THURSDAY, 14TH JULY, 2022
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THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2022
THE FRANCE - GHANA ECONOMIC RELATIONS
French Ambassador to Ghana
H.E Ann Sophie AVÉ
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THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2022
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France in Ghana
“highlighting others, making oneself loved and inspiring” By Anne-Sophie Avé - French Ambassador to Ghana Without a common or painful past, Ghana and France have maintained diplomatic and cordial relations since the first days of Ghana’s independence, and Ghana benefits from the instruments of our cooperation with Africa to which it is entitled. But making France shine without any particular “comparative advantage”, in the midst of sixty other embassies, many of which deploy considerable resources here, was not easy. However, in 2022, France enjoys a positive, realistic and modern image in Ghana: laudatory articles, interviews every week, more than a hundred thousand “subscribers” to my social networks and “fan sites” of tens of thousands “followers”, the number of visa applications has exploded and the desire to learn French has never been stronger. How did we get there? A modest but effective “team France” in Ghana An AFD agency, 5 Alliances Françaises (Accra, Kumasi, Tema, Cape Coast, Takoradi), two IRD researchers at Noguchi, an excellent French high school (Lycée Français International d’Accra) and Embassy employees, expatriates or locally recruited, highly dedicated: such as the France network in Ghana, fully mobilized in “cooperate differently, forge lasting ties and be exemplary ”. The difficult period of the pandemic and the unfailing mobilization of these teams throughout the crisis, at the service of our nationals but also in support of our hosts, were a remarkable illustration of this commitment. Exemplary French companies and nationals France in Ghana is not just the embassy and the “network”. We have exemplary companies, gathered in the French Ghanaian Chamber of Commerce CCIFG, and nationals also invested in associations. Making each of us, whether an individual or a company, an ambassador of our country, carrying our values of respect, conviviality, responsibility and generosity contributes, on the ground, to this image of France. We say in marketing that one talks about a good experience to 7 people, but tells a bad one to 23. All the experiences of our Ghanaian hosts with our French nationals and our French companies must be a positive one, and considering the image of our country in Ghana, they are. A presidential will for a renewed partnership with Africa In 2017, the newly elected president, Emmanuel MACRON made the first visit of a French president to Ghana since 1957. In a pivotal speech in Ouagadougou, he laid the foundation for a new partnership with the African continent and asked to adapt our diplomacy. The key messages that I took away guided my action is Ghana: working on areas of common passion such as sport or culture, working with civil society, and addressing the public opinion. We had to invest in these areas: talk about France, tell about our support for associations, value our contribution to the teaching of French, present our cooperation in the fields of security and defense, promote our financial instruments for public and private companies. Each action taken isolated was modest, but put together, they made sense. Small means, big ideas Thus was born the idea of a television « Touch of France ». Thanks to our companies and their contributions, we were able to shoot a first
season from February to June 2020 (broadcasted from September 2020) then a second (shot in summer 2021 and aired from September 2021) : 26 episodes, 24 invited Ghanaian celebrities (including an animated film character), 26 themes covered, 2 national channels, unexpected audience figures, a special episode with President Nana Akufo-Addo aired on July 14, 2021 (France’s national Day) on 5 national channels and two awards for Best television show in 2021. France was beginning to win the hearts of Ghanaians. The limited duration of my mandate prevented me from producing a third season, which would have been aired after my departure. e had to find something else: he who slows down moves backwards. The credit gained through the show would not last. Luck presented itself in May 2021. French rapper Passi wanted to promote his new artist Orti, shoot the music videos of his songs in Ghana and meet Ghanaian artists to record duets. During the summer 2021, French and Ghanaian artists worked together, in the studio, in Paris and Accra. And the result was impressive. The idea came to present these exceptional duos on stage: these were the Paris In Accra concert, on November 25, 2021 at the Alliance Française; then Accra in Paris on April 23, 2022 at the Elysée Montmartre. Posted on the social networks of these artists, the news and footage of these France-Ghana musical collaborations touched the tens of millions of their fans and the extraordinary media coverage of these concerts have made the headlines in Ghana for many days. Use media wisely The success of the show made us understand that the entertainment vector had much more audience take into account and impact than that of more formal media. Indeed, beyond the formal content of the messages, it was necessary to the public opinion: the words and the arguments to which they may be sensitive. This observation is confirmed by my many attempts to warn visa applicants against “agents” who charge for intermediation services and provide often falsified supporting documents. A low blow for the embassy, which is criticized for the numerous visa refusals, but a message that did not get through, for they were not conveyed by the right media: the potential victims of these crooks do not read the diplomatic press. The opportunity arose to write and appear in an episode of a popular web series, “searching for a wife”. The scenario shows the hero victim of one of these agents. The impact was infinitely more effective than the dozens of formal interviews during which I had alerted (a sign of the episode’s large audience, my appearance in the series earned me a nomination for the Ghana Movie Awards) but constant reminders are still necessary. A short warning video was also broadcast during each episode of the second season of “Touch of France”, but the message must still and always be hammered out. Also echoing an episode of “TOF” on literature, I accepted a small supporting role in a Ghanaian film, “Fire and Ice”, where I played a French publisher passionate about Ghanaian literature. Anecdotally but funny, this small role also earned me a nomination for the Ghana Movie Awards. The secret of success: cooperate with Ghanaians None of this would have been possible without Bola Ray. This media mogul at the head of a large
