individuals with practical skills and knowledge, we enable them to take advantage of the diverse opportunities that arise at any time of the day.’

Mr Kotoe said this in a speech read on his behalf by Mr James Gunu, the Volta Regional Secretary of the NDC during the launch of ‘Hope Builders Ghana’, a non-governmental organization.

On the theme: ‘Vocational and Technical Education, Our Responsibility,’ Mr Kotoe, who is also a ranking member of education in parliament, said paying attention to TVET would lead to increased productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness in the local and global markets.

‘Today, we are not only here to celebrate the launch of a new initiative but also to reaffirm our collective responsibility towards vocational and technical education,’ he said.

Mr Kotoe highl
ighted three major barriers that affected vocational and technical skills acquisition in the past.

These include stigma (introduction of craft), lack of accessibility, and academic progression where he said, ‘We converted Polytechnics to Universities to solve that problem.’

He revealed that vocational and technical education was a key driver of local economic development.

‘By providing individuals with the skills needed to start and sustain businesses, we stimulate economic growth in our communities,’ he said.

Mr Kotoe also said vocational and technical education was needed to promote job creation by bridging the gap between skills employers need and the skills job seekers possess.

He also explained that the move would empower individuals to reach their full potential and provide them with the tools to pursue their passions, achieve their goals, and contribute meaningfully to society.

Mr Kotoe urged all stakeholders to commit to supporting and promoting vocational and technical education, ‘for it is our
responsibility to ensure that every individual has the opportunity to succeed.’

‘Hope Builders Ghana’ among other key programmes, would play a pivotal role in their commitment to advancing vocational and technical education in Akatsi North and in other Districts.

Community members, youth groups, traditional authorities, and others were in attendance during the launch, which was held at the Ave-Dakpa old market.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Addis Ababa: U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Senior Bureau Official for Global Health Security and Diplomacy for Health Diplomacy, Ambassador John Nkengasong announced the approval of the 111 million USD Country Operational Plan 2023 (COP23).

According to the US Embassy in Addis Ababa, the financial support has come through the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program to support Ethiopia’s continued response to end HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

Ethiopian Minister of Health Dr. Mekdes Daba, along with The US Ambassador to Ethiopia Ervin Massinga, attended the virtual event and gave remarks.

The COP23 Year 2 plan represents ongoing cooperation between PEPFAR and the Ministry of Health to develop joint programming to support the needs of people living with HIV in Ethiopia, it was learned.

The approval announced by Ambassador Nkengasong ensures a continuation of this programming, which will ensure Ethiopia is on track to achieve epidemic control by 2030.

PEPFAR, with the
Ministry of Health and various stakeholders, has designed a plan focused on closing gaps in HIV prevention, care, and treatment for key populations and addressing geographic disparities.

The plan will prioritize improving HIV services in conflict-affected areas, enhancing case-finding strategies, and reaching vulnerable populations such as children, adolescents, and gender-based violence survivors.

Over the past 21 years, PEPFAR has invested approximately 3 billion USD to support the HIV/AIDS response in Ethiopia, the embassy said.

PEPFAR’s investments have helped strengthen the health system through workforce development, improved infrastructure to support HIV services, and supported the establishment of referral laboratories and a national health information system to address HIV.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

The National African Peer Review Mechanism Governing Council (NAPRM-GC), has empowered the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) District Oversight Committee (DOC) with information on the Targeted Review of Ghana and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The engagement, held in Takoradi, was in partnership with the Western Region Office of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and sought to equip the DOC with the necessary knowledge on Ghana’s Targeted Review of corporate governance as a catalyst to the implementation of the AfCFTA.

This is to enable the DOC to educate Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to help them better understand how they could take advantage of the opportunities in the AfCFTA to spur the growth of local businesses.

The Most Reverend Professor Emmanuel Asante, Chairperson of the NAPRM-GC, in an address read on his behalf, said the APRM stood as a testament to the commitment of African nations towards self-improvement and accountability.

He said the Mechani
sm was rooted in the principles of democracy, governance, corporate governance and socio-economic development, while serving as a vital tool for fostering growth and stability across the continent.

According to him, the Targeted Review of Ghana provided a roadmap for the development of a National Programme of Action (NPoA), a strategic framework aimed at empowering businesses and strengthening their capacity to thrive within the AfCFTA, to help boost intra-African trade and economic integration.

He said the DOC was, therefore, vital to the successful implementation of the APRM, saying it served as a grassroots advocate for good governance and community development.

