Day: April 13, 2024

Former Black Stars Captain Asamoah Gyan has called on the leadership of the National Sports Authority (NSA). The move was to officially inform them about the invite them about the impending All Regional Games fixed for Saturday, June 8, 2024 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi. Mr. Dodzie Numekevor, the Director General of NSA in his remarks said the authority would make its facilities available for the event, adding that the authority would offer technical support to the organisers. He urged the organisers to use the official logo of the NSA for all their promotional materials without any hindrance, adding that they had given approval for the event. Mr. Seth Panwum Boyoyo, Board Chairman of the NSA said the project was in line with the core mandate of the authority and that it was appropriate for the authority to support the initiative. Officials present at the meeting were the Deputy Director General of the NSA, Mr. Majeed Bawa, former Black Stars player Bafuor Gyan and other members of the Regio nal Games Team. Source: Ghana News Agency

The Association of Rural Banks has called on the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA), regulators of the nation's pensions, to up measures and ensure that pension contributors receive their retirement benefits, immediately after active service. Mrs Patricia Peprah Agyemang, the President of the Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo Region Chapter of the ARB Apex Bank made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Fiapre in the Sunyani West Municipality. She was speaking to the GNA on the sidelines of a day's sensitization forum on pension schemes, organised by the NPRA with the support from the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) for staff of the various rural banks in the region. Mrs Agyemang indicated that it was very good for every active worker to register and join pension schemes, but the delay in the payment of benefits of contributors, when they went on retirement was discouraging. She indicated that though the NPRA was doing a lot to streamline pension activities in the country, it ought to do much and ensure that trustees 'did not take contributors' for granted, instead pay them their retirement benefits immediately after active service. Mrs Agyemang lauded the NPRA Tier Three (personal) pension scheme, designed basically to provide solid financial security for informal sector workers, and encouraged them to show interest and register for future financial stability. She commended the Authority for the sensitization forum, which had enlightened and exposed them to the various pension schemes, benefits, and trustees. She further advised workers above 45 years also to join the tier three scheme.Mr William Ohene-Adjei, the Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo Regional Manager of the NPRA, said he was optimistic that with the forum, the participants would go back, inspire, and influence their clients to join the tier three pension. He particularly advised petty traders, shoemakers, truck pushers, head potters, hairdressers and dressmakers, mechanics, and food vendors to capitalize and join the tier three pensions for their future good. Madam Fatima Gberbie, Junior Communications Officer, GIZ, said the Cooperation was committed to advancing human development in the country, and pledged its continuous support to the NPRA for the masses to understand the concept and join the pension scheme. Mr Samuel Baffour Awuah, Corporate Affairs Officer, NPRA, took the participants through the concept and benefits of joining Tier One, Tier Two, and the Tier Three pensions as well as the NPRA Act and their mandate. Source: Ghana News Agency

A three-day retreat of the Ho East Presbytery Catechists Union of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana (EPCG), has opened at Awudome Tsito in the Ho West district of the Volta Region. Reverend Chief Superintendent of Prisons (CSP) George Akuamoah-Boateng, in charge of the Ho East Presbytery, EPCG, who opened the retreat on Saturday noted that the Catechists were indispensable assets in the growth of the church. 'The role of the Catechist is very crucial in the growth of the church,' he said. The retreat is on the theme: 'Care for God's Creation, the Mission of the Church.' Rev Akuamoah-Boateng therefore urged them to be proactive in the implementation of the church's policies. 'It is policies that run the church,' he said. He also asked them to improve the cordial relationships between them and other ministers of the church. Rev. CSP Akuamoah Boateng said the Church was doing everything possible to improve the welfare of its agents. 'Without unity the church will suffer,' he said. Rev. CSP Akua moah Boateng entreated members of the Church to work to protect the environment from degradation as a way of caring for God's creation. Catechist Lord Hodinya, President of the Union, reminded his colleagues that though their work was not financially rewarding they should work diligently for the propagation of the gospel. He said the leadership of the Union was working on a welfare package for members. Togbe Gobo Dake XII, Chief of Awudome Tsito, commended the church for collaborating with traditional authorities in the development agenda of their communities. He particularly thanked the congregation in Awudome Tsito for their role in the development of the community. Source: Ghana News Agency

