By Kekeli Blamey 

Adidime (V/R), April 1, GNA-The Global Evangelical Church’s (GEC) Vision Chapel in Adidome, in the Central Tongu District, has climaxed the “Ghana Month “celebration with spectacular cultural display, showcasing the traditions of the Anlo, Vedome and Tongu people.  

This event was part of the church’s initiative aimed at promoting cultural integration and unity among its congregants, is a vibrant celebration of Ghana’s rich cultural heritage. 

Over the past two weeks, the Church had provided a platform for congregants from Tongu and Vedome to share their cultural heritage, and the Anlo community took centre-stage on this occasion.  

The event featured mesmerizing drumming and dancing, including traditional dances like Agbadza, Borborbor, Misego and Kinka. 

Reverend Israel Kwasi Ahalie, Parish Pastor of the church, emphasized the significance of celebrating Ghana Month, stating that it fosters cultural and tribal integration among congregants.  

He highlighted the importance of embracing and christianizing the sound and godly aspects of various cultures, as they serve as a pathway for understanding and communicating the Gospel. 

“The independence of Ghana is the spiritual independence of the Ghanaian Christian,” Reverend Ahalie noted.  

He added: “Ghana Month promotes the unique cultural heritage of the Ghanaian people. Though not all aspects of culture are Christian in nature, the culture of any people is fundamental to the Great Commission.” 

Reverend Ahalie further explained that culture serves as the platform for living out the Gospel of Christ, and that the Gospel takes root within the culture of the people. He cited Acts 17:22-28, which emphasizes God’s creation of all nations, and Revelation 5:8-13, which highlights the importance of discipling these nations. 

“The Great Commission is about discipline and nation-building; the conversion of the things that make people into nations – the shared processes of thinking, the shared and common attitudes, worldview, perspectives, languages, cultural, social, and economic habits of thought, behavior, and practice,” Reverend Ahalie said.  

“Christ died for and purchased men for God from all people groups, including tribal and cultural groups (Revelations 5:8-13).” 

The Parish Pastor mentioned that the celebration was a testament to the church’s commitment to promoting unity and cultural integration, in line with the Great Commission, citing Matthew 28:18-20.  

The Ghana News Agency observed that the event’s success was evident in the fact that it was difficult to distinguish between Anlo, Vedome, and Tongu congregants, as they all came together in the cultural performances. 

GNA 

MA/BM 

By Agbaxode Emmanuel, GNA  

Akatsi (VR), April 1, GNA- Numerous people in Akatsi South in the Volta Region have been rendered homeless following a devastating rainstorm that hit the municipality on Sunday.  

The disaster, which many described as “strange and dangerous”, destroyed shops, houses, electric poles, institutions, among others.  

The Ghana News Agency (GNA), during a tour of some affected areas, saw that houses and shops had been ripped off and many collapsed.  

The devastating rainstorm which hit the community on Sunday, March 30, 2025, began at about 1800 hours. It also destroyed giant billboards, uprooted big trees, and caused injuries to some residents.  

Some affected residents, in an interaction with the GNA, expressed frustration and discomfort about the disaster.  

This, they said, has left them helpless, and has since appealed for immediate support.   

“What we need now is roofing sheets, iron rods, and a lot to fix our houses and shops back,” a resident appealed.  

However, Mr. Daniel Dagba, the MCE nominee for Akatsi South, has since joined calls for an immediate intervention from the government for the victims.  

He, however, assured residents of some interventions from the Member of Parliament for the area. 

GNA 

MA/BM 

A team from the Jospong Group of Companies has undertaken a knowledge transfer programme in Austria focused on waste-to-energy solutions and a national apprenticeship programme aimed at facilitating skill-based capacity building and training.

The team, which comprised researchers, circular economy experts, and learning & development professionals, conducted a study tour of major recycling plants producing Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) that meets the required standards for energy generation and as a substitute for fossil fuels.

Austrian Apprenticeship Programme
The team also studied Austria’s apprenticeship model, a dual education system where students receive 80% hands-on training within companies and 20% vocational school instruction. Hosted by the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, the team engaged in discussions on the framework guiding Austria’s national apprenticeship programme.

Thomas Reichenbach, Education Advisor at the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, explained that the apprenticeship model is designed to equip young people with the necessary skills for employment and career progression.

The Head of Jospong Academy and leader of the delegation, Brigadier General Mike Akpatsu (Rtd.), in an interview described the study tour as highly insightful.

He said the Jospong Group as one of the largest employers of Ghanaian youth, has gained valuable knowledge on apprenticeship as a tool for skill development.

He gave the assurance of the readiness of the Jospong Group to contributing inputs into Ghana’s national apprenticeship programme if given the opportunity.

Jacob Ladi, Project Manager for the Waste Academy Project funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and Komptech GmbH, emphasized that the study tour was a crucial component of the broader initiative.

“One of its key outcomes is the execution of a waste-to-energy research project to be conducted by researchers from the Africa Environmental Sanitation Consult (AfESC) who were on the trip in collaboration with the Technical University of Vienna”.

He said, “the research is expected to provide a blueprint for the implementation of waste-to-energy solutions in Ghana and across Africa”.

