Business24 Newspaper 3 May 23

USAID unlocks over US$204.47m

financing to benefit 33,000 agribusinesses

Thursday 19 January 2023

in Agriculture (MFA) Activity facilitated the nancing to the bene ciary agribusinesses of which over half are women-led or women-owned.

to purchase critical inputs such as improved seeds, fertilizer and processing equipment.

ever materialized in Ghana where several attempts to build citizens of the state failed for decades? The evidence is so glaring as we keep recording huge housing population census conducted since independence. The Ghana Population and Housing Census of about 1.8million. The ripple dramatic increase in slum communities, unapproved settlements, and substandard residential structures across major cities in Ghana particularly Accra. The state tried to change the trajectory, so did the private sector but all to no avail.

The USAID Ghana Mission Director, Kimberly Rosen, disclosed this during the Women in Agribusiness Summit 2023 held in Accra under the theme “Empowering Women in Agriculture through Enhanced Access to Finance.”

She further entreated women in agribusiness sector to take advantage of government policies and programs through the Ghana Enterprises Agency and Micronance and Small Loans Centre to access nance to grow their businesses.

The good news however bad the situation may be today is that, 66 Engineering Ltd has reinvented the science, art and engineering of building standard residential houses that cost less than Ghs 60,000 in the capital city Accra, and even much more less in the other regions across the country.

“We believe in promoting gender equality and recognizing the unique role that women play in the agricultural industry. Women are the backbone of agriculture, and their contributions to food security and national development are invaluable. But we all know that there are still many challenges that women face, like lack of access to land, nancing,

2 | P a g e

At 66 Engineering, we provide our clients with several alternatives and opportunities of building standard yet building cheaper residential homes that every of one’s income level or class of society. The project in picture in this publication is one of our projects in Accra that has become the cynosure of all eyes for the past few weeks we erected this structure. This is one of our interlocking brick’s cheaper building solutions. The bricks by designed have two (2) round holes and a small rectangular perforation in the middle. These holes are purposely for mortar joints and in some cases serves as conduits for plumbing pipes, electrical cable pipes, bamboo or iron reinforcement. Remember the technology is not bricks that have been in the system that we all know. This technology is in the family of the stabilized compressed earth. It is a ratio of cement, clay or laterite, in some cases giving us a brick with average compressive strength of 8Mpa far higher than the average industry compressive strength

The Minister also commended MFA for introducing innovative ways of nancing women’s agribusinesses to complement government’s e orts to empower more women to become business leaders and key industry players.

“I applaud MFA for providing business advisory services to women-led agribusinesses in their quest to access nancing. Your partnership with nancial institu-

requirements of a concrete block. The structure does not require plastering after building, no painting, (you can only polish it if onlyent color designs). Color of the house can be kept consciously by a selective choice of the clay or laterite or a mixture of the two, the building maintains an environmentally friendly temperature that there will be no need to spend a dime on air conditioner installation and the electricity to power them. Alternatively, one can garnish this structure with natural stone décor marbles to give it that luxurious taste. The interior can be plastered depending on the taste and preference of the individual, or better still be sealed and polished with a special varnish cheaper than plastering and painting. Ceiling and lamp holders can be processed bamboo which is a local content input and environmentally friendly bamboo tiles et cetera ect cetera. The reality is that, you end up having a complete house with sound and superiorstructural integrity,

ported Feed the Future Ghana Mobilizing Finance in Agriculture (MFA) Activity, Amanda Grevery, in the welcome address said “investing in women is not just critical for economic development and food security, it is good business. Agricultural enterprises with greater women’s leadership and participation are more stable, and less likely to default on their loans.”

Summit

regional associations, non-govern mental organizations et cetera to rally behind this clarion call by patronizing these innovations reinvented by this young company (66 Engineering Ltd), and also spreading the good news across the length and breadth of Africa. We are also appealing to all interna tional bodies such as the World Bank, International Finance Corporation (IFC) through the EDGE initiative, the ECOWAS community, African Union, the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariate for partnerships, inves that 66 Engineering can do mass production of these GREEN BUILD ING TECHNOLOGY housing in gated estate communities to put shelter over the heads of the homeless majority of African people in our homeland Africa. You can reach us on: www.66engineering.com or send us a mail via 66engineeringgh@g mail.com for further information. Remember that the future is always built today and not tomor row. Imagination is our hallmark at 66 Engineering. Do not sit on the fence, join the revolution now!. 66 Engineering: Bringing Imag ination to Reality!

DANIEL KONTIE

Managing Director (66 Engineering Ltd)

The event among others showcased investment opportunities in female-led Ghanaian agribusinesses and connected the women entrepreneurs to investors for nancing. Participants included agribusinesses, transaction advisors, investors, nancial institutions, research institutions, civil society groups and trade associations.

+233209032280

Kimberly Rosen, USAID Ghana Mission Director

Invest in Ghana: Discover some top reasons to invest in Ghana’s brown gold- cocoa

of cocoa.

• A Rising Demand for Chocolate: The global demand for chocolate is growing at a steady rate and is expected to continue to rise in the coming years. As of 2020, the global chocolate market was valued at around 137 billion USD and is estimated to further increase in the coming years due to factors such as increasing urbanization, rising disposable incomes, and a growing preference for confectionery products.

sought-after by chocolate manufacturers worldwide.

