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Provide tax incentives to research institutions – Prof. Mustapha to African leaders
Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, Director General and Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of the Nigerian National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) has appealed to African leaders to waive tax tariffs for private and international organizations who are interested in funding research institutions.
He explained that relieving the tax burden on research-focused organizations would attract investors and create an enabling environment for research.
Prof. Mustapha was speaking as a panel member on the theme: “The role of biotechnology and emerging technologies in transforming agriculture and food systems in Africa” at the African Conference on Agricultural Technology (ACAT) in Kenya, Nairobi.
The five-day event brought together scientists, farmers, researchers, academia, and policymakers.
He said the government has limited funds to finance issues related to biotechnology but can provide incentives that promote adaptation investments, offer risk guarantees, and use procurement contracts that help secure the demand for climate-resilient products and services.
“Governments can use mechanisms like taxes, levies, fees, and royalties to raise funding that allows financial support to be offered for climate risks assessment; extension services including partial credit guarantees, political risks guarantees, and blended finance to help bear the risk adaptation investment, particularly for large-scale investment,” he stated.
Adding her voice to the creation of an enabling environment, Ms. Patience Koku, CEO Replenish Farms said it was time policymakers adapted to biotechnology in order to help with the issue of climate change.
She said that world leaders meet periodically to find measures to address climate change and that one of the potential measures to help in finding solutions to the canker was biotechnology.
“With the usage of genetic seeds, farmers would not have to use a lot of agrochemicals to yield plenty of crops adding that climate change is affecting the biology, distribution, and outbreak potential of pests in a vast range of crops and across all land uses and landscapes” she stated.
She said up to 40 per cent of the world’s food supply was already lost to pests; the reduction in pest impact was more important than ever to ensure global food security, reduce application of inputs, and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
Dr Titus Alicai, Director of Research and Postgraduate Studies, National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) asked for the building of more infrastructures for local scientists so they could do more research.
BY BENEDICTA GYIMAAH FOLLEY
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GEXIM to host “SME GO” programme stakeholder sensitisation and fair on September 18
The Ghana Export – Import Bank (GEXIM) in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ghana Enterprises Agency and Development Bank of Ghana will be hosting the final phase of the stakeholder sensitisation exercise on the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Growth and Opportunity (SME GO) Programme at the Bank’s headquarters located at the Africa Trade House, in Accra.
The stakeholder sensitisation event is scheduled to take place on Wednesday SSeptember18, 2024 at 10 am and will give attendees a deeper insight into the SME GO Programme with a focus on the dynamics of the programme, eligibility criteria application process and how the initiative seeks to assist Ghanaian SMEs to scale up and compete favorably in the international marketplace.
The confirmed speakers and dignitaries for the event will highlight how Ghanaian SMEs can leverage on the SME GO Programme to build the capacities and make them sustainable.
They include Hon. Abena Osei-Asare, Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Hon. K. T. Hammond, Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Nii Kwartei Titus Glover, Greater Accra Regional Minister as well as the Chief Executive Officers of the Ghana Enterprises Agency and Development Bank of Ghana.
Alongside the stakeholder sensitisation event, GEXIM will be hosting a special edition of its popular SME Fair dubbed “SME GO Mart” at the forecourt of the Africa Trade House, from 8am to 8pm.
The theme for the “SME GO Mart” is “Celebrating Ghanaian SMEs” and it will provide a platform for Ghanaian entrepreneurs to showcase various top-quality Made-In-Ghana products.
Over hundred Ghanaian entrepreneurs with unique products have been confirmed to participate in the fair.
They will be exhibiting several unique and authentic products at unbeatable prices including food and ingredients, beverages, skin and beauty care products, textiles, apparel, garments, leather footwear, slippers, and many others.
In July 2024, the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Finance launched the SME GO Programme, a ground breaking initiative which sought to provide Ghanaian SMEs with the needed funds, requisite technology and knowledge as well as other relevant resources and tools to aid their growth to become international giants.
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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.
