Asantehene moots International Science Forum to mark 15th anniversary

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has mooted an International Science Forum as part of events to commemorate the 15^th anniversary of his ascension to the Golden Stool.

The focus, according to a statement, is to draw national attention to the need to advance the course of science in the pursuit of national development.

The two-day Forum scheduled for Kumasi on May 8-9, 2014, is organized in collaboration with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and other mainstream scientific institutions in Ghana. These include the Ghana Academy of Arts and Science, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Ghana Institution of Engineers and a number of eminent Ghanaian scientists in the diaspora.

According to the Chief of Staff at Manhyia Palace, Kofi Badu, the Ghanaian and international scientists will share experiences and insights as well as “brainstorm on how science may stimulate the creativity and innovation of Ghanaians and propel the nation’s development agenda forward”.

Policy makers from both the executive and legislative arms of government and key business and industry leaders would also participate to create an interface between science and business.

 

The theme is “Promoting Creativity and Innovation through Science, Technology and Enterprise”.

The Forum will run parallel to an exhibition to showcase Ghanaian efforts and achievements in scientific endeavors and global opportunities available for Ghanaians.

Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh 

Drug distributors charged to lead in fight against counterfeiting

Drug counterfeiting is global phenomenon with negative impact on public health, family livelihood and the economy.

The trade and consumption of counterfeit drugs increase mortality and morbidity because such drugs lack active ingredients, whilst patients, families, health system, industry and medicine regulatory authorities are over-burdened.

In Ghana, a counterfeit drug is defined as one which is deliberately or fraudulently mislabeled with respect to its identity or source, according to the Public Health Act 2011, Act 851.

Ashanti Zonal Manager of the Pharmacy Council, Kenneth Simmons, says the infinite demand for medicine is a major factor that encourages production of fake medicines.

Other factors include high prices of medicines and inability of consumers to detect counterfeit medicines.

 

Mr. Simmons however believes distributors and retailers have a major role to play in discouraging the trade in counterfeit products.

“If we source our products from the right manufacturers and registered distributors, definitely we can weed out these counterfeiters who bring in sub-standard or fake products,” he observed.

Mr. Simmons entreats drug distributors to ensure products are supplied using company invoices so that “in case any product or defect is detected on the product, we can just go straight to that point and try to correct it to put the public at ease”.

Ayrton Drug Manufacturing Limited has been engaging its wholesalers to detect fake and counterfeit drugs at the first annual regional wholesalers’ conference in Kumasi.

Regional Sales Manager of Ayrton Drug/Adcock Ingram, Benjamin Appiah, reiterated the company’s quest to ensure end-users of medicines access genuine and quality products.

He says the company is poised to be among the first three leading brands in the market by end of year.

Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh

Ghana needs more plant pathologists to fight pests and diseases in crop production

The changing climate variables pose a threat to the control of pest and disease invasions.

These invasions, driven by global warming, have serious implications for agriculture and food security, according to scientists.

Ghana’s production and export of food and cash crops have in years past been hampered by pests and diseases, affecting productivity at the farm gates and foreign exchange earnings.

The export of fruits like mangoes, for instance, has been banned from major international markets due to the negative impact of fruit flies and other plant pests and diseases.

The situation is compounded as a result of the drastic variation in the weather, observed Dr. Mary Apetorgbor, a 2013 Fellow of the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD).

“As a result of the variations in temperatures and precipitation, we have increasing population of pests and diseases and this is affecting farmers; its having adverse effects on our plantations and then on our food crops,” she said.

Ghana records an annual 20–50 percent post harvest loss in agricultural production, a trend that stifles the growth of other sectors of the economy.

Actors in Ghana’s agricultural production are calling for an increase in the number of trained plant pathologists to support other agricultural scientists in prevention and control of pests and diseases in crop production.

“There is a lot of reduction in products during storage due to diseases and that is how plant pathologist comes in; if you are able to identify the right causes and be able to put in place phytosanitary measures, then we would be able to reduce the losses that we are having from storage of crops,” observed Dr. Stella Ennin, Chief Research Scientists at the Crops Research Institute (CRI) of the Council for Scientific an Industrial Research (CSIR).

