Day: September 11, 2024

The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has launched the 13th Ghana Industry and Quality Awards to create resilience in the Ghanaian business landscape.

Dr Nora Bannerman-Abbot, the AGI Awards Planning Committee Chairperson, said the Awards would reward companies that had distinguished themselves in navigating through uncharted waters and emerged stronger and more innovative.

The categories for this year’s awards include the Major Awards, the Sector Awards and the Regional Awards. However, a few honorary Awards would also be given to deserving firms and personalities.

She said the planning committee had made deliberate efforts to distinguish the Awards from the several awards schemes by partnering with the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) for best quality standards.

The launch was on the theme: ‘Navigating The Uncertainties Of Our Business Landscape To Sustain Productivity.’

Dr Bannerman-Abott encouraged businesses to adopt science, technology and innovation, artificial intelligence and other digital t
ools to drive businesses for development.

Mr Michael Okyere Baafi, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, said the government was implementing several initiatives such as the ‘SME Goal’ to propel growth among businesses, especially small businesses to thrive to meet international demand.

He said the government was giving out very low interest rates and tax incentives to foreign companies to enhance industrial growth.

The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry said the Ghana Revenue Authority was also developing flexible arrangements for businesses for a more collaborative approach to ensure market sustainability.

He said quality was key in the business sector, saying: ‘if your product is quality, it will be able to compete at the international market and that will drive more customers and investors into the country’.

He commended the AGI for such awards to enable businesses strive for the best since it served as a competitive measurement among companies and ensured companies work according to standards.

Mr Seth Twum-Akwaboah, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), speaking to the media, said sustainability was crucial in the business sector to enable businesses to overcome risk and shocks.

He called on the government to ensure there was improvement in the industrial sector by engaging the AGI to analyze government’s policies to impact and protect the interests of the sector.

He said government must also ensure that policies were being implemented to ensure manufacturing growth through sustainable policies.

The CEO congratulated businesses which doing well amid challenging macroeconomic conditions, adding that more exports than imports would improve national development.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Organised Labour says it will embark on series of demonstrations and a nationwide strike if government fails to address the concerns of illegal mining by end of September 2024.

At press conference on Wednesday in Accra, Mr Joshua Ansah, Secretary General of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) said Organised Labour had followed the ongoing spirited public discussions on illegal mining (Galamsey) and its consequential destruction of the forest, water bodies and ecology, causing health hazards and severe health risk posed to communities living near galamsey sites.

He noted that the menace of galamsey had reached a crisis proportion, therefore, Organised Labour demanded immediate actions from President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo by end of September.

He said an immediate declaration of State of Emergency in line with the provisions of the 1992 Constitution (Articles 31 and 31(4) to halt forms of mining (legal or illegal) in forest reserves and around water bodies.

Immediate evacuation of all mining equipment in f
orest reserves and around water bodies.

Also, the deployment of the Police and the Military with full orders to remove or destroy all mining equipment and other earth moving equipment around river bodies and in the forest reserves.

He called for the immediate revocation of LI2462 and withdrawal of all licences that had been granted for prospecting and mining in forest and protected reserves and also around water bodies, and establish a special Court to prosecute the perpetrators of such crime.

‘We will urgently embark on series of demonstrations and a nationwide strike if government fails to address the concerns raised by end of September 2024.’

‘We call on all well-meaning Ghanaians to join organized labour in the fight against this menace,’ he added.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Organised Labour says it will embark on series of demonstrations and a nationwide strike if government fails to address the concerns of illegal mining by end of September 2024.

At press conference on Wednesday in Accra, Mr Joshua Ansah, Secretary General of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) said Organised Labour had followed the ongoing spirited public discussions on illegal mining (Galamsey) and its consequential destruction of the forest, water bodies and ecology, causing health hazards and severe health risk posed to communities living near galamsey sites.

He noted that the menace of galamsey had reached a crisis proportion, therefore, Organised Labour demanded immediate actions from President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo by end of September.

He said an immediate declaration of State of Emergency in line with the provisions of the 1992 Constitution (Articles 31 and 31(4) to halt forms of mining (legal or illegal) in forest reserves and around water bodies.

Immediate evacuation of all mining equipment in f
orest reserves and around water bodies.

Also, the deployment of the Police and the Military with full orders to remove or destroy all mining equipment and other earth moving equipment around river bodies and in the forest reserves.

He called for the immediate revocation of LI2462 and withdrawal of all licences that had been granted for prospecting and mining in forest and protected reserves and also around water bodies, and establish a special Court to prosecute the perpetrators of such crime.

‘We will urgently embark on series of demonstrations and a nationwide strike if government fails to address the concerns raised by end of September 2024.’

