Investment Times Newspaper 2023 Edition | Issue 60

Veep touts Ghana’s investment opportunities

…woos foreign investors

Absa Bank donates blood to boost Ghana's reserves

Mahamudu

Bawumia says Ghana's economic opportunities for private sector investors are back

country is navigating its way out of the global economic meltdown.

Dr Bawumia noted that the govern-

ment is relentlessly re-focusing on economic growth and working hard to regain the trajectory Ghana was on and get back to

pre-Covid growth numbers.

Speaking at the 3rd Ghana Investments and Opportunities

Government welcomes private sector - led PFM platform

The government has welcomed the setting up of a plat-

form by the leadership of private sector actors, to support engagements and drive reforms in Public

Absa Bank Ghana has taken a signi cant step in supporting Ghana's National Blood Service.

Responding to the Service's urgent appeal to bolster blood reserves, Absa bank has generously contributed 150 pints of blood to the country's blood bank.

The demand for blood in Ghana consistently exceeds its available supply, making blood donation a vital aspect of healthcare delivery.

Under the inspiring banner of "Spread Love. Donate Blood," Absa's dedicated Citizenship team successfully mobilized a

FBNBank supports Green Ghana Project

Financial Manage-

ment (PFM).

Hon.Benito Owusu Bio, Deputy Minister o f Lands & Natural Resources (left) receiving the donation from Mr. V ictor Yaw Asante, FBNBank Ghana MD/CEO (right)

Veep touts Ghana’s investment opportunities

erations. Meanwhile, nancial systems have come under strain. For the rst time in recent decades, we have seen high in ation and nancial stress emerging in tandem. The world as we are all aware continues to face di cult moments caused by several factors, including climate change, disruptions in the supply chain of manufacturing goods as a result of the pandem-

which came to shake the foundation of the world's economy, causing it to a standstill through its devastating e ects, resulting in the fall of Global Gross Domestic Product by over 78%, war also broke out between Russia and Ukraine. Its consequence has not only a ected the two countries but also extended to other parts of the world, including Ghana. We have been hit by

…woos foreign investors

increased the prices of commodities back home. And the US Federal Reserve’s move to hike interest rate severely hit our capacity to borrow and repay debt in the international market." The investment summit seeks to woo foreign investors to take advantage of opportunities created in the various sectors of the Ghanaian economy in a road up to a total economic recovery.

your facilitator. We will unlock bottlenecks and prioritize limited resources to strategic sectors and projects. We think this is an exciting time to be part of Ghana’s economic growth," he said in his keynote address.

"We are organizing this Investment and Opportunities Summit exactly in that context. First, we want to show that Ghana is back on track and that strong opportunities exist for pro table private invest-

"Ghana is home to one of West Africa’s most prominent and e cient ports, Tema, on thestock to the landlocked ECOWAS countries. There is also the Takoradi port on the western coast, which serves the logistics, oil and gas, and allied industries. Takoradi is undergoing a signi cant transformation and requires signi cant investment to help decongest Tema and establish a commercial case for more vessels berthing there," he added.

Dr Bawumia cited the Brown eld, Green eld, and Public Private Partnerships as tangible and bankable projects championed by the private sector in Ghana and abroad.

Government welcomes private sector - led PFM platform

management and control of public funds, assets, liabilities, and resources, ensures that public funds are sustainable and consistent with the level of public debt, provide for accounting and audit of public funds and provide for related matters.

This was made known by Deputy Minister for Finance, Abena Osei-Asare, when she launched the PFM Platform under the theme, “Strengthening PFM for Accelerated National Development” in Accra.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana in partnership with PriceWaterHouse Coopers have initiated an all-inclusive stakeholder

Forum that would engage stakeholders to review, monitor performance, suggest reforms etc. for Ghana’s PFM system for sustainable growth and development. The PFM Act was enacted to regulate the nancial management of the public sector within a macroeconomic and scal framework. It de nes responsibilities of persons entrusted with the

Abena Osei-Asare in her keynote address noted that, since improving PFM was a necessary condition for building a resilient national economy, the idea of the Forum was a step in right direction, especially as it involved key stakeholders from both the private and public sectors.

