Business24 Newspaper 7 March 2022

MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2022

NEWS FOR BUSINESS LEADERS

.COM.GH

MTN to invest US$1bn in infrastructure by 2025

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TN Ghana says it

its planned spend of US$1 billion on Network Infrastructure and Information Systems (NIIS) by 2025.

This planned expenditure will go a long way to support the Digital Ghana agenda and put the country at the forefront of Africa’s digital transformation.

CEO of MTN Ghana Selorm Adadevoh stated, “We successfully implemented our investment plans, with a total CAPEX of GH ¢1,485million (GH ¢1.5billion) last year, supporting infrastructure modernization, expansion of 4G coverage and improvements to quality of service.

To achieve this, we rolled out 131 2G, 120 3G and 1,446 4G sites and modernized 2,121 existing 4G sites enhancing capacity and improved customer experience.

We also extended 4G network

and data services to additional 1.7 million people, deepening the digital agenda of Ghana”.

“In 2022, MTN will continue with its capacity enhancement projects with

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Chris Ofiulu assumes office as MD/CEO of UBA Ghana We believe in The Board of Directors of United Bank for Africa (Ghana) Limited has announced the appointment of Mr. the UBA Ghana.

Balogun, who had been the Managing the Bank since May 2020.

Chris comes on board with over

preservation of the natural resources and our climate -GIIF Boss

30 years’ Banking experience of which 28 years has been in Business Development.

Prior to his appointment as MD/ CEO of UBA Ghana, Chris was the UBA Group’s Directorate Head, Apapa 1 (Corporate) in Nigeria.

Before joining UBA Group, Chris had worked in one of the Top Commercial Banks in Nigeria, Diamond Bank where he served

Takoradi Port Dry Bulk Terminal: First berth handed over to GPHA

Sahara Group announces strategic appointments to drive global expansion

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The Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) has indicated that it wants to improve on infrastructure that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Mr Solomon Asamoah, Chief believe in preservation of the natural resources and our climate for future generations.”

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| EDITORIAL/NEWS

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MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2022

Businesses must check against internal wastages

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t has emerged that businesses hardly pay attention to their stores and inventory department despite the fact, just like procurement, they control majority of company’s expenditure. It is said that most businesses do not get any value on about half of items that are sourced and kept in the stores and they are eventually thrown away when they become unusable.

This revelation has stirred up the need for business leaders and owners to take special interest in the storage and use of the goods and services or items that are procured for use in the daily operations of the company.

This is even more so for the public sector where there is the pressing need to protect the public purse for a nation that is in dire need of revenue for development and the provision of basic socio-economic interventions.

The strategic application of stores an inventory helps to contribute to the efficient and effective utilisation of public and private financial resources; which significantly improves the competitive advantage of companies’ financial and sustainable

business objectives and increased return on investments (ROIs).

Public sector stores and inventory practitioners feel marginalised, but this course will let them appreciate how they can contribute strategically to the reduction of government’s expenditure.

It has become imperative to focus on strategic stores and inventory because most organisations are struggling with dwindling working capital and cashflows for effective operations; but still have high investments and cash locked-up in goods, spare parts, items, MROs, stationeries etc.

MTN to invest US$1bn in infrastructure by 2025 continued from page 1

the aim of ensuring that all cell sites are upgraded to 4G capacity. The upgrades are being done alongside other commitments in support of ICT development initiatives such as the provision of an ICT Hub and the establishment of West Africa’s first Innovation City in Ghana”.

“We see Ghana as the most strategically placed country to be a digital hub in the region, exporting skills and services to diversify and accelerate economic growth. This makes technology leadership in the region an imperative for Ghanaian SMEs to be relevant in an AFCFTA era”, he remarked.

To become a digital economy requires considerable and consistent investment in technology and innovation and it is on this score that MTN is committing to spend over US$1 billion in Network Infrastructure and Information Systems over the next five years.

MTN’s Ambition 2025 is anchored on the belief that everyone deserves a modern connected life. This will rest on a scale connectivity and infrastructure business, making use of both mobile and fixed access networks across the consumer, enterprise and wholesale segments.

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MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2022

Chris Ofikulu assumes office as MD/CEO of UBA Ghana in various capacities including Directorate Head in charge of the South Businesses and Directorate Head in charge of Lagos and West Businesses. Chris was also the pioneer Managing Director of Diamond Pension Fund Custodian Limited.

Chris holds a B.Sc. (First Class) Degree in Industrial Mathematics from the University of Benin, Benin-City, Nigeria and an MBA from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. He also attended the following prestigious Business Schools: The Wharton Business School, Philadelphia where he did Advanced Management programme; IESE Business School, University of Navarra, Barcelona and Lagos Business School, Pan-African University. He equally attended Leadership and Corporate Governance Training in the Henley Business School, University of Reading, U.K. and Advanced Company Direction Programme, Institute of Directors, London.

As a Board, “we are delighted to have someone of Chris’ caliber and experience to continue the Bank’s

growth strategy. He brings with him exceptional leadership qualities, breadth of knowledge and deep insights of the sub-region, which will be useful in driving the growth of the Ghana business” Board Chairman, Kweku Awotwi stated.

UBA Ghana is the biggest subsidiary operation of UBA Plc outside of Nigeria. The board believes that Chris’ experience from other jurisdictions will be useful in improving what we are already doing in Ghana, making us a major force in the industry.

Welcoming the news, Mr. Ofikulu expressed appreciation to the Board and other stakeholders of the Bank. He noted “I wish to thank all our stakeholders for the warm welcome. UBA Ghana has a remarkable platform of great people and the drive for excellence.

I sincerely look forward to working with the Board of Directors, Management Team and Employees in making UBA Ghana one of the leading banks in Ghana in line with our status as ‘Africa’s Global Bank”.

We believe in preservation of the natural resources and our climate-GIIF Boss He said this was the reason for the collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) on its Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE) software.

EDGE software can be used for free to design a resource-efficient commercial or residential building in more than 160 countries.

The software calculates the utility savings and reduced carbon footprint of the green building against a base case.

He said the collaboration with IFC was seen as a shared aspiration to move the construction industry in Ghana on to a lower carbon, more resource-efficient path through certified green buildings.

“GIIF through this collaboration is further committed to significantly promote the EDGE software, standard, and certification system in our operations,” he added.

He said two of GIIFs existing projects namely Pullman and Crown Forest were EDGE Certified with a third, Sustainable Student Housing project which has also initiated processes towards certification.

The CEO said GIIF would promote sustainable design practices, and with IFC, would jointly present the benefits of using the EDGE software,

standard, and certification system at mutually agreed conferences, seminars, and other events.

