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Category: Business News

  • For Better Business Together launches in Ghana

    For Better Business Together launches in Ghana

    ICC, UNDP and UN Global Compact join forces with DHL, Microsoft and PwC to help communities recover better from the pandemic.

    The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Global Compact (UN Global Compact) and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) have established the COVID-19 Private Sector Global Facility, a global initiative and collaboration bringing together public and private sector partners to help local communities recover better from the pandemic. Deutsche Post DHL Group, Microsoft Corp. and the PwC network (“PwC”) have already joined the COVID-19 Private Sector Global Facility and the initiative is open for other like-minded private sector organisations that want to contribute.

    The Global Facility is a response to corporate calls to action for private sector leaders and governments to work together to address the negative impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. The initiative has been established to better coordinate their responses, helping to ensure that immediate stimulus efforts flow into the real economy.

    The Global Facility will operate at both the global and national levels. It aims to co-create solutions that are tailored to the phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in a given area and the specificities of the local private sector and government context. Guided by the UN Global Compact’s Ten Principles and the Sustainable Development Goals, the Facility will support a multisectoral, whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to face the multidimensional nature of the crisis. Recovery efforts will focus on how to rebuild more inclusive economies and societies, to set a new course for a socially just, low-carbon and climate-resilient world where no one is left behind. Initial projects will focus on the countries of Colombia, Ghana, the Philippines and Turkey. Both the geographical scope and participating partners will expand as the Global Facility develops.


    The COVID-19 Private Sector Global Facility was announced by Mr Steiner at the SDG Business Forum during the UN General Assembly, the largest and most inclusive UN convening of private sector leaders. Launched under the motto “Recover Better Together”, the timing of this initiative has special importance, marking the commemoration of some important UN-related milestones: the 75th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations; the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Global Compact; and the Centenary of ICC’s founding after WWI at a time when multilateralism is facing the greatest challenge of its generation.


    The private sector has been acutely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The 10 principles of the UN Global Compact affirm the belief that businesses exist to serve and advance their societies, and their success cannot come at the cost of social or environmental regression.


    “It is a moment of human tragedy and intense economic and social upheaval. But it is also a moment of possibility. Through partnerships like the COVID-19 Private Sector Global Facility we will support companies to Recover Better Together from the pandemic and finally confront global inequality by taking action, as well as mitigate the worst impacts of a climate emergency that threatens all of humanity. Together we can construct a new paradigm of resilience,”.

    The COVID-19 pandemic has forced around 70% of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to shut down their operations. SMEs represent 50% of global GDP and more than 70% of global employment. The partners of the COVID-19 Private Sector Global Facility, representing multinational, global and local private sector stakeholders, commit to joint projects to develop policy and financial solutions for pandemic relief.


    ICC Secretary General John W.H. Denton AO said: “ICC’s local networks can bring value to the cooperation by reaching small business owners who want to have their challenges understood, their ideas heard, and their efforts to Recover Better recognised and built upon by others. SMEs need a way to facilitate this vital exchange of ideas, learning and experience with each other and with organisations and institutions in a position to support them.”

    business news

  • Ghana needs a new national capital – Economist

    Ghana needs a new national capital – Economist

    Habibu Adam, Senior Economist, Office of the Senior Minister on Friday called for a new national capital around the Tamale Airport down through Savannah to Bono East Regions.

    He said Accra was currently chocked with serious traffic and sanitation issues; “If care is not taken, in the next 10 years, Accra will need an interchange per kilometer to allow for free movement of vehicles. There will be too much human and motor traffic to an extent that the economic costs to the country would be dire.

    “Already Accra has captured Kasoa from Central Region and tension is beginning to brew between Greater Accra and Eastern Region,” Mr Adam told the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Accra.

    The Senior Economist explained that the Tamale International Airport (TIA) should be made the main international airport for Ghana for very strategic reasons.

    He argued that Tamale was the closest to the rest of the World and cut the journey by one-hour when flights take off from there. “Citizens from neighbouring countries like Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali would find it convenient to pick flights to Ghana and do the rest of the journey by road”.

    Mr Adam noted that the government could acquire large acres of land five times the size of Heathrow or Dubai airport at no cost or less cost to government and make it an Aviation Hub of West Africa.