In acknowledging the depth of partners involved in the Forum, she stated that “we are extremely delighted that private sector players and rms such as PwC, regulators including ICAG, Development Partners and all PFM

actors are joining Government to strengthen Public Financial Management”. The Deputy Minister who is also the Member of Parliament for Atiwa East indicated that PFM must be seen as “public good since if it is strong and functional, everyone bene ts; and if it is weak and malfunctioning, everyone pays a higher cost”. She charged the Forum to engender honest engagements on the key issue of revenue mobilization and expenditure rationalization, especially as the country is embarking on an IMF programme. She called for support for the revenue and expenditure measures outlined in the 2023 Budget as it provides not just the direct responses to the current issues, but helps to build a culture compliance and accountability.

Mrs. Osei-Asare

expressed optimism that the economy was recovering from the devastating impact of the converging crises since March, 2020. She was hopeful that the Forum would prove vital in reforming the PFM landscape and sustain the progress of recovery of the national economy.

Madam Sena Dake, President of Institute of Chartered Accountants Ghana, on her part noted that the forum was to contribute to the transformation of the public sector and policy decision making, and to prepare PFM related sector professionals to adhere to the tenets of the e ective PFM. Apart from Ministry of Finance, ICAG and PriceWaterHouse Coopers, other stakeholders present were, Controller and Accountant Generals’ Department, Auditor General Department, Ghana Revenue Authority, World Bank, ICAE and few others.

Absa Bank donates blood to boost Ghana's reserves

substantial number of employees, local students, and volunteers at their Accra Head O ce to participate in the donation drive.

Stringent safety protocols were strictly enforced to ensure the well-being of all donors and volunteers throughout the event.

Priscilla Yeboah, Head of Citizenship at Absa

Bank, expressed her delight, stating "We are thrilled to have made a meaningful contribution to the call for increased blood donations to bene t Ghana's healthcare system. As a responsible corporate citizen, we recognize the importance of collaboration and partnerships in strengthening our healthcare infrastructure to positively

impact and transform lives. This is just the beginning of an enduring collaboration between Absa Bank and the National Blood Service."

To ensure the safety and eligibility of donors, only individuals aged 18 and above, weighing at least 50kg, and in good health were allowed to participate.

Request for Expressi ons of Interest – Minerals Process Plant Electrical, Instrumentation and Communications Construction

(For Firms Strictly Incorporated in Ghana with Exclusive Ghanaian Directors and Shareholders )

Newmont Africa , a subsidiary of Newmont Corporation (the world's largest gold mining company ) and operator of the Ahafo South and Akyem mines, is requesting Expressions of Interest (EOI) from eligible, capable, and suitably quali ed companies for the provision of electrical, instrumentation and communications (EI & C ) c onstruction s ervices for a m inerals p rocess p lant for its Ahafo North Project The Project is located in the Ahafo Region of Ghana, near Afrisipakrom, approximately 20km S outh -east of Sunyani.

General

(For Firms Strictly Incorporated in Ghana with Exclusive Ghanaian Directors and Shareholders)

(For Firms Strictly Incorporated in Ghana with Exclusive Ghanaian Directors and Shareholders)

T he scope of the s ervices includes electrical, instrumentation and communications (EI & C) c onstruction and installation services for the minerals process plant and associated infrastructure The process plant includes primary crushing, live stockpile, semi autogenous grinding (SAG), ball milling , pebble crushing), pre -leach thickening, carbon - in -leach (CIL) circuit, elution circuit, gold smelting facility, tailings disposal pumping system , and all associated reagent, water and air services

The non -process infrastructure scope includes EI & C installation for o ces, workshops, warehouses, bulk fuel storage and distribution facility, mine workshop , and other mine maintenance facilities

The Project is to be executed over a 1 5 -month period and will cover the following:

High Voltage (HV), Low Voltage (LV), instrument ation and communications cabling installation (150 km of cable)

Cable terminations including cable glanding and lugging.

Cable supports / ladder installation (4 km of cable ladder)

Instrumentation installation

Electrical equipment installatio n – includes installation of free -issued outdoor motor control cabinets ( MCCs ) for remote pumping stations, eld control panels, remote IO panels, eld instrument junction boxes, brackets, xings, and cable supports 8 o free -issued prefabr icated switch room buildings – work includes t ie -in, testing and pre -commissioning

5 o d istribution transformers – installation, termination and testing of HV and LV power, and earth cabling

Mechanical equipment – EI & C installation, testing and pre -commissioning of all mechanical equipment installed by others

Electrical eld devices installation.