He said as an infrastructure fund with high sustainability credentials and keen on contributing towards the achievement of the Nationally Determined Contributions of Ghana under the Paris agreement.

The World Economic Forum in its 2020 Global Risks report identified top ten risks up to the year 2030 and beyond in terms of likelihood of occurrence and impact.

Out of the ten, seven of them are of environmental and social nature.

Per the report, climate now tops the risks agenda at the global stage while the economy which was the core risk some ten years ago has disappeared from the top five (5) risks on the global stage.

This highlights the importance of climate issues in the global discourse and the relevance of GIIFs collaboration with the IFC. The Fund was established to try and resolve a problem most African countries have experienced on how to unlock more private sector financing to try and fund and solve the infrastructure deficits in every African country.

It has invested $280 million in

a portfolio of 12 infrastructure projects in seven sectors across Ghana and more importantly, for every $1 GIIF has put into projects, it has managed to bring in an additional $10 from external investors.

GIIF has not only relied on the initial funding it has received from the government but has raised financing from two Premier global financing institutions.

On July 2, 2021, the French

Development Agency, (AFD0, executed an US$85m- 10-year Credit Facility Agreement with the Fund to on-lend to sustainable infrastructure projects in Ghana.

This was accompanied by a €400k technical assistance package to help build capacity within GIIF for increasing its green investments.

The AfDB has also approved a $75m facility to GIIF, again for onlending to infrastructure projects in Ghana.

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FNB adjudged Best Investment Bank in Africa First National Bank has been awarded Best Investment Bank in Ghana for 2022 by the prestigious Global Finance magazine, is in recognition of the bank’s role in the conclusion of some significant landmark deals.

These include the assistance that enabled the government of Ghana to conduct a tender offer on its 2023 notes and raise more than US$3 billion in Eurobonds.

The transaction included several market firsts, most notably the placement of a benchmark ZeroCoupon tranche which provided Ghana additional fiscal capacity without having to service interest over its four-year tenor.

Chief Executive Officer of First National Bank Ghana, Dominic Adu, says the award bears testimony to the bank’s strategic role in Ghana’s economic development.

“We have worked and will continue to work with the government of Ghana to consolidate our economic gains as a nation, helping to raise the necessary funding for infrastructure we need to keep the economy moving,” Mr. Adu says.

“Not only are we supporting the government with our expertise and global connections, but we are here to help Ghanaian business reach their fullest potential and also assist individuals achieve their personal financial goals. As we continue with

the recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, First National Bank Ghana will continue to provide all the support the country needs to get back on the path of economic growth.”

Editors at Global Finance magazine, with input from industry experts, used a series of criteria to confer the award of Africa’s Best Investment Bank on First National Bank Ghana and FNB Mozambique.

The criteria included entries from banks, market share, number and size of deals, service and advice, structuring capabilities, distribution network, efforts to address market conditions, innovation, pricing, after-market performance of underwritings and market reputation. Deals announced or completed in 2021 were considered.

First National Bank Ghana is a member of South Africa’s First Rand Group. Another member of the Group, FNB Mozambique was recognised by Global Finance Magazine as the Best Investment Bank in the Southern African nation.

“Investment banks are playing a leading role in reshaping the world economy as the pandemic progresses,” says Joseph D. Giarraputo, publisher and editorial director of Global Finance. “It is more important than ever for companies to understand the specialties and skills that investment

banks bring to the table. Global Finance’s Investment Bank Awards are a powerful resource on the leading institutions in this sector.”

Global Finance regularly selects

the top performers among banks and other providers of financial services. These awards have become a trusted standard of excellence for the global financial community.

Takoradi Port Dry Bulk Terminal: First berth handed over to GPHA An aerial view of the new dry bulk terminal at the Port of Takoradi The first berth of the new Dry Bulk Terminal has been handed over by private contractor, Amandi Ghana Limited to management of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority to give way for cargo operations to partially commence at that berth in the Port of Takoradi.

For now, seaside loading would be accommodated at the berth while shore side loading would begin in 2 weeks’ time, following the completion of the pavement of a final strip of 200m stretch.

Management has therefore met with the contractor to make arrangements for uninterrupted flow of traffic by trucks that will be carting dry bulk cargo to and from ships at the released berth, in order to ensure quick turnaround time.

The Harbour Master at the Port of Takoradi, Capt. Richmond Quayson, during inspection of the site, revealed the new arrangements for bulk cargo operations at the port.

He said: “Berth 1 as of now will

be used for only clinker discharge.

We will not do the regular loading from the ground. We are examining how trucks will come in and exit

seamlessly at the moment.”

Having released berth one, the contractor will move on to focus on civil works at berth two of the Dry

Bulk Terminal, which has a total berth length of 800m with a draft of 16m, making it one of the deepest dry bulk terminals in West Africa.

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MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2022

FDA cautions public over unregistered medicines The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) with the assistance of the Ghana Police Service has arrested some peddlers of unregistered medicines known as Nkoyo and Nnompe Nnompe tablets.

These products, which are not registered by the FDA, were sold as herbal preparations and claimed to treat pain and inflammatory diseases.

A statement signed and issued by the Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of the FDA, Mrs Delese A.A. Darko, said the continuous use of the product without proper guidance could lead to serious health issues such as headaches, stomach pains, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, depression, high blood pressure, indigestion, restlessness, black or tarry stool and insomnia, among others.

It, therefore, warned the public to desist from buying and using such products since the FDA could not guarantee the health and safety of users.

The statement further urged the public to be cautious of the operations of drug peddlers in the open market.

It urged them to deal with only licensed pharmacies for all their prescription and over-the-counter medicines to avoid incidences of substandard and falsified medicines.

The statement noted that laboratory analysis of the drugs showed that they contained

prescription-only ingredients in unknown quantities, as well as other unknown substances.

Disposal It further added that the FDA had seized drugs in large quantities and disposed them safely and was assisting security agencies in their investigations to ensure that all those involved were apprehended and dealt with appropriately.

The statement assured the public that the FDA would continue

its surveillance activities and collaborate with relevant agencies to combat the operations of those dealing with these unregistered drugs.

Commenting on the seizure, the Head of Drug Market Surveillance, Mr Vigil Ashun, said the drugs seized were from the Eastern and Ashanti regions.

He added that the peddlers bought drugs from Nigeria in bulk and sold them off in small quantities in the

country — packaging them with different names such as the Nkoyo and Nnompe tablets.

Mr Ashun said the FDA was working with the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) to stop peddlers from selling in commercial vehicles.