media group is also a bold person who knows his audience and “what works”. Together, we designed the concept of the show: the rhythm, the tone, the guests, the sequences, in a word, the “media” ingredients of success. He is also the one who produced the concerts in Accra and Paris: founder of the Ghana meets Naija festival, former DJ and presenter of a many music programs, he knows the world of Entertainment better than anyone. We had the content, we knew the messages we wanted to share, he knew how to do it effectively, how to reach out to as many people as possible and how to touch the hearts of his compatriots. And I listened to him. These media successes increased our visibility and attracted the attention of bloggers with millions of subscribers, like Kobby Kyei, Zionfelix, Ameyaw Debrah or Kalyjay, who began to regularly relay the actions of the Embassy and offered me a massive platform. My Instagram account has grown in two years from zero to a close to a hundred thousand, with more than 65% of the audience in Ghana and a significant part of other origins actually coming from the diaspora in the United States, England and France. It was essential to avoid communication errors. Here again, a Ghanaian sensibility was essential. And a sensitivity of the generation of my audience (mostly aged 18 to 35)! I quite naturally turned towards a young Ghanaian, keen on social networks, who was already advising me here and there. I didn’t know there were more favourable days and times for “posting”, types of photo processing were to be preferred, a rhythm to follow in order not to “saturate” the information, tips for encouraging interactions, a “hierarchy” in the different modes of publications. And I listened to him. Finally, I worked with young photographers, the famous pan-African Twinsdntbeg, who were able to capture meaningful moments. Together, we filmed educational spots on our France network to give it visibility. Their photos and videos published on accounts with millions of subscribers have made our actions, our network and the missions of our embassy known. Impressed with the exceptional quality of their work, I hosted the largest artist exhibition ever in Ghana at the French residence, which was joined by the greatest musicians, actors and media in Ghana. Their talent admirably depicts the many facets of the continent, the eye of their camera knows how to seize the moment. They advised me so that the image speaks for itself. And I listened to them. Innovate, innovate Had there been a season 3 of “Touch of France”, it would have been different from the second which was already different from the first. If my mandate had allowed me to organize a second edition of Paris-Accra-Paris, it would have been different from the first. And if I had had the time to continue France’s rise in Ghana, I would have invented something else: a France Ghana football tournament, perhaps. What is certain is that one of the key factors to seduce was to innovate. And to innovate in what France knows how to do best – “highlighting others, making oneself loved and inspiring” – the possibilities are endless. This is called soft power diplomacy.
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Silver Star Auto team with the Financial Controller of TotalEnergies Ghana.
Mr. Asad Nazir (CEO, Silver Star Auto) & Mr. Yofi Grant (CEO, GIPC)
H.E. Anne Sophie Avé (French Ambassador) with Silver Star Auto team.
Hakim Ouzzani (MD, SG Bank) with Silver Star Auto Team
CCIFG Business Awards
PRODUCT OF THE YEAR (Locally-Assembled Peugeot 3008 SUV & Landtrek Pickup) Silver Star Auto is honoured to share this achievement with our cherished customers, staff and stakeholders. We dedicate this award to you all.
Thank You.
Silver Star Auto team with a client.
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A brief history of France
France is an independent nation in Western Europe and the center of a large overseas administration. It is the third-largest European nation (after Russia and Ukraine. In ancient times France was part of the Celtic territory known as Gaul or Gallia. Its present name is derived from the Latin Francia, meaning “country of the Franks,” a Germanic people who conquered the area during the 5th century, at the time of the fall of the Western Roman Empire. It became a separate country in the 9th century. Since the 17th century, France has played a major role in European and world events. In the 20th century, it has experienced numerous crises, including the devastation of two world wars, political and social upheavals, and the loss of a large empire in Indochina, Algeria, and West and Equatorial Africa. It has, however, survived and emerged from the ruins of World War II to become an important world supplier of agricultural and industrial products and a major partner in the EUROPEAN COMMUNITY EC, or Common Market. Today, the term metropolitan France refers
to the mainland departments and CORSICA, a large island located in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Italy that has been a part of France since 1768. France has six overseas departments: FRENCH GUIANA in South America; GUADELOUPE and MARTINIQUE in the West Indies; MAYOTTE, an island formerly part of the Comoros, located in the Indian Ocean; REUNION, an island in the Indian Ocean; and SAINT PIERRE AND MIQUELON, islands off the east coast of Canada. In addition, France has numerous small possessions called overseas territories. These include a group of widely scattered islands in the South Pacific, which are administered from Tahiti and are known collectively as FRENCH POLYNESIA; FRENCH SOUTHERN AND ANTARCTIC TERRITORIES; NEW CALEDONIA and WALLIS AND FUTUNA ISLANDS; and many small islands in the southern oceans, including the Kerguelen and Crozet archipelagos and the islands of St. Paul and Amsterdam (Indian Ocean). The overseas departments and territories are represented in the French National Assembly.
