5Th Ghana Industrial Summit and Exhibition Launched.

Over 50 exhibitors and 150 people representing the Private Sector, Government Functionaries, Development Partners and international participants are expected to actively partake in the Ghana Industrial Summit and Exhibition (GISE'22)

The Summit and Exhibition, which will be held at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra from the 16th to 18th August, 2022, is under the theme "Investing in Ghanaian industries to leverage opportunities in the single African Market".

Performing the launch at the AGI Secretariat, the AGI President, 

Dr. Humphrey Ayim Darke, stated that, the idea behind the Ghana Industry Summit and Exhibition, which started 5years ago, is inline with AGI vision to create a supportive and competitive business climate. Adding that, the Summit has always been set around five objectives, to create an annual global platform for industries to share ideas.

The 5 objectives 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.

The AGI president stipulated that, the summit since its inception has made great inroads in shaping the economy, which output has informed programmes being designed by government.

The investment summit, as part of the event, shall create an ecosystem for equity investors to engage businesses in their bid create value, Dr. Ayim Darke, indicated. He further expressed investment prospects for companies in agribusiness and agro processing during the summit, as investment in these sectors have stagnated over the years, due to policy inconstancies. Adding that, the exhibition brings together an array of businesses spread across the entire sectors; from cosmetics, food & beverages, household items, health products, garments & textiles, electrical cables, hotel and hospitality, building, construction and property.                          Dr. Humphrey Ayim Darke lamented that, “Our businesses are in trying times.”

“The fast depreciation of the cedi, escalating fuel prices, rising fuel prices and public debt are of deep concerns to industries. Our strong recommendation is that in engaging the IMF, we must pay maximum attention to the industrial and agricultural sectors of our economy to hasten recovery.”

“Part of the reason for our economic crisis is the dependence on imported goods. We call for incentives to encourage local manufacturing to arrest this challenge”, the AGI President stressed.

Present at the media launch were representatives from various partner organisations, including Mr. Massimo Mina, Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Ghana, Mr. Sean M Duggan, Investment Promotion Expert with the EU-GESP, Mrs. Bellona Vittor-Quao from the Nuclear Power Ghana (NPG), Dr Ebenezer Tagoe, Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Finance at Fidelity Bank, Alex Agyei Amponsah, Director, Commercial & SME at Fidelity Bank, among others.

AGI DIALOGUES WITH PARLIAMENT

Scores of business people and industrialists, predominantly members of the Association of Ghana Industry (AGI) and it's top brass, On Wednesday, July 20, 2022 at the , actively and enthusiastically participated in the AGI dialogue session with the leadership of Parliament, to  deliberate on how the work of Parliament impacts on Industry, at the Accra International Conference Centre.

The high-profile event, sponsored by B5 Plus Group and Voltic Ghana Limited, was over subscribed. 

Under the theme"Promoting Ghana’s Industrial Development Agenda: the role of Parliament",

had in attendance the MP for Suame and Majority Leader of Parliament, Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu. 

Also in attendance was MP for Ellembele and Ranking Member on the Trade, Industry and Tourism Committee of Parliament, 

Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, representing the Minority Leader of Parliament.

In his opining address, the AGI President, Dr. Humphrey Ayim Darke  indicated that, this meeting comes at a time that we all seek to find solutions to our the challenges that confronts us as a nation, such as the current exchange rate situation, fuel price hikes, external shocks of the Ukraine - Russia conflict that has created  quite a turbulent time for our industries and the economy, as the Central Bank is seen deploying monetary policy tools to contain an unyielding inflation.

Adding that, the Ghana Statistical Service have just released the producer price index for industry in the month June, at 38% from 33.3% in may this year. 

" This is quite alarming"

Dr. Ayim Darke stressed.

He pointed out that, the nature of parliament today offers a great opportunity for both Minority and Majority to build consensus and to work closer in enacting laws that will accelerate Ghana's industrial agenda, because the nation is at a crossroads.

The AGI president expressed regret that, events leading to the enactment and passage of the famous E-levy law, could have been managed to repose business confidence and steer our economy through the turbulent effect of the rating agencies, which remains a major threat to our economy.

He hinted that, AGI foresees

the IMF negotiations impacting on this year mid term budget and beyond. Indicating that, the long term solution to our economic quagmire, hinges on our collective ability to develop the competitive productive sectors, which will generate revenue and jobs.

Dr. Ayim Darke, further indicated the negotiations with the IMF must reflect support for local industry in its structural transformation.