    “Government through the private sector can set up the Maintenance, Repairs and Overhaul (MRO) of airplanes as well as the cargo village especially for perishable goods which could reach Europe and the rest of the World faster than when they take off from Kotoka International Airport in Accra,” he explained.

    The African Continental Free Trade Centre headquartered in Accra in addition to the Marine Derive project when completed could add close to one million people to the population of Accra in addition to the almost six million people on the overstretched land of Greater Accra,” he said.

    Mr Adam noted that: “It is therefore high time we start working towards correcting that monumental mistake. Many countries including; Kazakhstan, Burma, Bolivia, Portugal, Indonesia and on the African continent, we have Nigeria, Burundi, Cote d’ Ivoire and Tanzania have either moved their capital or are in the process of moving their capital”.

    He suggested that to cure the problem, each region should be given part of the national agenda to lead. “We can have tourism hub, educational hub, automobile hub, financial hub, petroleum hub among others to be led by the various regions”.

    He stressed that making the Tamale International Airport the Hub would provide economic justification for all other airports in the country the government currently wants to build.

    “With passengers arriving at the Tamale International Airport, they will be compelled to take flights to the various regions Accra, Kumasi, Ho, Cape Coast, Takoradi and Sunyani. This will boost the domestic aviation industry.”

    He said, “these actions should be deliberate policy of government to decongest Accra and move the services sectors to the less endowed regions.”

    Mr Adam suggested that the $10 billion Big Push proposed by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the GHS100 billion proposed by New Patriotic Party (NPP) to restart the economy should be channelled through building this new capital.

    He noted that one of the tragedies of our national development has been the failure of successive governments to carve our development path based on the potential of the various regions.

    “Over the years, our major developments have been concentrated in Accra and Kumasi resulting in mass exodus of people from the various regions to Accra and Kumasi bringing in its wake serious economic and social consequences.

    “What policymakers should have done was to look at the economic potential of the various regions and direct developments along the same path. Highly potentially industrialised regions should have been developed along the same path,” he said.

    GNA

  • Spillage of Bagre Dam: Govt to provide GH¢29.6m for long-term solution

    Spillage of Bagre Dam: Govt to provide GH¢29.6m for long-term solution

    Government has planned to carry out an urgent exercise at an estimated cost of GH¢29.6 million, aimed at providing long-term solution to the perennial flooding and its related destructions caused by the spillage of the Bagre Dam, the Water Resources Commission has hinted.

    In a statement by the Commission issued to Ghanaian Times on Sunday, the Executive Secretary, Ben Ampomah said, “government wishes to assure the public that, it is committed and is working on short and long term measures to mitigate the impacts of the perennial floods in the White Volta Basin.”

    The exercise, according to the Commission, would include the dredging of the White Volta in the upstream areas of Yarugu (Bawku), Pwalugu, and the confluence of the Sissili and Kulpawn tributaries, which would cover an expected area of about 30km.

    In addition, 42 communities comprised of 25 in Bawku West, five in Nabdam and 12 in Talensi, all in the Upper East Region, would be engaged to ensure that the causes of the floods and the attendant damages are reduced, Mr Ampomah said.

    He explained that there would be documentary production for awareness creation on restoration and stabilisation of dredged river banks, and emergency response.

    Mr Ampomah indicated that the exercise would be done to compliment the ongoing non-structural measures, notably, the provision of forecast and early warning information.

    Other measures, in this regard, include the exchange of data and information on the spills, consultations with managers of the Bagre Dam, community education, awareness creation, and emergency response.

    He explained that the exercise would minimise the impacts of flooding in the upstream of the main White Volta within the Yarugu, Pwalugu, and the confluence of the tributaries.

    Additionally, the dredging, he noted, would improve flows into the Pwalugu Dam, and facilitate flow from the Sissili and Kulpawn tributaries, and, also minimise sedimentation of the Pwalugu reservoir.

    According to Mr Ampomah, the results of an initial interventions carried out in 2019, has proved that dredging of the White Volta river, when done periodically as a maintenance activity would yield greater positive impact.

    “At the end of the rainy season in November 2019 there were no reports of extensive flooding of the dredged areas potentially prone to flooding in the past. The destruction of crops and farmlands also reduced significantly in the area,” he said.

