The weather Monday is partly cloudy in most regions. The wind is blowing light to moderate, getting relatively strong in the afternoon near eastern coasts. The sea is a bit choppy to rough in eastern coasts and highs range between 25°C and 30°C, reaching 22°C near northern coasts. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse Fidelity Bank, Ghana's largest privately-owned bank, has held its inaugural Stakeholder Workshop as well as the Orange Summit, to address critical needs in sustainability and young entrepreneur development. These events are in line with the bank's commitment to a brighter future for Ghana through impactful initiatives on two key fronts-fostering sustainable development and empowering young entrepreneurs. Held at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra, the maiden Stakeholder Workshop assembled a diverse array of participants, including development partners, NGOs, embassies and civil society organisations. The gathering aimed to foster collaboration among stakeholders, providing a platform to explore joint initiatives that advance shared sustainability objectives. 'The workshop sought to align efforts towards realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), tackling global challenges, and establishing enduring partnerships with lasting impact,' the bank said in a news brief. The workshop featured presentations showcasing Fidelity Bank's sustainability initiatives across various sectors such as health, economic empowerment, sanitation (WASH), education, food security, and the environment, with a focus on Sustainable Finance, Sustainable Operations, SME development, inclusive banking, financial literacy, access to education, economic empowerment, climate change mitigation and philanthropic activities. In his opening remarks, Atta Yeboah Gyan, the Deputy Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, highlighted the importance of unity and collaboration in driving sustainable development, adding that, there should be collective efforts to address environmental challenges and foster a legacy of positive impact. There were breakout sessions that facilitated in-depth discussions on specific themes, allowing stakeholders to identify areas for potential collaboration. The session also laid the groundwork for future partnerships, built on trust, transparency, and a shared commitment to sustainability. The workshop attracted esteem ed organisations like Impact Investing Ghana, UN Global Compact, GIZ, Star Ghana, the Embassy of Switzerland, the National Commission for Civic Education, the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, and World Vision, among others, demonstrating the breadth of commitment to achieving a sustainable future. Fidelity Bank further solidified its commitment to Ghana's future by hosting its first Orange Summit of 2024 at the Sunlodge Hotel, Accra. The event, a cornerstone of the Fidelity Young Entrepreneurs Initiative, provided young entrepreneurs with valuable insights and skills that extend far beyond just financial assistance. The summit provided participants with valuable insights from a distinguished panel of speakers from key regulatory bodies and industry experts. Highlights of the summit included keynote addresses from Mr. Ebenezer Kofi Essel, Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Mr. Lawrence Hotsonyame, Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Mr. Divine Kutortse, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and Mr. Banda Abdallah, Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA). 'Mr. Edward Effah, Fidelity Bank's founder, provided a particularly inspiring keynote address, sharing his entrepreneurial journey and offering valuable lessons to the young audience,' the bank noted, adding that, 'the summit also facilitated connections between Young Entrepreneurs and new project partners like GEN, Growth Africa, and Stanford Seed.' Several participants at the Orange Summit also echoed Fidelity Bank's commitment to empowering young entrepreneurs, the news brief indicated. Adolf Kwame Acquah, CEO of Madolf Ventures, praised the bank's support, stating, 'Fidelity Bank has been instrumental in my entrepreneurial journey. From the Fidelity Young Entrepreneur Fund to the Orange Summit, their support has been exceptional.' He particularly highlighted the value of Mr. Effah's keynote address, calling it 'even more than an MBA.' Bright Ofori, CEO of OB Corporate Services and Manufacturing Industry, shared a similar sentiment. He emphasised the comprehensive guidance and connections facilitated by the Fidelity Young Entrepreneur Fund, particularly regarding government agencies crucial for growth. Mr. Ofori also expressed excitement about the AfCFTA opportunities presented at the summit. Nana Yaa Afriyie Ofori-Koree, Head of Partnerships, Sustainability, and CSR at Fidelity Bank, emphasised the Orange Summit's significance as a step forward in the bank's commitment to holistic young entrepreneur development. 'While financial support is crucial, we believe in empowering our Fidelity Young Entrepreneurs Fund beneficiaries with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive. Through comprehensive training and capacity-building initiatives, we equip them to navigate the complexities of the entrepreneurial landscape, ensuring their long-term success and fostering responsible business practices,' she said. Fidelity Bank's commitment to both Sustainability and Entrepreneurial empowerment demonstrates a highly invested approach to the socio-economic growth of Ghana's future. The strategic collaborations with key stakeholders and targeted support for young entrepreneurs solidify their position as a driving force for positive change. These initiatives pave the way for a more sustainable and prosperous Ghana. Source: Ghana News Agency
