Category: General

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has announced an upward review of fees and charges for all services it provides for the public, effective, Monday, April 01.

The Ministry in an announcement, which was made available to the Ghana News Agency said in accordance with the Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous and Provisions) Regulations 2023, (LI 2481) there would be an upward adjustment of Fees and Charges for all services provided by the Ministry.

It said the adjustment would take effect from Monday, April 01.

According to the announcement, the new processing fees for various types of passport documents include Expedited Application 48 pages GHS 800.00, Expedites Application 32 pages GHS 700.00, Standard Application 32 pages GHS 500.00, Standard Application 48 pages GHS 644.00.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Panellists at the launch of PwC Ghana’s Gender Diversity Banking Report have called for deliberate effort and effective collaboration among stakeholders to ensure more women are represented at the top of the banking industry.

Dubbed ‘Changing Currency: Examining Trends and Challenges of Female Participation in Ghana’s Banking Sector,’ the comprehensive report, which is a culmination of responses from a survey conducted over four months, delves into the experiences and insights of women in Ghana’s banking sector.

The survey focuses on females in senior management positions, as well as female board members. Through interviews conducted across 13 banks in Ghana, PwC sought to identify the myriad issues hindering women’s career advancement as well as analyse the factors that propel them in the industry.

Among the key findings are that many female executives believe that banks regard diversity and inclusion as secondary considerations, overlooking the pivotal role they play in driving progress and strengthening
organizational resilience.

Also, establishing healthy work-life integration affects women across all levels within bank hierarchies, but is particularly pronounced at the upper echelons, where female representation is scarce, and the stakes are elevated.

Initiatives and partnerships spanning the industry are viewed as avenues to offer increased education and collaboration opportunities for women in banking

Andrea Dwamenah, a Manager at PwC who presented the key findings, said 26 people were interviewed, most of them women in senior management positions, and Human Resources Executives to fully understand the bank’s position on diversity, inclusion, and work-life integration, among others.

She said the report was to look deeper into what was leading to the disparity in the number of men at the top compared to women to help understand the financial services industry.

Dwamenah said,’ Many women in the industry would like the opportunity to have a network where they could share ideas from even outside of thei
r banks, so some would want to be mentored by women in other banks. So, I guess that makes them feel a bit more open to discussing certain things and also to build their networks and knowledge transfer as well.’

On other inhibitors to the representation of women in senior positions, Dwamenah mentioned women’s self-doubt about themselves, doubts from people they work with, family objections and societal expectations.

She said there was also the issue of sexual harassment and its handling within the Ghanaian banking sector, adding that some banks do take it seriously.

‘And we know that last year or so there were dismissals. But there’s still room to do more because it’s still happening. It’s still the elephant in the room in the banking sector and needs to be highlighted, and discussed and ways to see how it can be banished,’ she added.

Dwamena said she expected the report to trigger conversations, uncomfortable ones, because they needed to be heard.

‘And I expect it to be a long discourse. I don’t want it
to be spoken about once and then goes away,’ she said.

The Changing Currency report highlights the pivotal role women play in advancing Ghana’s banking sector and sheds light on the avenues they must go through to be fully engaged stakeholders in the industry,’ Clara Amarteifio-Taylor Partner and Inclusion and Diversity Leader, stated. ‘It is my hope that through the report, more women feel empowered to push themselves to excel within the sector.’

‘Conducting a study on female participation in Ghana’s banking sector was essential,’ Vish Ashiagbor, Country Senior Partner, remarked. ‘By gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities women face in the financial services industry, we enhance our ability to provide tailored solutions that drive positive change.’

The launch event attracted a distinguished audience of senior executives from across Ghana’s banking sector. It featured insightful panel discussions with esteemed industry leaders, including Dr. Cynthia Forson, Board Member at Cal
Bank; John Awuah, CEO and President of the Ghana Association of Bankers, and Pearl Nkrumah, Executive Director at Access Bank.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Ghana Revenue Authority Workers Union (GRAWU) has urged the government to support GRA with the right technology and resources to boost revenue collection.

