News
A new dawn for Ghana’s Agribusiness sector and export value chain
Players within the agricultural sector and export value chain have a lot to cheer about following President John Dramani Mahama’s appointment of Hon. Sylvester Adinam Mensah as Acting Chief Executive of the country’s leading policy and development bank, the Ghana Export – Import Bank (GEXIM).
News of the appointment of the consummate finance professional and former senior banker, prominent for his expertise in public sector banking, fund management, strategic financial management, and governance with a proven record of accomplishment of delivering innovative financial solutions was received with excitement across various sectors.
The Ghana Export-Import Bank Act 2016 (Act 911) was promulgated to establish the Ghana Export – Import Bank with a mandate to facilitate international trade, improve export competitiveness, enhance foreign exchange earnings and improve balance of trade. In addition, the Bank is to play a pivotal role in Ghana’s quest for a feasible and sustainable export led economy.
Under Hon. Mensah’s leadership, the Bank’s core strategic direction, is expected to focus on prioritizing agribusiness and introducing carefully designed initiatives to bridge the export gap to foster Ghana’s greater participation in global export value chains, from small and medium-sized enterprises to larger corporations.
Over the years, agriculture has remained the major driver of Ghana’s economy and the primary way the majority of Ghanaians earn their living. As an agrarian economy, it has become important to focus on agribusiness in order to enhance the development of the value chain, and build the ecosystem to our advantage.
Agribusiness, as we are aware, examines the structure and organization of the agricultural food sector as well as the entire value chain extending from farm inputs, through on-farm businesses, to processing, transportation, credit and marketing.
In addition, Agribusiness plays a crucial role in the world economy, responsible for producing, packaging, preserving and distributing food and other agricultural products to consumers and industries worldwide. For this reason, we cannot afford to neglect agribusiness as a priority for the country.
Low and medium income countries always battle with currency depreciation due to unfavourable balance of trade (BoT) which also serves as a major indicator of economic growth potential and an important part of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). To reduce our trade deficit will require a bold step to increase exports to earn more foreign currency from the goods and services exported.
In realizing this, Ghanaian businesses are to be aided to leverage on innovation and technology to improve their processes to be able to compete favourably in the global marketplace.
This will ultimately lead to the building of local capacity, enormously contribute to Ghana’s industrialisation, and export drive agenda. Without a doubt, these will certainly culminate into job creation and the introduction of special purpose initiatives targeting the youth and women to benefit from jobs to bae created.
News
North-East Regional Minister reaffirms commitment to combating insecurities
The North-East Regional Minister, Ibrahim Tia, has reaffirmed his commitment to combating insecurities, including armed robbery by implementing effective measures designed to safeguard lives and property.
He emphasised the importance of a coordinated approach involving law enforcement agencies, community engagement and preventive strategies to enhance security in the region.
The Minister’s remarks come in response to rising concerns about safety and the need for a robust framework to protect citizens.
He urged the community to collaborate with authorities to ensure a safer environment for all.
Speaking to residents and local security officials, Minister Tia recognised the concerns of commuters who often face attacks on major highways.
He assured them that his administration would collaborate closely with the Upper East Regional Minister and security agencies to formulate an effective response to increasing security threats.
“The safety of our citizens is our top priority. We will enhance security operations in high-crime areas, boost police patrols, and set up emergency response teams to address any threats promptly,” he stated
He appealed to the police and other security agencies to beef up security to clamp down on the high rate of indiscipline.
“Indiscipline is gradually rearing its ugly head in our once peaceful and morally respected the region. Its unfortunate our township is drifting away from the way for which it was established by our forefathers. Its time we stamp authority on this anti-social canker,” he stated.
He appealed to residents to be vigilant and assist the police by reporting appropriately any incident they observed by so doing contribute to the prevention of violence.
Mr. Tia used the platform to caution people especially the youth against these illicit acts saying any person or group of persons caught engaging in any criminal activities would be dealt with severely to deter others.
He warned that the days of criminal gangs tormenting residents of the region were over, taking into account the preparedness of the security agencies to deal with the situation swiftly.
The Regional Minister bemoaned the fact that in recent times, a number of lives had been lost through robberies there called on residents to volunteer information to the security agencies in order to apprehend persons who were perpetrating various crimes in the region.
Residents in an interview with the Ghanaian Times were optimistic that these measures would put an end to the frequent attacks and promote safer travel through the region.
By Benedicta Gyimaah Folley
News
Sports and Recreation Minister engages GFA on first day at work
The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Iddie Adams officially assumed the leadership role of the sector on Monday February 10, 2025.2.10
As part of fist day at work activities, he convened a meeting with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to discuss matters relating to stadium security and the progress of Ghana Football.
The main focus of the meeting centred primarily on enhancing safety and security at the various match venues stemming from the unfortunate incident that rocked the football fraternity resulting in the death of a fan of Asante Kotoko.
The incident took place recently in a league match between Asante Kotoko and Nsoatreman football club at the Nana Koramansah Park at Nsoatreman.
Briefing the Minister on the status of investigations into the incident, the General Secretary of the Ghana Football Association, Prosper Harrison Addo stated that it was being treated as a criminal matter.
He assured the Minister of the full cooperation of the GFA with the security agencies to help bring the perpetrators to book.
The Minister pointed out the seriousness in losing a fan at a match venue and assured that, anyone found culpable will not be shielded to escape punishment but will be made to face the full rigors of the law.
He went on to outline a number of engagements and steps taken by the GFA, including the suspension of the league, to restore the sanity of the Ghana Premiere League going forward.
According to the General Secretary, the GFA after engaging all its stakeholders have drafted an enhanced safety protocols for the various match venues and this will be made available to the Minister for his input and subsequent implementation.
For his part, the Minister intimated his resolve to find a lasting solution to the issue of hooliganism to improve stadium experience for fans.
Regarding facilities, he directed the Chief Director of the Ministry, together with the GFA, to constitute a team to re-assess the suitability of match venues for league matches across the country to agree on which venues meet the minimum standard per regulations.
He further directed the GFA to step up its “say no to hooliganism” campaign and enhance the education of all football fans, players and officials to comport themselves at match venues to forestall any future occurrence; adding that, he would continue to engage with the GFA regularly to enhance stadium attendance and bring football back to life.
The meeting concluded with the Minister calling for the full cooperation and support of all stakeholders to improve Ghana Football and other sports.
He said that he believed in focusing on finding solutions to the challenges in Ghana sports, rather than apportioning blame.
Source:MOSR
-
News1 week ago
Plight of inmates at Kumasi Central Prisons Banku,‘Keta school boys’ soup served daily
-
News1 week ago
Six girls sponsored by Zonta Club of Accra gain admission to universities across Ghana
-
Sports1 week ago
Premier League: Nsoatreman pip Kotoko; Gold Stars drop points; Young Apostles pull shock win; Dreams, Vision bag wins