Day: March 7, 2024

The Tunisian cultural scene will be enriched over the period 2024-2025 by a new Franco-Tunisian project called "Massari, Building one's Cultural Career," targeting cultural and arts professionals. Funding of pound 2 million (nearly TND 7 million) will be allocated to this two-year project bringing together six Tunisian cultural organisations and placing territorial diversity and gender equality at the heart of its objectives. The broad outlines of this project (2024-2025) were unveiled on Wednesday evening at the Institut Français de Tunisie (IFT) in Tunis, in the presence of representatives of French partners and those of Tunisian organisations. "Massari" will also be presented in Sousse (March 7) and in five other governorates (March 18-23): Bizerte, Kef, Kairouan, Sfax and Gabes. "Massari, Building one's Cultural Career" is a project supported by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, as part of the Fonds Equipe France (FEF)." In collaboration with the IFT and the French Embassy in Tunis, this project will be carried out mainly by the following organisations: l'Art Rue, Al Badil, Echos cinématographiques, Minassa, the Syndicat des libraires et distributeurs importateurs et exportateurs du livre (SLDIEL) and Safahat. The programme includes a range of some 36 themed training courses in the fields of dance, visual arts, theatre, music, books, film and digital technology. IFT Director Fabrice Rousseau explained that this collaborative, multilingual project targets a wide audience, with training courses in French, English and Arabic, as well as Tunisian cultural players who want to consolidate their skills in the context of projects that have already been set up. The free training courses will be open to residents of Tunisia, based on calls for applications available on the Massari platform in French, English and Arabic, at the following address: http://massari.co/ Decentralisation and parity are the two main objectives of this project, which targets all cultural entrepreneurs throughout Tunisi a. Local partners are called upon to reach out to project leaders in the regions, offering them training tailored to their needs. The criterion of parity, through the participation of as many women as men in a single project, is "a requirement and a fundamental factor" for the French partners. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has paid a touching tribute to the late John Apontua Kumah, describing him as a 'Ghanaian patriot par excellence'. 'His unwavering dedication to service, his tireless commitment to the betterment of our nation, and his profound passion for uplifting the lives of the people of Ejisu and Ghana were evident to all who had the privilege of knowing him,' the President said of the Deputy Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Ejisu. The sudden passing of the 45-year-old lawyer and entrepreneur shocked the nation on Thursday, March 7. President Akufo-Addo extended his condolences to the bereaved family, which includes his widow and six children. He expressed his sadness, saying: 'The untimely exit of the Deputy Finance Minister has left us all bereft of a bright, energetic light in our midst.' Mr Kumah, the President stated, would be remembered for his humility, and genuine concern for others, which endeared him to all who crossed his path. His passing had greatl y been felt by the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), of which he was a stalwart member, and all segments of the society, the President lamented. 'May God bless him, and allow his soul to rest in perfect peace in His Bosom until the Last Day of the Resurrection when we shall all meet again.' Mr Kumah was the first Chief Executive Officer of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), an initiative of the Akufo-Addo-led Administration. Meanwhile, Ghana's Parliament ended its sitting abruptly on Thursday, after the Speaker was informed of the development. 'Honourable Members, for good reasons, the House will have to adjourn, so I put the statement straight away. The House is adjourned until tomorrow 10 O'clock in the forenoon,' the Speaker, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, said. The mood of Ghanaians on the various social media platforms monitored by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) was that of sorrow and anguish. Tributes poured in to invariably celebrate his love for humanity, humility and de dication to national duty. The situation at Ejisu, the late MP's abode, was also not different as some of the constituents reportedly wailed, while recounting his good deeds. Source: Ghana News Agency

The Atiwa East District Assembly has provided support schemes to more than 570 local farmers in the district to encourage and assist them in their work in line with the government's planting for export policy. Mr Kwabena Panin Nkansah, the District Chief Executive (DCE), told the Ghana News Agency that the government had implemented various initiatives in the district, including providing 312 farmers with oil palm seedlings as part of the Planting for Export and Rural Development (PERD) programme. Women empowerment has been a key focus, with support provided for women to gain knowledge in various areas such as palm oil production, product standardisation, labelling, packaging, pastries, and local drinks at Akyem Mampong and Tiawa-Subriso. The DCE said group farmers have also been trained in improved technologies, ranging from the use of hermetic bags for storing maize to the application of fertilizers and group dynamics. This, Mr Nkansah explained, was an initiative aimed at empowering local farmers with the latest techniques to enhance productivity. He also noted that to support local rice production in the district, the assembly had organized a forum on the sustainability of 'Atiwa rice' and other products for farmers in the district. The forum served as a platform for discussions on rice production, processing, and marketing, emphasizing the assembly's commitment to sustaining Atiwa rice production. He said, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, the assembly was ready to pilot the use of drones to spray farmers for farmers next year. He said he hoped to increase the production of local rice in the district and therefore encouraged inhabitants, especially the youth, to delve into agriculture to minimize youth unemployment in the area. Source: Ghana News Agency

?develoPPP?Ventures?Ghana, a catalyst for change for local impact driven businesses, has opened applications for its Idea Competition, an initiative for Ghana's innovative startups to?scale up?and positively impact local communities. Selected companies can obtain up to EUR 100,000 in grant funding to scale their innovations. A press release issued by?develoPPP?Ventures?Ghana, copied to the Ghana News Agency, said the initial selection would be?based on idea competitions, leading to a pitch event.? Successful companies?would?undergo due diligence before a contract is concluded, and funds are disbursed. 'This time, the initiative targets young, dynamic growth-stage companies in Ghana with innovative business models aimed at positively impacting local communities and ready for scaling,' it said. 'Special emphasis is placed on women-led startups and those promoting gender equality, aligning?with the 2X Challenge criteria.' By applying to?develoPPP?Ventures Ghana, eligible businesses?could benefit in many wa ys including visibility, where they could tap into the extensive network and expertise of the matching-fund and its partners. They would also receive tailored support to?maximise?their chances of success.?? Through annual and bi-annual calls for applications in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania,?develoPPP?Ventures welcomes all startups that meet the eligibility criteria.? The release said prospective participants were required to be registered in Ghana or plan to do so before receiving investment, with at least one annual financial statement provided. ? They must showcase a viable business model with a relevant product or service already on the market, generating initial revenues (proof-of-concept).? Applicants?must also provide evidence of commitment or investment from other investors equaling the amount of the grant financing (EUR 100,000 in this case). They must submit, by?March?31, 2024, a sound financial and strategic business plans covering a three-year period, outlining how the funds would be?u tilised?for growth and achieving break-even. The applicant's?business model should demonstrate significant development relevance, scalability, and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 'To participate, interested?companies should visit?https://www.developpp.de/en/application/ventures for detailed participation conditions and application submission,' the release said. develoPPP?is a funding scheme of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).? It is aimed at companies that want to invest sustainably in a developing or emerging country and expand their local operations.? Prerequisites for support are a long-term business interest in the country and a sustainable developmental benefit for the local people. The scheme offers?customised?funding opportunities for already well-established companies as well as aspiring start-ups.? Source: Ghana News Agency