Zimbabwe Online News

Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Minister for Education, has launched a nationwide training programme for construction industry artisans, including contractors, to keep them abreast with new trends in e-procurement, cybersecurity and health and safety. The training, under the auspices of the Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry, is part of plans to enhance capacity and leadership skills of members in partnership with the Ghana Skills Development Fund (GSDF) and the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET). In all, 242 Constituent Members would be trained in the first phase of the programme with the Public Procurement Authority.Cyber Security Authority, and Ghana Institute of Safety and Environmental Professionals as Training Service Providers. In a speech read on his behalf at the launch, Dr Adutwum said the training was significant in today's rapidly evolving data landscape, which has become the government's flagship policies. 'As we witness the world increasingly embracing digit alization in various sectors, it is imperative that we equip ourselves with the necessary knowledge and skills to adapt and thrive,' he said. He said in the digital era, electronic procurement was the way business is conducted, offering efficiency, transparency, and cost effectiveness like never before. 'By embracing these technologies, we can streamline processes, reduce paperwork, and enhance collaboration, ultimately leading to better outcomes. However, with adoption of digital technologies also comes a critical need of cybersecurity. 'As we transition to digital platforms, we must remain vigilant against cyber threats and vulnerabilities. This training programme will not only empower you with the tools and techniques to safeguard assets, but also instill a culture of cyber awareness within your organisations and companies,' he said. Dr Adutwum said while using information and communication technology in every aspect of life, it was essential to stay abreast of the latest advancements and best practic es. 'I pray that this training will provide you with the knowledge and skills to leverage ICT effectively driving innovation and competitiveness in your respective domains,'he added. Touching on health and safety, the Minister said the programme should underscore commitment when creating a conducive working environment, adding 'we must fully protect the well-being of our workforce and possibly enhance productivity and resilience.' Emmanuel Cherry, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), said the overall objective of the nationwide training was to enhance the Skills, Knowledge, Capabilities. Efficiency, Profitability, and Competitiveness of players in the Construction Industry. Specifically, the training seeks to equip the participants to enhance the participation of the Contractors, Real Estate Developers, Artisans, in the Electronic Procurement Policy and E-Commerce processes and reduce the incidence of Cyber-Security and Health and safety breaches in the Construction Industry. It is also to allow for job retention and the creation of sustainable jobs in the Construction Industry and enhance the knowledge and skills of Contractors, Real Estate Developers, and Artisans in ICT, the Internet, and other modern software tools and programs needed for construction activities. Chairman of the GHCCI, Emmanuel T. Martey, said the Chamber has been at the forefront of championing policies and strategies geared towards a conducive business environment for all players in the industry. He said it was important for business players to be abreast with new trends in the operating environment to be competitive. Dr Justice Amoh, the Executive Chairman of Justmoh Group of Companies, who chaired the opening ceremony, underscored the importance of the construction industry to socio-economic development and job creation. He said contractors were always striving to achieve the best by delivering projects on schedule with high quality. Source: Ghana News Agency

Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Minister for Education, has launched a nationwide training programme for construction industry artisans, including contractors, to keep them abreast with new trends in e-procurement, cybersecurity and health and safety. The training, under the auspices of the Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry, is part of plans to enhance capacity and leadership skills of members in partnership with the Ghana Skills Development Fund (GSDF) and the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET). In all, 242 Constituent Members would be trained in the first phase of the programme with the Public Procurement Authority.Cyber Security Authority, and Ghana Institute of Safety and Environmental Professionals as Training Service Providers. In a speech read on his behalf at the launch, Dr Adutwum said the training was significant in today's rapidly evolving data landscape, which has become the government's flagship policies. 'As we witness the world increasingly embracing digit alization in various sectors, it is imperative that we equip ourselves with the necessary knowledge and skills to adapt and thrive,' he said. He said in the digital era, electronic procurement was the way business is conducted, offering efficiency, transparency, and cost effectiveness like never before. 'By embracing these technologies, we can streamline processes, reduce paperwork, and enhance collaboration, ultimately leading to better outcomes. However, with adoption of digital technologies also comes a critical need of cybersecurity. 'As we transition to digital platforms, we must remain vigilant against cyber threats and vulnerabilities. This training programme will not only empower you with the tools and techniques to safeguard assets, but also instill a culture of cyber awareness within your organisations and companies,' he said. Dr Adutwum said while using information and communication technology in every aspect of life, it was essential to stay abreast of the latest advancements and best practic es. 'I pray that this training will provide you with the knowledge and skills to leverage ICT effectively driving innovation and competitiveness in your respective domains,'he added. Touching on health and safety, the Minister said the programme should underscore commitment when creating a conducive working environment, adding 'we must fully protect the well-being of our workforce and possibly enhance productivity and resilience.' Emmanuel Cherry, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), said the overall objective of the nationwide training was to enhance the Skills, Knowledge, Capabilities. Efficiency, Profitability, and Competitiveness of players in the Construction Industry. Specifically, the training seeks to equip the participants to enhance the participation of the Contractors, Real Estate Developers, Artisans, in the Electronic Procurement Policy and E-Commerce processes and reduce the incidence of Cyber-Security and Health and safety breaches in the Construction Industry. It is also to allow for job retention and the creation of sustainable jobs in the Construction Industry and enhance the knowledge and skills of Contractors, Real Estate Developers, and Artisans in ICT, the Internet, and other modern software tools and programs needed for construction activities. Chairman of the GHCCI, Emmanuel T. Martey, said the Chamber has been at the forefront of championing policies and strategies geared towards a conducive business environment for all players in the industry. He said it was important for business players to be abreast with new trends in the operating environment to be competitive. Dr Justice Amoh, the Executive Chairman of Justmoh Group of Companies, who chaired the opening ceremony, underscored the importance of the construction industry to socio-economic development and job creation. He said contractors were always striving to achieve the best by delivering projects on schedule with high quality. Source: Ghana News Agency

