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Aviation Ministry has no contract with LCB Worldwide Ghana Limited – Minister
The Ministry of Aviation has re-affirmed that the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) has no contract with LCB Worldwide Ghana Limited, a local crisis management company, for the disinfection of airports in the country.
Mr Joseph Kofi Adda, Minister of Aviation, stated that the company was rather in agreement with the Ministries of Health and Transport to fumigate and install disinfection systems at the Tema and Takoradi ports.
Addressing a press conference in Accra yesterday, he indicated that, although LCB Worldwide presented a proposal to the GACL on disinfection of the country’s airports, the cost implications was unbearable for the GACL saying that, it was erroneous for anyone to suggest that a non-existing contract had been diverted.
“Indeed, all I can say is that officers of LCB Worldwide were in my office and I directed them to GACL. My understanding is that they presented a proposal for consideration. Under this proposal to GACL, the US$19 million cost of the disinfection was to be recovered through a US$20 levy on domestic and international air passengers,” he added.
According to the Minister, imposition of such a levy violates the guidance and recommended practices on airport-related charges set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
“The aviation industry is a well-regulated and coordinated sector. The IATA and ICAO’s main objective going forward is to ensure the growth of the global aviation industry. This means encouraging more passengers and luggage. Such a levy will increase airline fares, a move that frowns on the goals of the international aviation industry. It will be flatly resisted. This is why the proposal was not acceptable to us,” he added.
Even before the proposal, Mr Adda explained that the Ministry and GACL were considering disinfection of airports adding that an alternative company was given the approval to undertake the exercise using laid down government policy and due process.
He said Ghana’s effective disinfection measures and standards have received glowing commendation from IATA and had since been adopted for use in other countries and enabled resumption of domestic flights operations in the country.
In furtherance of the safety and security protocols at Ghana’s airports and make Ghana an aviation hub, the Minister noted that the Ministry was ready to partner with any company with the required capacity.
He urged the public to disregard the unsubstantiated claims by some members of the Greater Accra Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) which accuses the Minister and Managing Director of GACL of contract diversion.
Greater Accra Branch of GUTA has in a series of press conferences argued that LCB Worldwide had a contract to disinfect the exterior of the baggage, cargo, containers and other areas at the airport.
In view of that, the group said, they had petitioned President Nana Akufo-Addo with regards to the development and looking forward to the right response with regards to installation of the right systems at the airports.
They argued that the Ministry of Aviation was performing the task of the Ministry of Health, as they were conducting disinfection supervision without any medical background and the concern of any authority on border-crossing.
By CLAUDE NYARKO ADAMS
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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.
