News
Ghana Exim Bank commits USD10 Million to yam export
• Mr. Lawrence Agyinsam, CEO of Ghana Exim
The Ghana Export-Import Bank (GEXIM) has announced a package of 10 million dollars (USD10 million) to support yam export as part of the Bank’s effort to develop the sector and ensure Ghana remains the world’s largest exporter of yam.
The announcement was made by the Chief Executive Officer of GEXIM, Lawrence Agyinsam, at a Stakeholder Consultative Forum on Yam Export organised by the Bank on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, in Accra.
It was under the theme: “Facilitating International Trade; The Role Of Ghana Exim Bank in Yam Exports”.
According to Mr. Agyinsam, the Bank, as part of its mandate is to support and develop directly or indirectly trade between Ghana and other countries and build Ghana’s capacity and competitiveness in the international market place and approved by its Board, is ready to extend this financial support to this sector.
“The Ghana Export – Import Bank Act, 2016 (Act 911) mandates us to plan, promote, develop and finance export-oriented concerns as well as provide support for Small and Medium Enterprises engaged in agro-processing and export trade. In 2020, export of yam tubers reached a record-high of US$48 million according to data from the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), making the country the world’s largest exporter of yam. With this financial package, we are optimistic to improve on the figures and also entrench our position as global leader when it comes to yam export”, he added.
The GEXIM CEO further highlighted the Bank’s support for the sector at various levels over the years to enhance their productivity as well as build their capacity through technical assistance to boost international trade.
Mr. Agyinsam urged all stakeholders within the yam value chain to be abreast with global trends in the production and export of yam and ensure they conform to the required processes and meet the globally defined standards and certification for yam export.
The Executive Secretary of Ghana Root Crops and Tubers Exporters Union (GROCTEU), Mr. Robert Taylor, called for more support from state agencies and regulators to enable their members to scale up in their operations and increase their productivity.
He further urged yam exporters to strategically position themselves to take advantage of GEXIM’s financial package to increase their exports.
Representatives from other organisations were given the opportunity to make a presentation on their contribution in the value chain. They included the Ghana Standard Authority, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (Food Research Institute) CSIR, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ghana Shippers’ Council and Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA).
News
Sam George authorises dismissal of about 100 Ghana Post staff over irregular recruitment
Communications Minister, Sam George, has authorised the dismissal of nearly 100 staff of the Ghana Post Limited, citing an irregular recruitment process.
The affected staff members were employed after the December 7, 2024, election, a period during which the minister says proper procedures were not followed.
Speaking about the decision, Sam George expressed his commitment to clearing the ministry of individuals whose recruitment was not in line with the established protocols.
He stated that as the head of the ministry, he could not work with staff members whose employment was marred by irregularities.
“If you are a minister and you take over a ministry that has 3,117 staff in the ministry and its agencies and 600 were recruited after December 7, you cannot expect me to come and inherit such a mess, and so the rationalisation is ongoing,” he told the press on Tuesday.
He added, “Today, I have authorised a termination of a few more at Ghana Post, almost 100 that were done post-election.”
The Communications Minister explained that the irregular recruitment had created a situation where positions were filled without following due process, leading to inefficiencies within the department.
The Ningo-Prampram legislator emphasised that he is on a mission to “Clean up the ministry to make sure that it is lean and efficient and carries out its works.”
The government has been reverting many post-election employment in the public sector, which it says was done without following the laid down procedures in various sectors of the economy.
Source: myjoyonline.com
News
High Commissioner of Barbados to Ghana pays courtesy call on Minister of Health
The High Commissioner of Barbados to Ghana, Juliette Byone-Sutherland, paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, to discuss key issues in the health sector.
During the meeting, Mr.Akandoh highlighted the need for increased funding to ensure the effective implementation of healthcare processes.
To address the challenges faced by health workers in rural areas, the Minister mentioned a proposed package of incentives, including an additional 20% of their basic salaries, quicker promotions, and scholarships for further training.
He also emphasised the importance of providing steady leave with pay to encourage health workers to remain in these areas.
Mr.Akandoh stressed the need for six additional hospitals to cater to the new regions created in Ghana. He also discussed plans to upgrade regional and teaching hospitals to attract more skilled health workers.
In response, High Commissioner Byone-Sutherland expressed her appreciation for the Minister and the government’s efforts to improve the health sector.
She also suggested that nurses from Barbados could benefit from health training programmes in Ghana, gaining practical experience in the field.
This courtesy call highlights the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing between countries to improve healthcare outcomes.
The Ministry of Health remains committed to addressing the challenges faced by health workers and ensuring that Ghanaians receive quality healthcare services.
