Day: June 21, 2024

This year’s Refugee Day has been celebrated at Tarikom, the Resettlement Center in the Bawku West District of the Upper East Region with a call to show more solidarity with refugees and work towards making them feel welcome in a friendlier world.

The occasion which was observed with diverse cultural displays from young and old from the host community and asylum seekers was celebrated on the theme; ‘For a world where refugees are welcomed.’

It was attended by the Catholic Bishop of Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocese, Most Reverend Alfred Agyenta, The Bawku West District Chief Executive, Mr Daniel Anania Atanpuba, Heads of Department (HODs), representatives of partner NGOs, the refugees and school children.

Mr Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, in a speech read on his behalf by Mr Djerassem Mbalorem, the UNHCR Head of Office, called for the need to celebrate the millions of people around the world who have been forced to flee violence and persecution.

‘ We celebrate their remarkable f
ortitude, and capacity for renewal despite the daunting challenges they face,’ he said.

‘We live in a world where conflicts are left to fester, the political will to resolve them seems utterly absent and even as these crises multiply, the right to seek asylum is under threat and to make matters worse the global effects of climate change take an even more devastating toll,’ the UN High Commissioner noted.

He reiterated that the day was also celebrated for the progress made so far and said, ‘Let’s not leave refugees in limbo, instead let’s give them the chance to use their skills and talents to contribute to the communities that have welcomed them.’

Mr Djerassem Mbalorem shared some light on the Tarikom settlement centre and thanked the Government and the people of Ghana for the tireless hospitality given to brothers and sisters from Burkina Faso.

He noted that since March 2023, the Ghana Refugee Board, working through UNHCR and stakeholders, made tireless efforts in providing protection and assistance in v
arious sectors to the asylum seekers in some host communities.

He said the exceptional collaboration led to a consortium of reception settlement centres in Tarikom and the inclusion of asylum seekers into National Services such as health and education as well as the enrolment of 237 children into primary school. Also, 860 asylum seekers had been enrolled on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

He commended the Chiefs of Tarikom and Tilli for opening their hearts and doors to the asylum seekers by providing land for accommodation at the settlement centre.

‘On this World Refugee Day, let us recall our common humanity to help rekindle the flame of hope for all asylum seekers from Burkina Faso until conditions are conducive for their return home,’ he appealed.

With the deterioration situation in Burkina Faso, over 15,000 asylum seekers are estimated to have crossed the borders into Ghana including more than 8,000 in the Upper East R and the number of new arrivals from Burkina is likely to continue to
rise as the security situation deteriorates going forward.

Four Motorbikes were donated to the Police command of the district to support the key security roles played in ensuring safety in the area, while a tree planting exercise was undertaken with the Catholic Bishop planting the first tree.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Residents and motorists plying Jasikan to WoraWora corridor roads of the Oti Region are lamenting the bad state of the road network.

The rehabilitation of Jasikan-Worawora roads was awarded on August 20, 2020, and was supposed to be completed on February 19, 2022.

A visit by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the stretch noticed that the road was riddled with deep potholes that make driving a harrowing experience for motorists.

It was learnt that it was more difficult driving on the roads when it rains as drivers are at the risk of not knowing how deep the potholes filled with rainwater are.

Some motorists, who shared their pains with GNA, while trying to find their way through the bad roads urged the Ghana Highway Authority, government, and Biakoye District Assembly to consider their plight and fix the road urgently.

Mr Elijah Amanyaglo, a driver said motorists were deceived into believing that the road was ready for fixing, when excavators, motor graders, pavers, road rollers, wheel loaders, truck cranes,
backhoes, bulldozers, compactors, and other road construction equipment were brought down during 2020.

A resident identified as Mr Anane Totokari, recalled how the deplorable state of the road nearly caused an accident and left him with a permanent scar on his right leg.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Madam Angela List, a Ghanaian businesswoman and owner of Nguvu Holdings says Jordanian authorities have not issued any warrant for her arrest.

