Category: General

Naana Dagojo Domaley I, the Paramount Queen mother for the Ada Traditional Area, has entreated TC’s Energy USA and its partners to fulfil their promise to revive the Ada Foah energy project.

Naana Domaley said the realisation of the project would provide the community and its adjourning areas with mixed energy products, including wind, solar, and tidal wave energies.

She said the project would put Ada on the industrial and tourism map of the world, as it would open many opportunities in the area.

She said this when Mr Anthony Poku, the Executive Director of TC’s Energy Ghana, led a delegation of the company and its partners, Power China Huadong Engineering Corporation Limited, and Seabased of Sweden, to pay a courtesy call on her.?

The paramount queen mother expressed worry that the project stalled after the sod-cutting ceremony for the piloting and feasibility studies phase to ascertain whether tidal wave energy could be produced off the coast of Ada Foah.

Mr Poku assured the queen mother and people of
Ada that they would work hard to achieve the tidal wave energy dream, adding that TC’s Energy USA had signed a power purchasing agreement with TC’s Energy Ghana.

The energy project is aimed at establishing a wave energy park in the Gulf of Guinea in Ghana, about 17 km off the coast of Ada, to generate about 1,000 megawatts (MW/H) of power from sea waves, which is expected to make use of environmentally friendly technology.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra: Scores of market women in the Hohoe Municipality of the Volta region, have self-apportioned sheds and space at the yet-to-be commissioned modern market for business.

This is a result of a windstorm that destroyed temporary sheds that occupied traders.

Madam Doris Amu, President, Hohoe Market Women Association speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) disclosed that the relocation was necessitated to allow the market women make sales on a market day.

She said the destruction occurred over the weekend and most traders were not aware and came to meet the situation, so it was best to occupy the new facility.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held in July 2020 for the construction of the Hohoe modern market within nine months.

Madam Amu said the market women were concerned about the delay of the project which was in its fourth year despite the nine-month period given.

She said it was the hope that the needed attention would be given to the facility and the situation at hand for the market women.

The constr
uction of the modern market is under the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Program (GSCSP) estimated at GHS8 million.

It also forms part of the World Bank support to the Hohoe Municipal Assembly as one of the best performing Assemblies in the country within the period under review.

Some traders who spoke to the GNA say they had no choice than to relocate to the new facility that was lying idle.

They said they had no plan to relocate since their old places of sale had been damaged.

Information gathered revealed that Mr John-Peter Amewu, the Hohoe Constituency Member of Parliament, and Railway Development Minister in the company of Mr Daniel Noble Awume, Hohoe Municipal Chief Executive, were at the market to assess the damage.

Mr Amewu is said to have promised temporary sheds for the market women whose sheds were at the mercy of the wind.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Savelugu: A ground breaking ceremony has been held at Savelugu in the Northern Region to begin the construction of an apparel manufacturing facility to produce clothing and promotional items for export.

The project, dubbed: ‘Northern Apparel Manufacturing Expansion Development,’ is being executed by Northshore Apparel Ghana Ltd (a special-purpose vehicle) will produce clothing such as sportswear, workwear, children’s clothing, and underwear.

It is a 10-million euro project being championed by a consortium led by MIK Designs and its partner; MUSOF Enterprise, who is footing 75 per cent of the project cost whilst Investing for Employment (IFE), an investment mechanism created by KfW Development Bank on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Co-operation and Development, will foot the remaining 25 per cent.

 Mr Nurideen Mohammed, Chief Executive Officer, Northshore Apparel Ghana Ltd, speaking at the ceremony at Savelugu, said the project would produce textile products for export to the United Stat
es market as well as strategised to engage other offshore buyers.

Mr Mohammed said during its first phase of implementation, the project would create 1,600 new jobs for women and youth including persons living with disabilities.

 He said ‘As part of our commitment to engage more local people, our recruitment strategy will not require prior experience and education. We intend to provide six months pre-hire training to equip prospective employees for the job.’

 He said the project would work with the Savelugu School for the Deaf by providing training packages to enable its graduates secure jobs at the factory.