    To date, several farmlands within the upstream sections of the White Volta, especially, the Bawku Municipal, Bawku West, Talensi and Nabdam districts have been flooded through the spillage of the Bagre Dam.

    This situation, the Commission acknowledges, should it prevail in September and November 2020, would affect lives, settlements and human health, while, the financial costs of relief and emergency responses would be colossal.

    Already, six people have died as a result of flood from the spillage of Bagre dam in the North East Region, a situation which was compounded with heavy rains in the area in the past few weeks, destroying several acres of farmlands, and left hundreds homeless.

    The spillage of the Bagre Dam has become an annual ritual, with the Water Resource Commission, , indicating that this year’s opening of spill gates and release of water from the dam has become the earliest, since 2007.

    ghanaweb

  • Here’s what the next NDC govt plans to offer the insurance and pensions sector

    Here’s what the next NDC govt plans to offer the insurance and pensions sector

    The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has pledged to adopt a Risk-Based Minimum Capital approach for the insurance sector should they be given the nod in the upcoming December polls.

    According to the party’s 2020 manifesto, the minimum capital will be linked to the risks an insurance company carries instead of the current fixed minimum capital regime.

    Ghana’s insurance sector which currently has a penetration rate of 2 percent coupled with the coronavirus pandemic could adversely affect the insurance sector in general.

    The National Insurance Commission (NIC) on its part in 2019 increased the minimum capital for insurance companies from GH¢15 million to GH¢50 million.

    The Commission further did the same for Reinsurance companies from GH¢40 million to GH¢125 million.

    While the minimum capital requirement for Insurance Broking companies was also increased from GH¢300,000 to GH¢500,000, the minimum capital requirement for reinsurance broking companies was however maintained at GH¢1 million.

    Insurance firms in the country are all required to meet a June 2021 deadline or face collapse.

    For Pensioners, the opposition NDC has also pledged to pay an annual 13th-month bonus in consonance with the amendment of the National Pensions Act 2008 ACT 76 if elected.

    According to the party, the amendment will also afford workers in the SSNIT pension scheme who have contributed for a minimum period of 10 to 15 years an opportunity to use their contribution as collateral loans for housing.

    “We will amend the National Pensions Act 2008 ACT 766 to improve both service delivery and financial efficiency in the SSNIT pension scheme.

    “It will allow contributing workers such as private teachers amongst others who lose their jobs suddenly due to natural occurrences such as COVID-19 pandemic to be paid stipends while they search for a new job.

    “Allow workers who have contributed for a minimum period of 10 to 15 years to use their contribution as collateral to access mortgage loans for housing. We will pay pensioners an annual 13th-month bonus,” the Flagbearer of the NDC, John Mahama explained.

    ghanaweb

  • NPP adopted a wrong approach in the financial sector clean-up – NDC

    NPP adopted a wrong approach in the financial sector clean-up – NDC

    The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has described the approach of the ruling National People Party  (NPP) in the wake of the financial sector clean up as ‘a wrong one’.

    This was contained in the party’s just launched 2020 manifesto ahead of the December 2020 polls.

    According to the NDC, a recapitalisation and liquidity roadmap for the banking sector was established in 2015 for banks and Specialized Deposit-Taking Institutions to provide credible restoration plans with clear deadlines.

    “A new minimum capital requirement of GH¢230 million for banks was to be announced in early 2017 to be met by end-2019. This was much lower than the GH¢400 million subsequently adopted by the NPP Government without consultations with stakeholders,” the NDC manifesto read.

    “Work was started to update the regulatory framework for banks with the passage, in the third quarter of 2016, of the Bank of Ghana Amendment Act 2016 (Act 918), the Banks and Specialized Deposit-Taking Institutions (BSDI) Act 2016 (Act 930) and the Deposit Insurance Act 2016 (Act 931) and these provided a comprehensive framework for dealing with distressed banks.

    The NPP Government, however, adopted a wrong approach in their contrived financial sector clean-up,” the manifesto said, as read by the NDC’s flagbearer John Dramani Mahama, noted.

    Meanwhile, the Governor of the Central Bank had earlier said most of the collapsed banks and financial institutions that became insolvent due to the financial sector clean-up exercise by the Bank of Ghana  in 2017, were run by persons with “questionable backgrounds”.

