Business24 Newspaper 13th August, 2021 by Business24 Online

FRIDAY AUGUST 13, 2021

TULLOW Ghana to participate in OTC 2021

Women shea producers in northern Ghana to benefit from international certification to access global markets

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NO. B24 / 234 | NEWS FOR BUSINESS LEADERS

FRIDAY MONDAY AUGUST MAY 3, 13,2021 2021

TUC endorses unemployment insurance scheme By Patrick Paintsil

p_paintsil@hotmail.com

he Trades Union Congress (TUC) says a carefully designed National Unemployment Insurance Scheme (NUIS) will facilitate labour mobility, match relevant skills to the right jobs, and boost productivity. At a forum on the 2021 Mid-Year Budget Review in Accra, the union said the NUIS will also provide composite support to workers who become unemployed through no fault of theirs in future.

Government announced the National Unemployment Insurance Scheme in its 2020 mid-year budget statement.

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GNPC’s acquisition of oil fields will create more jobs, says Energy Minister By Benson Afful affulbenson@gmail.com

he government says the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation’s (GNPC) acquisition of a 37 percent equity stake in the Deep Water Tano/Cape Three Points (DWT/CTP) block operated by Aker Energy Ghana and a 70 percent equity stake in the South Deep Water

ADB shows resilience amid virus fallout By Eugene Davis ugendavis@gmail.com

he outgoing board chairman of Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), Alex Bernasko, has said the bank showed strong growth last year amid the devastating Cont’d on page 3

NPA chief promises a more interactive organisation By Eugene Davis ugendavis@gmail.com

he CEO of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, has pledged to make the petroleum downstream regulator a Cont’d on page 5

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instagram.com/business24gh

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Editorial / News

FRIDAY AUGUST 13, 2021

Editorial

Could NUIS be the panacea to academia-industry disparity?

ndustry has been crying for skilled labour in a nation that is strongly focused on industrialization but on the hand is a huge backlog of unemployed graduates lamenting about the unavailability of jobs in the system. The push to build specific manpower for industry has been an ongoing process but the problem remains unsolved. Our universities churn of thousands of trained graduates with little or no practical knowhow or expertise that could fit them into the industrial space, creating a huge pool of unemployed graduates in the country. Government announced the National Unemployment Insurance Scheme in its 2020

mid-year budget statement as a social intervention initiative to offer some respite to persons who lost their jobs and income as a result of the virus pandemic on economic activities. It would also offer opportunities for training, retraining, job search support, apprenticeship and internships to enable person who lose their jobs to re-adjust. The NUIS will aslo offer opportunities for training and retraining, job search support, apprenticeship and internships to the unemployed. According Statista, the unemployment rate in Ghana was at approximately 4.53 percent of the total labor force in 2020. The unemployment rate is the percentage of a country's

labor force that are without jobs but are available to work and actively seeking employment. Ghana’s unemployment rate is above the worldwide unemployment rate, and compared to other Sub-Saharan African countries and other regions, Ghana has a relatively average rate of unemployment. According to the Trades Union Congress, a carefully designed National Unemployment Insurance Scheme (NUIS) will facilitate labour mobility, match relevant skills to the right jobs and boost productivity. This is a great opportunity to finding a sustainable solution to one of the most pressing need of industry: skilled labour.

TUC endorses unemployment insurance scheme Continued from cover

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“The TUC welcomes the progress towards the establishment of the NUIS and rollout of training for workers impacted by COVID-19. It will offer opportunities for training and retraining, job search support, apprenticeship and internships to the unemployed,” said Dr. Kwabena Nyarko Otoo, Director of the TUC’s Labour Research and Policy Institute, in a presentation. Government announced

the National Unemployment Insurance Scheme in its 2020 midyear budget statement, following which a tripartite technical committee was established to work out the modalities for its implementation. The scheme is a social intervention initiative to, first of all, offer some respite to persons who lost their jobs and incomes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic’s effects on economic activities. When operational, the scheme

will focus on providing direct income support to workers who lose their jobs or suffer pay cuts in the event of a social or economic crisis. It will also offer opportunities for training, retraining, job search support, apprenticeships and internships to enable persons who lose their jobs to re-adjust. According to the TUC, the training programme will help preserve and upgrade the skills of affected workers. Meanwhile, the union has asked that government comes clear on the modalities for achieving the proposed one million jobs that it intends to create as announced in the mid-year budget review last month. “There has to be a sector-bysector and regional analysis of the jobs that government wants to create. There must be equitable distribution, with priority attention to the newly created regions,” Dr. Otoo said. “They must be decent jobs that include the social security contributions and PAYE of the workers,” he added. The TUC suggested sanitation, health, security and education as key sectors that government could consider to create meaningful jobs for the youth.

News

FRIDAY AUGUST 13, 2021

GNPC’s acquisition of oil fields will create more jobs, says Energy Minister Continued from cover Tano (SDWT) block operated by AGM Petroleum will widen the oil and gas sector to create more jobs for Ghanaians. The government projects that a successful delivery of Pecan Phase 1, Nyankom and Pecan Phase 2 can create more than 10,000 jobs in the wider economy. “While some of them will come from the oil sector, the majority will come from the tax revenues, royalties and profits from the fields being circulated back into the economy,” the Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, said in a memorandum submitted to Parliament. He said there will be a robust knowledge transfer programme to GNPC, structured around the core competencies required for the operator function currently being performed by Aker Energy

staff. The actual training will occur by secondment of GNPC personnel to the operator company, he added.

According to the Energy Minster, this is in line with the model used by Statoil and Equinor to develop skills to become operators.

“They all developed their capacity by piggybacking on the skills of predecessor international oil companies,” he said. He explained that current GNPC staff with the required skills will fill specific roles in the Operator JV, while other roles will be filled through training and capacity development, shadowing, understudy and formal training. He added that there will be a continuous assessment of the skill and knowledge transfer programme to ensure that GNPC is in the position to be a standalone operator by Pecan First Oil. The support, he said, will be available for a further six months after first oil, if required. “If GNPC opts to take the call option at first oil, it will be the 100 percent owner of the operator company with full operational control,” he added.

