ETG Inputs Limited, poised to enhance access to high grade fertilizer at discontented rates to farmers in across Ghana.

More relief to farmers in Ghana, as ETG Inputs Limited, leads the way in complementing government efforts to boost farmers’ access to discounted quality fertilizers.

ETG Inputs Ghana Limited is poised to enhance access to  high grade fertilizer at discounted rates to small holder farmers, particularly in Ghana’s Upper East, Savannah, Northeast, and Northern Regions.

This good news was announced by the Country Manager of ETG, Mr. Fred Akowuah, at a media and stakeholder engagement at Labadi Beach Hotel, during the AFAP West Africa Regional Public-Private  dialogue on the future of fertilizer and agro-inputs in Africa.

Mr. Akowuah indicated ETG readiness to provide over 40 thousand metric tons of quality fertilizer at special discounted rates between 33 to 54 percent across the country. This initiative Mr. Akowoah expressed, would be beneficial to ease the current shortages in supply of fertilizer, to boost yields, ensure food security, and provide incomes to farmers.

This bold initiative of ETG, has been hailed by stakeholders in the Agricultural sector as swift and calculated response to enhance resilience, aimed at addressing the current inputs supply deficit and rising cost of food as a result of COVID-19 pandemic and its negative impact on global supply chains, resulting in depressed markets, trade constraints, and slower economic growth, posing a threat to Africa's food security, rural livelihoods, economic development, and agriculture. Climate change, floods, and droughts are also affecting agricultural yields, while the war in Ukraine has trebled fertilizer prices and disrupted grain supplies. 

ETG Inputs Ghana Limited, a subsidiary of agricultural conglomerate ETG.

Voice of Zongo Communities trains women in Dodowa, Rahama Town.

Voice of Zongo Communities in Ghana a humanitarian organization led by Halimatu Sadia Mohammed, aimed at empowering underprivileged women particularly, widows, school drop outs and single mother through skills training in the production of washing and bathing liquid soaps, detergent, dress making, make-up artstry, to give them a sense of hope and livelihood.

The group execution their humanitarian mandate, have organized a skills training programme for a number of women in Dodowa Rahama town, in liquid soap for both washing and bathing, and detergent production.

Currently the organisation is self funding these projects and requires sponsorship from all and sundry to make positive impact on these underprivileged women.

Speaking to the media, Dr. Mannan Waru ,the Youth Chief of Jumapo Zongo in New Juaben North Constituency, who was at the event to grace the occasions as resource person, commended the organizers for their passion to provide skills training for underprivileged women, urging the public to throw their weight behind this benevolent organisation by way of sponsorships and acts of voluteerism to bring a sense of hope and purpose to many disadvantaged women in several communities in Ghana.

NCCE Gh Admonished Citizens To Participate Actively In Governance And To Uphold The 1992 Constitution For National Development And Cohesion. -By:Hector Wulff

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has made a clarion call on citizens to defend and uphold the 1992 Constitution to enhance development and national cohesion.

To commemorating the 30th anniversary of Ghana’s democracy, the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has stipulated that the constitution gives Ghanaians an identity and a sense of belonging which must be protected and promoted at all times to enable a peaceful co-existence among all citizens.

Speaking on the theme, “30 years of consolidating Constitutional Democracy: Building National Cohesion through Civic Education and Participation in Local Governance,” the Chairperson of the NCCE, Ms. Kathleen Addy emphasized on the need for the country to uphold and revere the 1992 Constitution as the highest law of the land until either an amendment or replacement is made.

“As we commemorate the 30 years celebrations of Ghana’s democracy, the NCCE calls on Ghanaians to participate actively in governance and continue to uphold the 1992 Constitution as the supreme law of Ghana until any amendments are made.”

Madam Addy indicated that, the 1992 Constitution which birthed Ghana’s democracy has so far proven to be useful and is serving its purpose of uniting a population of diverse backgrounds which she said her outfit is working tirelessly to ensure the respect for rights and freedoms spelt out in the document are observed in their entirety.

“To sustain peace and to promote national cohesion, the Commission urges the country to unite to consolidate our goals toward growth. The Commission’s commitment to the common goal of educating all citizens in every nook and crane will foster inclusion, especially with the vulnerable groups in society and also pass down Ghanaian values such as patriotism, hard work, honesty, respect for the rights and freedoms of others down to the entire population.”

