"Be Bold Enough"
Following the official announcement of his intentions to take up music professionally, CordovoClan has released a demo track titled “Come Drink Up”. The song is his first attempt at his vocal and songwriting ability, listen below via audiomack & soundcloud.
https://audiomack.com/cordovoclan
Music……. I’ve come to believe is in every African as we’ve all been exposed to one
form of song from childhood, be it traditional songs, religious songs, or popular
secular songs which has gained mass appeal and is on the lips of everyone, but one
just has to decide either to be a regular singer/fan of any of these different music
genres and their artistes or allow the drive and passion exceed your fears to want to
take it up professionally……. The path to this professional music career is never an
easy one. One of such Africans to exceed his fears and take up professional music to
express his emotion and also spread Jah’s message to the people, is Cordovo and has
taken up “CordovoClan” as his new professional stage name.
Born Richard Kwasi Amoyaw, Cordovo is from Gyakiti, a town located in the Eastern
region of Ghana, but grew up from infancy in Sapele, Delta State Nigeria where he
began listening to a lot of musical genres to be precise, from Highlife to Reggae, Soul
and Afrobeat, Country, Jazz, RnB, Blues,etc. and developed a love for singing, would
often sing along to his favorite tracks. This love for singing would push him during
his teenage years,to join the church youth choir where he and his family worshipped
and participated in frequent rehearsals and Sunday performances with them, he
also was a member of an A-capella group in his neighborhood and did vocal
rehearsals every evening, this group didn’t last long though, and he became more
active in acting, joined an upcoming movie production rather than hit the studios
(because at that time, the production of music was still a mystery to me and I hadn’t
thought of doing music professional lol). After leaving Nigeria to Ghana, he tried a
few recording sessions but that attempt didn’t get anywhere as hardships and
struggle for survival became a top most priority for him on the streets of Accra, and
not until recently where he got himself completely involved in the media, decided to
pursue music as a professional craft. The first demo to be coming out of the camp of
CordovoClan very soon is a dance tune featuring a potential future rap star from
Taifa, a suburb of Accra, and when released will be on all social media platforms.
Twitter/Instagram: @DjYoGaGH
Listening to radio has been one of my hobbies beginning from when I was a teenager; I found it was a source of information by way of news, announcements, e.t.c and also a source where I first got to hear good music. Being a lover of music and entertainment, I stuck mostly to radio stations with the entertainment style format of programming as well as familiarizing myself with the names of my favorite on-air presenters. I have always wondered how everything was set up in the radio station and how the quality sound delivery finally got to the listener like myself and each time I listened, I wished to be an on-air presenter, not forgetting there were skills and training involved……. My first attempt to enroll at a radio school in 2014 wasn’t successful as I didn’t have enough finances to carry me through after making the enquiries, so I moved on with life but still had that zeal to pursue a radio career, three years later in 2017, now well prepared I enrolled in the same school I wasn’t having the capability to attend back in 2014, which is (Rabodef Radio Academy, located here in Accra, Ghana) which I consider the best for every aspiring radio personality, I did a three months extensive course and finally graduated with the level of skills I needed to begin my radio journey, although an internship with radio stations was required of all students so they gain experience, mine was different because of certain personal reasons so I could not have my internship done but I still listened a great deal to a few favorite radio stations, it was during this time I also began my blog and made friends with different on-air radio presenters one of them being Benjamin Akakpo of Classfm 91.3, Brother Ben as I call him, is the host of the award winning program “Author’s Haven” where literary works of great men and women are reviewed, I am a great fan of his and also a member of most of his interactive social media platforms. One day I received a call from Benjamin asking if I would love to be a guest on his show to review one of the books for that week, although I had to check my schedule to confirm if I would make it there that day or not, I couldn’t contain my joy and I quickly cancelled any appointment that may have come up on the program day and called Benjamin back that I would make it, the book to be read was “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum and I had less than a week to finish it LOL.
The D-day came and I was well prepared, I had informed my friends and family members to tune in and listen, also I had not forgotten the training received from radio school regarding speaking and composure during an on-air program….. I was nervous and I knew it was normal to be, because it was a first time for me but I also gathered courage at the same time, I was supposed to be joined by another guest but he couldn’t make it so I was the only one present as a guest. The show started and the first few minutes of my responses to Benjamin’s questions was tense LOL, but as the show went on it all disappeared and thankfully the show went on smoothly, I couldn’t believe it, (ME) speaking on air to a great number of people through the radio. I felt fulfilled…… This blog of mine now is a part of my plan in preparing myself for something great for listeners when I get a chance to host my own show. The Author’s Haven show comes up every Sunday at 7:00 pm on Class 91.3 FM and online http://www.classfmonline.com
My sincere gratitude goes to Benjamin Akakpo to have given me this first radio platform and experience. Thank You Bro……
Watch the entire show below:
https://web.facebook.com/benjamin.akakpo/videos/10214276291283061/
Subsequent to every good music a video is required, Afrikaan, the talented musician from Sierra Leone following in this order has released the music video for “SEXY”.
The video which was shot in parts of Accra, Ghana, using camera’s and equipments of quality expertise was carried out by Flames, C.E.O. of Maj 1V records, and his team, with support from friends of Afrikaan on set as well. The video was first aired on The Swift Show with Betty Fosu and Saka DJ on Pan African TV.
Click to watch, share and don’t forget to subscribe to Afrikaan’s channel:
The African Gold as she is referred to, Elivava’s first appearance on cordovogh.com was when I wrote an article to promote her work as a musician, today we celebrate her attainment as a Global Goodwill Ambassador by Richard DiPilla, in recognition of her efforts as a Peace Ambassador / Singer / Performer / Women’s Empowerment and Philanthropist.
The GLOBAL GOODWILL AMBASSADOR (GGA) is an initiative founded by Richard DiPilla, an inspiring entrepreneur and impressive marketing specialist using the social media forum LinkedIn, to recognize people from every nation, race, color and socio-economic caste; who do goodwill towards others and the only thing the GGA looks at is the volunteering, charitable or humanitarian works of any individual. They exercise no bias, not commercialized in any way and free of hatred. They only have one commodity, that of Goodwill.
Other Global Goodwill Ambassadors include: Hans-Jurgen John, Corilynn Bailey, Ferron Gray, Brock Harrington, Rana Nazir e.t.c among other notable men and women worldwide….
Congratulations Elivava, may you keep soaring to greater heights and put Ghana on the Map.
Get in touch at www.elivava.com
DCT Beats, an illustrious musician and sound engineer from Oyo State, Western Nigeria drops his first single titled GRACE which talks about his past love relationship with an Ex, and how he can’t let those sweet thoughts go from his mind. Listen, download and share below:
Team #FOG, winners of Best performing Group and Best Musical Group, all in Nasarawa State of Nigeria is a Hip Hop group consisting of brothers JayDanito, Suspi and IQ Billa Bangz working hard to prove their worth and also giving strong competition to fellow musicians in nearby cities like Abuja, Jos, Minna, Kaduna and hoping to get their music heard all over the world.
Today we focus on IQ Billa Bangz, who at a point has switched his style from rap to afro sounds, in his words “ it seems singing found me, I found myself”. Born Hamidu Shuaibu in Benin city, Edo state Nigeria, IQ Billa Bangz began his music journey at the age of 12, and made sure it has been a part of him right through school from Winner’s foundation school Benin city, Government secondary school Lugbe Abuja and in 2013/14, Nasarawa state Polytechnic Lafia during which he met his current group team #FOG and same time went professional with the music talent.
IQ Billa Bangz has couple of songs with his group and his own personal singles as well… they include:
and his current singles “FOR YOU” & “ONLY YOU” which is making waves and getting air play on various radio stations both in Nigeria and other African countries.
Below are two of his tracks FOR YOU and Lafia City
To mark his birthday which is today the 22nd of December and celebrate it with his fans, Dirty Psycho Entertainment headliner Dj YoGa collaborates with Reed Drago of Wild Monki records to drop this tune titled “Rumor”.
Kindly listen, download and share below:
Dreadlocks, or Rasta as some commonly refer to is a hairstyle that can be worn by anyone but a lot of people around the world attribute it to Rastafarianism, afterall carrying dreadlocks is somehow an important symbol to every Rastafarian. It’s procedure is simply carrying natural hair without combing so it gets twisted and eventually locked with time, or the natural hair can be matted or braided through a technique known as twist and rip.
There’s a line from a famous Morgan Heritage song “Don’t Haffi Dread” where they say one doesn’t have to carry dreadlocks to be a Rasta but rather divine conception of one’s heart, so therefore there can be Rastafarians without locks on their head, and also there can be others who just carry the locks for fashion…….
In recent times Ghana has seen majority of it’s youth all going from low cut hairstyle to carrying locks, but I would say carrying this hairstyle in this beloved country of Ghana isn’t easy because majority of it’s population frown on the hairstyle and the first impression that comes to mind whenever people see anyone carrying locks is “He’s a Criminal” “He’s a Rascal” “He’s dangerous” “He smokes marijuana” e.t.c. The police is not left out in this mindset as well because they too have this impression that all who carry dreadlocks are either marijuana smokers or peddling the herb which is illegal in Ghana, so the first thing a lot of policemen will do seeing anyone with locks, will be to stop them, subject them to accusations of either marijuana smell or it’s possession and subsequently subject that person to severe search…… lol.
I have been a conscious Rasta from my youthful days because I have in me that “divine conception” long before I even decided it was time to begin carrying locks and being aware of this mindset among the many population, I had to grow strong both emotionally, psychologically and socially because without these, one may never get the courage to carry locks. There was backlash from some family members and almost everyone around me though some couldn’t voice it out.
So far so good, my dreadlocks is a year and some months old, growing nicely and longer with each passing day and I intend to carry it for as long as my heart will tell me to. I call my locks my TALENT, and it GROWS everyday.