WESGOSA ’84 hands over Robotics Centre to Alma Mater
The 1984 year group of the Wesley Grammar Old Students Association (WESGOSA) has commissioned and handed over a Robotic Centre to the School. Constructed at a cost of GHC164,511.00, the Centre is expected to enhance teaching and learning, especially for students studying Science related courses. Handing over the Centre to the School, Mr Benjamin Laryea, President of WESGOSA 84, said the decision to construct a Robotic Centre, a legacy project of the group, was arrived at in consultation with management of the School, who identified the Robotics Centre as a pressing need. Giving a breakdown of the amount, he said GHC45,798.00 went into the acquisition of equipment, and the remaining amount being the cost of renovating an old shed for the Centre. He said the project was aimed at giving the students a headstart as far as Robotics education was concerned. 'The world is moving in the direction of Artificial Intelligence, and it is appropriate that we prepare our students to take up the mantle,' he said. Mr L aryea who called for a proper management of the Centre, said WESGOSA 84 Group would continue to support the alma mater and called on other year groups to extend support to the School. Commissioning the Centre, Mr Benjamin Amoako, a Global STEM Alliance Certified Educator, and Country Director for Coderina Education Tech Foundation, commended the Group for the gesture, noting that 'it is a timely project'. He said Robotics had become an important part of education, and as such, emerging technologies, including Robotics must be imbedded in the education curriculum. According to him, by 2030, over 50 percent of career fields would be taken over by robots, hence the need to train the current generation in robotics and emerging technologies. Mr Amoako also admonished the students to treat the Centre as a training and learning environment rather than a playground. For her part, Mrs Barbara J.T. Thompson, Headmistress of the School said the Robotics Centre would be put to good use. Source: Ghana News Agency
Haukongo out until end of PSL season
WINDHOEK: Namibian footballer Lubeni Haukongo will be out of action until the end of the 2023/24 South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) season after picking up an injury in February. Haukongo, who plies his trade for relegation threatened Cape Town Spurs in the PSL, tore a muscle while in action against AmaZulu at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on 17 February 2024. The footballer, who recently returned from Ivory Coast after representing his country there, recently told Nampa that the situation is frustrating but he will take his time to recover. 'I tore my muscle completely but have gone through an operation and I'm now recovering at home. With the season coming to an end, I don't think I will make it back as I was given three months to completely recover,' he said. He added that he is thankful to his teammates and management who have made him feel at home. 'It's frustrating to be injured, but my teammates and everyone at the club help make my recovery period smooth. Despite being out for three mon ths I will not be travelling back home to Namibia as I have therapy to attend here,' Haukongo said. The 23-year-old Swakopmund-born defender also told this agency that he hopes to recover fully by June 2024, when Namibia is expected to take on Liberia in their World Cup qualifiers. 'It is an honour to represent your country. The feeling I get from that is inexplicable and I am confident that by the time we start with the World Cup qualifiers, I will be fully recovered and ready to represent my country,' said Haukongo. Meanwhile, Haukongo expressed that one of his greatest moments as a footballer was when he represented his region at the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup. 'Playing at the Namibian Newspaper Cup made me the player that I am today as I was exposed to national scouts who selected me for the Under-17 national team, and I also ended up representing my country at U20 and U23 before the senior national team,' he said. He called on all young players preparing to compete at the upcoming Nedbank Newspa per Cup during the Easter Weekend to be disciplined and to give it their all as they do not know who might be watching them. Source: The Namibia Press Agency
Ghana coach Otto Addo names 26-man squad for Nigeria, Uganda friendliesBoxing board does not need the services of former boxers: Tjongerero