    As part of its efforts to restore confidence in the banking and specialized deposit-taking sectors, the Bank of Ghana (BoG) embarked on a clean-up exercise in August 2017 to resolve insolvent financial institutions whose continued existence posed risks to the interest of depositors.

    The clean-up saw the revocation of licenses of 9 universal banks, 347 micro-finance companies, 39 micro-credit companies or money lenders, 15 savings and loans companies, 8 finance house companies, and two non-bank financial institutions.

    The move by the central bank was a comprehensive assessment of the savings and loans and finance house sub-sectors carried out by the BoG in the last few years after it identified serious breaches.

    ghanaweb

  • NDC manifesto holds the key to Ghana’s destiny – Mahama

    NDC manifesto holds the key to Ghana’s destiny – Mahama

    The main opposition party, the National Democratic Congress has launched its manifesto as the December polls fast approaches.

    The flag bearer John Dramani Mahama has described the document as one that holds the key to the destiny of Ghana.

    “This manifesto holds the key to Ghana’s destiny”.

    The document is themed ‘Jobs and prosperity for all; the people’s manifesto”. The party, in addition, launched the braille version of the document to aid persons living with disability (PWD’s) appreciate the NDC’s campaign promises.

    The NDC’s flagbearer and running mate amongst other things promised free tertiary education for PWD’s, include private schools in the Free SHS program, and also rescue Ghana from the abyss. The party also disclosed it will absorb fifty per cent of fees for tertiary students for the 2020/2021 academic year.

    Mr further promised the arty will construct a domestic airport in the Upper East region,” adding “the land was secured when I was President and so we will continue with it.”

    “Irrigation dams which will be constructed across the country if the National Democratic Congress wins power will be funded by the Ghana Exim bank,” it added.

    ghanaweb

  • SEC Receives 98,820 claims from Collapsed financial institutions

    SEC Receives 98,820 claims from Collapsed financial institutions

    The Security and Exchanges Commission (SEC) says it has so far received a total of 98,820 claims valued at ¢10.83 billion.

    It says out of the 50 companies whose licences remain revoked, three did not have any claims filed against them, leaving 47 companies against whom claims were filed by affected clients. 

    As at last Thursday, SEC said it had full access to the records of 40 of the collapsed companies, partial access to one company and no access to the remaining six companies. 

    “Validation of the claims filed by the clients of the 40 companies where we have full access to their records has been completed,” the Commission said in a release on Friday.

    Regarding Blackshield Capital Management Limited, formerly Gold Coast Fund Management Limited, the Commission said it had partial access to records as the company provided excel data representing about 3% of claims filed by their clients.

    “Blackshield Capital Management Limited initially failed to assist in locating the server for validation of the remaining 97% of claims till the intervention of law enforcement agencies; validation is ongoing.

    “The claims filed against Blackshield Capital Management Limited totalled 82,204 and valued at ¢4.65 billion,” it said.

    The six companies that SEC does not have access to their records include Firstbanc Financial Services, Kripa Capital, EM Capital, Omega Capital, Nickel Keynesbury and Heritage Securities (Future PIP Management Ltd.).

    “Validation of claims on Firstbanc Financial Services Limited is yet to commence because of their initial failure to cooperate with SEC and the filing of an application for an injunction pending appeal at the High Court.

    “Claims filed against Firstbanc Financial Services Limited was 423 valued at ¢800 million. We are in the process of resolving the issues to get full access to the records of the remaining five firms. The claims filed against these five firms is 489 valued at ¢87 million,” the Commission said.

    The Securities and Exchange Commission is expected to commence payment of locked-up investments from September this year.

    This will, however, cover 22 firms that it has been able to validate claims of its depositors.

  • Construction of Tema industrial-Kpone road begins

    Construction of Tema industrial-Kpone road begins

    Kwesi Amoako Attah, Minister of Roads and Highways, has cut sod for the rehabilitation of the 7.2 kilometer Tema Industrial Area to Kpone link road.

    Amoako-Attah said the existing single carriageway collector road would be widened to a 2×2 dual carriageway with improved drainage systems adding that the first two kilometers within the heavy industrial zone would have a concrete surface while the remaining five would be asphaltic.

    He said a wholly owned Ghanaian M/S Joshob Company Limited would build the road within 24 months after winning an open competitive tender.