ADB shows resilience amid virus fallout Continued from cover effects of the pandemic by posting a profit after tax of GH₵65.4m compared to GH₵14.9m in 2019. Speaking at the virtual 34th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the bank in Accra, he said the performance resulted in returns on equity and assets of 7.7 percent and 1.1 percent respectively in 2020, as against 1.87 percent and 0.32 percent respectively in 2019. “The size of our balance sheet experienced a significant growth over the year from GH₵4.6bn in 2019 to GH₵5.7bn in 2020, bolstered in part by our improved holdings in investment securities in line with our strategic objectives, just as we saw an expansion of 30 percent in net loan assets from GH₵1.5bn in 2019 to GH₵1.9bn in 2020,” he told shareholders of the bank. ADB’s non-performing loans portfolio fell from 41 percent of all loans in 2019 to 34 percent in 2020, he added. “Our target is to bring the NPL ratio within industry brackets by 2023.” Deposits grew by 26 percent from GH₵3.4bn in 2019 to GH₵4.2bn in 2020, while by the end of 2020, the capital adequacy ratio and the Basel Committeeinspired capital requirement directive were 16.5 percent and

14.5 percent respectively, both above the minimum regulatory requirements. In the area of cost savings and management, the bank’s annual report said total operational expenditure was well contained, leading to an overall cost-toincome ratio of 78.2 percent at year-end, a marked upgrade from the 2019 position of 92.2 percent. The Managing Director of the bank, Dr. John Kofi Mensah, stated that 2020 was a year that tested ADB like never before, adding that from the onset, the board and management revised the bank’s three-year strategic plan to ensure that it adequately helped to address present challenges and was forward-looking enough to stand the bank in good stead to thrive in the long term. He said ADB was positioned to leverage its unique strength in agribusiness to increase lending to agriculture. “To provide ready market for the expected increased farmers’ output under the Planting for Food and Jobs, the bank approved an amount of GH¢70m as working capital to the National Food Buffer Stock Company Ltd. (NAFCO) to buy off excess produce for storage as buffer stock. The bank also remained an active partner for the implementation of the

Alex Bernasko is the outgoing board chairman of ADB.

novel One District One Factory Programme (1D1F), as it approved total loans of about GH¢104m in favour of some 17 viable projects to undertake among others broiler production and processing, fruit processing, general manufacturing, construction, jute bags production as well as fish farming and processing.” At the meeting, three new

members were appointed to the board of the bank, including Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II, Kwawuhene and the President of the Kwahu Traditional Council, as the new board chairman. The rest were Alhaji Habib Iddrisu, the Member of Parliament for the Tolon Constituency, and Prof. Eric Yirenkyi Danquah, of the University of Ghana

FRIDAY AUGUST 13, 2021

News

FRIDAY AUGUST 13, 2021

NPA chief promises a more interactive organisation Continued from cover “more interactive and socially engaged organisation that allows the public to appreciate its work”. Speaking at a media engagement in Accra, he said it was important to deepen journalists’ understanding of petroleum pricing and regulation to help depoliticise the issue and increase the public’s appreciation

of it. “The issue of petroleum pricing should not be an NDC or NPP matter. Petroleum basically drives the economy, the market and productivity in work places; everyone thrives on petroleum. So an educated journalism fraternity on [the] petroleum pricing mechanism in a deregulated environment is very critical for the survival of our nation [and]

the peace of our nation—and that will help [the media] become truly independent arbiters.” He said the public would fully appreciate the petroleum sector, especially ex-pump petroleum pricing, only if media practitioners who have the responsibility of educating them on such matters are themselves informed about the nitty-gritty of the industry. Abass Tasunti, head of pricing

Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid is the new CEO of NPA

at the NPA, said although the authority does not determine the ex-pump prices of petroleum products, it has a formula that the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas Companies (LPGC) use for pricing their products. He said petroleum product prices are driven by the exrefinery price, taxes and levies, statutory margins, and marketers’ and distributors’ margins. He clarified that the NPA is not responsible for the taxes and levies—such as the special petroleum tax, energy debt recovery levy, road fund levy, energy fund levy, price stabilisation and pollution levy, and energy sector recovery levy— imposed on petroleum products. These are set by the government as part of its fiscal policy and implemented by the NPA in the pricing mechanism. On subsidies, Mr. Tasunti said currently the government subsidises only premix and residual fuel used by fishermen and industries respectively. He added that the authority also constantly monitors the activities of the OMCs to ensure they conform to the laws regulating the sector.

IC securities launches first digital trading platform

C Securities (Ghana) Limited has launched an electronic trading platform, called “Tradelive”, which features trading via a web portal and USSD. The USSD trading feature is the first of its kind in the Ghanaian capital market. This innovative tool is duly authorised by the Ghana Stock Exchange (“GSE”) and allows brokerage clients of IC to transact on the Tradelive platform that is also linked to GSE conveniently and in real-time. A virtual launch event held saw a demonstration of the new product which can be accessed via www.wealth.ic.africa or on the MTN mobile money platform, *170# and then selecting option 5 for financial services and 6 for trade shares which opens the “Tradelive” platform after the user enters his or her momo pin. The Chief Executive Officer of IC Securities (Ghana) Limited, Mr. Kwabena Osei-Boateng, said: “We are truly grateful to MTN and the GSE for their unwavering support as we developed and sought authorization for this innovative

product. We are excited to play an important part in putting investing on the Ghana Stock Exchange within the convenient and safe reach of millions of Ghanaians.” The Managing Director of the GSE, Mr. Ekow Afedzie said the Tradelive platform is an innovative tool by IC Securities, developed to assist investors trade easily on the GSE platform to bring more convenience and

real-time speed for trading. He said the platform is expected to enhance the daily trading of IC Securities customers, as they will be able to trade securities directly from any mobile device, which aligns with GSE’s strategy of collaborating with fintech’s and licensed brokers to develop platforms for investors to trade electronically. “As we commend IC Securities for this timely initiative, we would like to encourage other brokerage

firms and players in the industry to emulate same and develop more innovative tools to support the development of the capital market. With a rise of a tech savvy generation, the Tradelive platform should attract an entire generation of active investors to build the right savings and investment culture, that is much needed in the capital market industry to support its growth,” he said.

