Business24 Newspaper 07 April 23

Kwahu Easter Paragliding Festival is here

priests. This puri cation is to strengthen them spiritually and socially to enable them to face the coming year successfully.

6. Renewing the people’s loyalties to their chiefs by paying homage to Settling family disputes, quarrels, or

7. Reviewing the past year’s activities and to resolve to correct past mistakes and plan for the future.

8. Giving the youth the opportunity to know one another and in some cases choose their life partners.

9. Continuing the traditions.

By Philip Gebu

The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has launched the 2023 edition of the annual Kwahu Easter Paragliding Festival at Kwahu Nkwatia in the Eastern Region. The paragliding has been held every year except during the peak of COVID-19.

It is invigorating to note that 15 years have pass since this festival was rst launched in Ghana. I will be glad to received gures on the economic impact of this festival to the Economy of the eastern region and Ghana as a whole.

It’s important to measure the economic impact of festivals and also get gures of the number of both international and local tourists. It’s important to know the type of accommodation most preferred by the tourists, the type of attraction they visit and the kind of entertainment they get attracted to.

Research is key in planning and statistics is very important when measuring and accessing the impact of festivals. 15 years is a long time to have a full document on the economic impact of the Paragliding Festival at Kwahu and other festivals celebrated in Ghana.

The Ghana Tourism Authority is expecting 1.3 million international arrivals by the close of this year and they believe this year’s Kwahu Easter Paragliding Festival will play a key role in achieving their targets. This is a very ambitious target and if strategies geared towards its achievement are well implemented, it may end up being a reality. A vigorous marketing of this year’s event and encouraging all and sundry to attend is the rst step. Not only should everyone attend, they must also spend money when they visit. I heard on media that, there are people who visit and do not have places to sleep and keep walking through out expecting friends to spend on them. They end up sleeping on the street or front of shops. If that were the

case, such people may add up to the numbers yet when it comes to expenditure it will amount to zero. Tourism arrivals are always simultaneous to spending.

Beyond the paragliding festivals, there are other personal bene ts tourists could derive including the burning of calories through the immense walking and hiking, and since the oxygen level up the mountain tend to be very pure it tends to be good for the lungs and blood circulation. Other outlined bene ts include increased energy levels, improved mood, improved concentration, improved sports performance, reduce stress, provide relief for headache and migraine and promote better sleep. Some other places to visit include Otweanoma Mountain in Atibie. A hiking expedition to the mountain through the ‘Nko eho’ Caves of Life is worth the visit.

Uysal and Gitleson (1994) de ne festivals as ‘traditional events staged to increase the tourism appeal to potential visitors.

Festivals are very important occasions on the traditional calendars of the various traditional areas. All the festivals have political, social, economic and religious importance in Ghana. In Ghana some of the reasons for celebrating our festivals are but not limited to;

1. Marking the beginning of a traditional year.

2. O ering thanks to the Supreme God for His care and protection, and to o er thanks to the ancestors and the spirits for their protection during the past year.

3. Remembering and mourning those who had died during the year.

4. Marking the beginning of harvesting of a staple food, e.g., yam or rice, and the beginning of a new agricultural year.

5. Performing the customary purication of the land and the people by the chiefs and the traditional

10. Teaching the youth about their Festivals falls under event attractions. They are events attraction because the event taking place serves as a means of attracting the mass tourists to one destination. An American tourist from Colorado, USA once told me Colorado is virtually a desert land yet attracts so many tourists yearly and tourism keeps thriving because the focus is on the events.

Every week, di erent kinds of events are held in Colorado attracting many tourists from nearby cities and states. These events are well planned and marketed to generate the needed ow of tourists to the destination.

Gradually, in Ghana the celebrations of festivals are losing their real signi cance and are being mostly reduced to merry making. The youth seem to be more interested in drinking, dancing and all sorts of promiscuous acts. Tourism brings many bene ts to the national economy however; there are many negative e ects as well. When festivals are not well packaged in media, they may deter many of our Christian folks from patronizing and we may hear pastors dissuading their members from patronizing such events.

Nevertheless, what has been the economic bene ts of events attractions most importantly our festivals in the host destinations and the national economy as a whole? Despite growing interest in festivals as research sites, little attention has been a orded to investigating festival processes. These festivals strengthen the local economy by creating opportunities for local business proprietors, like taxi drivers, hotel owners, food vendors and souvenir sellers, to earn much needed income. While festivals are diverse in nature and geographical location, scholarly interest focuses on ve main themes across these variations: the motivations for organizing, funding, and attending festivals; the experiences of festival attendees; the relationship between festivals and their local environments; the economic and socio-cultural impacts of festivals; and the management of festivals.

How to Undertake Economic Impact Studies

again … measuring the number of arrivals and economic impact will be key in achieving 1.3m visitors in 2023

•Identify the scope of the study

•Identify Stakeholders

• Suppliers

• Performers and Participants

•Workforce and Volunteers

•Sponsors

• Local authorities and organisations, interest groups and associations.

•Understand your Audience -the demographic and their spending

habits

Who are they (Demographics)

Where do they come from?