‘We have gathered here to identify how as a people we will be able to equip our MSMEs to enjoy the benefits of this free trade agreement by means of empowerment, and the success of our endeavours relies heavily on collaborative partnerships with key stakeholders,’ Most Rev. Prof Asante stated.

He, therefore, charged the Committee members to wor
k assiduously to ensure the full participation of local businesses in the AfCFTA to help boost economic growth in the country.

Madam Winifred Asare, the acting Executive Secretary of the NAPRM-GC, said APRM came into being in 2003 as a voluntary tool for self-assessment, peer learning and experience sharing in democracy and good governance for African Union member states.

She said Ghana’s journey within the APRM framework had been marked by significant strides since its initial review in 2006, saying the Governing Council had been instrumental in promoting good governance and facilitating positive change.

She noted that the DOC had served as the mouthpiece of the Governing Council to disseminate vital information across the country to community-based organizations and businesses as part of efforts to achieve its mandates.

She stated that the engagement was, therefore, to broaden the knowledge and understanding of participants on the Targeted Review of Ghana and its contributions to enhance the participati
on of the informal businesses in intra-African trade under the AfCFTA in Ghana.

Mrs Angela Carmen Appiah, President of the Institute of Directors-Ghana, speaking on the role of corporate governance practice in enhancing MSMEs readiness for AfCFTA, asked local businesses to put in place systems and structures that would promote accountability, transparency, and efficiency in the business.

She said all these were prerequisites to boost investor confidence and partnerships for the growth of their businesses.

Mr Patrick Adu Osei, Chief Programme Officer at the NAPRM-GC Secretariat, touching on Ghana’s Targeted Review of corporate governance as a catalyst to the implementation of the AfCFTA, said corporate governance was what allowed businesses to grow and thrive in a way that built strong fundamentals for future growth.

‘For Africa, corporate governance is crucial to building businesses that use entrusted resources efficiently, resulting in the greatest benefits for the majority of the people,’ he said.

The
District Oversight Committees are made up of key community stakeholders including, traditional and religious authorities, representatives from youth groups, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Persons With Disabilities, and other opinion leaders, with officials of the NCCE in both Regional and District offices being the lead members.

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

Mongolia has lost more than 4.7 million of its livestock herd to extreme weather conditions this winter, the country’s emergency committee reported on Tuesday.

The figure represents a sharp rise from the roughly 1.5 million reported around a month ago.

Extreme conditions – known as ‘dzud’ in Mongolia – often hit the country lying between Russia and China during the winter months. According to a UN report at the beginning of last month, this is the second year in a row that the country has faced these severe conditions.

It described dzuds as a peculiar slow-onset disaster unique to Mongolia, characterized by freezing temperatures, heavy snow and ground so frozen that animals cannot reach pasture.

Losses are often high following a dry summer, in which the livestock are unable to build up adequate stores of fat needed for the winter.

UN estimates put the total livestock herd there at 64 million animals. ‘Herding and livestock have traditionally been integral to Mongolia’s economy, culture and way of life,’
a UN report notes.

According to the state emergency committee, temperatures are currently at minus 10 degrees Celsius in certain areas. During the past winter, one of the harshest in decades, they plummeted to considerably below minus 30 degrees.

Source: Ghana News Agency

An Accra High Court hearing the murder case of J.B. Danquah Adu, late Member of Parliament for Abuakwa North, has acquitted and discharged Vincent Bossu, the second accused person.

The court presided over by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo in her ruling on submission of no case, held that ‘no case has been made against Bossu.’

Bossu was standing trial with Daniel Asiedu aka Sexy Dondon, the first accused person.

The two were jointly held on charges of conspiracy to commit robbery.

Asiedu is being held on charges of murder and robbery. They have denied the charges before a seven-member jury.

The court has, however, asked Asiedu, the first accused person, to open his defence because a case had been made against him.

Meanwhile, the cross examination of Assistant Superintendent of Police Augustus Nkrumah, the case investigator has ended, and he has been discharged by the court.

At today’s sitting, Mr Yaw Dankwah, defence lawyer, prayed the court to make a submission of no case on behalf of Bossu, the second accus
ed person.

He said it was clear from the prosecution’s case and evidence that they had failed to prove any case against Bossu beyond reasonable doubt.

‘Since the burden is not on us, we pray you release and discharge the second accused person.’

The court held that the prosecution had failed to make a case against the second accused person and therefore acquitted and discharged him on the charge of conspiracy to rob.