 

Referring to the cassava brown streak disease which was effectively contained in Ghana, she acknowledged the few pathologists in the system have been useful in preventing disease outbreaks in plants.

Dr. Ennin however says there is the need to train more plant doctors to lead the management of emerging plant pests and diseases.

As part of the drive, students at the Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology at the KNUST have been engaged to explore opportunities in plant pathology as a career option.

The seminar was organized by the Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG) of the CSIR in collaboration with the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD).

Dr. Apetorgbor, who spoke on the topic: “Sick Plants: Who Cares?” reiterated the need for young plant doctors to help in climate change mitigation activities.

“We need young people to take up studies in plant diseases to help solve this problem; we need plant doctors to form plant clinics together with other experts to solve this problem that is arising as a result of climate change,” she said.

Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh

African governments advised on climate change bio-diversity

The Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) has advised African governments to be keen on climate change and biodiversity in-order to eradicate worsening diseases and droughts that have hit the African continent.

Mr. Robert Muthami from PACJA warned that the worsening drought conditions and desertification, leading to more forest fires that disrupt subsistence agriculture, hunting and gathering livelihoods, as well as serious biodiversity loss are likely to increase unless some preventive measures are quickly taken by African governments.

“The impact of climate change on the indigenous people of Africa is real,” e observed. “There is growing increase in diseases associated with higher temperatures, vector-borne and water-borne diseases like cholera, malaria and dengue fever are rampant. This is a call for urgent action by African governments.”

 

The statements were made at a two day workshop organized by PACJA in collaboration with Indigenous Information Network (IIN) and Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

The workshop which discussed the Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity and Traditional Knowledge of Indigenous People and Local Communities is quite strategic in discussing the reeling climate change impacts and Vulnerabilities in Africa which squarely aligns with the Agenda of the IPCC WG II.

The workshop was attended by Civil Society and Government representatives from East Africa, North Africa, West Africa, Northern Africa and Southern Africa.

 

This coincides on the same day when the Tenth Session of the IPCC WGII is taking place in Yokohama, Japan. 

Cocoa livelihoods program expands to cover more farmers

The second phase of the Cocoa Livelihoods Program is targeting 20,000 farmers within the next four years with interventions to improve yield and incomes of farmers.

The Program seeks to increase cocoa production from the current 400-450kg per hectare to 1000kg/ha in the project areas from 2014–2018.

Activities to be implemented under the program include training farmers in good agricultural practices to increase productivity, access to farm inputs, additional livelihood support and creating market linkages.

“We are training them in food crops – cassava and plantain – and with that if we are able to engage in these additional livelihoods, it will create additional income for them and their households and that would also improve their household food security,” says Vincent Frimpong-Manu, Country Manager of Solidaridad.

Seven thousand farmers should be reached by end of 2014 in cocoa growing districts of Ahafo Ano North and South, Bibiani, Goaso, Nkawie and Nyinahin, he noted.

The scale-up program is a partnership between the World Cocoa Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Noble Resources and Solidaridad, a sustainable development not-for-profit organization.

The program also focuses on the nutrition of community members, especially children.

Nutritionist, Pearl Serlomey, observed children in farming communities often get malnourished during the lean crop season, when there is not enough foodstuff to feed the household.

Pearl, who involved in the implementation of the phase two to the cocoa livelihood program, is advocating improved storage system to ensure all year round access to food.

Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh

Microfinance companies in Ghana confident operational storm over

The Bank of Ghana made no mistake in licensing microfinance companies to operate in Ghana’s financial service space, says the Ghana Association of Microfinance Companies (GAMC).

Members are not enthused at recent comments by Managing Director of HFC Bank, Asare Akoffo, that the licensing of microfinance companies was a ‘mistake’, as he alluded to operational challenges within the microfinance sub-sector.

According to Mr. Akuffo, the regulator could have been more prudent in its decision by restricting microfinance authorization to traditional financial institutions such as the universal banks, savings and loans companies and rural banks.

