Day: April 26, 2024

A three-year-old boy allegedly drowned in a water pond at Okakekete village in the Anamulenge Constituency on Thursday. The Namibian Police Force Omusati Regional Commander, Commissioner Ismael Basson confirmed this, saying that the incident occurred around 16h30. 'It is alleged that the minor boy drowned in a water pond next to their mahangu field while he and three others were preventing goats from entering the mahangu field,' he said. Basson said the deceased was identified as Simon Ihekeni. Police investigations into the matter continue. Source: Namibia Press Agency

Mr Alhassan Andani, an Economist and a former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Stanbic Bank, has advised the government to adopt effective and efficient digital systems for Ghana's credit management. Mr Andani asked the government to build robust technological infrastructure that would limit human control in loan acquisitions and implement mechanisms that would monitor the efficient use of such monies. The former Banker was speaking with the Ghana News Agency on Thursday evening, on the margins of the launch of the 10th anniversary of the Chartered Institute of Credit Management (CICMG), Ghana, in Accra. He said doing so would go a long way to curb the recurrent debt crisis and called on Ghanaians to seek accountability from the government, while limiting their expectations not to pressure for debt accumulation. He also advised political leaders against making ambitious promises in their bid to be elected to offices from the District Assembly level to Parliament, and the Presidency, which put pressure on the government to spend beyond budgets. Mr Andani, who is currently the Executive Chairman, LVSAfrica - an integrated business advisory and enterprise development firm, said this while bemoaning the recurrent Ghana's debt crisis. Ghana's debt is now 'unsustainable', with the government implementing a US$3 billion loan-support programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to overturn the situation and reach 55 per cent debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 55 per cent by 2028. 'Our current debt situation leaves so much to be desired; I've been in finance for a very long time, but we've not seen this level of despair within our credit system, and the impact on financial services,' Mr Andani said. The former Banker of more than 20 years of experience, including credit management, attributed Ghana's frequent debt crisis to the inability of governments to select people that would use the funds borrowed optimally. He, therefore, recommended the utilisation of digital technologies to allocate loans to the most efficient users and ensure proper monitoring to yield good returns in the country's productive sectors so it could pay back. He explained that credit was invariably at the centre of financial services because it was often the means of getting adequate funds from those who had the money, investing it to get profit to repay as loan. 'Financial service providers gather resources from surplus owners who want them for safe keeping and access it anytime they want and also make it available to those who want to use it create asset and develop enterprises,' he said. 'It's for all the operators; the government, citizenry, financial service providers, and regulators to rethink our role and manage expectations, and rearrange the payment, which is what's been done, and be able to pay back,' he advised. Speaking at the event, Dr Anthony Aubynn, Chairman, CICMG, urged credit management professionals to continue to be agents of change, advocating policies that would promote responsible lending practices and fin ancial inclusion. Dr Aubynn said it was important to 'embrace innovative technologies, such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics to streamline processes, mitigate risks, and extend financial services to underserved communities.' Source: Ghana News Agency