Lighting and small power installation , testing and pre -commissioning of distribution boards, general area lighting , general p ower o utlets (GPO) an d three phase outlets.

Earthing installation including ladder, structural and equipment bonding.

I nstallation of underground buried EI & C services

Testing and pre -commissioning

Minimum Criteria

Interested o rganizations must demonstrate that they can meet the following minimum criteria:

Company is registered with the relevant regulatory and professional bodies. This includes but is not limited to the Ghana Minerals Commission We require all appropriate company documentation to meet this requirement

Capability statement and proven records of successfully providing similar previous minerals process plant EI & C construction services within the mining industry We require an experience statement with veri able references for the last three projects to support this capabilit y

References provided must include customer organization name, customer name/contract number, date contract was awarded, contract reference with brief description, country/location, value of contract , and date contract was completed

Details t hat demonstrate the company has current capacity and capability to perform the EI & C construction services in addition to oth er current projects and any projects tendered but yet to be awarded I nformation to include labour, equipment , and temporary facilities resources available within the company

Financial strength and ability to provide uninterrupted EI & C construction s ervices for a minimum of two years We require supporting document ation to demonstrate this capability including the company’s turnover in the last two years, pre -tax pro t (or los s) for the past two years, net worth / shareholders’ funds (or net liabilities) at the date of the latest accounts , present cash/credit position , and the company’s normal means of funding major contract works

Full compliance with all applicable health , safety, environmental, and any other relevant and/or applicable standards We require health and safety management plan, and environmental management plan to suppor t this capability. Provide safety and environmental performance records for the past ve years, indicating workplace injury, disease, and envir onmental incident statistics Details must include year, period of record, hours worked, fatalities, rst aid i njuries, medically treated injuries, restricted work injuries, days lost , and lost time injury rate per 200,000 man -hours worked.

Robust quality management system (Quality Assurance/Quality Control – QA/QC) to e ectively execute the EI & C construction services. Well de ned company structure and veri able evidence of competency of employees.

Please express your interest by submitting an e -mail to AhafoNorthTenderBox@Newmont com indicating the name of your company, contact person , and telephone details You shou ld also include all the requisite documents demonstrating your ability to comply with the above minimum criteria.

All e xpression s of interest should be accompanied by a formal letter on the interested service provider’s letterhead (submitted to the above e -mail address), with subject “A HN _RFI -1 7 00 -2023 – Electrical, Instrumentation and Communications Constru ction Services ” by close of business (5:00 p m GMT) on Wednesday , 13 th June , 2023

FBNBank supports Green Ghana Project

Pantang Hospital in the La Nkwatanang Municipality in the Greater Accra Region.

The Green Ghana Project is an initiative of the Government of Ghana which started in 2021 with a day set aside, dubbed, ‘Green Ghana Day’, to create awareness across the country on the need for collective action towards the restoration of the country’s lost forest cover. The government is targeting to plant some 10 million trees this year. Some benets of Green Ghana include inculcating

in the country and above all mitigate climate change.

FBNBank’s contribution of Twenty Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHS20,000) was made in line with the Bank’s Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability (CR&S) agenda which has the environment as one of its pillars.

Making the presentation, Mr. Victor Yaw Asante, the Managing Director of FBNBank and the Rotary District 9102 Governor said, “conserving the environment is a

to the relationship with its stakeholders as a whole, particularly the customers.”

The cheque was received on behalf of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources by the Honourable Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Benito Owusu-Bio who expressed his gratitude to FBNBank for their kind gesture and also commended the Bank for demonstrating leadership in supporting government’s e ort in the Green Ghana campaign. He also urged Ghanaians

past decade and this has called for serious action on the part of all to arrest the deforestation. According to Global Forest Watch in their report, Ghana Deforestation Rates & Statistics, “In 2010, Ghana had 7.00Mha of natural forest, extending over 30 percent of its land area. In 2021, it lost 101kha of natural forest, equivalent to 62.9Mt of CO 2 emissions”. Ghana has some estimated 6.6 million hectares of forest, made up of 1.2 million hectares of closed forest and 5.4 million hectares of open forest. These have, however, come under threat,

largely, from activities such as illegal mining

FBNBank has in its 27 years of operating in Ghana remained focused on putting its nities rst. This, it has sought to do throughlence of what the Bank contributes to the relationship with its stakeholders as a whole, particularly customers.

