Lesotho Wire

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) in collaboration with the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has inaugurated a High-Level Productivity Statistics Technical Working Group in Accra.

The Group under the Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work Programme to determine the methodology, and policy relevance that will lead to the optimal use of the productivity data report.

It will create a user and?data producer dialogue, ensure the relevance of the statistical work, guide methodology and ensure the use of the productivity report.?

Professor Samuel Annim, the Government Statistician, speaking at the inauguration, said currently, the country did not produce officially both labour and multi-factor productivity statistics to inform evidence-based sectoral, industrial, and labour market policies as well as contribute to wage determination.?

He said in computing official productivity measures, the GSS had a critical role in the production and harmonisation of statistics on economic output, as well as on the l
abour and capital inputs of the economy.?

He said in February 2023, the ILO commissioned an international Consultant to work with the Service to conduct a statistical appraisal to determine data availability, gaps, and recommendations for the labour and Multi-factor productivity measurement.?

Mr David Marcos, a Representative of ILO, said the collaboration between the Organisation and the Service formed part of the implementation of the Productivity Ecosystem for Decent Work project funded by the Governments of Norway and Switzerland.

He said the programme was a global multi-country programme initiated by ILO in 2021 with operations in Ghana, Vietnam, and South Africa.

It seeks to promote productivity growth for decent, combining different approaches that strengthen productivity drivers across policy, sector, and enterprise levels.

Mrs Gloria Borterle Noi, the Director of Policy Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation at the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, said ILO’s commitment to promoting dece
nt work and enhancing productivity was commendable.

She said, ‘Our collective efforts are instrumental in shaping policies and practices that foster inclusive and sustainable economic growth, improved working conditions and enhance the well-being of individuals and communities worldwide.’

‘Let us reaffirm our shared commitment to evidence-based policymaking and data-driven decision-making,’ she added.

She said productivity statistics played a crucial role in guiding policy formation, labour market interventions and investment strategies, particularly in the context of ongoing global challenges such as technological disruptions and demographic shifts.

Mrs Borterle Noi said, ‘Let us seize this opportunity to strengthen partnerships and collaboration among governments, employers’ and workers’ organisations, research institutions and other stakeholders.’

She said by working together as a Technical Group, the members could leverage their respective expertise and resources to develop comprehensive and robust p
roductivity measurement frameworks that reflected the complexities of the modern economy and ensure the well-being of all stakeholders.??

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocesan Development Organization (NABOCADO), a faith-based organisation, has trained youth leaders in the Upper East Region on strategies to build peace and promote social cohesion.

The youth leaders, drawn from religious bodies, political parties, and communities across the region, were taken through peacebuilding process, warning signs of radicalisation, and values embedded in the duties of a citizen, among others to enable them to guard themselves against violence acts.

The training, held on the theme: ‘Strategies for Peacebuilding and Social Cohesion,’ formed part of the organisation’s Integrated Peace building for Improved Food and Nutrition Supply (INPEACE) project, with funding support from MISEREOR, Germany.

It is being implemented in 20 communities in three districts, including Bawku Municipality in the Upper East Region and Yunyoo-Nasuan and Bunkpurugu-Nakpanduri Districts in the North East Region.

It is aimed at building the capacities of the youth with the req
uisite techniques to spearhead peacebuilding and social cohesion in their respective communities and to promote peaceful coexistence and create an enabling environment for development to thrive.

Dr Joseph Bangu, the Director of Good Governance, Justice, and Peace Directorate of NABOCADO, addressing the youth leaders in Bolgatanga, said the region was faced with challenges, including chieftaincy and land disputes, among other conflicting issues that needed to be addressed.

That, he noted, coupled with the upcoming general election and its accompanying problems, necessitated the need to educate the youth as major stakeholders to promote and maintain peace in their communities.

He emphasized that there was the need for people to find common ground on issues and not act based on emotions, adding that ‘elections and chieftaincy disputes will come and go, but we will continue to stay as a people.’