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Interesting Facts about France France is the largest country in the EU and sometimes called the hexagon France is the largest country in the European Union, covering a total area of 551,695 square kilometers. However, it is only the third-largest country in Europe, behind Ukraine and the European portion of Russia. Around a third (31%) of France is forest and it is the fourth most forested country in the EU, after Sweden, Finland, and Spain. The country is also sometimes referred to as ‘l’hexagone’ due to its six-sided shape. France is the world’s most popular tourist destination It might be time to brush up on your French language skills, because France is the place to be, according to the latest tourism figures. A whopping 89.3 million people visited the country in 2018, making it the most visited destination in the world. The country’s capital, Paris, is also the third most visited city in the world, behind Bangkok and London. Time to get packing!
French was the official language of England for about 300 years It’s hard to imagine that French was the official language of England between 1066 and 1362. But after William the Conqueror led the Norman conquest and subsequent occupation of England in 1066, he introduced Anglo-Norman French to the nation. This was spoken by royalty, aristocrats, and high-powered officials, some of whom couldn’t speak any English! In 1362, however, parliament passed the Pleading in English Act, making English the official language of government. This was because Norman French was used for pleadings, but was largely unknown to the common people of England, who had no knowledge of what was being said in court. ‘Liberté, égalitié, fraternité‘ or ‘liberty, equality, fraternity’ is the national motto The famous motto first appeared around the time of the Revolution (1789–1799) and was written into the constitutions of 1946 and 1958. Nowadays, you’ll still see it on coins, postage stamps, and government logos; often alongside ‘Marianne’ who symbolizes the triumph of the Republic. The legal system in France is still largely based on the principles set down in Napoleon Bonaparte’s Code Civil after the revolution, in the 1800s. The French Army was the first to use camouflage in 1915 (World War I) Now here’s an interesting fact about France. The word ‘camouflage’ actually comes from the French verb meaning ‘to make up for the stage’. This is because the French Army was the first to create a dedicated camouflage unit in 1915. Guns and vehicles were painted by artists called camofleurs. The following year, the British Army followed suit and established its own camouflage section under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Wyatt. It was known as the Special Works Park RE (Royal Engineers).
The French invented tin cans, the hairdryer, and the hot air balloon It turns out we have the French to thank for many of the useful inventions we know and love today. For instance, French inventor Nicolas Appert came up with the idea to use sealed glass jars placed in boiling water to preserve food in 1809. Pierre Durand later invented the tin can. Braille was also developed by Louis Braille who was blinded as a child. Meanwhile, physician René Laennec invented the stethoscope at a hospital in Paris in 1816 and Alexandre-Ferdinand Godefroy patented the world’s first hair dryer in 1888. The majestical hot air balloon was also pioneered by the Montgolfier brothers Joseph and Etienne who unveiled the world’s first public display of an untethered balloon in 1783.
The first public screening of a movie was by the French Lumière in 1895 The Lumière brothers, Auguste Marie Louis Nicolas and Louis Jean, were famous for their Cinématographe motion picture system and the short films they produced between 1895 and 1905. The famed duo held the world’s first pub¬lic movie screening on December 28, 1895, at the Grand Café in Paris. Their directorial debut was La sortie des ouvriers de l’usine Lumière (Workers Leaving the Lumière Factory). The five-second-long black-and-white film simply showed workers leaving the Lumière factory and left the audience completely flabbergasted. In 1895, Louis Lumière supposedly said that cinema is “an invention without a future.” Oh, how little did he know…
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France has more Nobel Prize winners in Literature than any other country With 15 French individuals winning the prestigious award since 1901, it’s fair to say that France has produced some of the world’s most influential writers and thinkers. French poet and essayist Sully Prudhomme became the first-ever winner of the award that year. Among France’s most celebrated poets, novelists, and writers are René Descartes, Voltaire, Charles Baudelaire, Blaise Pascal, Gustave Flaubert, and Victor Hugo.
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Paris Gare du Nord is Europe’s busiest railway station While on the subject of trains… Gare du Nord in Paris is the busiest railway station in Europe and in the world (outside of Japan). More than 214 million passengers pass through it each year. The original station was built in 1846 but became too small for operations and was therefore demolished and rebuilt in 1889. Further extensions were carried out between the 1930s and 1960s. The station is also due to undergo more expansion work in order to prepare for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris. This is to increase its capacity for an additional 200,000 daily passengers. Better avoid rush hour!
Europe’s highest mountain is Mont Blanc in the French Alps Standing at a height of 4,807m, Mont Blanc is officially the secondhighest mountain in Europe. It takes an arduous 10 to 12 hours to climb to the summit. But if you’re not up for that, you can take a leisurely 20-minute trip up on Europe’s highest cable car on the nearby Aiguille du Midi to get a brilliant view from the top. Discover other amazing places to visit in France.