Mr Steffen Kuhl, Managing Director, IFE, said the organisation decided to support the project because it was seen as a catalyst to create jobs for the youth in the area as well as help to reduce rural-urban migration.

Alhaji Alhassan Yakubu Tali, Managing Director, Agricultural Development Bank, said: ‘The construction of this Apparel will not only enhance industrialisation of Northern Ghana but will
also serve as a huge source of wealth creation and employment for the youth.’

He expressed optimism that other businesses would spring up in the area to leverage the numerous opportunities that would be created as a result of the establishment of the project in the region.

Hajia Ayishetu Seidu, Savelugu Municipal Chief Executive, commended the partners for the project saying ‘It is through initiatives such as this one that will enable us build strong and resilient communities that can resist the influence of violent extremism.’

She expressed the hope that the execution of the project would also trigger discussions on the need to revamp the cotton industry in the northern part of the country. 

Mr Haruna Iddrisu, a former Minority Leader in Parliament and Member of Parliament for Tamale South, encouraged the youth to take advantage of the project calling on the Government to create the enabling environment for the private sector to thrive and create jobs.

Yoo Naa Yakubu Andani Abdulai, Paramount Chief of Y
oo Traditional Area at Savelugu, commended Northshore Apparel Ghana Ltd and partners, for siting the project in his traditional area, and pledged his full commitment to ensure that the project achieved its intended purpose.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra: The Ghana Youth Environmental Movement (GYEM) has launched the Climate Action and Peace Education (CAPE) Project in Accra to address climate change, particularly in the context of Ghana’s vulnerability to climate-related disasters

 The project is designed to address critical issues surrounding climate change and peacebuilding, aimed to empower Ghanaian youth with the knowledge and tools necessary to become agents of positive change in their communities.

Miss Glory Emmanuella Appiah, the National Coordinator for GYEM, speaking at the launch, said the CAPE Project would focus on two key areas: climate action and peacebuilding.

She said the Project aimed to increase awareness and engagement among Ghanaian youth by equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills in disaster risk reduction.

CAPE seeks to empower them to take meaningful action in response to the threats posed by climate change.

She said with Ghana preparing for the upcoming 2024 elections, the CAPE Project would strategically rai
se awareness of peacebuilding.

‘The project seeks to promote peace among youth by fostering a deeper understanding of the intersection between climate change, peace, and security,’ she added.

The National Coordinator said the Project would enhance Ghanaian youth awareness of climate change and its real-life consequences, including galamsey, agriculture, food security, and conflict.

She said it would also empower youth in flood-prone communities with the knowledge and skills to

mitigate hazards and reduce their vulnerability to climate-related disasters.

‘We will sensitize youth on the relationship between climate change, peace, and security, fostering a culture of peace and dialogue in the run-up to the elections,’ she said.

The project will comprise a series of impactful activities such as the Climate4 Peace Campaign, which will take place in Bolgatanga, bringing together 500 youth from the northern regions of Ghana to highlight the correlation between climate action and peacebuilding.

She said follow
ing this, the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) training would occur in Mepe, targeting youth groups in the Volta Region to enhance awareness of everyday hazards and disaster preparedness.

Finally, the ‘Kokuromotie’ Climate Arts and Photography Competition will serve as the culmination of the CAPE project.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra:  Mr Ernest Apenkwah, Site Manager of the Forestry Commission, Ada East, has declared zero tolerance for fishers who catch and sell turtles, saying the Commission will apply the laws on such persons to the letter. 

Mr Apenkwah therefore warned families and opinion leaders in the communities in Ada East to desist from pleading for recalcitrant fishers catching turtles against the provisions of the laws of the country.

He said turtles play a major role in the marine ecosystem by promoting nutrients, controlling the population of other animals, recycling, and building habitats for other animals, among others.

He said this during a day’s sensitization programme held by Sharks and Rays on the conservation of hammerhead sharks to protect the ecosystem.

Some of the fishermen during the programme said turtles were being caught by some community members.

Mr Apenkwah said in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that ‘within this area, there’s some community that eats the turtles, but sometimes they
send it to the riverbank and sell it.’