Reverend Father Robert Abotezabre, the Diocesan Youth Chaplain, in a solidarity message to the youth leaders, urged
them to be peace advocates for the advancement of development in the region and the country at large.

Mr Mawuli Agbenu, the Regional Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and facilitator of the training, indicated that the youth were the targets of violent extremists and that the steps taken by NABOCADO to educate the youth was in the right direction.

Mr Abdallah Sheriff Ziem, the Regional Youth Leader of the Ahmadiyya Mission, said the education offered was insightful as it had well prepared him to engage in interfaith dialogue to foster peace.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Professor John Gatsi, the Dean of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) Business School, says, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, the newly nominated Finance Minister can only continue with existing economic programmes.

Prof Gatsi stated that with the time left for the current government to leave office, and the 2024 budget already approved, the new Minister-nominee could do little to transform the Ghanaian economy, which was faced with challenges.

Ghana is currently implementing a US$3 billion loan programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to restore macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability and lay the foundation for a stronger and more inclusive growth.

‘What you cannot do in seven years, you cannot do in 10 months, and even in the 10 months, we’re only going to see governance from now to June. From there, everyone will be actively involved in political campaigns,’ Prof Gatsi said.

‘He [Dr Amin Adam has been involved in the preparation of the budget, and IMF discussions, so he’s not new to the Fund.
The replacement is just a continuation, nothing will change,’ the Economist said.

He explained that though the 2024 budget review presented an opportunity for some economic decisions to be made, ‘that will not bring any change – he [the new Minister] will only continue to drive the vehicle.’

‘The reshuffle has come late; it’s not in response to the calls by Ghanaians nor the 98 Parliamentarians, but in response to the Party, therefore, meant for political gains,’ he stated.

Prof Gatsi noted that such political decision had been made because some people ‘are tired and would not commit themselves to vigorous campaigning and resource mobilisation [in the 2024 elections].’

Therefore, the reshuffling, including that of the Ministry of Finance, was to pave way for new people, most of whom would be working hard and push financial resources in the campaigns to gain some favours later, he said.

Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, has been nominated as the Finance Minister designate,
replacing Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, who has served in that capacity since 2017.

His appointment comes at a time that Ghana is implementing a US$3 billion loan programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to revive the country’s challenging economy.

Post COVID-19 pandemic pushed Ghana’s economy into difficulties, with some people going to the extent of trekking long-distances to work, as inflationary pressures hit hard.

Recent figures from the Ghana Statistical Service and the first review of the IMF programme have shown some signs of recovery, nonetheless, it has been noted that the country ought to do more.

Macroeconomic gains are yet to make significant impact at the micro level – where individuals would see improvement in their incomes and daily living, with businesses also getting some ease in doing business.

Source: Ghana News Agency

A total of 65 people got killed in road crashes involving motorcycles in the Tema Police region in 2023.

Out of the total, 15 were lost in the first quarter, 16 in the second quarter, 26 in the third quarter, and eight in the fourth quarter of the year.

This was contained in the Ghana Police Service’s Motor Traffic and Transport Department’s (MTTD) motor accident returns for 2023, available to the Ghana News Agency (GNA).

The crashes, which involved a total of 287 total cycles comprising 253 motorcycles and 31 tricycles, led to the injuries of 282 people.

Reacting to the number of accidents occurring from cycles, some pillion riders in Ashaiman, in an interview with the GNA, expressed concerns over the reckless riding of some commercial cyclists.

They said even though it provided them with alternatives to beat traffic and reach their destinations earlier than regular vehicles, the number of deaths and injuries occurring because of motorbikes was worrying.

Mr. Yussif Ibrahim, a motor rider said the rough
riding on cycles could lead to people incurring medical costs if they get involved in crushes.

Hajia Fati Tahiru, who occasionally uses motor bikes, said there was a need for increased safety measures to protect commuters, as most motor riders carry passengers without providing them with helmets.