He said, it is the humble request of the AGI, that the Minority and Majority avert their minds to adopt policies that will spur growth of local industry, promoting local content to enhance export market development in diversification to leverage on the Intercontinental free trade agreements.

The AGI President, underscored the need for the dialogue, explaining that due to the critical role of Parliament in advancing the country's development agenda, it is crucial for the institution to periodically engage with industry in order to appreciate their concerns. 

He assured the gathering that the dialogue session will be institutionalised as a key event on the calendar of activities for the AGI. 

In his presentation to the business community, the MP for Suame and Majority Leader of Parliament, 

Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu said, it is  important to appreciate the role of the private sector, as he provided the historical antecedents which had impacted positively and negatively on the sector.The Majority Leader, also outlined this government's policies that has created an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive; such as the 1D1F, the role of GIPC in facilitating investment and business growth. He hinted that  work is been done in parliament on the tax exemption bill.

Representing the Minority Leader, the MP for Ellembele and Ranking Member on the Trade, Industry and Tourism Committee of Parliament, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah

expressed the need for government to provide sustainable, and not cosmetic enabling environment to enhance real growth, productivity and transformation of the private sector.

Dr. Peter Quartey, Director of Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), praised the AGI for the initiative to engage Parliament, academia and research bodies. Adding that,

"there is a lot we can learn together"

The climax of the forum was the questioning and answering session which saw participant asking pertinent questions affecting business growth in Ghana and proposing solutions to our economic challenges.

Other dignitaries present at the dialogue included Dr. Tony Oteng-Gyasi, Past President of AGI and Founder, Tropical Cable and Conductor Ltd, , and Dr. James Asare-Adjei, Past President of AGI and Founder of Asadtek Group Ltd.

A book prescribing solutions to Africa's challenges launched.

Dozens of citizens from all walks of life witnessed the grand and colourful launch of a book written by Madam Beatrice Maku Ogah, an astute educationists and technocrat, at the Teachers Hall, Accra.

The book, titled - The Challenges Of Africa And Their Solutions, outlines a number of prevailing challenges hindering the progress of Africa and contains appropriate solutions to these challenges through effective role of technocrats as key change makers and drivers of the new African dream devoid of petty partizan politics, corruption and ethnocentrism.

Appropriately representing the Chairman for the occasion, Sir(Dr) Sam Jonah was Mr. Jonny Entsuah who eloquently and intelligently chaired the event to its expected end.

There were numerous speakers who reviewed the book and gave solidarity messages.

Notably among them was Mr. Kwesi Pratt Jnr. Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper, and the Queen Mother of the Osudoku Traditional Area, Manye Ampnonsah Dokua lll.

"Food, clothing and shelter, if you want to rely on others for these, then you are not serious about making progress". Those were final words of Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang an academic and former Minister for Education, Representing former President  John Dramani Mahama as special guest,  as she declared the book duly launched.  

- Ghana News Service Online

Full Gospel Business Men Fellowship Holds Christian Men's Health Walk

As part of efforts to enhance Christian evangelism and to promote healthy lifestyle through exercise, the Ghana branch of Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI), 

in their bid  to reach men in all nations for Jesus Christ and to call men back to God, have mobilized scores of men from various men's fellowships of more than seven churches, under the FGBMFI Christian Men Association banner. This years Annual Christian Men's Health Walk was sponsored by Locozade energy and AFC Industries, producers of Africola.

Addressing participants, the National President of Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI), Mr Emmanuel Mahamah,

stipulated that, God does not dwell in temples made of hands and that our bodies are temples of God.

Mr. Mahamah added that we are the resident of the living God. Therefore, where two or three people are gathered in his name, God is there.

Mr. Mahamah admonished men to make a deference, by being change makers brightening the corners where they are one at a time.

Speaking to the media, Mr. Enamel Ashong, the National Director of Public Affairs, Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI), indicated that Jesus Christ is the motivation for the programme, aimed at bringing Christian together to win souls for Christ, as part of the mandate of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI).

Mr. Ashong indicated that through the engagement of various men's fellowships of churches, this annual vent will grow leaps and bounds.

Ghana Chamber Of Telecommunications Holds 20Th Knowledge Forum Series

It was a platform of extreme knowledge interchange and thought provoking engagement at the

20th Knowledge Forum Series
Organized by the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications , as part of activities to mark it's 10th anniversary.
Under the theme: The Impact of telecom industry on agriculture, education, entertainment and health.

Stakeholder were thrilled with the quality of knowledge and information shared by the speakers.
In his keynote presentation,

Dr. Ing Kenneth Ashigbe, expressed the impact, vitality and importance of telecommunications and how it must be leveraged towards the advancement and development in areas of agriculture, education, entertainment and health, for industrial transformation, citizen wellbeing and nation building.

