Story: Jennifer Dornoo & Jasmine Arku
THE Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Hanna Tetteh, has called on small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) to repackage themselves in order to play an effective role in driving the economy.
She assured them of the Government's support and encouraged them to take their own initiatives to increase productivity and enhance economic growth.
Speaking at a Zenith Bank SMEs seminar to address the gap between financial institutions and SMEs in Accra yesterday, Ms Tetteh said one of the interventions being undertaken by the ministry was to build capacity and to strengthen the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) to play a significant role in the provision of business development services.
She advised SMEs to formalise their operations by properly registering their companies and keeping proper financial records of their business transactions.
Ms Tetteh said access to credit had always been one of the major challenges confronting Ghanaian businesses irrespective of the sectors in which they operated.
She said the Government had developed programmes such as the Export Development and Investment Fund (EDIF) to improve access to credit for those in the export sector.
Ms Tetteh stated that although Ghana had had a sustainable economic growth over the last 25 years, economic performance showed that there had been an uneven pattern in terms of the social impact and the spatial distribution of growth.
She noted that the disparity in incomes between the wealthy and the poor had widened, while inequality continued to rise.
The Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank, Mr Andy Ojei, said SMEs had been identified as the catalyst for the growth of the economy, since they were the major source of income and employment.
He said available data from the Registrar General indicated that 90 per cent of companies registered were micro, small and medium enterprises.
He said the seminar was being organised to address two pertinent challenges — how money worked in businesses and the succession planning in a business organisation.
"It is our belief that at the end of the seminar, we would have provided the needed impetus towards providing the right platform for a solution, leading to the growth and development of our mutual interest,” Mr Ojei stated.
Participants at the seminar were taken through facts about money, simple cash management tools as well as what money in business meant.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Hold politicians responsible for nation’s woes (22/8/09)
THE Member of Parliament (MP) for Gomoa East, Mr Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah, has challenged the youth to hold politicians responsible for anything that affects the progress of the country.
Addressing the youth of the Gospel Ambassadors Church at a three-day youth camp in Accra, Mr Eduamoah said it had become necessary for the youth to hold politicians accountable because some of them were toiling with the lives of the youth.
Mr Eduamoah said issues of senior high school (SHS) education should not be politicised and political parties should avoid the tendency of changing what their opponents had instituted.
He underscored the need for people with the fear of God to take up leadership positions to ensure good governance in the country.
Mr Eduamoah appealed to the churches to train and encourage the youth to take active part in politics in order to ensure better administration of the nation.
He urged the youth to forge ahead and aspire to be future presidents of the country since any of them could be at the presidency.
The MP alleged that some politicians were abusing their powers by standing surety for armed robbers.
He implored the youth to uphold moral values and stay focused in all their endeavours.
The National Youth Pastor of the Church, Rev Kennedy Bentum, assured the MP of the church’s commitment to empower the youth to take up leadership positions in government.
He urged the youth to aspire to be part of the ruling body of the nation.
Addressing the youth of the Gospel Ambassadors Church at a three-day youth camp in Accra, Mr Eduamoah said it had become necessary for the youth to hold politicians accountable because some of them were toiling with the lives of the youth.
Mr Eduamoah said issues of senior high school (SHS) education should not be politicised and political parties should avoid the tendency of changing what their opponents had instituted.
He underscored the need for people with the fear of God to take up leadership positions to ensure good governance in the country.
Mr Eduamoah appealed to the churches to train and encourage the youth to take active part in politics in order to ensure better administration of the nation.
He urged the youth to forge ahead and aspire to be future presidents of the country since any of them could be at the presidency.
The MP alleged that some politicians were abusing their powers by standing surety for armed robbers.
He implored the youth to uphold moral values and stay focused in all their endeavours.
The National Youth Pastor of the Church, Rev Kennedy Bentum, assured the MP of the church’s commitment to empower the youth to take up leadership positions in government.