FRIDAY AUGUST 13, 2021

News

FRIDAY AUGUST 13, 2021

SMEs make significant savings with Vodafone Cash’s free money transfer service

he ravaging impact of the pandemic affected a vast number of small businesses who also struggled to keep up with their recurring monthly expenditure. Whilst focusing on cutting budget and operating efficiently, businesses became critical of every amount spent. One remarkable initiative, which has seemingly brought relief to small businesses during this pandemic, is the zero charges on mobile money transfers from Vodafone Cash. With this arrangement, businesses are able to transfer any amount of money from their Vodafone Cash

accounts to any other mobile money account without charges. In essence, businesses that use Vodafone Cash to pay wages and salaries, suppliers and other monthly transactions have been saving the transfer charges they would have incurred. One could for instance, save as much as Ghc 100 if they needed to send Ghc 1,000 or more to 10 different mobile money accounts. Reminiscing over what many have described as bold and purpose-first decision, some SME have praised the Telco for the relief they say it has brought them. According to them, through this

“show of goodwill,” they are able to save the charges on money transfers to solve other pressing needs. “Thanks to the free mobile money transfers on Vodafone Cash, my cost of doing business has reduced and this has enhanced my profit base. If I am able to save even a hundred cedis per month as a result of the non-payment of charges on money transfers, that is a crumb of comfort, especially in these hard times,” said Dr Eunice Quansah, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nkunim Seafood Enterprise in Cape Coast. On his part, Kenneth Sackey, an

event organizer based in Accra, is even more happy with the service. “Unless I am required to produce physical cash, I do not need to go to bank to deposit or send money to my partners and clients. I am able to do these anywhere and anytime especially knowing that I will not be charged. Moreover, I get to purge myself of all the risks associated with carrying huge sums of money to bank to either deposit in my account or send to someone. Vodafone Cash offers me a viable alternative with its unfettered free transfer,” he said. For Gifty Pino of Agee Ventures, her upbeat about Vodafone Cash is especially based on what she describes as trading made simple and special. According to her, she now has the peace of mind to concentrate on the things that matter the most without caring at all about how much to pay for transferring money from her phone to her business partners or loved ones. “I sell bags, shoes and dresses. Vodafone Cash has made trading special for me. I mean, because of Vodafone Cash, I am not charged a pesewa for sending any amount of money to anyone, regardless of their network. The complete removal of charges on Vodafone Cash has given us traders peace of mind. Indeed, Vodafone Cash has really helped us,” she said.

TULLOW Ghana to participate in OTC 2021

ullow Ghana will be attending the 51st Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) 2021 taking place at the NRG Park, Houston - Texas from August 16 – 19 2021. Tullow Ghana will be part of the Ghana delegation attending the conference, led by the Minister of Energy, Dr Matthew OpokuPrempeh. The six-member Tullow delegation will be led by Mr. Wissam Al-Monthiry, Managing Director for Tullow Ghana. Mr. Al-Monthiry will deliver remarks at the official ribbon cutting ceremony at the Ghana pavilion and participate in the West Africa Oil & Gas Forum, as part of activities at the conference. Mr. Al-Monthiry is expected to discuss topical industry issues including the future of the oil and gas industry in Africa as a catalyst for economic development, the impact of energy transition on developing economies, and opportunities for the

development of Ghana’s oil and gas industry. Tullow is an independent oil & gas, exploration and production group which is quoted on the London, Irish and Ghanaian stock

exchanges (symbol: TLW) and is a constituent of the FTSE250 index. The group has interests in over 40 exploration and production licences across 11 countries including Ghana where it operates

the Jubilee and TEN fields. In March 2021, Tullow committed to becoming Net Zero on its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030.

News

FRIDAY AUGUST 13, 2021

Samsung unveils Galaxy Z Fold3, Galaxy Z Flip3 5G foldable smartphones

amsung has opened the next chapter in foldable innovation with two new smartphones, the Galaxy Z Fold3 | Galaxy Z Flip3 5G. Both devices are premium foldable smartphones built with the craftsmanship and flagship innovations Samsung users have come to love and expect. The third generation of these category-defining devices incorporates key improvements that Samsung foldable users have asked for—making them more durable with more optimised foldable experiences than ever before. From iconic design to immersive entertainment, Galaxy Z Fold3 and Galaxy Z Flip3 offer users unique new ways to work,

watch, play, capture and socialize For those who need the ultimate device for productivity and immersive entertainment, Galaxy Z Fold3 is a true multitasking powerhouse with next level performance, an undisrupted 7.6-inch Infinity Flex Display, and the first ever S Pen support on a foldable device. For those who want style that comes with function, Galaxy Z Flip3 is the ideal device with its sleek, compact, and pocketable design, enhanced camera features, and a larger Cover Screen built for quick use on the go. “With Galaxy Z Fold3 |Z Flip3 5G, Samsung is once again redefining the possibilities with

foldable smartphones that empower users with the flexibility and versatility needed for today’s fast-paced world,” said Dudu Mokholo, Chief Marketing Officer: Samsung Africa Office. “As a pioneer and industry leader in the foldable category, we’re proud to build on our legacy of innovation with the Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3. These devices equip consumers with technologies that unlock new ways to maximise and enjoy every moment with an ecosystem built on openness and innovation.” Samsung continues its legacy of foldable leadership with rigorous processes to create devices that remain reliable after years of use. The revolutionary Hideaway

Hinge, first introduced on Galaxy Z Flip, enables the devices to stay in place at any angle for innovative user experiences with Flex mode. Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3 were also put through a strenuous folding test, verified by Bureau Veritas, to withstand folding 200,000 times . Plus, they’re equipped with the latest powerful 5nm AP and 5G band compatibility for the best experience inside and out. Joining the Galaxy Z Series are Galaxy Buds2 – designed for a comfortable fit made to be worn all day, and provide premium sound quality so you can immerse yourself in the moment, wherever you are. As one of the latest additions to the Galaxy Buds line-up, Galaxy Buds2 join the Galaxy Buds Live and Galaxy Buds Pro, providing more choices to consumers to fit their needs. As a part of the Galaxy ecosystem, Galaxy Buds2 make the perfect companion to your Galaxy smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch. The Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3 will be available for pre-order beginning 9 September 2021, and the purchase period continues until 22 September 2021. The recommended retail price for Galaxy Z Fold3 is GHS10,999. The recommended retail price for Galaxy Z Flip3 5G is GHS6,499.

AGI and VRA to co-host Ghana Industrial Summit & Exhibition 2021

he Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), in partnership with the Volta River Authority (VRA), will hold the 4th Ghana Industrial Summit and Exhibition (GISE) from August 17 to 19 August 2021. The year’s event, to be held at the Accra International Conference Centre, will focus on industry and the continental free trade market on the theme: “Repositioning Ghanaian Industries to leverage the AfCFTA.” The event, which will be held in person and virtually, seeks to create an avenue for the Ghanaian private sector to dialogue with policy-makers, investors and other industry players. It will also be an opportunity for businesses to network and showcase their products and services to prospective clients and investors. The Summit will hold discussions on technological advancements in industry, energy requirements, infrastructure, financing and many other

thought-provoking topics needed by local businesses seeking to trade within the African single market. It is expected to bring the entire business community; small, medium and large-scale companies alike to contribute to the discussion on leveraging the benefits the AfCFTA presents. Industry players will leave the conference with adequate information to enable effective

participation in this single African market. Topics to be discussed at the Summit include Ghana’s strategy for AfCFTA and implementation so far; guidelines for exporting under the AfCFTA, e-commerce under the AfCFTA, and payments /settlements /digital banking & financial solutions. Others include power supply, reliability and competitive pricing; the role of

renewable energy in industrial competitiveness; opportunities in the nuclear power project for Ghana’s industrial acceleration; regulatory framework governing power supply and opportunities for industry among others. Keynote speakers at the summit include Mr. Yaw Osafo Maafo, Special Adviser to the President of Ghana, Mr. Alan Kyerematen, Minister of Trade and Industry, and Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Minister of Energy. GISE is being organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade & Industry, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Ministry of Energy, German Development Cooperation (GIZ), Nuclear Power Ghana, Bui Power Ghana and other partners. The event will bring together companies from all 23 sectors of the AGI including energy, oil & gas, pharmaceutical, agribusiness, metal/roofing, construction, cosmetics, and financial services among others.