The Tema Industrial Lions Club on Saturday organised a clean-up exercise from the Tema General Hospital roundabout to the China Mall. The exercise saw staff of the Tema General Hospital, members of the club, and the Tema Gentle Women Lions Club, Tema Lions Club, Tema Leo Club, and the Tema Harbour City Lions all joining in to clear the filth in the area. Madam Gifty Nkrumah, the President of the Tema Industrial Lions Club, stated that the exercise was in line with their theme for April. Madam Nkrumah explained that every month the club chose an area they concentrate on, noting that their area of focus was cleaning their environment to make it healthier. She noted that some of the topical issues they attended to were caring for orphans, diabetics, health screening, and vision for the elderly. She said with the support of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly, Zoomlion Company Limited, and Belaqua, they were able to organise the exercise and looked forward to more of such exercises. She advised the public to use their gifts and substances to help society instead of waiting for the Government to tackle every issue, as their little efforts could bring some change to a situation. 'When God created us, he gave everyone some gifts. Do what you can to help the environment and others; do not hesitate; and be waiting that the Government will do everything. Our little efforts can also make a difference,' she said. Source: Ghana News Agency

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has cleared 14 out of the 182 containers of medical shipments from the Global Fund stucked at the ports to mitigate HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis for the Health Ministry. The 14 containers of health commodities, comprising 10 containers of malaria rapid diagnostic tests, one container of malaria injection and three containers of malaria medicine were delivered to the Ministry of Health for onwards transmission to the warehouse. The supplies, including antiretroviral medications for HIV patients, were held at the Tema port due to non-payment of third-party fees, leading to agitation from the public. Speaking at a short handover ceremony, the Director of the Revenue Policy Division at the Ministry of Finance, George Winful, said government had earlier paid GHS40 million for the medications, but third-party levy led to delay in the release of the containers. Also, some stakeholders in the health sector were not aware of the new exemption arrangement, which contributed t o the delay in clearing the goods. Mr Winful said to address future delays, an intergovernmental committee was formed by the government after the lessons from the current delays. The committee include the Ministry of Finance, the Ghana Revenue Authority, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, and the Ministry of Health. To guarantee prompt resolutions, he said, the committee will collaborate to handle such issues as they come up. It is anticipated that the rest of the medications will be delivered to the Ghana Health Service's warehouses by April 19 at the latest. The Deputy Commissioner of the Customs Division of Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Emmanuel Ohene, said the first batch of medical supplies would help in healthcare delivery. 'I am pleased to report that the first batch of the consignment has been cleared and it is being released to the Ministry of Health for distribution to various health centres across the country. 'These drugs are vital for the survival of our fellow citizens and I am glad tha t they are now in the hands of those who will put it to very good use,' he stated. He also encouraged stakeholders and ministries to work with the GRA to take advantage of the new exemption law to clear eligible goods since it would help in avoiding charges and penalties at the port. He clarified that even though the pharmaceuticals qualified for exemption, their lockup at the port was caused by unpaid obligations, such as third-party clearance fees. Mr. Ohene reaffirmed that the authority would always prioritise the needs of its clients and encouraged anyone in need of assistance to seek out information on specific tax methods. 'I would want to express our sincere gratitude to the Minister of Finance and all the officials who have contributed to that resolution of this serious national problem,' Alhaji Hafis Adams, Chief Director Ministry of Health, said, adding that about about GHS17 million would be needed to clear the containers. Currently, some 185 containers at the Tema Port and Kotoka Internationa l Airport (KIA) are still waiting to be cleared. Alhaji Adams said the clearing process was likely to be completed with delivery to the warehouse expected shortly, not later than April 19, 2024. He denied reports that the Global Fund had suspended delivery of vaccines and medicines to Ghana. 'Global Fund has not suspended its support to the good people of Ghana and Global Fund has no intention of suspending support to the people of Ghana,'Alhaji Adams added. Source: Ghana News Agency