‘The defamatory allegation that Jordian Authorities have issued an arrest warrant and travel restrictions against me is a complete fabrication.

Further, the claim that I forged corporate documents and obtained a false power of attorney in Jordan to remove Paul List’s control over his company is preposterous.’

In a statement issued and signed by Angela List in Accra, the businesswoman also denied embezzling millions of dollars from a Jordanian company.

‘I have never embezzled any funds from any company, and I have consistently maintained the highest possible standards of integrity and transparency in my business dealings in Jordan.

These unsubstantiated allegations are nothing more than a deliberate endeavour to undermine my credibility and reputation.’

Madam Angela List was reacting to publications in a section of the media.

According to the businesswoman, the
such articles were not just repleted with unsubstantiated, defamatory and fraudulent allegations against her, but it was also to cause significant damage to her reputation.

‘I categorically and fervently refute each allegation made in the article.

According to Angela List, the accusation that she was involved in a web of deceit and corruption that spanned multiple countries was wholly unfounded and devoid of any credible evidence.

Again, the claim that she received preferential treatment within the Weah-led government in Liberia and benefited from her father’s political connections in Ghana was false and misleading.

‘My professional accomplishment stands as a testament to my own diligence, hard work and commitment, entirely independent of any political influence.

I have never capitalised on political connections for personal benefit and any suggestion that I have done so is a flagrant misrepresentation of my business ethics, values and character.’

According to her, over the years, she had the privilege
of leading ‘a talented team’ that had built a reputation of integrity and excellence in Liberia’s mining industry, predating the administration of former President Weah.

‘Our success is a direct result of our collective tireless work ethic, firm dedication and resolute commitment to ethical business practices. As the leader of this team, I am proud of the achievements we have made together, which testify to the hard work, expertise and dedication of each team member.

Together, we remain steadfast in our steadfast commitment to conducting responsible and sustainable mining operations, playing an essential role in fostering the growth and development of Liberia’s Mining Sector whilst prioritizing the well-being of local communities and the environment.

Angela List denied that she was compelled to resign from BCM Group on allegations of negligence, theft, and malfeasance.

The businesswoman said she remained a shareholder and a director of BCM Group of mining contracting companies (made up of BCM Internationa
l Limited and BCM Ghana Limited) and she was largely responsible for the success of the company from the year 2001 to 2021.

‘During my tenure at the helm of affairs at BCM Group, I did not face any allegations of misconduct and was responsible for the Company’s success in securing many contracts across the region and in Jordan.

She implored SNA, Opera News and other media houses to provide any evidence to substantiate those unfounded accusations.

‘The allegation that I unlawfully transferred ownership of BCM Group assets to my own company, Nguvu Holdings, without the knowledge of my business partner and estranged husband, Paul List, is a blatant falsehood and devoid of any basis of fact.

With the consent of all relevant parties, we conducted all business transactions and asset transfers with the utmost transparency, in compliance with all legal requirements and in all fairness, taking into account any financial contribution made,’ she said.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The 2024 World Intelligence Expo (WIE) commenced on June 20 in Tianjin. Themed ‘Intelligence: Expansive Development Space, Sustainable Growth Driver,’ the expo was co-hosted by the people’s governments of Tianjin and Chongqing municipalities.

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the expo, pointing out that AI, as an important driving force for a new round sci-tech revolution and industrial transformation, will have a far-reaching impact on global economic and social development and human civilization progress.

In his letter, Xi also noted that China has attached great importance to the development of AI, actively driven the deep integration of the Internet, big data and AI with real economy to cultivate and build the intelligent industry, accelerate the development of new quality productivity, and provide new momentum for high-quality development.

Chen Min’er, secretary of the CPC Tianjin Committee, addressed the opening ceremony of the expo. Wan Gang, chairman of China Association
for Science and Technology, delivered the keynote speech.