Ghana, known for its abundant natural resources and friendly people, is also the world's second largest producer of cocoa. This cash crop has been a driver for economic growth for decades, and its importance has remained steadfast in the midst of globalization.

The impact of cocoa production in Ghana has been evident throughout the country and has provided much-needed employment opportunities. The industry has also been a great source of revenue for the government, enabling them to invest in public services and support development in the nation. Clearly, the cocoa industry has been and still is a critical aspect of Ghana's society and economy.

The cocoa value chain is extensive spanning farming to processing and manufacturing of cocoa and chocolate products. While cocoa serves as a fundamental ingredient in various products, it is primarily utilized by the chocolate industry, which

boasts a remarkable retail value of over USD 100 billion as of 2021.

With Ghana’s position as the world’s second highest producer of cocoa, discover our top reasons why you should explore investment in this industry.

Top Reasons to Invest in Ghana’s Cocoa and chocolate Industries

• Ghana is a top producer of cocoa beans: Ghana is the world's second-largest producer of cocoa beans, with an estimated average output of around 850,000 to 900,000 metric tons per year. With the large volume of cocoa production in the country, it is indicative that there is a ready supply of cocoa beans for processing into various products. Given that cocoa beans are the primary component in chocolate production, Ghana has a strategic advantage in the chocolate market due to its ample supply

By investing in Ghana's cocoa, investors have a chance to pro t from this lucrative chocolate market.

• Favorable weather and soil conditions: The combination of tropical weather and fertile soil in Ghana creates optimal conditions for growing cocoa trees. With warm temperatures ranging from 21¬∞C to 32¬∞C, regular rainfall, and high humidity, Ghana's climate o ers the ideal environment for cocoa trees to thrive. Moreover, the country's soil is nutrient-rich, which is also vital for the healthy growth and development of cocoa trees.

• Production of premium-quality beans: Ghana is known for producing premium-quality cocoa beans. The favorable weather and climate conditions in the cocoa growing areas combine to ensure that the beans produced are of premium quality, which is an essential ingredient in the production of high-quality chocolate. The rich avor and unique aroma of Ghanaian cocoa beans make them highly

• Government support: The Ghanaian government is committed to supporting the growth of the cocoa and chocolate industries. It has implemented policies to promote value addition and established institutions to provide training and technical support to industry players. For instance, the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG) is a governmentfunded initiative that provides industry stakeholders with access to research and technology. Likewise, another government vehicle, the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), is responsible for regulating and supporting cocoa production in the country.

In addition to its regulatory function, the COCOBOD provides various services to cocoa farmers, which include technical assistance, training, and access to credit facilities. Overall, the cocoa industry is a vital part of Ghana's economy and society, providing much-needed jobs and income for farmers and processing companies alike. Additionally, the sector provides a variety of investment opportunities, including cocoa production, processing, and export. Ghana is in a good position to take advantage of this trend and expand its cocoa industry in the coming years as the demand for chocolate and cocoa products around the world increases.

Investing in Youth, smartest move for the future -YEA boss …as agency to train 6,000 insurance agents

The CEO of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), Ko Agyepong, has underscored the importance of investing in the youth which he reckons remain the smartest move to secure the country’s future.

Speaking at the launch of the training and employment of over 6,000 insurance agents in Accra on Tuesday, he said “Investing in the youth today, is the smartest move to secure the country’s future. The YEA remains committed to providing the necessary platform that will lead to job creation and to equip the youth to

become

change agents.

In line with its mandate, the government through the YEA alone has created almost 25,000 direct jobs and over 60,000 indirect jobs in the last nine months. These are direct jobs backed by veri able data. Data is data. We have the capacity to create more jobs and we will make it possible for the youth to enjoy a better Ghana.” he said.

The training is expected to commence next Monday, May 8, 2023.

By Eugene Davis

Further he stated, “Today, we are here to launch what we may call “Youth in Insurance”. This project seeks to train and employ at least 6,000 youth to serve in various capacities with insurance companies across the country. This shows the government’s commitment to reducing unemployment among the youth in Ghana.”

Under the current management, the YEA has been able to achieve the following, recruitment of 6,000 Community Health Workers,

recruitment of 15,000 Community Protection Assistants, recruitment of 500 Prisons Service Assistants, recruitment of 800 artisans for the INZAG Project, ongoing recruitment of about 5,000 farm workers for the Cocobod/Afarinick Cocoa Plant Treatment Programme.

The Director of the Ghana Insurance College, Richard Okyere said that the training will ensure that agents will be provided with the necessary knowledge and skille in

Insurance to execute their duties.

He noted that it is essential to establish a level of excellence to ensure that consumers receive the highest level of service and expertise.

"The Insurance Agents Certi cation programme is a comprehensive programme set up to evaluate and certify insurance agents based on their skills, knowledge and ethical practices" he explained.

The Director stated that the agents will undergo a rigorous assessment process which will distinguish them as leaders committed to delivering exceptional services.

He noted that trainees upon a successful completion of the programme will be posted to the insurance industry where they will further recieve concrete training based on their product lines and businesses.

Richard Okyere urged the youth to embrace the opportunity to embark on the journey of certication and to position themselves for future leadership roles.