 

National Chairman of the GAMC, Collins Amponsah-Mensah describes the comment as ‘unfortunate’, stating that the financial space of Ghana is still ‘virgin’ with high number of unbanked population.

“What are we fighting for?” he queried. “Microfinance is more of a social activity first before profit and every business person would want to access the profitability first before they go in; so for a lot of the banks it’s not an attractive area… so I think that Bank of Ghana didn’t make any mistake coming out with the regulation.”

Mr. Amponsah-Mensah says it behooves on industry players to ensure the sector develops in the interest of businesses and individuals at the micro level of the economy.

“If there are challenges, let us all propound solutions to it so that we can work together as a team and ensure that nobody is left out of the financial service space because you’ll grant a loan to a corporate entity to do business, I will grant a loan to a petty trader because the person also needs it to do business. At the end of the day, we all contribute to the economic performance of the country,” he opined.

The microfinance companies in the northern sector of Ghana have been taking stock of their performance in 2013.

They admit last year was a turbulent year for the financial sub-sector, with a good number of them going into liquidity challenges and others folding up, whilst clients of such firms lost money within the period.

According to the microfinance institutions, most of the challenges were self-inflicted, especially on the issue multi-branching which Franklin Belnye, BoG’s Head of Banking Supervision has described as “visibility not being viable”.

The MFIs failed to apply best practices in operations, whilst the Association could not adequately instill discipline in members, observed Mr. Amponsah Mensah.

He however believes the storm of distress and panic withdrawal is over, stating that 2014 looks favourable for the microfinance sub-sector.

“In the years ahead, people are going to be very careful in the way they do this business,” he said. “In the past, most of us felt that growing in numbers was equivalent to growing in branches and so there was that competition to just expand by opening branches here and there, but from what we went through last year, the lessons we’ve learnt is that growth doesn’t mean having several branches; you can stay in one branch and still grow.”

The industry regulator has licensed over 400 firms since the new regulation came into force.

Mr. Amponsah-Mensah expects the Bank of Ghana push a lot more attention to supervision to instill discipline in the industry.

“Let’s put in proper supervisory structures; let’s engage the Association, let’s charge them with some of the responsibilities so that they can also play a role to support with the supervision,” he suggested.

Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh

Climate change on agenda at 1st Africa Congress on Conservation Agriculture

More investments in agriculture will end hunger and lift millions out of poverty, according to the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) which marks its 10^th anniversary this year.

The CAADP process is among many African initiatives that are working to improve food security in Africa.

Conservative Agriculture (CA) programmes have been identified to provide climate smart options for African governments in addressing the food security situation.

Conservation Agriculture has been spreading steadily in Africa in recent years as a response to the ever increasing food insecurity, unsustainable farming and climate change challenges.

The concept combines profitable agricultural production with environmental concerns and sustainability.

 

The first Africa Congress on Conservation Agriculture held in Lusaka, Zambia, provided “a platform to share experiences, raise awareness about CA, facilitate interactions among the various schools of thought, and contribute to enhancing the promotion and adoption of CA as a way to farm productively, improve resilience in the ecosystems, and optimise both short and long term productive-ability of the land-water systems”.

The use of CA technologies, which address both land and water management, and productivity issues, has the potential to minimize the impact of some of the major causes of food insecurity, thus contributing to the success of food security initiatives at national, regional and continental levels.

To emphasize the central role of agriculture in Africa’s economic growth, the African Union has declared 2014 as the Year of Agriculture and Food Security.

Putting farmers at the centre of agricultural innovation and development is considered one of the effective ways towards sustainable production intensification.

CA is used in most of the world’s high-performing food production systems to strengthen soil structure and fertility, improve water retention and bring farmers savings in cost and labor for comparable yields.

Ghanaian firm sets standards in quality meat processing

Danish Minister for Trade and Development Cooperation, Mogens Jensen, has lauded a Kumasi-based meat processing firm for its standards in meat processing.