He urged the youth to aspire to be part of the ruling body of the nation.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
IDEG launches Book on sub-regional integration (17/8/09)
Story:Jennifer Dornoo & Natasha Lewis
THE Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has launched a book on the challenges of integration in West Africa.
The book discuses critical issues such as Ghana and the Politics of Sub-Regional Integration, the Fate of Ghana’s Agricultural Commodity, the challenges of a single currency for West Africa as well as Gender mainstreaming policies on national and sub-regional integration.
Titled “Nation States and the Challenges of Integration in West Africa: The Case of Ghana”, the 160-page book launched in Accra today, has seven chapters and seven authors.
The Executive Director of IDEG, Dr Emmanuel Akwetey said many protocols within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) framework had not met the expectations of ordinary citizens.
He said civil wars in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea Bissau and the crises in Cote d’Ivore had limited ECOWAS to more peace keeping activities to the detriment of economic and social integration and development.
He said the book answered questions on why the regional integration process since the establishment of ECOWAS in 1975 had been affected by so many delays and impediments, how to create an effective and efficient movement of people, goods and services in the region as well as how national planning priorities could be reconciled with aspirations at the sub-regional level.
Dr Akwetey added that the publication would serve as a reference and learning material for the media, policy makers, researchers in Ghana and the West-African sub-region.
Reviewing the book, a Senior Research Fellow of the Legon Centre for International Affairs (LECIA), Dr Vladimir Antwi-Danso outlined the need for ECOWAS agenda and integration to be popularised for citizens to better understand sub-regional issues and take advantage of social and economic integration.
He said West Africans were inadequately informed and poorly prepared for the ECOWAS agenda, adding that, ECOWAS had not chalked enough success in economic integration.
He said the book contained information on the various aspects of integration and could enlighten readers on the challenges of integration.
The Programme Specialist of Social and Human Sciences, UNESCO, Dr Abdul Lamin, said the organisation was delighted to be working closely with African institutions to promote the continents regional integration priorities.
Edited by a renowned Political Scientist, Professor Kwame A. Ninsin, the book featured authors namely Mr Kwame Boafo-Arthur, Mr Bonaventure Adjavor, Mr Daniel Sarpong Bruce, Mr Steve Tonah, Dr Lehlohonolo Tlou, Mr Paul Agbedor and Mr A.D.Amarquaye Laryea.
THE Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has launched a book on the challenges of integration in West Africa.
The book discuses critical issues such as Ghana and the Politics of Sub-Regional Integration, the Fate of Ghana’s Agricultural Commodity, the challenges of a single currency for West Africa as well as Gender mainstreaming policies on national and sub-regional integration.
Titled “Nation States and the Challenges of Integration in West Africa: The Case of Ghana”, the 160-page book launched in Accra today, has seven chapters and seven authors.
The Executive Director of IDEG, Dr Emmanuel Akwetey said many protocols within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) framework had not met the expectations of ordinary citizens.
He said civil wars in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea Bissau and the crises in Cote d’Ivore had limited ECOWAS to more peace keeping activities to the detriment of economic and social integration and development.
He said the book answered questions on why the regional integration process since the establishment of ECOWAS in 1975 had been affected by so many delays and impediments, how to create an effective and efficient movement of people, goods and services in the region as well as how national planning priorities could be reconciled with aspirations at the sub-regional level.
Dr Akwetey added that the publication would serve as a reference and learning material for the media, policy makers, researchers in Ghana and the West-African sub-region.
Reviewing the book, a Senior Research Fellow of the Legon Centre for International Affairs (LECIA), Dr Vladimir Antwi-Danso outlined the need for ECOWAS agenda and integration to be popularised for citizens to better understand sub-regional issues and take advantage of social and economic integration.
He said West Africans were inadequately informed and poorly prepared for the ECOWAS agenda, adding that, ECOWAS had not chalked enough success in economic integration.