Kasapreko Company Limited, producers of Awake Purified Drinking Water, has increased its financial commitment to the Cardiothoracic Centre at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra. On Wednesday, April 24, 2024, the Awake Purified Drinking Water brand donated GHS150,000 to the Cardio Centre, a 100% increase from previous donations of GHS75,000 over the years. The GHS150,000 amount donated by Kasapreko Company, through its 'One4Life' charity-driven project, was the first-quarter payment of 2024 as they continue to support patients with heart conditions. Since its inception, the 'One4Life' campaign has saved hundreds of children with severe heart conditions by setting aside 10 pesewas from the purchase of every 500ml of Awake Purified Drinking Water for donation. Madam Linda Aidoo, Brands Manager at Kasapreko Company, stated that the company's intention to increase support for the Cardio Centre was to make the funding accessible to more Ghanaians. 'We want to thank Ghanaians for the Awake brand and their continuous support towards donating to the Cardiothoracic Centre. We are committed to this partnership with Cardio Centre, as we financially support children with heart conditions. 'We remain hopeful that our support will help facilitate better treatment and ease their financial burden while urging Ghanaians to patronise our products,' she said. Dr. Mark Mawutor Tettey, Acting Executive Director of the Cardiothoracic Centre, Korle-Bu Hospital, expressed gratitude to the Kasapreko brand for their increased support package for the centre. He noted that the cost of administering better health care to people had increased over time, and it was essential for corporate Ghana to support their quest to render improved health services. 'There are lots of patients who cannot afford the services we provide here, so this kind gesture by Awake is very much welcomed, and it would go a long way in supporting those who cannot afford it. 'There is so much financial cost in the repair of machines or importing new ones for centres, so this kind of support helps us mitigate the huge cost that comes with operating the centre. Renowned Ghanaian gospel musician Diana Hamilton, who is also the brand ambassador for Awake Mineral Drinking Water, expressed excitement over the increased financial support for the centre. 'It is a joy to see this day, and we are thankful for the 'One4Life' project, and hopefully we can do more in the future. Thank you to Ghanaians for patronising Awake Purified Drinking Water, knowing that a quota of their purchase goes to funding the Cardio Center. May God bless them,' she said. The 'One4Life' initiative has made a tangible difference in the lives of hundreds of children, and this increased funding will further support the Cardiothoracic Centre's mission to provide quality care to those in need. Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Thomas Fynn, a renowned Ghanaian photographer and Executive Director, FYNNexhibits, has asked parents and teachers to encourage photography among children. He noted that, cultivating the love for photography in children would enable them to develop photography skills rapidly and become more proficient and masterful in their adult years. He noted at times, some parents discouraged their children from going into photography because the profession was not lucrative. He stressed, however, that photography could produce a great deal of profit once it was done well. 'As a parent, you should study your children to see what they like best. If you realise that your child is interested in taking photos, you should give that child your blessings and help him or her to develop the skills,' Mr Fynn said. The Executive Director made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on the sidelines of a five-day photographic exhibitions held from April 22 to 26 in Accra. The event, held on the theme: 'Celebrati on of Ghanaian faces, African Culture and Heritage,' was organised by Mr Fynn in collaboration with Thomas Lamb, a photographer based in the United States, and the Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG). Mr Fynn said parents who had the means could get affordable cameras for their children to practise and sharpen their senses in photo taking. 'Parents could also introduce their children to mentors for coaching and guidance,' he noted. He added that children having mobile phones should be taught to effectively use the camera features in photo taking and editing. Mr Fynn said schools also had an important role to play in nurturing children's love for photography. 'Teachers should regularly send their students to exhibitions, photo museums and other places of art collections to awaken students' imagination and kindle in them the love for photography,' Mr Fynn said. He added that schools could bring in professional photographers and other photography teachers to take students through the practical aspects of photo taking. He said they could also partner corporate bodies such as camera manufacturing companies to sponsor them with cameras that students could use to build their photography skills. Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Andrew Ackah, President of Advertising Association of Ghana, has called on government and key stakeholders to ensure the passage of advertising regulatory bill to ensure standard in marketing and advertising. He said the bill when passed in to law would serve as a body to create a standard arbiter to help boost the advertising sector and deter charlatans. He said the establishment of a regulatory body would help impact positively on the youth as some negative adverts were affecting their mindsets. The President said this at the end of a three-day training seminar for advertising practitioners on Friday in Accra, to expand their knowledge of spectrum in marketing advertising and develop effective advertising strategies. He said advertising agencies had done quite well, but an advertising bill passed by parliament would help regulate advertising efficiently. 'I call on parliament to put in efforts to pass the bill to help make advertising in the country more attractive. When the bill is passed it will ensure the regulation of what to show on television and what to be heard on radio.' The President said the Association had made efforts for the bill to be passed but to no avail. However, he said the proliferation of billboards in the country were causing blockage and blinding of traffic lights and road signs, leading to road accidents. He said that 90 per cent of billboards in the capital city were not known by the Association, causing more trouble for clients, advertising agencies and industries. Mr Ackah said some billboards did not have the appropriate margins, therefore, when the bill was passed it would ensure the proper way of delivering advertising services. 'The bill would help make the advertising industry thrive in Ghana and Africa', he added. Seventy participants from different institutions, universities and advertising agencies participated in the seminar. Source: Ghana News Agency