News
Bolt rewards two drivers with new Suzuki cars
Winners receive their cars from Bolt Country Manager
Leading ride-hailing platform in Africa, Bolt, has rewarded some of its top drivers for their impressive performance and contribution to the business in 2022.
The top two drivers received brand-new Suzuki cars, while the Best New Driver was rewarded with a Nasco refrigerator. The drivers were rewarded for, among other things, completing more trips, going online more, and maintaining stellar ratings on the Bolt platform.
The first 50 new drivers of the year were also feted, while those that signed up and took their first Bolt trip within 24 hours were also rewarded with fuel coupons.
The two top drivers, Ebenezer Adu and Vincent Amoah, were handed the keys to their new Suzuki Alto and Suzuki Swift cars at a ceremony held at the Bolt Ghana office with other drivers in attendance. Aaron Gbadam also received his reward for being the Best New Driver.
David Kotei, Country Manager for Bolt Ghana, expressed his excitement at seeing more drivers get rewarded by Bolt in addition to the regular income. In his speech at the awards ceremony, he noted, “At Bolt, our drivers are at the heart of our business. It is because of their dedication, passion,impressive performance, and contribution to the business that we have today rewarded over 40 drivers in Ghana”.
Touching on the Bolt’s success story in Ghana, he said, “Bolt is proud to partner with ordinary Ghanaians in making their own ambitions for their lives come true. Since we started in Ghana, our service has not only been received warmly but has been widely accepted as a profitable option for Ghanaians seeking full-time or part-time employment.”
He used the opportunity to encourage other drivers who were not rewarded to continue giving their best and serving riders diligently.
Ebenezer Adu one of the winners expressed his appreciation to Bolt Ghana for his new car, saying, “I was a taxi driver for 10 years and later switched to driving Bolt for 2 years. I’ve had a much better experience on Bolt than I ever have in my 12 years of driving and I’m happy to have been rewarded with a brand-new car.”
Also, Vincent Amoah, another winner, in his remarks said, “I’ve been driving with Bolt for three years now and the interesting thing I’ve always told myself whenever I drive past the Bolt offices is that the white car belongs to me. Here I am, winning this car for real.”
News
‘Nipahiamoa’ residents cry for basic social amenities
Residents of a farming community in the Nkoranza North District of the Bono East Region are living under conditions that directly reflect or connote the name of the township, Nipahiamoa.
The name of the town, Nipahiamoa, when translated directly means ‘humans need help.’
Despite the contribution in ensuring there is sufficient food in not only the region but the country at large, Nipahiamoa lacks basic social amenities to make life enjoyable after their farming activities.
water for the people of Nipahiamoa
According to some of the members of the community that The Spectator spoke to during a visit to the area, they lacked basic needs such as potable water, health post, among others.
This, they claimed, was impacting negatively on their general wellbeing and appealed to authorities to come to their aid.
The Unit Committee chairman of Nipahiamoa, Mr James Najohnbo, told this paper on Thursday that successive governments have neglected the town over the years.
“It is the reason we are where we are today in this era of development. Some people poke fun that our condition is a reflection of the name of the town but I don’t believe that. We have been neglected by governments over the years. There are no government initiatives here,” he explained.
The community, inhabited by over one thousand people, mostly settlers, is located on the Techiman-Kintampo stretch of the Trans-ECOWAS highway which connect from Tema to Mali.
Mr Najohnbo, who conducted this reporter around, revealed that a borehole constructed for the community by the former Member of Parliament for Nkoranza North, Major Derrick Oduro, had since broke down, compelling the people to turn to the Bono manso waterfalls which they trek several kilometres for their source of water.
Mr Najohnbo stated that their children are not left out in this challenges as they had to trek to either Manso or Dweneho, about two kilometres to access healthcare and education.
He added that a wooden structure constructed in 1994 currently serves as the only primary school for the community.
“Our kids had to trek several kilometres to Manso to attend school which come at cost to most parents.”
A 30-year old hairdresser, Rebecca Dibenpong, also appealed to authorities to come up with income generating activities to boost economic lives of the people.
She alleged that politicians often claimed they don’t have enough numbers to attract development, hence such initiatives were directed to bigger communities.
Like the name suggest, Nipahiamoa, the community needs urgent attention to make life meaningful for the people who contribute to the national economy by way of their farming activities.
From Daniel Dzirasah, Nipahiamoa
News
Maternal mortality rate increases in Ashanti Region
The Ghana Health Service has revealed a staggering statistic of 1,000 women losing their lives during childbirth in the Ashanti Region between 2020 and 2024.
This alarming number, according to the Regional Health Director, Dr Frank Adomanko Boateng, highlights the persistent challenge of maternal mortality in Ghana, despite efforts to improve maternal healthcare.
Dr Adomanko Boateng, therefore emphasized on an urgent need for stronger interventions to curb the high rate of maternal deaths.
Speaking at the 2024 Regional Health Forum, he indicated that “Ghana is struggling to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of reducing maternal mortality to 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030.”
Dr Boateng stressed that time was of the essence, saying, “The clock is ticking, and we must double our efforts.”
He called for intensified measures over the next six years to bridge the gap and prevent further loss of lives.
Ghana’s maternal mortality ratio, he noted, has been declining from 760 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 310 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2017.
However, “the country still faces significant challenges in reducing maternal mortality, particularly in regions like Ashanti.”
To address the issue, he said, Ghana has been working to improve maternal healthcare through various initiatives, including the Network for Improving Quality of Care for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health.
The country aims to reduce maternal mortality by strengthening healthcare systems, improving access to quality care, and enhancing community engagement
From Kingsley E. Hope,
Kumasi