Head of Reinsurance and Anti-Money-laundering at the National Insurance Commission, Esther Armah, said that the theme for the launch 'Building a sustainable future, creating opportuni-

ties for the youth through insurance' is timely.

According to her, the theme aligns perfectly with the Commission's project of of training 10,000 youth as insurance sales agent launched in 2019.

She noted that the training has an objective to create insurance awareness and also grant the youth an opportunity to develop a career in Insurance.

Esther Armah indicated that research has revealed that insurance coverage is increasing exponentially.

"Insurance Coverage where the number of people who have some form of insurance, currently stands at 44.6% from a previously recorded gure of 29% in December 2019" she stated.

She added that similarly, condence in insurance has increased from 60% to 78% as of December 2021 and this statistics places Ghana next to South Africa.

Ms.Armah said that the training programme will serve the personal needs of the working class and help build the National economy.

She advised the youth to engage the various resource persons during the training as they stand a chance of learning more.

MTN advises firms to invest in USSD

The event was held under the theme: “Harnessing digital transformation and emerging technologies in the post-pandemic world.”

For her part, Head of Products and Services at Mobile Money Limited, Sylvia Otuo-Acheampong said MTN has leveraged partnerships to improve its services for customers.

She revealed that the agenda to move into the digital payment space is being realized because the usage of mobile money has signi cantly improved.

“Put in structures for customer services and take advantage of automated response on Meta,” she said. She explained that it is important for business owners to understand the avenues on the Meta platform to promote their businesses.

Speaking on monetizing veri cations on Meta, Setornam explained that thorough structures have been put in place to help with the process of veri cation and that it is not only about being able to a ord the verication.

MTN has advised companies in the country to invest in unstructured supplementary Service Device (USSD)

Chief Digital O cer for MTN Ghana, Dario Bianch, said his out t I developing packages to entice clients and make digitization appealing.

According to him, MTN is committed to ensuring its customers keep up with the evolving digital going into the future.

Mr Bianch was speaking at the MTN Business Chief Technology Innovation O cers Roundtable Africa held in Accra.

Speaking on how to leverage Meta as a tool after the pandemic, Meta Clients Solutions Manager, Setornam Blagogee, said her out t has created an avenue for a business pro le at no cost.

She encouraged business owners to provide a structure to enable them to speak to their customers at all times since it’s crucial to the growth of businesses.

Director of Tekstart Africa, Derek Appiah, speaking on the issue of solving peculiar technological challenges, said it is important to have key elements that can accelerate technology startups

“First of all, you need a sustainable business model, an aligned ecosystem and access to nancing, and should enable a productive and balanced, energized team,” he added.

Tampico is ultimate winner at Ghana Beverage Awards 2022

able to serve the people of Ghana with our products, and we will continue to strive to meet their ever-evolving tastes and preferences.

He added that, “At Acadia Industries Limited we understand that the beverage industry is constantly evolving, and we are committed to staying at the forefront of these changes. We assure our patrons that we will continuously working to improve our products, to ensure that they are not only delicious but also healthy and environmentally friendly.”

beverage industry, promoting both domestic and foreign products, and encouraging small-scale beverage businesses in Ghana to participate. It has remained a force to reckon with through its contribution to ensuring that beverage-manufacturing companies are compliant with the highest standards of practice in the production and delivery of their products.

Below is the full list of winners

Energy Drink of the Year: Adonko

Next Level

Bitters of the Year: Adonko Bitters

Tampico has been adjudged ultimate winner at the 7th edition of the Ghana Beverage Awards (GBA) held at the Kempinski Gold Coast City Accra over the weekend.

The star-studded event organised by Global Media Alliance lived to its theme of inspiring excellence in the beverage industry and left patrons wanting more.

and developing relationships with their audience, PR professionals employ social psychology which focuses on “how people’s thoughts, feelings, beliefs, intentions, and goals are constructed within a social context by actual or imagined interactions with others”. This eld of psychology helps practitioners understand their audience and tailor information/messages accordingly.

the award to the sta of Acadia Industries Limited for their tireless e orts in the promotion of the product.

why TikTok is very popular among young people. The app focuses on the people factor and how to appeal to them. The features of the app invites people to willingly participate and share, allowing them to feel involved, showo their skills and feel special.

Tampico in a erce competition, beat Vitamilk Soymilk, Adonko 2 Fingers, Coca Cola, Verna Natural Puri ed Water and Voltic Natural Mineral Water in the most coveted Product of the Year Category to carry the night away.

The PR Approach

Before drawing up any communication strategy for a brand and or product, PR professionals conduct extensive research into the brand and its audience. The ndings guide the direction of the messages and strategies. Some of these factors included the following points.

Other beverage brands awarded on the night included Adonko Bitters, Smirno Ice, Mensdo Bissap, among others.

Receiving the award, Marketing manager of Acadia Industries Limited, Bernard O ei expressed gratitude to the organizers and the GBA Committee for recognizing their hard work for the year under

1. The goal of the communication: This is a speci c and measurable objective that the organization seeks to achieve through communication activities. The desired outcome that the communicator aims to accomplish through their communication e orts.