Local/festival tourists. How do they get to your event? What do they spend their money on and where do they buy? Average individual spend/ total spend.

This year’s festival must be well marketed as mentioned earlier on and considering the economic condition in the country, some

tourist may decide to visit nearby attractions. For those who may attend, spending should be the priority. There were also plans to set up a training school in the Eastern Region geared towards training the local pilots. Little has been heard of this school. I hope there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Philip Gebu is a Tourism Lecturer/Trainer. He is the C.E.O of FoReal Destinations Ltd, a Destinations

Management and Marketing Company based in Ghana and with partners in many other countries. Please contact Philip with your comments and suggestions. Write to forealdestinations@gmail.com / info@forealdestinations.com. Visit our website at www.forealdestinations.com or call or WhatsApp +233(0)244295901/0264295901.Visist our social media sites Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: FoReal Destinations.

Easter season should bring hope and revival to dreams

diagnoses, death and betrayal, Jesus’ death brings us hope in the midst of the messiness of life.

Some have dreams that are barely still alive but appear to be at the point of death. Some have dreams that have recently died. Some others believe that their dreams are not only dead, but they are prepared for burial and on the way to the cemetery. No matter the unful lled dreams that you have, the death and resurrection of Christ should bring hope that whatever seems dead can come to life.

death and resurrection of Christ, let us take the opportunity to re ect and rekindle our love and interests in that project, career, business, relationship, dream etc and believe rmly that ‘dead’ and ‘dormant’ things are bursting back into life everywhere as God’s declaration of REVIVAL takes instant and dramatic e ect in our lives.

This is a good season to re ect and embark on a journey of hope, of optimism, of positivity, of condence. Because just like the Stanbic ‘It Can Be’ tagline signi es, it is the celebration of the human spirit and the belief in our dreams that encourage us to keep going.

Across the world, Christians celebrate the death and resurrec tion of Christ every year. When we celebrate Easter, we celebrate the fact that when Jesus was cruci ed, He went to battle with sin and conquered it once and for all. We no longer need to pay the penalty for our own sins, because Jesus did that for us. Friday was dark and bleak and seemed hopeless to those watching. But on that Sunday, two thousand years ago, joy was restored in the morning when Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene outside the tomb. Sunday is the day that changed it all. For her. For the

The Easter season I believe, should inspire people with dormant or even dead dreams to revisit those dreams again. This is even more relevant given the peculiar economic circumstances that the country nds itself in presently. Many are those who have had dreams and plans truncated, altered or even shattered completely because of the downturns in the economy. Not only did Jesus die for our sins, but He rose again, defeating sin and death for all time. This brings us much hope because, though our lives are full of sorrow and pain, sickness and unwanted

At Stanbic Bank, we believe every dream is valid; that is why we continue to explore di erent means to make every dream possible. If you can dream it, there’s always a way to bring it to life Even if you have tried and seemingly been unsuccessful before, dream again. Do not let fear keep you from stepping out. Do not settle for life as usual. You do have what it takes to accomplish your dreams. Do not believe the lie that says you cannot do it. The will and desire to succeed is all you need to make your dreams a reality.

As the world commemorates the

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when dreams come true, there is life and joy.” Proverbs 13:12). My belief in God, encounter with people/events, exposure to di erent cultures, coupled with my career and life experiences put me in a good position to remind you that no matter how big or small your dream is, with the right help, It Can Be. Just as Christ died, but on the 3rd, day rose from the dead, so shall your dreams come alive. It is time to dream again!!

Dr. Rev. Joyce Esther Dadzie Head, Client Experience, Stanbic Bank

banks in Africa must focus on small & niche banks – Standard Bank Executive

While all central bankers agree that a great deal of focus should be on large, systemic nancial institutions, there is also a need to revisit the regulation of small and niche banks, said Yinka Sanni, Chief Executive: Africa Regions at Standard Bank Group. He made the remarks at Standard Bank’s African Central Banks Conference (ACBC) in Johannesburg.

The recent collapse of banks like Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank and the resulting downturn for international banks – put the global spotlight on the e ective governance of nancial institutions and the role that central banks have to play in ensuring the viability and sustainability of banks. This was a central topic of discussion at the ACBC. The

Central

two-day summit also focused on debates regarding Reserve Management, ntech and Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). In addition, the event provided a platform to discuss key themes within the broader monetary policy environment, economic development, nancial markets stability, social justice and environment sustainability and how stakeholders can respond to and provide solutions to the shared challenges.

The event hosted central bankers

from key economies in Africa, who gathered to address vital policy and operational questions, with the aim to address the practical needs of today’s central bankers. Attendants included Dr Ernest Addison , Governor of the Bank of Ghana.

The events of the past weeks have forced analysts to recall the 2009 crash and its rami cations for the global economy. Governors and the major players in African nance who converged at the conference in South Africa were keen to assess

these events and their impact on African economies, while proposing measures that can address Africa's unique challenges in light of the global situation.

It is clear that central banks in Africa face a range of challenges in managing in ation, promoting sustainability goals, and promoting nancial inclusion to name a few, however, solutions such as innovative funding solutions in partnership with private sector capital is an enabler to deliver inclusive growth. “Even though the challenges are complex, I am con -

dent that, together we can work to overcome them and achieve a sustainable future for the continent", concluded Mr. Sanni.