The Louvre is the most visited museum in the world With a whopping 9.6 million visitors in 2019, the famous Louvre is the most visited museum in the world. Located in the heart of Paris, the magnificent museum is home to around 38,000 works of art and artifacts dating back to prehistoric times. These include the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and IM Pei’s famous glass Louvre Pyramid which sits in the courtyard. Unsurprising, the Louvre is one of the busiest places to visit in Paris.
The world’s greatest cycle race, the Tour de France, is more than 100 years old On 1 July 1903, 60 cyclists embarked on the first-ever Tour de France from the Parisian suburb of Montgeron. More than 100 years later, the event has grown to become the world’s greatest cycle race, with around 198 cyclists racing some 3,200kms; primarily around France in a series of stages over 23 days. The 2013 Tour de France was the 100th edition of the Tour de France and around 15 million spectators lined up to watch the 21-stage course for the centennial celebration.
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Meridian Port Services Ltd institutes employee LEAN Training Program To further boost the capacity of employees and improve overall service performance, Meridian Port Services Ltd (MPS) has instituted a Lean Employee Training Program. To kickstart the training program, the Management Team of MPS was taken through a 2-day Lean leadership training. The Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mohamed Samara who opened the training program, underscored the need for individual and collective self-development for organisational performance.
TRAINING In the 2-day session, Management members went through the basics of Lean Management System, basics of Kaizen, leadership in performance management amongst other Lean related topics and activities. Over 500 employees of MPS are following up with their training to imbibe the Lean mindset allowing for quick thinking and better approach to problem solving together to eliminate waste, boost productivity and promote innovation.
MPS Management Team during the training
“To further strengthen the gains we have made through the years that have brought significant benefits to MPS and the entire port community, we decided to undertake this Lean training program. Primarily, this program will aim at transforming the way we think and our approach to work. At the end of this, each employee from the highest level of the hierarchy should be able to troubleshoot on their own when faced with problems in the course of their work to arrive at a workable solution” Again, change starts with leadership, we must recognise that that we exist to deliver top- level service to our customers so we must always seek to add value to our service for the benefit of the customer and ultimately to our advantage as individuals and an organisation. For us as a forward looking terminal, it will help us identify and reduce operational bottlenecks to have a free-flowing process. Mr. Samara added. Transformational changes of this magnitude are not new to MPS, since the start of operations, MPS has pioneered within the port community long-standing best practices and procedures, QHSSE standards as well as innovation in handling machinery, technology and operational processes that have given a global facelift to the Tema Port.
Some Management Team members and staff of MPS during brainstorming sessions
The training was conducted by APMT Lean Trainers Mr. Daniel Berry, Way of Working Regional Lead (AME/ASI Region) and Mr. Sami Palonen, Global Academy Lead.
The MPS Management Team at the completion of the 2-day training
ABOUT LEAN Founded in the 1950s, Lean thinking is a transformational framework that provides a new way to organising human activities to deliver more benefits to society and value to individuals while eliminating waste.
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Culture & Traditions of France Since the 17th century, France has been regarded as a “center of high culture.” As such, French culture has played a vital role in shaping world arts, cultures, and sciences. In particular, France is internationally recognized for its fashion, cuisine, art, and cinema. French culture was historically shaped by Celtic, Roman, and Germanic cultures. As these influences evolved, France became a patchwork of local communities and customs. What’s true for one community may not be true for another. Despite the growing global culture today, France has made an effort to preserve the cultures of its smaller communities. Language As the official language of France, French is the first language of 88% of the population. Even then, most others speak French as a second language. However, minority languages flourish in specific regions. For example, eastern provinces speak German while Flemish is spoken in the northeast and Italian is spoken in the southeast. Other communities within France speak several other languages. Family The family has served as the founding unit of French society for generations. Traditionally, the family structure could include either extended families or nuclear families. In recent years, that structure has shifted to primarily reflect nuclear families as well as variations such as single-parent households or civil unions known as PACS.
cooking is recognized around the world, there are many varieties in cooking styles, ingredients, and dishes from region to region. For example, Normandy cuisine is known for seafood and cheeses while Burgundy is known for beef. That being said, traditional French cuisine is characterized by its cheeses, wines, breads, and sauces. Recently, French cuisine has shifted to reflect lighter fare rather than the more traditional heavy sauces and complicated preparations. Breakfast in French culture is typically light: a French pastry or bread served with a hot beverage. Lunch and dinner, on the other hand, are considered to be the main meals of the day. Formal meals will have four courses: a starter, a salad, a main course, and a cheese or dessert course.
French Fashion Paris is often regarded as the fashion capital of the world. It is home to several worldwide brands such as Louis Vuitton and Chanel. France became a major influencer in fashion beginning with the reign of Louis XIV in the 1600s. During that time, France became known for its luxury goods throughout Europe. Today, French style can be described as sophisticated and fashionable. A typical outfit may include dresses or suits with long coats and scarves.
Religion in France Most French citizens consider themselves to be Christian (primarily Catholic). Historically, Catholicism played a significant role in shaping French culture and was the state religion until 1789. In French tradition, kings were even crowned within the Notre-Dame de Reims cathedral until 1825. Most of the remaining population today identifies as agnostic or atheist. However, there are also significant groups of Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist residents in modern France.