“We have an agreement with the GPRTU to stop these peddlers but when the trotro leaves the station, they start to sell drugs to the passengers,” he explained.

Ghana signs visa waiver agreements with 8 countries As part of efforts to improve service delivery with regards to passport administration both in Ghana and its missions abroad, the government has signed visa waiver agreements with 8 countries.

The countries are Qatar, Jamaica, Suriname, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Guyana, Venezuela and Malta.

This means officials from these countries carrying Diplomatic, Service and Offical passports will be exempted from applying for visas when entering Ghana and vice versa.

In a tweet on March 3, 2022, the Presidency said some steps had been taken to improve on service delivery pertaining to passport administration in Ghana and its missions abroad.

The initiatives include the “purchase of generator sets for all 13 Passport Application Centers (PAC) in Ghana” and a “roll-out of E-Visa application hardware at our Missions abroad and at the Ghana Immigration Service.”

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| F E AT U R E

MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2022

Ghana Exim Bank promotes made-in-ghana products globally As part of its mandate to finance and develop strategic import substitute products to support the reduction of Ghana’s import bill, Ghana Exim Bank (GEXIM) is collaborating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration to champion its industrialization agenda.

Management of Ghana Exim Bank on Tuesday 2nd March 2022 presented assorted Made-In-Ghana products to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration at its corporate headquarters in Accra.

The presentation was a follow up to a strategic session the bank held in April 2021 with the then newly appointed diplomats to represent Ghana at the various diplomatic missions around the world. The session gave the diplomats a deeper insight into the bank’s agenda to transform Ghana into an export led economy and highlighted the critical role of the foreign missions in achieving it.

The products on offer to the foreign missions included packaged jollof rice, waakye, gravy mix, groundnut soup, food spices, gari mix, sheabutter, peanut and peanut butter, charcoal, koobi powder and salted fish paste. In addition were Ghanaian snacks; nkatie cake, roasted cashew, peanuts and granola bars.

The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Exim Bank responsible for Banking and Business, Rosemary Beryl Archer, indicated the importance of the strategic

partnership with the ministry and foreign missions to promote Ghanaian made products.

“On the occasion of our 65th independence anniversary, we want to utilize the platforms of our foreign missions to globalize our staples through value addition and improved packaging. We expect the heads of mission to explore avenues for improved packaging and state of the art equipment to support our industrialization agenda”, she stated.

She further added that “it is important to work closely with the ministry and Ghanaian missions abroad to find new markets for these products. The support from our missions will enable our SMEs to meet the requirements for the international market and by so doing scale up in their operations.

I am convinced this is the first step, which will be of great benefit for other key initiatives and projects we plan to roll out in our drive towards enhancing the capacity of Ghanaian exporters”, she said.

Head of SME Banking at Exim Bank, Bright Darko, emphasized on the importance of sending Ghanaian products to the foreign missions to showcase them to the rest of the world which he believes has the potential to ultimately create market access for them.

He added that “at Ghana Exim bank, we go beyond just providing funding for our SMEs but also take interest in their growth and success by helping to build their capacities

and make key market penetration.

When we are able to help them to succeed, they can pay back their loans for us to be able to help more businesses. Beyond promotion and marketing, we expect the foreign missions to look at the value chain and explore opportunities for partnerships and building synergies with foreign companies to help our SMEs”.

The Director of Economic, Trade and Investment Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Bonaventure Adjavor, represented the Minister, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey. On his part, he expressed his delight about the innovation employed by the businesses in packaging their products to meet international standards.

“It feels good to see these products and more importantly, knowing these are produced in Ghana, it

brings me a lot of joy. It is such an important time to be sending these products to the missions around the world. During independence anniversary celebrations and other occasions, the missions host various guests including business owners and investors who get first-hand experience of our rich Ghanaian culture and heritage. It will certainly be a great opportunity to showcase these wonderful Madein-Ghana products to the rest of the world”, he added.

Ghana Exim bank has a task to improve the country’s export competitiveness, foreign exchange earnings and balance of trade. The bank is strategically positioned to provide cutting – edge financial support, advisory and capacity building programs aimed at eliminating barriers to springboard the nation’s economy into an export – driven one.

Sahara Group announces strategic appointments to drive global expansion Leading energy and infrastructure conglomerate, Sahara Group, has announced several directorate appointments to support the continuing strategic expansion of its businesses across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

Ivie Imasogie-Adigun, Head, Group HR, Sahara Group, said the appointments reinforce Sahara’s commitment to equipping its “agile and ambidextrous” employees to grow into various leadership positions as arrowheads of Sahara’s existing and unfolding businesses across markets.

Imasogie-Adigun said the appointments which took effect on March 1, 2022, will give impetus to Sahara’s operations across the Power, Upstream, Midstream, Downstream and Infrastructure sectors.

“As we evolve as an innovative global business, we continue to enjoy the leverage of an exceptional human capital pool that makes Sahara a

foremost energy conglomerate and sustainable business. We have always had the privilege of having Saharians who have served in various capacities step into leadership positions with attendant success stories all over the world,” she said.

According to Imasogie-Adigun, in a bid to strengthen the new direction of the Sahara Foundation – Sahara’s corporate responsibility vehicle – Sahara’s Board has approved the appointment of Pearl Uzokwe as Director, Sahara Foundation.

Uzokwe who joined Sahara as Legal Manager, most recently functioned as its pioneer Director of Governance and Sustainability, where she championed Sahara Group’s energy transition efforts.

Sahara Foundation which has recorded over two million beneficiaries through several sustainable projects now focuses on enhancing access to energy and promoting sustainable environments.

“Sahara Foundation is at the heart of who we are in terms of bringing benevolence to life and the Board is delighted to have Pearl lead the Foundation’s new strategic direction as Sahara deploys projects and collaborates with regional and global organizations to protect our environment and ensure access to energy, leaving no one behind,” she said.

Sahara’s Board appointed Ejiro Gray as Director, Governance and Sustainability. Gray, who previously led the Group’s Company Secretariat, joined Sahara as a Graduate Management Trainee in 2007 and has driven various projects and strategies in the Legal and Corporate Governance departments.

“Ejiro stands out as an alumnus of Sahara’s widely respected Graduate Trainee program. The Board is looking forward to Sahara’s continuing market and thought leadership with sustainability and governance under Ejiro’s watch,”

Imasogie-Adigun said.

She said the Board also appointed Foluso Sobanjo, currently Managing Director of Asharami Synergy – Sahara Group’s Nigeria Downstream business, as Head, Africa Downstream. Foluso will steer Sahara’s Downstream business across the African continent with current operations in Nigeria, Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire, Senegal, Guinea, Cameroun, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

He joined Sahara as an Account Officer in 2005 and has moved across various entities and locations, including Accra and Geneva, taking on senior roles over the years.

