Author: Web Desk

The Accra International Conference Center came alive on Thursday with the grand opening of 'The African Festival,' a celebration of theatre arts that promises patrons a captivating journey through the rich tapestry of African history. The African Festival's, according to its organisers, is designed to be an immersive experience, inviting patrons on a journey of discovery of African history, embracing adventures including camel rides in the desert to the iconic Pyramid of Giza, whose recreated scale model as well as the Nelson Mandela capture site have been mounted at the festival grounds. The four-day event aimed at driving the 'Be the Change' campaign via Arts and Culture, and promised to offer theatre lovers Africa's biggest cultural nights, the orgaisers said. The Ghana News Agency brings you some scenes from the event. Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr. Kobina Yeboah Okyere, National Director of Compassion International Ghana (CIG) Wednesday, said the goodness and favour of God has granted Ghana peace even amid challenges. 'The year has not been devoid of challenges, but the good Lord has seen us through and even granted us peace,' he stated. Mr. Okyere said this in his Christmas and New Year message copied to the Ghana News Agency in Ho. 'The still voice of God has guided our spirits, hearts and minds even in the deepest of the valleys and is a testament of the result of our relying totally on God,' he asserted. The National Director was full of praise for Partner Churches of CIG for the good work they were doing to help release children from poverty more quickly. He also expressed his gratitude to Pastors and Church Partnership Committee members for their leadership, guidance and the warm embrace of CIG's vision and mission. 'To our Child Development Workers and Volunteers, I wish to thank you for the love and shepherding roles you are playing i n the lives of the children and youth of our programnes,' he said. Mr. Okyere was also thankful to God for sustaining the Programme and was hopeful that they would continue to work collectively to intervene in the lives of the many children living in poverty in their communities and surrounding areas. He noted that the lives of many children were transformed into youths and adults, who have become change makers and were opening doors to others in diverse ways. The National Director said CIG through its Partners had expanded its reach to other needy areas. He noted that they had given opportunities to many more not only to come and experience the love of Christ but also to commit their lives fully to Him. Mr. Okyere, whilst wishing Ghanaians the best of the season, was hopeful that the year 2024 would usher them into a new dawn. CIG is a visionary Non-Governmental Organisation that is committed to transforming the lives of children living in extreme poverty. Source: Ghana News Agency

The Universal Merchant Bank (UMB), through its #UMBCares programme, has donated items to the Madina Polyclinic as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The items included beds for adults and children, medical equipment consumables, and drugs of various kinds. Currently packaged as the #UMBCares project, Staff and Management of the Bank raised resources to give back, especially to the communities in which they operate. These activities range from volunteering to teaching financial literacy programmes or donating to the less fortunate in society. These donations typically prioritize healthcare and education, as well as other UN SDG goals for interventions. Mr. Philemon Okyere Danquah, the Acting Executive Director for Business of the Bank, said, 'This donation has been spearheaded by our Corporate Banking team.' He said a key part of the strategy had been to ensure given back to society and the communities in which they operate. He said in conjunction with their Madina and UPSA branches, th e Corporate Banking team became aware of the all-important polyclinic, and the decision was taken to focus their traditional end-of-year CSR activity. 'It is instructive to note that the donations we see here are largely from the personal contributions of staff of the bank under the #UMBCares programme,' he added. The Madina Polyclinic was established in 1974 and currently treats over 36,000 patients every year. It is one of the largest polyclinics in Accra and currently caters to the health needs of citizens in Madina and its surrounding areas within the La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipality. Mr. Peter Agagah, the Administrator of the Facility said, 'We are most grateful to UMB for this most timely donation.' He said the facility was critically important as they provided primary healthcare to many citizens, who were not financially strong. This includes many of the porters, popularly known as the Kayayies and the hawkers in the Madina market and commercial area. He said this meant that they were often ch allenged in funding critical medical equipment and supplies. 'This donation will go a long way to alleviate a lot of hardship, especially for our large cohort of pregnant and newly delivered mothers,' he added. He said in doing so UMB had shown that it was a truly Ghanaian Bank, that cared about the people of Ghana and was willing to invest in their well-being. Mr Emmanuel Sackey-Incoom, Unit Head-Mining and Metals and coordinator of the #UMBCares programme, said, 'The heartwarming aspect of this donation is that we reached out to several clients who willingly added several items to make this donation impactful.' He said generous donations came from M and G Pharmaceuticals, Letap Pharmaceuticals (Key players in the Health Delivery System), and Maranatha Oil Services Ltd (a Bulk Oil Distribution Institution). #UMBCares is an initiative by the Bank to galvanize staff, team members and other advocates of the bank to support good causes in the community. Other #UMBCares activities throughout the year have i ncluded donations by the Adabraka branch to Mina's Educational Complex, the Madina branch to Pantang Hospital and the Kasoa branch's free medical screening for the inhabitants of Kasoa. The rest are the Abossey Okai branch soup kitchen feeding over 200 needy individuals and the medical screening and soup kitchen for 'Kayayie' at the Techiman market by the Techiman Branch. Source: Ghana News Agency