News

FRIDAY AUGUST 13, 2021

Inflation rises for second straight month to 9% in July

onsumer price inflation rose sharply in July, hitting 9 percent year-on-year against 7.8 percent in June, the Ghana Statistical Service announced today. The increase was driven

by food prices, whose annual inflation surged to 9.5 percent from 7.3 percent in the previous month. Non-food price inflation increased at a slower pace, from 8.2 percent to 8.6 percent. In month-on-month terms,

prices rose at 1.6 percent in July, the fastest rate for more than a year, with food prices increasing by 2 percent between June and July and non-food prices by 1.3 percent in the period. The regional data had the

Upper West and Northern Regions recording the highest annual inflation rates of 13.8 percent and 13.5 percent respectively, while Greater Accra’s inflation was the third-highest at 11.7 percent.

National service personnel of Republic Bank donate to Ashaiman Polyclinic

he 2020/2021 batch of national service personnel of Republic Bank (Ghana) PLC have donated assorted medical supplies to the Ashaiman Polyclinic in the spirit of social responsibility and volunteerism as underpinned in the bank’s vision statement. The donation is in line with the Republic Bank’s commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals on Good Health and Well-Being (SDG 3). Presenting the items on behalf of the national service personnel, Mr. Tetteh Mamah, Head of Human Resources of Republic Bank, said the bank places high premium on social responsibility and community intervention thus, continually encouraging staff to voluntarily contribute to support community initiatives within their areas of operation. “It was therefore heartwarming when the national service personnel came together to mobilise funds through various sources to purchase these assorted medical supplies on donation”.

Mr. Mamah added that the kind gesture of the national service personnel also show the power of help even with little resources. He is hopeful this kind gesture will be a good precedent for future service personnel of the bank and those who may find themselves within other institutions across the country. Items donated included trolleys, screens, hand sanitizers, drip stands, liquid soap, bleach and tissue paper. Dr. Mavis Amoako, Principal

Medical Officer of the Ashaiman Polyclinic was full of appreciation to the Bank for the kind gesture and assured the bank to put the items to good use. Republic Bank in 2020, welcomed service personnel as part of the mandatory national service for tertiary school leavers. The personnel were assigned to various departments and branches of the bank to acquire requisite skills needed for their development and to prepare them to face the corporate world

especially experiences in Banking and other related fields. Background Republic Bank (Ghana) PLC, has aligned its Corporate Social Responsibility with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) as part of the Banks’s strategic focus for the next three years. The Bank has aligned with four SDGs namely; SDG 3, 4, 6 and 13

News

FRIDAY AUGUST 13, 2021

Over 600 participants and 30 speakers gather at Hacklab's “The hackathon is expected inaugural AI Hackathon in Nigeria

he largest hackathon in West Africa is set to take place in Lagos, Nigeria. Developers in Nigeria are called upon on a quest to “Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Drive Digital Transformation in Africa” –– the theme of this year’s Hackathon. Africa has registered impressive economic growth over the past decade and a half, displaying remarkable resilience in the midst of global volatility and turmoil. Time is now ripe for the continent to turn the chapter and embark on a journey towards a major economic transformation. For this, Africa needs a new economic growth model powered by the strength of the real economy, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Emerging technologies can play a critical role in helping Africa address its age-old development challenges and achieve exponential growth over the next decade. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the main driver of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). And while it is not a new concept for decades computers have been programmed by humans to make decisions on available facts. But what is different now, as technology advances every day, is an evolution in machine learning. Machines are now developing what is known as “tactic knowledge”, which is essentially how the human mind

works. And this will only improve with the explosion of data. According to the Worldwide Web Foundation, much focus has been on countries leading the AI revolution, while middle and lowincome countries, such as Nigeria and Ghana, are being left behind. Research by McKinsey estimates that AI is contributing to a transformation of society “happening 10 times faster and at 300 times the scale” of the Industrial Revolution. So, it only makes sense that these countries start embracing AI and spotting opportunities because there are many benefits such as deepening democracy, improving service delivering and growing their economies. The event is scheduled to take place on the 13th -15th August 2021 with participants joining virtually from across the country. Over 500 developers will work in teams of between 2 - 4 to develop techenabled solution that will address problems in Nigeria and the rest

of Africa with a special focus on Artificial Intelligence. The top three solutions will receive cash prizes totaling N1,000,000.00 with support to further develop the solution at scale. Contributing to the event are Nigerian industry experts such as Olutoyin Ogumola, Head of Enterprise Data Office, Stanbic IBTC, Gbemisola Osadua, Managing Partner of Dynamics Impact Legal, Jiraji Kelvin, Founder of Agritech Hub & Innovation Centre, Mayowa Adeoti, Digital Skills & Education Consultant and John Egwu, Vice President of Operations at AutoChek Africa. Also contributing from Ghana are George Kwadwo Appiah, CEO of SolarTaxi & Executive Director of Ghana Tech Lab/Kumasi Hive, Caroline Pomeyie, CEO of Oceans Mall Ltd., Cecil Nutakor, CEO of eCampus, Kwame A. A. Opoku, Founder of Reset Global People and Desmond Koney, CEO of Complete Farmer.

to expose more Nigerian developers to the concept of Artificial intelligence and support them with the requisite tools, knowledge and expert resources to create commercially viable solutions. It also aims to teach the participants the essence to teamwork and its import on creating global change together” said, Foster Awintiti Akugri, President, Hacklab Foundation. “We have seen the impact these hackathons have created, providing jobs for over 800 people and connecting industry to some of the brightest talents in tech. We have no doubt this will add up to the vibrant Nigerian tech ecosystem”, he also said. The event will be streamed live on the Hacklab Foundation’s Facebook & YouTube pages. The Hacklab Foundation, an international nonprofit organization headquartered in Ghana with focus on preparing the youth for future digital jobs through technology education and skills development will host its first ever hackathon Nigeria with support from companies IBM, Mind the Gap, BlueAfric Media and TechCabal. Since its inception in 2015, they have directly impacted over 10,000 people, organized hackathons, robotics, and coding boot camps for kids between the ages of 7yrs - 13yrs, supported 500+ women in tech and placed over 800+ youth in jobs.

