Inesfly Africa Supports Schools To Fight Bedbugs

 Inesfly Africa, the only producer of insecticide paints, has embarked on a nationwide exercise to support schools to effectively fight the increasing bedbug menace.

Michael Sjodin, CEO of Inesfly

The exercise, which largely forms part of the company’s corporate social responsibility programme, involves the spraying of some selected bedbug infested schools, holding bedbug prevention seminars for school authorities.

Recently, there have been increasing reports of bedbug invasion of schools across the country, with boarding schools being the most affected from the bloodsucking insect invasion.

The company, whose innovative insecticide paint in helping households and institutions to fight mosquitoes to reduce malaria, is leveraging on its expertise and internationally acclaimed insecticides including the bedbug spray solution, to support in addressing the bedbug pandemic that is currently confronting schools.

Olivia Asiedu-Ntow, Communication Manager

So far the Keta Senior High School in the Volta region and Odorgonno Senior High School in Accra, have benefitted from the spraying and painting exercise which has relieved the two schools of bedbugs mosquitoes and cockroaches in their dormitories.

During an interaction with journalists in Accra, Olivia Asiedu-Ntow, Chief Communication Officer of Inesfly, which is operating a local production plant as a wholly owned Ghanaian company, said the company moved swiftly to save the situation because of the danger the bedbug infestation posed to students.

 “Inesfly is here to eradicate the infestation, and we want to work with as many schools, boarding houses, hostels, hospitals, local government and many stakeholders to rid these institutions of such an ordeal.

“Bedbugs should be a thing of the past and we hope with the positive effects from the schools and hospitals we have treated the rest shall surely follow and utilise our innovative products,” she said.

The company, she said, was currently planning to collaborate with the Ghana Education Service, and the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, in rolling out the next phase its anti-bedbug and anti-malaria programme for the selected schools.

Alfred Kafui Amorin, Sales Manager of Inesfly, touching on the treatment results from the two beneficiary schools, said the feedback showed positive results, adding that “bedbugs are now a thing of the past, and students are happier and more awake in class.”

Keta Senior High School

Joenaa Cakes & Bakes Supports Otoase Orphanage

Mrs Danquah being assisted by the children to cut a cake for their party

Joenaa Cakes and Bakes, a bakery and training centre in Accra has donated assorted items in support of the Eye of the Lord Orphanage at Otoase near Nsawam in the Eastern Region.

The donation, which was to demonstrate the company’s commitment to its social responsibility, was to help the management of the orphanage to effectively take care of the children.

The items included food items, toiletries, used clothes, confectioneries and an undisclosed amount of money.

In addition to the donation, the company also feted the children with food and products of the company. The officials of the company also interacted with the children during which the children were motivated to learn and be disciplined.

Mrs. Janet Naa Danquah, Chief Executive of Joenaa Cakes, presenting the items, said the company decided to show love to the children by supporting their upkeep at the Home.

She commended the management for their commitment in providing a home for the children, and promised them more assistance, especially in the area of education.

Odaw,Korle Lagoon Dredging Yields Results---AMA

By Edmund Mingle

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) says the ongoing dredging of the Odaw drain and Korle Lagoon is paying off as the channel has been able to contain more flood waters following heavy rains in the last two days.

But for the dredging through which is over 70 per cent of the channel has been desilted, the flooding situation in Accra would have been worse.

Although the Assembly is happy for the results from the dredging exercise being undertaken by Dredge Masters Limited, a subsidiary of Zoomlion Ghana, it admits that more work remained to be done in freeing up the drains in the capital.

Mr. Graham Sarbah, Drains Maintenance Director at AMA, interacting with journalists during a tour of the Korle Lagoon area on Monday after Sunday night’s heavy downpour, said apart from the dredging of the Odaw channel, a number of key storm drains were desilted by the Assembly in preparation for the raining season.

Mr. Graham Sarbah addressing journalists at the Korle Lagoon site

He said due to the poor environmental practices by households and individuals that continue to result in the choking of drains with solid waste, there has to be sustained dredging exercises across the capital to ensure the free flow of flood water.

He said it was regrettable that in spite of the increase public education against indiscriminate waste disposal, people continue to dispose rubbish into drains, most of which congregate in the main Odaw and Korle Lagoon, resulting in a reduction of water intake by the channel.

Mr. Sarbah, who was accompanied by officials of Dredge Masters on the tour, said the attitude of Ghanaians especially those living along the drains must change, otherwise the country would continue to use money that could have been sued for other projects, to desilt drains.

He said the drains the Assembly has desilted in Accra which he desbed as a low lying area, included the Kaneshie, Mamponse, Shukura, Achimota-Apenkwa and Sowutuom channels that connect to the Odaw drain.

During the tour, the team found large quantity of waste materials, mostly plastic waste that has undertaken portions of the Korle Lagoon end of the Odaw channel.

That, according to Mr. Sarbah, meant more work for the dredging machines.

Mr. Ansara Ahmed Khan, Project Director of Dredge Masters, also told Journalists that although more than 70 per cent of the work had been done, the company has intensified its operations so as ensure that the lagoon was adequately ready for the rains.

