Month: April 2023

Cattle herders are exploiting the porous fencing of the 1,200 acres of the Tema Freezoneenclave to graze their cattle in the industrial hub. The situation is creating a security threat and a nuisance for some 85 companies who struggle to curtail the movement of animals to prevent accidents and mitigate damage to properties. Mrs Patience Agbleze Acorlor, the Director of the TemaAdministrative Office of the Ghana Free Zones Authority(GFZA), highlighted the challenge when Mr Kobina Tahir Hammond, the Minister of Trade and Industry, visited the office during a familiarisation tour. 'Because of those gaps we have in the fence wall we have cattle coming in. Unfortunately, you fix it, they break it, you fix it, they break it,' she complained. 'The fence walls have observation posts and so security would have to be stationed there, but somehow the security persons are saying the posts are too isolated.' The enclave, which provides employment for 7000 persons, consists of 37 Free Zone enterprises and 48 non-Free Zone enterprises. Mrs Acorlor mentioned other challenges facing the enclave to include, deteriorating roads, lack of adequate streetlights and irregular water supply. In the meantime, she said, the GFZA, with support from partners such as the World Bank and GIZ, was carrying out some projects that included the construction of roads and fence walls, expansion of water storage facility, introduction of affordable transport project and canteen services. Mr Hammond who expressed delight at the progress of development at the enclave said the GFZA must strive to be the centre for industrialisation and commerce by widening its scope of operations to attract more companies to the enclave. 'We wish that you generate a lot more productivity, employment and revenue for the country,' he said. He said it was distressing to know of the challenge with cattle herders which, was a serious security threat adding that, 'I don't think that is acceptable and I don't know to which extent the security forces of the country are aware of it.' The issue, he said, would be laid before the appropriate security agencies to have the matter resolved. 'It (enclave) is supposed to be a secure place for economic productivity and to have a free range of herdsmen and their cattle is dangerous to start with,' the Minister said. He later visited the 10-acre-construction site of the ReroyPower Company, Toyota Tsusho Manufacturing Plant, and theNissan Assembly Plant, all located in Tema to interact with the stakeholders towards addressing the challenges.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Multiple Award-winning Ghanaian Reggae and Afro-dancehall artiste Livingstone Etse Satekla, known in the entertainment sector as 'Stonebwoy' has finally dropped his much-anticipated album dubbed '5th Dimension'. '5th Dimension' is a collection of sounds that showcase the Grammy nominee's ability to seamlessly fuse different genres and cultures into his music. With his fifth studio album, Stonebwoy reveals an unwillingness to slow down. He told Apple music that, there is no other name that could describe his fifth studio album. 'In the space that I find myself, I want to continue to contribute to my culture, and my time, and my generation.' 'The fifth dimension goes beyond the physical, it goes into the astral and into spiritual,' he said. He said the album dealt with all aspects of emotions and thoughts. The 17-tracked album features both local and international artistes such as British rapper Stormzy, Grammy award-winner and African singer Angelique Kidjo, Iconic Nigerian Afrobeat's singer Davido, South African DJ Maphorisa, and Jamaican reggae rapper Shaggy, among others. From infectious dancehall beats to touching reggae melodies, the album is a testament to Stonebwoy's versatility and ability to push the boundaries of his music. Th album is now available on all musical service providers.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Ghanian rapper Samuel Adu Frimpong, popularly known as 'Medikal' in the music industry has released his much-awaited song titled 'God Abeg'. The song was released on Friday, April 28, 2023, and was produced by Chensee Beatz. The song has popular Ghanaian musicians like Kwesi Arthur, Joey B, and Kay-T featured on. 'God Abeg' talks about the rapper pleading with his maker to bless him with wealth despite all he has now. However, the song is fused with rap, highlife, and hip hop, it was sung in both English and Ghanian Language Twi, and Ga. The song is available on all streaming platforms. Medikal and Sarkodie had the highest nominations for the 2017 edition of the Ghana Music Awards in 2018, he was on the Tim Westwood Show. Apart from his nominations in 2017, he won the best discovery video in the MTN 4Syte Video Award in 2016 He has made a name for himself in the music industry through hard work and numerous collaborations with successful artistes. Medikal is known for his fast-paced rap style and witty wordplay in music, and he often incorporates Pidgin English and Ghanaian slangs in his music. He seeks to put the dynamic Ghanian culture across the globe.