Addressing the 10th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Accra, Mr Theophilus Kwesi Ehun, the Chairman of GRAWU, said the GRA was prepared to engage the government on ways that would enhance revenue collection.

‘Whatever strategy, whatever idea that it is that will help our work, that is what we stand to do. Without GRA, we have no union, and without GRA, the economy cannot also thrive. So we call on the government that our doors are opened.’

The NEC meeting, which was held on the theme ‘Transparency and Fairness in Tax System Revenue Mobilization: The Role of Labor,’ aimed to promote transparency and efficient tax administration.

Mr Ehun emphasized that the attainment of revenue targets could be attributed to the dedication and commitment of the GRA staff.

Ehun highlighted the importance of GRA’s role in the economy, stating that without GR
A, the union would not exist, and the economy would struggle to thrive.

The Commissioner of Customs, Alhaji Seidu Iddrisu Iddisah, in an address read on his behalf by Assistant Commissioner, Mr. Fechin Akoto, said transparency and fairness in the tax system were key to enhancing revenue mobilization and the role of labour was crucial.

He said a robust tax system was the lifeblood of any nation, allowing investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure and social services.

However, a system perceived as opaque or unfair breeds discontent and discourages compliance.

Mr Iddisah said the GRA was committed to increasing transparency in its operations, including simplifying tax codes, providing clear and accessible information to taxpayers and ensuring efficient communication channels for inquiries and feedback.

‘By demystifying the tax system, we empower citizens to understand their obligations and contribute meaningfully,’ he said, adding that fairness was essential to ensure that certain segments did no
t disproportionately carry the burden while a select few avoid their fair share,’ he said.

He urged Ghanaian workers to advocate for progressive tax structures that ensure high-income earners contribute proportionally and educate members about their tax obligations and benefits of a robust revenue system.

‘Together, through transparency and fairness, we can build a tax system that is not just efficient but also inspires trust and fosters a sense of shared responsibility amongst all Ghanaians,’ he added.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagin has emphasized the role of traditional authorities in the country’s development and has called on them to actively get more involved in the development of their traditional areas.

He urged chiefs, queens and other elders in the various traditional areas to engage the government and leadership of government openly and frankly on issues affecting development of their areas.

‘Talk to us, the chiefs, and about us, to shift the political discourse from deception to development,’ the Speaker said, adding, ‘The traditional authorities continue to be the most powerful institution in this country, and I anticipate that you will play an important role in body politics and as custodians of Ghana’s rich resources.’

Speaker Bagbin , who last year was honoured as the Tengmaale Naa, the Development Chief of the Takopo Traditional Area, made the call at the Wilaa Festival of the Takopo Traditional Area, held on the theme: ‘Nuoriyeni, Maarong Aneng Maaluu (Unity, Peace and
Development).’

The Speaker observed: ‘The country is retrogressing faster than the people think it is progressing…Our lands are being destroyed by foreigners introduced by citizens, we cannot feed our children in school, and yet, every morning, we are on all Radio and TV stations, defending things and explaining why only corn is fed to our children for a whole week.’

He wondered why some people in authority did not care about what was happening to the less privileged; and this, he said, had made most of the youth to be full of excuses in their dealings.

‘No sincerity, no honesty, no respect for elders these days. And all these could be attributed to the decay of our culture, tradition and values.’

The Speaker referred to a statement of the Greek Philosopher Socrates, that, ‘an unexamined life is not worth living, ‘and explained that there was therefore the need for leaders to take a deep introspection of themselves and ask themselves what they wanted for the country.

‘Almost everything is gone amok in th
is country,’ he said.

Speaker Bagbin said as a country, traditional leaders should be reminded that it was their culture which identified them and anchored them to development.

In an apparent reference to the brouhaha over the expected presidential assent to the anti-gay, lesbian queer practices bill, the Speaker said: ‘As Ghanaians, we should be mindful of what we accept in our culture in the name of globalisation and human rights.

Speaker Bagbin, a Catholic by faith also quoted the Bible, citing 1 Corinthians 6: 12 that, ‘all things are lawful but not all are expedient.’

