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‘Let’s continue to promote our rich culture’ – Okatakyie Nana Anim I
The Saanahene (Royal Treasurer) of Ati Amanfrom near New Tafo Akyem Abuakwa in the Eastern Region, Okatakyie Nana Anim I, has commended efforts made by the government, individuals and interest groups in promoting various aspects of the Ghanaian culture both home and abroad.
He described the “See, Eat, Feel, Taste Ghana” campaign launched by the Ministry of Tourism about three years ago as a worthy initiative citizens must continue to support.
the Ambassador of Suriname,
at the event
was present
“What makes us Ghanaian are our cultural values and identity. It is time we woke up, used our local music, cuisine, among others to promote tourism,” he said.
Okatakyie Nana Anim I made the remarks when members and executives of Pan Africa Ghana (PAG) met last Wednesday in Accra to discuss issues pertaining to preserving African and Ghanaian heritage.
addressing the gathering
PAG is a group of professionals championing African ideals. It intends, among other things, to promote African enterprises using music, arts and culture for socio-economic development.
It again aims to deepen ties between the African continent and the Diaspora while working towards the enlightenment of African men and women.
In line with these objectives, Mr Ras Appiah-Levi, Founding President of the group encouraged young people to “learn their history and rediscover themselves.”
He spoke extensively on the essence of preserving the rich African and Ghanaian culture and tasked musicians to produce songs that reflected our cultural values instead of promoting promiscuity.
The Roots Reggae Music Singer and Performer announced some initiatives PAG would embark on to help “redirect” the 21st century youth who, he believed, were going off-track in terms of their cultural identity.
Mr Ras Appiah-Levi announced “Musicians on Pan Africa Tour” project which he said was intended to foster friendship and unity among Africans across the world.
Present at the forum were Mrs. Fidelia Graand-Galon, the Ambassador of Surinam, Community Education and Youth Development Activist, Dr. Akosua Abdallah, and other traditional leaders and dignitaries.
By Spectator Reporter
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GEXIM deepens relations with US EXIM Bank
A management team of the Ghana Export – Import Bank (GEXIM) led by the Acting Chief Executive, Sylvester Mensah met with the leadership of the Export–Import Bank of the United States (US EXIM) on Wednesday April 23, 2025 in Washington DC, United States of America.
The Acting President and Chairman of US EXIM, Mr. James C. Cruse and Vice President, International Relations, Ms. Isabel Galdiz received the GEXIM delegation, which included Deputy CEO for Banking, Mr. Moses Klu Mensah and Head of International Cooperation, Mr. Jonathan Christopher Koney at the headquarters of US EXIM.
The meeting offered the GEXIM team the opportunity to share the strategic direction of the Bank in line with the resetting agenda of the President of the Republic, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama for the repositioning of the Ghanaian economy into an export-led one by providing the requisite investment to Ghanaian businesses.
Mr. James C. Cruse expressed US EXIM’s eagerness to deepen its existing relations with GEXIM and proposed the signing of a new Cooperative Framework Agreement following the expiration of a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2019 to utilize US EXIM’s medium term loan guarantees to procure machinery by GEXIM for qualified Ghanaian Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).
Mr.Sylvester Mensah thanked the Acting President and Chairman of US EXIM for hosting the GEXIM delegation and reaffirmed the Ghanaian government’s commitment to strengthening trade and investment between Ghana and its global partners for economic transformation of Ghana with GEXIM playing a pivotal role.
The two teams will be meeting on the sidelines of the 2025 US EXIM Annual Conference on 29th and April 30, 2025 to explore possible areas of collaboration and matching Ghanaian businesses to American companies. The meeting ended with an exchange of gifts.
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Many SOEs have been used as mere instruments for personal wealth accumulation –Pres.Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has expressed concern over the misuse of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) for personal financial gain by individuals in leadership positions.
Speaking during a meeting with Chief Executives of specified entities under the State Interest and Governance Authority (SIGA) on Thursday, March 13, the President directly attributed the dire state of SOEs to their leadership, accusing chief executives, management teams, and governing boards of prioritising personal enrichment over organisational efficiency.
He pointed to bloated budgets, unjustified allowances, and unnecessary expenditures as factors draining public funds while SOEs continue to rely on government bailouts.
“Many SOEs have been used as mere instruments for personal wealth accumulation by appointees. The chief executives, management, and boards of these enterprises are responsible for this situation. Some SOEs have become perennial loss-makers, draining public funds with bloated budgets, unjustified allowances, and unnecessary expenditures while relying on government bailouts as if entitled to them. Many of these entities are at their lowest point in the entire history of the Fourth Republic,” he said.
President Mahama further noted that many SOEs have been plagued by inefficiencies, corruption, and mismanagement, leading to consistent financial losses. He cited the 2023 State Ownership Report by the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), which highlighted systemic inefficiencies and wasteful expenditures within these entities.
He therefore reaffirmed his commitment to reforming under-performing SOEs and ensuring they serve national interests.
He warned that loss-making SOEs will no longer be tolerated and will either be merged, privatised, or closed.
“I will assess you based on your performance. If you do not align with the pace of the reset agenda, you may be asked to step aside. If that adds to the horror movie, so be it,” he added.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
