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UBA celebrates Africa Day with cultural diversity
Fashioning Unity, dressed in vibrant colours of Ghanaian cultural heritage
UBA Ghana has commemorated this year’s Africa Union (AU) Day with a vibrant ceremony held at its head office and other Business Offices across the country.
The activity falls in line with the 20th anniversary of the Bank in Ghana and 75th anniversary of the UBA Group, while leveraging on the Africa Day to celebrate the continent’s unity in diversity and highlight its rich cultural and economic potential.
Staff members showcased the rich cultural heritage of Africa by dressing in various indigenous attire, representing different tribes, ethnic groups and countries.
Speaking at the event, Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at UBA Ghana, Henry Nii Dottey, emphasised, “as a premium Pan-African bank driven by multicultural diversity, UBA aims to put Africa on the world map as a key player in finance. We celebrate Africa Day to promote unity, mutual respect, and pride in who we are as a people and a Pan-African organisation with a global reach.”
He reiterated the bank’s commitment to boosting trade in Africa through its innovative products and services, including AfriTrade, a robust self-developed platform for export proceeds collection and import bills payments across the sub-region.
This year’s celebrations featured a range of exciting activities, including a continent-wide competition – the Africa Day Best Dressed Competition – open to all staff members, with prizes of up to $12,000 to be won across the network.
To engage customers, the bank hosted an interactive activity called “Spin the Wheel,” offering education on African history, food, tourist sites, culture, and the chance to win exciting prizes.
Customers of the Bank were also treated to some local drinks and snacks as part of the celebrations.
By Spectator Reporter
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