FBNBank Ghana is a member of the First Bank of Nigeria Limited Group which is renowned for its great customer service and general stakeholder engagement garnered over its 128 years of operation. FBNBank has 23 branches and three service centres across the country with almost 500 sta . FBNBank o ers universal banking services to individuals and businesses in Ghana.

The Giving Capsules: End the pity party, prioritize your mental health

tors.

Happy New Month and how are you today? The response of many in recent times to the question has been; “we are managing”. Are you also managing or you are ne! It is said that, healing takes time, and asking for help is a courageous step, same way self-care is how you take your power back. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. That is why, it's okay to not be okay as long as you are not giving up. "Your disorder or situation does not de ne you. Your strength and courage does." – Unknown

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health problems and disorders are common and a ect people of all ages, genders, cultures, and backgrounds. Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, a ecting more than 264 million people. Anxiety disorders a ect more than 284 million people worldwide. Dementia a ects about 50 million people worldwide. Substance use disorders a ect about 271 million people

worldwide. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15-29 year-olds. We can only drop the self-pity party when we have increase knowledge and understanding of mental health issues as this will support reduce stigma and discrimination, help people seek help when needed, support others who are struggling, and promote well-being for everyone. So I ask you. How are you doing today?

Let’s have a conversation on mental health and why it’s important to prioritize our mental health.

According to the World Health Organization, Mental Health is the state of our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It in uences how we think, feel, and act. It also a ects how we cope with stress, relate to others, and make choices and as such mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood to adulthood. It can change over time, depending on various factors such as life events, biological factors, economic hardship or environmental fac-

It is worth noting that economic hardship and mental health are closely linked, as nancial stress can a ect people's emotional and psychological well-being. According to researchgate, these are ways that economic hardship can impact mental health. Economic hardship can cause or worsen mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, substance use disorders, and suicidal behavior and addiction. This is because economic hardship can create feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, shame, guilt, anger, and fear. It can also reduce people's access to basic needs, social support, health care, and coping resources. Mental health problems can on the other hand also cause or worsen economic hardship, as they can impair people's functioning, productivity, and income. This is because mental health problems can a ect people's motivation, concentration, decision-making, communication, and interpersonal skills. They can also increase people's absenteeism, disability, and health care costs. And here is the tricky one, economic hardship and mental health problems can create a vicious cycle that is hard to break. People who experience economic hardship are more likely to develop mental health

problems, and people who have mental health problems are more likely to face economic hardship. This can lead to chronic stress, poor coping, and reduced quality of life.

According to the W.H.O mental illnesses are common health conditions that a ect how people think, feel, or behave. They can cause distress and impair functioning in di erent aspects of life but can be treated with di erent methods, such as medication, psychotherapy, counseling, or self-help strategies. The type and duration of treatment may vary depending on the person and the condition. For self- help strategies let’s learn to prioritize our mental health. Prioritizing your mental health is a great way to improve your well-being and happiness. Here are some tips that may help you do that:

1. What are the things that causes you stress. Identify your stressors and focus on the most important ones. Try to eliminate or reduce the sources of stress that are not essential or bene cial for you

2. Set boundaries with people or situations that negatively a ect your mental health. Learn to say no to things that you don't want to do or that make you feel worse.

3. Challenge your negative self-talk and replace it with more positive and realistic thoughts. Don't believe everything you think and look for evi-

dence that contradicts your negative assumptions.

4. Take care of yourself physically and emotionally. Eat well, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, and avoid alcohol or drugs that can worsen your mood. Be a thinker and not a drinker.

5. Practice mindfulness and meditation to calm your mind and body. Mindfulness can help you become more aware of your thoughts, feelings, and sensations in the present moment, without judging them.

6. Seek social support from people who care about you and understand you. Talk to your friends, family, or other trusted people about how you feel and what you need. You can also join online or o ine communities that share your interests or experiences. This is very important, don’t just talk to anyone. It should be people you trust can provide you support. As some people may make you worse o by broadcasting your challenges instead of being condential.

