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Asante Professionals Club-USA holds annual conference …and fundraising dinner in Virginia
APC-USA menbers brainstorming on Asanteman development
The Asante Professionals Club-USA (APC-USA) has held its annual conference at Springfield, Virginia, USA, to deliberate and explore strategies to make an impact in the socio-economic development of Asanteman in line with Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Development Plan.
It brought together Asante professionals and loved ones from various parts of the USA to do the brainstorming.
Ms Barbara Acheampong, the President of APC-USA, opening the conference urged members to work towards achieving a meaningful strategy for the realisation of an impactful development in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.
She recognised the presence of Hon. Asenso Boakye, the MP for Bantama and Minister of Works and Housing and a founding member of APC as well as Nana Osei Agyeman Bawuah, Otumfuo’s Aboafuohene and a patron of APC-USA.
The climax of the event was a fundraising dinner dance graced by Her Excellency Hajia Alima Mahama, the Ambassador of Ghana to the United States.
In her speech, Hajia Mahama commended Ghanaians in the USA for their commitment to contribute their quota to the development of Ghana.
She urged the APC-USA to continue to build on their gains and hoped such efforts would be extended to other parts of Ghana.
Awards were presented to some deserving members for their exemplary service to the club in the United States. Her Excellency Hajia Alima Mahama presented the APC-USA Leadership Award to Hon. Asenso Boakye.
Outstanding Contribution Awards were also presented to Dr Afia Sarkodie, Dr Gabriel Asumeng, Dr Osei Dankwah and Katakyie Dr Akwasi Ampofo, Vice President of APC-USA.
Mrs Awura Amma Asantewaa Oduro, Barbara Boafo, and Oheneyere Lydia Harris earned the Membership Drive and Service Awards.
APC-USA is currently focused on the design and implementation of healthcare and educational programmes, two critical segments of Otumfuo’s Development Plan, and they would continue to seek opportunities to engage and partner with individuals and institutions to further the programmatic goals.
The Association has initiated conversations with Babson College in the USA, a top-ranked entrepreneurship institution in the world for collaboration with Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology on Skills Development, Exchange Programmes, and other opportunities essential for teaching and learning.
There are also long term plans of establishing an Asante Development Bank. The group sought to engage various stakeholders in Asanteman on a regular basis to identify critical issues that needed to be addressed in Asanteman.
APC-USA has in recent times donated some equipment to the Manhyia Hospital, school bag packs to the Manhyia Palace and supported other institutions with COVID-19 relief items.
His Majesty Otumfuo’s recognition of APC-USA has provided a powerful foundation of support as they mobilise resources in the United States and work to actualise his commitment to improving social and economic lives across the Asanteman.
Membership of Asante Professionals Club is open to all Asante indigenes with basic college degree or other select certified professionals.
From George Kwasi Bright, Springfield, Virginia, USA
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GEXIM to host “SME GO” programme stakeholder sensitisation and fair on September 18
The Ghana Export – Import Bank (GEXIM) in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ghana Enterprises Agency and Development Bank of Ghana will be hosting the final phase of the stakeholder sensitisation exercise on the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Growth and Opportunity (SME GO) Programme at the Bank’s headquarters located at the Africa Trade House, in Accra.
The stakeholder sensitisation event is scheduled to take place on Wednesday SSeptember18, 2024 at 10 am and will give attendees a deeper insight into the SME GO Programme with a focus on the dynamics of the programme, eligibility criteria application process and how the initiative seeks to assist Ghanaian SMEs to scale up and compete favorably in the international marketplace.
The confirmed speakers and dignitaries for the event will highlight how Ghanaian SMEs can leverage on the SME GO Programme to build the capacities and make them sustainable.
They include Hon. Abena Osei-Asare, Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Hon. K. T. Hammond, Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Nii Kwartei Titus Glover, Greater Accra Regional Minister as well as the Chief Executive Officers of the Ghana Enterprises Agency and Development Bank of Ghana.