Standard Bank’s African Central Banks Conference brings together central bank governors and nancial sector regulators from across the continent to discuss critical issues that a ect Africa’s nancial system. The theme of this year’s Conference was ‘African Solution for African Problems- ‘Africa’s Seat at the Table’.

Infinix reveals new Hot 30 aimed for the young at heart

By Eugene Davis

In nix Mobile, a smartphone company says it plans to o er more bespoke electronics to appeal to younger customers.

The new In nix Hot 30 smartphone, a product line under the popular Hot series, promises to captivate consumers with its upgraded features and sleek design. The Hot 30 is expected to hit the markets by April 15, 2023.

The Public Relations O cer of In nix Ghana, Abena Obenewaa Amrado, emphasized the brand’s commitment to providing fast and comfortable experiences through a ordable top-of-the-line game phones that are accessible to today's youth.

Speaking with journalists on the margins of the launch at Mensah Sarbah Hall, University of Ghana in Accra on Wednesday, Abena Obenewaa Amrado said “Today we are launching all the Hot 30 series

because in Ghana we have the Hot 30i and Hot 30 at the moment, the reason we are launching this is, we have realised that people really want very fast charged mobile phones because they do a lot with their phones, so we realised it was a unique feature and people would love it and our target audience is the youth.

So we decided to come to the University of Ghana who are our target audience to have this huge launch, as you can see it is huge.”

Prince range

Further she said the price range remains a ordable “We have a very competitive price, looking at our 33-wax charging compactibility, you expect the price to be very high, it is lower than Ghc2,000 so that the youth can a ord it for anything at all.”

Features

“One good thing about this phone is

the battery, it has 33-wax charging capacity and then it has a very good camera -people who would do vlogs, people who would want to take a lot of pictures, you can purchase the Hot 30 or Hot 30i for their various vlogs, pictures or sel es.”

She also stated that given the phone’s performance they are likely to hit their 80percent sales target for the next quarter.

The HOT 30 smartphone have undergone signi cant upgrades to its processor, vivid high-de nition screens, lightning-fast charging capability, ample memory and video features. These upgrades have taken the mobile gaming experience to another level, making it a perfect device for anyone who is looking for top-of-the- line smartphone.

During the launch event, the Brands Manager of In nix Ghana, Amy Li, emphasized the brand's commitment to understanding the needs of

young customers and incorporating innovative technologies into mobile phone development. She highlighted that the In nix Hot 30 series has been equipped with powerful gaming processors, big memory, lightning-fast charging capabilities, and the most vivid high-de nition screens available in their class.

According to her, these features take the mobile gaming experience to new heights, which is a testament to the brand's dedication to delivering top-quality products to its customers. With the In nix Hot 30 smartphone, the brand has once again demonstrated its ability to stay ahead of the curve and provide innovative solutions that meet the needs of its customers.

In nix intends to continue to promote with newest range through Key Opinion Leaders (KOL), roadshows across the regions.

NHIA targets GH¢ 2.7m from levies in 2023

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has said it expects to receive a total amount of GH¢ 2.7m in 2023 from National Helath Insurance Levies (NHIL) /SSNIT contribution and others to be able to execute its mandate in 2023, the National Health Insurance Fund Allocation Formula 2023 report has revealed.

Parliament before it went on recess approved the National Health Insurance Fund Allocation Formula 2023 report.

The composition of their mandate includes; NHIL and SSNIT Contribution -under this, the NHIF expects to realise a total amount of GH¢ 2.5m from NHIL and SSNIT Contribution.

Premium from Informal Sector -the premium from informal sector is budgeted at GH¢ 126, 87m. This represents an average premium of GH¢ 18.00 approximately per member for projected membership of 7,048,475 expected to register and renew within the year 2023 from the informal sector.

Processing Fees – Processing fees from both the formal and informal sector is budgeted at Ghc88.54m.

This represents an average fee of Ghc5.70 approximately per member for a projected membership of 15,534,145 from both sectors in 2022. The projected membership excludes the pregnant women and indigent categories.

Interest Income from Investment –the authority expects to earn total interest income of Ghc30.28m. This is based on expected portfolio size of Ghc115.69m at projected average nominal return of 20.18percent per annum.

Donor Funding -USAID: the authority expects to receive an amount of GH¢ 12.46m to the USAID in the year 2023. The funding which is expected to cover the period from 2023 -2027 in support of clinical audit, stakeholder consultations, tools for internal and external audit, collaboration with Ghana Health Service among others.

There is also Other Income – the authority expects to earn GH¢ 2.3m from provider credentialing fees (GH¢ 2.00m), sale of tender documents (GH¢ 0.01m), road accident fund (GH¢ 0.29m).

The strategic objectives of the Authority as outlined in the medi-

um-term plan are; improve the membership bene t package informed by actuarial projections and sustainable nancing, enhance operations of the scheme, fuse a viable, preventive insurance model into the current curative model, increase participation of private health insurance schemes, ensure human resource development and harmonization.