“Sahara’s innovative fueling solutions continues to power the aspirations of individuals and businesses, especially in Africa and Foluso’s downstream experience will most certainly transform our business in this sector,” she added.

MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2022

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Financing, key driver of Africa’s performance on SDGs BUILDING BACK BETTER REQUIRES SMART FINANCING THAT CAN BLEND WITH OUR DOMESTIC RESOURCES AND EXTERNAL FINANCING.

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frican countries need to move forward on financing to improve their performance on the Sustainable Development Goals and Africa’s transformation Agenda 2063.

This is according to panelists at a session to highlight progress made at regional and sub regional levels in the implementation of Agenda 2030 and Agenda 2063 in the context of the COVID-19 crisis.

The session was held at the opening of the Eighth session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD 2022) on 3 March in Kigali, Rwanda.

Bartholomew Armah, Director of Macroeconomics and Governance at the ECA, who presented the 2020 Sustainable Development Report (SDR) report findings at the session said regional resource mobilization needs to be improved, as

the share of domestic debt to GDP has increased.

The reliance on raising resources from outside the continent is high, which results in higher costs - “African premium” averaging 100-160 basis points, compared to other regions.

The ECA director noted that developing countries need to move from over-reliance on bilateral and multilateral sources for financing to address the challenges the continent is facing.

“Building back better requires smart financing that can blend with our domestic resources and external financing. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will help us leverage on the African financing initiatives,” said Mr Armah.

“The continent should also improve domestic resource mobilization including

through broadening tax bases and stemming corruption, redouble current efforts to digitize economies and social services, create an enabling policy environment for private investments and innovation.​“ To better measure progress, he said, there is need for additional capacity for monitoring and evaluation and risk identification in national development plans.

Also there is need for capacity building in areas such as digitization on health facility, commerce, and access to finance Referencing Malawi’s strategy to implement the two agendas, Thomas Munthali, Director General of the Malawi National Planning Commission, said the country has focused on domesticating both Agenda 2063 and Agenda 2030 based on a clear alignment with National Development Plans and the Malawi 2063 Vision.

“The vision is grounded on inclusive wealth creation with the view to becoming a self-reliant nation by 2063 and leaving nobody behind in the spirit of Agenda 2030,” said Munthali.

The country’s 10-year implementation plan, he said, is also driven by the ambition of meeting most of the SDGs. The plan’s key foundations are education, social protection, market and labor economy, and a sound macroeconomic environment.

The Director recognized ECA’s support in training the country’s line ministries and relevant commissions to ensure alignment. Malawi also participates in the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs).

He underscored that SDGs that are lagging behind are gender-related, as women constitute 94% in the informal sector. Furthermore, the sector has been impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Mr Munthali urged “African member states to use the IPRT to align both agendas so that the continent can become a formidable force in the international agenda.”

The 2020 Africa Sustainable Development Report provides a comprehensive analysis of Africa’s progress on the 2030 agenda and Agenda 2063. It notes that the Continent is lagging behind other regions.

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Recognizing the efforts of women – The backbone of the Ghanaian economy

BY LINDA ARYEE EBALE, COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER, STANBIC BANK

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istorically, women have always been the spine that holds Ghana’s economy in place.

Doubting this will be denying the reality of things, at least from the Ghanaian perspective. Regardless of the fact that women’s roles and participation in economic activity have been defined along socio-cultural lines, women continuously make huge strides in different endeavours that keep making significant contributions to the Ghanaian economy.

Available data show that women account for approximately 50% of the labour force and are found in almost all kinds of economic activities in agriculture, industry and services. Women are also known to be the main actors in Ghana’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) sector – a sector that is known to be the anchor on which Ghana’s economy hangs. SMEs represent about 92% of businesses, largely within the private sector, and contribute about 70% of Ghana’s gross domestic product (GDP). In terms of formal sector employment, they account for just over half of all full- time employment, with the percentage likely much higher in the informal sector.

Within the Ghanaian SME sector, women hold a huge sway. According to the World Bank, 44% of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Ghana are owned

by women. On the African continent, apart from Uganda, Ghana has the most women entrepreneurs according to the 2019 MasterCard Index of Women Entrepreneurs. This shows the significance of women within Ghana’s socio-economic development and the need to give them more support.

On the basis of the immeasurable contribution of women-owned and womenled businesses, in our socio-economic development and the role they play in our everyday lives, it stands to reason that the country will benefit significantly by equipping and supporting these businesses to scale up with good business practices, technology and technical support, and of course, access to finance.

This notwithstanding, women are not given the necessary support and recognition for their efforts in developing their communities. Data about the contribution of women to GDP is clear that when the efforts of women are given the support and recognition they deserve, society will be the ultimate benefit. But at Stanbic Bank we appreciate and acknowledge what women mean to the socio-economic development of our society and when we enable them, to have unforgettable experiences in their private, social and economic lives, the nation becomes the ultimate beneficiary. It is

in recognition of this fact that Stanbic Bank has over the years put in place deliberate interventions to ensure that women are fully supported to realize their full potentials.

Leveraging on our flagship business incubator hub, the SBIncubator, we have impacted over 21,000 women across the country through carefully developed programmes. Our tailor-made interventions include the ‘Women Entrepreneurship Festival’, an event that brings together women entrepreneurs and professionals from across the country, hungry for the advice, proven strategies, and connections needed to start and grow a business. The event creates a space for women to learn, grow, create opportunities and foster partnerships through conversations.

Beyond this, we have also partnered with the Institute of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development, to host the first ever workshop on handy skills for 50 women entrepreneurs. The workshop was focused on educating women business owners in the informal sector to build structures around their businesses and practice the act of bookkeeping. The bank, through the SBIncubator, has instituted the STEM for Girls Programming Bootcamp for young girls to put their skills to test by working in teams on a product of their choice.

The SBIncubator, in collaboration with UNDP-SDP, Botswana, South Africa Youth Forum, Divaloper and a few change makers, hosted the Women Power Talk, which saw a community of women change makers and leaders relentlessly committed to changing the status quo and breaking the bias. The event hosted the Deputy Minister of Information and Technology, Nana Ama Dokua Asiama Adjei and the Namibian Presidential Advisor, Mrs Inge Zaamwani-Kamwi, to discuss how to leverage on technology for, entrepreneurship, economic inclusion and empowerment.