As a result, he said two more dredging machines, known as “Water Masters,” and four excavators would soon be deployed to the site augment the fleet so as to speed up operations. Currently, four water masters, four excavators and a number of tipper trucks are being used for the exercise.

For his part, Thomas Mustapha Ashong, Presiding Member of AMA, commended the dredging company for the progress of the exercise, and assured the company of the continuous support and cooperation from the Assembly in ensuring the success  of the project.

96 Ghanaian Youths Receive Head of State Awards

By Edmund Mingle

Vice President Amissah-Arthur welcoming
Prince Edward to the Flagstaff House

The Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur and Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, yesterday jointly presented the Head of State Awards (HOSA) to 96 young enterprising Ghanaians who have excelled in various fields of endeavour.

The awards scheme, which is under the auspices of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award scheme, is to honour young people who have thrived to make achievements changing society through selfless contributions and innovation means.

Vice President Amissah-Arthur and Prince Edward presented Gold Awards to the 96 awardees who have already won the mandatory bronze and silver award categories that qualified them to compete for gold.

The two sides holding a meeting before the awards ceremony

HOSA is a positive challenge that provides an ‘out of classroom’ self-development and learning opportunities for young people.

It facilitates their personal development through life experiences, experiential learning and skills development.

The awards ceremony, which was held at the Flagstaff House in Accra, had the theme, celebrating the achievements of young people.”

Vice President Amissah Arthur and Prince Edward in a pose with the awardees

Vice President Amissah-Arthur, congratulated the awardees for the achievement, and lauded the objective of the scheme, which he said has helped to unearth talents in young people.

He was happy that most of the award recipients took part in various forms of community service, which he said was key in building the values of patriotism, self confidence, creativity to solve community challenges and environmental consciousness among the youth.

He described HOSA as a valuable partner in community and youth development, adding that the increasing number of awardees from Ghana demonstrates the ability of young people to act as agents of change.

The Vice President also commended Prince Edward for visiting Ghana to support the event, and assured HOSA of government’s continued support and cooperation.

Prince Edward, for his part, noted that since its launch 60 years ago, the Award has inspired millions of young people to transform their lives.

“Through innovation, creativity and non formal education, the Award continues to play a critical role in the development of young people,” he said, adding that the scheme has produced remarkable stories across the globe.

According to him, the award, which currently covers 140 countries, continue to inspire young people to engage in community service and contribute towards provision solutions to developmental challenges.

He also congratulated the awardees for the achievement, and urged them utilised the skills and knowledge gained in the process to continue make positive impact on society.

Nii Lante Vanderpuye, Minister of Youth and Sport, in his remarks, gave the assurance that the Ministry would offer the needed support to ensure that it is expanded in Ghana to unearth more talents across the country.

Prince Edward interacting with some of the awardees

Avnash Hikes Investment In Locally Made Products

By Edmund Mingle

Avnash Industries Ghana Limited, a leading agribusiness company has launched its new range of locally produced vegetable oil in its quest to support the campaign for made in Ghana goods.

Golden Drop Oil is produced from crude Palm Oil (CPO) from locally available sources which is refined and processed at the company’s plant at the Tema Free Zone enclave.

The plant, currently produces 500 metric tonnes of edible-oil per day, and employs about 500 employees who run on a shift basis, but indirectly creates over 2,000 jobs through the sourcing of raw materials from local farms and the establishment of oil palm plantations.

Bhagwan K. Mirchandani (right) and the CEO
 unveiling the vegetable oil brands

Aside the vegetable oil, the company also re-launched its locally produced rice, “Royal Farmers,” and its locally produced soap branded as “Oly.”

The company believes that its increased investment in locally produced brands, would complement efforts at promoting made in Ghana products which are of high quality comparable to foreign products.

“Our soil-to-kitchen strategy is what we believe is the key to eradicating poverty and getting out of the inherited rise of food prices,” said Jai Arjan Mirchandani, Chief Executive Officer of Avnash.

He explained that the company, which was established in Ghana in 2001, invested in the edible oil refinery plant with the aim of supporting the country to cut its high cost on importing vegetable oil and other food items, adding that Ghana has a lot of local materials to rely on.

He said the products from local firms such as Avnash and other companies show that it was possible for Ghana to produce quality and internationally competitive products using local raw materials.

“We believe that that whatever we produce in Ghana, be it oil, rice or soap that has the dreams, hopes and aspirations of the people, we are sharing their story through our brands,” he said.

As part of the launching, the company also unveiled its Corporate Social Responsibility project in which hundreds of pushcarts and tricycles would be distributed to physically challenged people to aid their mobility.

The facility would enable the beneficiary physically challenged people to engage in income generating activities by using the carts to sell products, including those of the company.

The Chairman of Avnash Group of Companies, Bhagwan K. Mirchandani, was optimistic the project would make a positive impact by enabling deprived physically challenged people to take advantage of business opportunities to generate income to improve their welfare.