Eni publishes for the third year in a row Eni for Human Rights

ni publishes Eni For Human Rights, the third company’s report that illustrates its commitment to the respect for Human Rights, providing transparent information on Eni’s approach, challenges and performance on the matter. The report mirrors the United Nations’ Guiding Principles (UNGPs), the global framework created to prevent, address and remedy adverse impacts on human rights linked to business activities. In a historical moment characterized by the uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, it is fundamental to have a solid commitment on respecting human rights and to strengthen the support to the workers and communities hosting Eni's activities. “It is time to be aware that

the challenges of the current global context can only be faced and overcome by looking to the future, with the dignity of every human being as a compass. To be successful, each of us must play a role in a just transition process, placing ourselves at the service of others. At the same time, as the world continues to cope with the impacts of Covid-19, it is essential that the efforts to support economic recovery are aligned with the path to net zero. That is why, during the last year, we have worked even harder to make our targets stronger, boosting the strategy that will allow Eni to reach the complete carbon neutrality by 2050,” said Claudio Descalzi, Eni’s Chief Executive Officer. Eni for Human Rights takes stock of the work carried out over the past five years to strengthen

Eni’s approach on human rights, assessing the company’s results, relevant challenges and opportunities in the area to be leader in delivering an energy transition that is fair and inclusive from a social perspective. The report details how Eni manages human rights issues in its relations with employees, local communities, suppliers and business partners, as well as in its security activities. In these areas, Eni applies strict control procedures, with the aim of preventing violations and remedying them if they occur. The solidity of the company’s approach to the matter has been recognized by the Corporate Human Rights Benchmark, which in 2020 ranked Eni first in the index (together with another company from a different business sector), and evidenced

by the results obtained from other specific initiatives Eni has voluntarily taken part to - acting as a pioneer in the industry such as the Workforce Disclosure Initiative. Eni for Human Rights, along with Eni for and its annexes, is part of the company's sustainability reporting.

Feature

FRIDAY AUGUST 13, 2021

The importance of quality in software – 2

Introduction We all have the experience of having great expectations when buying something and then being disappointed. A new car of a renowned brand. A beautiful suit or handbag. A dinner in a restaurant with a great chef. While we are ready to pay well for the quality we are anticipating, the deception comes with the poor customer service. Long waiting times, a bad response if something irregular happens, or poor performance if we want something to be changed compared to the standard delivery. When we acquire a software application (either a SAAS (Software – As – A -Service) or have a tailormade solution for our business processes, customer service is just key. Here are the main things to look out for and to expect from a good software provider when it comes to customer service and support. Quality in software–customer service and support If you have found a software application that fits your business needs well, it is important to realize that the software comes with a whole environment to assist you as a customer to use it well and with no issues. In fact, very good software may come with terrible customer support,

leaving you in trouble for a long time when there is something you do not understand. I remember acquiring a top-notch product in the USA, to only find out that its support organization in Europe was not working at all: 10 different phone numbers in different countries, and none of them were working or could answer our pressing questions! The need for good customer service starts right already with your acquisition process. Clarity: while you are still in the middle of the procurement process, it should be easy to get clarity on the precise features, legal arrangement (contract conditions), and the “total cost of ownership” that the application is going to give you. It should be easy to find out what additional costs may be incurred and what the exact scope of the contract is, to avoid any unpleasant surprises. Implementation: how easy is it for your organization to use the software? Is your new vendor going to assist you with your data migration (or digitalization in case you did not use IT for this process before)? Is there training of personnel? Is their help in the adaptation of your business processes to use the software smoothly? Do their consultants come on-site to help you do all the changes and is that expensive? Professional help desk: a

software vendor who takes customer service seriously will have a professional helpdesk that professionally processes all incoming calls and uses this information to improve its services. It has a smooth escalation model for more complex questions and problems. As a customer, you will have the confidence that your problem is being always dealt with by the right person. Professional service personnel are always polite and take you seriously. Frequently asked questions: for the most common and returning questions about the use of the software, simple and clear web pages and instruction videos should be available to help you out, in the early stage of using a new application. Easy contact: it should be easy to get in contact with the right person to discuss questions or problems. Currently, a lot of applications have in-built chat functionality in the software or on their website. These “Chatbots” may or not be able to communicate with you properly and should quickly lead you to an actual human to deal with your matter. It should be easy to find support for all your users. Response time: when an issue occurs, and you are stuck using the software, your vendor should be able to solve the issue quickly regardless of the cause

of the problem. “Downtime” can be defined as the number of minutes or hours per month that the software is not working, which obviously should be as limited as possible. If caused by maintenance, this should be announced and planned carefully by the vendor in such a way that business continuity is guaranteed. Some software companies even have a feature where you grant the service employee to “take over your screen” to see what is wrong and help you fix the issue quickly. Continuous improvement: while you do not want the software, you acquired to change constantly; it is important that feedback from customers is regularly used to improve the software. This may include new features that are very useful, fixing small bugs, or improvement of features that are causing confusion for the users. Good customer service implies that your vendor listens to you and is constantly willing to improve its product. Authors: Diana van der Stelt (Member, Institute of ICT Professionals Ghana) and Anthony Yeboah Asare, Trinity Software Center in Kumasi, sales director, and quality engineer www.trinitysoftwarecenter.com | info@trinitysoftwarecenter.com

