Entertainment
IFMA-Ghana trains 9 new facility managers
The Ghana Chapter of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA-Ghana) has certified nine new facility managers following successful completion of a week-long training programme.
The trainees, who ended the Facility Management Professional (FMP) course last Friday at Ensign Global College at Kpong, brought to 90 the number of practitioners trained by IFMA-Ghana in four years.
They were assessed in modules such as Operations and Maintenance, Project Management, Leadership and Strategy, Business and Finance, facilitated by IMFA Qualified Instructor, Mr. John Anthony Vinken.
Speaking after the session, Mr. Sampson Opare-Ayemang, President of IMFA-Ghana, said the course enabled participants to appreciate their role, take up new assignments and execute their functions with the requisite expertise within the sector.
He said the poor maintenance routine of some public facilities in the country implied that there must be qualified personnel to manage and ensure the longevity of private and public properties.
In this regard, Mr. Opare-Ayemang said IFMA-Ghana would continue to roll out programmes as part of its mission to develop the capacity of facility managers in the country.
The trainees described the course as a great learning experience that will propel them to make positive impact at their workplaces.
“It has been great sharing ideas and comparing notes with people from my industry. The serene environment helped to concentrate on the course and I am glad I took this decision,” Ms. Dzifa Nuer said.
Ms. Caroline Frimpong Apenteng, another trainee was pleased to be certified after working in the facility management sector for the past 15 years and thanked IFMA-Ghana for the opportunity.
Mr. John Digber, a trainee also encouraged practitioners to take up the course to broaden their scope and expertise in the industry.
‘’When the foundation of a building is weak, the absence of a Facility Management Professional will expose you,” Mr Prince Henry Botwe, an FMP, noted and urged individuals to sign up to courses which would “propel their career to the next level.”
Founded in 1980, IFMA is the world’s largest and most widely recognised association for supporting over 20,000 members in more than 100 countries. The association, among other objectives, aims to “lead the future of the built environment to make the world a better place.”
The Ghana Chapter, apart from training new and existing members, leads advocacy to ensure public and private structures remain in good shape.
By Ernest Nutsugah
Entertainment
Redeemed Baptist Church congratulates trio
Three members of the Redeemed Baptist Church in Ogbojo – Emerita Professor Elizabeth Ardayfio-Schandorf, Mrs Florence Mangwe Hutchful and Mrs Comfort Owusu, were among 22 award recipients for their exceptional contribution to national development at the 10th Ghana Women of Excellence Awards ceremony held in Accra.
The trio were recognised for their exceptional performances in their respective field of endeavours.
Emerita Ardayfio-Schandorf is a seasoned geographer and Chairperson of the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC), Mrs Hutchful comes in as the first President of the Chartered Institute of Human Resource Management, Ghana and Mrs Owusu as the Executive Director of the Association of Rural Banks (ARB) Ghana.
The awards, held on the eve of the International Women’s Day, is a component of Ghana’s observation of the Day which was under the theme ‘Empowering the Ghanaian woman for National Development.”
The clergy and congregation of the Redeemed Baptist Church says Ayekoo to the award winners.
Entertainment
TGMA unveils nominees for 26th edition
Organisers of the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) have unveiled nominations for the 26th edition of the awards.
A ceremony to unveil the awards held last Saturday at the Grand Arena was filled with shocks, surprises, and excitement.
The ultimate category, Artiste of the Year will see, Kweku Smoke, Joe Mettle, Team Eternity, King Promise, Black Sherif, King Paluta and reigning champion, Stonebwoy.
King Paluta, King Promise and Stonebwoy
Best New Artiste of the Year, a key category for the emerging talents to make a mark will feature Lali X Lola, Arathejay, Rap Fada, Beeztrap KOTM, and Kwesi Amewugah.
Lovers of gospel music will have a tough time choosing Empress Gifty, Joe Mettle, Team Eternity, Piesie Esther, Diana Hamilton or MOG Music as the Gospel Artiste of the Year.
Medikal, Sarkodie, King Paluta, Black Sherif, Kweku Smoke, Beeztrap and Amerado will battle it out for the Best Hiplife/Hip Hop Artiste of the Year crown.
A category which would generate controversy is the Best Rap Performance with a fierce contest between Sarkodie, Okyeame Kwame, Eno Barony, Lyrical Joe, Flowking Stone and Kweku Smoke.
There are other interesting categories like Highlife Song of the Year, Telecel Most Popular Song, Male and Female Vocalists of the Year among others up for grabs for the 26th edition of the Telecel Ghana Music Awards.
The reigning Artiste of the Year, Stonebwoy was nominated in the same category again in addition to Album/EP of the Year – “Up and Running”, Best Reggae/Dancehall Song – “Psalm 23”, Best Music Video – “Jejereje”, Best Reggae Dancehall Artiste, International Collaboration of the Year – “Ekelebe” featuring OdumoduBlvck, “Jiggle And Whine” featuring Spice, and Most Popular Song – “Jejereje”.
This year’s edition of Ghana’s biggest music night comes off on May 3, 2025, at the Accra International
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
