Day: February 9, 2024

Muslim World League, an International Islamic Non-Governmental Organisation under the Government of Saudi Arabia, has donated some relief supplies to the Akosombo Dam flood victims in the Volta Region. A total of 1000 flood victims from Mepe, Battor, Sogakope and Adidome in the North, South and Central Tongu districts benefited from the supplies, which included bags of rice and sugar, milk, cooking oil, sugar, mackerel and spaghetti. Dr Mohammed Bashir Adam, the Country Director of the League, said the gesture was through collaboration and a shared commitment to the well-being of those communities. It underscored the Organisation's core mandate of supporting people facing adversity and emphasised its commitment to alleviating suffering without discrimination. Dr Adam said the League's approach to disaster relief was characterised by its dedication to the principles of centrism and moderation, eschewing extremism, violence and exclusion. He said the organisation extended its reach to anyone in need, rega rdless of their religious or ethnic background as it recognised the importance of humanitarian aid. Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, the Volta Regional Minister, commended the Organisation for the gesture, saying it would go a long way to alleviate the plight of the people. He said measures were being taken to resettle them and restore their livelihoods, adding that the Government was trying to provide resettlement for the victims to lessen their suffering. Dr Letsa revealed that the Ministry of Housing was working towards providing the resettlement, while the ministries of Agriculture and Aquaculture would be visiting the area to discuss ways to restore their livelihoods. Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, expressed gratitude to the League for the support. He said the second impacted person's resettlement site was completed and slated to open on Saturday, February 10, 2024. Source: Ghana News Agency

WINDHOEK: Newly-appointed Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, on Friday announced that the daily memorial services at the residence of late President Hage Geingob will no longer be conducted at his house. As of Monday, the daily devotions and memorial services will happen at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Katutura. The venue of the final official memorial service will still be announced. Theofelus was speaking at the Government Information Centre during the daily media briefing on the funeral of the late Geingob, who died last Sunday. She also said that the official memorial service and burial of Geingob will happen between 23 February and 24 February 2024. She further added that Geingob's body will lay in State in Windhoek and will not be taken to the regions. She however said that there shall be official regional memorial services leading up to the official main memorial service. 'The services will be coordinated between the central government and governors' offices,' Theofe lus said. Logistical information will be communicated at a later stage, she added. Source: Namibia Press Agency

The Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) is undertaking repair works on the ceilings at Terminal 3 of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA). The contractor has currently been engaged to begin works on the areas affected. A statement issued in Accra by the Company said Management had identified the areas of Terminal 3 which had leakage marks on the ceilings and was working to resolve the issue. It said the challenge stemmed from condensation of air condition pipes which caused the pipes to drip onto the ceiling. The statement said work has been scheduled in a way that would have minimal inconvenience to their cherished passengers. It said the public would be kept informed of the progress of works and its completion. Source: Ghana News Agency

GOBABIS: Faith-based organisations and churches at Gobabis on Thursday evening held a candlelight vigil in remembrance of the late President Hage Geingob at the Epako Community Hall. Speakers from different churches and organisations remembered Geingob as a Christian of note and a 'people's president' who advocated for a Namibian house where everyone was welcomed. Speaking at the special night, Bishop GJP Katuuo from Fill the Gap ministries indicated that Geingob's death has united people more than before, so much so that even his critics are saying positive things about him. He further indicated that this is a time to reflect and pray for God's protection for Namibia and its people. 'Maybe our president was given this time to lead our country for nine years. There was no president in the history of Namibia who went through a lot of challenges like our late president,' he said. 'I want us to be strong because now a new president is among us and a new nation is born. We believe by the grace of God that wil l encourage us and comfort us in this difficult time.' Another clergyman, Pastor Benny Anton, said it is time for the nation to thank the president for the service he rendered to the Namibian people. 'We can mourn his death but we know for sure that he has done his part in this country, and we can also be happy while we are busy as we are enjoying the fruits of his work in Namibia. There was always criticism against the president. In this world if you are a leader, you will be criticized. But you must know that even Jesus was criticised by those who were close to him,' Anton said. Source: Namibia Press Agency

Adama West Africa Limited, manufacturers of pesticides, insecticides, and fungicides, has engaged stakeholders in the cocoa industry for feedback on use of their products. The engagement was to afford management of Adama West Africa the opportunity to elicit concerns and recommendations from managers, chief farmers, and Produce Buying Companies (PBCs) in the cocoa value chain on the efficacy and potency of applying their products on cocoa farms as part of a Cocoa Enhancement Programme. Mr Joshua Banana Awutey, Marketing and Development Manager of Adama West Africa, speaking at the event said the engagement was part of measures to provide a robust cost-effective supply network to enhance productivity of cocoa farmers. He said with an extensive global presence and direct reach to farmers, his outfit was committed to addressing problems cocoa farmers faced through innovative technology and digital solutions. Mr Awutey mentioned that their products such as Banjo Forte 400 SC, EMA STAR 112 EC, Nicogold 400 OD and Maizine 30 OD among others, were effective and incident-free chemicals which dealt with the blackpod and other diseases on cocoa farms. He encouraged farmers to always read instructions or seek advice from extension officers before spraying chemicals on their farms to avoid complications. Mr Samuel Osei, the Western-South Regional Manager of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), said the news from the Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD that Ghana had lost over 500,000 hectares of cocoa farms to swollen shoot viral disease was a source of concern to the cocoa sector especially, the Cocoa Health and Extension Division. He said cocoa production had declined in the last three years thereby affecting the local economy, adding; 'COCOBOD, therefore, welcomes the collaboration with the Adama West Africa company for crop protection and streamline activities in the sector to increase productivity.' He said as part of the Cocoa Enhancement Programme, COCOBOD had earmarked 900,000 hectares of cocoa farms for pruning throu ghout the country this year, with 222,708 hectares of the total figure being in the Western-South Region. Mr Osei said: 'As part of an agenda Restoration, COCOBOD will assist massive cooperative-led pruning exercise and application of organic fertilisers on cocoa farms to help boost our chances of meeting our target of producing 300,000 metric tonnes of cocoa Western-South Region this year'. Source: Ghana News Agency