By: CordovoGH
The King of African Trap (AfroTrap) Music DJ YoGa has unleased unto his Catalog a new single which features Cameroonian Rapper StiinG Jula.
The song is titled “Lessons Over Lessons”,a message to the youth on the moral lessons of life and the need to ignore selfishness, Jealousy, Hate in everyday life instead focus on developing their talents and encouraging team work amongst the youth to achieve their dreams.
STiinG JuLa is a 22 years old hiphop artist with cameroonian origins who’s romance with music really started around 16, being part of a rap collective back in his high school days, has to date released an EP and a couple of singles, growing up mostly influenced by the occidental music, has been introduced to Afrotrap by DJ Yoga upon settling in Ghana and is gearing up to release multiple series of EP’s this upcoming year, with the intention of blending the the different flows from the different musical atmospheres he has assimilated growing up in the game.
DJ YoGa is currently Working on his debut Album which will be released Next Year Meanwhile he will continue to release singles for the youth and music lovers across the country and the Globe at Large.
The Song is produced by DJ Yoga and Mixed & Mastered by Ivan Beatz, a fastest rising music producer in Accra with a lot world standard productions to his credit
Listen to DJ YoGa & STiinG JuLa – Lessons Over Lessons on Soundcloud : https://soundcloud.com/djyogagh/dj-yoga-stiing-jula-lessons-over-lessons-prod-dj-yogamixed-ivanbeatz
Listen to DJ YoGa & STiinG JuLa – Lessons Over Lessons below:
Facebook: DJYoGa Ghana
Twitter/Instagram/SnapChat :@DJYoGaGH
Elivava, the “African Gold”, is a Ghanaian Afro Pop, Afro Jazz singer, song writer, performer and choreographer and I admire her a lot hence this article. My first encounter with Elivava was on Linked In where I added her as a contact and later saw a couple of her artistic posts that drew my attention, went ahead to read briefly about her and finally wrote to her where she responded and approved for me to write this article on her 😊. I’ve grown to become a big fan of hers…
Born Tina Mensah, Elivava hails from New Baika in the Buem District of the Volta Region of Ghana and has numerous songs to her credit, has performed on several platforms home and abroad as well…….
My research tells me Elivava’s upcoming album “I live 4Ever” set to be released soon had all except 2 songs, written/composed by herself and has tracks like:
There are quite other songs on the album, so far the above listed tracks I’ve listened to and trust me anyone who knows and appreciate music will conclude they are great and inspiring songs.
This proud daughter of Ghana is not just into singing and dancing, but is a strong advocate of women empowerment and is founder of the Elivava Women Empowerment Homecoming Project/Initiative (E.W.E.H.P.I) which aims at getting women to understand that with faith, a little bit of hard work and focus can lead to a better life.
For more information, check out her personal website http://www.elivava.com
DNL, full name Essien Blay Osman currently signed to Daakye Media has released a new afrobeat single tilted “Problem No Dey” which he describes as his final year message to young and future generation going through tough times to stay focused and strong.
Problem No Dey is all about focusing on your dream regardless of today’s ups and down
No matter how hard life is enjoy the little things you have and keep on with the hard works and pray to God because one day one day you will make it.
He stated that the name DNL was given to him by his mates in Senior High School as Dark N Lovely and he shortened it as DNL when he started to brand himself as an artist. He completed basic school at Emmosek Basic School inside Teshie in 2013 and High school at Kaneshie Senior High Technical School in 2016. He offered General Arts. He started recording in 2016. Because of his bright talent and greater hope he has, His class mate created a group called DAAKYE MUSIC signed him to manage him on August 2017. He released his new single tittled MEWU for the record label in that same month and it has really made grounds and that gives him the hope for his place in the Music Industry in Ghana. Problem No Dey (PND) is the second song realised under the group with the support of his Mates called Emmanuel Baah-Donkor and Thomas Akagbo who support him in terms of finance. It is his dream to work with the big names in the Music Industry such as Stonebwoy, Yaa Pono, Samini, Sarkodie, Medikal and many more. He also likes to work in international collaboration with the likes of Wizkid, AKA, M.I , Jay Z and more. His first album will be titled Daakye (future) because he thinks he has great future.
Listen to Problem no Dey on soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-724570335/dnl-problem-no-dey-pnd-produced-by-dj-biznes
Listen to Problem no Dey below:
Ghanaian recording artiste and entertainer Edem has said his music is not appreciated on the level it’s supposed to be appreciated.
The rapper made this assertion on Happy FM’s Showbiz Xtra hosted by Doctar Cann.
However, Edem in an interview with Joy FM stated that he feels underrated because of where he hails from. Following this statement, music lovers all over social media have really trolled him.
For further clarification, Edem spoke to Happy FM detailing that “there is a perception about the minority language. People play with it and take advantage of it when you are doing music.”
Edem, who has featured established acts like Tinny, Kwaw Kesse, Sarkodie, Obour, Asem, K. k. Fosu, Tuba, Samini, Jayso, Trigmatic, El and Gemini added that, “I will speak on such issues. How can people just say we can do without your region even in business meeting? I will speak on such issues fearlessly; I will speak on it without being afraid until I die because that is the truth,” Edem told Happy FM.
Born Denning Edem Hotor, Ayigbe Edem clarified further, “I’m not saying this to disrespect any body. there is no one plying his trade who has been more consistent than me because I have done music for nine years back-to-back. I have never got to a point in my carrier where I had to release a song and it didn’t gain the mileage it had to because I have come to understand how to do the business,” he explained.
Responding to a question on why is he saying he is underrated if no one has been more consistent than him, the ‘Koene’ hit maker cited, “when I speak I am not speaking for only myself. I am speaking because I have the voice and I have to open dialogue on issues. How many times do you hear Wiyaala’s songs on radio? How many times do you hear Sherifa back-to-back on radio? How many times do you hear an Nzema rapper back-to-back on radio,” the Award winning artiste quizzed.
Source: ghanaweb/Nii Ogbamey Tetteh
I was taking a walk around my neighborhood when I saw this elderly woman plucking these leaves and my curiosity made me move close to ask her what they were used for and she replied telling me it can be used to cure “Boil” on one’s skin should they be infected and she gave the procedure as follows:
The leaves should be ground, mixed with salt and a little bit of palm oil and applied to the infected part of the skin where such “boil” is.
“Akosua Pompo”, is the local parlance given to it and I was very happy to learn this Ghanaian traditional healing leaf. Akosua is an Akan name for female born on Sunday and Pompo is an Akan name for the “Boil” infection.
By: CordovoGH
A middle-aged woman has been slapped with 12 months imprisonment with hard labour by a Magistrate Court in Dambai for trafficking her 8-year-old son.
The woman, Lydia Dotse, led her son to offer his services on the Volta Lake with one Mawuli Nyadzo for a fee of GHC 300 for the boy to work for a period of two years.
Mr Nyadzo who lives in the Krachi-East District of the Volta Region had paid an initial GHC100 and promised to pay the balance of GHC200 at a later time.
Director of anti-trafficking agency, Partners in Community Development Programme, George Achibra, told Joy News the actions of the police in Krachi helped to rescue the boy.
“The police in Krachi had been tipped off and followed up to orchestrate the arrest of the man and rescue the boy”, he said.
“The mother was also arrested for accepting the GHC100 from the man and charged with conspiracy to traffic and trafficking of her son”, he added.
The Magistrate Court at Dambai sentenced both Mawuli Nyadzo and the mother of the boy, Lydia Dotse to 12 months imprisonment each with hard labour.
Mr Achibra is the founder of the Partners in Community Development Program and has been honoured by international institutions for his extraordinary efforts in fighting the worst forms of child labour in the fishing industry on the Volta Lake.
Source: ghanaweb/ adomonline
Ben Darkwa, of Cambridge UK, has won a prestigious Award of Recognition from the IndieFEST Film Awards.
The award was given for Ben’s debut feature film Pauline’s Diary: An abusive journey of a young African lady, which highlights domestic abuse issues in our modern day society.
The movie is an adaptation of the book Pauline’s Diary authored by Ben Darkwa.
The film featuring Roselyn Ngissa, Elikem Kumordzie and Rhoda Okbea Amene among others was shot in Accra, Ghana showing exceptional city imagery and educative story line of how Pauline navigates herself out of her abusive marriage.
“It is a huge honour to receive The IndieFEST Film Award with my debut movie. It was a dream yesterday, reality today that our effort of highlighting some of the world’s major issues through entertainment to educate the general public has taken off well with such an amazing recognition. I have personally been involved in every aspect of the pre and post production journeys including screen play, theme song lyrics, acting, editing among all others. As a Civil Engineer, time spent on this vision was during my train journeys to and from work and late nights at home. Words cannot express how grateful I am to have received this award.”
The IndieFEST Film Awards recognizes film, television, videography and new media professionals who demonstrate exceptional achievement in craft and creativity, and those who produce standout entertainment or contribute to profound social change. Entries are judged by highly qualified professionals in the film and television industry. Information about the IndieFEST and a list of recent winners can be found at http://www.theindiefest.com.
In winning an IndieFEST Film Award, UTRMedia house joins the ranks of other high-profile winners of this internationally respected award including Liam Neeson as the narrator of Love Thy Nature, A Path Appears Documentary featuring George Clooney and Blake Lively, Radical Grace executive produced by Susan Sarandon, a searing expose Davids and Goliath by Leon Lee, and Touched with Fire starring Katie Holmes.
Rick Prickett, who chairs The IndieFEST Film Awards, had this to say about the latest winners, “The IndieFEST is not an easy award to win. Entries are received from around the world from powerhouse companies to remarkable new talent. The IndieFEST helps set the standard for craft and creativity.
The judges were pleased with the exceptional high quality of entries. The goal of The IndieFEST Film Awards is to help winners achieve the recognition they deserve.”