2. Identify and understand the target audience: This includes mapping out the intended receiv-

“It is truly a great honour to receive this award. We are excited about this achievement. On behalf of the management of Acadia Industries Limited, I say thank you to all whose contribution have made this possible including the organisers and the esteemed awards committee. This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire team at Acadia Industries Limited as well as our commitment to producing high-quality and innovative beverages.

ers of the communication, their demographics, social perceptions and mindset, negative and positive bias, how they think, their attitude, their interests, the hook for catching their attention, how they process messages as well as the ability to remember and hold on to these messages. Knowing how people build attitude to situations is the rst step in knowing how to position your message to them. At the end of the day, the secret is communicating to each individual rather than a generalized public. Messages are digested as a personal experience and should therefore be worked on as such. In personalizing messages, PR professionals adopt the hierarchy of e ects theory. The theory is established on cognitive factors, which is how people process information given to them. This propels people to want to know more and make a connection with a brand.

A ective focuses on how people develop or form feelings towards a brand and the appeal it has. The last, conative, is the desired action, getting people to react or act on the information received. Simply put, it is what you think about it, how you feel about it and what you are doing about it.

3. Communicate the value of the message: In communication, it is very important to think about the value of your message from the perspective of your target audience such that you are able to position the message in a manner that resonates with their own interest and is easily accepted. For example, assuming I want to secure a partnership with a software company and a bank, my approach to each company will be targeted to what each company does and how they seek to bene t from the partnership. This means that I will be communicating the uniqueness of the partnership to each company. Each situation is di erent, so it's helpful to be able to apply di erent approaches and techniques to deal with every given scenario.

Our success would not be possible without the support of our customers, who have shown us time and again that they appreciate the quality and avour of our beverages and have gone further to show solidarity by casting votes in our favour during the voting phase. We are proud to have been

I believe this is one of the reasons

On his part, Chief Executive O cer for Global Media Alliance, Ernest Boateng congratulated Acadia Industries Limited for grabbing the topmost award while lauding all stakeholders for supporting the awards scheme. Permit me to congratulate Acadia Industries Limited for emerging winners of the Product of the Year Award. As organisers, we would always be grateful to our stakeholders whose support makes it possible for us to reward excellence in our beverage industry.

Carbonated Soft Drink of the Year:

Coca-Cola

Dairy Product of the Year:

Hollandia Yoghurt

Fruit Drink of the Year: Tampico

ensures that your messages are remembered.

All these points seek to prove that a good PR plan is guided by theories and application of psychology. People are in uenced by a number of di erent factors before they take action on something. Depth of information and objective facts plays a role here, however, it is often outweighed by emotional or psychological factors.

International Liquer of the Year: Baileys Irish Cream

International Beer of the Year: Heineken

International Spirit of the Year: Johnnie Walker

New Beverage of the Year: Hollandia Choco Malt

RTD of the Year: Smirno Ice

Cocoa/Chocolate Product of the Year: Vitamilk Double Choco

Final Thoughts

GBA has come a long way and has grown in terms of the number of categories, patronage among others which are as a result of feedback from our stakeholders. The successes chalked over the years could not have been possible without the support of our stakeholders and industry players whose participation and interest in seeing that GBA grows to the level where it will be widely known locally, in the sub-region and internationally knows no boundaries.

Ultimately, the key to creating a hook is to be creative, strategic, and audience-focused which

Liquer of the Year: Sahara Solace

Spirit of the Year: Darling Lemon

CSR Company of the Year: Coca Cola Bottling Company

Manufacturing Company of the Year: Kasapreko Company Limited

Water of the Year: Bel Aqua Mineral Water

Beer of the Year: Freedom Beer

Beverage Campaign of the Year: Vitamilk Fills Good, Anywhere Anytime

Since inception, GBA has been crucial in highlighting the local

In conclusion, the relationship between Public Relations and Psychology cannot be denied as they are intricately intertwined. Public Relations professionals have come to realize the importance of psychology in their eld as it enables them to understand their audience, craft e ective messages, and achieve their desired outcome. It is important to note that PR professionals do not use manipulation, but rather apply psychological theories to build mutually bene cial relationships with their audience. Therefore, the use of psychology in Public Relations is a vital aspect that should be embraced and utilized to create impactful and e ective communication strategies.

ownload the

Indigenous Beverage Brand of the Year:

Product of the Year:

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Bank on the GO!

Samsung announces the new Galaxy A24 LTE

to 1TB with MicroSD1.

The Galaxy A24 LTE looks the part too with Galaxy’s signature design language that is inspired by Samsung’s agship line. From the back of the phone, the improved design sports a glossy nish and prism pattern back cover with a re ned and polished camera deck. The optimized ratio between the corner and the camera modules gives the phone a sophisticated look while the no-camera housing is straight out of the apex Galaxy S series design playbook.

The phone’s sleek and premium design is complemented by its exquisite at body pattern. Moreover, you can stand out with one of the phone’s three beautiful colours which include black, silver, and light green2.

Awesome Screen

Samsung Electronics has announced the newest edition of the popular Galaxy A series, giving consumers more options with yet another great device to stay connected and enjoy a remarkable mobile experience.

The new Galaxy A24 LTE comes packed with amazing features and a clear mission to rede ne awesome through a brilliant display, a brand-new design, and a camera that shoots sharp and steady. It tops it all o with a large storage capacity that allows you to

ments, music, apps, downloads, and collection of all your life’s special moments captured in pictures and video.

