Zimbabwe Online News

WINDHOEK: President Nangolo Mbumba conveyed a message of condolences to President William Ruto of the Republic of Kenya, following the loss of lives caused by mass flooding this week. The floods in Nairobi, the nation's capital, and elsewhere in the country, have displaced over 165 000 people and wrecked homes, washed away bridges, and injured dozens of people. Mbumba in his message shared by the Presidency on Thursday said: 'I am confident that the people of Kenya will rise from this ordeal, which has not only led to the loss of lives and left several injured, but also caused the destruction of infrastructure.' The Namibian Head of State said he was confident that the people of Kenya would rise from this ordeal. Mbumba said Namibia stands in solidarity with Kenya, noting: 'We are keeping the fraternal people of Kenya in our prayers during this difficult period.' Source: The Namibia Press Agency

FBNBank Ghana has announced its name change to FirstBank Ghana, effective Thursday, May 2, 2024, as part of a strategic alignment with the FirstBank Group's identity, vision, and values. The name change reflects the Bank's commitment to its customers, stakeholders, and the communities it serves. A statement from the Bank said the decision to rebrand to FirstBank Ghana underscored the Bank's dedication to delivering world-class banking services and strengthening its position as a leading financial institution in Ghana. Most importantly, the name change is being undertaken by the FirstBank Group across its subsidiaries in Africa and Europe in order to align them with the parent brand and to enjoy the strong heritage and brand equity built by FirstBank Nigeria in its 130 years of banking leadership. This will further enhance the quality of service delivery, resulting in better brand clarity, uniformity, and consistency across the markets where the Bank operates. Speaking to the name change to First Bank Gha na, the Acting Group Chief Executive Officer of the FirstBank Group, Mr. Olusegun Alebiosu said, 'the name change coincides with our famed brand's 130th anniversary, and we are excited about the rebranding of FBNBank Ghana to First Bank Ghana, as it represents a significant milestone in our vision to becoming the leading international financial services group in Sub Saharan Africa. 'The transition underscores our commitment to providing innovative solutions, superior customer service, and contributing to the socio-economic development of Ghana and the other markets we operate in. As the FirstBank Group, across all our markets, we are well positioned to leverage our collective strengths and resources to drive sustainable growth and create value for all our stakeholders.' The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of First Bank Ghana, Mr. Victor Yaw Asante, commenting on the name change, also said, 'the rebranding of FBNBank Ghana to First Bank Ghana marks a new chapter in our evolution as a Bank in Gh ana. We are confident that this name change will enhance our visibility, credibility, and competitiveness in the market, enabling us to better serve our customers and meet their evolving needs. Our commitment remains to deliver the gold standard of value and excellence to our customers and stakeholders. We will continue to keep our customers at the heart of what we do and continue to deliver excellence in banking services, foster financial inclusion, and support the growth and prosperity of our customers and communities.' The First Bank Group's subsidiaries that have transitioned from FBNBank are FirstBank UK, FirstBank Sierra Leone, FirstBank Gambia, FirstBank DRC and FirstBank Guinea. The transition from FBNBank to FirstBank is expected to be seamless for customers, with no changes to account numbers, products, services, or banking relationships. The Bank will continue to operate with the same commitment to integrity, professionalism, and excellence that has defined its operations over the years. Sour ce: Ghana News Agency