Watch Trailer for Pauline’s Diary below:
For more go to http://www.bendarkwa.com
Arranged By: CordovoGH
Source: ghanaweb
Intl Starz, an organization based in Massachussets, USA, whose prime vision is to create meaningful effective athletics, Art & Music Projects that are designed to showcase and promote international engagement will be organizing a 6-day career management workshop in Accra, Ghana this December.
The organization is spearheaded by Rose Green, a renowned Athletics, Music and Artist Manageress with vast experience in tour and promotional management, Production and events, currently she is manages the number one painter in Jamaica – Sebastian Elliott and other sports athletes of the Athletics world.
The Intl Starz is currently scouting for potential elite athletes of the track & field sport, as well as upcoming patron of the Arts, Music & Entertainment. Other persons wishing to extend their services such as Coaches, Painters and reggae & hip-hop/hip life musicians are encouraged to apply to secure their spot within the upcoming Workshop.
The workshop will be part of the Intl Starz organization’s preparations towards future African promotional tour slated to commence for April 2018 with scheduled stops in Ghana, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Nigeria and many more.
Patrons of the Athletics, Arts, Music and Entertainment industries notably Artist managers, musicians, bloggers, sound system djs, Radio & media personalities, concert promoters, and sports coaches are encouraged to join hands with organization in order to make its vision a success.
For more information please contact: rgmusic2@gmail.com
Arranged By: CordovoGH
Source: Intl Starz
The music industry of Africa and the world has seen great talents pop up from every corner with mind blowing hit tracks and newly discovered sounds. Afrikaan is no exception to such talent, his debut singles “Body” and “Sexy” was released on 1st October 2017 to various social media platforms for his fans and the public .
Afrikaan, born Sorie Kargbo, is a Sierra Leonean native residing in Ghana working hard on his musical sound he calls bubu musik, a blend of Sierra Leonean style of music, rhythm and afrobeats fused together and how it can impact on society. In an exclusive interview, he tells CordovoGH how his journey to music began.
CordovoGH: At what point of your life did you decide to do music and why?
Afrikaan: Music had always been a part of me while growing up so at age 15 precisely, I decided to begin doing music because I loved the feeling I got when listening to any music, I loved the style of musicians and what they do, I admired legends like Bob Marley, Lucky Dube, Kevin Little and Daddy Lumba all of which played a vital role in my continual love for music and I aim to become like one of them someday, I believe with my music and sound I can connect people from different parts of the world to listen to my voice and message.
CordovoGH: What inspired the tracks “Sexy” & “Body”?
Afrikaan: Whenever I spot an African woman, all I see is sexiness, natural beauty and natural body shape and I appreciate these endowments of the African woman, that’s what made me write these two tracks.
CordovoGH: Tell us what we should expect from Afrikaan, after dropping these debut singles?
Afrikaan: I want my fans and everyone out there to prepare for Afrikaan’s great works, the very best of all my songs to come so all I need is their continual support.
Sexy and Body were both produced by Dj Wayne, mix and mastered by Highlander beat.
listen here:
By: CordovoGH
Over the past 11 years, more than 900 journalists have been killed for bringing news and information to the public. Worryingly, only one in ten cases committed against media workers over the past decade has led to a conviction. This impunity emboldens the perpetrators of the crimes and at the same time has a chilling effect on society including journalists themselves. Impunity breeds impunity and feeds into a vicious cycle. UNESCO is concerned that impunity damages whole societies by covering up serious human rights abuses, corruption, and crime.
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2 November as the ‘International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists’ in General Assembly Resolution A/RES/68/163. The Resolution urged Member States to implement definite measures countering the present culture of impunity. The date was chosen in commemoration of the assassination of two French journalists in Mali on 2 November 2013.
This landmark resolution condemns all attacks and violence against journalists and media workers. It also urges Member Staes to do their utmost to prevent violence against journalists and media workers, to ensure accountability, bring to justice perpetrators of crimes against journalists and media workers, and ensure that victims have access to appropriate remedies. It further calls upon States to promote a safe and enabling environment for journalists to perform their work independently and without undue interference.
Arranged By: CordovoGH/photo credit cordovoGH
Source: United Nations
Ivan beatz, a young talented music producer and a sound engineer based in Accra has sent words to his fellow producers to focus on improving the original Ghanaian sound that has and will always take the country across borders. He described the original Ghanaian sound as the highlife with atumpan, dewuro, guitar ,trumpets and other instruments that’s legends like Agya koo nimo, Nana Kwame Ampadu, Amakye dede , Akwesi Ampofo Adjei, Daddy Lumba and many others who till date has their songs on massive rotation because of its originality.
“We need to improve our sound by adding live instruments mentioned above to our music. It should be our ultimate priority as music producers in Ghana and we should taken keen interest in doing music for our people because our people’s voice is very powerful and well respected across the world “Ivan Beatz
He said this in an interview with DJ Yoga at Shock Entertainment studio in Caprice, Accra where he works as the official producer. He is currently working on a riddim which he is going to feature established from all walks of life and upcoming artistes most especially those in the central region where he was born and raised.
Ivan beatz has worked with Gasmilla, Medikal , Shaker, Mzvee, Lax, Dj French kiss, Eshun, Ayesem ,Okra, Kurl Songs ,Rashid Metal, Regardless, Kingskid, Geesus , Koby simple, Reed Drago and Many more. He intend to work on an urban highlife tape in 2018 which he beliefs will be ground breaking project for his career.The tape will focus on the quality of the sound and how well he can represent the motherland with sound.
You can listen to some of Ivan Beatz productions here; https://m.soundcloud.com/ivanbeatzgh
Email: Ivan1.beatz@gmail.com
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @Ivan BeatzGh
Arranged By: CordovoGH
Source: ModernGhana / DJ Yoga
Government has directed for the re-registration of all SIM cards and mobile money accounts as part of moves to fight mobile money fraud in the country.
According to the directive, from November 2017 all SIM cards and mobile money accounts will have to be re-registered.
Mobile fraud has been on the rise over the past few month, an internal inquiry by the Criminal Investigations Department of the Police Service (CID) has revealed that some staff of telecommunication companies are complicit in the rise of the illegal act.
According to the CID, five out of ten customers have also been targeted for mobile money fraud. This notwithstanding, the Department has also complained of little cooperation on the part of the telcos in bringing the perpetrators to book.
But the General Manager for Mobile Money Financial Services at MTN Ghana Eli Hini said the partnership between them and the Police is unquestionable.
He said they took the first step to educate and build capacity for the Police Service so they will be able to understand the modus operandi of these fraudsters so that they can also support the Telcos in the fight against fraud.
“So for them to say that we are not cooperating is not the right picture.”
Head of IT at the National Identification Authority(NIA), Matilda Wilson, expressed optimism that the re-registration of mobile money accounts will help curb fraud in the industry.
“It is necessary that the National Identification Authority sees to it that there is re-registration so that all accounts can be verified from NIA.”
Matilda Wilson said so after they certify you from the offices at NIA, then you go back to register as a mobile money user.
He added the telcos now have a verified record of people sitting on their database so they can use that data to move on with their businesses.
Arranged By: CordovoGH
Source: primenewsghana
“Koose” has made it to the international scene. “Koose”, a Ghanaian delicacy and side dish, is prepared by deep or shallow-frying thick cowpea paste, which is usually mixed with onions, spices and other condiments.
Arranged By: CordovoGH
Source: primenewsghana
Two people have died from snake bites in the Upper West Regional capital Wa due to the shortage of anti-venoms in the region.
The In-charge of Yaala Health Centre Ezekiel Nagben says a total of 176 snake bites have been recorded in the various districts so far and the situation has been aggravated by the shortage of anti-venoms
The residents who are worried about the situation as they keep on losing their loved ones to the snake bites have therefore appealed to authorities to urgently respond to their appeal to save lives in the district.
Yussif Basuglo, a native of Yaala and a Circuit Supervisor for Kundugu Circuit of the Ghana Education Service (GES) in the district expressed the concern during the maiden worker’s forum held in Funsi in the district.
“The vile is not available and even when the little comes in it is sold at either GHC450.00 or GHC500.00 depending on the demand as against the quantity available”, he said.
Mr Basuglo who has lost a sister a couple of days to snake bite noted that a small boy also got bitten by a snake at the funeral grounds of his sister.
“Five other snakes were killed at the same funeral,” he said and expressed fear that a lot more people may just be losing their lives to these snake bites if nothing was done to address the situation.
Mr Timothy N-beenaba, a native of Kunyebin and also a Circuit Supervisor for Funsi Circuit of the GES in the District said this year the poisonous snakes were in abundance because of the poor rainfall pattern in the area.
He observed that a good rainfall pattern would often cause the destruction of the eggs laid by the snakes and even some would die to reduce the population.
Arranged By: CordovoGH
Source: primenewsghana
Veteran Journalist and Chief Executive Officer of Channel Two Communications, David Ampofo, has said that the canker of corruption remains in Ghana because journalists who are to serve as the ‘watch dog’ of society, bringing to bare the wrongful happenings in governance are doing very little to keep the country’s leaders on their toes.
Speaking at the maiden edition of the Chevening Speaker Series, Mr. Ampofo indicated that the media’s role as the Fourth Realm of the Estate makes it responsible for ensuring accountability in governance and that role when compromised, corruption sets in.
“I think journalists have a special role to play in bringing progress to and enhancing the welfare of society, this we will do primarily as the Fourth Estate of the pillar of democracy, ensuring that those with power do not abuse it and use it for the benefit of all people.
That is why holding government accountable is considered a primary responsibility, it is not possible to do this anyway if you are in bed with government.
…..Really, we can’t afford to undermine our credibility, when left unchecked, people in authority, they will do as they please, with time, corruption sets in big time”
Mr. Ampofo argues that the journalist should be able to analyse issues and make constructive criticisms such that if people in government are engaged in corruption or wrongful practices, they are affected and consequently brought to book.