‘We call on all well-meaning Ghanaians to join organized labour in the fight against this menace,’ he added.

Source: Ghana News Agency

GCB Bank PLC (GCB Bank) has been crowned the CIMG Marketing-Oriented Bank of the Year 2023 at the 35th National Marketing Performance Awards organised by the Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana (CIMG).

This recognition adds to the long list of prestigious accolades conferred on GCB Bank in recent years, including two Five Star awards in Service Quality and Customer Satisfaction from CIMG for the year 2022, and two honours bestowed as the Best Banking App and the Best Digital Team of the Year 2023 at the Ghana Information Technology and Telecom Awards (GITTA).

The bank said the awards underscored its unwavering commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions that catered to the needs of modern banking customers and highlighted the bank’s leadership in digital banking.

A citation accompanying the CIMG Marketing-Oriented Bank of the Year award stated that ‘Ensuring the provision of first-class banking solutions to your customers and value for all stakeholders was a mission you set out to achieve.’

‘With
this intent, you shored up your service provision by enhancing your solutions to customers by launching three technological innovations: the Recoded GCB Mobile App, the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) and the introduction of GCB Pre-Paid cards,’ it said.

It added that, thus, customers were able to access an extensive range of self-service options with superior user experience in mind and also a revolutionary payment system designed to facilitate instant and secure cross-border transactions across Africa, ‘addressing the challenges of high cost and long processing times associated with traditional methods.’

The CIMG said its team of evaluators also scored the bank highly on its continuous exhibition of knowledge and control over the Ghanaian banking terrain through robust insights which helped in identifying challenges and satisfying customer needs.

‘With a hardworking and dedicated staff backing your effort at managing marketing effectiveness, and CSR initiatives, you have been singled ou
t for commendation thus this crowning moment,’ the citation added.

Commenting on the award, the Managing Director of GCB Bank, Kofi Adomakoh, said, ‘This prestigious recognition highlights GCB Bank’s unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction and its continuous efforts to drive innovation within the banking sector.’

He added that the award came at an exciting time as GCB Bank celebrated 71 years of unrivalled financial services to Ghanaians, following its landmark 70th-anniversary celebration last year.

Mr Adomakoh said throughout its journey, the bank had consistently demonstrated leadership in the financial services industry with a clear focus on meeting the evolving needs of its customers.

‘This award goes to our staff, who over the years, have passionately attended to the evolving needs of our esteemed customers and by so doing, we continue to deliver on our brand promise – Your Bank for Life,’ he added.

Source: Ghana News Agency

GCB Bank PLC (GCB Bank) has been crowned the CIMG Marketing-Oriented Bank of the Year 2023 at the 35th National Marketing Performance Awards organised by the Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana (CIMG).

This recognition adds to the long list of prestigious accolades conferred on GCB Bank in recent years, including two Five Star awards in Service Quality and Customer Satisfaction from CIMG for the year 2022, and two honours bestowed as the Best Banking App and the Best Digital Team of the Year 2023 at the Ghana Information Technology and Telecom Awards (GITTA).

The bank said the awards underscored its unwavering commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions that catered to the needs of modern banking customers and highlighted the bank’s leadership in digital banking.

A citation accompanying the CIMG Marketing-Oriented Bank of the Year award stated that ‘Ensuring the provision of first-class banking solutions to your customers and value for all stakeholders was a mission you set out to achieve.’

‘With
this intent, you shored up your service provision by enhancing your solutions to customers by launching three technological innovations: the Recoded GCB Mobile App, the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) and the introduction of GCB Pre-Paid cards,’ it said.

It added that, thus, customers were able to access an extensive range of self-service options with superior user experience in mind and also a revolutionary payment system designed to facilitate instant and secure cross-border transactions across Africa, ‘addressing the challenges of high cost and long processing times associated with traditional methods.’

The CIMG said its team of evaluators also scored the bank highly on its continuous exhibition of knowledge and control over the Ghanaian banking terrain through robust insights which helped in identifying challenges and satisfying customer needs.

‘With a hardworking and dedicated staff backing your effort at managing marketing effectiveness, and CSR initiatives, you have been singled ou
t for commendation thus this crowning moment,’ the citation added.

Commenting on the award, the Managing Director of GCB Bank, Kofi Adomakoh, said, ‘This prestigious recognition highlights GCB Bank’s unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction and its continuous efforts to drive innovation within the banking sector.’

He added that the award came at an exciting time as GCB Bank celebrated 71 years of unrivalled financial services to Ghanaians, following its landmark 70th-anniversary celebration last year.

Mr Adomakoh said throughout its journey, the bank had consistently demonstrated leadership in the financial services industry with a clear focus on meeting the evolving needs of its customers.

