News
Use 24-hour economy as stimulant to solve Ghana’s productivity issues – Ofosu-Dorte

David Ofosu-Dorte, Senior Partner at AB & David Africa, has emphasized that the Mahama administration’s 24-hour economy policy should serve as a catalyst for addressing Ghana’s longstanding productivity challenges.
According to him, for the policy to yield meaningful results, it must be strategically implemented to boost productivity, as inefficiencies remain a major hurdle in the Ghanaian economy.
“If you stimulate demand and you match it with a 24-hour economy, then you are increasing supply and you’re increasing productivity. That is what you do in a country that has low productivity,” Ofosu-Dorte told Bernard Avle on the Citi Breakfast Show on Monday, February 10.
The president said the initiative is “a deliberate policy to encourage and support businesses and public organizations to operate 24/7 in three shifts of eight hours to boost production, promote productivity and generate well-paying jobs – aimed at transforming Ghana into an import substitution and export-led economy.”
Meanwhile, Ofosu-Dorte observed that if the President fails to pull along all his appointees on the path of his vision, it would be a “lonely walk to nowhere”.
For him, “there should be central direction” and a great effort to carry the whole nation along in his bid to reset the economy.
Source: Citinewsroom.com
News
Maternal mortality rate increases in Ashanti Region

The Ghana Health Service has revealed a staggering statistic of 1,000 women losing their lives during childbirth in the Ashanti Region between 2020 and 2024.
This alarming number, according to the Regional Health Director, Dr Frank Adomanko Boateng, highlights the persistent challenge of maternal mortality in Ghana, despite efforts to improve maternal healthcare.
Dr Adomanko Boateng, therefore emphasized on an urgent need for stronger interventions to curb the high rate of maternal deaths.
Speaking at the 2024 Regional Health Forum, he indicated that “Ghana is struggling to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of reducing maternal mortality to 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030.”
Dr Boateng stressed that time was of the essence, saying, “The clock is ticking, and we must double our efforts.”
He called for intensified measures over the next six years to bridge the gap and prevent further loss of lives.
Ghana’s maternal mortality ratio, he noted, has been declining from 760 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 310 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2017.
However, “the country still faces significant challenges in reducing maternal mortality, particularly in regions like Ashanti.”
To address the issue, he said, Ghana has been working to improve maternal healthcare through various initiatives, including the Network for Improving Quality of Care for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health.
The country aims to reduce maternal mortality by strengthening healthcare systems, improving access to quality care, and enhancing community engagement
From Kingsley E. Hope,
Kumasi
News
NTC staff demonstrate prowess in fire fighting

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) on Tuesday held a sensitisation workshop on fire safety for staff of the New Times Corporation (NTC), publishers of The Ghanaian Times and The Spectator.
It created awareness on fire prevention and safety measures to prevent fire in the home or office.
During the practical session, a section of the staff were taken through fire outbreaks drills steps to take in fire .
tries his hands on
one of the traditional
way to combat fire
Nortey led the demonstration exercise
to staff before the demonstration exercise
of staff Herty Nortey to put off a fire
Can-Tamakloe trying to
extinguish the fire
Led by Assistant Divisional Officer (ADO 1) Isaac Tengfaa, the staff were taught how to use the different types of fire extinguishers to combat fire.
He said it was important for home owners and office workers to put off every electrical gadget at work before leaving for their respective home because more fires in offices occur at closing hours.
He said fire incidence often resulted from carelessness, ignorance or natural occurrence.
Supported by ADO I Richard Mensah, ADO I Eunice Ceasar and Fire woman Anita Amponsah, some of the staff tried their hands on the fire extinguishers and other modes of combatting fire.
By Linda Abrefie Wadie