“Government has to appreciate the value of constructive criticism…..the government is not supposed to be happy with the media, it doesn’t work like that. As soon as government and media are very happy and they are all friendly and all that, we are in trouble”.
According to him, the impact of corruption on the country’s development should be the utmost priority of a journalist such that despite the pressure from society and politicians, they remain credible and fight against corruption and the likes.
“The problem with corruption is that it is taking public money for private gain but it is so damaging for a society, first of all limited resources are abused and after a while it becomes endemic; if you are not part of it, you won’t survive.
It becomes difficult because you need to eat, you need to get by. You get to a situation in society where it is much difficult to do what is wrong than to do what is right and then you are in trouble, it’s called systemic failure”.
The Chevening Speaker Series is the first of several others to be organized subsequently by the Chevening Alumni Association in Ghana.
The series seeks to bring young professionals in diverse fields to learn from experts who will be tackling various subjects relevant to development in the country.
The maiden edition of the series which came off on Thursday October 26, focused on “Holding Government accountable; the role of the media”
Arranged By: CordovoGH
Source: ghanaweb
The Bibiani Divisional Command of the Ghana Police Service has arrested 30-year-old Kwadwo Kwaayie for allegedly cultivating large tracts of Indian Hemp at Sefwi Mmrewa in the Western Region.
The Regional Police Public Relations Officer Olivia Adiku said the police was hinted on the illegal activity of the suspect. He was invited for interrogation on October 25, and subsequently arrested.
She said on the same day the Bibiani Divisional Commander Chief Superintendent Alex Wowolo, DSP V Akposu, Bekwai District Commander, ASP P Gbagbo, Divisional Crime Bibiani and 34 other ranks who were armed together with the suspect Kwadwo Kwaayie went to Sefwi Mmrewa where the suspect and the informant led the Police to the farm.
The suspect also showed the team large quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian Hemp.
The Regional PRO said the farm was photographed together with the two sacks of fresh plants and a sack of dried leaves which was retrieved.
The Divisional Commander then ordered for the destruction of the farm by cutting down the whole plantation.
Arranged By: CordovoGH
Source: primenewsghana
The First Food Safety Conference to develop strategies to counter emerging challenges in food chain and to promote safe food practices among Ghanaians has been launched in Accra.
The three-day Food Safety Sensitisation Programme organised by the Food and Drugs Authority brought together more than 150 scientists, policy makers, experts and consumers to share ideas, practices and perspectives on issues that would promote safe food handling practices.
The conference on the theme: “Enhancing Food Security through Safe Food Practices” is also intended to address how to detect unsafe food, fight food fraud and food imitation.
Mr Abebe Haile Gabriel, the Regional Programme Leader for Africa, Food and Agriculture Organisation, in a key note address, said the environment within which producers, suppliers and manufacturers operated continued to evolve at an ever increasing rate, with new hazards and pathogens.
This, he said, had been worsened by the globalisation of the food supply chain, pressures of climate change and population growth, rapid urbanisation, complexity of food preparation and changes in food consumption.
He said in 2010, foodborne hazards caused an estimated 600,000 million illnesses and 420,000 deaths across the world.
He said an estimated 40 per cent of this disease burden, was among children under five years of age, whilst significant cases of foodborne related diseases and risks were not reported.
However, he said, these facts and trends had called for the need to address such threats in a comprehensive approach, oriented to the entire food chain.
He therefore assured the FDA of the FAO’s continuous support in ensuring food safety.
Mr Kwaku Agyemang Manu, the Minister of Health in a speech read on his behalf, said consumers were demanding protection for the whole food supply chain.
He said this would occur if all sectors in the chain worked in an integrated way, thereby building consumer confidence in the safety of food products.
Mrs Delese Darko, the Chief Executive Officer of the FDA observed that some conditions and activities at market places contaminated food which could compromise food safety and health.
She mentioned exposure of produce to unfavourable storage conditions, poor hygienic practices and food adulteration as some of the challenges.
She said these challenges threatened food security in Ghana, saying “1856.56 metric tons of pre-packaged food was destroyed in 2016 due to poor storage practices and food fraud alone is estimated to cost consumers up to $40 Billion globally and the food industry $10-15 billion per year.
Mrs Darko said the FDA in line with its mandate to protect public health and safety had carried out several investigations into activities of food fraud in recent times, some which are: the adulteration of palm oil with sudan IV dye, the mixing of powdered pepper with bixa seeds and the colouring of corn chaff as tomato powder, just to mention but a few.
Dr Sammy Ohene, the Chairman of the Governing Board, FDA, said due to the unhealthy practices along the chain of food production, processing and handling, future policy direction in addressing these challenges was critical.
He said issues like the slaughter and burning of animal skin with rubber tires, followed by cleaning with polluted water amongst others were harmful.
Other activities outlined for the conference include; Market Durbars, and What Do You Know Quiz amongst students in second cycle institutions.
Arranged By: CordovoGH
Source: GNA
The name “United Nations”, coined by United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt was first used in the Declaration by United Nations of 1 January 1942, during the Second World War, when representatives of 26 nations pledged their Governments to continue fighting together against the Axis Powers.
In 1945, representatives of 50 countries met in San Francisco at the United Nations Conference on International Organization to draw up the United Nations Charter. Those delegates deliberated on the basis of proposals worked out by the representatives of China, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and the United States at Dumbarton Oaks, United States in August-October 1944.
The Charter was signed on 26 June 1945 by the representatives of the 50 countries. Poland, which was not represented at the Conference, signed it later and became one of the original 51 Member States.
The United Nations officially came into existence on 24 October 1945, when the Charter had been ratified by China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, the United States and by a majority of other signatories. United Nations Day is celebrated on 24 October each year.
UN Day marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the United Nations officially came into being.
24 October has been celebrated as United Nations Day since 1948. In 1971, the United Nations General Assembly recommended that the day be observed by Member States as a public holiday.
Arranged By: CordovoGH
Source: UN
The beauty of Nzulezu, one of the cherished tourist sites in the Western Region, is gradually being marred by the daily rise of plastic and other domestic wastes.
This tourists sites in the Region became the toast of both foreign and local tourists due to its uniqueness and the fact that local community members could make their homes sit on a stream using just bamboo and raffia materials.
Nzulezu, in the Nzema Language, means sitting on water, which best describes the ingenuity and wisdom the Creator of the Universe has endowed mankind to indeed have dominion over everything on planet earth.
The Nzulezu Community receives more than 1000 visitors annually and, thereby, contributes immensely to the Gross Domestic Product of the country whilst growing the local economy and opening up the area to some diverse cultures.
These economic benefits, notwithstanding, are being depleted by the activities carried out in that natural and artistic environment preventing the Community from enjoying that enviable position of the most preferred destination for site seers for its attractions, which provide a means of learning, admiration of nature and drawing inspiration.
The physical environment of the Community on water steadily leaves much to be desired and if immediate steps are not taken may lose its “taste in the mouths” of holiday makers.
Issues of sanitation in terms of places of convenience and dumping sites, over the years, have become a crises situation for the Ghana Tourism Authority in the Region.
Mr Michael Kpingi, the Acting Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority, said improving the living standards of the people in the Community was paramount to sustaining the gains and contribution in terms of revenue to the state.
“The spread of plastics, which takes decades, if at all, to decay has in recent times aggravated the already existing environmental issues,” he said.
“The biggest problem now at Nzulezu is the filth and we are now looking for collaborative approaches, especially with the waste management companies, to help devise innovative means of managing the waste in the community.”
Mr Kpingi said attempts at solving the problems had yielded some favourable results with the provision of a Biofill toilet facility.
The Nzulezu Community, he said, could also boast of a mobile clinic system that helps in providing quality of healthcare for the people and called on other institutions to come in and help.
The City on Water needs help to avoid constant pollution of her beautiful environment that provides fun, relaxation and recreation. The earlier action and proactive steps are taken, the better it would be for people of the Community and the general improvement of the tourism potentials of the country.
Arranged By: CordovoGH
Source: GNA
The University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) has matriculated a total of 1,887 students to pursue various academic programmes for the 2017/2018 academic year.
The number has now brought the total student population to 4,887 and out of those admitted, 1,532 were undergraduates and 1,037 representing 68 per cent were males whilst 495 signifying 32 per cent were females.
Professor Harrison Kwame Dapaah, the Vice-Chancellor (VC) announced at the sixth matriculation ceremony of the University on Saturday in Sunyani.
Concerning postgraduate programmes, he said, a total of 129 applicants were offered admission to commence Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctoral programmes, saying that represented over 100 per cent improvement above last academic year’s figures into the Graduate School.
The VC added that 18 out of the number indicating 14 per cent were females, while 111, indicating 86 per cent were males.
Prof. Dapaah emphasised that it was the objective of the University to increase total postgraduate enrolment to about 15 per cent of the total student population in the near future.
He said the University was poised to provide access to university education to as many qualified applicants as possible, but it was constrained due to inadequate academic and residential facilities for staff and students.
The VC expressed worry that a number of projects which could have put a total of 24 lecture rooms at the disposal of the University had come to a standstill.
Prof. Dapaah cited a two-storey lecture block , a four-storey 12-room lecture block, the South Wing of a 1,600 capacity hostel at the Sunyani campus and the permanent facilities at the Dormaa-Ahenkro satellite campus to house the School of Agriculture and Technology, all under construction by different building construction firms had come to a halt.
He expressed optimism that the completion of those facilities would address both the residential and classroom accommodation challenges facing the students and assist in providing unmatched learning experience for them.
Prof. Dapaah therefore reiterated his appeal to the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) “to put the UENR on its priority list as directed by the Vice President, Alhaji Dr, Mahamudu Bawumiah during the University’s second congregation ceremony held in August this year”.
The VC advised the fresh students on the need to acquaint themselves with all the rules and regulations governing the University and religiously observe them.
Prof. Dapaah stressed that they must avoid academic dishonesty and other social vices as that could jeopardise whatever professional opportunities at their disposal as students of the University.