‘Taking Okada is dangerous, especially without a helmet; they overtake dangerously even in traffic, and sometimes when trucks are coming in the opposite direction, which can lead to a collision,’ she said.

Madam Faiza Zakari called on the Road Safety Department and the MTTD to intensify awareness creation on reckless riding and road regulations to help reduce the menace.

She said she used to patronise them because of the convenience of reaching her destination early, adding that, she stopped using motor bikes after witnessing their reckless riding and its resultant crashes as they drove through traffic and narrow spaces between vehicles with disregard for traffic regulations.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Mobile Telecommunication Network (MTN) is to collect some 750 pints of blood in three second-cycle institutions in the Western Region to mark this year’s Valentine’s Day.

The blood donation exercise, under the MTN Ghana Foundation, dubbed: ‘Save A Life’ had students from Takoradi Technical Institute, Fijai Senior High School and St. Mary’s Boys’ Senior High School helping the company to source blood to augment the stock at the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital Blood Bank, a referral centre in the region.

Mr Prince Owusu Nyarko, the Regional Senior Manager of South West District of MTN, told the media that the gift of ‘blood’ was a good gift anyone could give to humanity.

He said since the inception of the project in 2011, the MTN ‘Save a Life’ Campaign, in partnership with some institutions, had yielded very positive results.

This year, MTN has set itself a target of 7,000 units of blood hinging on the 6240 pints collected last year, Mr Nyarko said.

MTN had made remarkable achievements, with over 26,00
0 pints of blood collected from the beginning of the exercise.

‘These efforts have also earned us recognition as one of the highest corporate blood donors; a testament to the power of collective action in making a difference.’

Over the years, the MTN Ghana Foundation has been committed to supporting the development of sustainable social interventions across the country, at the core of which had been the focus on improving health standards and access to quality care.

‘The Save a Life Campaign reinforces the company’s ongoing commitment to enhancing healthcare delivery in Ghana and shows that MTN is a brand that truly cares.’

Ms Mary Avormey of the Donor Care Unit, Effia Nkwanta Hospital Blood Bank, commended MTN for the initiative.

She was hopeful that the annual campaign would address critical gaps in blood supply and promote voluntary donation, thereby saving lives and reducing maternal mortality rates across the region.

She urged other corporate entities to support by donating refrigerators and other
sponsorship packages for more outdoor activities to generate more blood for the Bank.

Source: Ghana News Agency

A non- governmental organisation, NKG Textiles Foundation, has held a life skills training programme for students of Yabram Community Day Senior High School in the Krachi East Municipality of the Oti Region.

The programme was geared towards equipping the youth with meaningful life skills that could help them generate income and be a source of employment.

The training brought together over 160 students in soap making business, plastic, flower decoration, tie -dye, yoghurt making and beads making business.

Mr Michael Kofi Nkpah, the founder of the Foundation said the vision of his foundation was to empower the younger generation by providing educational needs to young people, as well as providing them with training and entrepreneurial skills.

He said it was also the aim of the Foundation to facilitate the development and progressive growth of the younger generation in various communities.

Mr Taase Awuriki Abednego, the Virtual Arts and Home Economy teacher said his outfit was committed to inspiring younger
people to make the best out of themselves always and that was a good opportunity to impart on the younger generation skills

‘I have interest in helping students who are passionate about gaining life skills for themselves and this training is the perfect opportunity to help them,’ he said.

Mr Awuriki encouraged all youth to continually seek to get some life skills training to attach to their education to gain more profit as the world was changing to a more practical approach to things.

Ms Anagli Patience, Odoi Wisdom and Biborla Peter together with some other participants, said they were pleased that the Foundation organised the training for them.

‘It is important that you do not only train the mind but the hands as well, and we are glad the Foundation brought this for us and we have personally learnt a lot,’ they told the GNA.

Source: Ghana News Agency