    “The main objectives of the project include improvement of the capacity and riding quality of the road, reduction of traveling times between communities, ensuring safety of commuters and other road users, and improving drainage on the road”, he said.

    He disclosed that the ongoing concrete road construction of the Tema Steel Works to the Nestle factory was about 70 per cent complete and it would be commissioned by November this year.

    He said other critical projects including partial reconstruction of selected roads ongoing within the Tema Metropolitan area and Tema West Municipality were 30 per cent complete while other roads were also between 20 to 57 percent completed in the two areas.

    Ishmael Ashitey, Greater Accra Regional Minister, expressed gratitude to the Ministry for remembering the people of Tema and Kpone, saying the road served many companies and commuters.

    Ashitey appealed to the contractor to do a good job and within time and asked that they employed the local youth on the project.

    Felix Mensah Nii Anang-La, Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, in a welcoming address, reiterated the importance of rehabilitating the road and invited investors to invest in Tema and Kpone.

    Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus Glover Member of Parliament for Tema East, Solomon Tettey Appiah, Kpone-Katamanso Municipal Chief Executive, and Hopeson Adorye, Parliamentary Candidate for Kpone-Katamanso all lauded the good works of the government.

    • Ghana's top resource for news, sports, business, entertainment & more..

    GNA

  • Government to set up Kente Village

    Government to set up Kente Village

    Government is considering the idea of setting up a Kente Craft Village to boost the production of the Ghanaian indigenous cloth for both local and international markets.

    The proposal, put together by the Royal Kente Weavers and Sellers Association, was presented to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo by the group’s representatives at the Jubilee House, Accra on Wednesday.

    The plan, which targeted high kente production in the Western, Ahafo, Oti, Central and Eastern regions, aimed at training some 5,200 persons between the ages 15 to 24 on art of kente weaving to sustain the Kente tradition and its allied industry and to help promote it as part of Ghanaian cultural heritage.

    Receiving the proposal from the group, President Akufo-Addo Addo said the Kente cloth embodied the rich identity of Ghana, and had over decades become visible on the world stage, particularly among people of black descent in the diaspora where it had become a symbol of connection to Africa.

    He cited the adornment of kente vestments by the members of United States Senate and Congress as they solidarised with a black man whose life was taken unlawfully, saying the Kente cloth was a source of pride and dignity beyond Ghana.

    The President said the proposal was noteworthy and would be given the needed attention by government.

    He assured the group that government would lend support to help raise the level of Kente production.

    Kwami Nyami, leader of the association who expressed appreciation for the audience granted the group by the President, appealed to government to give the needed attention to the kente weaving industry as it could create jobs for the teeming youth of Ghana.

    GNA

  • Akufo-Addo pays working visit to GSE, BoG

    Akufo-Addo pays working visit to GSE, BoG

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Tuesday August 25 paid a working visit to the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) and the central bank, the Bank of Ghana (BoG) in Accra.

    The visit, according to Akufo-Addo, was to afford him the opportunity to ascertain how the GSE and the BoG have been impacted by the ravages of the Coronavirus pandemic and to find out how best he can suppor especially the GSE.

    The president told the workers of the GSE that “All of us are aware that a robust and strong stock exchange is usually a very good mirror and reflection of a strong market economy. So whatever can be done to strengthen the exchange is inevitably tied up to what we can do to strengthen the economy.”

    SEE ALSO: Nana Addo, NPP using the free hot meal to desperately campaign for votes – Apaak

    He added “we have in the last four or five months gone through some very harrowing times not just here in Ghana but the entire world.

    “It has had a major impact on the economies of virtually all the nations in the world. The stock exchange is one of the critical instruments for growing a country’s economy and thereby growing the possibility of the people becoming more prosperous. I think it is important that those of us who have to make decisions affecting the economy have a clear idea of what is going on here.

    “That is the main reason I came here to find out the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on your activities, where you are in terms of growing the exchange and what obviously government on kits part can do to assist the process of getting Ghana a really stock exchange.”

    The Managing Director of the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) told the president that his visit makes it the first time a sitting president has familiarized himself with the operations at the GSE.

    He said, “This is the first time we have a sitting president coming to the floor to witness what goes on here, so you are welcome. GSE will be 30 years this year. As am exchange we made some modest achievements, we have created trade markets, we have only 40 companies listed on the main market.”