He emphasized that whenever a student was found culpable for having committed any of the following crimes, “cheating during examinations or continuous assessment, stealing, physical and sexual assault”, the net result “is outright dismissal with possible prosecution by the Police”.
Prof. Dapaah reminded the matriculants about their primary aim of enrolling at the University to go through their chosen academic programmes to ultimately graduate with success and therefore urged them to focus seriously on their studies by beginning “with the end in mind”.
Arranged By: CordovoGH
Source: GNA
MTN Ghana has renewed its two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to ensure that Ghanaians continue to receive essential information through ‘’Agoo’’ on health and social issues.
The partnership which started in 2015 was signed during the outbreak of Ebola and Cholera to provide critical information about the deadly diseases and the importance of hand washing with soap.
Agoo is a multi-lingual mobile platform to educate and engage people on topical issues including; water, sanitation and hygiene, education and child protection by calling toll free number 5100 for MTN users and 0540118999 for non MTN customers.
Mr Asher Khan, Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Ghana said Agoo affords the younger generation protection from violence, counselling to refrain from missing out on school; learn basic tips on healthy lifestyles, such as the importance of hand washing and good hygiene
He said the partnership sought to bring relief, alleviate the fear and anxiety of Ghanaians where Ghanaians could receive time answers to questions on the minds of people who called to enquire about both epidemics.
He said two years on the service had grown and proven successful, 427 calls were received daily in the initial stages and over 2000 calls were received daily since last year 2016.
“In the light of the success of this partnership, MTN is continuing its partnership with UNICEF.
“Today we are signing a MoU to renew this partnership for another two years to affirm MTN’s commitment of brightening the lives of Ghanaians.”
“We are in the digital age and this partnership/ initiative resonates with MTN’s vision of leading the delivery of a bold new digital world. Customers will have ample time to concentrate on their business rather than spending lots of time having to physically go to see a professional.”
Madam Rushnan Murtaza, the Deputy Representative UNICEF said UNICEF had a responsibility to children the next generation of leaders, entrepreneurs of technology experts.
She said one of the most effective ways to empower and enable our young people is to ensure they had the right information and to make this a reality, both MTN and UNICEF have put enormous efforts to promote the Agoo platform.
“From 2016, UNICEF had engaged in more than 370,000 students which covers 96 per cent of all Senior High Schools in Ghana.
“Every year 600 children under the age of five years old die because of diarrhoea related illness that is approximately 10 children a day and one new born dies every 15 minutes.
“Currently one girl in every five in Ghana is married before her 18th birthday and in the three regions of the North, statistics rise to about one girl in every three despite the fact that child marriage is illegal in Ghana.” she said.
She said the Agoo platform would therefore enlighten, increase knowledge and create positive attitudes as well as behavioural change to better the future of the children.
The centrepiece of the Agoo information and engagement campaign for young people is ‘’ Wash Wana Hands’’, a message the performance of a powerful karaoke song and dance choreography by top nine artists in Ghana.
Arranged By: CordovoGH
Source: GNA
Headmasters of the Bawku Senior High Technical School and the Bawku Technical Institute on Thursday called on the former students of the schools to form vibrant Old Students Associations that would help develop the institutions.
The schools, since their establishment as Senior High Schools and enrolled into the government assisted schools’ programme, have not been supported by their old students associations and that had delayed the effective development of infrastructure, and social activities of the two institutions.
The Headmasters made the appeal in an interview when the Ghana News Agency (GNA) visited some senior high schools to find out their problems based on complaints from parents about school accommodation in the Upper East Region.
Mr Paul Atogbania, the Principal of the Bawku Technical Institute (BTI) lamented the low interest of old boys and girls of the school to patronise activities of the school and contribute their quota to making the school a great one.
He said even though they were out of the school, they could still support it and contribute in some decisions regarding the welfare of the school.
He said they were the ultimate strength of the institution and urged them to support the growth of the school, citing schools like the Achimota Senior High school, Adisadel College, Prempeh College and Accra Academy among others that had unbeatable and continuous good performance in academic work and social status due to the contributions of the old students.
Mr Abdulaih Bukari, the Headmaster of the Bawku Senior High Technical School said the absence of theassociations had stalled the development of some infrastructural projects like dining hall, classrooms and dormitory accommodations since authorities of the school alone could not fight to bring the contractor back to work.
He said due to inadequate accommodation, the school in partnership with the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) was forced to re-visit the old structures which were used during the middle school system, in the 1970s, to renovate them to accommodate some of the girls.
He said the school lacked adequate classrooms and dormitories and that was making teaching and learning difficult and uncomfortable, disclosing that the school had over 1,878 students, with 1,208 continuing students while 670 were newly admitted students pursuing various academic programmes.
At lunch time in the school, the reporter noticed that students had their meals under trees due to lack of a dining hall.
Arranged By: CordovoGH
Source: GNA
The Atiwa District Director of Education, Mr Amos Agbo, has called for corn millers to adopt the culture of regular handwashing to prevent the spread of diseases.
He said their work was that they could easily cause the spread infection to many people and that was why they needed to maintain good personal hygiene.
They had been milling food items not only for individuals but families and for commercial use.
He was speaking at a durbar held at Kwabeng in the Atiwa District as part of the stepped up campaign to assist people in the area to take to proper handwashing.
The programme was organized by the Community Water and Sanitation (CWSA) with support from the Ernst Peyer Foundation of Switzerland.
The District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr. Kwabena Nkansah, in a speech read for him, said proper washing of the hands, face and the body, could help prevent many diseases.
It was therefore important for everybody, especially school children, to make the practice a habit.
He invited chiefs and the clergy, to lead the handwashing and environmental sanitation campaigns in the district to save people from getting sick.
Mr. Henry Johnson Ampah, Eastern Regional Director of the CWSA, said the agency would continue to create awareness and motivate the people to do the right things to reduce disease infection and transmission.
Arranged By: CordovoGH
Source: GNA
There was fire outbreak at the Medical Store of the Walewale Hospital on Tuesday morning destroying drugs, the roof of the facility and an air-conditioner amongst other items.
The timely intervention by personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) helped to put the fire under control within 25 minutes and finally extinguishing it within 30 minutes, which ensured that it did not spread to other departments of the hospital.
Mr Nicholas Poku Aikins, Public Relations Officer of the GNFS in the Northern Region, who briefed the GNA, said the cause of the fire was being investigated adding the hospital resumed operations after the fire was extinguished.
Arranged By: CordovoGH
Source: GNA
Mr Niyi Ojuolape, the Country Representative of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has said a country’s development begins with a woman and that taking care of a woman means taking care of the world.
He said this at the launch of the 2017 UNFPA State of the World Population Report (SWOP) in Accra entitled: “Worlds Apart: Reproductive Health and Rights in an Age of Inequity.”
Mr Ojuolape said he believed women carried the cross of a family and that: “It is the woman who takes care of the family, who does most of the things that is being done in the family, but in most of the work that women do, they are not remunerated.”
“On the opposite side whatever the man does, even if he goes to work or at home, he is usually remunerated.
“The women do something that the men cannot do, which is the issue of reproduction. And so, as much as possible, we want to take care of women and it is in taking care of women that we can reduce inequality,” he added.
He said inequality, among people across the world, had costs and repercussions, which, if not corrected, would have adverse consequences on the world.
Mr Ojuolape said: “Poverty is an example of inequality and that if the gap between the rich and the poor is not bridged it will give rise to insurgences, which will hinder the development of the very communities we claim we are trying to move forward”.
The UNFPA country representative said in most developing countries the poorest women had the least power to even decide when or how often to become pregnant.
“They also have the least access to quality care during pregnancy and child birth. This inequity has lasting repercussions for women’s health, their work life and earning potentials or for their contributions to their nation’s development to eliminate poverty,” he added.
The programme was graced by the Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Osei Bonsu Amoah, and was chaired by the former Director of the Institute of Local Government Studies, Dr. Esther Ofei-Aboagye.
Arranged By: CordovoGH
Source: GNA
Professor Wisdom Amoa-Awua, a Research Scientist at the Food Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (FRI-CSIR) on Monday said it is important to preserve Ghana’s traditional local fermented foods to ensure food security, alleviate poverty and promote green growth.
He said food fermentation should therefore be looked upon as a green technology, as the activity of the microorganisms’ lowers energy and water consumption during processing and converts otherwise inedible raw materials to food.
Among some of the well-known fermented food are “fura”, popularly called fula, “wagashie”, “gari” and “pito”, and these were being studied by the FRI, under the Green Growth Project, to collate the traditional practices, production and distribution of these local Ghanaian fermented foods and to improve its production processes to aid its marketability.
There are also kenkey and banku as other known Ghanaian fermented food.
Fermented foods are said to be consumed extensively in many parts of Africa. In Ghana, it constitutes about 40 per cent of food consumed.
Prof Amoa-Awua explained further that fermented foods were additionally environmentally friendly as they are produced from local crops and could be stored unrefrigerated.
“They are nutritious, generally free from foodborne pathogens and ensure the livelihood of many families” he said.
Fermented foods are food substrates that are invaded or overgrown by edible microorganisms whose enzymes, particularly amylases, proteases, and lipases, hydrolyze the polysaccharides, proteins and lipids to nontoxic products with flavours, aromas, and textures pleasant and attractive to the human consumer, he said.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ workshop in Accra, Prof Amoa-Awua said the FRI was currently carrying out series of studies that fall under the Green Growth Project, which aims at “Preserving African Microorganisms for Green Growth to improve the hygienic quality and shelf life of fermented food in three African countries, namely Ghana, Benin and Burkina Faso.
The stakeholders were engaged and briefed on the project and to discuss with the SMEs on how to help them to develop business models in the way they could commercialize the fermented products.
Under the Green Growth project, being implemented by the Danish Technological Institute (DTI), in collaboration with local Research institutions and academia, local African export food chain were being developed to be promoted on the international market while food safety for fura, pito, gari and wagashie were being improved to help increase their demand.