In the case of Asiedu, the court said the prosecution had succeeded in making a case against him and ordered him to open his defence and file any witness statements and another person he wished to call in the matter.

The matter has been adjourned to March 22, 2024.

Asiedu is standing trial for his involvement in the murder of the late MP at his residence at Shaishie in Accra in February 2016.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA) has directed that shippers should not be charged for clearance delays resulting from the current internet disruption in Ghana.

Mrs Monica Josiah, the Head of Shipper Services and Trade Facilitation Department at the GSA, speaking to the media on behalf of Mr. Baffour Okyere Sarpong, the Chief Executive Officer of the GSA, said the authority will intensify its engagement with stakeholders to ensure that costs emanating from such disruptions will not be passed onto the shipper.

She stated, ‘The position of the GSA is that no shipper should be charged if the delays are traceable to the service disruptions.’

She gave the assurance that measures were being taken to ensure that the delays in clearing goods caused by disruptions in internet services would not result in additional fees for shippers.

Shippers have raised concerns over challenges being faced in the clearance process due to the automated nature of Ghana’s port clearing system, expressing worry over their goods bein
g subjected to demurrage and rent charges unfairly.

She further explained that on Thursday, March 14, 2024, the GSA held a stakeholder meeting following complaints that were received about service disruptions at the ports.

She said that the stakeholders agreed that if the delays are not caused by the shipper, then they are not supposed to bear the cost of the delays.

Mrs Josiah noted that in cases where the delays in shipping and clearing of cargo are not occasioned by the shippers’ activities, the shipper should not pay for the delays.

She gave the assurance that the GSA will continuously collaborate with stakeholders to advocate for shippers whose clearance or shipment activities have been impacted by the disruption of internet services.

She therefore encouraged importers, exporters, and stakeholders in the shipping and logistics industry to report any challenges they may encounter in their shipping activities to the GSA at its head office and other branches, as well as to the Shipper Complaint and Res
olution Units dotted at the country’s entry points for resolution.

‘This would aid in streamlining the industry and making the cost of doing business at the port more affordable,’ she added.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has asked the government to be pragmatic in handling the payment of road contractors to address the perennial abandonment of project sites.

‘Do not wait until you can pay all the money you owe contractors before attending to them.

‘Just give them what is available to keep them on site,’ he told Mr. Francis Asenso-Boakye, the sector minister when he called on him at the Manhyia Palace.

According to the Asantehene, no contractor would abandon site when funds are released to them, however small, and urged the Minister to consider his proposal to protect the investments being made in the road sector.

He said the incessant abandoning of sites by contractors due to lack of funds only deteriorated the roads and called for a paradigm shift in handling the situation to protect the investments.

The provision of good roads, he said, was a catalyst for national development and stressed the need to prioritise road construction across the country.

He charged the Minister to live
up to expectation by working closely with relevant stakeholders to improve the road network of the country.

Mr. Asenso-Boakye was at the Palace to seek the blessings of the King ahead of the inspection of road projects currently ongoing in the region.

Among the projects inspected by the Minister on the first day were the Sunyani Road in Kumasi, Suame Interchange, the construction of the Atafoa bridge as well as road projects in the Kwabre East Municipality and Kwabre South District.

The Suame Interchange which is being executed by Rango Construction Company Limited is a four-tier interchange which seek to reduce congestion and travelling time.

It comes with an underpass at Abrepo Junction and overpasses at Krofrom Junction, Anomangye Junction, Magazine New Road Junction, and Abusuakruwa Junction.

As part of the project, the Offinso Road would be widened into a two and three lane dual carriage way with 15 kilometres of local roads also earmarked for construction.

Mr. Asenso-Boakye after inspecting the pr
ogress of work on the interchange applauded the contractors for the good job than so far, and urged them to keep up the momentum.

He said the Suame Interchange was the single biggest road project in Ghana in terms of scope and function and that there must be no room for delays and shoddy work.

‘So far, I am very impressed with the work and I am satisfied with what the contractor and the consultant have done,’ he told the media in an interview.

He said projects of such magnitudes were bound to face certain challenges and for that matter, he had directed his deputies to participate in the monthly meetings of the contractors to enable the ministry to address emerging issues promptly.

‘Government is committed to making sure that all these projects are completed on time so that the people can reap the full benefits of the projects,’ the Minister assured.

He was of the firm believe that the completion of the project would boost socio-economic development not only in Kumasi but other adjoining regions who mostl
y passed through Suame to conduct their businesses

Source: Ghana News Agency

As part of the commitment to empowering young women, staff of Standard Chartered Bank held a mentorship session for 350 teenage girls in Accra to mark International Women’s Day.