Twelve farming communities affected by the explorations of the Atlantic Lithium Company in the Mfantseman Municipality and the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese District have demanded alternative livelihoods as part of the compensation scheme to improve their livelihoods. Additionally, they have demanded premium compensation matrix on their landed structures, particularly buildings and arable lands that had been their mainstay for centuries. The communities are Ewoyaa, Abonko, Anokyi, Afrangua, Krampakrom, Krofu, Ansadze, Amanse-Nkusukum, Saltpond-Bakado, Saltond-Eguabado, Saltpond-Nankesedo and Mankessim. They made the demand at a durbar organised by Atlantic Lithium Ghana to solicit the input on the scoping report and draft terms of reference for the Ewoyaa Lithium mining and processing project. Traditional authorities and community members formed a long queue to put their concerns across as they reminded the company to streamline land compensations to payments, which stands as the biggest threat to the company's operations. According to them, the lands in the communities were largely owned by families, clans, individuals, real estates and traditional authorities and so they must do thorough investigations before making payments. On the grounds of culture and traditions, Mr Kobina Mentawoho, a farmer from Afrangua charged Atlantic Lithium to protect some traditional water sources and mangroves that had centuries served as sacred grounds in renaissance. 'We do not have the power to stop you from operations, but we can plead with you to help preserve the spiritual sanctity of gods and the cemeteries of our ancestors' resting place. 'What would become of our pride, dignity and cultural heritage to sell or degrade our cemeteries for money and return after 15 years of operations by the company? Please preserve them for us,' he pleaded soberly. Madam Amoasiwaa Ocran, a farmer from Krofu lamented the company's directive to homeowners to cease putting up new buildings having counted all houses in the affected communities . Equally, she said the company had denied them access to their farms, thereby impoverishing them, but the company denied her allegation. Reacting to the concerns, Dr Millicent Aning-Agyei, the Community Relations and Social Performance Manager at Atlantic Lithium, assured them that her outfit will go all out to ensure all affected people received their due compensations in accordance with the law. Beyond that, the company has begun a youth nurturing project dubbed: My Next Level' to empower students to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics education to train the manpower needs of the company. She said the company had already employed some youth in the area and will train and employ more qualified youth to better the lots of the people. Madam Philomena Owusu, hairstylist, and a farmer, urged the company to employ more females as many of them idled about without any meaningful jobs. She said though many women in the area were vulnerable, they remained the economic backbone of many famil ies, providing better care for their children. Source: Ghana News Agency