Ms. Kathleen Addy, the Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education, concluded by entreating citizens to actively participate in the coming District Assembly Election.

2022 Gandhi Peace Walk Held Solemnly

Members of the Indian community in Ghana joined by a number of Ghanaians, to participate in this years  Gandhi Peace Walk, organized by the India High Commission of Ghana, with participants walking through the ceremonial streets of Accra.

Every 2nd October, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, has been declared as the International Day of Non-Violence by the UN General Assembly. 

A number of events are organized throughout the world to recall the spirit, principles, values and relevance of Mahatma Gandhi.

Addressing participant of the peace walk and the media, the The Indian High Commissioner to Ghana, H.E Mr Sugandh Rajaram, emphasized on an urgent need to follow the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi especially truth, non-violence, inclusion, simplicity, cleanliness & ethics.

In his welcoming address, Dr. Collins Yeboah-Afari, the Director General  of the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT, where the event was hosted, indicated that a long standing of friendship and rich tradition between Ghana and India finds it's root in the in the values of Mahatma Gandhi, who lived by truth, nonviolence, love and compassion. He further expressed that the centre setup between Ghana and India government partnership is a product of Mahatma Gandhi's values of

Sarvodaya meaning 'Universal Uplift' or 'Progress of All'.

The 2022 Peace Walk in Accra, was climaxed with offering of flowers, singing the favorite song of Mahatma Gandhi.

India’s freedom struggle owes its success to the independence movement led by Mahatma Gandhi, based on nonviolence and noncooperation.

His conviction that truth is the ultimate weapon, won mass support and revived pride in Indian heritage and culture. It continues to have strong relevance even today and provides a path for conflict resolution that is both attainable and sustainable.

The Phoenix Newspaper Holds Conference On Peace Charter For Forgiveness And Reconciliation For Africa.

Scores of dignitaries made up of traditional rulers, academics, members of civil society and religious leaders across the World, gathered in Accra, at the Movempic Ambassador Hotel, to participate in a peace conference, under the theme: Peace building in the 21st century; a we attaining sustainable peace? 

The Conference had participants

discussing the role of stakeholders in the attainment of sustainable peace in Africa and by a large extent global peace.

In his welcoming address, Prof. John Azuma, the Executive Director of the Sanneh Institute (Ghana), the local organizing partner of the conference, outlined the importance of the event to the attainment of global peace and admonished participant to actively contribute with meaningful and thought provoking ideas towards a successful outcome.

The occasion was also used to introduce the Peace  Charter for forgiveness and reconciliation, by Dr. Josef Boehl, Director of the Peace  Charter for forgiveness and reconciliation.

The were several discussants who dealt with various topics on the theme.

The conference was organized by The Phoenix Newspaper as part of it's 10th Anniversary, dubbed: Be Bold! It was powered by Victoria Mutual  in partnership with Nishkam, Charter for Forgiveness and Reconciliation.

Story By: Hector Wulff

Investing In Ghanaian Industries Is Very Crucial -AGI President Stipulates

 

The President of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Dr. Humphrey Kwesi Ayim Darke, has expressed the importance of investing in the private sector, particularly local industries for economic growth, transformation and sustainability.

He indicated that, successful businesses drive growth, create jobs, and pay taxes that finances services and investment. 

Adding that, the private sector generates 80 percent of Jobs, funds 60 percent of investment and provide more than 80 percent of government revenues,

making the private sector the best place to invest.

On the need to invest in local industries, the AGI President indicated that “it's very crucial in these times, taking into accounts the

the challenging times in which we find ourselves. “We see the global economy, still reeling from the COVID 19 devastation and then the Russia's invasion of Ukraine, signaling uncertain outlook in the private sector milieu.”

“Against the difficult backdrop, a variety of economic challenges mount our country, including elevated inflation, high cost of the cedi against the dollar, high cost of fuel and high cost of credit.”

“So this gathering is very strategic, to to find pathways of generating investment and capital to advance our Industries.”

“It is imperative to note that no country can ever industrialise without deliberate policies and programmes to support industries or businesses,”

“The government has a role to play by ensuring that an enabling environment is created for industries to thrive, especially with the African single market opportunity created.” Dr. Kwesi Ayim Darke stated.

The AGI President conveyed that, GISE has become the premiere platform not only for the presentation of industry knowledge and concepts, private sector policies and programs, but also for unique networking opportunities and showcase of products and innovations.