The Galaxy A24 LTE boasts the latest software in Samsung’s One UI 5.1 to give you an even ner mobile experience that is one up on the Galaxy A23 LTE, which it replaces. All your apps and les will be safe and secure in the phone’s ample built-in memory of 4 or 6GB of memory and 128GB storage that is expandable by up

The Galaxy A24 LTE’s super AMOLED 6.5-inch full high-de nition screen gives a brilliant, vivid display. With its eye care display3 and low blue light emission that’s always clear even under bright sunlight, scrolling through your phone, binging on your favourite shows, or playing games would be a pleasant experience that is comfortable on your eyes.

Awesome Camera

Capture all your di erent vibes

and gain awesome perspectives with the triple-lens camera that includes an excellent 13-megapixel (MP) sel e lens that will be sure to deliver your pictures and videos in immaculate quality. The main super sharp and steady 50MP camera is supported by an ultra-wide 5MP and a macro 2MP lens to give you even more options and angles for your beautiful shots.

Awesome Battery

You’d be happy to learn that all these exciting features of the Galaxy A24 LTE will not quickly deplete your battery power and you’ll be able to enjoy them for much longer thanks to the powerful 5,000mAh battery which can last for more than two days on a single charge4.With video playback time up to 20 hours5, the battery can last long enough to keep you connected and should you need a quick recharge4, the 25W fast charger6 will handle things for you to pick up where you left o in no time. You can charge up to 50% in 30 minutes7.

The Galaxy A24 LTE will be available in retail stores from early May 2023 and customers will enjoy Samsung Care+ to protect their awesome new Galaxy – however, the device needs to be registered within 30 days of purchase to get cover for 1 x screen repair within a 12-month period.

The celebrated Ghanaian Blogger Augustus Koranteng Kyei is set to host ‘The Shine Summit’ on the 3rd of June, 2023 at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra.

The celebrated blogger is known for his uniqueness, thought-provoking and insightful commentary on contemporary issues.

The summit aims to bring the youth together and educate them on a positive purpose under the umbrella of technology, media and entrepreneurship, creating opportunities through collaborations and investment.

The blogger who is known for his positive works is poised to make sure the youth start desiring to make their contributions to society transgenerational.

“The shine summit” was launched on April 5, 2023 at Global Ovations O ce in Accra. The event saw the attendance of EU ambassador to

Ghana H.E Irchad Ramiandrasoa

Razaaly, Nana Ama McBrown, Bola Ray, Anthony Dzamefe, Angel Town and other great personalities. Known for his engaging writing style and unique perspective, Kobby Kyei promises to deliver a riveting performance alongside other speakers that will leave audiences feeling both informed and entertained.

The theme for the summit: The Progressive Portrayal of the media; Technology Transformation advancement, Brand sustainability.

The evolution of technology has revolutionized the media industry and changed the way information is conveyed to the masses. With the rise of digital media, the traditional media landscape has undergone

tremendous change, creating new opportunities for businesses to connect with their target markets.

Keynote Speaker:

Augustus Koranteng Kyei a ectionately known as Kobby Kyei is a Ghanaian blogger, content creator and social media in uencer who is known for his impactful news on his social media handles. The blogger who is known for his positive works is poised to make sure the next generation has what it takes to thrive thus empowering the current generation to make a di erence. The Blogger’s humanitarian initiative “Go there with Kobby Kyei” has over the months brought smiles to the needy, the less privileged and made them feel loved.

Pro le of speakers

Speaking at this awesome confab

are great professionals and industry players whose nuggets will inspire people to do exploits in life. Tommy Forson, a veteran Ghanaian Broadcaster, radio personality and founder of Rabodef radio academy also known as The King of Country Music will be speaking at the confab. Secondly, Bola Ray a prominent media personality, CEO of EIB Network and entrepreneur in Ghana will also be speaking at the confab. At this summit, Oheneyere Gifty Anti, a Ghanaian media personality, journalist, and women's rights activist will be present to speak at the confab. Also, Nana Ama Mcbrown a Ghanaian actress, TV presenter, and entertainer will be present to inspire young people to strive to be the best in their eld of endeavours. Portia Solomon Gabor, the adjudged Journalist of the Year will

also be present to grace the occasion and to share successful tips to inspire attendees. The world of tech is not left out as Bernard Kafui Sokpe, an innovative change-maker whose work ethic is etched in digital transformation will throw more light on how we can use tech to enhance our careers. Kwame A.A

Opoku an award-winning futurist, global keynote speaker, Web 3.0 Builder, investor, SDGs advocate & business will dive deeper in the area of tech. In the scope of entrepreneurship, Anthony Dzamefe of Caveman Watches will address attendees. Ghanaian freelance vlogger and YouTuber

Kobina Ackon a ectionately called Wode Maya who has over the years been able to create a niche for himself in the area of Social Media Content creation will be at the confab.

The media portrayal of technology transformation advancement has been one of progress, and rightly

so. The impact of technology in today's society is undeniable, and it's hard to imagine a world without it. The media has played a signi cant role in promoting the use of technology, painting it as an enabler of growth and development. This is a must-attend summit for all youth.