The value addition for local raw materials ware also being ensured.
Implementation of the Green Growth Project started in 2014 and is expected to end in 2018. The project was to enable the West African partners to preserve and fully utilize their natural and economically valuable microbial resources, and to up-grade the food sector in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way ensuring the quality, safety and marketability of food products for income generation.
Prof Awua-Amoa, who lauded the efforts at promoting fermented food, however, cautioned that, “we need to move from uncontrolled or spontaneous fermentations to controlled fermentations and to upgrade all parts of the food value chain through technology transfer and implementation of business models”.
He said fermentation plays at least five roles in food processing and these included enrichment of the human dietary through development of a wide diversity of flavours, aromas, and textures in food.
“Fermentation also helps in preservation of substantial amounts of food through lactic acid, alcoholic, acetic acid, alkaline fermentations, and high salt fermentation,” he noted.
It enriches food with vitamins, protein, essential amino acids, and essential fatty acids; as well as decrease in cooking times and fuel requirements.
In Ghana, the partner institutions in collaborative projects on indigenous African fermented foods include FRI-CSIR, the University of Development Studies, Tamale, Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana and University of Ghana Department of Nutrition and Food Science.
Nearly 80 per cent of West Africans consume fermented foods as part of their daily diet,, whilst fermented foods are commonly produced from local crops and could be stored unrefrigerated for longer periods than fresh foods.
They are also nutritious, generally free from foodborne pathogens and ensure the livelihood of many families.
The Green Growth project, therefore, seeks to assist SMEs to reduce cost of production, increase product profile portfolio, expand customer segmentation, increase distribution channel, and increase the revenue stream, as well as increase profit margins and profitability of local fermented food.
Arranged By: CordovoGH
Source: GNA
The observance of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty can be traced back to 17 October 1987. On that day, over a hundred thousand people gathered at the Trocadéro in Paris , where the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed in 1948, to honour the victims of extreme poverty, violence and hunger. They proclaimed that poverty is a violation of human rights and affirmed the need to come together to ensure that these rights are respected. These convictions are inscribed in a commemorative stone unveiled on this day. Since then, people of all backgrounds, beliefs and social origins have gathered every year on October 17th to renew their commitment and show their solidarity with the poor. Replicas of the commemorative stone have been unveiled around the world and serve as a gathering place to celebrate the Day. One such replica is located in the garden of United Nations Headquarters and is the site of the annual commemoration organized by the United Nations Secretariat in New York .
Through resolution 47/196 adopted on 22 December 1992, the General Assembly declared 17 October as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and invited all States to devote the Day to presenting and promoting, as appropriate in the national context, concrete activities with regard to the eradication of poverty and destitution. The resolution further invites intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to assist States, at their request, in organizing national activities for the observance of the Day, and requests the Secretary-General to take, within existing resources, the measures necessary to ensure the success of the Day’s observance by the United Nations.
17 October presents an opportunity to acknowledge the effort and struggle of people living in poverty, a chance for them to make their concerns heard, and a moment to recognize that poor people are the first ones to fight against poverty. Participation of the poor themselves has been at the center of the Day’s celebration since its very beginning. The commemoration of October 17th also reflects the willingness of people living in poverty to use their expertise to contribute to the eradication of poverty.
Building a sustainable future requires us to intensify our efforts towards eradicating extreme poverty and discrimination, and ensuring that everyone can fully exercise their human rights. The full participation of people living in poverty, particularly in the decisions that affect their lives and communities, must be at the centre of policies and strategies to build a sustainable future. In this way, we can guarantee that our planet and our societies can fulfil the needs and aspirations of everyone – not only those of a privileged few – for this and future generations.
Therefore, it is appropriate that the theme — chosen by the United Nations, in consultation with people living in poverty and civil society organizations — recognizes that all people must come together to end poverty and discrimination in order to build a sustainable future in which the needs of the present are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the declaration by the General Assembly and also marks the 30th anniversary of the Call to Action by Father Joseph Wresinski — which inspired the observance of October 17 as the World Day for Overcoming Extreme Poverty — and the recognition by the United Nations of the day as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
The Call to Action recognizes the knowledge and courage of families living in poverty throughout the world, the importance of reaching out to the poorest and building an alliance with citizens from all backgrounds to end poverty. The theme for this year’s commemoration reminds us of the importance of the values of dignity, solidarity and voice underscored in the Call to Action to fight to end poverty everywhere. Read more about this year’s theme.
Arranged By: CordovoGH
Source: UN
Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara will pay an official visit to Ghana on Monday, October 16, 2017.
A statement signed by the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin, said the two-day visit is to further deepen the strong relations between the two countries, as well as explore other areas of co-operation to their mutual benefit.
The visit is a reciprocal one, following President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s visit to Cote d’Ivoire in May during his tour of the countries of West Africa.
The two Presidents and their respective teams are expected to hold bilateral discussions at the Flagstaff House on Monday, after which the two leaders would address a joint press conference.
President Akufo-Addo would later that evening, host his Ivorian counterpart to an official dinner.
Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire are expected to sign a bilateral agreement, and inaugurate a joint commission for the implementation of the recent judgement passed by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) on the delimitation of the maritime boundaries of Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire.
President Akufo-Addo at the commencement of his West African tour in May, spent three days in Cote d’Ivoire, where he called for closer collaboration and a strategic partnership between both nations, particularly in the cocoa sector.
President Akufo-Addo during the visit was decorated with the Highest National Award of Cote d’Ivoire, La Grande Croix dans l’ordre National Ivorien, at a State Dinner held in his honour by President Alassane Ouattara.
Arranged By: CordovoGH
Source: GNA
(Ghanaian Traditional Dishes Above)
FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) of the United Nations celebrates World Food Day each year on 16 October to commemorate the founding of the Organization in 1945. Events are organized in over 150 countries across the world, making it one of the most celebrated days of the UN calendar. These events promote worldwide awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and for the need to ensure food security and nutritious diets for all.
World Food Day is a chance to show our commitment to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 – to achieve Zero Hunger by 2030.
It’s also a day for us to celebrate the progress we have already made towards reaching #ZeroHunger.
• The right to food is a basic human right.
• Investing in sustainable food systems and rural development means addressing some of the major global challenges – from feeding the world’s growing population to protecting the global climate, and tackling some of the root causes of migration and displacement.
• Achieving the 17 SDGs cannot happen without ending hunger, and without having sustainable and resilient, climate-compatible agriculture and food systems that deliver for the people and the planet.
• Reaching #ZeroHunger is possible: out of the 129 countries monitored by FAO, 72 have already achieved the target of halving the proportion of people who suffer from hunger by 2015; over the past 20 years, the likelihood of a child dying before age five has been nearly cut in half, with about 17,000 children saved every day; extreme poverty rates have been cut in half since 1990.
“Change the future of migration. Invest in food security and rural development.” is the theme for this year’s World Food Day celebration.
The world is on the move. More people have been forced to flee their homes than at any time since the Second World War due to increased conflict and political instability. But hunger, poverty, and an increase in extreme weather events linked to climate change are other important factors contributing to the migration challenge.
Large movements of people today are presenting complex challenges, which call for global action. Many migrants arrive in developing countries, creating tensions where resources are already scarce, but the majority, about 763 million, move within their own countries rather than abroad.
Three-quarters of the extreme poor base their livelihoods on agriculture or other rural activities. Creating conditions that allow rural people, especially youth, to stay at home when they feel it is safe to do so, and to have more resilient livelihoods, is a crucial component of any plan to tackle the migration challenge.
Rural development can address factors that compel people to move by creating business opportunities and jobs for young people that are not only crop-based (such as small dairy or poultry production, food processing or horticulture enterprises). It can also lead to increased food security, more resilient livelihoods, better access to social protection, reduced conflict over natural resources and solutions to environmental degradation and climate change.
By investing in rural development, the international community can also harness migration’s potential to support development and build the resilience of displaced and host communities, thereby laying the ground for long-term recovery and inclusive and sustainable growth.
Arranged By: CordovoGH
Source: fao.org
On December 19, 2011, United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child. The day aims to highlight and address the needs and challenges girls face, while promoting girls’ empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights.
Adolescent girls have the right to a safe, educated, and healthy life, not only during these critical formative years, but also as they mature into women. If effectively supported during the adolescent years, girls have the potential to change the world – both as the empowered girls of today and as tomorrow’s workers, mothers, entrepreneurs, mentors, household heads, and political leaders. An investment in realising the power of adolescent girls upholds their rights today and promises a more equitable and prosperous future, one in which half of humanity is an equal partner in solving the problems of climate change, political conflict, economic growth, disease prevention, and global sustainability.
Over the last 15 years, the global community has made significant progress in improving the lives of girls during early childhood. In 2015, girls in the first decade of life are more likely to enrol in primary school, receive key vaccinations, and are less likely to suffer from health and nutrition problems than were previous generations. However, there has been insufficient investment in addressing the challenges girls face when they enter the second decade of their lives. This includes obtaining quality secondary and higher education, avoiding child marriage, receiving information and services related to puberty and reproductive health, and protecting themselves against unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted disease and gender-based violence.
As the global community launches the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for implementation over the next 15 years, it is a good time to recognise the achievements made in supporting young girls, while at the same time aspiring to support the current and upcoming generation of adolescent girls, to truly fulfil their potential as key actors in achieving a sustainable and equitable world.
An Event ” Day of the Girl Summit” including the 11 Days of Action and the Speak Out Event brings girls and girl-serving organizations together to celebrate the International Day of the Girl. The Summit has become a movement; a year-long, action-oriented virtual platform for change makers to leverage community resources in support of the advancement of girls’ human rights.
See UNICEF’s 2017 International Day of the Girl Events.
Arranged By: CordovoGH
Source: United Nations
Boston Children’s Hospital of the Harvard University in the United States (US), has collaborated with Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) to perform successful open heart surgery on 140 Ghanaian children born with heart defects.