FRIDAY AUGUST 13, 2021

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FRIDAY AUGUST 13, 2021

Youth innovation for human and planetary health

By Angela Lusigi UNDP Resident Representative in Ghana

outhful entrepreneurs across Ghana are breaking new ground, creating jobs and wealth by transforming food systems through creativity and innovation. As we celebrate World Youth Day on the special theme of “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health”, this is an important occasion to celebrate some of them. On average, many households across Ghana spend almost half of their total expenditure on food. This rises from 36% of household expenditures in Greater Accra to 50% in Brong Ahafo, Eastern, and Northern regions, according to the Ghana’s Living Standard Survey 7. Food also accounts for 17% of Ghana’s total import bill and already employs 30% of the population. It is estimated that 2 in 5 of every male employee and 1 in 5 for females, is employed in agriculture, forestry and fishing. This means that encouraging more food system entrepreneurs can help to reduce the burden on households, national revenues and offer more employment opportunities. Creating the ecosystem for

young entrepreneurs to thrive would benefit from three key emerging lessons from food system entrepreneur in Ghana. There are young people in the agriculture value-chain, who have demonstrated the power of a great idea that is nurtured by tenacity, research and a solid support network. First, they have demonstrated the need for tenacity and grit when emerging entrepreneurs are faced by roadblocks. Alhassan in Northern Ghana whose growing business produces hatcheries and trains farmers on guinea fowl rearing is a good example. He stayed in the game by turning challenges into opportunity. Fresh out of school with no prospects and very little starting capital, he was able to transform scrap metal from fridges into egg incubators. He faced challenges with many unsuccessful attempts and technology barriers, but he did not give up. He was able to use the knowledge he had gained from his family and online research to find creative solutions to overcome his roadblocks. Second, young entrepreneurs have shown the importance of being a meticulous and detailed oriented learner. It is important to have the capability for research and learning from others’ experiences to become an industry leader. As Fred

Swaniker, a leading Ghanaian influencer affirms, we must all be entrepreneurial leaders with a lifelong learning mindset. While a solid education is an important milestone, it must be complemented by knowledge that is being generated every day. This knowledge is freely accessible on digital platforms, in books and through experiences of people who have walked a similar path. The example of the Prince and Sampare, who are processing tiger nuts sourced from Ashanti, Central, Eastern, and Northern regions using home grown technology shows the need to engage with academia and experts. While networks and mentors are important guides, successful entrepreneurs are self-driven learners. Finally, as it is true in life, you cannot make it alone. Felix, who developed a thriving eco-friendly snail farming and vegetable business using greenhouses in the Greater Accra and the Ashanti Regions, is a great example. He was able to turn his idea into reality through the support of his family, UNDP, National Youth Authority, fellow entrepreneurs in Nigeria, Ashesi Design Lab, and Inno Hub Ghana. Felix benefited from this help to crystalize his innovation into an investment opportunity and business model

that investors could buy into. He partnered with an engineer from Zimbabwe and others to grow a viable supply chain and market his products. He also has a strong connection to research and analysis that helps to keep him on the cutting edge of his field. Looking forward into the future, all young entrepreneurs must be able to effectively navigate the digital space. Entrepreneurship development remains a key policy priority for the government and UN in Ghana and various development partners are working to support the development of a vibrant ecosystem for entrepreneurship. Key support programs for young agripreneurs are available through the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ghana Enterprises Agency, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre as well as the National Youth Authority. As we look to a world beyond COVID-19, UNDP Ghana is investing in facilitating entrepreneurship and SME development as a pathway to a greener, inclusive and resilient recovery. We invite entrepreneurs, enablers and investors to engage with us in promoting integrated solutions to strengthen the ecosystems support to young entrepreneurs in Ghana.

FRIDAY AUGUST 13, 2021

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FRIDAY AUGUST 13, 2021

The missing link in Europe's AI strategy By Aida Ponce Del Castillo

urope can become a global leader in artificial intelligence, but only if it protects its citizens and involves workers in the regulatory and deployment process. In that regard, the European Commission’s recent draft regulation leaves much to be desired. The European Commission’s strategy for artificial intelligence focuses on the need to establish “trust” and “excellence.” Recently proposed AI regulation, the Commission argues, will create trust in this new technology by addressing its risks, while excellence will follow from EU member states investing and innovating. With these two factors accounted for, Europe’s AI uptake supposedly will accelerate. Unfortunately, protecting EU citizens’ fundamental rights, which should be the AI regulation’s core objective, appears to be a secondary consideration; and protections for workers’ rights don’t seem to have been considered at all. AI is a flagship component of Europe’s digital agenda, and the Commission’s legislative package is fundamental to the proposed single market for data. The draft regulation establishes rules concerning the introduction, implementation, and use of AI systems. It adopts a risk-based approach, with unacceptable, high-risk, limited, and low-risk uses. Under the proposal, AI systems deemed “high-risk” – posing significant risks to the health and safety or fundamental rights of persons – are subject to an ex anteconformity assessment to be carried out by the provider, without prior validation by a competent external authority. Requirements include highquality data sets, sound data governance and management practices, extensive recordkeeping, adequate risk management, detailed technical documentation, transparent user instructions, appropriate human oversight, explainable results, and a high level of accuracy, robustness, and cybersecurity. The Commission says that its definition of AI, as well as the riskbased approach underpinning the draft regulation, are based on public consultation. But the fact that industrial and tech firms constituted an overwhelming majority of the

respondents to its 2020 AI White Papersuggests an exercise that is far from democratic. These businesses, while pretending to promote knowledge, science, and technology, steered the regulatory process in a direction that serves their interests. The voice of society, in particular trade unions, was drowned out. The regulation has several shortcomings. Among them are the Commission’s narrow riskbased approach, the absence of a redress mechanism, the failure to address the issue of liability for damage involving AI systems, and a reliance on regulatory sandboxes for providing “safe” environments in which to test new business models. The draft also fails to deliver from a workerprotection perspective. To address this shortcoming, an ad hoc directive that focuses on AI in the context of employment, which would protect workers (including those in the platform economy) and enable them to exercise their rights and freedoms on an individual or collective basis, would be a possible way forward. Such a directive should address several key issues. For starters, it should set employers’ responsibilities in preventing AI risks, in the same way that they are obliged to assess occupational health and safety hazards. AI risks extend further, because they include possible abuses of managerial power stemming from the nature of the employment relationship, as well as other risks to workers’ privacy, fundamental rights, data protection, and overall health. Safeguarding worker privacy and data protection is equally vital, because AI is hungry for data and workers are an important source of them. The EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a powerful tool that, in theory, applies to workers’ data in an employment context, including when these are used by

an AI system. But in practice, it is almost impossible for workers to exercise their GDPR rights vis-àvis an employer. The EU should introduce additional provisions to ensure they can. Making the purpose of AI algorithms explainable is important, too. Here, firms’ workplace transparency provisions will not protect workers. Instead, employers, as users of algorithms, need to account for the possible harm their deployment can do in a workplace. The use of biased values or variables can lead to the profiling of workers, target specific individuals, and categorize them according to their estimated “risk level.” Another priority is ensuring that workers can exercise their “right to explanation.” The implication, here, is that employers would be obliged to consult employees before implementing algorithms, rather than informing them after the fact. Moreover, the information provided must enable workers to understand the consequences of an automated decision. The new ad hoc directive should also guarantee that the “human-in-command” principle is respected in all humanmachine interactions at work. This involves giving humans the last word and explaining which data sources are responsible for final decisions when humans and machines act together. Trade unions should be considered as part of the “human” component and play an active role alongside managers, IT support teams, and external consultants. Furthermore, EU lawmakers must prohibit algorithmic worker surveillance. Currently, worker monitoring is regulated by national laws that often predate GDPR and do not cover advanced, intrusive people analytics. AI-powered tools such as biometrics, machine learning, semantic analysis, sentiment