Through our nurturing culture of learning and mentorship, the SBIncubator continues to provide women led start-ups and female entrepreneurs with exceptional soft-skills and technical knowledge. We provided a platform to share the voices and stories of female entrepreneurs.

As a member of the Standard Bank Group whose purpose is to drive Africa’s growth because it is our home, we believe we can only drive this growth if we play our part in ensuring that women and girls enjoy the same rights as men and boys. In the corporate world, that also means that we must create an enabling environment, free from bias, in which women are able to advance and succeed on the basis of merit and ability.

As we recognize women and their contributions to building our societies this month, we recognize the efforts of Ghanaian women and Ghanaian entrepreneurs. Their efforts, as the backbone of this country’s economy, are recognized and most appreciated. On this note, we wish all women in Ghana a happy International Women’s Day.

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MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2022

The Museum of the Future: A New Beacon for knowledge and innovation

By UAE Government Media Office

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ften, we find ourselves wondering what the future could look like, envisioning an array of possibilities and questioning our own positioning in the world of tomorrow. What will our life look like? What will the future hold for our children?

Today, the future is at the very doorstep of humanity, the opportunity is here as we believe that the future is something we ourselves can design.

Driven by the wise vision of its leadership, as always, Dubai has brought to life a one of a kind hub, for visionaries, talents and great minds from around the globe to shape the future, it is the eagerly-awaited “Museum of the Future”, which will open its doors to the rest of the world on February 22, 2022, welcoming guests to embark on a journey to the year 2071.

From Dubai and the UAE to the rest of the world, the Museum of the Future is a ‘living museum’ aiming to contribute to a deep intellectual movement, through connecting thinkers and experts from around the world and acting as a testbed for future generations to create innovative solutions for the challenges facing society.

As described by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai the Museum of the Future is “the most beautiful building on Earth”. It is a spectacular building that speaks Arabic, representing the revival of Arab excellence in the fields of science, mathematics and research, and an appreciation of the past Arab intellectuals that aims at resuming Arab civilization and renaissance.

Rising 77 metres above the ground, the striking structure is an architectural marvel, built by using robotic technology and with an emphasis on sustainability. The building is powered by 4,000 megawatts of solar energy.

The pillarless structure is home to seven unique and distinct floors. For its visitors, the museum comprises an unparalleled window to experience the future in all its aspects and dimensions.

The Museum of the Future employs the latest technologies of virtual and augmented reality, data analysis, artificial intelligence and humanmachine interaction. Answering many questions related to the future of humans, cities, societies, life on planet Earth and outer space, the museum’s exhibits orchestrate a world beyond human knowledge, providing visitors with innovative experiences unfold across five different exhibitions that explore the future of space travel and

living, climate change and ecology, health, wellness, and spirituality.

Coming face-to-face with never-seen-before space technology and getting introduced to humanity’s home in outer space, the visitor’s journey begins in the depths of our solar system. Paying tribute to the inspiring Emirates Mars Mission project that saw the Hope Probe successfully enter Mars’ orbit last year, this exhibit complements a crowning milestone for the UAE and the Arab World.

The Museum of the Future experience encourages its visitors to partake in special missions and, unlike a traditional museum that showcases fragments of the past, it provides a portal to the future, in a scientific attempt to explore its variables, potential challenges and expected characteristics.

The immersive experience will also see its visitors in an entirely new environment as they are re-introduced to planet Earth, the future of healing, sustainability and bioengineering technology. Reflecting the UAE’s ongoing work in sustainability and environmental stability, this part of the visitors’ journey also highlights the UAE position as one of the first countries to announce its commitment to achieving climate neutrality by 2050, and a homage to the country’s efforts in planning to host the 28th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 28) in Abu Dhabi in

2023.

In an environment centred around health, wellbeing and the sense of self, visitors will embark on a peaceful and empowering journey, as the light will be shed on reconnecting to human senses and learning to detach from the personal immense use of technology. The Museum of the Future will also showcase novel innovations from the near future through its partnerships with industry-leading companies and organisations to highlight emerging technologies and trends created for the betterment of humanity.

Believing that the future does not have an age preference, this museum will provide children with a dedicated experience that encourages their youngest minds to explore and learn several future-proofing skills through an open-world experience, in a step that helps them to innovate, and allows them to create the future they look forward to and to be a pivotal part of its characteristics.

As the new global scientific landmark and a beacon of knowledge, the Museum of the Future will become the headquarter to the ‘Great Arab Minds’ initiative, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in search for 1,000 great Arab minds.

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| AGRIBUSINESS

MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2022

GHANA@65: Is Ghana truly independent?

AARON KANN (VIA OPERA NEWS )

I

ndependence is defined as the freedom a country attains from its colonial master hence becoming self reliant and independent.

However that is not the case in Ghana, is Ghana truly independent? One may ask.

The answer is an emphatic no. Ghana is only independent on paper.

Many occurrences in Ghana make Ghana unpopular, after 65 years the decisions we take as a country is very appalling. From the presidency to the Ghanaian citizen are all bias and selfish in our decision making.

An independent Ghana still goes for loans to be able to manage its economy this deviates the fact that we’re selfreliant. Ghana is the most blessed country in the world mineral-wise but some way someway somehow, we have become slaves to the Chinese in our own country.

Fighting the Asians for our own mineral resources.They mine our gold and give us peanuts return them as golden chains for us to buy and brag shamefully about.

Harvest our cocoa beans in sacks to feed their numerous multimillion dollar industries while we are paid for the number of hours we toil on their farms under the west African sun. Oh, Ghana who cursed us? If this is what we term as independence then the Macmillan and Oxford dictionaries should be updated to suit these words.

A country who possesses all the most wanted mineral resources such as gold timber manganese bauxite cocoa cashew diamond and is also blessed to be placed in the center of the world closer to the sea should not have its youth fighting for jobs.

On the eve of our 65th year anniversary since gained independence from our British colonial masters through the help of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, the big six and our forefathers who shed their blood to ensure we move about freely in our own country.

It appears that independence in Ghana is just the mere absence of the white man from our shores as they still control our day to day activities indirectly from their own backyards.They determine how much they will buy our produce and we can say a word, they come here and pollute our water bodies disguised in legal mining as some of our local chiefs have sold their conscience for a few cedi notes throwing our lands and vegetation to these foreigners forgetting that Ghana is just a young Country of less than a century old.

Is independence just the parading of students of students at the jubilee square on the 6th of March and making 360 turns

around the park in the hot March sunshine?

There’s certainly more to that.

The youth are even the worse, auctioning their future and that of their children to these old politicians who have already secured enough wealth for their children and children’s children. Receiving peanuts to sell their thumbs to people who careless about them after they have won the election.