Stanbic employees commission 10-seater toilet facility at DASTEC

“Ghana is our home, we drive her growth and as such, we are always ready and committed to contributing to the success our nation. It is impossible to drive growth without paying attention to the education sector. As we continue to celebrate women, we thought it be tting to contribute to girl child education by supporting this school with a modern toilet facility for the female students. It is our hope that this gesture would go a long way to alleviate some of the security and safety concern of the girls”, he said.

witness the long-awaited facility for our girls come to life. We are very grateful to Stanbic Bank for partnering with the Agave Development Association to provide a decent washroom for the girls’ dormitory’’.

Stanbic Bank as part of its employee community initiative, commissioned a 10-seater toilet facility for the Dabala Senior High Technical School (Dastec) in the Volta region last week.

Head of Core Markets, Client Cover-

age – Africa Regions (Standard Bank Group) Musa Abdallah, at a ceremony to hand over the facility noted that the bank is extremely concerned about the welfare of all stakeholders and the people in communities they operate.

The Headmistress of Dastec, Mrs. Rose Nyawutor expressed her gratitude to the Stanbic Bank for their commitment towards the building of the facility. She said, “Today is a great day for us, we are happy that the 18-month project by Stanbic Bank has been completed and commissioned successfully. The students and everyone in the community are very excited to

The District Director of Education, Madam Celestine S.A Korsi, also thanked the bank for its contribution to the development of the school. She stated, “The development of every community depends on the will power of its citizens. In our part of the world most often we tend to leave everything on the shoulders of government but for a corporate institution to come in for us in this form, we must be grateful and excited. We are very grateful to Stanbic Bank for coming through to create a more sanitary environment for our girl students”.

She further urged the students to help keep the facility in a good shape to attract more support in

Stanbic Bank employees donate computers to Blessed Holy Child School

The Personalization Unit of Stanbic Bank Ghana has donated desktop computers and accessories to the Blessed Holy Child School in Anyaa.

The Employee Community Initiative is in line with the bank’s commitment to support STEM education in the country.

Speaking at a short ceremony to hand over the computers to the school, Wilson Mensah Agyei, Head of Personalization at Stanbic Bank, said It is the bank’s unwavering commitment to drive Ghana’s growth by investing in the development of human skills, particularly the young ones who are key beneciaries of the donation.

“The promise of Africa’s future rests on its large number of young people, that is why Stanbic Bank continues to partner like-minded institutions to equip and shape the dreams of our future leader. At Stanbic Bank, we believe that every child deserves access to digital resources in order to succeed and thrive in the 4th

industrial revolution, and this is one of the things we can do as a Bank to impact their journeys and generations. Today’s donation will largely enhance your capacity as a school to provide world class ICT education to the current and future generations who will then be able to change their personal and family circumstances, and possibly their communities and the country at large.”

He added that “We know one of the big projects on the heart of the Proprietor is to have a computer lab that will help students who have gifted learning capacity and provide them with basic IT support tools. We are extremely pleased to partner this school and bring the con u-

ence of our abilities together to impact lives. This partnership we are positive, will have a transformational e ect beyond what we perceive today; not only are we in uencing individuals, but also their orbits and communities.”

Receiving the computers on behalf of the school, the Proprietress, Mrs. Gladys Atta-Duncan, expressed gratitude to Stanbic Bank for supporting the school.

platforms gain momentum following e-levy reduction’

will greatly enhance the teaching and learning of STEM related subjects in the school and we can’t be thankful enough to Stanbic Bank for coming to our aid’’, she said.

Stanbic Bank has over the years supported several initiatives aimed at enhancing STEM education in Ghana. Last year, the bank collaborated with the Women in STEM Ghana (WiSTEM) to train, equip and inspire 200 girls from various senior high schools in technology.

access to about 300 mentors and advisors across 48 disciplines and technical areas, access to structured training programs and curriculum, internship opportunities with Stanbic Bank, and other partners, and due diligence simulations for student entrepreneurs, most of which are women.

“I am extremely happy to receive these computers with all the accessories from Stanbic Bank. We are very grateful for the gesture and I want to assure them that we are going to make good use of the computers. This

By Eugene Davis

COCOBOD refutes John Mahama’s claim on collapsed cocoa sector

Stanbic Bank Ghana has also partnered many academic institutions and FinTechs to deliver a number of STEM related projects which have so far given bene ciaries

Other initiatives undertaken by the bank include the Stanbic Incubator programme, the Stanbic Hackaton programmes, the Stanbic Money App Contest, and the annual Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) needy but brilliant STEM students free lap top support programme, together with the Appiatse STEM support donation.

I believe in the potential of the Ghanaian worker – Dr. Afriyie Akoto

Valco’s surge continues as it records US$5.7m last year

By Eugene Davis

An aspiring ag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, has sent a heartfelt message to Ghanaian workers, congratulating them for their hard work and assuring them of his trust in them.

In a statement signed and released in Accra on Sunday, April 30, 2023, in commemoration of this year’s International Labor Day celebrations, Dr. Afriyie Akoto noted that, “I salute all workers of Ghana for

AAC, CSIR partner to boost rice production in Ghana

their immense contribution to our nation building. I believe in the potential of our workers to advance the development of our dear nation”.

International Labor Day also known as May Day is celebrated every year across the world on May 1. It is mainly celebrated in recognition of the struggles and gains made by workers and the labor movement. It is also celebrated to raise awareness

Old Mutual launches 10-year anniversary campaign

about the rights and opportunities every labor should get for their welfare and betterment.