7. Reach out to a professional if you feel overwhelmed, hopeless, or suicidal. Therapy can help you explore your emotions, cope with your challenges, and receive appropriate treatment. You can also call a helpline or crisis center if you need immediate help.

8. Go at your own pace and don't compare yourself to others. Everyone has

their own journey and challenges, and there is no need to rush or pressure yourself. Do what feels right for you and celebrate your progress. Your mental health knowledge is important for many reasons. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the World Health Organization provides us with some guidance. Mental health knowledge can help you understand yourself and others better. It can help you recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health problems, and seek help when needed. It can also help you support your friends, family, or colleagues who may be struggling with their mental health. It can help you reduce stigma and discrimination. Stigma is the negative attitude or judgment that people have towards mental health issues or people who have them. Discrimination is the unfair treatment or exclusion of people based on their mental health status. Stigma and discrimination can prevent people from seeking help, accessing services, or enjoying their rights. Mental health knowledge can help you promote well-being and resilience. Well-being is the state of feeling good and functioning well in di erent aspects of life. Resilience is the ability to cope with stress and adversity. Mental health knowledge can help you learn and practice skills and strategies that can enhance your well-being and resilience, such as self-care, mindfulness, positive thinking, prob-

lem-solving, and coping. There are also mental health dangers being the risks and harms associated with mental health problems and disorders. Impaired functioning in di erent aspects of life, such as work, education, social relationships, and daily activities. Increased morbidity and mortality from physical health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and infectious diseases. Increased risk of suicide, self-harm, violence, and substance abuse. Reduced quality of life and well-being, as well as increased su ering and distress. Stigma and discrimination that can limit access to opportunities, rights, and services.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health problems and disorders are common and a ect people of all ages, genders, cultures, and backgrounds. These statistics show the magnitude and impact of mental health dangers on individuals and societies. They also highlight the need for more awareness, prevention, treatment, and care for mental health issues. Some global statistics on mental health dangers are:

Mental health problems and disorders account for 13% of the global burden of disease, measured in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, a ecting more than 264 million people. Anxiety disorders a ect more than 284 million people

worldwide. Bipolar disorder a ects about 45 million people worldwide. Schizophrenia a ects about 20 million people worldwide. Dementia a ects about 50 million people worldwide. Substance use disorders a ect about 271 million people worldwide. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15-29 year-olds, and claims more than 700,000 lives every year. Look consider some statistics looking at the African and Ghanaian dimension of the issues as well. Mental health issues are a serious concern in Africa, as they a ect millions of people and have signi cant impacts on their well-being, productivity, and human rights. Mental health in Africathe Lancet Global Health and researchgate discussing mental health in Africa as well as the World Health Organization looking at reversing suicide, mental health crisis in Africa shares these issues of concern. Locally in Ghana, the mental health issues a ect many people and have signi cant impacts on their well-being, productivity, and human rights. These thematic areas discusses the African and Ghanaian causes;

• Prevalence and burden of mental disorders: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 116 million people in Africa su er from a mental disorder, up from 53 million in 1990. Mental disorders account for 11% of the risk factors associated with suicide in Africa. The common mental disorders in Africa include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia,

substance use disorders, and dementia.

In Ghana, about 13% of Ghanaians su er from a mental disorder, of which 3% su er from a severe mental disorder and 10% su er from a moderate to mild mental disorder. Mental disorders are a leading cause of years lived with disability in Ghana, behind iron-de cient anaemia. Among patients seeking treatment for mental health issues, schizophrenia, substance abuse, and mood disorders are the top three diagnoses, although a huge percentage of people receive no speci c diagnosis.

•Treatment gap and barriers to care: Despite the high prevalence and burden of mental disorders, only a small fraction of Africans with mental health conditions receive adequate treatment and support from health facilities. This means that there is a huge treatment gap for mental health in Africa, which varies from 75% to 85% depending on the disorder. Some of the barriers to accessing care include lack of awareness, stigma, discrimination, and cost, and distance, shortage of trained sta , inadequate infrastructure, and insu cient funding. In Ghana, despite the high prevalence and burden of mental disorders, only about 2% of Ghanaians with mental health conditions receive psychiatric treatment and support from health facilities. This means that there is a huge treatment gap of 98% for mental health in Ghana.