He said that almost any time his outfit and Police apprehends people for catching turtles, family heads, opinion leaders, and community members follow up even to the Police station to beg on their behalf.

‘We’re not going to listen to any of the opinion leaders; if the law catches you, we’ll make sure you face the law because that would help us conserve our ecosystem,’ he said.

Mr Apenkwah said until people were arrested and prosecuted, society would not yearn to do the right thing for the benefit of all.

He said the Commission had done a lot of sensitization to alert them on the need to preserve the species; however, all efforts to get some people aligned with that vision had proved futile.

According to him, the Commission, in collaboration with some fishermen, had formed a task force made up of volunteers as a measure to deal with the situation.

He said these volunteers assist the Commission by reporting to officials whenever they see perpetrators and help to fac
ilitate their arrest and prosecution.

He urged community members to be vigilant and report to help the wildlife division of the Forestry Commission arrest and prosecute people who flout the laws.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Wenchi: Residents in the Wenchi Municipality have expressed discontent over the poor state of the Mausoleum for the late Professor Kofi Abrefa Busia, the Prime Minister for the Second Republic of Ghana.

As the nation observes the Ghana Heritage Month this March, the residents, said they were worried about the successive governments’ neglect of such a monument and tourist destination site to deteriorate.

During a visit, the Ghana News Agency (GNA) noticed weeds were taking over the Mausoleum, situated in Wenchi in the Bono Region, the hometown of Prof Busia, and left under the mercy of the weather.

Positioned in between the two-storey Mausoleum building, which served as the private residence and offices of the late Prime Minister, is the tomb of the illustrious son and statesman which is decorated with ornamental trees and a bust erected in his memory.

On the tombstone, is an inscription that reads ‘Kofi Abrefa Busia, 11 July 1913-28 August 1978. Prime Minister of the Second Republic of Ghana’.

However, s
peaking in an interview with the GNA, Dr Emmanuel Akumfi-Ameyaw, an Accra-based Reverend Minister, a native of the town, described the Mausoleum as a ‘momentous site,’ saying if rehabilitated, it would attract both local and international tourists.

‘The late Prof Busia was not only a statesman, but also an international icon and his Mausoleum will boost the nation’s eco-tourism if the government improves the facilities there,’ he stated.

Also inscribed on the tombstone is a scripture: ‘Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain’, a scripture picked from -Philippians 2:16.

A library block at the Mausoleum, the GNA gathered, constructed by former President John Agyekum Kufuor was also left to deteriorate.

Inside the facility are books, artefacts and other learning materials of the late Prof Busia.

Dr Akumfi-Ameyaw said the people of Wenchi were worried that the Mausoleum of the late African academia was left in ruins, sayin
g, instead it could be developed into an education research centre and to justify the late Prof Busia’s contributions to the nation’s education.

‘In fact, his contributions to education and politics remain exceptional and unquestionable,’ he stated.

Mr Richard Kwadwo Adu, another native of the town, and a former Wenchi constituency youth organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), indicated that the surest appreciation the nation could demonstrate to the Busia family for their contributions to national development was for the Government to rehabilitate and develop the Mausoleum into an international standard.

‘The contributions of the Busia family and the entire Wenchi people to the growth and development of Ghana is glaring for all to see. It is therefore extremely sad for successive governments to look unconcerned for this great monument to ruin,’ he stated.

Nana Adom Busia, another native and royal of the town, said it was always pathetic to visit the Mausoleum in the wet seasons, saying almost all the
roofing leaked whenever there was rainfall.

He, therefore, appealed to wealthy citizens of Wenchi, home and abroad to be concerned and assist in putting the Mausoleum into good shape, saying ‘Posterity would not spare and judge all of us if we allowed such a monument to go waste.’

Checks revealed the late Prof Busia was the first University Professor in Ghana who contributed to deepening Ghana and Africa’s position on the academic map of the world through teaching in many countries across the world.

He was born in Wenchi on July 11, 1913, and died in Oxford, England, on August 28, 1978.

Source: Ghana News Agency