Further the report notes that under Enhance operations of the scheme –the authority will intensify registration drive to increase active membership coverage of the schem from approximately 57.0percent of the population (31,448,659) in 2022 to 60percent of the projected 2023 population of 32m. The active membership in 2023 is therefore estimated at 19,246,579. Collaborate with

the Ministry of Gender,Children and Social Protection for the use of the Ghana National Household Registry(GNHR) to facilitate the registration of the poor onto the NHIS.

In terms of monies received, the report indicated that total amount of GH¢ 2m was received from MOFEP as at December 31,2022. Other receipts during the period amounted to GH¢ 161,23m, giving total receipts of 2.16m for the period. However, the Authority had cash and bank balance of GH¢ 248.92m as at January 1, 2022 giving a total cash and Bank available of GH¢ 2,4m.

Total payment as at December 31,2022 was GH¢ 2,08m. Excess receipts over payments as at the period ending December 31,2022 was GH¢ 321.83m.

Serwaa Amihere is Drews Pharmacy's new brand ambassador

ed in Ghana, has enlisted award-winning broadcast journalist, Serwaa Amihere, as its new brand ambassador while unveiling a new product, BB Nutricals Apple Cider Vinegar Capsules, a dietary supplement.

BB Nutricals Apple Cider Vinegar Capsules contain Bioperine, cayenne pepper, lemon peel, and inulin prebiotic, ingredients which help with skin exfoliation, support the immune system, curb excessive appetite, and improve digestion.

…unveils BB Nutricals Apple Cider Vinegar capsules

The ambassadorial partnership aims to promote the brand and raise consumer awareness about health and self-care, especially for individuals trying to maintain good health while balancing their busy work schedules.

Speaking at the unveiling event which came o at the Pharmacy’s location in Lapaz, Accra, Managing Director of Drews Pharmacy, Andrew Kojo Kyere, expressed his excitement about the partnership, saying that the deal would help Drews Pharmacy connect with its

customers by leveraging Serwaa Amihere's values, personality, and commitment to maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

“Serwaa is an entrepreneur, an in uencer and a media personality who has been able to maintain a good, healthy and balanced life. When we look at the type of schedule that she has, it is a very busy one and you are not always able to have a balanced system whiles working such schedules.

This is where the BB Nutricals Apple Cider Vinegar Capsules come in to help you achieve balance and a

healthy lifestyle whiles you juggle to become the best in your career path. The product helps boost your immune systems, curbs appetite and improves digestion,” he explained.

Mr. Kyere emphasised that the partnership with Serwaa would educate people about the importance of good health and position Drews Pharmacy's products as the go-to choice for sustainable and long-term healthcare.

He also stated that the ultimate goal is to make Drews Pharmacy a household name in healthcare, whiles speaking of

Andrew Kojo Kyere, Managing Director of Drews Pharmacy, left with Serwaa Amihere, right signing the agreement

Andrew Kojo Kyere, Managing Director of Drews Pharmacy, left with Serwaa Amihere, right, with the agreement signed

plans for a nationwide expansion. "Now we only have one branch in Lapaz, but the goal is to have branches across the nation. For starters, we would want to be in at least 10 regions out of the 16 in the

www.drewspharmacygh.com, beyond its location at Lapaz.

"We leverage technology a lot. Our app is on Google Play Store and Apple Store as well. We also wholesale some products and serve as

Serwaa Amihere expressed gratitude for the opportunity to become an ambassador for Drews Pharmacy and promised to use her platform and personality to educate people about living a healthy life by taking BB Nutricals Apple Cider Vinegar Capsules as an immune booster to maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

"Maintaining a balanced life amidst the busy schedules of work can some-

times be demanding and di cult, but with products such as the BB Apple Cider Vinegar Capsules, you can achieve the goal of having a healthy balanced life. I will do my best to use my channel to educate on the importance of maintaining a healthy

UBA delivers strong results as profit hits

US$446.4m in 2022

year ended December 31, 2022, showing impressive performance across major indices.

The 2022 nancials, led by the Bank at Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGx) on Thursday, showed that gross earnings rose signi cantly to $1.9 billion from $1.6 billion recorded at the end of the 2021 nancial year, representing a strong 22.2 percent growth.

Total assets rose remarkably by 21.6 percent, crossing the $20billion mark, to close at $23.6billion in December 2022; up from $19.4billion in 2021. This is a very signi cant achievement and milestone in the history of the powerhouse nancial institution.

Despite the highly challenging global economic and business environment, UBA recorded a laudable pro t before tax, with a 23.5 percent growth, to close the year under review at $446.4 million, rising from $361.5 million recorded at the end of the 2021 nancial year; while pro t after tax (PAT) grew by 35.1 percent to $378 million in 2022, compared to $280.3 million recorded the year before. Consequently, UBA Group Shareholders’ Funds rose to $2billion, as at December 2022, achieving an impressive growth by 5.3%, compared to prior year.

In the year under consideration, UBA Group cost-to-income ratio dropped to 59.1%, from over 62% in prior year, pointing at the Group’s improving e ciency.

