News
KOICA Ghana hosts Orientation Programme for 2024 Scholarship Awardees
The Korea International Cooperation Agency(KOICA) Ghana held an orientation programme for the latest recipients of the KOICA Scholarship Programme, a major category of its Capacity Improvement and Advancement for Tomorrow (CIAT) Fellowship Programme.
The event marked the beginning of an exciting journey for 25 scholarship awardees, who were set to pursue advanced studies (Masters and PhD) in South Korea.
The orientation programme held recently in Accra was a comprehensive session aimed at preparing the awardees for their academic and cultural experiences in Korea.
The event featured a series of informative presentations and interactive sessions designed to equip the scholars with essential knowledge and skills.
In his opening remarks, the Ambassador of Korea to Ghana, Mr Kyongsig Park congratulated the awardees on their achievement and reminded them of the significance of their roles in strengthening the partnership between Ghana and Korea.
He likened KOICA Scholarship programme to the ongoing Olympic Games in France, saying that it also brings together outstanding talents from 100 countries, all competing to gain more knowledge and experience in Korea.
He added that, “all awardees are the representatives of Ghana and must endevour to succeed in this competition, as it will lay the foundation for a brighter future for Ghana.”
The orientation programme further featured a special moment for the 2022 KOICA SP cohorts, who were officially inducted as alumni.
This recognition celebrated their successful completion of their studies and their ongoing contributions to the development of Ghana.
The KOICA CIAT Fellowship programme continues to be a beacon of educational excellence and international collaboration, offering Ghanaian public officials the chance to gain world-class education and bring back valuable expertise to support the development of their nation.
There were knowledge-sharing segments as as key presentations focusing on the prospects of scholarships in Korea, providing the awardees with detailed information on the academic opportunities, cultural experiences, and career advancements available through the CIAT Fellowship.
This was led by Doctor Llyod G. Adu Amoah, Director of Center for Asian Studies at University of Ghana.
Ms. Eunsoo Oh, the Deputy Country Director of the KOICA Ghana office, delivered a presentation on KOICA’s values and integrity pledge, urging all individuals and entities associated with KOICA to uphold these principles.
Another presentation offered a personal perspective, as a distinguished Alumnus, Ms. Abena Manso- Howard recounted her experiences, giving the new scholars a firsthand account of life and learning in Korea.
The orientation also emphasized the importance of the awardees serving as exemplary ambassadors of Ghana.
They were encouraged to uphold the laws of Korea and to embody the values of diligence, respect, and integrity throughout their stay.
News
National Service Authority goes cashless
The National Service Authority (NSA) has announced a mandatory transition to a cashless payment system.
This initiative aligns with the government’s drive to modernize revenue collection.
In a statement, NSA noted that effective immediately, all user agencies and stakeholders are directed to make all payments,
including the 20% and 10% administrative service charges, through the GHANA.GOV platform.
This shift to digital payments offers greater transparency, convenience and accessibility for those working with the NSA.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Read the full statement below
News
Greater Accra Regional Minister calls on traders to operate within designated spaces to ease congestion
The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, has called on traders in the city to operate within designated spaces to ease congestion and maintain cleanliness in market centres.
Speaking with traders at the Kaneshie Market on February 4, 2025, during a tour of selected market centres to assess sanitation challenges, reinforce government commitment to address indiscriminate refuse disposal, and improve market conditions, the minister called for collaboration between traders and local authorities to address sanitation and maintain order.
She assured the new government’s commitment to addressing urban challenges and improving market conditions in Accra as part of its broader agenda for a cleaner city.
“We are here to engage you in a conversation about our mission to improve cleanliness in Greater Accra. We are taking into account the conditions of the roads, your problems, and your suggestions. Most walkways have been taken over by traders instead of serving their original purpose, which leads to traffic congestion. We want to understand your challenges so that we can find the best way to assist you,” the Minister stated.
The Minister who was accompanied by officials from the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council ( GARCC) led by the Chief Director of the GARCC, Mrs. Lilian Baeka, some staff from the Accra Metropolitan Assembly(AMA) and other sister assemblies in the Region used the opportunity to enquire about the state of waste disposal within the market and the efficiency of refuse collection by the assemblies.
“Does it take long for the refuse to be collected after it is gathered? These are some of the issues we want to address,” she added, inviting traders to share their thoughts.
The President of the Greater Accra Markets Association, Mrs. Mercy Naa Afrowa Needjan who welcomed the minister, expressed gratitude for the visit and assured traders commitment to rally support behind her as a woman in leadership.
”In the market, we face numerous challenges we wish to discuss. There are various groups of traders with some selling at the top, others beneath, while some can be relocated, others should be removed. However, we must follow due process to ensure that people’s livelihoods are not affected. She cannot do it alone, and we are ready to support her efforts,” she stated.
She noted that efforts to regulate trading activities, especially on the Kaneshie overhead footbridge, had proven difficult despite continuous engagements with the police.
Madam Mercy Naa Afrowa Needjan identified street trading as a major concern, explaining that it had significantly affected business inside the main markets.
“Our major problem is those selling outside. Because of them, the market is now dry. Almost everyone has moved onto the streets. They are our brothers and sisters, and we want them inside the market. There are a lot of vacant spaces they can occupy,” she said.
On sanitation, she remarked that significant progress had been made, stressing that previously, the Kaneshie market was associated with rubbish, but the story had changed for good.