Santinos Fine Meats and Sausages Limited has over ten years of experience in the industry, providing healthy and high quality animal products from its own farm.

The company specializes in the retail sale and wholesale distribution of beef, chicken, pork, lamb and goat.

“Ninety percent of our health depends on what we eat, so we are saying to every Ghanaian, eat well, feel well and reduce your medical expenses,” said Managing Director of Santinos, David Kwabena Ntim.

Santinos is a beneficiary of a Danish-Ghanaian business-to-business partnership to build local capacity for value addition in the meat and food industry.

The collaborative initiative of the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) has helped establish the firm as an indigenous Ghanaian meat manufacturing plant with Danish standards.

“What Santinos has established here is a café, together with the shop where people can go out, sit and eat the nice products; that hasn’t happened in Denmark yet, so I’ll want to see the first butchery in Denmark who opens up a café where we can enjoy the nice products,” said the Danish Minister.

Mr. Jensen, who has been visiting projects established between Danish and Ghanaian companies, describes the relationship between the two economies as a win-win situation.

“This has been a very good cooperation because you have all the products here, all the ingredients for making nice foods and then Denmark you have some technologies in how to prepare the foods in a special way so you get a high quality,” he said.

The Danish Trade Minister has challenged Santinos to expand the meat processing plant and meat shop beyond the Ashanti region to other parts of Ghana, especially the capital city, Accra.

Mr. Ntim has welcomed the challenge, stating his company’s future plan is to empower Ghanaians to venture meat processing as a profession.

“I want to create businesses for other Ghanaians,” he said. “We want to open franchises for every Ghanaian that is interested; Santinos wants to retain itself as a retailer, so they can come and take a look at what we are doing here at the meat shop and we can make a meat shop for anybody where is ready to invest in it.”

Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh

We are at a tipping point in climate change

Dear friends,

We are at a tipping point. Climate change is not a far-off threat but a daily reality, as people already struggling against drought, floods and extreme weather events know all too well.

To avoid doing irreversible damage to the world we live in, The Elders believe that we must urgently change course and do everything in our power to move towards a carbon-neutral future. That is why we urged European leaders to set ambitious climate targets at this week’s EU summit; these targets will set the terms for further international negotiations over the next two years.

We can tackle climate change – we have the tools. But this requires global leadership and unprecedented international cooperation. As we said in January, “If ever there were a cause to unite us all, old or young, rich or poor, climate change must surely be it.”

On International Women’s Day, I addressed a UN meeting in Rome about how climate change exacerbates the vulnerability of women already suffering from unequal protection of the law and a lack of access to justice.

Mary Robinson

Conference to examine finance options for local communities adapting to climate change

An international conference in Nepal in April aims to show how to unlock finance that can help communities in developing countries adapt to climate change.

The 8^th International Conference on Community Based Adaptation (CBA8) on will explore ways to encourage the private sector to invest in adaptation and ensure that public finance reaches communities that need it.

The conference will gather policymakers, researchers and others to explore what funding is available and where, and assess how well it reaches those most exposed to the impacts of climate change.

Delegates will also examine ways to secure private sector finance to support community initiatives, for example through micro-credit and climate insurance.

“As the cost of adaptation rises, the need for finance to reach communities will grow more urgent,” says Dr Saleemul Huq, senior fellow at IIED. “Governments must strive to ensure public money can filter down to poorer communities, and create incentives for the private sector to invest in community-based adaptation.”

The conference will tackle barriers funding agencies face in distributing climate finance both fairly and efficiently, while government bodies will share experiences on building capacity to access and, importantly, spend adaptation finance.

The programme will also examine funds available to finance disaster risk reduction, and new methods governments can use to demonstrate to donors that they spend international finance for local adaptation wisely.

Three days of field visits that precede the conference will show delegates the challenges local communities face with finance for adaptation.

As the conference’s final outcome, delegates will make a joint declaration that will aim to ensure global and national adaptation funds prioritise the most vulnerable communities.