Alongside the stakeholder sensitisation event, GEXIM will be hosting a special edition of its popular SME Fair dubbed “SME GO Mart” at the forecourt of the Africa Trade House, from 8am to 8pm.
The theme for the “SME GO Mart” is “Celebrating Ghanaian SMEs” and it will provide a platform for Ghanaian entrepreneurs to showcase various top-quality Made-In-Ghana products.
Over hundred Ghanaian entrepreneurs with unique products have been confirmed to participate in the fair.
They will be exhibiting several unique and authentic products at unbeatable prices including food and ingredients, beverages, skin and beauty care products, textiles, apparel, garments, leather footwear, slippers, and many others.
In July 2024, the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Finance launched the SME GO Programme, a ground breaking initiative which sought to provide Ghanaian SMEs with the needed funds, requisite technology and knowledge as well as other relevant resources and tools to aid their growth to become international giants.
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Zipline, GHS reduce maternal mortality in Ashanti Region by 56.4% – Study
A recent impact assessment study on aerial logistics to improve maternal health and emergencies has revealed a remarkable reduction in maternal mortality by 56.4% in Ghana’s Ashanti Region, thanks to the collaborative efforts of Zipline and the Ghana Health Service (GHS).
This was revealed at the National Ghana Health Service Research Conference organized by the Ghana Health Service in partnership with Zipline. The study, which focused on the impact of aerial logistics in healthcare, also noted a 19.9% increase in antenatal visits and a 25% rise in in-facility births, signaling a significant boost in maternal health outcomes.
The success according to the study is attributed to the on-demand availability of blood and essential medical supplies provided by Zipline’s innovative drone delivery system. This consistent access to critical resources has increased patient confidence in the healthcare system, encouraging more mothers to seek necessary care throughout their pregnancies.
Speaking on the highlight of the study, the Research Officer at Ashanti Regional Health Directorate stated, “the significant decrease in maternal mortality we’ve seen is a clear indication of the vital role that reliable access to medical supplies plays in healthcare. The ability to deliver blood and essential medicines exactly when they’re needed has transformed how mothers in the Ashanti Region perceive and engage with the healthcare system.”
“It’s an achievement that speaks to the importance of introducing technology in healthcare delivery. Mothers now feel more confident in seeking care, knowing that they will receive the support they need throughout their pregnancies,”he stated.
The study examined data from 191 health facilities, including hospitals, health centers, and Community-based Health and Planning Services (CHPS) Compounds. Among these, 99 facilities were served by Zipline’s aerial logistics, while 91 were not. The research employed adjusted rates for various key indicators, such as antenatal consultations, emergency visits, referrals, live births, hysterectomies, maternal deaths, and neonatal deaths, as the main dependent variables.
The qualitative aspect of the study aimed to describe and analyze the changes in satisfaction levels among healthcare providers and patients, perceived quality of care in maternal health and emergencies, and experiences related to the use of aerial logistics. In-depth interviews were conducted with 22 patients and 23 healthcare providers at the participating facilities.
Globally, maternal mortality remains a critical public health challenge, with stark disparities between high-income and low-to-middle-income countries (LMICs).
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the majority of maternal deaths occur in LMICs, often due to preventable causes. In Ghana, particularly in the Ashanti Region, the problem is critical, reflecting the broader challenges faced across the African continent. Beyond this, socio-economic, geographic, and infrastructural factors intensify the risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth, highlighting the urgent need for innovative solutions to improve maternal health outcomes.
As maternal mortality continues to pose a challenge in low-to-middle-income countries, the success seen in Ghana’s Ashanti Region offers a promising model for other regions and nations striving to improve maternal health outcomes through innovative solutions.
Zipline is poised to continue leading the way in revolutionizing healthcare delivery, ensuring that every mother has access to the life-saving resources, no matter where she lives.