    He added “All operations are electronic, we have won two afterwards in the last decade as the most innovative stock exchange in Africa, an ward normally given by African Investor.”

    For his part, the Governor of the BoG Dr Ernest Addison said “Your Excellency, the Bank of Ghana, over the last three and half years, has played a critical role in the government’s transformation agenda. Through reforms that were effectively coordinated with the fiscal authorities, macroeconomic stability was re-established following the significant imbalances at the end of 2016. Prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ghanaian economic was once again classified among the fastest growing economies in the world, under your leadership. Growth averaged [7] percent; inflation was reduced significantly and maintained in single digits and well within the Banks target range, and exchange rate stability was well anchored. In fact, the economy had all the ingredients for broad-based inclusive growth.

    “And these efforts were rewarded with Ghana’s first ratings upgrade, in 10 years, by Fitch global ratings agency from B- to a B with a positive outlook. Your Excellency, your support to the Bank during the reforms in the banking sector cannot be over emphasized.

    “Your clear leadership and understanding of the role of the financial sector in the government’s transformation agenda, gave the leadership of the Bank the confidence and courage to embark on the comprehensive banking sector reforms over the last three years, which saw an increase in the minimum capital requirements, clean-up of the financial sector by the revocation of licenses of weak and insolvent institutions, and a revamp of the regulatory framework to stabilise and strengthen the sector.”

    Ghanaweb- Dikoder.com

  • 1D1F doing very well – Bawumia

    1D1F doing very well – Bawumia

    The Vice President of Ghana, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has stated that the I District I Factory (ID1F) policy is really doing well as far as the NPP government is concerned.

    According to him, under the 1D1F policy, 76 factories are operational.

    He explained that out of the 76, 28 factories are new whilst 48 of them are existing companies which have been financially supported by the government.

    SEE ALSO: John Dumelo To Donate 4,000 Laptops To Students In Ayawaso West

    Reacting to comments by some Ghanaians that the government has failed in building new factories but rather depending on already existing factories, he said some of the factories could have collapsed if the government did not intervene, saying supporting those factories saved jobs

    Dr Bawumia, speaking on Accra based Peace FM said , “If a business was a the verge of collapsing and you support it, it means that you have helped the situation,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Dr Bawumia said government will keep supporting existing factories and as well build new factories to create employment opportunities for the youth.

    Meanwhile, he was sure that the NPP government will retain power to continue these projects.

    Ghanaweb- Dikoder.com

  • Govt to use Pozzolana, local bricks for infrastructure projects to cut $1bn/year imports

    Govt to use Pozzolana, local bricks for infrastructure projects to cut $1bn/year imports

    The Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government has said it will prioritise the use of Pozzolana cement as part of efforts to use more local content in developing the country’s infrastructure.

    According to the governing New Patriotic Party’s newly-launched 2020 manifesto, such local materials would be used more in the government’s “significant investments in public infrastructure development” which covers roads, schools, hospitals, clinics, office buildings among others.

    The document said: “Most of our roads are constructed with asphalt overlay or with bitumen surface dressing (BSD), and most public buildings are constructed with cement and concrete materials”, adding: “90% of the raw materials for producing these two primary products are, however, imported, costing the country more than $1 billion annually”.

    On the other hand, the document noted, “we have demonstrated the availability and durability of local building materials, including burnt bricks and Pozzolana cement”.

    “Several brick factories can be found in the Ahafo, Ashanti, Bono and Central regions”.

    “We also have two Pozzolana cement factories in Ghana”.

    “Over the next four years, we will actively mainstream the use of these, and other local materials in public sector infrastructure projects”, it noted.

    Below is the party’s plan for infrastructure development for the next four years:

    Inadequate transport networks that connect cities, towns and rural areas, poor quality roads, and growing urban traffic congestion are critical areas requiring urgent action, as well as expansion in port and harbour infrastructure to enhance trade and promote investments.

    Over the next four years, we will:

    • use Public-Private Partnership to accelerate the development of road infrastructure through toll-financing

    • finalise our public transport policy for a network commensurate with the needs of a fast growing economy

    • launch the biggest-ever road maintenance infrastructure programme, as part of improvements in our existing road infrastructure and as a source of major job creation for the youth.

