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All set for virtual Ghana Beverage Awards 2019
The planning committee of the Ghana Beverage Awards (GBA) has announced that all is ready for the fourth edition of the awards to be organised virtually in adherence to the stipulated COVID-19 protocols and to ensure the safety of all its stakeholders.
GBA 2019 will be streamed live on TV and online on 13th June, 2020 at 6pm.
Under the theme, ‘Inspiring excellence in Ghana’s beverage industry’ the awards aim to promote both local and foreign beverages as well as the participation of small-scale beverage enterprises in Ghana.
Nominations were closed to the general public and all beverage companies in February this year with voting for the prestigious product of the year award ending on 20th March.
The Chief Executive Officer of Global Media Alliance Group (GMA), Mr Ernest Boateng who spoke on the preparedness of the awards committee ahead of the awards said, “We are ready to organise a seamless event which will celebrate the hard work of all the players in the beverage industry in the year under review. We also want to assure our patrons that the virtual awards will maintain the world-class standard they and our stakeholders are used to without losing the prominence and prestige associated with the awards.”
He said in a lead up to this year’s awards, a beverage industry tour was organised for the GBA board to visit nominated companies to familiarise with their work and practices, adding, “This initiative is one of the new activities, which was introduced in the build-up to the 2019 Awards Night.”
Mr Boateng said GBA this year had introduced two new categories; Local Beverage Advertisement of the Year and International Liqueur of the Year.
The addition of the new categories, he said was to acknowledge feedback from stakeholders, particularly consumers who have been instrumental in the nominations phase, adding that the Local Beverage Advert of the Year Award went to the brand in the year under review that was enjoying massive public appeal with its creative publicity.
The Ghana Beverage Awards is organised by Global Media Alliance and supported by the Food Research Institute (FRI) under CSIR, Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Consumer Protection Agency and the Food and Beverage Association of Ghana (FABAG).
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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
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Aide Du Ciel presents over 50 laptops and projectors to selected schools in KEEA
With the world now connected as a global village through the power of computers, Aide Du Ciel, a France-based non-profit organization to wit ‘Help From Above,’ has presented over 50 laptops and projectors to some selected basic schools in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Municipality in the Central Region.
The donation aims to enhance teaching and learning in the area, as many basic schools within the Municipality lack the necessary resources for effective ICT education.
The schools that received the donated laptops and projectors include Ntranoa M/A Basic School, Abee AME Zion School, Bronyibima M/A Basic School, Abreshia M/A Basic School, and Breman M/A Basic School, Wesley Basic School, Essaman United, Dominase Basic , Abreshia JHS and Nana Kwame Essoun.
During a media engagement, Mrs. Mary Frimpong, the founder of the organization and a Ghanaian based in France, shared the experience that motivated this generous act. She recalled visiting a basic school during one of her holidays in Ghana, where the students had no knowledge of how to use a computer.
This troubling situation inspired her to offer assistance to basic schools, particularly in Elmina and its surrounding areas, so that students could gain hands-on experience with computers.
Mrs. Frimpong emphasised that in today’s world, a student’s future could be at risk if they lack the ability to use a computer effectively.
Her goal is to ensure that every student in Elmina and its vicinity acquires comprehensive computer skills. She also urged the beneficiary schools to take proper care of the donated items, assuring them that her organization would frequently check on the condition of the laptops and projectors.
In interviews with Sompa TV’s Eric Annan, several heads of schools and teachers expressed their immense gratitude and excitement over the donation. They acknowledged that the equipment would significantly enhance teaching and learning, particularly in ICT, as the world becomes increasingly computerized.
Students from the beneficiary schools also expressed their joy and gratitude to Aide Du Ciel.
They noted that the laptops would greatly help them gain a better understanding and deeper knowledge of their ICT education.
By Benedicta Gyimaah Folley