The interactive session brought together participants from the Nima Cluster of Schools and St. Kizito Basic School as resource persons shared inspiring stories and useful professional and life tips.

International Women’s Day is celebrated March 8 annually to honour the achievements and contributions of women. This year’s celebration was themed: ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’.

The session at Nima formed part of Standard Chartered Bank’s employee volunteering programme. At the gathering, some staff members highlighted aspects of their life and career development journey and how teenagers could navigate the path to adulthood.

The employees encouraged the students to set clear goals and work towards their aspirations, irrespective of setbacks and again urged the girls to resist the ‘temptations’ of adolescence.

The volunteeri
ng initiative, according to the personnel, was also part of efforts to create positive social change and invest in women to accelerate growth.

Standard Chartered Bank has over the years demonstrated readiness to support women to achieve personal and professional aspirations, while contributing to the creation of a more equitable and prosperous world for women.

The Bank’s initiatives, such as the ‘Goal’ programme, uses sports to build life skills in adolescent girls for the future. More than 12,000 young girls have benefited from the programme over the past six years in the Eastern and Greater Accra Regions.

Standard Chartered Bank’s long-term goal aims to promote gender equity by increasing participation of women in the economy and helping to unleash the financial potential of women and small businesses.

The Bank provides holistic support to women at various stages through different initiatives, and actively promotes gender equity within its workplaces, communities, and clients fostering a culture of incl
usion and opportunity.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Tarring and some repair works on access roads in the Sunyani Township and parts of the Municipality have begun.

During a round visit, the Ghana News Agency (GNA) noticed that some potholes on access roads in the Township had been repaired, thereby facilitating the movements of vehicles, drivers and their economic activities.

Hitherto, residents and commercial drivers had been upset about the deplorable and worsened conditions of some access roads in the Sunyani township and parts of the municipality.

Among these roads that attracted the displeasure of the people was the abandoned work on the construction of the 10-kilometer Kuotokrom-Yawhima stretch.

However, at the time of the GNA’s visit to that stretch on Tuesday, work on the project had resumed with the contractors sighted putting finishing touches to tarring works on one side of the dual carriage road.

Leveling work on the other lane had also been completed to pave way for works to begin on the prima sealing on that side.

The Sunyani-based Road con
struction firm, SAMES Construction Limited is executing this project, with an additional five kilometer stretch of the Sunyani Estate and the Regional Coordinating Council roads.

Mr Dominic Afriyie, the site Engineer of the SAMES construction limited told the GNA that so far about 2.4 kilometres of that stretch had been tarred and assured that the entire road construction work would be completed this year.

‘We have also finished the prima sealing at the estate component of the road and we will soon begin that of the regional administration,’ he added.

The GNA noticed that some potholes on the main Sunyani-Abesim highway had also been repaired, easing vehicular traffic flow on that stretch.

Due to the unusual vehicular traffic in the morning and evening because of the potholes that had developed around the CASBE section of that stretch, some workers were often stranded for hours as taxi drivers refused to use the road.

Mrs Victoria Darkwa, the Bono Regional Maintenance Engineer of the Urban Roads Departme
nt told the GNA that a contract had been awarded for repair works on some of the major roads in the Sunyani municipality, and parts of the region.

With the contract, she said the department would ensure that at least all the major access roads in the Sunyani Township which required repair works would be done.

Mr Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, the Member of Parliament for Sunyani East said he had intensified monitoring to ensure that access roads in the municipality which needed rehabilitation works were captured and repaired.

Touching on the resumption of work on the Kuotokrom-Yahima stretch, the MP also the Board Chairman of the Bui Power Authority, Managers of the Bui Generating Station (BGS) commended the government for the project.

It said the road project was very dear to the heart of the people, and that they would ensure that the work on the dual carriage stretch was completed on schedule.

Besides that, Mr Ameyaw-Cheremeh said construction works on standard astro-turf pitches for the Abesim and Penkwase c
ommunities would commence very soon to unearth and nurture the football talents, not only in those communities, but throughout the municipality.

Mr John Ansu Kumi, the Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive said revenue collection at the Kuotokrom, Yawhima and surrounding settlements would now be easier for collectors.

He said regrettably, most traders and taxpayers in the area had remained unreceptive to the Assembly’s revenue collectors for some time now, due to the poor condition of the Kuotokrom-Yawhima road.

Source: Ghana News Agency