•Human rights violations and abuses: Many people with mental dis-

orders in Africa and Ghana face human rights violations and abuses, such as neglect, abandonment, physical restraint, chaining, beating, and starvation, denial of medical care, forced medication, involuntary admission, and sexual violence. These abuses often occur in psychiatric hospitals, prayer camps, traditional healing centers, or within families and communities. People with mental disorders also face discrimination and exclusion in education, employment, housing, and social services.

•Policy and legal framework: Many African countries have national mental health policies and laws that aim to promote and protect the rights of people with mental disorders, and to provide accessible, a ordable, and quality mental health care for all. However, these policies and laws have not been fully implemented or enforced due to various challenges such as lack of resources, coordination, monitoring, evaluation, and advocacy. These are some of the major mental health issues of concern in Africa. They require urgent attention and action from all stakeholders, including the governments, health sector, civil society, media, academia, and international partners.

.Ghana has a national mental health policy (2012) and a mental health act (2012) that aim to promote and protect the rights of people with mental disorders, and to provide accessible, a ordable, and quality mental health care for all. However, these policies and laws have not been fully

implemented or enforced due to various challenges such as lack of resources, coordination, monitoring, evaluation, and advocacy.

It is perfectly okay to feel sad, angry, annoyed, frustrated, scared, or anxious. Having feelings doesn't make you a negative

person. It makes you human. So please drop the pity party, snap out of it and let’s create some hope for ourselves together. You are not

your thoughts. You are the observer of your thoughts. Let the only meaningful journey be the actual journey within. Turn on your

Propak Ghana organizes first international exhibition for Manufacturing Industries

exports-led economy. This strategy cannot be a reality without investment in manufacturing, increasing the use of state-of-the-art equipment and machinery, as well as human capital, since these are key ingredients in ensuring greater e ciency and e ectiveness in manufacturing”, he added.

light and nd happiness again even in the darkest time and prioritize your mental health.

Montgomery Group and others here to attract a blend of nancing options, e.g., equity, debt, and mezzanine, that will leapfrog Ghana to operate at the higher ends of the packaging value chain to be able to compete at home and into the global market”, he mentioned.

International exhibition company, Afrocet Montgomery, has hosted over 2,500 packaging, processing, plastics and printing exhibitors and industry players at its 3-day exhibition and conference to provide insight, knowledge and thought leadership on the trends and relevant topics.

Propak Ghana, the exhibition, held in Accra, provided a platform for suppliers and service providers to display cutting-edge products and service o erings, showcasing the latest technology, bring new companies to Ghana for the rst time, act as a unique

platform for those more established, and ultimately help drive the manufactural industry forward.

To address the continent’s fast-developing manufacturing sector, the event hosted 50 speakers delivering sessions on circular economy, sustainability, nancing options for SMEs, latest trends in print and packaging technology, and many other insightful and informative sessions.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the exhibition, George Pearson, Regional Director – West Africa, at Afrocet Montgomery said

“Our objective is to establish Propak as a key support platform for Ghana’s aspirations to increase output of ‘the made in Ghana brand’ and boost its exports in the region and beyond. Currently, Ghana is exporting a high percentage of its naturally-produced products in the raw state, and there is no doubt that value addition can help the country maximize revenue from its exports”.

“This approach can ensure Ghana’s plan at transforming its economy from one heavily reliant on natural resources, to a true value-added

The Deputy Chief Executive O cer of Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Yaw Amoateng Afriyie noted the exhibition is timely for Ghana’s export and import ecosystem.

“This exhibition is timely, especially as we collectively summon the courage to do things di erently and challenge antiquated dogmas that we must rely predominantly on imported brands and packaging - and that our homegrown brands are inferior or costly”.

“Again, exports remain vital to the manufacturing sector, allowing businesses to expand their reach at home and abroad, which improves our balance of payments, skilled labour, and foreign exchange. GIPC is committed to working with companies like the

On his part Deputy Chief Executive O cer (CEO) of Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), Mr. Albert Kassim Diwura, was con dent that the conference will be a catalyst for transformative change and open new doors of opportunity for Ghana’s packaging, processing, and printing sectors, and aim for a future where Ghana stands tall as a hub of excellence in packaging.