    This will be targeted at youth-owned enterprises

    • re-launch the metro mass transport system throughout regional capitals • introduce innovative policies to facilitate urban traffic decongestion • complete development of the Buipe Inland Port • complete development of Coastal Fish Landing Sites • complete development of the Boankra Inland Port • upgrade Tema Shipyard and Drydock • Volta Lake Transport Improvement • complete development of Atuabo Port • completion of the construction of the Western Line, and Tema to Mpakadan rail lines • commence construction of: • the Eastern Rail Line • the Aduadin to Obuasi Lines • the Ghana – Burkina Line • a new line between Sekondi and Shama Free Zone area • a new harbour in Cape Coast, and • a new airport in Cape Coast • prioritise feasibility studies in establishing a rail link through Kasoa to Accra with the view to establish a railway line service to reduce significantly travel time to and from that fast-growing part of Greater Accra and Central Regions. • Continue investing in the expansion of infrastructure at all public tertiary institutions to enhance capacity and facilities to absorb the expected increases in student population as graduating students from Free SHS pursue further education • Bridging the Development Gap between the North and the South We will continue to implement existing policies and ongoing projects to bridge the development gap between the northern and southern regions of Ghana e.g. IPEP, 1V1D, 1D1F, Pwalugu Dam, Critical Roads, Ghana—Burkina Rail Link among others, as well as revamp the cotton industry, establish rice mills in rice producing districts, revamp dams such as Vea, and Bontanga (Tono has been rehabilitated), develop the Buipe in-land port, district hospitals and regional hospitals in districts and region without, construction of the Daboya and Dikpe bridges, upgrade the Tamale Airport, pursue the Iron and Steel Industry project, and continue the exploration for oil in the Voltaian basin amongst others.

    Source: class fm

  • Management of Ekumfi fruits and Juices factory commends President

    Management of Ekumfi fruits and Juices factory commends President

    The Board of Directors and Management of Ekumfi Fruits and Juices Limited have commended the President, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for officially commissioning the Ekumfi fruit juice processing factory last week Friday.

    According to a statement signed by the Chief Operating Officer of the company, Frederick Kobbyna Acquaah, “wish to express our profound gratitude to God Almighty and H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo also known as Nana Oyeadze Nokwarfo I of Ekumfi Traditional Area, for his vision, unflinching support, direction and passion to industrialise Ghana through the One-District-One-Factory Programme of which Ekumfi Fruits and Juices Ltd is proudly, the first.

    We are also grateful to Odeefo Akyin VIII, Paramount Chief of Ekumfi Traditional Area, under whose auspices the commissioning of the factory was held, and all the paramount chiefs who were invited to grace the occasion. We are indeed humbled”.

    The statement said, “ we would like to express our gratitude to Hon Gifty Ohene Konadu, the National coordinator, One-District-One-Factory, for her dedication, sacrifice and enviably, her involvement in our project and the One-District-One-Factory secretariat as well as the CEO, Board of Directors and Management of Ghana Exim Bank who financed the project.

    “Also, our special thanks to the following, without whom the project would not have been possible. The CEO, Board of Directors and Management of Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) for enrolling the Company on a programme to receive planting materials (pineapple suckers), in support of our raw material base.

    Ekumfi Pineapple Outgrowers Association, Greenfields and Foods Ghana Ltd, The Central Regional Minister, Hon Kwamena Duncan and His Deputy Hon Adjei Baffour, The Member of Parliament of Ekumfi, and Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Hon Francis Kingsley Ato Codjoe.

    The District Chief Executive, Hon Bernard Bright Grant, and the District Assembly Central Region Industrial Development Agenda, it said.

    “We acknowledge the immense support and cooperation of the following government organs: Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), and Ghana water company (GWC). We cherish the continuous support and cooperation of the Chiefs and People of Ekumfi. We are grateful to the people of Ghana” it said.

    The Ekumfi Fruits and Juices Factory processes 100% natural juices in 3 great variants Pineapple, Pine-Ginja and Pine-Tropic under the brand names EKUMFI PURE JUICE and EKU JUICE

    Ghanaweb

    Dikorder.com

  • Mahama will restore Ghanaian participation in banking sector – Sam George

    Mahama will restore Ghanaian participation in banking sector – Sam George

    The Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram, Samuel Nartey George, has said former President John Dramani Mahama will restore Ghanaian participation in the banking sector in Ghana.

