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Government urged to create a supportive environment for local businesses
Mr Jeroen Verheul
The Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ghana, Mr Jeroen Verheul has tasked government to create a supportive environment for local businesses to thrive.
Speaking at the official closing ceremony of the SNV GrEEn Project in Accra, the diplomat said the reduction of inflation and interest rate must be tackled by the government to achieve this goal.
The SNV GrEEn Project is a four-year action plan implemented in the Ashanti and Western regions under the anchor of the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development.
The project was funded by the European Union in Ghana and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands.
Juxtaposing the results of the GrEEn Project, Mr Jeroen Verheul cited that such achievement “is a drop in the ocean” because Ghana would need 500, 000 jobs annually to help the population overcome the high rate of unemployment.
“We need 500, 000 jobs per year and SNV has produced 6, 000 jobs over four years, however we need to scale up through the support of the environment which is a key element for entrepreneurs to flourish,” he stated.
SNV Netherlands Development Organisation is a not-for-profit international development organisation creating a lasting difference in the lives of people living in poverty by helping them raise incomes and access basic services.
Since its commissioning in 2019, the Project aimed to enhance employability and entrepreneurship opportunities within Ghana’s green economy, contributing to the development of a climate-resilient local economy.
The primary objective of the Project was to address the root causes of irregular migration amongst Ghanaians, by promoting green and climate-resilient local economic development.
This initiative provided affordable financing aid to SMEs and micro businesses, especially in the sustainable and circular economy sector.
The Chief Executive Officer of Asaasepa Naturals, Mrs Matilda Stemn, noted that the project has aided her set up a factory and purchase some equipment to upscale her business.
However, Mrs Stemn, also a beneficiary of the Project, mentioned that accessing loans was a challenge for SMEs on increasing productivity despite the fact that they have the raw materials and machineries at their disposal.
Present at the ceremony were the Country Director of SNV Ghana, Mrs Barbara Nkoala amongst other dignitaries.
SNV specialises in three sectors: agri-food, energy and water systems and is present in over 25 countries.
By Yunusah Essandoh
News
GWL to embark on revenue mobilization in Northern, Savannah Regions from Nov 1 to Dec 31
The management of Ghana Water Limited (GWL) in the Northern and Savannah Regions has announced a revenue mobilization exercise aimed at retrieving outstanding arrears and addressing illegal connections.
The exercise, which will run from November 1 to December 31, 2024, seeks to detect self-reconnections and eliminate the unauthorized use of in-line booster pumps.
“The management of Ghana Water Limited (GWL) Northern/Savannah Regions, wishes to inform the public and its valued customers that it will embark on a revenue mobilization exercise in the Northern and Savannah Regions from 1st November to 31st December 2024.
“This exercise aims to retrieve all outstanding arrears owed by customers, identify and address illegal connections, detect self-reconnections, and eliminate the unauthorized use of in-line booster pumps,” GWL said in a statement.
GWL urged all customers to promptly settle their arrears through its official online channels or at designated pay points across the two regions to avoid service disruptions.
Click here to read the statement by GWL
Read below the statement by GWL
Source: citinewsroom.com
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Election 2024: NMC to launch app to combat misinformation
The National Media Commission (NMC) says it is set to outdoor a media watch app to combat misinformation and disinformation ahead of the general elections.
According to the NMC, the initiative aims to enable journalists and citizens to capture real-time suspicious activities at polling stations for prompt action.
Speaking after a forum organised by the Institute of Democratic Governance (IDEG) on the theme “Moderating the Airwaves for Peaceful and Credible Elections 2024,” Executive Secretary for NMC, George Sarpong believes the initiative will be a crucial tool in promoting peaceful elections and enhancing the safety of journalists.
He explained that the app will be a game-changer that is expected to offer accurate information at various polling stations across Ghana.
“This is going to be a game-changer in the sense that it is going to offer us very accurate information about what is happening around the country about the elections.
“And then in terms of the electoral results, if anybody who is at any polling station at the time we are declaring the results, films and submits this, the system can verify the authenticity of what has been submitted.
“We believe that if there is any dispute regarding any incident, this will offer very efficient evidence for anybody interested in understanding exactly what happened there and to address it.
Source: citinewsroom.com