He said the book contained information on the various aspects of integration and could enlighten readers on the challenges of integration.
The Programme Specialist of Social and Human Sciences, UNESCO, Dr Abdul Lamin, said the organisation was delighted to be working closely with African institutions to promote the continents regional integration priorities.
Edited by a renowned Political Scientist, Professor Kwame A. Ninsin, the book featured authors namely Mr Kwame Boafo-Arthur, Mr Bonaventure Adjavor, Mr Daniel Sarpong Bruce, Mr Steve Tonah, Dr Lehlohonolo Tlou, Mr Paul Agbedor and Mr A.D.Amarquaye Laryea.
Friday, August 14, 2009
GJA award winners out (14/8/09mp)
THE 2008 Awards Committee of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), yesterday released 29 award winners for the 14th GJA awards ceremony, slated for Saturday, August 15, 2009 in Accra.
The award winners, who include journalists and media houses, include Kofi Akordor, Loretta Vanderpuye, Kofi Yeboah, Peggy Ama Donkor, Godwin Ofosu Acheampong, Theophilus Yartey, Anas Aremeyaw Anas and Dominic Hlordze.
The others are Maurice Quansah, Rosalind Amoo, Kingsley Hope, Kingsley Obeng Kyere, Joojo Cobina, Victor Kwawukume, Samuel Smith Asante, Charles Benoni Okine and Samuel Kyei-Boateng.
The media houses expected to receive awards are Public Agenda, GBC Television, Diamond Radio, Boon FM, Daily Guide, Joy FM, Radio Peace and Radio Progress.
Honorary awards would also be given to four important people who have contributed to the success of journalism in Ghana.
They are Mr Cameron Duodo, Mr Frazer Ofori Attah, Mr Kwater Simpson and Mr Gilbert Aryettey.
The committee, however, made some recommendations for the GJA in the organisation of other awards to be held by the association.
They include an improvement in the guidelines for the committee in future, putting in place a standing committee to review the performance of the media from time to time and ensuring that future committee members work closely with the past committees.
The Chairman of the Awards Committee, Dr Godwin Tutum Anim, a veteran journalist and the first Ghanaian General Manager of the Ghana News Agency, gave the assurance that unlike the 2007 awards, the Journalist of the Year 2008 would be announced at the ceremony.
He said a substantial report would be compiled by Dr Absalom Mutere, Dean of Journalism Studies and Communication of the African University College of Communication, and be made available to journalism training institutions and media houses to further enhance the practice of journalism.
The award winners, who include journalists and media houses, include Kofi Akordor, Loretta Vanderpuye, Kofi Yeboah, Peggy Ama Donkor, Godwin Ofosu Acheampong, Theophilus Yartey, Anas Aremeyaw Anas and Dominic Hlordze.
The others are Maurice Quansah, Rosalind Amoo, Kingsley Hope, Kingsley Obeng Kyere, Joojo Cobina, Victor Kwawukume, Samuel Smith Asante, Charles Benoni Okine and Samuel Kyei-Boateng.
The media houses expected to receive awards are Public Agenda, GBC Television, Diamond Radio, Boon FM, Daily Guide, Joy FM, Radio Peace and Radio Progress.
Honorary awards would also be given to four important people who have contributed to the success of journalism in Ghana.
They are Mr Cameron Duodo, Mr Frazer Ofori Attah, Mr Kwater Simpson and Mr Gilbert Aryettey.
The committee, however, made some recommendations for the GJA in the organisation of other awards to be held by the association.
They include an improvement in the guidelines for the committee in future, putting in place a standing committee to review the performance of the media from time to time and ensuring that future committee members work closely with the past committees.
The Chairman of the Awards Committee, Dr Godwin Tutum Anim, a veteran journalist and the first Ghanaian General Manager of the Ghana News Agency, gave the assurance that unlike the 2007 awards, the Journalist of the Year 2008 would be announced at the ceremony.