“Vulnerable communities can use their own knowledge and experiences to design and manage effective adaptation programmes, but they need finance to make this happen,” says Huq. “They know what works, but need funds to scale-up their efforts. CBA8 is an opportunity for practitioners to share lessons on how to do, and to emphasise to funding agencies, policymakers and others how important it is that private investment reaches local communities.”

The meeting is organised by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), the Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies and Clean Energy Nepal on behalf of Climate Change Network Nepal.

“CBA8 is an opportunity for Nepal to share the exemplary work it has done in community based adaptation and learn from the experiences of participants from all over the world,” says Sunil Acharya, Program Director at Clean Energy Nepal.

PACJA invests US$7,000 in Climate Change and Environment Reporting Awards 2014

Journalists across Africa have a chance to win thousands of dollars’ worth of prizes following the launch of the 2014 African Climate Change and Reporting Awards, popularly known as “ACCER Awards”.

Launching the three-month process at Intercontinental Hotel in Nairobi Kenya, the Secretary General of the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), Mithika Mwenda invited journalists across Africa to submit journalistic entries demonstrating how their work may have practically enhanced access to information and changed the society in a better way to respond to climate change.

“May the best journalist win the best prize,” he said amid applause from around 60 guests who witnessed the launch of the event.” He added “PACJA is proud to be a pioneer of this prestigious scheme and would like to welcome partners from all backgrounds to join us in the effort that will no doubt enable our media fraternity to contribute to the African narrative on climate change”.

Ms. Monica Morara, a representative of the UNEP regional Office for Africa, said that Communication is at the core of UNEP’s mandate, and the Agency has developed a strategic partnership with journalists, which materializes in ongoing provision of capacity building as well as information and knowledge sharing.

“We are involved in similar initiatives that place a premium on compelling stories occurring in Africa that report problems and solutions related to environmental issues,” she said, adding, “UNEP would like to reiterate its support to this landmark initiative that -we hope- will continue to gather more interests and go a long way.”

Among other guests who spoke during the event decried the loss of diversity due to global warming, warning that if not addressed, this could turn catastrophic to human-kind.

The second edition of ACCER Awards, which targets journalistic entries within the period July 1 2013 to May 15, 2014, has a broader category of prizes to be won, increasing two-fold from the 2013 scheme which had three categories.

Three journalists will take home overall prizes worth US$7,000, including US$1000 in cash as well as all-expense paid sponsorship to attend the 20^th session of the UN Summit on Climate Change in December 2014, which will take place in Lima, Peru.

A Cameroonian Veteran Journalists Elias Ntungwe Ngalame scooped the 2013 Print Journalist Award, while Pius Sawa of Uganda became the winner of the Broadcast journalist category. Dianne Nininahazwe, a female radio reporter based in Burundi won the only French category and was among the journalists who were sponsored by PACJA to attend and cover the two-week Warsaw Climate Change Conference which took place in Poland last in 2013.

Twenty-one finalists will be announced at a media event in Nairobi, Kenya during the World Environment Day on 5th June 2014. All the 21 finalists will attend the Award Gala Night to be held at the eve of the inaugural UNEP Environmental Assembly, which will be held at UNEP Headquarters in Gigiri, Nairobi on 23–27 June 2014.

 

This will be preceded by a 2-day networking and training retreat for the 21 journalists as part of PACJA and UNEP regional office for Africa’s effort to enable journalists attain the highest standards of excellence in Environmental reporting on Climate change issues in Africa. 

Local governance model developed for charcoal industry in Ghana

Interest groups in Ghana’s forestry are developing local governance arrangements to regularize activities of charcoal producers to sustain the industry.

The ‘Forest Connect’ project provides a strong regulation for the charcoal economy to reduce the sector’s contribution to environmental degradation.

The €31,200 project is jointly funded by the Tropenbos International Ghana (TBI) and the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED).

The sustainable production of charcoal is important in enhancing rural livelihoods.

The implementation is in response to the ad hoc manner under which charcoal production in Ghana has been traditionally carried out – largely unregulated and unsustainable.