In its usual tradition of rewarding shareholders, the Bank proposed a nal dividend of 0.2 cents for every ordinary share of 0.11 cents, for the

Serwaa Amihere displaying the product

Andrew Kojo Kyere, Managing Director of Drews Pharmacy

nancial year ended December 31, 2022. The nal dividend which is subject to the rati cation of the shareholders during its upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) will bring the total dividend for the year to 0.24 cents per share, as the Bank had paid an interim dividend of 0.04 cents, based on its audited 2022 half year results.

Also worthy of note, UBA recorded a 21.4 percent growth in loans to customers, moving up to $7.5 billion in 2022, whilst customer deposits improved by 22.9 percent to $17 billion, compared to $14.6 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2021, re ecting increased customer con dence, enhanced customer experience, successes from the ongoing business transformation programme and the deepening of its retail banking franchise.

Commenting on the result, the Group Managing Director/CEO, Oliver Alawuba, said notwithstanding the tight and challenging operating environment, UBA continues to deliver signi cant performance.

He said, “The Group delivered

record headline earnings (+22.2%) and pro tability (+35.1%) amid signi cant headwinds in markets where we are present and a heightened global risk environment. Our record earnings, growth, and robust capital levels supported higher returns for the shareholders. The Group is on course to achieve its strategic goals, and we are condent we will deliver our targets.

“We have navigated unprecedented macroeconomic headwinds and made signi cant gains in our diversi cation strategy and Customer 1st philosophy as we build resilience in our operations across Africa and the Rest of the World to support the mission of providing superior value to our stakeholders. The Group’s Pro t after Tax increased by 35.1% to $378.0 million, with underlying growth in our key income lines and moderation in our cost of fund, resulting in robust growth of 5.3% in the Group’s Shareholders’ Funds and stronger liquidity. We continued to sharpen our risk management structure and practices to align with evolving risks”, Alawuba said.

On the outlook for the year 2023,

Alawuba said, “we are strategically positioned to increase our market share in our countries of presence, with expansion to Dubai, United Arab Emirates and strong growth of our digital banking and payment businesses, which is pivotal to the evolving cashless economy in Nigeria. We strive to deliver increasingly attractive returns to our shareholders and continued positive impact in the geographies and economies in which we operate”.

UBA’s Executive Director, Finance and Risk Management, Ugo Nwaghodoh, said going by this recent performance, UBA remains on strong footing and is comfortably positioned to take on more opportunities in Nigeria, Africa and beyond.

“UBA Group’s 2022FY performance was buoyed by strong balance sheet growth and improvement in Net interest margin, as Group’s Total Assets and customer deposits grew 21.6% and 22.9% respectively, whilst NIM grew to 5.61% from 5.57%. The continuous rejigging of the Groups’ risk management approach resulted in moderation of the NPL ratio, from 3.6% to 3.1%. The Group continued to rely on lower cost funds, further

reducing its cost funds to 2.1%.”

“We are delighted with the strategic progress we have made in FY22 riding on our customers’ trust, the dedication of our people, and the support of our wider partners and stakeholders. The bank remains committed to its business development drive, prudent risk management practices, and we are optimistic to deliver best value for our stakeholders in the days ahead,” he noted.

United Bank for Africa Plc is a leading Pan-African nancial institution, o ering banking services to more than twenty- ve million customers, across over 1,000 business o ces and customer touch points, in 20 African countries and across 4 continents.

With presence in the United States of America, the United Kingdom and France and more recently the United Arab Emirates, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail; commercial and corporate banking; innovative cross-border payments and remittances; trade nance and ancillary banking services.

Old Mutual hosts annual broker conference in South Africa

Old Mutual Ghana recently hosted a successful brokerage conference in South Africa. The conference brought together brokers from all Old Mutual Africa Regions.

Old Mutual believes that partnerships with external stakeholders should be mutually bene cial. We strive to grow together with our partners and provide the necessary support for achieving growth.

The conference o ered a unique opportunity for our Ghanaian brokers to connect with international brokers and insurance networks and learn about international broking practices and standards.

They also had the chance to hear from successful brokers in the South African market who shared their experiences and insights on how to achieve growth in various lines of the insurance business. The event attracted brokers from various countries across Africa, creating excellent networking opportunities for our brokers. In addition to the professional development opportunities, our partners also enjoyed a moment of fun. During the two-day conference, various insightful discussions, panel sessions, and presentations were held, which aimed at empowering brokers with the necessary knowledge, skills, and tools to navigate the evolving investment landscape. Some of the topics discussed include the impact of technology on brokerage, the importance of data analytics, emerging trends in asset management, and regulatory compliance.

One of the highlights of the conference was the panel session on "Unlocking the potential of African

capital markets", which brought together leading industry experts to discuss the challenges and opportunities of the African capital market. The panellists shared insights on how African capital markets could be developed, including creating a conducive business environment, strengthening market infrastructure, and improving market accessibility.

Another key feature of the conference was the breakout sessions that provided an opportunity for

brokers could leverage to improve their service delivery and client experience. The conference also featured a cocktail event, which provided attendees with networking opportunities and a chance to unwind and connect with peers. The cocktail event was an excellent opportunity for attendees to discuss business opportunities and forge new partnerships.