French Art and Media The arts are deeply appreciated in French traditions. Hobbies and professions are historically shown deep respect for the craftsmanship that goes into them. French literature, painting, and cinema are all historically significant around the world. Works such as Les Misérables or artists such as Monet are some of the most recognizable in the world. Today, art is still highly regarded in France. The Louvre, housed in Paris, is the largest art museum in the world. If you visit France, you’ll also likely see artists in the streets painting. French Values The French motto “Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity” reflects the values of French society. Equality and unity are important to the French. The French also value style and sophistication, and they take pride in the beauty and artistry of their country. Family is also highly valued in French culture. Mealtimes are often shared with family, and extended-family gatherings and meals are common over the weekend. French Cuisine Meals in France are meant to be enjoyed. Food is made with great care, and mealtimes are a prime time for socializing. While French
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ALLIANZ GHANA
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Public-Private Partnership to Develop Flood Insurance and Build Financial Resilience in Ghana Accra, Ghana/ London, UK, 13 June 2022: The Ghana Ministry of Finance, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the German Government, and the Insurance Development Forum (IDF), announced today the launch of a Tripartite project to develop a sovereign risk transfer scheme for urban floods in Ghana, alongside longterm investments in the country’s capacity to leverage and integrate insurance and risk financing into their development strategies. The announcement was made during the IDF Summit in Zurich, Switzerland. The risk transfer project is led by IDF members Allianz and Swiss Re, and closely supported by UNDP. Further partners in the project are flood risk consultants HKV, microsatellite operator ICEYE, and media monitor Flood Tags. It aims to enhance the response of the Ghanaian National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and local authorities after severe flooding, especially for poor and vulnerable people. Alhassan Iddrisu, Director, Economic Strategy and Research Division at Ghana’s Ministry of Finance, noted: “We welcome the cross-sector collaboration in the Tripartite Insurance Programme as one of the financing mechanisms for climate adaptation. Through the industry-led insurance project to develop an innovative risk transfer scheme for urban floods, with its knowledge-sharing element, we aim to improve and develop greater local ownership of risk analysis and provide a faster response and recovery, especially to our most vulnerable citizens. The work with UNDP will contribute to mainstreaming climate and disaster risk finance into our Ministry’s work, and together, these efforts will help to strengthen our country’s macroeconomic stability and sustainable development agenda.” By carefully selecting a pre-defined trigger for pay-out as opposed to assessing actual losses, the parametric insurance solution will enable quick pay-outs in case of a flood. This will improve resilience and support the
rapid re-establishment of economic activity of low-income communities in urban areas, starting with the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA). While developing an insurance scheme for major floods, the project also aims to enhance the disaster response capacity of Ghanaian institutions through increased access to data, detailed risk insights, and activation of contingency protocols. Ababacar Diaw, Acting CEO, Allianz Ghana, said: “The collaborative development of this parametric insurance solution through a public-private partnership plays into the UN Sustainable Development Goals and is an important contribution to increasing the climate resilience of urban poor and vulnerable people in Accra. Parametric insurance solutions are especially useful in regions where insurance infrastructure, such as good data, is less available.” The UNDP-led work with the Government of Ghana aims to enhance the country’s long-term financial resilience, through strengthening capacity to financially manage risk, the integration of insurance and risk financing into national development strategy and delivery, and the development of insurance markets and inclusive insurance solutions for at-risk populations. UNDP Country Representative Angela Lusigi pointed out, “At UNDP Ghana, we are committed to supporting integrated development solutions that build resilience across society to protect Ghana’s development progress. This project to develop an innovative insurance solution for managing flood risks and to provide rapid pay-outs as a safety net for poor and vulnerable urban communities is welcome. It will serve as a boost to government and private sector efforts to provide wider access to insurance and risk finance. By blending the financial-solution expertise developed by the government, with the long-term development and governance support offered by UNDP in partnership with the private sector, we will be able to advance
Ghana’s ambitious development agenda.” Ghana is one of the countries most prone to floods in West Africa, and the impact of climate change is exacerbating the risk of flooding in urban areas. While the entire population of Greater Accra may indirectly benefit from the risk transfer product, the core beneficiaries are the poor and vulnerable residents in the GAMA region. The InsuResilience Solutions Fund (ISF), funded by the KfW Development Bank on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and managed by Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, will co-fund the risk transfer project alongside the IDF insurance industry members. Claudia Thyme, Industry Deputy Chair, IDF Sovereign and Humanitarian Solutions Working Group, said, “One reason why the protection gap persists is that it is often costly to design insurance solutions tailored to the specific needs and requirements of developing countries. Co-funding from the German Government enables the IDF to uniquely address this problem by working on the product development stage in crosscompany teams, as an industry. Once a programme has been designed, it is easier for governments to find insurance companies to insure the risk.” This risk transfer project launch follows projects launched in 2020, 2021 and 2022 with Peru; Medellín, Colombia and Mexico, respectively, but is the first launched in Africa under the Tripartite Agreement announced in 2019 between the UNDP, the German Government, and the IDF. The Tripartite Programme aims to provide technical assistance and sovereign and sub-sovereign risk financing solutions to countries vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, for their public assets, as well as for sectors, such as agriculture, education, health and transport, among others, to protect their most vulnerable populations. - ENDS -
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4th Annual CCIFG Gala & Awards Night at a glance
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CFAO Ghana Ltd The GROUP: Established in 36 African countries, and 7 French Overseas Territories, CFAO is the trusted partner of world-renowned brands and a leading player in four major business sectors: automotive imports and distribution, pharmaceutical imports and distribution and associated logistics services, production and distribution of consumer goods, and the integration of IT and telecommunications solutions. The Group has used its in-depth knowledge of local markets to achieve rigorous business expansion for more than 100 years, guided by a pioneering, entrepreneurial and multi-cultural spirit. With a strongly diversified business portfolio and strategic footholds in highgrowth markets like Africa, the French overseas territories, Mauritius and Vietnam, CFAO is extremely well placed to consolidate its leadership and seize new growth opportunities. The Group’s efficient supply chain, combined with a high-quality offering compatible with the highest international standards and a proven commitment to continuous improvement, provide a solid foundation for robust performance and profitability.