Project Coordinator, Kwame Appiah Owusu, says perennial issues regarding accessibility to forest resource, sustainability, production methods and marketing are being addressed.

The forest governance agreement will support small and medium forest enterprises to restore sanity in the charcoal producing industry.

The charcoal producers are also forming associations for the establishment of tree plantations and woodlots to replenish Ghana’s dwindling forest cover and to serve as raw material for the charcoal industry.

Mr. Appiah Owusu believes the initiative will ensure the full potential of the sector for rural sustainable livelihoods is realized.

A one year multi-stakeholder process is being piloted in the Atebubu-Amantin District of the Brong Ahafo region.

Studies are underway to ensure the initiative sees a national adoption and application.

Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh

ICU Ashanti issues resolution for government to fix the economy

The Ashanti regional council of the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) has issued an eight point resolution calling on government to “rethink, redirect and restructure polices” for the national economy to inure to the benefit of the Ghanaian worker.

Concerns raised at the Union’s annual meeting in Kumasi included the falling rate of the Ghana cedi and workers purchasing power; corruption; salary disparities and conditions of service; and general cost of living affection the workers.

Others issues are the over-burden tax system, poor management of the pension fund and abandonment of state owned enterprises.

According to Regional ICU Secretary, Simon Baba Alootey, the contract license of Neoplan Ghana has been withdrawn since 2009. This, he says, is leading to the imminent collapse of the company as it is unable to build coaches to feed the Metro Mass Transport system.

 

“The mismanagement and abandonment of state owned enterprises such as Neoplan Ghana Limited can no longer be tolerated by the ICU in the region and therefore call on the government to take urgent steps to restore Neoplan Ghana to its original state,” said the ICU.

The Council called on government to stop importation of Chinese buses into the country but renew contract with Neoplan Ghana to create and sustain employment opportunities.

The Council also noted with great dismay the growing rate of unemployment in the country and its effect on labour and wants the Ministry of Employment to provide concrete policy in addressing the canker.

The ICU has charged government to take the necessary steps to address the concerns by 1^st May, 2014, else “would be left with no other option than to embark on series of demonstrations and street protests to register its displeasure in the way the country is being managed”.

Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh

Ghanaian among WEF’s Young Global Leaders from Africa

The World Economic Forum has announced new members selected to join the Forum of Young Global Leaders. The 214 exceptional young individuals have been recognized for their achievements and contribution to society.

Nineteen of the selected leaders are from sub-Saharan Africa, including Ghana’s Bernice Dapaah, the Executive Director of the Ghana Bamboo Bikes Initiative, a social enterprise which uses locally sourced bamboo and labour to make strong, simple, lightweight bicycles.

The Young Global Leaders (YGLs) come from diverse backgrounds and bring a range of expertise to the community from across the world.

Over 50% of the new intake are women, half come from the private sector and half from the public sector, including academia, arts and culture, civil society, government, media and not-for-profit organizations.

“The YGL Community assembles the world’s most outstanding next-generation leaders who have a proven record of extraordinary achievement and helps them further develop in their leadership journey,” said David Aikman, Managing Director and Head of New Champions at the World Economic Forum.

“The community provides its members with a peer network that challenges them to not only do more, but to be more. Being part of the YGL Community is a transformational experience, where leaders turn their personal success into global significance and positive impact in their countries, industries and areas of expertise,” he said.

The YGL Class of 2014 includes 49 individuals from East Asia, 46 from Europe, 16 from Latin America and the Carribean, 18 from the Middle East and North Africa, 49 from North America and 17 from South Asia.

Thirteen African YGLs have the chance to benefit from the Dangote Fellowship, created in collaboration with Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Group.

The aim is to increase the quality and quantity of young African leaders across the continent by supporting the engagement of African YGLs in the community, such as those from small enterprises or the non-business sector.

“Being recognized by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader is a huge honor, given the rigorous nature of the selection process and the exceptional caliber of entrants from across the globe,” said Bernice Dapaah. “I fully embrace the opportunity to become partners with many of my fellow Young Global Leaders as we contribute our quota to solve some of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century.”