‘This award goes to our staff, who over the years, have passionately attended to the evolving needs of our esteemed customers and by so doing, we continue to deliver on our brand promise – Your Bank for Life,’ he added.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Police at Abor in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region have apprehended three suspects in connection with the death of Bessah Gadah, a 42-year-old man at Tsiame in the Volta Region.

They allegedly beat, killed, and secretly buried the deceased.

Kwabla Zate, the main suspect was arrested by the police together with two others, who were later granted police inquiry bail for allegedly murdering the deceased and secretly burying the body.

Briefing the Ghana News Agency, Mr David Kpatta, the Assembly member of the area said the deceased was allegedly mentally imbalanced.

‘We cannot tell what caused the death of the deceased since the information we are having is now scanty. But the police will continue with their findings,’ he said.

Eklugah Doe, relative to the deceased, also alleged that the accused persons were six in number, whilst three were apprehended.

He told GNA that the deceased was allegedly beaten, molested killed, and buried secretly in the house by about six culprits.

Superintendent A
tongnab Daniel Carlos, the Police Commander at Abor when contacted, has confirmed the incident to the GNA but declined to give details as investigations continue.

He urged members of the public to assist with information as they continued to unravel those behind the crime.

Earlier, the GNA gathered that a team of experts from the Volta Regional Police Headquarters had visited the area to assist in investigations.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Police at Abor in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region have apprehended three suspects in connection with the death of Bessah Gadah, a 42-year-old man at Tsiame in the Volta Region.

They allegedly beat, killed, and secretly buried the deceased.

Kwabla Zate, the main suspect was arrested by the police together with two others, who were later granted police inquiry bail for allegedly murdering the deceased and secretly burying the body.

Briefing the Ghana News Agency, Mr David Kpatta, the Assembly member of the area said the deceased was allegedly mentally imbalanced.

‘We cannot tell what caused the death of the deceased since the information we are having is now scanty. But the police will continue with their findings,’ he said.

Eklugah Doe, relative to the deceased, also alleged that the accused persons were six in number, whilst three were apprehended.

He told GNA that the deceased was allegedly beaten, molested killed, and buried secretly in the house by about six culprits.

Superintendent A
tongnab Daniel Carlos, the Police Commander at Abor when contacted, has confirmed the incident to the GNA but declined to give details as investigations continue.

He urged members of the public to assist with information as they continued to unravel those behind the crime.

Earlier, the GNA gathered that a team of experts from the Volta Regional Police Headquarters had visited the area to assist in investigations.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Kwabenya Circuit Court has remanded into police custody Solomon Tetteh Codjoe for allegedly stealing aviation jet fuel.

Codjoe, a 37-year-old aviation operator, allegedly carried out the act with two other accomplices, Seth, and Enoch, who are still at large.

Codjoe and his accomplices have been charged with conspiracy and stealing the aviation fuel valued at GHC25, 860, belonging to Blue Ocean Company Limited.

Codjoe, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges, is expected to reappear on September 16, 2024.

The prosecution, led by Inspector Theodora Akanwarisagi, said the complainant, Kojo Agyei Baah, is the security supervisor with Blue Ocean Company Limited located at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).

The prosecution said Codjoe lives in Tema Community Two.

On September 4, 2024, at about 1410 hours, Baah, who was inspecting the Blue Ocean Company’s premises, noticed a white KIA Bongo truck with registration number GC 4329-20 parked within the yard.

The prosecution said that as Baah approac
hed the vehicle, he noticed a hose attached to the hydrant pipeline and company fuel being siphoned into containers in the KIA Bono truck.

The court heard that when the culprits saw Baah, they fled.

According to the prosecution, Baah immediately called his manager, Mr. Divine Dey, to alert him of the event, and he also summoned the police to the crime scene, where the truck and siphoned fuel were transported to the police station for further investigation.

Cudjoe was arrested on the same day and brought to the Police.

During investigations, Codjoe admitted the offence in his caution statement and mentioned Seth and Enoch as his accomplices.

The prosecution said the cost of the fuel was valued at GHC25,860.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Kwabenya Circuit Court has remanded into police custody Solomon Tetteh Codjoe for allegedly stealing aviation jet fuel.

Codjoe, a 37-year-old aviation operator, allegedly carried out the act with two other accomplices, Seth, and Enoch, who are still at large.

Codjoe and his accomplices have been charged with conspiracy and stealing the aviation fuel valued at GHC25, 860, belonging to Blue Ocean Company Limited.

Codjoe, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges, is expected to reappear on September 16, 2024.