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Ghanaian afrobeat's singer and songwriter Camidoh has stormed East Africa with his song 'Adoley'. Camidoh, who is embarking on a tour to East Africa has so far visited some African countries like Uganda and Kenya. Camidoh arrived in Uganda this week where he engaged with some notable media houses such as NBS TV Uganda, NRG Radio Uganda to discuss his career and passion for music, while also sharing some new songs from his 'A Life Time Is Not Enough' Extended Playlist (EP). He went to Kenya first where he shared his forecast for the year with some of the industry's bigwigs, including Soundcity Radio Kenya, Capital FM Kenya, and Pulse Kenya. Later this month, he is anticipated in Tanzania to wrap up his media appearances and activations throughout East Africa. Camidoh has also released a video for 'Adoley,' the second track off his 'A Lifetime Is Not Enough' EP. The video of the song was directed by REX and comes with a touch of urban and indigenous Ghanaian and Nigerian street vibes, which gives it a global appeal. 'A Life Time Is Not Enough' was dropped in January this year as the Ghana native's official sophomore studio record after chalking up industry success with his 2020 Contingency Plan. The new EP has six songs and features guest contributions from Ghanaian singer-songwriter Cina Soul. Since its release, the project has earned positive reviews from industry executives, music writers, and critics and is currently enjoying massive airplay across the country. Camidoh rose to prominence in between 2021 and 2022, when he released his single 'Sugarcane' in December 2021. The song began to trend more after Ghanaian TikTok video creators' community used the song in their videos, serving as a way of promoting the song online. Since its release, the project has earned positive reviews from industry executives, music writers, and critics and is currently enjoying massive airplay across the country.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Matthias Aneinini, the Grants Advisor, Ghana Somubi Dwumadie, has urged non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to strengthen their collaborations with institutions to ensure continued support and sustainability of projects for greater benefit to society. 'This is important because people's positions change over time, but institutions last longer and for that matter, building the right relationship with institutions would ensure that projects are sustained, irrespective of those in authority,' he said. The UK Aid funded Ghana Somubi Dwumadie, a four-year disability programme with a specific focus on mental health, seeks to support efforts to remove barriers that prevented people with disabilities, including mental health conditions, from reaching their full potential. Mr Aneinini gave the advice at a close-out meeting, organised by Hope For Future Generations (HFFG), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), to mark the end of the Social Behaviour Change and Stigma Reduction for Mental Health and Disability Inclusion Project. The project provided psychological support to health workers and PWDs to enhance the relationship between the two for better health outcomes and help reduce stigmatisation against the target group. Mr Aneinini expressed appreciation to the project champions for their support and efforts towards a successful meeting and commended the leadership of HFFG and Pskyforum, an NGO, for taking up the mantle and executing the grant deliverables with integrity. He urged them to sustain the gains made by always treating disability and gender issues as cross-cutting to make the needed impact. Mrs Cecilia Senoo, the Executive Director of HFFG, said the programme was run by an Options led consortium, which also consisted of Basic Need-Ghana, Kings College London, Sight Savers International, and Tropical Health. However, HFFG and PsykForum as a consortium, were awarded the grant from Ghana Somubi Dwumadie to promote mental and disability inclusion in Ghana, she stated. The grant, which commenced on April 26, 2021, ended on April 28, 2023. It was to reduce negative and discriminatory attitudes, behaviours, and norms faced by people with disability in Ghana, including people with mental health conditions. The project was implemented in 18 districts of four regions: Greater Accra, Central, North East, and Savannah. Mrs Nancy Ansah Cobbah, the Director of Programmes, HFFG, said the project had helped improve behavioural change toward persons with disability. National data on achievements indicates that a total of 18,336 people, both male and female, have been counselled, engaged through outreach, educated on legal literacy, and inclusion champions sensitised on the subject matter. Mrs Cobbah called on stakeholders at the national, regional, district, and community levels to take action to reduce stigma and discrimination against PWDs and mental health. Mr Roger Amandi, an Investigator with the Commission of Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), stated that the disability issue entailed rights and urged HFFG to defend the rights of PWDs. 'The Commission is taking the project to a whole different level even though it has ended by seeking employment opportunities to put smiles on the face of PWDs.' Mr Ibrahim Anyass Alhassan, the Youth and Gender Advocate Officer, Office of National Chief Imam, expressed the continuous support from the Chief Imam's Office to the project and appealed to the public not to discriminate against PWDs.

Source: Ghana News Agency