Monday, May 1, 2023 which marks May Day has been declared a Statutory Public Holiday in Ghana by the Minister for the Interior, Ambrose Dery.

The Day will be marked at Bolgatanga, capital of Upper East Region where the President of the Republic of Ghana is expected to address

thousands of Ghanaian workers.

To Dr. Afriyie Akoto who is also the immediate past Minister of Food and Agriculture, Ghanaian workers deserve commendation considering their enormous contributions to economic growth and stability of Ghana.

“I congratulate you for your hard work and wish you well in the years ahead of us. Ayekoo”, he noted in his statement.

‘MoMo

By Eugene Davis

MTN engages stakeholders on business performance and focus for the year

In line with its purpose to keep customers at the core of its business, MTN Ghana has held its 2023 Media and Stakeholders Forum in Accra to share insights on the business performance and focus for the year ahead.

The forum, which is an annual event, was held under the theme “Leveraging Technology to Serve Customers with Excellence”.

Leading the discussions at the forum, the CEO of MTN Ghana, Selorm Adadevoh provided updates on MTN’s overall strategy, the company’s network improvement initiatives and plans to give customers more control. He said, “we are on course to course to invest over One-billion-dollars in the network expansion by the end of 2025.

Selorm Adadevoh reiterated MTN’s focus on its belief that everyone deserves the bene ts of a modern connected life. He said, “It is important to get everyone connected and as we think about what this means for economic growth, we at MTN see ourselves as enablers, providing solutions for Africa’s

progress”.

Speaking on MTN’s new brand campaign, Selorm said, “As human beings, our greatest achievements originate in, or are re ned by pushing ourselves. This energy helps us to be our best. And at MTN, our best can inspire and enable Ghana to explore and achieve hers”.

Speaking on MTN’s investments in the Ghana’s socio-economic sector, Selorm, highlighted the Ghana ICT Hub project as one of the major partnerships being undertaken in collaboration with the Government of Ghana to create jobs for the youth in various digital elds.

The CEO also addressed several key questions confronting the business including the ght against MoMo fraud, SIM registration, the smartphone penetration in the country.

A number of media groups presented their opinions on topical issues of concern to them. The Network of Communi-

cation Reporters, (NCR), Journalists for Business Advocacy (JBA), the Institute of Financial and Economic Journalist (IFEJ) and the Private Newspapers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) spoke on issues relating to SIM Registration, Mobile Financial Services and Customer Experience.

The event was attended by stakeholders from both the private and public sectors, including the Chairperson and of the Parliamentary

Select Committee on Communication, the President of the Ghana Journalists Association and other media personnel and some civil society organizations. Others were suppliers, trade partners and MTN Technology partners from Huawei, Ericsson, and ATC.

In the coming days, the forum will be replicated across the regions as the business moves closer to customers.

All is set for Prophet P.B Appiah Adu Legacy Album launch on 7th May

The Christian music community in Ghana is lled with excitement as the launch of the Legacy Album by the esteemed song composer, Prophet P.B Appiah Adu, draws closer.

The grand launch event, dubbed the Atmosphere of Favor, promises to be a night of awe-inspiring worship and celebration.

Prophet P.B Appiah Adu is a household name in the Ghanaian Christian music scene, with a remarkable repertoire of over 400 songs. He is known for his inspiring and uplifting compositions that have touched the hearts of many. The Legacy Album launch is a testament to his years of hard work and dedication to the craft.

The Atmosphere of Favor event is scheduled to take place on May 7th, 2023, at the Estees Bee Event Center in East Legon. The four-hour event will kick o at 4 pm and end at 8 pm. Attendees can look forward to an unforgettable night of worship, praise, and celebration.

The event will feature performances from other renowned musicians such as Jacky, Moses OK, Perez Musik, Willie, Ko Karikari, and Author Ralphelle Antwi. Their captivating performances are expected to further enhance the already electrifying atmosphere of worship and celebration.

One unique aspect of the event is the request for attendees to come along with 10 prayer requests. This is a call to action for everyone to take advantage of the opportunity to connect with God in a profound way.

The Atmosphere of Favor event is proudly brought to you by Rain Foundations, Spirit Wine Vessels, and Predecessors Awards Worldwide.

The Atmosphere of Favor event promises to be an unforgettable night of worship, praise, and celebration. Attendees can look forward to a night of soul-stirring performances and an opportuni-

ty to connect with God in a profound way. Mark your calendars for May 7th, 2023, and join us

for a night of awe-inspiring worship and celebration.

By Eugene Davis

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Kobina Tahir Hammond has encouraged government to “concentrate” on handholding local vehicle manufacturers/assemblers by purchasing from them in order to boost production, create market access and shore up the automobile sector.

According to Mr. Hammond, Municipal, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to consider buying locally produced or assembled vehicles in a bid to provide market access for these companies.

The Automotive Industry is globally recognized as a key strategic sector for stimulating multiplier e ects in terms of industrial transformation, and as a powerful driver of employment, foreign investment, innovation, and economic growth, contributing directly and indirectly to a country’s GDP and positive balance of payments.

These assembly investments supported by global vehicle brands are key considering the current auto-

motive technology revolution and globally competitive landscape and is expected to provide partnering opportunities for domestic investors through the automotive value chain.