The operations performed free of charge by a team of medical personnel, including cardiovascular and thoracic surgeons, critical care nurses, pharmacists, respiratory therapists and medical volunteers, were intended to correct heart-related deformities and abnormalities amongst the patients.
“We are happy to be associated with this noble cause over the last decade, and seeing some of the beneficiaries of our outreach programme now being able to play soccer, jump around and do things just like any other healthy child gives us the joy and motivation to work hard in achieving our goals”, Ms. Beverly Small, a critical care nurse of the Boston Children’s Hospital told the Ghana News Agency (GNA).
This was on the sidelines of a visit by the medical team to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, at his Manhyia Palace, Kumasi, and formed part of activities marking the ten years anniversary of the US-based Hospital’s collaboration with their Ghanaian counterparts designed “to give life to dying children”.
Heart surgery is typically used for patients with severe coronary artery disease, heart valve problems and aneurysm, in which the heart cannot pump adequately.
The GNA gathered that the average hospital charge for all common heart surgery cost not less than US$10, 000, and this by Ghanaian standards was very difficult to come by, a situation which posed potential risk to many children born with such defects.
Ms. Small, who led the delegation to the Palace, indicated that they were committed to imparting the needed knowledge and expertise in order to help their counterparts take over full responsibility of treating successfully heart-related deformities for the benefit of the people.
The Hospital currently has only one practicing Cardiovascular Surgeon, and health authorities are working around the clock to see to the training of more of such professionals in order to attend to emergency cases.
She said cardiovascular issues ought to be given the needed attention by stakeholders since the heart played a major role in the health of the people.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu praised the medical personnel for their sense of duty, stressing the need for authorities of KATH to foster more of such collaborations to attain optimum health for Ghanaians.
KATH, the nation’s second largest health referral facility provides services not only to Ghanaians, but to people from around the West African sub-region, particularly neigbouring countries such as Burkina Faso, Togo and Cote d’ Ivoire.
Dr. Oheneba Danso, Chief Executive Officer of the Hospital, disclosed that since the construction of its Accident and Emergency Centre, the Out-Patient-Department (OPD) attendances and referral cases had increased and that, this had come with its own challenges to the authorities.
It was, therefore, necessary for more to be done to enhance emergency medicine and general healthcare for patients.
Arranged by: CordovoGH
Source: GNA
World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year, with the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health, as well as raising advocacy against social stigma. It was first observed in 1992 at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health, a global mental health organization with members and contacts in more than 150 countries.
The Day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide. Yearly observance of the World Mental Health Day always has a theme which it focuses on, in 2016 the theme was ” Psychological first Aid” (PFA) is a technique designed to reduce the occurrence of post traumatic stress disorder. The 2017 theme has been stated as ” Mental health in the workplace”
During our adult lives, a large proportion of our time is spent at work. Our experience in the workplace is one of the factors determining our overall wellbeing. Employers and managers who put in place workplace initiatives to promote mental health and to support employees who have mental disorders see gains not only in the health of their employees but also in their productivity at work. A negative working environment, on the other hand, may lead to physical and mental health problems, harmful use of substances or alcohol, absenteeism and lost productivity.
Depression and anxiety disorders are common mental disorders that have an impact on our ability to work, and to work productively. Globally, more than 300 million people suffer from depression, the leading cause of disability. More than 260 million are living with anxiety disorders. Many of these people live with both. A recent WHO-led study estimates that depression and anxiety disorders cost the global economy US$ 1 trillion each year in lost productivity.
As we hear over and over again, one in every four people will experience some kind of mental health problem each year, But even more tragically, nine out of 10 of those people will experience stigma and discrimination because of it.
Importance of Mental Health at the Workplace
A serious concern is ‘presenteeism’, whereby employees continue working while they’re ill because they are afraid to take time off, leading to lower productivity.
Even despite this, poor mental health is responsible for more than 70million lost working days each year.
A negative working environment can lead to poor mental and physical health, increase in alcohol use and loss of productivity.
It’s important for employers to recognise that initiatives to promote mental health and wellbeing not only improve the health of their work force but also increases their output.
When staff feel well-cared-for and happy at work, they are more likely to be engaged, motivated and loyal.
Arranged By: CordovoGH
Sources: W.H.O & Metro News
Celebrated Ghanaian Reggae musician, Blakk Rasta has presented a copy of his latest album that talks about the legalization of marijuana(wee) to Ex-president John Agyekum Kuffour.
Marijuana has been regarded as a bad substance for decades in the country but the banned substance has been highly recommended by the Ghana Standard Authority as a substance worth legalizing.
Many dignitaries including former UN president Kofi Annan have added their voices to the call for marijuana and other related drugs to be legalized.
Razzonline.com can not ascertain whether ex-president has also declared his intention of joining the call to legalize the banned hemp after receiving the album from the ‘Barack Obama’ hitmaker at his residence in Accra.
The multiple award-winning Reggae cum radio personality; Blakk Rasta released the album advocating for the legalization of marijuana ‘wee’ titled ‘Kofi Annan Says’ a week ago.
Arranged by: Cordovogh
Source: ghanaweb
Today the 21st September is a national public holiday marking the birthday of Ghana’s first president Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and has been named founders day. this day has been celebrated annually since the Late President Evans Attah Mills had it inaugurated in 2009, The day had been set aside to commemorate the birth and contributions of Nkrumah towards the liberation and development of Ghana and Africa. but all that is about to change as the current governing New Patriotic Party disagrees.
The Speaker of Parliament Prof. Mike Aaron Ocquaye says late President John Evans Atta Mills erred when he declared the birthday of Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah as the Founder’s Day.
Professor Mike Aaron Ocquaye said Ghana’s march to independence predates the March 6, 1957 declaration day.
He said although Nkrumah contributed towards independence, he is not the country’s founder.
At a Ghana@60 Anniversary Committee public lecture held at the National Theatre Friday, the political scientist said the first President became one of Ghana’s founding fathers by his association with members of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC).
There are two unyielding stands in any discussion on Ghana’s independence. It has always been a clash among Members of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) on one hand and the Convention People’s Party (CPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) on another.
The NPP, progeny of UGCC, believes Ghana could not have been founded by Nkrumah alone to deserve the special attention. They said the blueprint for the country’s independence was designed by the founders of UGCC.
The United Party (UP) offspring wants Dr J.B. Danquah, Edward Akufo and other members of the UGCC to be given the same treatment given to Nkrumah
But the CPP and NDC have maintained the man, voted by BBC listeners in Africa in 2000 as the ‘Man of the Millennium’ deserves the founder accolade because of his immense contributions towards the country’s independence.
The CPP members said any attempt to elevate Dr Danquah and others will amount to re-writing of the country’s history.
On a record setting mission, Professor Ocquaye said the progenitors of NPP, founded Ghana and not Kwame Nkrumah.
So for this reason the current President of Ghana, President Nana Akufo-Addo is to propose legislation to designate August 4 as Founders Day.
This is according to a statement from the Presidency signed by its Director of Communications, Eugine Arhin.
The birthday of Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, on September 21, will be observed as Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day. Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s birthday was originally observed as Founder’s Day.
The Presidency’s statement noted that August 4, is “obviously the most appropriate day to signify our recognition and appreciation of the collective efforts of our forebearers towards the founding of a free, independent Ghana.”
August 4 is noted as the date for the formation of the Aborigines’ Rights Protection Society by John Mensah Sarbah in 1897, and the formation of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) in 1947 by J.B. Danquah and George Alfred “Paa” Grant.
THE FULL STATEMENT FROM THE PRESIDENCY BELOW:
It is unfortunate that, 60 years after independence, the history of the events leading to it continues to be embroiled in unnecessary controversy, due largely to partisan political considerations of the moment.
It is clear that successive generations of Ghanaians made vital contributions to the liberation of our country from imperialism and colonialism. It is, therefore, fitting that we honour them, as those who contributed to the founding of our nation.
The most appropriate way to honour them is to commemorate the day on which the two most significant events in our colonial political history, that led us to independence, occurred – 4th August.
On that day, in 1897, the Aborigines Rights Protection Society (ARPS) was formed in Cape Coast. The Society did a great job to mobilise the chiefs and people to ward off the greedy hands of British imperialism to ensure that control of Ghanaian lands remained in Ghanaian hands. It represented the first monumental step towards the making of modern Ghana, enabling us to avoid the quagmire of land inheritance that our brothers and sisters in Southern and Eastern Africa continue to suffer, from the seizures of their lands by white minorities.
In a deliberate act in the continuum of Ghanaian history, exactly fifty years later, on 4th August, 1947, at Saltpond, the great nationalists of the time gathered to inaugurate the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC), the first truly nationalist party of the Gold Coast, to demand the independence of our nation from British rule, at a gathering which included “paramount chiefs, clergymen, lawyers, entrepreneurs, teachers, traders and men and women from all walks of life in the Gold Coast”, according to an eye witness. The inauguration set the ball rolling for our nation’s attainment of independence, and for the dramatic events, including the birth in 1949 of the Convention Peoples Party (CPP), that ushered us into freedom.
That day, 4th August, is, thus, obviously the most appropriate day to signify our recognition and appreciation of the collective efforts of our forebears towards the founding of a free, independent Ghana.
It is equally clear that the first leader of independent Ghana, and the nation’s 1st President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, played an outstanding role in helping to bring to fruition the works of the earlier generations, and leading us to the promised land of national freedom and independence. It is entirely appropriate that we commemorate him for that role, by designating his birthday as the permanent day of his remembrance.
The President has, therefore, decided to propose legislation to Parliament to designate 4th August as FOUNDERS DAY, and 21st September as KWAME NKRUMAH MEMORIAL DAY, both of which will be observed as public holidays. In the meantime, the President has issued an Executive Instrument to commemorate this year’s celebration of KWAME NKRUMAH MEMORIAL DAY as a public holiday.
