Sudan evacuation: 74 Ghanaian nationals expected in Accra on May 2

The first batch of 74 Ghanaian nationals being evacuated from war-torn Sudan will be airlifted from Addis Ababa to Accra on Tuesday, May 2, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, has said.

The Ministry in a statement, shared with the Ghana News Agency, said 76 Ghanaian nationals had successfully crossed the Sudan-Ethiopia border with the assistance of officials of the Ghana Embassy in Ethiopia and were currently in Addis Ababa.

It said arrangements were in place to fly 74 of them to Accra on Tuesday May 2.

Additionally, one footballer and two engineers had been assisted by officials of the Ghana Embassy in Egypt to cross over the Egyptian border post of Wadi Halfa, north of Sudan, while two other footballers were going through immigration formalities, itsaid.

‘The Ministry wishes to reiterate its commitment to evacuate all willing Ghanaians nationals in Sudan to safety to neighbouringcountries such as Egypt and Ethiopia,’ it assured.

It, therefore, urged those in need of assistance to take note of the details of the following persons who were on standby to help them to cross the respective borders.

For Egypt, Mr Peter Okoe Agoe Allswell can be contacted phone number +201-55441-4228, whereas for Ethiopia, MrSamuel Asante can be contacted phone number +251-94242-1242.

Also for Sudan, Mr Osama Ataaelmanna, can be reached on whatsapp number +249-92920-0000/+249-91239-2570.

The statement said the Ministry would continue to keep the public abreast of new development regarding the evacuation exercise.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Minority Leader expresses concern over current state of banking in Ghana

Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Minority Leader in Parliament, has called for serious discussion of the financial difficulties local banks are facing and how they could be supported to weather the storm.

‘It’s no secret that many of these banks, which are essential to supporting Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana, are facing severe financial difficulties,’ he said in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency.

Dr Forson, former Deputy Finance Minister under the ersthwile Mahama Administration, said the New Patriotic Party-led Government had implemented policies that had eroded the capital of most of the local banks, under the Economic Management Team.

That, he said, was having a devastating effect on their ability to lend to businesses, create jobs, and contribute to the growth of the economy.

‘I believe it’s time for a serious discussion about how we can support our local banks and help them weather this difficult period,’ he said.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Workers mark May Day tomorrow

Workers in Ghana, will Monday, May 1, 2023 join their counterparts around the globe to mark this year’s May Day.

May Day is an international holiday observed in over 80 countries.

It is a commemoration of the achievements of the labour movement.

The holiday may also be known as International Worker’s Day.

For the first time in many years, the Upper East Regional capital, Bolgatanga will host the national parade for this year’s International Workers’ Day (May Day) celebration on Monday.

A cross-section of Ghanaian workers are expected to convene in the city for the commemoration on the theme, ‘Protecting incomes and pensions in an era of economic crisis: Our responsibility.’

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his Vice, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia would be the special guests at this year’s celebration.

The national celebration is expected to start at 8 am and last for six hours. Regional parades would also be held to enable workers to join the celebration.

Ahead of the celebrations, various labour unions have been commending workers for contributing to the socio-economic development of the country.

The Trades Union Congress (TUC), in a statement issued by its Secretary General Dr Yaw Baah, congratulated all workers for their contribution to the socio-economic development of the country, saying, ‘Ayekoo to all the working people of Ghana! Long live workers’ solidarity! Long Live Organised Labour.’

Ghana Employers’ Association (GEA) has commended all workers and leadership for their monumental contribution towards the social and economic development of Ghana over the years.

A statement issued by Mr Dan Acheampong, President, GEA, copied to the Ghana News Agency, extended its heartfelt appreciation to organised labour and all Ghanaian workers on ‘this auspicious day (May Day) when the world celebrates workers.’

Source: Ghana News Agency

High political commitment will eradicate malaria in a generation – Prof Binka

A Professor of Clinical Epidemiology at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) School of Public Health, Prof Fred Newton Binka said spirited political commitment is required to eradicate malaria from Ghana.

The major challenge to fighting the disease remained logistics, he said, and that political leaders in the country and on the African Continent needed to find sustainable funding for its elimination.

Prof Binka was speaking at a webinar organised by UHAS on the theme: ‘Time to Deliver Zero Malaria: Invest, Innovate, Implement.’

He said: ‘High political commitment will eradicate malaria in a generation.

We have tools to get there now, China has done it. We will incorporate new tools to get us there faster.’

‘Malaria is a logistic problem and no longer a health problem. Ghana and Africa must wake up to the challenge – we are asleep while other countries are doing it.’

‘We need to increase domestic funding. If we are waiting for aid, it will not be done. if we don’t learn to put money into it, we will run into a serious problem.’

Prof. Binka, who had led malaria elimination campaigns in parts of China and Myanmar, appealed to stakeholders to hasten the implementation of various structures for malaria elimination, which include the formation of an elimination task force.

Sharing methodologies from the provinces and countries where elimination had been successful, he said structures including a surveillance and data management system must be made effective and be built into a malaria elimination audit tool.

Facilities, health givers and seekers all need to be ready for the elimination campaign and the private healthcare industry should be implored to play a key role.

Dr Keziaha Malm, Manager of the National Malaria Control Programme, now rechristened the National Malaria Elimination Programme, said although the whole nation remained at risk of the disease, which continued to carry the highest healthcare expenditure, its elimination was possible.

Basing on the latest annual data report, she said there was a ‘consistent reduction in malaria parasite prevalence,’ and that ‘when we put in the necessary resources, elimination is possible.’