The Company: CFAO Ghana PLC was founded in 1909. It was converted into a public company by a special resolution on 6th January 1975. The company presently has branches in Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi with its Head Office at the Airport City area. CFAO GHANA PLC comprises of two business entities including: The MOTORS DIVISION, responsible for the sales and service of MERCEDES BENZ vehicles, MITSUBISHI vehicles, SUZUKI vehicles and SUZUKI OUTBOARD ENGINES. Another business arm for the motors division is CFAO PRE-OWNED CARS which caters to the used car market by offering a vehicle trade in service which allows customers to trade in their used vehicles and purchase brand new vehicles from CFAO with a top up. Also they can purchase other used vehicles under this service. The EQUIPMENT DIVISION, for the sales and service of MERCEDES BENZ TRUCKS, FUSO TRUCKS, JCB MACHINES, TOYOTA FORKLIFTS and a TYRES business which distributes famous tyre brands like BRIDGESTONE, PIRELLI, RIKEN, TECHKING and CAMSO.
A range of innovative customer centered offerings including the CFAO CARE policy which has 5 KEY COMMITMENTS, AUTOFINANCE which provides financing for would-be car owners and AYEKOO – a maintenance package aimed at making the vehicle aftersales experience convenient. CFAO Ghana PLC has workshops within the southern and middle sectors of Ghana specifically in ACCRA, TEMA, TAKORADI, KUMASI and also Certified Workshops in northern sectors of Ghana in partnership with TotalEnergies Ghana which have world-class professionals trained as per manufacturers standards. Over the years, CFAO Ghana Ltd has successfully done and is still doing businesses with many Ghanaian and International companies such as GOIL, Total, MTN, Go-Energy, Queiroz Galvao, Puma Energy, Eaton towers, Cargill Cocoa, Church of Latter Day Saints and SSNIT. CFAO’s strategy is to capitalise on its unrivalled experience in managing the markets to meet customers’ needs, demands and expectation whilst providing excellent customer service.
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TOP TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN FRANCE From the boulevards of Paris to the fashionable seaside resorts of the Côte d’Azur, France offers some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Fairy-tale castles, glorious cathedrals, and pictureperfect villages delight romantics. At the same time, the country’s contemporary monuments and rapid train transit jolt visitors from the storybook surroundings into the ambience of the 21st century.
Château de Versailles
Eiffel Tower
The symbol of Paris, the Eiffel Tower is a feat of ingenuity as much as it is a famous landmark. This structure of 8,000 metallic parts was designed by Gustave Eiffel as a temporary exhibit for the World Fair of 1889. Originally loathed by critics, the 320-meter-high tower is now a beloved and irreplaceable fixture of the Paris skyline. The Eiffel Tower’s gracefulness has earned it the nickname of “Iron Lady.” Visitors are impressed by the tower’s delicate airiness despite its monumental size and the breathtaking panoramas at each of the three levels. Tourists can dine with a view at the first level or indulge at the Michelin-starred Le Jules Verne restaurant on the second level. At the exhilarating height of 276 meters, the top level offers a sweeping outlook over the city of Paris and beyond. Vistas extend as far as 70 kilometers on a clear day.
The Château de Versailles emblematizes the grandeur of the French monarchy prior to the fall of the Ancien Régime. This UNESCO-listed monument represents a glorious moment of France’s history, under the reign of Louis XIV (known as the “Sun King”), when the palace set the standard for princely courts in Europe. Beginning in 1661, Louis XIV transformed his father’s hunting lodge (a small château) into an opulent royal palace. To realize the vision of Louis XIV, esteemed architect Louis Le Vau renovated the château of Louis XIII in an elegant neoclassical manner. Later in the 17th century, Jules Hardouin-Mansart created the lavish Baroque interiors, including the Hall of Mirrors. The most spectacular space in the palace is the Hall of Mirrors, where courtiers waited for an audience with His Majesty. This dazzling gallery sparkles with sunlight that enters through the windows and is reflected off hundreds of ornamental mirrors, while dozens of glittering chandeliers and gilded details make the overall impression even more marvelous.