The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) in the Central Region has called on the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to expedite the implementation of a blueprint to make locally made chocolate more affordable. The Authority toured some historic monuments in the ancient town of Anomabo and a quiz for three selected secondary institutions in Anomabo and Cape Coast to mark this year's National Chocolate Day. The students selected from the Academy of Christ the King, University Practice Senior High and Kwegyir Aggrey Senior High Technical Schools visited the Memorial Garden of Return, formerly the Heroes Garden, commissioned by former President John Agyekum Kufuor on February 24, 2007, during the Ghana @50 Independence celebration. They also toured Fort William built by the British for slave trade activities in 1753 after which a quiz was held to crown it. The GTA after the tour distributed bars of chocolate to the students and some community members. The Ridge Royal Hotel supported the celebration with some branded choc olates. The National Chocolate Day was instituted by the government in 2005 to coincide with Valentine's Day to promote Ghana's premium chocolate products and make it an integral part of the country's tourism experience. This year's celebration was on the theme: 'Eat chocolate, stay healthy, grow Ghana.' Despite the State's efforts to make the consumption of Ghana-made chocolate a routine for every Ghanaian, the product is sorely expensive for which reason many citizens, including cocoa farmers, could not afford it. In many parts of the country, a bar of chocolate sells between GHC10.00, GHC17.00 and GHC20.00 which is far beyond the means of many Ghanaians who struggle to afford three square meals a day. The Ghana News Agency (GNA) observed that the prices of chocolates go up in every Valentine's season after which they never plummet. This situation is counterproductive to the agenda to promote made-in-Ghana cocoa products, many consumers noted. Mr Charles Kwaku Buabin, the Regional Director of GTA, sp eaking to the GNA at the celebration, noted that the Ghana Cocoa Board was aware of the situation and was working assiduously to make chocolate affordable. He said the Board and its stakeholders had developed a comprehensive blueprint to make Ghana-made cocoa products less expensive to realise the vision of boosting the economy, tourism and health with cocoa. He, therefore, implored the Board to step up efforts to implement the plan to change the status quo as soon as practicable. Mr Buabin observed that the National Chocolate Day had largely succeeded in promoting pure love among spouses, families and friends on Valentine's Day, and mitigated the promiscuity associated with the Day. 'Initially, people would drink alcohol and engage in promiscuous lifestyles as part of Valentine's. 'But now, as Chocolate Day, we are promoting a healthy lifestyle, a healthy way of showing love, a healthy way of extending love to deprived communities and underprivileged individuals among us,' he said. He called on Corpora te Ghana to embrace the day and promote it in their own small ways to achieve the goal of a more morally upright society. He said the Authority chose Anomabo to popularise the tourism facilities among Senior High Schools and make them familiar with the cultural and historic heritage of the ancient town. Mr Victor Nana Osei Gyasi, the Site Manager of the Anomabo Tourist Information Centre, who guided the tour, also reiterated the need to promote Ghana's cocoa products to increase consumption, pay back the hardworking farmers and boost the economy. 'When sensitisation goes down well and translates into consumption, it will definitely drive down the prices of chocolate because of economies of scale,' he indicated. He urged the students to be patriotic, vigilant, and firm in their minds not to allow slavery to happen to Ghana again in any form. Mr Nii Adjetey Adjei, the Senior Human Resource Manager of the Mfantseman Municipal Assembly, who represented the Municipal Chief Executive, advised the students agai nst leaving Ghana to escape hardship. 'Stay and fight and work and make sure everything works for the country. The countries you are running to are over 200 years and so if stay you here and ensure the country works, we are going to be like them,' he said. Source: Ghana News Agency

The College of Health, Yamfo (CoHY) in the Tano North Municipality of Ahafo Region has performed a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a hostel facility to meet the institution's rising demand for student accommodation. The two-storey hostel, estimated to cost about GhS19 million would comprise the ground, first and second floors of sixteen apartments each with washrooms and other auxiliary facilities. The building would also have communal spaces for studying, a games room, a guest lounge, a kitchen and laundry. The project expected to be completed in two years is being co-financed by the National Health Insurance Authority and College through its internally generated fund. The Hostel, when completed is projected to accommodate more than 200 students and not only would it alleviate the strain on existing accommodation options but would also provide students with the convenience of living on campus and encouraging active participation in campus activities. ? Later in an interview with the me dia, Dr. Mohammed M. Ibrahim, the Director said the primary challenge being faced by the institution was accommodation because of the rapid increase of the student population from 650 to 3,000 in just three years. ? He said students were forced to look for accommodation within the Yamfo community, leading to a saturation of available accommodations in Yamfo and its surrounding areas. Dr. Ibrahim stated the situation resulted in the scarcity of rental rooms, which caused prices to skyrocket, placing a heavy burden on students and their parents, and posing a concern for the College's authorities. ? He emphasized the need for more of such 'significant projects' that could provide proper care and support for the students to enable them to learn even more effectively than in their current circumstances. ? Dr. Ibrahim explained the College currently operated a system where first and second-year students resided on campus, while third and fourth-year students had to find accommodation within the community. ? He announced the College had recently introduced three new programmes which would further increase the size of the student population. ? Dr. Ibrahim expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Health for its support but appealed for additional infrastructure, teaching and learning materials and classrooms to ensure students had a conducive environment for studying and resting to produce high-quality health professionals to support the nation's health sector. ? Mr Jacob Twene, an Engineer at the Ministry of Health assured of the availability of reliable funding for the project and expressed optimism that with the support of the traditional authority, the community, and the contractor, the project would be completed on schedule.? ? Nana Ampem Darkowaa Kyerewaa II, the Paramount Queen mother of Yamfo Traditional Area appealed to the Ministry of Health for increased financial and logistical support to enable the College to produce greater number of graduates to boost the nation's existing pool of healthcare prof essionals. Source: Ghana News Agency