He said a substantial report would be compiled by Dr Absalom Mutere, Dean of Journalism Studies and Communication of the African University College of Communication, and be made available to journalism training institutions and media houses to further enhance the practice of journalism.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Lapaz hawkers return (5/8/09)
Hawkers at Lapaz in the Okaikwei North Constituency in Accra have returned to the pavements and the streets after the massive decongestion exercise that took place in the early hours of Saturday, August 1, 2009.
When the Daily Graphic got there at 10 a.m. on Monday, August 3, 2009, business was brisk despite that their structures — tables and kiosks — were demolished during the decongestion exercise.
The hawkers, such as mobile phone top-up credit vendors, cobblers, mobile phone sellers, food vendors and second-hand clothes dealers, were seen transacting business with their customers.
Ama Serwaa, second-hand clothes dealer, told the Daily Graphic that selling on the pavement was her only source of income, as a single parent of three children.
She said she had never been to school and had no educational background to secure any white-collar that would help her take care of herself, her mother in the village and the children.
She, therefore, appealed to the authorities to reconsider their decision of sacking them from the pavements.
A mobile phone top-up credit vendor, Kwesi Offei, said the pavements and the streets were the only places he could sell more credit credits and make huge profits.
That, he said, was because many people from the neighbouring communities, such as Tabora, Alhaji, Race Course and Tantra Hill, passed through Lapaz on their way to and from work or home.
He said it was not going to be easy getting the hawkers off the streets and the pavements since the kind of business had come to stay.
A food vendor, Cynthia Quarshie, said she would be happy if they were resettled at a better location, where their items would be patronised.
She said leaving their present location would mean that they would lose their numerous customers and would thus struggle to make ends meet.
Some pedestrians were, however, happy about the demolition of the unauthorised structures on the pavements.
Mr Moses Assimeng-Kwakye said pedestrians had to walk on the streets because the pavements were occupied with all kinds of structures and wares with their owners doing brisk business.
Also, he commended the authorities for undertaking the exercise, and said more needed to be done to permanently get the hawkers off the pavements.
Another resident, Mr Adolph Banks, also urged the government to put in a lot of effort to ensure that the hawkers did not return to the pavements.
When the Daily Graphic got there at 10 a.m. on Monday, August 3, 2009, business was brisk despite that their structures — tables and kiosks — were demolished during the decongestion exercise.
The hawkers, such as mobile phone top-up credit vendors, cobblers, mobile phone sellers, food vendors and second-hand clothes dealers, were seen transacting business with their customers.
Ama Serwaa, second-hand clothes dealer, told the Daily Graphic that selling on the pavement was her only source of income, as a single parent of three children.
She said she had never been to school and had no educational background to secure any white-collar that would help her take care of herself, her mother in the village and the children.
She, therefore, appealed to the authorities to reconsider their decision of sacking them from the pavements.
A mobile phone top-up credit vendor, Kwesi Offei, said the pavements and the streets were the only places he could sell more credit credits and make huge profits.
That, he said, was because many people from the neighbouring communities, such as Tabora, Alhaji, Race Course and Tantra Hill, passed through Lapaz on their way to and from work or home.
He said it was not going to be easy getting the hawkers off the streets and the pavements since the kind of business had come to stay.
A food vendor, Cynthia Quarshie, said she would be happy if they were resettled at a better location, where their items would be patronised.
She said leaving their present location would mean that they would lose their numerous customers and would thus struggle to make ends meet.
Some pedestrians were, however, happy about the demolition of the unauthorised structures on the pavements.
Mr Moses Assimeng-Kwakye said pedestrians had to walk on the streets because the pavements were occupied with all kinds of structures and wares with their owners doing brisk business.
Also, he commended the authorities for undertaking the exercise, and said more needed to be done to permanently get the hawkers off the pavements.
Another resident, Mr Adolph Banks, also urged the government to put in a lot of effort to ensure that the hawkers did not return to the pavements.
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