He further highlighted that “one of the biggest takeaways from the trip was the opportunity to incorporate lessons from Austria’s apprenticeship programme into the Jospong Group’s capacity-building efforts. This approach will equip the workforce with the right skills to tackle waste management challenges effectively and drive sustainable solutions for the future”.

Mr. Ladi expressed deep appreciation to the Austrian government for its support and reiterated his confidence that, by the end of the project in 2027, all key deliverables will be successfully achieved.

A Communications Officer of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Mr. James Deku, emphasized Jospong Group’s commitment to sustainable waste management and green job creation.

He pointed out that “consistent capacity building and knowledge-sharing initiatives remain integral to the group’s operations”.

The “Jospong-Komptech waste Academy” initiative is a knowledge transfer programme aimed at enhancing capacity in waste management.

The programme which was launched last year in Ghana is funded by the Austrian Development Agency and Komptech GmbH.

This project reinforces Jospong Group’s dedication to advancing waste-to-energy solutions and workforce development.

The Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Johnson Asiama, has said the foreign exchange market has continued to witness stability in recent months.

Briefing the media on Friday, 28 March 2025, following the 123rd regular meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) held in the week to assess recent economic developments and risks to the inflation outlook, Dr Asiama said the feat was aided by improved liquidity from remittance inflows and the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.

He noted that the stability in the FX market “is expected to remain, reflecting stronger reserve buffers and positive market sentiments.”

He said as of 26 March 2025, the Ghana cedi depreciated at a slower pace of 5.3 per cent against the US dollar, compared to 7.6 per cent in the same period of last year.

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Richard Okyere, a promising teenage midfielder from Kenpong Football Academy, has begun trials with Sønderjyske’s youth teams in Denmark.

Okyere, who departed Ghana on March 28, 2025, to showcase his talent, is attracting interest from multiple European clubs, according to reports.

Okyere is a versatile, tactically intelligent and creative midfielder with excellent vision and technical ability, ready to make an impression in Europe.

At a brief send-off ceremony, veteran coach JE Sarpong commended his professionalism and urged him to uphold the discipline instilled by his academy.

Jonathan Setodji, Technical Director of the Academy, expressed confidence in Okyere’s potential for a successful European career.

Emmanuel Asante, a Belgium based trainer added that he is optimistic about Okyere’s ability.

Kennedy Agyepong (Cappuccino), Chief Executive Officer of the academy and business magnate, has demonstrated significant commitment by networking with club executives across Germany, Belgium, Norway, France, Sweden, Holland and Croatia, thereby enhancing the academy’s reputation.

He is determined to work tirelessly to making the academy one of the leading football institutions in the country and Africa, through substantial investments in player development.

Okyere’s trial follows the recent permanent transfer of Bossman Debra to Norwegian club Stabæk, highlighting the academy’s successful development program.

According to management, Okyere will proceed to trials in Germany, Belgium, and France after his Danish trial concludes.

Adam Kwarasey, former Black Stars goalkeeper and the academy’s European liaison, facilitates these international opportunities.

Kenpong Football Academy anticipates further player transfers to European clubs in the coming weeks, both on loan and permanent deals.

https://x.com/ghanasoccernet/status/1906988873302819028?s=46&t=BCkHRR4Br5-0X5E8czr07Q

Ecobank Ghana continued to remain the biggest bank in Ghana with a Tier-1 capital of $228 million at the end of 2024, The Banker’s Top 100 African Banks for 2024 has revealed.

This was followed by Access Bank Ghana in 2^nd position with a capital of $216 million and GCB Bank with capital of $212 million. Standard Chartered Bank Ghana placed 4^th with a capital of $168 million.

In Africa, Ecobank Ghana placed number 88^th whilst Absa Ghana, GCB Bank and Standard Chartered Bank Ghana were 92^nd, 95^th and 100^th respectively.

The report disclosed that Ghana’s top banks maintain strong Tier-1 capital positions despite economic challenges and currency depreciation

“Despite economic headwinds, the top four banks in Ghana by Tier-1 capital—GCB Bank, Ecobank Ghana, Standard Chartered Bank Ghana, and Absa Bank Ghana—have continued to show stability”.

It explained that their ability to navigate currency fluctuations and macroeconomic challenges has been critical in sustaining confidence in the financial sector.

The report added that Ecobank Ghana has focused on corporate and SME lending, which has bolstered its revenue streams, even amid currency depreciation pressures.

Similarly, Absa Bank has successfully maintained a healthy capital position while navigating Ghana’s economic landscape. 

Also, GCB Bank’s diversified portfolio and strategic focus on digital banking have helped it maintain a stable balance sheet despite economic challenges.

The report continued that across Africa, profitability among ranked institutions remains buoyant, with an aggregate pre-tax profit of 18.2%. However, the depreciation of local currencies has impacted balance sheets, with 52 institutions experiencing a decrease in asset bases and 41 recording a decline in Tier 1 capital.

South African banks, which account for 40% of the total asset base of Africa’s Top 100 banks, have been particularly affected by economic stagnation and a weakening rand.

The Banker’s Top 100 African Banks for 2024 provides insights into the performance of financial institutions across the continent.

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