Touching on the theme, the Speaker said it was very apt and inspiring and to him, festivals were used as effective catalysts for unity, peace and development.

‘Festivals are effective tools of sustainable development and peacebuilding. The celebration of festivals gives meaning to life and communal living. I dare say, any community without a festival is a dead society,’ he said.

He therefore used the occasion to call on all sons and d
aughters of the Takpo Traditional Area to get involved in issues of concern and be interested in the development of the community.

He also used the occasion to applaud Takpo Naa, Queen mothers, Queens, Elders and People of Takopo for the establishment and continuous celebration of the Wilaa Festival for more than twenty-six years now.

He pledged to do everything possible within his means, to support the development and well-being of the people of the area.

Takpo is richly endowed in gold and Azumah Resources Limited has been given the licence to exploit it.

However, not much has been done.

Mr Bagbin therefore called on the Government through the Minerals Commission to grant them community mining licenses to enable the teeming youth in the area to engage in legal and responsible mining with the community.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Assemblies of God-Glory and Power Centre, Women’s Ministry at Kweikuma, in the Sekondi-Takoradi has donated assorted items to the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital Children’s Ward.

The items included soaps, wipes, toilet rolls, diapers, baby powder, detergent, and fruits among other things.

The donation was done as part of the church’s 2024 mission, on the theme ‘Send the light for growth and expansion’.

Madam Cynthia Tettey, the President of the Ministry said, it was a great joy to extend love to the children and that, the month also demanded that they showed love to one another just as God showed love to the world by sacrificing His only son.

Madam Beatrice Agbeshie, the General Secretary of the Ministry expressed great excitement and prayed that the items would be put to good use.

Madam Docia Lamptey, the Vice-President was happy seeing the children being given the needed attention and care.

‘I am happy we are able to show love to these little ones and I’m hopeful this gesture will continue,’ she s
aid.

Other members of the Ministry also expressed joy, adding that Easter was all about showing and extending love to people, especially the sick and needy.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Ngorgbea Kofi Davor, the Chief Priest of Afetorku Shrine at Dagbamate in the Akatsi South Municipality of the Volta region, has commissioned a new canteen and teachers’ bungalow for Dagbamate Basic school.

The well-furnished building, worth thousands of Ghana cedis, was aimed at developing, improving, and promoting education in the area.

Ngorgbea Davor, during this year’s Afetorku annual festival durbar held at the Dagbamate Shrine, stated that the projects were championed by the Dagbamate community to have an excellent educational environment for all school-going children.

‘Dagbamate community is very devoted to providing quality education to its children and in this regard, much effort is needed in every sector to make this a reality,’ he stated.

He disclosed that there was a need to see both students and teachers to provide a good and conducive teaching and learning environment.

The community was poised to construct a canteen and two additional teachers’ bungalows for the school.

Ngorgbea Davor state
d that the community was currently engaged in other infrastructural projects, which included an 11-seater toilet and fence wall for the Basic school.

‘Construction of Dagbamate Community Vocational Training Centre for girls in fashion design and hairdressing were also underway to mitigate unemployment among the youth in the area and all these projects are funded by Afetorku shrine.’

Mr Davor appealed to the government, philanthropists, individuals, and other stakeholders to assist them with the necessary equipment needed to run the facility.

He charged the government to as a matter of urgency, help construct Akatsi through Dagbamate to Avenorpeme roads which began about seven years ago but stalled.

Present at this year’s Afetorku Agbodzi durbar were Mr Martin Kofitsey Nyahe, the MCE for Akatsi South, Torgbui Klu Agudzemaga ll, Chief of Dagbamate, Torgbui Samlafo IV, Fiaga of Atsiame Traditional area, Torgbui Bei IV of Exi, Mama Adzorhlor all of Dagbamate, and others.

This year’s festival was on the theme
‘Love for One Another’ one of the cardinal principles of Togbi Afetorku.’

Some travelers in an engagement, told the GNA they remained thankful to the organisers for the big opportunity.

Source: Ghana News Agency