Hot!
GEXIM partners Diplomatic Missions to promote Made-in-Ghana products internationally
Management of the Ghana Export – Import Bank (GEXIM) have announced a strategic collaboration with some diplomatic missions to promote and create a market for Made-in-Ghana products internationally following a successful engagement with the High Commission of Bahamas in Ghana, and the High Commission of Ghana in Malta.
The strategic collaboration was made known when a team from the High Commission of Bahamas in Ghana led by the High Commissioner, His Excellency Andrew Wilson and Ghana’s High Commissioner to Malta, Her Excellency Barbara Akuorkor Benisa participated in the “Freedom Tuesday Market” hosted by the Bank on Tuesday March 5, 2024 in Accra.
“Freedom Tuesday Market”, held at the forecourt of Africa Trade House was a special edition of the Bank’s popular Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Fair to commemorate Ghana’s 67th independence anniversary celebration under the theme “Our Democracy, Our Pride.”
Speaking to the media, His Excellency Andrew Wilson expressed his appreciation to the Management of GEXIM for the strategic collaboration with the High Commission of Barbados in Ghana.
“This is very important to us because it will go a long way to deepen the bilateral relations between the two countries as well as provide the opportunity for Ghana to increase its international trade by exporting into the Caribbean region. This is going to be a great win for both countries and we are committed to making it happen,” he added.
On her part, Her Excellency Barbara Akuorkor Benisa highlighted the tourist potential of Malta and underscored the need for the High Commission in Malta to leverage on that.
She stated that “Malta receives about three million tourists annually and these are people coming to holiday and with the spending power. There will be a lot of gains for us if we promote and sell our products in such a market with the possibility of getting them into the wider European market.”
The Deputy Chief Executive Office of GEXIM, Ms Rosemary Beryl Archer affirmed the Bank’s commitment to facilitate the transformation of Ghana’s economy into an export-led one by supporting and developing trade between Ghana and other countries, and overseas investments by Ghanaian Companies.
She added that “the Bank has over the years been working with all the relevant key stakeholders to eliminate critical market failures in the Ghanaian economy thereby making Ghana competitive in the global marketplace.
The partnership with the foreign missions is very important in achieving our goal to reposition the Ghanaian economy and we are happy to see it through. By the end of the third quarter, we should have some presence concerning Made-in-Ghana products in the two countries”
The Bank with the assistance of the High Commission of Bahamas in Ghana will create a hub for Made-in-Ghana products in Bahamas to be extensively promoted within the Caribbean.
The Ghana High Commission in Malta will work with the Bank to create market access for Ghanaian products in Malta and across Europe.
Hot!
ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