The conference provided a platform for brokers, industry experts, and stakeholders to come together,

continuously empowering brokers and improving their service delivery to clients. It is expected that the knowledge and insights gained from the conference will be instrumental in driving the growth and development of the African brokerage industry.

Old Mutual Ghana is a leader in the Life Insurance and Pensions industries in Ghana. Old Mutual Ghana is part of the Old Mutual Group which has over 176 years of experience in

French President Macron arrives in Beijing

French President Emmanuel Macron has arrived in Beijing to kick o his state visit to China from April 5 to 7.

According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, during Macron's visit, Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet with his French counterpart to map out the future development of bilateral relations, deepen China-France and China-EU cooperation in various elds, and have an

major international and regional hotspot issues.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang and top legislator Zhao Leji will also meet with Macron.

The French president will also visit Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province.

Former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Ra arin, president of the French Constitutional Council Laurent Fabius, several French

leaders of large enterprises and over 20 cultural representatives reportedly have accompanied the French president during his visit. The Chinese side has said it is ready to work with France to take this visit as an opportunity to produce new outcomes in the close and enduring comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, promote the sound development of

ment.

Over the recent years, Sino-French economic and trade exchanges have maintained a good momentum of growth. The latest statistics from France showed that bilateral trade in goods exceeded the 100-billion-euro ($109.5 billion) mark for the rst time in 2022, reaching 101.8 billion euros, a year-on-year increase of 14.6 percent.

UK Construction Week 2023 appoints Global Entrepreneurship Network -Ghana as official Ghana partner

Media 10 UK, organisers of the UK Construction Week 2023, has appointed Global Entrepreneurship Network-Ghana (GEN-Ghana) as the o cial partner in Ghana. UK Construction Week (UKCW) is the United Kingdom’s largest built environment event hosted by Media 10 UK twice a year, in London and Birmingham where thousands come to meet and work with major project contractors, house builders, developers, suppliers, merchants, education and training sector players, architectural and design rms and local authorities who are driving the progress,development and contribution of the construction sector to the economy of UK. UKCW 2023 is scheduled to take place in London on 2-4 May 2023 and in Birmingham on 3-5 Oct 2023.

“We at GEN-Ghana are very honoured to be the o cial partners for Media 10 UK to lead in the mobilization of the various stakeholders in Ghana’s contsruction industry to be part of the UKCW 2023. The construction industry is vital to Ghana’s economic development and job creation.

GEN-Ghana strongly believes that the UKCW will create a great opportunity and platform for the Ghana Construction Industry to connect with its counterparts in the UK and other parts of the world. Industry players in Ghana have the opportunity to particpate in the UKCW either as exhibitors or show attendees for both events in London and Birmingham.

GEN-Ghana will be engaging all the major private and public stakeholders of Ghana’s construction industry to coordinate their particpation in the UKCW. The UKCW will also play a vital part in enhancing Ghana-UK economic diplomacy,” says Stephen Gyasi-Kwaw, Country Founder/ MD GEN-Ghana

“We at Media 10 UK are delighted to partner with GEN-Ghana which is part of the world largest entrepreneurship advancement network working in the world. GEN Ghana will lead in promoting UK Construction Week to Ghana’s construction Industry.

UKCW will attract over 25,000 professionals across the industry including tier one contractors, housebuilders, local authorities,

architects and speci ers. This is the event to connect with potential partners, investors and also to showcase innovation across three days in London and Birmingham” Says, Dale Nicholson, Head of Sales Construction Division.

About GEN-Ghana

Global Entrepreneurship Network –Ghana (GEN-Ghana) is an entrepreneurship and innovation advancement organisation that provides and promotes a platform of local, interna-

tional programmes and activities aimed at making it easier for anyone to start and scale a sustainable business.

We work by fostering deeper cross border collaboration and initiatives between entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, policymakers and entrepreneurial support organisations. We work with government, corporations, NGO’s, development agencies to fuel healthier start and scale ecosys-

tems that create more jobs, wealth, educate individuals, accelerate innovations for sustainable social and economic impact.

GEN-Ghana is a company limited by guarantee under the laws of Ghana, registered in March 2010. We are a member of Global Entrepreneurship Network which operates in over 160 countries independently, working to build one entrepreneurial ecosystem around the world. www.genglobal.org

UK Construction Week

UK Construction Week (UKCW) is an event by Media 10 UK and is the UK's largest built environment event which takes place twice a year, in London and Birmingham where thousands will come to meet and work with major project contractors, house builders, developers, suppliers, merchants, education and Training sector players, Architectural and design rms and local authorities. www.ukconstructionweek.com

Ecozoil schools Adawso boat operators/ commuters ahead of Easter celebrations

The training exercise is in anticipation of the upcoming Easter activities and formed part of Ecozoil’s monthly sensitization and training exercise for users of the Volta Lake under the Volta Lake Transport Safety Project (VLTSP).

It was aimed at sensitising the residents of Kwahu Adawso and Ekye on the importance of wearing life jackets and why they should adhere to safety practices when using water as a means of transportation.