Musée du Louvre
Gardens at the Palace of Versailles
In a stately palace that was once a royal residence, the Louvre Museum ranks among the top European collections of fine arts. Many of Western Civilization’s most famous works are found here, including the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, the Wedding Feast at Cana by Veronese, and the 1st-century-BC Venus de Milo sculpture. The collection owes its wealth to the contributions of various kings who lived in the Louvre. Other pieces were added as a result of France’s treaties with the Vatican and the Republic of Venice, and from the spoils of Napoléon I. The Louvre displays around 35,000 artworks, including countless masterpieces. It’s impossible to see it all in a day or even in a week.
Versailles is equally renowned for Les Jardins, formal French gardens featuring decorative pools, perfectly trimmed shrubbery, numerous statues, and magnificent fountains. The gardens were created in the 17th century by renowned landscape designer André Le Nôtre and are surrounded by 800 hectares of lush parkland. Beyond the formal gardens is the Domaine de Trianon, which includes Le Grand Trianon palace; Le Petit Trianon château; and Le Hameau de la Reine (The Queen’s Hamlet), Marie-Antoinette’s fabricated pastoral village featuring quaint cottages set around a lake. Inspired by rural architecture, the buildings have a weathered finish that was intentionally rendered to lend a rustic look (although the interiors were exquisitely furnished). Marie-Antoinette’s hamlet originally had a working dairy and farm, which served educational purposes for her children. This idyllic spot was designed as a place for Marie-Antoinette to escape from the formality of court life, to take walks and visit with friends. The hamlet provides a rare glimpse of Marie-Antoinette’s private world.
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Côte d’Azur
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painted facade. This free public event begins at dusk (around 9pm) and concludes at 1am every evening during the festival. Alsace Villages
The most fashionable stretch of coastline in France, the Côte d’Azur extends from Saint-Tropez to Menton near the border with Italy. Côte d’Azur translates to “Coast of Blue,” a fitting name to describe the Mediterranean’s mesmerizing cerulean waters. To English speakers, this glamorous seaside destination is known as the French Riviera, words that have a ring of sun-drenched decadence. During summer, the seaside resorts are packed with beach lovers and sun-worshippers. The rich and famous are also found here in their lavish villas and luxury yachts. The town of Nice has panoramic sea views and stellar art museums. Cannes is famous for its celebrity film festival and legendary hotels. The best sandy beaches are found in Antibes, which also has an atmospheric Old Town and superb museums. Saint-Tropez offers fabulous public and private beaches along with the charm of a Provençal fishing village, while Monaco seduces with its exclusive ambience and stunning scenery. Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres
Some of the prettiest villages in France are tucked away in the green, rolling hills of Alsace, where the Vosges Mountains border the Rhine River of Germany. These picturesque Alsatian villages feature pastel-painted, half-timbered houses clustered around small parish churches. Cheerful flowering balconies and pedestrian cobblestone streets add to the appeal. Many of the villages have won France’s “Villages Fleuris” award for their lovely floral decorations, such as Obernai, with its characteristic burghers’ houses; the charming little village of Ribeauvillé, where many homes are adorned with potted flowers; the “town of art and history” Guebwiller; and the captivating medieval village of Bergheim. Some of the flower-bedecked Alsatian villages are so pretty that they have been designated as both “Villages Fleuris” and “Plus Beaux Villages de France” (Most Beautiful Villages of France), including the storybook hamlet of Riquewihr and the enchanting village of Eguisheim, nestled in a valley. Another “Most Beautiful Village” is Mittelbergheim, known for its gastronomy and gorgeous pastoral landscape, at the foot of the verdant Mont Saint-Odile. Rocamadour
For more than eight centuries, the magnificence of Chartres Cathedral has inspired the faithful, and some say this sublime sanctuary has restored belief in the doubtful. The UNESCO-listed cathedral exemplifies the glory of medieval Gothic architecture. The Chartres Cathedral is renowned for its marvelous stainedglass windows, most dating to the 12th and 13th centuries. Covering 2,500 square meters, the brilliant stained-glass windows allow colorful light to filter into the vast nave, creating an ethereal effect. The intricately detailed windows reveal the incredible craftsmanship in depicting biblical stories. The rose windows are especially noteworthy for their incredible size and details. Other highlights are the Passion window, one of the most original in its style and expression, and the Blue Virgin window that dates from the 12th century. Every evening from April through December, the city of Chartres presents Chartres en Lumières, light shows that illuminate the cathedral and over 20 other monuments in the city. Creative presentations include Art Nouveau-inspired light shows and illuminations replicating the cathedral’s colorful medieval-era
Suspended between heaven and earth on a sheer limestone cliff, Rocamadour is an unforgettable sacred site. In the 11th century, this pilgrimage destination was the third most important in Christendom after Jerusalem and Rome. Rocamadour was also a stop on the medieval Way of Saint James pilgrimage trail to Santiago de la Compostela in Spain. The village has seven ancient sanctuaries, but pilgrims flock to the Chapelle Notre-Dame (Chapelle Miraculeuse), which possesses the venerated Black Virgin (Notre-Dame de Rocamadour). This precious Virgin Mary figure was carved from walnut wood that naturally darkened over the centuries and is associated with miracles. Another must-see sight is the UNESCO-listed Basilique SaintSauveur, the largest church of Rocamadour built in Romanesque and Gothic style between the 11th and 13th centuries. For a challenging spiritual experience, pilgrims can ascend the steep flight of steps, with 12 Stations of the Cross, leading up to the château at the highest point in the village. About 145 kilometers from Limoges in the Limousin, Rocamadour is surrounded by the Parc Naturel Régional des Causses du Quercy, a natural park of the Dordogne region.