analysis, and emotion-sensing technology can measure people’s biology, behavior, concentration, and emotions. Such algorithmic surveillance does not passively scan workers but rather “scrapes” their personal lives, actively builds an image, and then makes decisions. Lastly, workers need to be able to exercise agency by becoming AI-literate. Teaching them technical digital skills so that they can operate a particular system is not enough. Understanding AI’s role and its effect on their work environment requires workers to be informed, educated, and critically engaged with the technology. Regulating AI systems, in particular those deemed highrisk, should not be based on their providers’ self-assessment. Europe can become a global leader in the field, and foster genuine public trust in and acceptance of this emerging technology; but only if it effectively protects and involves its citizens and workers. No “human-centric” AI will ever exist if workers and their representatives are unable to flag up the technology’s specific employment-related risks. In that regard, the Commission’s draft regulation leaves much to be desired. The European Parliament and EU member states must now act and, in particular, integrate worker protection in the final version of this key regulation. Aida Ponce Del Castillo is a senior researcher at the Brussels-based Foresight Unit of the European Trade Union Institute.

FRIDAY AUGUST 13, 2021

Feature

FRIDAY AUGUST 13, 2021

The top 21 money mistakes everyone must avoid in life

By Nelson Semanu & Elizabeth Boandoh-Korkor with Enoch Dzah MONEY MISTAKE #3 CARELESS BORROWING FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender. Proverbs 22:7 ESV Borrowing money from friends is an unbelievably bad lifestyle. This is one of the most embarrassing habits of many people today and it accounts for one of the reasons why some people struggle to become financially free. Excessive and careless borrowing can become a trap that impedes a person’s progress. There are people who have become so addicted to borrowing from family and friends to the extent that, they are always in debt. Come to think of it, if you are always broke and must borrow money from friends, it may be a sign that you are losing your financial health. Careless borrowing is an awfully bad habit that many poor people find difficult to stop. Some people are

just addicted to borrowing! They spend money by-heart, and easily resort to borrowing to survive the next few days! Living on Borrowed Money. Intricately linked to the culture of excessive borrowing is those who live on borrowed money. These are people who live on other people’s money as if it is theirs. Over-borrowing is a bad habit not to talk of spending money that belongs to other people anyhow. The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives. ~Psalm 37:21 ESV The scriptures make it clear that the borrower will forever remain a servant of the lender. It is therefore important to assume the position of a lender and not a borrower. Most people borrow carelessly from family and friends and are always in debt and this prevents them from achieving financial success MONEY MISTAKE #4 NOT TAKING CARE OF THE POOR AND NEEDY AROUND YOU Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will

reward them for what they have done. ~Proverbs 19:17 (NIV) It is important to state that people who take good care of the poor in society never go broke. This is a time-tested principle that “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.” ~Proverbs 19:17 (NIV). God cares so much about the poor and the needy in our midst. He cherishes them and He is always on the lookout for those who care about them. One of the things you can and must do on your journey to financial success is to develop a heart for the poor and the needy. We were created to care for each other. In fact, anytime God gives you money, He has some people in mind who may depend on you for assistance. Not all the money God gives you is meant for you. Many people get this wrong. “But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” ~Luke 14:13-14 (NIV) The poor is your gateway to

financial success Most people see poor people as burdens but that is wrong. To achieve financial success, you must begin to see the poor and the needy as investments towards your journey to financial success and not as burdens to be avoided. How do you do this? Start by searching for poor people who need assistance. Look for people who genuinely need your assistance and help them out. People need money to rent a decent accommodation. Others need just a little money to start a 32 business. Some need food to eat. It is not our duty to judge and condemn people for their state of poverty. The best we can do is to offer the little help we can. As we do this with a pure heart, God will bless us financially. Most people see poor and needy people as burdens and that is why they never experience true financial success. May God give you wisdom. “But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” ~Luke 14:13-14 (NIV)

FRIDAY AUGUST 13, 2021

Technology

FRIDAY AUGUST 13, 2021

How to make the hybrid workplace a success By Charlotte Trueman

ow can IT leaders implement hybrid and remote policies that benefit both employees and employers long term? Here’s expert advice to help organizations get it right from day one. As COVID-19 continues its erratic spread around the globe, with vaccinations helping cases fall in some areas while variants drive surges elsewhere, many organizations are busy making plans for their employees to return to the office. What was normal for the office 18 months ago, however, is unlikely to be the reality most workers will return to. Office workers have had a taste of the benefits of remote working, and many are not keen to return to a daily commute, though most would like to spend part of their workweek in the office. At the same time, companies have noticed employees are more productive working from home and realized there are some major cost savings to be found by downsizing office space in large, expensive cities. Some organizations have already taken the drastic step of closing all their offices and making their employees permanent home workers. Many more are planning to adopt a hybrid workplace model, where some employees may be fully remote, some may work in the office full-time, and most will split their work time between the office and home (or another remote location) in a way that suits both them and their employer. Many companies have likely never had an official nonpandemic-induced work-fromhome policy in place, let alone an established hybrid working framework. But implementing a remote-work policy doesn’t have to be scary, says Darren Murph, head of remote at GitLab. In fact, he notes, many large companies were already partway there even before the pandemic. “If you look at a company with 5,000 people in a building, the people on floor three are already remote to the people on floor eight,” he says. “They almost never see each other; they may as well be on a different continent. But a lot of companies haven’t given voice to that or acknowledged it.” Time to stop winging it What white-collar workers have

experienced over the past year does not equate to intentional remote work, says Murph, who worked at organizations supporting hybrid work for 14 years before joining GitLab, an all-remote company, in 2019. “Quarantine-induced work from home is definitely not the same as intentionally designed remote work, but many companies are conflating them as exactly the same thing,” he says. “When you’re intentional about it, collaboration is easier, team building is easier, culture building is easier.” Angela Ashenden, principal analyst, workplace transformation at CCS Insight, underscores that point. She says much of the change in how people work during the last year or so has been tactical and localized, with organizations sorting everything out ad hoc and individual teams often finding their own way. “But now it's important to try to build in some structure, consistency, and predictability, to ensure the whole business is working in rhythm through strong and progressive leadership.” Ashenden says company leaders need to realize that hybrid working is not just about having some people in the office and some people working from home. “It has huge consequences for the way people will work independently, how they work collaboratively, how the company culture will develop, how you think about workplace technology and the employee experience, and for the policies that you need to ensure a fair, inclusive, and healthy work environment,” she