    He said it was unfortunate that the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration has collapsed local participation in the sector in the name of the cleanup exercise.

    His comment comes after the General Secretary of the NPP, John Boadu, has asked the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to feel free to copy the content of the manifesto of the governing party ahead of this year’s elections.

    Mr Boadu, who was speaking at the unveiling of the 2020 manifesto document of the NPP on Saturday, August 22 in Cape Coast, said the NDC were waiting for the NPP to launch their document to enable them copy the ideas in it for theirs.

    He said: “We have launched our manifesto today. They are waiting for us to launch our manifesto so they can copy, they are free to copy.”

    He further stated: “This manifesto promises to be an embodiment of progress and prosperity and promises for the Ghanaian people.

    But speaking on TV3’S New Day Monday, August 24, the opposition Lawmaker, Sam George, said the NDC will offer a better manifesto document to Ghanaians.

    He said “How do you copy a manifesto that is empty? How do you copy a manifesto that does not inspire any hope or any enthusiasm in Ghana? How do you copy a dead document?

    He added “Ghanaians are waiting for the NDC’s manifesto where we will speak to the restoring the banking and financial sector jobs.

    “Where former President Mahama has said that under his watch we will restore Ghanaian participation in our banking sector”

  • How To Win A Girl’s Heart In 3 Days

    How To Win A Girl’s Heart In 3 Days

    How To Win A Girl’s Heart In 3 Days

    So many guys think it is impossible after many failed attempts to woo a woman and get her to say ‘yes, but I tell you, it is very possible. The simple truth is women are emotional and are mostly not driven by what they see but by what they hear. If you are that guy who thinks you are not good enough and that is why you are getting a lot of rejections from women, I want you to eliminate that feeling because it is absolutely wrong.

    There are some simple principles and things to follow that you neglect that has given you a lot of rejections but you don’t know.

    If you want to woo a girl and make her fall for you in 3 days, follow this simple principles and see the result

    SEE ALSO: DATE RUSH: Ignatius And Free love Spark Dating Rumors (+Photo)

    • Ghana's top resource for news, sports, business, entertainment & more..
      How To Win A Girl’s Heart In 3 Days
    How To Win A Girl’s Heart In 3 Days

    So many guys think it is impossible

    1. Be confident

    This is where most guys fail from. When you see a girl you like, you can examine one or two things but don’t even waste time approaching her before you give yourself reasons that you are not good enough, who told you that? When you want to approach a girl, be confident and act as though you will get her and not trying out your luck. Confidence is one bad boy trait all girls like and desire. More so, that is the first impression you are giving her. Girls don’t like guys who are not confident.

    2. Do not praise her

    She has heard a thousand ‘you are beautiful’ and she knows it so in this second stage, don’t make that mistake of starting your conversation with that phrase. Many people have done that and when you do the same, you join those ordinary people trying to waste her time. At this point, you want to do something that will make you unique. Just introduce yourself and possibly ask for her name. If she is beautiful, ignore that and compliment something that she is wearing like her dress or shoes. When you do that, you make her emotionally attached to you as she will wonder “ why is this guy not praising my beauty as most people do? “.

    3. Get her contact

    If there is enough time, ask her some few things like where she lives, where she studies so that you can find a common point of interest and strike a conversation. Tell her you would like to have her number so that you can talk to her again. From your confidence, she will submit to you if you can give her that real first impression. And if you are a smart guy, you can give her your own number and ask her to contact you later, and if she does, you on already on your way to win her heart.

    4. Don’t be needy, learn to wait

    Once she gives you her number, don’t make yourself look desperate by calling her that day. She knows all the people she gave her number to that day and when you do this, you make yourself cheap. Make her emotionally attached to you by waiting for like a day or two and don’t fear she will forget. By doing this, you raise different questions in her mind like” why is he not contacting me like other guys?” making her more attached to you.

    5. Setup a date

    You will give her option and don’t show your weakness by asking her “ when will we go for a date?” or “ when will you be free for a date?” You will just have to tell her about the date and give her time you will go for it.

    STORY by: Mavis Davor || DFM ||