Admiral Dzang Memorial School opens

By Edmund Mingle

The restructured and renamed Admiral Dzang Memorial School at Nima in Accra, was inaugurated on Saturday amidst excitement among parents and children in the area.
The school, formerly known as Hillside School Complex was renamed after its co-founder, the late Rear Admiral Chemogoh Kevin Dzang, a former Chief of Naval Staff.

The renaming was part of a restricting exercise undertaking to enable the school, which survived a number of challenges that threatened its sustenance to effectively respond to emerging challenges.

Real Admiral Tahiru (right), Vice Admiral Quarshie (fourth from right),
Mrs Dzang and other dignitaries after unveiling the plaque

Among other objectives, the restructuring, according to the management of the school, has helped to expand the facilities for increased enrolment to effectively serve the deprived community of Nima.

Mrs. Emelia Dzang, the Proprietress of the school, noted that after the demise of her husband, the school almost closed down but for the support of their children, family members and parents in the community.

According to her, the determination to use the school to nurture the talents of children in the deprived community of Nima to become productive citizens, continues to sustain the school.

Vice Admiral Matthew Quashie, a former Chief of Defence Staff and former Chief of Naval Staff, and Rear Admiral Munir Muhammed Tahiru, former Commandant of the Ghana Military Academy, speaking at the ceremony, both commended the family for keeping alive the late Dzang’s dream of training leaders.

According to them, the late Real Admiral Dzang, who they described as their mentor, was interested in training people to become independent thinkers and leaders to serve the nation.

Some of the pupils entertaining the dignitaries
with a cultural performance

Mrs. Victoria Susuawa, headmistress of the school, in her address, noted that the enrolment increased from 92 to 105 last term, adding that the figure was expected to rise in the next term.

He called for more collaboration between parents and teachers for the benefit of the children, saying such collaboration would provide a congenial environment for the children.

Rear Admiral Chemogoh Kevin Dzang was born on July 27, 1941 at Nandom in the Upper West Region of Ghana. He is a retired naval officer and a former Chief of Naval Staff between 1973 to 1974. He also served Ghana as a Secretary of State for Defence and an ambassador to Japan with concurrent accreditations to the Commonwealth of Australia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam and Thailand. He passed away in December 2009.

Vice Admiral Quarshie addressing the gathering

GHEITI Advocates Open Bidding For Mining Concessions

By Edmund Mingle

The 2014 Ghana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GHEITI) Report has called for a review of the mining licensing regime that allows the Minerals Commission to grant licences on a “first- come first-serve basis.”

According to the report on the mining sector, the first-come first serve condition does not make the licensing system productive.

Mining concessions are often characterized with controversy

“The determination of who came first is left to the Commission. Again the country could possibly be losing needed funds.

“In order to ensure full transparency in the system, an open round of bidding should be conducted with the highest bidder obtaining the concession. This will ensure transparency and also has the potential of generating higher revenue,” the report recommended

It also suggested to the Minerals Commission to expedite plans of introducing the tendering process.

At a media workshop organised by the Institute of Financial Journalists (IFEJ), in partnership with GIZ, the German Development Cooperation, at Dodowa near Accra, to discuss the report, Mr. Kwaku Boa-Amponsem of Boas & Associates, which produced the report, noted that that there was a need for more transparency in the licensing regime.

Currently, per the regulations of the Minerals Commission, applications for mining lease and licence, including reconnaissance/prospecting mineral right for concessions, are dealt with on a “first-come first- considered basis, which means that, no application would be considered until the first in time goes through the process and is rejected.

But Boa-Amponsem explained that the current regime is prone to corruption, especially as the Commission is the sole determinant of who first applied for a mining concession.

In addition, he said some companies who do not have the resources to proceed after the reconnaissance and prospecting stages, would secure the licence only to sell the concession to make profit.

As recommended by the report, he was confident that through an open bidding process the Commission would be able to determine which companies have the resources to operate so as to derive the needed benefits for the State and host communities.

The Commission is often accused of not being transparent in the granting of licences and mining lease.

For instance, the Ghana Association of Small Scale Miners (GASSM), last month, accused the Commission of lack of transparency in allocating mineral concession for mining.

According to GASSM, lands or concessions have become difficult to secure from the Minerals Commission as certain individuals are allocated the concession who in turn lease to the miners.

Toni Aubynn, CEO of Minerals Commission

But the Commission refuted the claims, saying “the small-scale mining license acquisition process, guided by the Minerals and Mining Act and the Minerals and Mining (Licensing) Regulations, is transparent, neutral and based on merit.”

Touching on the development of the mining sector, the Report expressed worry over the delay in passage of the Mineral Development Fund (MDF) Bill into law, which it said was hampering transfer and utilisation of funds to the mining sector institutions for effective execution of projects.

The Report recorded over GH21 million  as the amount spent on mining sector institutions for 2014 , excluding the transfer to Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands, representing less than 10 per cent of the royalty proceeds meant for MDF activities.

“It is recommended that Parliament, at the earliest convenience, pass the MDF bill into law to ensure strict adherence of disbursement requirements to sector institutions,” the Report noted.