He added that the AGI is impressed with the enthusiasm and support demonstrated by sponsors and  patrons over the years, especially the Volta River Authority, NPG, Fidelity  Bank, GIZ and the European Union,

as well as the commitment shown by industry players and the business community to place the GISE as a must attend event.

Dr. Ayim Darke further outlined the objectives of the summit, as a promoter of industrial and investment opportunities to invigorate the private sector, which will impact on economic growth thereby enabling local industries to leverage on the possibilities of the Single African Market.

He also expressed the gladness of the AGI, for the introduction of the Development Bank to inject medium to long-term capital to support industries, as advocated by the AGI over the years.

Dr. Humphrey Kwesi Ayim Darke outlined, as he welcomed participants, exhibitors and delegates at the opening of the AGI 5th Ghana industrial 

Summit & exhibition actively and keenly involved by captains of industry and the business community.

The Ghana Industrial Summit & Expo under the theme: "Investing in Ghanaian industries to leverage opportunities in the single African Market", is ardently participated by industry players and members of Ghana's business community.

It was opened by the Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Alan Kyerematen.

The 3-day event ,at the Labadi Beach Hotel, would end on the 18th 

of August, 2022, from 9am-5pm 

The 5 objectives of the summit are: 

1.To promote innovation and technology, with the aim of enhancing industrialisation.

2.To established and encourage networking between indigenous industrialist and their international counterparts for knowledge sharing.

 3.To engage key government agencies in a constructive dialogue, in search of viable solutions to challenges facing industry.

4.To endeavor to gather all sectors of the economy, to chat a common path towards industrial advancement.

5. To create opportunities between sellers and buyers through match making programmes and exhibitions.

AGI President Joins Panel To Discuss Solution To Ghana's Economic Crisis.

 

Dr Humphrey Ayim-Darke, President of Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), joined Dr John Kwakye, Director of Research at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA)and Ms.Hamdiya Ismaila, General Manager of the Venture Capital Trust Fund, to address over 100 participants from the business community, academia, civil society and the media, at the just ended Graphic Business, Stanbic Bank Third Quarter Breakfast Meeting, held at the pleasant Labadi Beach Hotel, Accra.

Under the theme: Living Within our means, an imperative for economic success; the AGI President, Dr Ayim-Darke expressed that, Industrialisation and massive investment into productive sectors of our economy is the way forward.

He further indicated that, the structure of Ghana's economy is still very dependent on the export of raw materials, which is not the best for the growth and sustainability of the economy.

He noted that, Ghana still exports all its resources, such as gold, timber, cocoa and oil, in their raw state, which does not fetch enough for the country.

“Over 60 per cent of the items exported are still in the raw state, and as long as you do that, your revenue streams will not be sustainable and enough to meet the various needs and wants of your country”.

“So the limited resources as a result of the pre-colonial structure become a hindrance to living within our means,” Dr Ayim-Darke emphasized.

On enhancing domestic revenue,

Dr John Kwakye, Director of Research at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) stipulated that, for the country to effectively live within its means, the government must put in place measures to boost domestic revenue.

“As a country, our total revenue is just about $12 billion, so if we have to live within our means, then we must spend either up to that amount or not too higher than that; but that is not enough. $12 billion is peanut for a whole country,” Dr Kwakye opined.

The renowned economist, indicated that, the country was not collecting enough taxes.

For Ghana to effectively live within its means, the government should be able to mobilise about $20 billion in revenue annually, Dr Kwakye exclaimed.

On the need for Ghana to expand the tax net, Ms.Hamdiya Ismaila, the General Manager of the Venture Capital Trust Fund was of the view that, for Ghana to be able to live within its means, it was necessary to widen the tax net to capture a lot more people.

“Less than two million Ghanaians pay tax at the end of the month, out of 30 million. How can two million people pay taxes to finance 30 million people? So, basically, we are starting from zero,” Ms.Hamdiya Ismaila stressed.

She said it was also necessary for the financial industry in the country to provide capital for small and medium enterprises which had the potential to grow and employ more people.

By so doing Ms.Hamdiya Ismaila indicated, new workers who would be employed would also pay taxes, which would increase the country’s revenue base.

To climax the breakfast meeting was a very interactive  questioning and answering session that got all participants agog.