Speaking with journalists after a tour of the Toyota Tsusho Manufacturing Group (TTMG), Japan Motors Assembly Plant and other agencies under the Tema Export Processing Zone at Tema on Friday, he said “essentially to familiarize myself with the activities going on and the extent of it, as it is, it doesn’t appear to be any problems, they seem to be doing fairly well, government is looking to bring industrialization and investment into the country, bring employment into the country.

Maybe the MDAs, government should be thinking of ensuring that we e ectively procure, decide to purchase these vehicles to galvanise what they do here to make sure we give them the

market, it is a matter that I think government would have to explore seriously -schools, other facilities and agencies buying these vehicles, it is about time we concentrated on buying locally produced or assembled vehicles to ensure that production is enhanced, it is a good idea, we will take it”

“It is my ministry, government is asking companies like Toyota to bring their production line to the country, they are here in the free zone enclave, even though I don’t think they produce exactly under the free zone procedures and regulations, they produce for internal consumption, it is part of my tour around the place, it is my rst time here and take the opportunity to go round and see some of the production that is going on, so we are here today.”

The Trade Minister who is in his second week o ce has already hit the ground running by visiting these agencies under his ministry to gain rst-hand knowledge and

provide leadership on how these institutions can enhance its activities.

Herdsmen invade enclave

His tour took him to the Tema Export Processing Zone where he met o cials of the Free Zones Authority, Tema branch who highlighted challenges including inconsistent water supply to the enclave, lack of streetlights,Fulani herdsmen invading the enclave with their cattle and security.

Explaining the enclave’s challenges to the minister, the director of the Tema Administrative O ce of GFZA, Patience Agbleze Acolor said “because of those gaps we have in the fence wall we have cattle coming in. Unfortunately, you x it, they break it.

The fence walls have observation posts and so security would have to be stationed there, but somehow the security persons are saying the posts are too isolated.”

Cling Events boss Nana Akua Akuffo receives global top CEO award

Nana Akua Aku o, the Chief Executive O cer (CEO) of leading Ghanaian-owned events management and interior design company, Cling Events Ghana, has won the prestigious Global Top CEO Award.

Ms. Aku o, a hardworking CEO and Events management and interior decoration expert, was one of the 40 CEOs who were awarded over the weekend at the 40 Global Top CEO Awards ceremony held at the Grand Casamora Hotel, in East Legon, a suburb of Accra.

She was awarded in the Benevolent CEO category of the Global Top CEO Awards scheme.

Cling Events Ghana is a company that o ers event planning and designing to both private and corporate entities.

The company o ers wedding planning, designing, decor, Rentals, Birthday parties, Anniversaries, Floral bouquets, Hamper, photo shoots, Wedding stylists, Gift delivery, corporate events, Floral arrangements, Interior design, Branding, Events training courses and Souvenirs.

Working in partnership with its clients, Cling Events Ghana shares its advice and experience so a client's event planning experience is inspired and stress-free.

Cling Events Ghana and its CEO believe the journey towards a client’s beautiful event day should be exciting and exhilarating without facing each decision alone.

Touching on how she felt about the Global Top CEO Award, Ms. Aku o says "I feel honored for such recognition. I have fun creating memories as an event planner and designer. Little did I know someone was watching, and needed to encourage my work by honoring my hard work."

She observed that Cling Events Ghana "deliver and tailor events to the clients' expectations for a memorable

According to her, "Cling is always ready to serve its clients. Whether Rain or shine, we treat events as our own. Every detail counts. That is why our slogan goes, "A hug is temporary, A Cling is forever. We cherish the relationship we build from day one".

Meanwhile, she advised event planners in Ghana to work "diligently because everyone is watching, and they will be noticed one day."

WEEKLY MARKET REVIEW FOR WEEK ENDING

April 21, 2023

WEEKLY MARKET REVIEW FOR WEEK ENDING

April 21, 2023

Will Ghana attract two million

WEEKLY MARKET REVIEW FOR WEEK ENDING

April 21, 2023

WEEKLY MARKET REVIEW FOR WEEK ENDING

April 21, 2023

NTHC WEEKLY MARKET SUMMARY

Government at the just ended treasury bill auc on announced a set target of GH¢1.958.00 billion across the 91, 182 and 364-day bills However, total bids amoun ng to GH¢2,537 98 billion was received of which GH¢2,530 92 was accepted

The week-on-week yields witnessed an overall approximated increase of 0.12bps, 0.10bps and 0.36bps across the 91, 182 and 364-da y bills respec vely

OUR SOURCES: GSE/GFIM/B

Subsidiaries

APN, SUCASA organize AfCFTA made -in-Africa grand sales conference

cocoa

By Eugene Davis

By Eugene Davis

Valco’s surge continues as it records US$5.7m last year

encourage reporting from the (APSS); UNECA Sub-regional o ce for West Africa; Association of Ghana Industries (AGI); Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI); Ghana Export Promotion Authority

The objective of the two-day conference is largely to promote

"Made in Africa" goods and services. It has a two-fold objective of seeking to promote English and French-speaking member States party to the AfCfta agreement, and

Participation in the conference is free, but companies and SMEs interested in exhibiting should take advantage of the exciting promotion underway, where there is a 10% discount up until the end of the month on booths during the conference.

‘MoMo