Dr Malm said malaria deaths had reduced, and was also reducing in children under-five, with most regions recording single digit malaria deaths.

The nation is recording close to a 100 per cent testing rate for malaria treatment and confined cases are also on the decrease.

Interventions for pregnant women, including medications, treated nets, were also on the increase, Dr Malm said and that stakeholders were working to improve all indicators.

Athough admissions increased by eight per cent, cases had reduced by 20 per cent, she said.

Dr Malm said the he Programme had reshaped its strategic plan and changed name to reflect, and that it continued to enjoy unwavering support from the political leadership including Parliament.

The webinar is part of a series of activities by the University to mark this year’s World Malaria Day celebration, which included health walks, debates and quiz competitions.

The 2023 edition of the UHAS Malaria Newsletter would be launched during the celebration.

Professor Evelyn Korkor Ansah, the Director, Center for Malaria Research, UHAS Institute of Health Research, said the celebration emphasised the shift from prevention to control.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Hearts to winning ways with 2-0 victory over King Faisal

Accra Hearts of Oak secured 2-0 win over King Faisal at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday in the Ghana Premier League, after returning from two winless runs.

Hearts previously lost to Bechem United and Tamale City and came in stronger in search of a win to redeem their fans.

But they had to hold on late in the dying minutes of the game to secure the win.

Salifu Ibrahim opened the scoring in the 89th minute before Linda Mtange put the icing on the cake in injury time.

Richard Atta returned to the starting line-up for the first time in over three months as he was preferred in post following the injury to Eric Ofori Antwi in the game against Tamale City in midweek.

The former Elmina Sharks goalkeeper did not disappoint as he kept a clean sheet to win back the confidence of Coach David Ocloo. Atta dropped in the perking order as Richmond Aryee and Eric Ofori Antwi was preferred ahead of him.

King Faisal looked more compact at the back as they kept the Hearts of Oak attack at bay but their resilience was broken in the closing stages as Hearts of Oak scored two late goals to pick the three points.

Substitutes Eonde, Awako and Salifu combined beautifully for the first goal. Captain Awako picked a lovely ball in midfield before laying a pass to Albert Eonde who cut back for Salifu to slot home.

Albert Eonde was again involved in the second goal as he set up Linda Mtange for an easy connection. Dennis Korsah received a long ball from midfield before switching play to Eonde who found Mtange in a good position to pass the ball into the net.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Professionalism, consistency key to breaking boundaries in business – TAGG Chief Executive

Mr Kweku Asmah, Group Chief Executive, The Automation Ghana Group (TAGG), has called for professionalism, adherence to moral principles to achieve high and sustainable business success.

According to him, professionalism was lacking in the economy and that it was time that some level of professionalism and ethical principles were prioritised and employed in businesses and all facets of society.

‘Practice your profession ethically and Ghana will be a place to be.’Mr Asmah said in an interview at the 20th Anniversary launch of TAGG, an industrial and building automation group of companies, in Accra.

He said in a business environment dominated by foreign players, there were bound to be challenges in breaking that barrier, adding that, ‘being consistent and going by what you believe in and upholding professionalism is significant.’

‘That will ensure that trust is won,’ the Group Chief Executive emphasised.

On the theme: ’20 years of Excellence in Engineering’, the TAGG hopes to continue in its philanthropic efforts in education, health, and the environment as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility in its operation communities.

TAGG, which commenced operation in 2003 with the establishment of Process and Plant Automation Ltd (PPA), provides electrical and automation services and products through innovation, training, and customer service.

Essentially, The Automation Ghana Group applies modern technology, using computers to operate machines.

In the next eight months, the company, as part of the anniversary celebration, will organize events to showcase its twenty-decade journey and what it intends to achieve in the years ahead.

From a team of three with a current staff strength of 160 professionals, a driving force behind its two-decade success, the company continues to provide smart engineering solutions to mining and manufacturing industries as well as homes and offices.

The Group, whose client list includes MTN, Vodafone, AngloGold, Newmont, Unilever, Coca Cola and Nestle, among other vendors, ensures customer satisfaction with respect, trust, integrity, people development, sharing and knowledge-seeking as a defining boundary.

Mr Asmah said the company’s ability to maintain professional integrity had impacted on its positive strides chalked over the last two decades as Ghana’s premier industrial automation company offering to other Ghanaian companies, excellent engineering services.

‘We believe that success is built on a foundation of quality, integrity, and hard work. These values have been at the heart of everything we do and have helped us to build strong relationships with our clients and partners,’ he said.

The Group Chief Executive said, the partnerships it had built with its partners had been instrumental in its growth allowing it to offer its clients the reliable and most advanced automation solutions.

Mr Asmah said, as it celebrated 20th anniversary milestone, it recognised the importance of giving back to the community through its Corporate Social Responsibility programmes partnering with various organisations to support education and health undertakings.

He said despite the progress made over the last years, the company had encountered some challenges, adding that, ‘we will continue to demonstrate this commitment and make that impact in our community in the years to come.’

‘The 20th anniversary celebration gives us an opportunity to share our success with our vendors, customers, and our team members and to demonstrate to the world – the company we have become with their support.’

Group Chief Executive said, TAGG said plans were afoot to commence an Automation Academy as part of its 20th anniversary celebrations to train graduates and ensure that knowledge was widespread in automation and electrical engineering in the country.

With that, he assured, ‘Ghana will become a hub for automation engineers for West Africa,’

Source: Ghana News Agency