Madam Justina Marigold Assan, the Central Regional Minister, has urged Ghanaian workers to be apolitical, particularly in this election year, in the best interest of the country. She said as public servants, they must embrace divergence views and opinions and act professionally to keep government business running smoothly as they recommitted to the ideals of democracy and good governance. Mrs Assan made the call in an address at the regional parade of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), in Awutu Ofaakor, to commemorate this year's May Day. It was on the theme: 'Election 2024: the Role of Workers and Social Partners in Securing Peaceful Elections for National Development.' She underscored the need for workers to be ambassadors of peace to encourage others to eschew negative attitudes before, during and after the elections. 'Let us be mindful of our utterances and actions and also avoid unnecessary provocations, which could result to fighting simply because we disagreed with someone,' she advised. Mrs Assan touched on the appropriateness of the theme for the celebration as it was directly in consonance with government's efforts to ensure a peaceful general election and make progress in the country's democracy. She said Ghana's adherence to the democratic principles and values such as good governance, the rule of law, and respect for human rights had made her a shining star on the African Continent. 'Our democratic journey has no doubt witnessed some turbulence over the years, we have made mistakes, taking round turns and sometimes stumbled, however with resilience and determination we have always picked ourselves up, tested ourselves, got back on the part of freedom, justice and openness,' she stated. Mrs Assan indicated that through those dispensations the role of workers and social partners had been paramount in securing peaceful elections, adding that as they strived for better conditions of service, they must also ensure professionalism and peace. 'It is important that we continue to foster dialogue, pro mote tolerance and embrace diversity as a strength that enrich our society.' 'Let us keep working together to ensure that every citizen, regardless of the background or beliefs, has equal opportunities to strive and continue to contribute their quota towards the development of Mother Ghana.' Mrs Assan said government recognised the invaluable contributions of workers towards national development and congratulated all workers, especially those in the Central Region, for their hard work and dedication to service. 'The government is always ready to listen to you and dialogue for mutually rewarding outcomes to foster public private partnership for the betterment of the nation.' 'I urged you to keep-up the yeoman's jobs you are doing for a peaceful and prosperous nation.' Source: Ghana News Agency

Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has commissioned and handed over the first phase of the redeveloped Appiatse Community in the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality of the Western Region. The 124 housing units, beautifully built with bricks, comprise two to seven-bedroom houses, with kitchen and toilet facilities. The redeveloped community is hooked to the national grid, has its roads tarred, access to potable water, kindergarten and six-unit classroom block with sanitation facilities. The project has transformed the Appiatse Community into a modern town, which was destroyed on Thursday, January 20, 2022, through an explosion. Dr Bawumia said the redevelopment was a testament to restoring dignity to the affected. 'Immediately after the incident, I led a delegation made up of Ministers of State, Heads of Security Services, officials from NADMO and other government officials to commiserate with the victims of the incident,' he said. 'I saw at first hand the devastation the incident had caused with some of the p eople unfortunately losing their lives, while others suffered various degrees of injury.' 'While we mourn those who lost their lives through the tragic incident, we stand in solidarity with the survivors who bore physical and emotional trauma.' He praised the heroic efforts of those who rescued some of the injured and sent them to various health facilities. On January 20, 2022, a motorbike rider went under a truck transporting explosives for the gold mine in Bogoso causing an explosion in an area. Some residents rushed to the scene to witness what had happened, but unfortunately a second blast occurred a few minutes later, destroying dozens of buildings and injuring many. Thirteen people died. The Appiatse Support Fund was launched to raise money, among other things, to support the victims of the incident and reconstruct the community. This birthed the Appiatse Redevelopment Project, starting in September 2022. Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, commended the Vice President for showing commitment in the reconstructing of the Appiatse Community. Source: Ghana News Agency

An Accra High Court has adjourned to May 27, 2024, the case of Richard Appiah, a footballer accused of killing two minors and putting their remains in a refrigerator at Abesim. Appiah's case was adjourned because of the absence of a juror. When the matter was called, six members of the jury were present instead of seven. The court was informed that the absentee juror had written to the Registry of the Court, but the court said it was not aware of any letter. It therefore adjourned the matter so it could conclude on the case completion plan. Appiah, who is also a draughtsman, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder before a seven-member jury. He is being held for allegedly killing two minors, Loius Agyemang, his stepbrother, and Stephen Sarpong, in Abesim, Bono Region, in 2021. The Court, presided over by Justice Ruby Aryeetey, has remanded Appiah into lawful custody. Nana Ama Adinkra, a Senior State Attorney represented the state while Appiah is being represented by Faustinus Yirilabuo. Sourc e: Ghana News Agency