To round o George Pearson shared his thanks to their headline sponsors, Mohinani Group, and headline partners AGI as well as other sponsors Jaykay Global, Neofyton, Engel, Fujairah Plastics and Tetrapak and welcome all to join them next year at the end of April for the second instalment of the only exhibition in Ghana for the packaging, plastics, processing industries.

Cling Events Ghana adjudged Best Business in Interior and Exterior Decor

A leading Ghanaian-owned events management and interior decor rm, Cling Events Ghana, has been adjudged the Best Business in Interior and Exterior Decor in Ghana.

Cling Events Ghana won the coveted award at the ninth edition of the Business Executive Excellence Award 2023.

This year’s Business Executive Excellence Award ceremony was

held recently at the Marriott Hotel in Accra. The ceremony was attended by captains of industry.

Picking up the prestigious award on behalf of her company, was Nana Akua Aku o, the Chief Executive O cer (CEO) of Cling Events Ghana.

Ms. Aku o dedicated the award to the sta of Cling Events Ghana, whose hard work and dedication to service, she said,

has contributed to the company's success over the year.

She observed that Cling Events shall at all times remain committed to providing excellent service to its clients, saying Cling Events Ghana takes pride in delighting all its clients and doing business in a more responsible and trustworthy manner.

About Cling Events Ghana

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

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

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

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

Samsung Bespoke Life 2023 puts the spotlight on technologies,

updates to its Bespoke line-up.

“Bespoke Life embodies Samsung’s commitment to making our homes and future more sustainable by reimagining the appliances we rely on every day,” said Jong-Hee (JH) Han, Vice Chairman, CEO, and Head of the DX (Device eXperience) Division at Samsung Electronics. “By introducing new and creative ways for users to ‘Bespoke’ their life, our latest products, and solutions empower anyone to enjoy a more sustainable, connected, and stylish lifestyle.”

Sustainable Life –Technologies That Make a Positive Impact

Samsung’s Bespoke

sung’s e orts to further reduce carbon emissions across the entire product lifecycle.

From sourcing and production to distribution, usage, and recycling, Samsung is redesigning each stage of the product lifecycle to help reduce energy usage and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Examples of the company’s e orts to recycle more resources include operating a closed-loop recycling centre, incorporating bioplastic material from waste oil into Bespoke refrigerators’ storage baskets, and expanding its use of recycled shing nets.

In addition to promoting reductions in carbon emissions and

54%, Samsung and Patagonia have teamed up once again to launch the Less Micro ber™ Filter. The Less Micro ber™ Filter is capable of capturing up to 98% of micro bers shed during laundry cycles. When used to wash two kilograms of laundry four times a week, the lter can help reduce up to 132 grams of microplastic discharge per person per year — an amount equivalent to approximately eight 500ml plastic bottles. The Less Micro ber™ Filter is now available in Korea and the U.K. and will roll out to other countries in Q3 of this year.

Connected Life –Paving the Way for Hyper-Connected Homes To “Bespoke” one’s

paving the way for a new era of hyper-connected homes.

Combining Samsung’s latest SmartThings enhancements and AI technology, Bespoke products o er a seamlessly automated home experience — one in which devices learn users’ usage patterns and provide personalised automation based on their smart home con guration and lifestyle. To make it easy for consumers to enjoy those experiences, Samsung has announced that it is integrating Wi-Fi support into all new Bespoke appliances and will make connectivity a standard in all Samsung appliance line-ups in the coming years.

Stylish Life – Taking Personalised Design to the Next Level

The three million Bespoke refrigerators that have been sold worldwide since the line consumers’ resounding interest in appliances that o er more options and functionality than the old standards. Today, this rethinking of what appliances should o er users continues to de ne Bespoke design — a design approach that grows more dynamic and distinct each time it expands to a new product category.

As of this year, the Bespoke line-up now includes a total of 15 product categories available to consumers in 52 countries. Each expansion of the line-up presents an opportunity to cater to more lifestyles and needs.

The Bespoke 4-Door Flex™ is available for purchase in the colours Glam Pink and Glam White with Lavender in Samsung authorized retail stores now.