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Ghanaian entrepreneur Joseph Owiredu selected for 2024 Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge

Joseph Wiredu

Ghanaian entrepreneur, Joseph Owiredu has qualified to the final of the 2024 edition of the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge.

The 6th in the series, the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit is scheduled for May 28-31, 2024 in Windhoek, Namibia.

Joseph Owiredu is the CEO of Fihankra ComTech Limited, a limited liability technology start-up that specialises in developing personal safety and security innovations, products and services to serve the growing African tourism industry, journalists and institutions.

The organisers of the summit, the Africa Tourism Partners announced the top five finalists for the 6th Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge 2024 this week. The other four finalists Devin Itaagie from Uganda, Kedumetse Liphi from Botswana, Ajena Jafar from Uganda and Gerald Muema from Kenya have all qualified to proceed to the next level of adjudication.

The Challenge opened on the 1st of November 2023 for the youth to submit their projects and closed on March 1, 2024. It attracted over 154 entries from young entrepreneurs and innovators across Africa.

The countries that participated in the Innovation Challenge include Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

As part of the process, the projects were submitted to the judges for adjudication to determine the qualifying projects. The five shortlisted innovators will present their demo/ Minimum Viable Product at the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit in Windhoek, Namibia.

The Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge is an exclusive platform for innovative African youth in travel and tourism looking for funding, partnership and mentorship opportunities to present their projects to the global marketplace in order to find the required support for their programmes.

Speakers for this year’s Summit include Teofilus Nghitila – Executive Director of Tourism, Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Namibia, Samiya Abdulkadir Godu – President, Ethiopian Youth Entrepreneurs Association, Evah Mosetlhane – Tourism & SMME Development Consultant, Botswana, Mbali Mngomezulu – Manager Of Business Development at Mastercard | Grading Assessor Accreditation CATHSETA, South Africa and more.

Young Namibian innovators were also recognised and given the opportunity to compete amongst themselves. Sarome Natalia Nalooliwa Hamata, Sarah Anghuwo and Rosalia Laudika are the top 3 finalists for the 2024 and 6th Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation challenge.

Hosted by the Government of Namibia through the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism in collaboration with Africa Tourism Partners, UN Tourism, BDO and other partners, the 2024 Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit is scheduled for May 28-31, 2024.

This is the third time and final year Namibia will host the Summit and it has used the opportunity to market and promote its tourism attractions.

One of the greatest attractions that Namibia Boasts about is the Sossusvlei desert. Sossusvlei is all salt, clay, and sand, with remarkable red dunes arching and curling seemingly forever. The popular tourist attraction is in the southern part of the Namib Desert and is part of the Namib Sand Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Meanwhile, registrations for both physical and virtual participants to the 6th Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge and Summit are ongoing
Dumsor: No ECG transformer was overloaded after our checks – PURC

A Commissioner of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), Ishmael Edjekumhene, has dismissed claims by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) regarding some 360 overloaded transformers.

His statement comes after a hefty fine was imposed by the PURC on former ECG board members for failing to notify consumers before power interruptions, as mandated by Regulation 39 of L.I. 2413.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, Mr Edjekumhene who is also the Executive Director of the Kumasi Institute of Technology and Environment (KITE), expressed his surprise at the Managing Director of ECG’s announcement that 630 transformers were overloaded leading to intermittent power cuts.

“So, we were just following up on information that ECG itself has put into the public domain which the regulator wasn’t aware. So, when we wrote to the ECG, if that wasn’t the case they should probably have said that that wasn’t the case. But they gave us all the information,” he said.

He further stated that “We have gone out to all the transformers, at least a majority of the transformers and it is turning out to be that those transformers were not overloaded. That is why GRIDCO said they gave instruction and ECG is not complying with those directives in a timely manner.”

Source: Citinewsroom.com

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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.

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Traders, ‘Okada’ riders take over Circle pavement

• Korle-Bu CEO with staff of Nivaansh MediQas

Activities of traders and drug addicts are contributing to make the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange (Circle) area very uncomfortable and unsafe for commuters.

Day in and out, pedestrians are ‘ejected’ from the pavement created for their safety as traders preferred to sell their wares on that space.

Staff of the National Ambulance Service (NAS) showcasing their work

That hinders the free movement of the pedestrians.

The small space left for the pedestrians are also shared with ‘Okada’ riders.

As if these woes are not enough for a commuter on a single day, they also have to navigate carefully to avoid clashes with drug addicts and the mentally challenged.