South, Hon Evans Ntiri Kyei, in his address, promised to support Ecozoil to ensure “no life jacket, no boarding of boats” in his district. He advised boat owners to take the maintenance of their boats seriously and reiterated that the assembly will ensure only water worthy boats operated on the Lake.

Boat owners and commuters of the Volta Lake at Kwahu Adawso in the Kwahu South Municipality have been sensitised on the need to adhere to safety practices to ensure safe travels on the Volta Lake during the upcoming Easter festivities.

The exercise was carried out by Ecozoil Limited, a subsidiary of the Jospong Group of Companies (JGC).

The event, attended by boat owners, the chief of Kwahu Adawso, the district chief executive (DCE), presiding and assembly members, chief shermen and residents of Kwahu Adawso and nearby communities, was held at the Volta Lake Transport Company (VLTC) station at Kwahu Adawso for the Kwahu South (Adawso) and Kwahu Afram Plains (Ekye-Amanfrom) communities.

The General Manager of Ecozoil, Abitha Odame-Nyanteh, wished Ghanaians a happy Easter in advance and entreated all to stay safe during the festive season.

She advised all to make safety a priority as they cruise on the Volta Lake during the Easter season.

Boat owners were also advised to refrain from overloading and to maintain their boats frequently in a bid to prevent avoidable accidents.

The DCE from Kwahu Afram Plains

He was optimistic that the assembly will continue to work hand in hand with Ecozoil to enforce the wearing of life jackets to prevent drowning. On his part, a representative of the Chief of Kwahu Adawso, Nana Kwesi Kuarh, thanked Ecozoil for its continuous support to the community by providing employment and donating life jackets for commuters.

He pledged to work together with Ecozoil in ensuring lives are not lost especially during this festive season. The National Coordinator of the VLTSP, Yaa Oforiwaa, demonstrated how life jackets are worn properly and how to perform CPR during a rescue mission.

China launches first liquid-fueled commercial rocket Tianlong-2

China's rst commercial liquid-fueled carrier rocket Tianlong-2 Y1 has been successfully launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China on Sunday.

The rocket took o at 4:48 p.m. BJT,

carrying a satellite into pre-set orbit. The purpose of the ight was to verify the overall plan of the rocket and systematic coordination, as well as obtain the ight environment parameters of the launch vehicle. The satellite will be

used for technology veri cation of remote sensing experiment.

Developed by Chinese commercial rocket company Space Pioneer, the rocket is 35 meters long with a take-o mass of 150 tonnes. The medium-sized rocket is a three-stage launch vehicle propelled by kero-

sene and liquid oxygen.

The rocket type can cater to China's demand for low-cost, high-reliability, quick-response, and large-scale launches of small satellites and constellations.

The mission is the rst ight for Tianlong-2 carrier rocket.

Vodafone Ghana’s CEO Claims Outstanding Woman in Telecommunications Award

Patricia Obo-Nai, Chief Executive O cer (CEO) of Vodafone Ghana, has been recognised as the Outstanding Woman in Telecommunications at the African Women Awards 2023. The awards ceremony, held in Ethiopia under the theme “The Role of Women in Business Propelling Africa’s Socio-Economic Renaissance,” celebrates the achievements of exceptional African women leaders in various industries.

Patricia’s award is a testament to her exceptional leadership and dedication to the telecommunications industry, where she has made significant strides throughout her career. As the CEO of Vodafone Ghana, she has successfully navigated the competitive landscape and guided the company towards remarkable growth and innovation.

Under her leadership, Vodafone Ghana has introduced ground-breaking products and services, transforming the telecommunications sector in the country.

Patricia has also overseen the expansion of Vodafone Ghana’s network coverage, solidifying its position as one of the most extensive and

reliable networks in Ghana.

Commenting on the award, Patricia said, “This award is not only a humbling recognition of my personal journey, but also a testament to the incredible dedication and resilience of all women in the industry. As a leader, I am committed to inspiring the next generation of women in telecommunications. I believe that together, we can break down barriers and rede ne the future of our industry.”

Patricia is a champion of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. She has led initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality, diversity, and inclusion within Vodafone Ghana and the broader telecommunications industry.

The African Women Award aims to draw attention to the positive impact of African women on the continent’s socio-economic growth and development. By identifying and recognising exemplary African women like Patricia Obo-Nai, the awards aim to position them as role models for the wider female population across Africa.

British Actor Keith Mason Launches Non-profit Sportswear Brand To Help Children With Brain Injuries

Keith Mason, a British actor and former professional Rugby player, has launched a non-pro t sportswear brand to help raise funds for a £25 million brain injury hospital for children in the United Kingdom who are not provided NHS treatment.

Funds to be generated through the sales of the MasonMerch sportswear line will be donated to the Ta da Raqeeda Foundation towards the construction of the hospital.

The MasonMerch non-pro t clothing are available for sale via: https://shop.gutentogltd.com/collections/keith-mason

Every single purchase of the MasonMerch sportswear stands to help save the life of a little one who is counting on the benevolent support of everyone to survive.

Aside purchasing the charity clothing, Keith Mason is also encouraging everyone to donate directly to the Ta da Raqeeda Foundation towards the construction of the hospital, a facility needed to save the lives of thousands of children.