How is Ghana independent and self reliant if foreign coaches lead our national teams?

Don’t get me wrong I may sound racist but what is the essence of having Ghanaian seasoned professionals train when their foreign counterparts will be given the job?

We keep importing foreign goods day in day out at the expense of our local industries why won’t they collapse? Let me end by asking you , is Ghana truly independent ?

Please tap on the follow button above and please share this article to your friends and family thanks for reading this article.

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MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2022

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| NEWS

MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2022

What is Ghana’s Future after China Begins Production of Cocoa?

Kwakus (via Opera News)

China has started with mass production of cocoa and exportation onto the world market and this seems to be a threat to Ghana’s cocoa production.

Tracing back from the time the iconic and legendary Tetteh Quarshie imported cocoa pod into the then Gold Coast from Fernando Po, the commodity has been a game changer in Ghana’s economy from Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s time to present.

The Chinese are far advanced than Ghana in terms of technology, and looking at the vast nature of the total land area of China they could produce much of cocoa beans for export The total land size of China is approximately 9,596,960 km square compared to Ghana’s total land area of 238,535 km square and their cocoa production agenda could far outweighs that of Ghana.

Most of our infrastructures we are seeing today like the Motorways, interchanges, schools, hospitals etc were established with the revenue generated from cocoa exportation.

The role of cocoa, a cash crop in the lives of Ghanaians can never be overemphasized but a strong

competition from the versatile Chinese entering into cocoa production is definitely going to sway the country’s economic situation down in different ways Farmers are going to be largely affected with their cocoa production expedition. Now the price of a bag of cocoa in Ghana is pegged at 660 Ghana Cedis, a price that Ghanaian cocoa farmers are even not happy with China’s competition in terms of cocoa production with Ghana would cause most farmers to abandon the cocoa business should China storm the international market with large tonnes of cocoa commodity at a

reduced price.

Again, the Ghana Cocoa Board would definitely face massive layoff of its staff when our cocoa marketing rate significantly reduce due to a strong competition from China in the years to come.

The government revenue shall diminished. Over the past years the government of Ghana has constantly received much money from the sale of cocoa on the world market, and billions of Cedis has been generated from that commodity to support her spendings and budgetary.

Ghana’s future with cocoa shall be a bit shaky.

Most of the cocoa product

manufacturing companies shall also lay off its workers due to the invasion of China on the cocoa production business. What did we see from the Chinese with Kente production that has of late reduced the market for the indigenous Ghanaian producers? Definitely similar cenario shall be seen in Ghana.

Ghana as well as their West African counterparts Ivory Coast who are the highest producers of cocoa in the world could lose those relevant titles to China who is now into the cocoa business.

Ghana going for grant or loan from the world financial institutions may be reduced if the balance of payment deficit normally set in. cocoa as major cash crop in Ghana faces a stiffer competition from China and the price fluctuates due to major producers storming the market with the commodity, using it as a collateral to receive loans from the World Bank shall be affected To bring my submission to an end, Ghana’s future with cocoa as a result of China’s involvement in cocoa production with combined technology shall put the economy of Ghana into massive drawback.

President Akufo-Addo approves charter for three universities President Nana Addo Dankwa AkufoAddo has given approval for the grant of Presidential Charter to three university colleges to award their own degrees.

The institutions are the Methodist University College, Ghana, the Presbyterian University College, Ghana and the Catholic University College, Ghana.

A statement issued by the Office of the President and signed by the Secretary to the President, Nana Bediatuo Asante, urged the Colleges to take the necessary steps to prepare their respective Presidential Charters for the signature of the President.

The three universities were previously affiliated with other institutions of higher learning.

The charter would make them independent degree-granting institutions.

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MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2022

MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2022

| F E AT U R E

What Ukraine needs

By Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze

A

lthough Ukraine’s armed forces are outnumbered by those of Russian President Vladimir Putin invading our country, we take heart from the growing support we are receiving from friends abroad.

Nobody should forget that this is not just an unprovoked invasion of Ukraine; it is an assault on the free world.

Putin has been at war with the free world for decades. He has ordered the assassination of Russian exiles on foreign soil, in democratic countries such as the United Kingdom. He has interfered in democratic elections, both in the United States and across Europe. He and his cronies have looted Russia and laundered the cash abroad. He has propagated disinformation worldwide, and crushed dissent at home. In 2008, he sent Russian forces into Georgia, where they continue to occupy large swaths of that country. And most recently, he has occupied Belarus – now a launchpad for his war on Ukraine.

In Ukraine, Putin’s forces have exhibited appalling cruelty, bombing apartment blocks, hospitals, schools, and other essential civilian infrastructure that is critical to urban civilian life. The bombing of Freedom Square in Kharkiv and the use of cluster munitions in cities are

unambiguous examples of war crimes.

Russian troops are committing acts of genocide against the Ukrainian people.

Because Putin’s troops have overrun sensitive sites containing radioactive material in Chernobyl and Kyiv, the threat of nuclear catastrophe is also already upon us. His decision last weekend to place Russia’s tactical nuclear forces on high alert is another sign that he has no limits.

The longer Putin’s assault on Ukraine continues, the greater the likelihood that other countries will need to step in more forcefully. It is no secret that Putin’s objective extends beyond Ukraine.

He wants a return to the 1945 Yalta Conference, when world leaders carved up post-World War II Europe according to Western and Soviet spheres of influence.

Just last week, the Kremlin spokesman issued direct threats against Sweden and Finland – two countries that, like Ukraine, are European but not members of NATO. The free world has begun to wake up to the magnitude of the threat Putin poses.

For too long, the global response amounted to too little, too late. But by barring several Russian banks from the SWIFT financial messaging system, freezing a significant share of Russia’s foreign-exchange holdings, and supplying us with advanced military hardware, the free world is

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helping Ukraine drive Putin back.

We are grateful to Poland and other Western neighbors for doing all they can to accommodate Ukrainian refugees – though we now understand that Russia is deploying paratroopers to terrorize these people and to close our western borders.

To resist Russia and save Ukraine, we need more help immediately. For starters, we urge Western powers to enforce a no-fly zone over Ukraine to prevent the continued aerial bombardment of civilian population centers.

Second, other countries must impose an oil and gas embargo on Russia, to cut off its primary revenue source. Third, governments should expel Russian diplomats, deny Russia landing rights, and ban all Russian media channels.

And, finally, we are calling for a revocation of Russia’s veto at the United Nations Security Council, followed by a special war-crimes tribunal to prosecute Putin and other culpable officials for the crimes against humanity that have become a staple of Russian policy in Ukraine.