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5 TRADITIONAL FRENCH DISHES WORTH TRYING While French dishes have traveled to many countries across the world, these authentic French foods are without a doubt the best way to experience this unique cuisine in its simplest and most sumptuous form. Wonderful food can be found throughout France, and many of the country’s regions have become synonymous with the classic dishes that were first made there. For the purists, our list not only looks at some of the country’s most beloved foods but also where best to try them. Tapenade (Provençal Olive Spread) Tapenade is a traditional recipe from Provence, created in 1880 in the city of Marseilles. Its name comes from tapenas, the Provençal word for ‘capers’. Tapenade is a scrumptious spread made from black (or green) olives, capers, anchovies, garlic, and extra virgin olive oil. The solid ingredients are crushed using a mortar and pestle, then extra virgin oil is added gradually until a paste-like texture is obtained. Tapenade is a summer classic in Provence-Côte d’Azur. Enjoy this dish while having a French aperitif in our beautiful Provence, spread on a slice of fresh bread, or as a dip with raw vegetable sticks such as celery, carrot, or cucumber, while listening to the lovely song of cicadas!
Ratatouille (Provençal Vegetable Stew) You have probably heard of ratatouille in the famous Pixar animated movie of the same name, but don’t be mistaken: the dish portrayed in the cartoon is in fact tian, not ratatouille! Ratatouille is packed with healthy fresh produce, including tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, courgettes, eggplants, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, bay leaf, and thyme, all cooked together on the stove. After several hours of gentle simmering, the roasted vegetables melt into each other, creating a dish that looks beautiful and tastes divine. You can pair ratatouille with flank steak, pork chops, lamb, chicken, and even eggs. Rice and ratatouille are also perfect together. Personally, I like ratatouille with a slice of good sourdough bread, freshly toasted. Whichever way you will have your ratatouille, this tasty summer recipe from Provence will add a splash of sunshine to your plate.
Quiche Lorraine (Savory Tart Named after the Lorraine Region) An emblematic specialty of Lorraine adopted by the whole of France, quiche lorraine is a savory tart, golden on the surface, consisting of a shortcrust pastry stuffed with a lardon-studded creamy filling. The shortcrust pastry used for quiche Lorraine is usually the delicate and deliciously buttery pâte brisée, made of wheat flour, butter, water, and salt. Puff pastry (pâte feuilletée) can also be used and, with its flaky texture, is a perfect fit too. With its filling of eggs, lardons, nutmeg, milk, and/or cream, quiche lorraine can be served as a starter or main course, and it can be eaten
hot or cold, best with a mixed green salad.
Bouillabaisse (Fish Stew) Originally, bouillabaisse was a stew prepared by Marseilles fishermen with the bony rockfish, as the fish was so undesirable it was practically unsellable. Nowadays, however, it is the signature dish of the port city of Marseilles. Bouillabaisse is traditionally prepared with at least three types of local rockfish, typically red rascasse, sea robin, and European conger. After marinating for several hours in white wine, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, and a mixture of spices, the fish are filleted and thrown into a simmering broth made using tiny rockfish, tomatoes, fennel, a mix of spices, olive oil, and water. As a starter, the broth is served with slices of crisply toasted baguette, raw garlic cloves, and a typical mayonnaise called rouille, made of olive oil, garlic, saffron, and cayenne pepper. Once that has been devoured, you can enjoy the second course: a simple dish of cooked fish fillets with plenty of delicious broth ladled over the top. If you are a seafood lover and lucky enough to visit the oldest city in France, you simply have to try bouillabaisse. This is a traditional French dish rich in both flavor, and heritage.
Gâteau des Rois (Provençal King Cake) If you visit Provence in January, you will probably be invited to share a king cake. In Provence, to celebrate the visit of the Three Kings to the newborn Jesus (Epiphany), gâteau des rois is eaten annually on January 6th, or the first Sunday of January if the 6th is a weekday. The French love to get together with family, friends, or coworkers throughout the month of January to share this traditional cake. Gâteau des rois traditionally is a ring-shaped brioche, flavored with orange blossom water, and covered with sugar. It is beautifully decorated with colorful candied fruits representing the gems offered by the Three Kings. According to tradition, a dried broad bean is hidden in the brioche. The lucky one who finds it becomes the King gets to wear the crown and buys the next gâteau des rois!
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