The prosecution, led by Inspector Theodora Akanwarisagi, said the complainant, Kojo Agyei Baah, is the security supervisor with Blue Ocean Company Limited located at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).

The prosecution said Codjoe lives in Tema Community Two.

On September 4, 2024, at about 1410 hours, Baah, who was inspecting the Blue Ocean Company’s premises, noticed a white KIA Bongo truck with registration number GC 4329-20 parked within the yard.

The prosecution said that as Baah approac
hed the vehicle, he noticed a hose attached to the hydrant pipeline and company fuel being siphoned into containers in the KIA Bono truck.

The court heard that when the culprits saw Baah, they fled.

According to the prosecution, Baah immediately called his manager, Mr. Divine Dey, to alert him of the event, and he also summoned the police to the crime scene, where the truck and siphoned fuel were transported to the police station for further investigation.

Cudjoe was arrested on the same day and brought to the Police.

During investigations, Codjoe admitted the offence in his caution statement and mentioned Seth and Enoch as his accomplices.

The prosecution said the cost of the fuel was valued at GHC25,860.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Philip Tengzu, Chief Reporter with the Wa Office of the Ghana News Agency (GNA), has been adjudged the best journalist in the Agriculture/Food Security and Climate Change categories by the Upper West Regional Chapter of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).

He received citations and plaques in recognition of his dedication to reporting on those subject areas and the impact of his works on those sectors.

The awards ceremony, the maiden edition in the region, was on the theme: ‘Sustaining Ghana’s Democracy before, during and after the 2024 General Election: The Role of Peace Journalism.’

The USAID Feed the Future Ghana PolicyLink Activity, the major sponsor of the awards ceremony, also specifically sponsored the Agriculture/Food Security and Climate Change categories of the awards.

As part of his package, Mr Tengzu and the GNA would sign a one-year contract with PolicyLink where the latter would support the former with logistics and resources to cover compelling stories in the Agriculture and Climate
Change sectors.

PolicyLink would also sanction the journalist to produce stories in those sectors that were of interest to the Activity to be published by GNA within the one-year period.

Mr Tengzu would also undertake a one-year online course in a programme of his choice to be sponsored by the Policy-Link Activity as well as profile him on all USAID social media platforms.

Eight awards, including the Regional Best Journalist of the year, were presented to four journalists in the region.

JoyNews’ Upper West Regional Correspondent, Mr Rafiq Salam, was adjudged the Regional Journalist of the Year.

Madam Lydia Darlington Fordjuor of the New Times Corporation and Mr Abubakari Wangara of Media General were also honoured in various categories.t

Mr Bajin D. Pobia, a retired Upper West Regional Manager of the GNA and Mr Ivan Domasah, a retired broadcast journalist, were also honoured for their contributions to the development of journalism in the region.

At the event held in Wa at the weekend, Mr Seidu Bomanjor
, the Regional Vice Chairman of GJA, expressed concern over the proliferation of media organisations in the region without the requisite skilled personnel, which was affecting the professional standards and ethical journalism.

He appealed to the national secretariat of the Association to support the regional branches to build members’ capacity to enhance their work and improve their ethical standards.

Naa Professor Edmund N. Delle Chiir VIII, the Paramount Chief of the Nandom Traditional Area, who chaired the function, emphasised the importance of peace for national development, which the media must uphold and promote.

‘In peace journalism, journalists or the media place emphasis on the prevention and resolution of conflict, they don’t stoke the fire,’ he said.

There is no doubt about the critical role of the media in promoting and ensuring national peace and development.’

Mr Frank Kofi Boadi, Strategic Communication Specialist at the Feed the Future Ghana Policy LINK Activity, recognised the media’s rol
e and power to enhance awareness, promote transparency and accountability especially in the agricultural and climate change sector policy processes.

He said Ghana’s media was plagued with challenges including resource constraints, under-investment in equipment and capacity building for staff, which affected its ability to live its expected mandate.

‘The result is a constraint in the media’s ability to produce high-quality journalism. Again, many media organisations lack the resources to conduct in-depth investigations or to adequately cover remote areas of the country,’ he said.

‘This also limits the ability to provide comprehensive news coverage of the issues that affect the most vulnerable and marginalised in our society.’

Mr Boadi said that informed the decision of PolicyLink to support the media in building their interest in the coverage of agriculture and climate change policy issues.

He stated that to achieve that objective, PolicyLink had designed media-focused interventions in its work plans this
and the next fiscal years of the PolicyLink Activity, which included their support to the annual GJA awards.

Mr. Boadi announced that PolicyLink would institute a grant programme in its next fiscal year to support media organisations and entities to design programmes and

interventions that would contribute to promoting transparency and accountability in the agriculture sector.

Source: Ghana News Agency