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President Akufo-Addo Leads Call to Double IDA Funding at Nairobi Summit
In an address at the 2024 International Development Association (IDA) Summit held in Nairobi, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana emerged as a leading voice, advocating for a groundbreaking initiative: the doubling of funding for the IDA.
Amidst a backdrop of global challenges, President Akufo-Addo’s clarion call for increased support to the IDA reverberated throughout the summit halls, igniting discussions on the imperative of bolstering international development efforts.
President Akufo-Addo’s passioned plea underscored the urgent need for enhanced financial resources to confront the daunting infrastructure deficit plaguing African nations.
Quoting figures from the African Development Bank (AfDB), the President highlighted Africa’s infrastructure needs, estimated at a staggering $130 billion to $170 billion annually, with a yawning financing gap of $68 billion to $108 billion. Such disparities, he emphasised, hinder economic growth, stifle progress, and perpetuate cycles of poverty and inequality.
Central to the President’s argument was the pivotal role of the IDA in providing concessional financing to bridge the resource gap and facilitate sustainable development.
Against the backdrop of mounting debt distress and the far-reaching impacts of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, President Akufo-Addo stressed that doubling IDA funding was not merely an option but an imperative for African nations striving to navigate these intersecting crises.
Drawing from Ghana’s own experiences, particularly its engagement in debt restructuring under the G20 Common Framework, President Akufo-Addo elucidated the challenges facing countries grappling with debt burdens. He emphasised that doubling IDA resources would not only alleviate debt pressures but also enable nations to address pressing developmental needs, from infrastructure investment to climate resilience and social protection.
The President’s advocacy for doubling IDA funding resonated with summit participants, who echoed his sentiments on the need for bold and transformative action. Recognising that development efforts require sustained, long-term investment.
President Akufo-Addo called upon the international community to seize the opportunity presented by the IDA replenishment to mobilise resources, forge partnerships, and chart a course toward inclusive and sustainable development.
As the summit concluded, President Akufo-Addo’s call to double IDA funding reverberated as a rallying cry for solidarity and shared responsibility in addressing the most pressing challenges of our time. With the stakes high and the need urgent, the President’s visionary leadership set the stage for a renewed commitment to building a brighter future for all.
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NHIA set to boost its cybersecurity and IT Infrastructure
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), in partnership with a leading private cybersecurity solutions provider in Ghana, CyberHawk Limited, is advancing the Authority’s digital infrastructure to ensure seamless operations.
This is to safeguard the Authority’s digital technologies and maintain the trust of active members of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
In this context, the NHIA Management Information System (MIS) Directorate in the Head Office, on February 11, 2024, launched a three-day brainstorming session on the organization’s cybersecurity enhancement agenda.
The MIS Directorate Ag. Director, Mr. Daniel Blankson explained that the collaborative meeting aimed to scrutinize the NHIA’s Information Technology architecture, identifying potential risks and gapsto enhance its cybersecurity posture.
“By leveraging CyberHawk Limited’s expertise, the NHIA seeks to fortify its defenses against cyber threats, protecting sensitive information and maintaining the trust of its members.”
Mr. Blankson applauded the synergy between the two organizations and underscored the Authority’s commitment to embracing cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions to drive its mission forward.
The Head of Information Security and Standards Unit, in the MIS Directorate, Mr. Ebenezer Hooper, highlighted the Authority’s significant milestone on the digital transformation journey.
According to him, the NHIA is actively engaged in fully adopting and implementing modern digital systems to improve its operations.
He said, “The three-day brainstorming meeting will culminate in the development of a robust IT infrastructure, as well as strategic plans to translate security implementations into tangible IT cost savings for the organization.”
“There is the need to form a steering committee or IT advisory committee, operated under the Board, so that they can pay more attention in protecting the huge IT investment while ensuring cyber security-related policies are well protected,” he added.
The Project Manager of CyberHawk Limited, Mr. Chetan Narayana Murthy, lauded the collaboration and anticipated that it would empower the NHIA to implement comprehensive cybersecurity measures.
According to him, “This is a huge project that will greatly benefit the NHIA by implementing robust cybersecurity measures, safeguarding their systems, and ultimately protecting the sensitive information of NHIA members and healthcare providers.”
A Senior Manager of IT infrastructure, Mr. David Asare Addo, and his colleague, a Senior Manager of Applications, Mr. Enock Afanyi, with the MIS Directorate, gave an overview of the NHIA’s current technological landscape.
Present at the meeting were representatives from the Claims, Membership and Regional Operations (MRO), Research, Policy, Monitoring, and Evaluation (RPME), Corporate Affairs, the Audit, Administration, and Human Resource Directorates.
Story By : Vivian Arthur
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Swedru All Blacks back to winning ways, Roshan humble King Faisal
Sekondi Rospak FC made it eight wins in eight successive home games after three second-half goals from John Amoah, Joseph Ntow and Stephen Anthony Kofi. John Amoah opened the scoring in the 55th minute after a barren first half. Joseph Ntow added to the tally in the 56th minute before Stephen Anthony Kofi rounded things up in the 74th minute to give Rospak a 3-0 win over former Premier League side King Faisal.
Elsewhere at Swedru – leaders Swedru All Blacks humbled PAC Academy in an emphatic 2-0 win. Zayat Bubakari scored first for Swedru All Blacks in the 27th minute before Rudolf Junior Nana Kwasi Mensah made it 2-0 in the 34th minute. Swedru All Blacks are top of the table with 36 points – 4 points ahead of second placed Rospak FC.
Meanwhile, Former Premier League side Cape Coast Mysterious Dwarfs recorded their fourth successive home victory after beaten New Edubiase United 2-1 at the Robert Mensah Park. Enoch Odoom struck first for Cape Coast Mysterious Dwarfs in the 19th minute but Steven Asante equalized for New Edubiase United before halftime. After the interval, Godfred Eshun scored from distance in the 65th minute to help Cape Coast Mysterious Dwarfs secure all the points.
Here are the results in Zone Two