In 2019, a little Muslim girl aged ve, Ta da Raqeeda, su ered a traumatic brain injury. Ta da was a perfectly healthy child before sustaining the unexpected brain injury, leaving her ghting for her life.

Not captured under the NHS treat-

ment scheme, there were attempts in the UK to withdraw Ta da from medical care, which led to legal proceedings. The legal proceedings which took place in a UK High Court, resulted in a landmark victory for little Ta da and her family and she was later sent to the Genoa's Gaslini Hospital in Italy for treatment. She had been receiving treatment at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, east London.

Her mother, solicitor Shelina Begum and father, construction consultant, Mohammed Raqeeda, then established the Ta da Raqeeda Foundation, and in 2022, launched a campaign to construct the second medical centre in Britain for treating brain-damaged children.

There are estimated 6,000 children in the United Kingdom who are battling various degrees of brain injuries.

Keith Mason, the 'Imperative' movie lead actor and Ambassador of the Ta da Raqeeda Foundation, says the plan is to build the hospital in London.

According to him, a number of fundraising events will take place in London, in June and in Leeds, at the later stages of 2023.

Writer's email: tarluemelvin12@gmail.com

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Vodafone Ghana’s “Code Like a Girl” Kicks-Off

There is a growing need to bridge the gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) elds. Despite the signi cant progress made in many areas of gender equality, women remain underrepresented in STEM, with only 28% of women currently holding positions in STEM jobs.

Earlier this year, Vodafone Ghana launched the latest edition of its “Code Like a Girl” initiative. It is a free coding programme for girls between the ages of 7 and 18 that aims to address this issue and empower more girls to pursue STEM education and careers. The initiative will run for ve weekends and provide an opportunity for girls to learn basic coding skills in a supportive and inclusive environment.

The virtual programme kicked o on 1st April with the aim to help 1000 girls explore the world of coding.

They were introduced to programming languages such as Python and JavaScript and worked collaboratively on coding challenges.

“Our programme aims to inspire and empower girls to pursue their passions and develop the skills they need to succeed in the technology industry. We hope to promote gender equality in STEM by providing a safe and inclusive space for girls to learn and grow,” said Hannah Ashiokai Akrong, Human Resource Director at Vodafone Ghana.

Vodafone Ghana continues to inspire more girls to pursue STEM education and careers and ultimately encourage a movement towards a more inclusive future. By providing girls with the resources and support they need to succeed in STEM, Vodafone Ghana is ultimately encouraging a movement towards a more inclusive future.

Binance collaborates with Showmax to incentivize crypto adoption in Africa

nient platforms for individuals to engage in the digital economy.”

The promotion is available to users in Nigeria and winners will be announced within seven days after the promotion ends on Binance Africa’s Twitter, as well as the Binance Nigeria and the Binance West Africa Telegram groups. This will be followed by an email outreach to the winners within two weeks after the campaign ends. Also speaking about the alliance, General Manager, Showmax Nigeria, Opeoluwa Filani said:

forward-thinking solutions to engage with users in new and exciting ways. About Binance

Binance, the world’s leading blockchain ecosystem and cryptocurrency infrastructure provider, has announced its collaboration with Showmax, Africa's original video streaming service to further promote crypto adoption on the continent, by o ering the rst 500 new enrollees a one-month subscription on the SVOD platform for Easter.

To qualify for this o er, users must sign up, complete their KYC verication and make a transaction worth at least US$10 or its equivalent on either Binance P2P or Binance Fiat. Users are then to con rm their participation by lling

out this form.

Speaking on the campaign, the Marketing Lead, Binance West Africa, Emmanuel Ebanehita, expressed immense satisfaction, citing that the collaboration could not have come at a better time, He said:

"We're thrilled to be collaborating with Showmax to provide an incredible opportunity for our new users to be active participants in Web3. This promotion comes at a time where many Africans are eagerly embracing the underlying technology behind crypto. It is also a testament to our commitment to providing accessible and conve-

EDITOR: BENSON AFFUL editor@business24 com gh | +233 5 45 516 133

"We are excited about our partnership with Binance which will see more people have access to the world-class entertainment content on the Showmax service. This partnership demonstrates our commitment to make premium content more readily available and accessible.

Binance Africa is dedicated to fostering meaningful connections with its target audiences by implementing innovative measures that prioritize crypto education and adoption initiatives. The partnership with Showmax is an exciting example of how the company is achieving this goal, leveraging creative and

PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS24 LTD

Binance is the world’s leading blockchain ecosystem and cryptocurrency infrastructure provider with a nancial product suite that includes the largest digital asset exchange by volume. Trusted by millions worldwide, the Binance platform is dedicated to increasing the freedom of money for users and features an unmatched portfolio of crypto products and o erings, including trading and nance, education, data and research, social good, investment and incubation, decentralization and infrastructure solutions, and more. For more information, visit: https://www.binance.com.

About Showmax

Showmax is an internet TV service launched in 2015, that o ers a unique combination of hit African content, and exclusive international series, movies, the best kids’ shows, and live sport. The service is available throughout sub-Saharan Africa and to selected diaspora markets worldwide. For more information, visit: https://www.showmax.com/.