says. For IT, that means supporting users in myriad ways, including provisioning equipment that enables workers wherever they are to do their work comfortably and successfully, providing the right collaboration technology, digitizing and automating work processes, and protecting devices and data. More fundamentally, it means coordinating with other company leaders to change the corporate culture and craft policies to ensure a successful hybrid workplace. So, how can IT leaders implement hybrid and remote policies that benefit both employees and employers long term? Here’s expert advice on how organizations can get it right from the start. Think ‘remote-first’ “You need a level playing field,” says Penny Pullan, an expert in virtual and hybrid work leadership and the author of books including Virtual Leadership: Practical Strategies for Getting the Best Out of Virtual Work and Virtual Teams. “When you’ve got some [employees] in the office and some remote, the inequalities can begin to creep in. Over many years, I’ve heard people say, ‘“If I’m remote, and everybody else is in the office, it’s almost as if I don’t exist.’” Murph echoes that thought. “When you look at who is praised and promoted in a hybrid organization, it is more likely that those who stay remote by default will have fewer opportunities for career advancement because of

that ‘out of sight, out of mind’ type of mentality,” he says. The all-virtual approach most companies have taken during the pandemic has temporarily leveled the playing field, but that will change when some workers go back to the office, notes Pullan, who holds a PhD in nanotechnology from Cambridge University. The best way to promote equality among hybrid teams, she says, is to think “remotefirst” when establishing business norms and interactions among employees. “To try and minimize the potential for unconscious bias, always stop and say, ‘What are we doing for remote?’ If we’re choosing a new way of working, always have this remote-first mindset.” Murph advises companies to think about remote-first principles not in terms of where people work, but how they work. If you go into the office and hold a meeting, he posits, “do you fundamentally do that meeting differently in the office, compared to how you would have done it if you were at home?” Organizations need to audit their processes and ensure they work on days when the entire workforce is not in the office; that way they’ll also work when any number of employees are in the office, he says.

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BUSINESS24.COM.GH FRIDAY AUGUST 13, 2021

NO. B24 / 234 | NEWS FOR BUSINESS LEADERS

MONDAY MAY 3, 2021

FRIDAY AUGUST 13, 2021

Women shea producers in northern Ghana to benefit from international certification to access global markets

he shea industry in Ghana is traditionally dominated by women and provides a source of income for many families, particularly in the rural areas in northern Ghana. This is because, the shea tree grows well in the savannah ecological zone. Women are mostly engaged in shea picking, sale of the fresh shea fruits, processing, and sale of the shea nuts. The shea has many healing properties and is good for food and used to produce shea butter and shea cooking oil. “When it comes to the shea, nothing is a waste. We get cosmetics, food and medicinal products, and even use the wastewater after boiling it as energy for cooking”, noted Hajia Rabiatu Abukari, Producer of Malti Products and Director of Ripples Ghana, a shea producing NGO in the Northern Region of Ghana. Given its immense importance, the sustainability of the shea butter production value chain is critical to the economic development of women in the orthern zone of Ghana. To promote fair trade certification for products made by Ghanaian women in

the shea butter industry, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), through the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEFSGP), supported a project that is being implemented by Ripples Ghana. The project has enabled Ripples Ghana to receive Ecocert for Fair-Trade Certification, to sell shea products in the international market. The products including shea butter, are being produced by 244 shea producers and 3000 shea pickers in 14 communities in the Kumbungu district of the Northern Region of Ghana, who are members of Ripples Ghana. “We are very grateful to UNDP and the GEF-Small Grant Programme, for supporting us, as

we are currently the first womenled enterprise to have received the Fair-Trade certification. Our women worked hard, so we used two and half years to receive the certification, instead of the normal five years, and we are very proud and happy”, Hajia Abukari stated. The Resident Representative of UNDP in Ghana, Dr. Angela Lusigi, speaking at the ceremony to officially outdoor the Ghana Fair Trade Certification and Sustainable Shea Butter Production project, reiterated UNDP’s commitment to support the economic empowerment of women to advance inclusive and sustainable development. “Supporting Ghana to empower women entrepreneurs through skills development, innovation,

technology transfer, knowledge management, and access to financial resources remains a key priority for UNDP and the UN in Ghana. Together, we can fight poverty and inequality in all its dimensions by growing profitable women-led green businesses for this generation and the generation to come towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals”, stated Dr Lusigi. Through the UNDP-GEF funded project, the women were supported with improved technology including semiautomated kneading machines, which are helping to reduce their shea producing labour by 40%. They have also received skills development training to promote sustainable shea production practices and added a new production line by producing black soaps and hand sanitizers. “UNDP has been part of Ghana’s development since time immemorial. Thank you, UNDP for supporting our women shea producers to access international markets through the GEF-Small Grant Programme,” noted Naa Imoro Andani, Chief of Zugu in the Kumbungu District of the Northern Region of Ghana.

Delegates from the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, Senegal call on Petroleum Commission

n eight-member delegation from the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy from the Republic of Senegal have paid a working visit to the Petroleum Commission (PC). The visit, according to General Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, Mr. Adawa Diallo, was to study the country’s petroleum industry and best practices of the various institutions and agencies in the petroleum sector. He added that the Republic of Senegal as an emerging oil and gas producing country is focusing on effective regulation of the sector to promote its growth and sustainability. The Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Commission, Mr. Egbert Faibille Jnr. welcomed the delegation and recalled the long-standing cordial relationship

between Ghana and Senegal. He commended Senegal for taking steps early to learn lessons from other countries to avoid mistakes. Citing challenges Ghana is having with stabilisation provisions in our laws, he advised the delegation to be diligent in the formulation of laws and regulations. He also urged them to focus on local capacity building to enhance participation of indigenous companies and labor. The Manager Policy at PC, Mr. Isaac Eshun presented an overview of the Ghana’s Petroleum Industry. He also spoke on the regulatory strategy of the commission as well as the Ministry of Energy’s regulatory framework. The presentation drew out various questions from the delegation mainly on the

upstream sector, local content framework and the structure of the Commission’s organogram. Director Local Content, Mr. Kwaku Boateng, gave an overview of local content policy and regulations in Ghana. He further spoke on other issues including contract strategies, the

local content targets, monitoring tools, implementation strategies, local content achievements and challenges among others. The delegation expressed gratitude to the Commission for the information shared and the warm reception extended to them.