Mr.George Quaye, made a brilliant presentation on the impact of telecommunications on the entertainment sector, did justice to issues of the entertainment industry in the past, challenges, developments and the way forward on how technology have significantly changed the scope of the industry.

Prof. Fred MacBalogun also thought provokingly, took participants through the impact of telecommunications on education.Indicating that "Any nation that is unable to leverage on knowledge is in crisis and as such cannot developed"

Mr. Anthony Morrison and Dr. Yaw Ofori-Adjei  intelligently and intellectual made presentations on the impact of telecommunications on the agriculture and health respectively.

It's was quickly followed by the interactive and Q&A session of the programme. 

AGI Leadership Meets with Governor of Bank of Ghana.

AGI President, Dr. Kwesi Ayim Darke led a delegation to pay a courtesy call on the Governor of Bank of Ghana, Dr. Ernest Addison at his office last week. 

The meeting focused on several microeconomics and financial policy issues that impact on industries.

The AGI delegation included Dr. Tony Oteng-Gyasi, AGI Past President and MD, Tropical Cable and Conductor Ltd, 

Dr. Grace Amey-Obeng, Vice President for SMEs, Mr. Seth Twum-Akwaboah, AGI CEO, Mr. Stephen Oduro, the Managing Director of SIC Insurance and Chair for AGI Financial Services.

Others are Mr. Abeku Gyan-Quansah, Partner of PwC Ghana, Reggie Sackey Addo, General Manager of Irani Brothers and Mr. Jojo Quayson, AGI PR & International Relations Manager.

11th AGI Ghana Industry & Quality Awards Officially Launched.

It was an evening of enormous excitement at the Coconut Grove Regency Hotel, in Accra, among invited guest, consisting of AGI leadership and stakeholders, including Mr. Seth Twum-Akaboah, the CEO of AGI,  Mrs. Nora Bannerman-Abbott, the Chairperson of the awards planing committee, Mr. Ralph Ayitey, AGI National Executive Council Member, Mr. Clifford Frimpong, Deputy Director General, Conformity Assessment, Ghana Standards Authority, Hon. Michael Baafi Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, representatives of the private sector, sponsors, partners and the media.

Mrs. Nora Bannerman-Abbott, the Chairperson of the awards planing committee welcomed the guest and indicated the historical antecedents of the awards scheme, outlining its categories and entreating the businesses and industrial community to sponsor.

In his brief remarks, Mr. Ralph Ayitey, AGI National Executive Council Member expressed the significance and credibility of the awards.

Mr. Clifford Frimpong, Deputy Director General, Conformity Assessment, Ghana Standards Authority, stipulated the role of the FDA, as a partner to ensure competitiveness and credibility of the awards, inline with good quality standards and best practice.

Addressing the gathering,

Hon. Michael Baafi Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, commended the AGI for the consistency and sustainability of the awards scheme.

He said this years edition expresses resilience by industry, who have structurally adjusted against all odds to achieve business excellence and to continue to contribute to the growth and development of Ghana, expressing government's commitment in creating the enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

Hon. Michael Baafi also hinted participants that the National Quality Policy which will pave way for government investment is laboratories to ensure and enhance international product standards has been approved by Cabinet. 

He said, it will see to government instituting the National Quality Awards aimed at setting industrial standards and enhancing quality.

Mr. Seth Twum-Akaboah, the CEO of AGI in an interview with Ghana News Service, indicated that the AGI has been very consistent with the Awards  scheme, praising GSA for their involvement to ensure quality credibility and competitiveness.

Mr. Seth Twum-Akaboah added that the theme for this year's awards is center on enhancing collaboration between private and public sectors for solution prescription.

To climax the Awards launch, certificates 

of honour were presented to 21 loyal sponsors who have been associated with the awards scheme over the years.

The dedicated sponsors include, Activa Int. Insurance, Olam Agri Ghana, Nexans Kabelmetal, B5 Plus,Wilmar Africa Ltd, Textiles Ghana Ltd, Merico Solutions Ltd, Samartex Ltd, GB Foods, 

Aqua Safari Resort, Goil Ghana Ltd. Zoomlion Ghana Ltd, Ghacem Ltd, 

Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Ltd, 

Accra Brewery Ltd, Guinness Ghaa Brewery Ltd, Qualiplast Ltd, 

GCB Bank,  Kasapreko  Co. Ltd and Ecobank Ltd.