Hu Henghua, mayor of Chongqing; Wu Zhaohui, vice president of Chinese Academy of Sciences; Liu Liehong, head of the National Data Administration; Long Teng, vice minister of the Ministry of Science and Technology; and Shan Zhongde, vice minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, addressed the expo, respectively. Tianjin Mayor Zhang Gong presided over the opening ceremony.

In his speech, Chen Min’er pointed out that Tianjin has been adhering to sci-tech innovation and industrial innovation at the same time, actively propelling exploration and practical applications in the realm of AI, and accelerating the development of new quality productivity to better empower its high-quality development and living.

Chen added, ‘Leading sci-tech innovation with intelligence, Tianjin will rev up the R and D and application of some key core technologies, vigorously develop the sci-tech service sector, streamline the supply and demand channels f
or sci-tech achievements, boost sci-tech and innovation parks to improve their quality and efficiency, and accelerate the inter-sector application of AI to help innovation and breakthroughs in the fields of life science, low-carbon technology, and future research.

According to Hu Henghua, Chongqing is speeding up in digital industrialization and industrial digitization to build itself into a new digital economy highland. The 2025 World Intelligence Expo is scheduled to be held in Chongqing. Hu invited everyone to delineate a new AI landscape together, share golden opportunities during the digitization of Chongqing, and co-build a promising future in the AI era.

Wu Zhaohui suggested strengthening the inter-discipline cooperation to consolidate the AI research foundation, enriching AI scenarios with applets, and deepening industry-institute interactions to build an AI innovation ecosystem.

Zeng Yi, chairman of China Electronics Corporation; Chen Zhongyue, chairman of China Unicom; Yang Yuanqing, chairman and
CEO of Lenovo; and Zhou Hongyi, founder of Qihoo 360 delivered speeches.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Jubilee Catholic Children Hospital at Apowa in the Ahanta West Municipality of the Western Region, has launched its fifth anniversary to celebrate success chalked in healthcare service delivery since its establishment in 2019.

The Hospital, which started operating as a Paediatric Hospital, now provides general healthcare services to both children and adults.

Mr Daniel Bomah, the Hospital’s Administrator, said the fifth-anniversary celebration sought to strengthen partnerships and sustain excellence in healthcare service delivery.

He said the facility had made significant strides over the past five years in providing quality healthcare service to clients, saying ‘The hospital started with 6,000 patients, but now we attend to about 41,000 of them per annum which is a great achievement.’

Touching on other achievements, he mentioned that they had introduced new services to help meet the needs of patients in areas such as ultrasound and mental health units, and laboratories and secured National Health Ins
urance Scheme (NHIS) accreditation.

Mr Bomah said: ‘Despite the successes chalked so far, we will need the support of everyone to help the Hospital continue providing quality healthcare services to clients within the Municipality, Region and country at large.’

Mr Eric Daning, Board Director of Ahantaman Rural Bank and Guest Speaker for the occasion, commended the Catholic Church for establishing the Hospital to cater for the health needs of the people of Apowa and beyond.

He encouraged the management and staff of the Hospital to give to humanity through the administering of proper healthcare services, saying, ‘Look beyond the appearance of clients and give the best of health care irrespective of their status and background.’

He called on corporate bodies and individuals to support a worthy course by helping the Hospital grow with the necessary medical equipment and facilities to help enhance their service delivery.

The Most Reverend John Baptist Attakruh, the Bishop of Sekondi-Takoradi Catholic Diocese,
pledged the Church’s commitment to support the Hospital to achieve its vision and mission for the betterment of all and the Catholic church.

He encouraged the health care providers to keep up with the good work as ‘Service to mankind is service to God.’

As part of the anniversary celebration scheduled between July and October this year, some activities which would be held include retreat, health screening, outreach, public lecture, family meeting, float, and dinner night, among others.

Source: Ghana News Agency