Putin’s terrorist army may inflict horrific damage on our cities, but it will never take control of Kyiv, our Ukraine’s capital and spiritual home. He can try to erase our city from the map with bombardments, but we will never capitulate.

As I sit here on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukrainian politicians of all stripes have rallied together with civil-society leaders and foreign parliamentarians to counter Putin’s outrageous attack on our country.

While our brave armed forces and citizens are resisting Putin’s criminal invasion in the cities and forests of Ukraine, we will continue doing what we can to defend ourselves. We know that we have truth and freedom on our side. All free countries must know that the fight Putin has forced upon us is not ours alone.

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MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2022

Fighting corruption in Ghana: Role of education

BY DR ENYONAM C. KUDONOO

I

n an ideal world, people are nurtured to have collective positive interests that serve as a binding force enabling them to work in one accord for sustainable development. In the process, they are mindful of each other’s needs, altruistic, honest, transparent, and thereby, improve upon their personal responsibility and public accountability practices. In such a world, people are careful of what they must do and work towards a common goal for the good of all.

Moral value systems are active, ensuring people lead good lives according to reason.

On the contrary, the thirst for power and its misuse; ‘get rich quick’ attitudes; making wealth an end; using power and wealth to measure happiness; quick fixes; greed; selfishness; unreasonable family demands; nepotism; ethnicity; personal hidden agendas among others override the common good.

There is a tug of war between persons and collective interests, leading to a lack of personal responsibility and public accountability practices. These vices have laid a strong foundation for the blooming of corruption in Ghana, resulting in protracted conflicts and unsustainable development. The purpose of this article, therefore, is to throw more light on what corruption truly means in broader terms, the daily activities people engage in that portray its practices and explore ways to address them to lay a foundation for anticorruption practices to prevail.

Corruption Corruption is a phenomenon that bedevils nations and dethrones governments across the world. It is an embodiment of political, economic and social vices. Its subtle nature has made it very difficult to deal with because it eats into the moral fibre of societies, making it “a way of life” or the norm of everyday practice. It is discussed by all in all spheres in Ghana, including in the print and electronic media, in workplaces, in marketplaces, in families, on the streets, in the church, and in schools.

Curbing or minimising corruption cannot be successfully done if the phenomenon is not perceived in its entirety. Definitions of corruption abound in the literature but most of them fall short in the broader sense of the phenomenon. However, two definitions in the literature that best suit the purpose of this article are that of Osoba (1996), who defined corruption as: “a form of antisocial behaviour by an individual or social group, which confers unjust or fraudulent benefits on its perpetrators, is inconsistent with the established legal norms and prevailing moral ethos of the land and is likely to subvert or diminish the capacity of legitimate authorities to

provide fully for the material and spiritual well-being of all members of society in a just and equitable manner”.

Lawal (2007), states that corruption is a systematic vice in an individual, society, or nation that reflects favouritism, nepotism, tribalism, sectionalism, undue enrichment, amassing of wealth, abuse of office, power, position, and derivation of undue gains and benefits. Corruption also includes bribery, smuggling, fraud, illegal payments, money laundering, drug trafficking, falsification of documents and records, window dressing, false declaration, evasion, underpayment, deceit, forgery, concealment, aiding and abetting of any kind to the detriment of another person, community, society, or nation.

A critical look at these two definitions show consistency in views concerning the phenomenon. Corruption, therefore, may simply mean to lose purity or integrity.

Irrefutably, it can be concluded that, corruption is exhibiting immoral behaviour that impedes progress in society.

How then can this canker, which is entrenched in the Ghanaian society that is eating deep into its moral fibre, be minimised for the common good? Are attempts made in the past and present only scratching the surface of issues or addressing the symptoms rather than the root causes? It is evident that a serious problem of this nature cannot be tackled without considering its root cause. Examining a problem from diverse viewpoints of cultures different from the prevailing culture of specific people results in solutions that fail to address in totality the issue at stake. What must be done to tackle the corruption from the roots to curb its blooming activities?

Corrupt practices To this end, it is expedient to tackle corruption from a broader perspective bearing in mind the Ghanaian culture.

People point accusing fingers at public office holders, and politicians, but are

they the only ones involved in corrupt practices? Considering the two definitions of corruption discussed above, it cannot be attributed to only politicians and public office holders as portrayed by many.

Corrupt individuals include those who use office resources including time for their own gain; destroy or use office property carelessly with the notion that it belongs to the government and the government will replace it; litter the environment and expect government to employ people to clean after them; build in watercourses and when their houses get flooded during rainy season, they call on government for help. They also include those who refuse to wait in queues but jump them to receive services without an iota of guilt; occupy positions they are not qualified for, and confidently make uninformed decisions that create more problems; tell their children to tell visitors one does not want to see that one is not at home (what manner of people are these children going to be in adulthood), among other negative practices.

Address corruption Two fundamental approaches, formally and informally, can be used to cut off the blooming of corruption in Ghana to create a better future that promotes sustainable development. In the case of formal education, it is proposed that attention is paid to formal education where attention is paid to developing a new crop of graduates to become ethical leaders with qualities of responsible citizenship and personal accountability propensities that promote anti-corruption practices in Ghana, and informal education where parents are encouraged to nurture their children in morally upright ways for them to become good citizens. The next article will discuss more on how anti-corruption behaviours can be imbibed in students.

THE WRITER IS A LECTURER AT THE ASHESI UNIVERSITY.

MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2022

| O P I N I O N /A N A LY S I S

Where Is Dubai Leading Us? “Connecting minds, creating the future,” the slogan of World Expo 2020, is everywhere in this city. The ongoing event, which opened a year late in October 2021, is the first of its kind since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

F

By Jean Pisani-Ferry

ew other places in the world are as future-oriented as Dubai. But what kind of future does Dubai want?

The city has established itself as a model for the emerging urban centers of Asia and the Middle East, so its choices today could have far-reaching consequences in the future.

Unlike many of its neighbors, including in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai’s wealth is not built on oil. In fact, only 1% of the city’s GDP comes from hydrocarbons. Not long after oil was first discovered in the emirate in the 1960s, its ruler, Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, decided that the emirate’s economy should not rely on it exclusively. Instead, he pushed Dubai to become a center for global business, based on its favorable geographical position and its promarket orientation. The city’s planners lived by the credo: “If you build it, they will come.”

Thanks to this mentality, Dubai has run like a start-up, continuously betting on new technologies and innovations. Prominent leaders are devoted to emerging fields: the young Omar Al Olama is Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence; Mohammad Al Gergawi, the right hand of current ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is both Cabinet Chief of Staff and Minister of the Future.