The Fellowship helps YGLs from Africa attend YGL and World Economic Forum events and funds the organization of an YGL Africa Education Module.

The YGL Community has more than 900 active members, representing every region of the world.

Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh

Danish Ambassador visits site for new SMIDO industrial complex

Danish Ambassador, Margit Thomsen, has paid a working visit to Suame Magazine to inspect the new 1000 acre site intended to be developed into a globally competitive industrial complex for the artisans.

The fact-finding tour was to explore the prospects of committing technical support from the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) in the development of the industrial complex.

The Ambassador expressed her profound impression on the prospects of Suame Magazine to achieving a significant height in technological development and economic prosperity for Ghana. 

She expressed the readiness of the Danish Embassy to commit funding for technical support to the project to meet the requisite international design.

Traditional custodians and other stakeholders are to resolve issues on the land title and other commitments required to secure the Danish Government’s commitment by the second quarter of this year.

The President of SMIDO, Sarpong Boateng, described the Ambassador’s visit as “historic and re-assuring to the teaming artisans whose livelihood is at the risk of collapse and requires urgent intervention”.

The artisans currently are faced with the difficulty of coping with the new technology in vehicular repairs and securing a permanent industrial space for their operations in the region.

Mr. Boateng has made a passionate appeal to the Asantehene and political leaders in the region to actively intervene to resolve the necessary bottlenecks to facilitate Danish government funding to set the basis for the project.

He says obtaining the support of DANIDA within this short time-frame is a serious test to the commitment of the region’s leadership not only to support the development of Suame Magazine but also the development of the region as a whole.

Consultant to SMIDO, Nyaaba-Aweeba Azongo, says the visit is a major boost to the prospects of transforming the industrial estate into a modern one.

Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh 

Ghana’s SMATI Turtle showcased as first Bi-Cultural model vehicle in the world

A special ceremony has been organized in the Netherlands to unveil the second-phase of developing Ghana’s model vehicle, the ‘SMATI Turtle’ as the first Bi-Cultural Vehicular Model in the World.

The event in Rotterdam brought the business community and captains of the automobile industry in the Netherlands to unveil the project as an evolving Dutch-Ghana Model Car.

Organized by a leading media institution, the V2 media-institute, the event was witnessed by over 1000 audience in the Netherland as part of a historic festival in Holland.

Latest reports also indicate the SMATI Turtle has made a stunning record in Germany as the most watched automobile prototype on German TV with an estimated audience of over 2-million.

The second phase of the project is intended to mobilize the best of Dutch and Ghanaian expertise and investment partnerships to build a global vehicular brand that mirrors the cultures of both countries.

The “SMATI Turtle 1” was built under a partnership between the Suame Magazine Industrial Development Organization (SMIDO) and a Netherlands based NGO, AARDSCHAP Foundation using simple tools from a cluster of engineering workshops of artisans at Suame.

The vehicle was shipped to Europe in April 2013 for an international exhibition to attract investors for large scale commercial production to serve the African market.

According to Consultant to SMIDO, Nyaaba-Aweeba Azongo “the adoption of Dutch-Ghana series of SMATI Turtle brand would promote a new culture of Euro-African cooperation in technological advancement that would become a major policy to promote global partnership under the regional investment gateway project  to transform Suame Magazine into a globally-competitive industrial hub in Africa”.

Joost Van Onna and Melle Smets, the Dutch counterparts on the project, say the SMATI Turtle prototype has already made history in terms of whipping European interest beyond Holland.

According to Joost, the principal interest is to promote Euro-African partnership in technological advancement and to advance a strong diplomatic relations between the Netherlands and Ghana as well as promote Ghana as an emerging industrial giant of Africa to drive global industrial investment.

The SMATI Turtle will be shipped back to Ghana by the last quarter of 2014.

Mr. Azongo says the events in Rotterdam would be replicated in Ghana, including media activities and drive-through principal streets of Accra. It will finally be sent to Kumasi for the commencement of the project’s second phase.

Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh