By Florence Afriyie Mensah, GNA

Kumasi, Sept. 25, GNA – A three-day training workshop has opened for some selected postgraduate students of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to acquaint themselves with remote sensing technologies in addressing the increasing biodiversity losses.

The training is being organised by the West African Science Service Center on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL) at the KNUST in collaboration with the Earth Observation Capacity Building for Africa (EOCap4Africa) Project.

It is designed to equip the students with both technical knowledge and practical skills in electromagnetic radiation, atmospheric and surface interaction.

Again, the researchers will be exposed to potential challenges of spatial data, forest ecosystems and remote sensing, image classification and change detection, creating scientific maps, among others.

The German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) and the German Environment Ministry (BMUV) funded the training through the EOCap4Africa Project.

Professor Kwaku Amaning Adjei, Dean, Faculty of Civil and Geo-Engineering, at the KNUST, highlighting the significance of the training, said biodiversity loss was occurring globally with negative impacts on ecosystem function and human well-being of which Ghana was no exception.

He said: “Our forests, wetlands, savannahs, and coastlines are home to an extraordinary diversity of life.

“Yet, these ecosystems and their services face threats from illegal mining, climate change, and urban expansion.

He indicated that, remote sensing offered a powerful lens through which one could observe, understand, and protect ecosystems, adding that, from satellite imagery to UAVs, these technologies allowed for monitoring changes in land cover, track species habitats, and assess water quality.

Prof Amaning Adjei said especially in our part of the world where data was scarce but several remotely sensed data made available through European Space Agency (ESA), NASSA and others were helping to bridge the gap.

Dr Insa Otte, Project Coordinator, EOCap4Africa, citing scientists’ estimation of losing species at a rate at least 100 times faster than the natural background rate, called for remote sensing to track wildlife and monitor wetlands and coastal areas.

She believed that exposing conservationists, policymakers and innovators to these technologies would not only contribute to global science but also shape the future of our own communities and country.

“This is not about importing solutions from outside.

It is about creating solutions here in Africa, that are relevant, effective and rooted in local realities – while also contributing to the global effort of conserving life on earth,” Dr Otte envisioned.

Prof Wilson Agyei Agyare, Director of WASCAL, said the workshop had become crucial considering the countless challenges in managing natural resources.

Remote sensing data, he believed, was the best approach to addressing biodiversity conservation challenges, and called for expansion of knowledge to enable more professionals to manage natural resources effectively.

GNA

Edited by Kwabia Owusu-Mensah/Benjamin Mensah

Simon Madjie is the CEO of GIPC

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Ghana surged in the first half of 2025 with a total of 76 registered projects valued at US$862.96 million.

This is according to latest data released by the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC).

The figure represents a 381.91 percent increase compared to the US$179.07 million recorded during the same period in 2024.

The manufacturing sector accounted for the highest number of projects at 32, while the general trading sector attracted the bulk of investment, with an estimated FDI value of US$622.92 million.

According to GIPC, the 76 projects registered in the first half of the year are expected to generate about 4,707 jobs when they become fully operational.

China emerged as the top source country by project numbers, registering 22, followed by India with 14.

Nigeria ranked third with eight projects, while the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United Kingdom each recorded four projects.

The United States registered three projects, ranking sixth, while Liberia, Mauritius, Singapore, and Turkey all recorded two projects apiece.

SP/SA

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Taking family power struggles and turning them into global television sensations is becoming something of a habit for screenwriter Steven Knight.

With Peaky Blinders, he took a Birmingham street gang and made them a cultural force. Now, Knight is betting on another dynasty, one rooted in brewing, wealth and legacy.

House of Guinness, which launches on Netflix on Thursday, tells the story of Ireland’s most famous family name at the moment of crisis – Sir Benjamin Guinness has died and his four children, each concealing dark secrets, are left to steer the brewery’s fate.

Knight says when he looked into the real-life Guinness family, “it was immediate that I realised this is an incredible drama and story”.

He was struck by “the characters, events and how it all intermeshed with history and what was going on at the time”.

While the story is based on real events, it is a drama first and foremost. Fact and fiction have been blended together, but Knight says he doesn’t see those two things as mutually exclusive, as “it’s often the true events that are the least believable”.

“Some of the historical events are so amazing and unexpected you wouldn’t make them up yourself,” he tells the BBC.

One of the imagined figures in the Netflix drama is Sean Rafferty, the brewery’s foreman, played by Happy Valley star James Norton, whose fate becomes entangled with the dynasty’s power struggles.

Norton says his character is an “amalgamation of lots of different people” who existed at the time, adding that he found researching the history of Guinness “remarkable and fascinating”.

The 40-year-old explains that as soon as he read the script, he was ready to sign up for the show.

“I read the first four scripts all at once, and it was a no-brainer,” he says. “Almost every scene starts with Rafferty’s silhouette in a window in a cloud of smoke, and I thought, ‘Sign me up, that’s really cool’.”

Most of the actors in the series were Irish, something Norton says added a level of pressure when it came to perfecting the accent and admits he was “so scared on the first day”.

“You work really hard at the beginning, and once you crack the first big dialogue scene and have spoken the first lines, there’s no going back,” he explains.

The first scene Norton filmed was one where he punches three disloyal workers at the Guinness factory. He says he used the line ‘I see your three names written in black ash up there’ to get back into the accent for subsequent scenes.

‘Once in a lifetime experience’

Starring alongside Norton is Irish actress Danielle Galligan, who plays Lady Olivia, an aristocrat who marries into the Guinness family. After the British monarch, she was the richest woman in Britain and Ireland at the time.

The actress says she loved researching her character and understanding what she was really like.

“She’s such a firecracker in the series, and then I actually found out she was also a very solitary and silent woman who painted lots of watercolours,” Galligan explains.

“She was a woman who had everything and yet was still looking for something. Learning about her gave me a sense of her lack of fulfilment and added another layer to her.”

Galligan says it was very special to tell an Irish story and “to do it on a global scale is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience”.

Joining Galligan is Niamh McCormack, whose character is part of the rebellious Fenian Brotherhood, and Jack Gleeson, who is best known for playing Joffrey Baratheon in Game of Thrones.

McCormack and Gleeson say they are proud to be part of a series that puts Ireland on the map, but admit that with pride comes pressure over how it will be received by audiences at home.

“It’s always a factor but I tried not to think about it too much,” Gleeson says. “You want things to be represented well but also hopefully people know not to take it too seriously as a historical document.”

Knight was less worried about what audiences would think, admitting: “I should care but I don’t – if you worry what people are going to think you can’t really do anything as you’d be trying to please too many different people.”

House of Guinness has already been compared to the likes of Succession, The Crown and Peaky Blinders but Knight is indifferent about how people compare it.

“People say every project is a cross between stuff and I don’t take that too seriously, I’m confident that this is its own thing,” he says.

For Norton, who is also currently starring in BBC’s historical drama King & Conqueror, to be compared to such successful shows is a positive.

“To be in the same breath as those dynasty shows is great, and I’m happy if we’re included among that group,” he says. Gleeson agrees and explains that this drama “takes the best bits of the rest and adds its own magic and essence”.

Knight does admit that there are many similarities between House of Guinness and Peaky Blinders, and the shows have influenced each other as the 66-year-old has recently finished working on the Peaky Blinders film, The Immortal Man, which will see Cillian Murphy reprise his role as Birmingham gangster Tommy Shelby.

“Sometimes parallels are pointed out that I don’t even have a clue about,” he laughs. “But there are a lot of similarities – the family, it has the same energy, humour and swagger.”

Knight is also involved in writing the new James Bond film, which he previously told the BBC had always been on his bucket list.

The movie will be directed by Dune’s Denis Villeneuve and is currently in development and being overseen by Amazon MGM Studios after long-serving masterminds Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson stood down in February.

When asked a question about Bond, Knight smiles and says he’s not able to talk about it but does admit that after the success of several of his shows, he feels a greater freedom to write more creatively.

And with House of Guinness, he hopes to have used that freedom to make this latest dynasty saga a success in its own right.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

Brave King has added his voice to the ongoing discussions on investments in the creative industry

The Ghanaian music and creative arts industry is overflowing with talent, but one major problem continues to hold many young creatives back: the lack of investment.

Belgium-based Ghanaian artiste Brave King has added his voice to this ongoing discussion, urging stakeholders to pay closer attention to the financial needs of the industry if Ghana is to compete on the global stage.

Brave King, who has been steadily building his career in Europe while maintaining close ties with Ghana, believes the country has no shortage of gifted singers, rappers, producers, dancers, and filmmakers. Unfortunately, most of them remain under-recognised because they cannot access the right financial backing to project their work.

“We have some great talents out there, but investment is the issue. Funny how all the investors have switched from investing in music and the creative industry as a whole because of not being appropriated,” he explained.

The artiste pointed out that in the past, investors and sponsors showed great interest in Ghana’s music and entertainment sector. However, over the years, many have backed out due to mismanagement, lack of accountability, and poor structures.

Instead of money being properly used for recording, marketing, branding, and building long-term careers, some funds were wasted or misappropriated, leaving investors with huge losses. As a result, fewer people are willing to support, even though the industry desperately needs financial push to thrive.

Investment is a key driver of success in the arts. Countries like Nigeria and South Africa have shown how much difference proper financial backing can make, propelling artistes into global stars and making entertainment one of their biggest exports.

Brave King believes Ghana can achieve the same results if proper systems are put in place. He notes that investment is not only about money, but also about mentorship, structures, and long-term planning.

Brave King himself is a product of determination. Based in Belgium, he has been actively pursuing music while connecting with audiences both in Europe and Ghana. His unique sound blends African rhythms with international influences, positioning him as one of the new voices representing Ghana abroad.

Despite being far from home, he has not lost sight of the challenges Ghanaian artistes face locally. His call for renewed investment is not just about himself but about the next generation of creatives who are struggling to break through.

Away from the industry talk, Brave King is also preparing to make waves with his upcoming projects. He has some great songs in the pipeline and is currently working on an EP that promises to showcase his versatility and creativity.

The project features exciting collaborations with some of Ghana’s rising and established names, including Rebbel Ashes, Tina Brown Africa, Kojo Blak, and others. These partnerships are expected to deliver fresh sounds and highlight the collaborative spirit needed to push Ghanaian music forward.

The artiste is now urging both government bodies and private investors to reconsider the creative industry and give talents the necessary support. He also appealed to artistes and managers to adopt professionalism and accountability in handling resources to restore trust and confidence.

“Without investment, even the brightest stars may never shine beyond their communities. But with proper support, Ghana can dominate the world stage just like Nigeria and South Africa,” Brave King stressed.

Brave King’s message is clear: Ghana has the talent, but without investment, the industry will continue to struggle. His journey as a Ghanaian artiste abroad is proof that with the right structures and support, local creatives can rise to international heights. With his upcoming EP and collaborations on the way, Brave King is determined to be part of the change the industry needs.

Agriculture Development Bank swings back into profitability

The Agriculture Development Bank (ADB) has staged a dramatic recovery, moving from a heavy loss in 2023 to profitability in 2024.

At its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Accra on September 24, 2025, the bank announced a net profit of GH¢35.06 million, a significant reversal from the GH₵828.8 million loss posted the previous year.

The Board Chairman, Kenneth Kwamena Thompson, credited the turnaround to stronger financial performance and targeted growth initiatives.

Over 4,700 jobs expected as Ghana attracts $863 million in FDI

He added that improvements in the bank’s capital adequacy ratio played a role, though the figure remains below regulatory thresholds.

“Key challenges persist in areas of loan book contraction and high non-performing loans, which continue to constrain credit growth and profitability potential,” Thompson told shareholders.

Despite the rebound, ADB continues to grapple with deteriorating loan quality as its non-performing loans (NPL) ratio climbed from 70.25% in 2023 to 75.26% in 2024.

However, total assets rose by 57%, from GH¢9.31 billion in 2023 to GH¢14.60 billion in 2024.

Deposits also grew by 41%, reaching GH¢12.05 billion, which management says reflects improved customer trust and stronger mobilisation efforts.

ADB said it will continue to strengthen its operations through digital transformation, innovation, and customer-focused solutions, positioning itself as a resilient, future-ready institution.

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The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has raised concerns about a growing trend of inappropriate and irresponsible social media posts by some recent high school graduates.

In a statement issued on Thursday, September 25, the Authority said it had observed posts containing indecent language and troubling intentions.

These include remarks such as “we go scatter them” and comments about “snatching people’s husbands,” which have been widely circulated and attracted public attention.

The CSA reminded young people that social media is a powerful tool for expression and networking, but comes with responsibilities and long-term consequences.

“What individuals post online becomes part of their permanent digital footprint,” the statement warned.

It explained that universities, scholarship boards, and potential employers often review online activity, and irresponsible content could severely damage one’s academic, career, and professional prospects.

The Authority further cautioned that beyond reputational damage, such behaviour could expose young people to cyberbullying, harassment, grooming, and other forms of exploitation.

In more serious cases, it may even breach Ghana’s cybercrime laws, particularly the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038) and the Electronic Communications Act.

The CSA urged graduates to exercise caution and maintain decency in their online interactions.

“Social media should be used as a tool for personal development, a place to showcase creativity, promote entrepreneurship, build meaningful networks, and access academic and professional opportunities,” it said.

The Authority stressed the need to promote positive digital citizenship among the youth and encouraged graduates to think carefully before posting, remain aware of the permanent nature of their digital activity, and avoid sharing indecent, harmful, or insulting content.

The CSA said it would continue working with stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education, civil society organisations, and community leaders, to raise awareness on safe and responsible online behaviour.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

President Mahama will be addressing the UN General Assembly later on Thursday, Sept 25

The President of the Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, will on Thursday, September 25, 2025, address the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The week-long event, which commenced on Monday, September 22, 2025, has brought together heads of state and governments under the theme “Better Together” to discuss matters of importance to individual nations and the UN collective.

President Mahama’s address, scheduled for 4:00 PM GMT, will outline Ghana’s position and priorities within the context of complex and interconnected global challenges.

Mahama acknowledges COVID-19’s impact on Ghana’s economy at UN Assembly

Ahead of his address, the president has been speaking about investment opportunities available in Ghana for the world and businesses to tap into.

President Mahama rings NASDAQ bell

President Mahama made a symbolic appearance at the NASDAQ Stock Exchange in New York on Wednesday, September 23, 2025, and later participated in a high-level US-Ghana Executive Business Roundtable organised by the Ghana Investment Promotion Center (GIPC).

GA/VPO

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