Gergawi was involved in the construction of Dubai’s Museum of the Future, a building that towers over the city’s main boulevard. An inspiring quote from Al Maktoum is engraved on its metal facade: “The future belongs to those who can imagine it, design it, and execute it. It isn’t something you await, but rather create.”

A similar spirit led Dubai to host the World Expo. Delayed by one crisis – the pandemic – the event is focused on solving others, such as climate change.

But some contradictions become apparent. For example, the Expo has a district devoted to sustainability, but the lush, green exposition site was created from 440 hectares of desert through carbon-intensive water desalination. And while much of the infrastructure will remain after the fair, visitors explore the world through national pavilions meant to stand only a few months.

As part of the team that designed the Expo’s Italian Pavilion, I thought a lot about how to manage these contradictions. After considering the context, our team decided that the pavilion would demonstrate the principle of circularity. We created a building in which all the components are either recycled or recyclable. The

shimmering walls are constructed from two million plastic bottles. The floor is made of coffee grounds and orange peels. The roof consists of the hulls of three upside-down boats, which can be flipped over and set to sea after the event. We also chose an environmentally friendly process to cool the building, relying on a ventilation system that circulates air through the permeable walls and cools it through evapotranspiration.

Dubai as a whole faces sustainability challenges. Most trips in the emirate are made by car, on highways like the 16-lane Sheikh Zayed Road. And separate trash and recycling collection is not widespread.

According to some estimates, only 20% of waste is recycled.

Per capita energy consumption is among the world’s highest. The city has discarded the genius loci of Arab low-rise construction, perfected over centuries to mitigate high temperatures, in favor of an international architectural style born in the climes of midtwentieth century Chicago and New York.

Its competing skyscrapers’ unshaded glass walls absorb every ray of the scorching sun. Life inside, therefore, requires significant air conditioning, intensifying energy consumption.

In other words, behind Dubai’s eagerness to build the city of tomorrow loom some of the values of yesterday.

While young people around the world are ready to travel by train or bicycle to follow in the austere footsteps of Greta Thunberg, their Emirati peers seem to aspire to cruise around in bombastic internal-combustion cars – just like last century’s kids.

Yet for an entire region undergoing massive urban growth, Dubai has become the model to emulate. So, where will Dubai lead its followers? If the city can combine its ability to innovate with the imperatives of sustainability, it will do more than “connect minds” and “create the future.” It will help to build a more livable one.

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WWW.BUSINESS24.COM.GH

NO. B24 / 313 | NEWS FOR BUSINESS LEADERS

MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2022

AFRICAN LEADERS AND THEIR INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS MUST ENGAGE LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO IDENTIFY, DESIGN, AND IMPLEMENT THE RIGHT SOLUTIONS

Greening African cooking

By Brian Malika

A

s the world races to meet the goal of net-zero carbon emissions, most regions are focusing on the energy sector. But in Sub-Saharan Africa, cooking fuel poses a bigger challenge. If Africa is to achieve its emissions-reduction goals, Africans must find a clean, affordable way to prepare food.

More than 80% of people in Sub-Saharan Africa use charcoal, kerosene, or firewood to cook. These fuels produce black carbon, one of the biggest contributors to climate change after carbon dioxide.

And they do more than harm the planet.

The household pollution caused by traditional cooking fuels contributes to more than 500,000 premature deaths annually in the region. It also leads to stunted growth and increased risk of respiratory infections in children under five.

And, with Sub-Saharan Africa’s population growing 2.7% annually, the problems associated with cooking fuel will worsen until a safer, cleaner option is found.

Several new fuels have been proposed, from bioethanol to electricity produced from solar panels. But to determine the best alternative, those who use the fuel must be part of the discussion. People will not use a greener cooking fuel unless it is affordable and easy to access.

So-called design thinking is one way to include their views. This approach, used successfully in many developing-country contexts, relies on collaboration between project managers, engineers, and local communities to find the right solution for a particular problem.

In Brazil, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) used design thinking to create jobs in remote villages that are on the front line in the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss. WWF team members engaged local leaders to determine how residents could be employed to conserve endangered forests through the use of traditional resource-management techniques.

Likewise, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization coordinated with indigenous peoples on a white paper that describes how traditional production methods offer a platform for sustainable food systems.

Leaders in Sub-Saharan Africa can draw on these cases to engage communities in the search for cleaner sources of cooking fuel. Some experiments already are taking place. A youth group in Kibera, Africa’s largest slum, recycles biodegradable food waste to make a form of cooking fuel that produces no carbon-dioxide emissions. But residents noted that the biogas production produces a foul smell during the fermentation process – a serious problem in this heavily populated area. The residents suggested

putting natural odor eliminators like vinegar around fermentation areas.

The Africa Biogas Partnership Program shows how a good idea could be made better through design thinking.

This program offered rural households biodigesters to turn waste into cooking fuel. While the program successfully reduced fuel consumption and cases of respiratory illness, many farmers who relied on financing to buy the biodigesters could not repay the loans on time. The biodigesters improved the quality of life for the farmers and their families, but they did not contribute to additional income. The inclusion of farmers in the program’s development might have identified this problem in advance and prompted development agencies to create a grant program to offset the upfront expense.

Affordable, green cooking fuel will benefit Sub-Saharan Africa in another way: its production can provide jobs for the millions of young Africans about to enter the workforce. The number of Africans under 24 is projected to increase by nearly 50% by 2050.

Every year for the next decade, up to 10-12 million young Africans will enter a labor market that currently can accommodate only 3.1 million of them.

The number of people employed globally in the renewable-energy sector has grown steadily in the past decade.

The industry offers opportunities for both skilled and unskilled labor and has a better gender balance than traditional energy production. But, while 12 million people were employed in green energy production in 2020, only 2.5% of them live in Sub-Saharan Africa.

By 2050, Africa’s population is expected to double – totaling a quarter of the world’s population. Cities will account for more than 80% of the increase – and most of these people will inhabit crowded slums. With the right initiatives, green energy can be a source of hope for the urban poor. In rural parts of Africa, solar panel installation is creating new jobs. In urban settings, investment in industries like biogas production can reduce carbon emissions and increase employment opportunities.

African leaders and their international partners must engage local communities to identify, design, and implement the right solutions to the problem of widespread use of dangerous cooking fuels. The health of Africa’s people – and of the planet – requires nothing less.

Published by Business24 Ltd. Nii Asoyii Street, Mempeasem. East Legon-Accra, Ghana. Tel: 030 296 5297 | 030 296 5315. Editor: Benson Afful editor@business24.com.gh. +233 545 516 133.