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Display of rich Ghanaian culture, tradition at Ada Asafotufiami
Naana Kabukuor Domaaley Dagojo I,
Queen of Kabiawe Clan
The glamour and thrills of the rich, unique and elegant Ghanaian culture and traditions were in full display last weekend as thousands thronged to Ada to witness the Asafotufiami festival
The week-long festival which began on August 4 to 9 at Ada in the Dangme East District of the Greater Accra Region is one of the biggest events in the region.
The festival had over the years become popular, attracting thousands of tourists who were usually entertained by the traditions and cultural activities on display.
This year’s festival, the 86th edition held under the theme, “Honouring our heroes, revamping natural resources and unlocking tourism potential,” was nothing short of the usual spectacle.
Among dignitaries attracted to the festival, were the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Greater Accra Minister, Henry Quartey, the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah, the District Chief Executive (DCE), Sarah Dugbakie Pobie and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the McDan Group, Dr Daniel McKorley.
The festival also attracted foreigners who took part in several activities led by vibrant youth groups and associations within Ada and beyond. The festival started on Wednesday, August 2 with the usual “homecoming” activities prior to the weekend as natives both home and abroad trooped to the host town, Big Ada where all the activities were held.
The activities commenced with a welcoming float on Thursday, August 3 which ushered in all individuals and groups who came to the town to celebrate the festival they held in high esteem. The float began from Big Ada through neighbouring towns including Kasserh, Sege, Ada Foah and ended at the starting point where the youth jammed until the break of dawn.
The clans include, Adibiawe, Lomobiawe, Terkperbiawe, Dangmebiawe, Kabiaweyumu, Kabiawetsu, Kabiakpono, Kudragbe, Ohuewem and Korgbor.
The clans took turns to pour libations and sought the permission of the ancestors heading into the week-long activities. After the last clan, usually Dangmebiawe had performed their rituals, they returned to a river in Big Ada where everyone including visitors washed their feet as a form of cleansing with the belief that the river would carry away their burdens and transgressions and give them renewed hope of prosperity into
By Michael D. Abayateye
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GEXIM deepens relations with US EXIM Bank
A management team of the Ghana Export – Import Bank (GEXIM) led by the Acting Chief Executive, Sylvester Mensah met with the leadership of the Export–Import Bank of the United States (US EXIM) on Wednesday April 23, 2025 in Washington DC, United States of America.
The Acting President and Chairman of US EXIM, Mr. James C. Cruse and Vice President, International Relations, Ms. Isabel Galdiz received the GEXIM delegation, which included Deputy CEO for Banking, Mr. Moses Klu Mensah and Head of International Cooperation, Mr. Jonathan Christopher Koney at the headquarters of US EXIM.
The meeting offered the GEXIM team the opportunity to share the strategic direction of the Bank in line with the resetting agenda of the President of the Republic, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama for the repositioning of the Ghanaian economy into an export-led one by providing the requisite investment to Ghanaian businesses.
Mr. James C. Cruse expressed US EXIM’s eagerness to deepen its existing relations with GEXIM and proposed the signing of a new Cooperative Framework Agreement following the expiration of a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2019 to utilize US EXIM’s medium term loan guarantees to procure machinery by GEXIM for qualified Ghanaian Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).
Mr.Sylvester Mensah thanked the Acting President and Chairman of US EXIM for hosting the GEXIM delegation and reaffirmed the Ghanaian government’s commitment to strengthening trade and investment between Ghana and its global partners for economic transformation of Ghana with GEXIM playing a pivotal role.
The two teams will be meeting on the sidelines of the 2025 US EXIM Annual Conference on 29th and April 30, 2025 to explore possible areas of collaboration and matching Ghanaian businesses to American companies. The meeting ended with an exchange of gifts.
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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