Newly appointed Black Stars Head Coach, Otto Addo, has named his squad for Ghana's upcoming international friendlies against Nigeria and Uganda. The 26-man squad includes five new debutants, namely Frederick Asare (Kotoko), Ibrahim Osman (Nordsjaelland), David Akologo (Club Aurora), Diomande Mohammed (Rangers), and Nathaniel Adjei (Lorient). Inform West Ham star Mohammed Kudus, who was remarkable for Ghana at the 2023 African Cup of Nations despite the early exit, has been called up by coach Otto Addo. Brighton and Hove Albion right back Tariq Lamptey, who missed out at the 2023 AFCON due to injury, makes a return to the squad. The likes of Patrick Kpozo, winger Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, and midfielder Edmund Addo are all making a return to the team after missing out on the last call-ups. Black Stars Captain Andre Ayew would lead the side for the upcoming games, along with regulars Jordan Ayew, Osman Bukari, Samed Abdul Samed, Elisha Owusu, and Baba Iddrisu. Ghana would take on Nigeria on Friday, March 22, before facing Uganda four days later in Marrakech, Morocco. Full squad: Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Joseph Wollacot, Frederick Asare, David Aklogo Defenders: Daniel Amartey, Mohammed Salisu, Patrick Kpozo, Alidu Seidu, Alexander Djiku, Gideon Mensah, Denis Odoi, Nathaniel Adjei, Tariq Lamptey Midfielders: Elisha Owusu, Mohammed Diomande, Andre Ayew, Samed Salis, Baba Iddrisu, Mohammed Kudus, Ernest Nuamah, Osman Bukari, Fatawu Issahaku, Ibrahim Osman Strikers: Jordan Ayew, Antoine Semenyo Source: Ghana News Agency WINDHOEK: The Minister of Sport Youth and National Service, Agnes Tjongarero said the Namibia Professional Boxing and Wrestling Control Board (NPBWCB) does not need former boxers to serve on its board for it to function. Tjongarero on Saturday at the inaugural NPBWCB awards held here said she has received several complaints regarding the compilation of NPBWCB and sees no problem with those in power to run boxing activities. 'These board members are not going to step into the ring to fight so they don't need any technical boxing experience. What we need is people with the right expertise in the field of finance, medicine and law,' she said. Tjongarero noted that in the past, board members tasked to run the board never managed to stage awards, and she is happy with the current board for choosing to recognise athletes. 'We currently have capable people who are doing things. We are here hosting our first professional boxing awards, something previous board members have not done,' she said. Meanwhile, boxing promoter and owner of the MTC Nestor Sunshine Tobias Boxing and Fitness Academy, Nestor Tobias while expressing appreciation to the minister for what she has done for sports, stressed that boxers understand the sport better than those tasked to run it, so they should be included in the composition of the board. Tobias on Sunday told this agency: 'We don't have a problem with the current board and when their term comes to an end at the end of this month it will be important to look at who in the boxing fraternity can add value to the board as they have the technical know-how of the sport. Excluding them will mean boxers don't have the know-how or capacity to decide on their sport.' The renowned promoter and trainer stated that they can only help grow the sport if they are put in the right position to make decisions in the best interest of the sport. Source: The Namibia Press Agency
Ghana coach Otto Addo names 26-man squad for Nigeria, Uganda friendlies
Newly appointed Black Stars Head Coach, Otto Addo, has named his squad for Ghana's upcoming international friendlies against Nigeria and Uganda. The 26-man squad includes five new debutants, namely Frederick Asare (Kotoko), Ibrahim Osman (Nordsjaelland), David Akologo (Club Aurora), Diomande Mohammed (Rangers), and Nathaniel Adjei (Lorient). Inform West Ham star Mohammed Kudus, who was remarkable for Ghana at the 2023 African Cup of Nations despite the early exit, has been called up by coach Otto Addo. Brighton and Hove Albion right back Tariq Lamptey, who missed out at the 2023 AFCON due to injury, makes a return to the squad. The likes of Patrick Kpozo, winger Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, and midfielder Edmund Addo are all making a return to the team after missing out on the last call-ups. Black Stars Captain Andre Ayew would lead the side for the upcoming games, along with regulars Jordan Ayew, Osman Bukari, Samed Abdul Samed, Elisha Owusu, and Baba Iddrisu. Ghana would take on Nigeria on Friday, March 22, before facing Uganda four days later in Marrakech, Morocco. Full squad: Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Joseph Wollacot, Frederick Asare, David Aklogo Defenders: Daniel Amartey, Mohammed Salisu, Patrick Kpozo, Alidu Seidu, Alexander Djiku, Gideon Mensah, Denis Odoi, Nathaniel Adjei, Tariq Lamptey Midfielders: Elisha Owusu, Mohammed Diomande, Andre Ayew, Samed Salis, Baba Iddrisu, Mohammed Kudus, Ernest Nuamah, Osman Bukari, Fatawu Issahaku, Ibrahim Osman Strikers: Jordan Ayew, Antoine Semenyo Source: Ghana News Agency