……signed……
Eugene Arhin
Director of Communications
Office of the President
Arranged by: CordovoGH
Source: myjoyonline
BBnZ Live label mates, Shaker and Ko-Jo Cue have announced their first ever collaborative album titled “Pen & Paper”.
This was made known at a press soiree held on Tuesday, September 19, 2017, at BBnZ Live new office located at Nima Police Station in Accra.
According to the duo, the upcoming album is a complete Hip-hop project and would take every listener ‘back to the basics’.
Addressing the press, Shaker and Kojo said: “We took it back to the basics with this project and made it all about the art”.
Just like any other project, they faced little issues and that has to do with cutting down the number of tracks from 20 to 12. To them, every single track recorded worth the time and energy invested hence, it was difficult to oust some.
The 12-track album, according to the duo, is targeted at winning many awards at next year’s Ghana Music Awards including the “Album of the year”, “Hip-hop Album of the year” and “Video of the Year”.
Mr Kwame Blay, a founding member of BBnZ Live, also disclosed that the label has plans in place to push the album to the maximum length. He said the marketing, distribution and other strategic plans to help push the album are already in place.
The official video for the title track is scheduled for release on Wednesday, September 20 following the album announcement. The video was directed by Esianyo Kumordzi.
The album release date will be announced on September 27, according to the management.
Arranged by: CordovoGH
Source: ghanaweb.com
Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Deputy Minister of Education, has announced that Government has disbursed funds to senior high schools (SHS) to help speed up its Free SHS Policy implementation.
He said this was to help ensure immediate tuitions in the various SHSs in the country for the new academic year.
Dr Adutwum made this known on Friday in Tamale during a meeting with the various metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) in the Northern Region.
The meeting was to educate the MMDAs on the implementation of the Free SHS.
“Government has advanced 20 per cent of monies due to all SHSs to help kick- start activities of the new academic year…” Dr Adutwum said.
He said the Free SHS was to ensure that all Ghanaian students had quality, equity and accessible education for free including the technical and vocational schools.
Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Deputy Minister of Education, has announced that Government has disbursed funds to senior high schools (SHS) to help speed up its Free SHS Policy implementation.
He said this was to help ensure immediate tuitions in the various SHSs in the country for the new academic year.
Dr Adutwum made this known on Friday in Tamale during a meeting with the various metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) in the Northern Region.
The meeting was to educate the MMDAs on the implementation of the Free SHS.
“Government has advanced 20 per cent of monies due to all SHSs to help kick- start activities of the new academic year…” Dr Adutwum said.
He said the Free SHS was to ensure that all Ghanaian students had quality, equity and accessible education for free including the technical and vocational schools.
Arranged by: CordovoGH
Source: GNA
Mr Joseph Abajipe Ayigoni, father of an eight-year- old child in the Upper East Region, who has a heart defect, is appealing to the public to help him pay the GH¢14,000 required for surgery.
The child, Master Moses Wepare Ayigoni, is presently at the Paediatric Unit of the Regional Hospital in Bolgatanga.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mr Ayigoni, a peasant farmer, said his son had been ill for the past four years and his health was fast deteriorating.
A letter Mr Ayigoni showed the GNA, dated June 7, 2012 and signed by Dr Innocent Adzamli for Dr Lawrence A. Sereboe, a Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon at the Korle-bu Teaching Hospital, indicates that the boy was born with a heart problem called Tetralogy of Fallot, and he needed two surgeries.
The first stage had been carried out successfully and the second stage, which was long overdue, was estimated at GH¢28.000 but the Ghana Heart Foundation would assist by paying 50 per cent of the cost, thereby leaving a bill of GH¢14,000.
All payments, according to the letter, should be addressed to the National Cardiothoracic Centre.
Arranged by: CordovoGH
Source: GNA
Cargill is celebrating with more than 10,000 Ghanaian cocoa farmers as the company has made its first ever sustainable premium payment by electronic transfer through its Licensed Buying Company (LBC).
The payment of GH¢2 million was announced at a ceremony Thursday, attended by Nana Kwadwo Twum II – Acting President, Sefwi Bekwai Traditional Area & Chief of Sefwi Humjibre, Dr Opoku – Executive Director, CHED and Clara Arthur – General Manager, Projects & Business Development, GhIPSS, where a symbolic cheque representing the payment was presented to participating farmers.
Cargill’s LBC, which began operating in November 2016, allows the company to directly source cocoa from certified farmers in Ghana – putting the farmer at the heart of its business.
The buying process is fully e-money enabled, allowing Cargill to pay farmers directly by electronic transfer for the first time.
The LBC is part of Cargill’s Cocoa Promise, the company’s commitment to improving the livelihoods of farmers and communities that will secure a thriving cocoa sector for generations to come.
Cargill already sources directly from farmers and farmer organisations in other origin countries.
Moving to this model in Ghana means that the company is now better positioned to implement sustainability activities under the Cargill Cocoa Promise on a wider scale, while also better serving its customers.
Mr Lionel Soulard, the Managing Director, Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate West Africa, said: “Our first electronic premium payment in Ghana since Cargill’s LBC was established is good news for farmers. Our new approach, combining new high-tech purchasing with the LBC model of direct sourcing and collaboration with farmers, is working well and we hope to make many more such payments in the future.”
Cargill’s innovative purchasing model uses the latest technology to implement the principles of sustainability and full traceability in Ghana.
Farmers deliver their cocoa to community warehouses where their beans are digitally weighed and assigned a fully traceable bar code. Funds are then transferred straight to the farmer’s phone or e-wallet using E-money through partnerships with E-Zwich, MTN mobile Money and Tigo Cash.
Details of the cocoa beans are recorded in a standardised management system before they are transferred to central warehouses.
Through this bar code system, Cargill can now, for the first time in Ghana, trace each individual bag of beans sourced through the Cargill LBC to the individual farmer, creating a fully traceable supply chain.
Mr Soulard explained, “Having long standing relations with cocoa farmers and their communities is critical for the full implementation of our sustainability approach and we are now expanding our sustainability activities to enable farming communities to benefit from training, community and farm development support.”
Working together with CARE International, Cargill is currently undertaking development projects in 108 communities in Ghana, focusing on women’s empowerment, child protection and food and nutrition security.
The strategy is to empower these communities through the formation of community development committees (CDCs), providing each with $500 seed capital to spearhead the development agenda of the communities.
Cargill would thus be investing $300,000 each year for the next three years to create resilient cocoa communities in the area where the LBC operates.
“We are excited about continuing our sustainability journey in Ghana, in partnership with COCOBOD, the Ghanaian cocoa board,” said Mr Soulard. “As our new purchasing model is fully sustainable and fully certified, it will strengthen farmer organisations and enable farmers to benefit from future premium payments for certified, sustainable cocoa beans.
“Developing our sourcing capabilities in the world’s second largest cocoa producing country is an essential step to meet growing customer demand for sustainable, certified cocoa.”
In the coming year, Cargill is also committed to working with the Ministry of Education to renovate, reconstruct and build schools in the four districts where it currently operates, to improve access to education.
Arranged by: CordovoGH
Source: GNA
The first time Mic Reborn appeared on Cordovogh was when he released the single {my life} for February 2019, now he’s back with another tune titled “Anadwo” and it’s got everyone on their feet jamming to it. “Anadwo” which is a Twi word(a local dialect spoken by many Ghanaians)means Night, and in the track mic reborn tells his lady to give in to his love proposals for the night because he has fulfilled all of her desires. Enjoy ANADWO, like and share.
Just like a prophet, Popular Ghanaian reggae artiste Kojo Kombolo, predicted the sale of Ghana’s primary electricity distributor ECG (Electricity Company of Ghana) in his 2017 track “MAKAA MAKA” where a line in the chorus says “ Them (the government) want to sell out ECG and them think say we never know that….. Makaa Maka.” In February 2019, the ECG began a private partnership with foreign investors, creating the speculation that indeed it has been sold. Its name since the effect of the private partnership, has been changed from ECG to PDS (Power Distribution Services).
In the track, he also criticized certain artistes as lacking content and never wanting to utilize their brains to write good lyrics. The track Makaa Maka, is a Single which was released in 2016 under FAYA Records of which Kojo Kombolo is a signed act. Listen to the full song below via YouTube…
MIC REBORN has released another single for the year 2019 titled “MY LIFE”. The track produced and mixed by Blakkness describes life’s struggles faced by him and calls on God (JAH) to come to his aid… this is an inspirational song to every youth.
Listen to MY LIFE below, via YouTube and kindly share.
Young Trixx Flowmorce releases yet another one from his Matrix EP. He calls this “Your Love”, known for his unique style in Rap music, Treat me Good his first single from the EP was explicitly dope. Blending Hip Hop music into Afro beat making him unpredictable. The bonus single, Your Love is unpredictable as well.
WiLDMONKi Tribe’s “Reed Drago” has released visuals for His Hit Single “Speaking Lies”
Speaking Lies is a hiphop song which summarizes the various conspiracy theories , religious beliefs and the economic situation that surrounds us in Ghana and the world at Large.
The Music Video is an artistic and theatric display of the lyrics to the song.The Video is directed by Finn Mensah.
Watch Here: https://youtu.be/JF6VuHUH2jM
You can also follow Reed Drago on
Twitter: @Reed_Drago
Facebook: Reed Drago
Popular Radio DJ/TV Presenter and Music Producer Signed To WiLDMONKi Records has Unleashed unto the Music Scene visuals for his AfroTrap Single “Rumor” which features Reed Drago.
The video is an Afrocentric display of Trap life as well as the lifestyle of the WiLDMONKi Group. It’s displays Ghana’s beauty.
Dj YoGa stated that this is the first official video off his upcoming “The AfroTrap”Album. He will be releasing more videos from the album before the album drops .
Click Here to Watch: youtu.be/V5muxgMOFtU
Directed by FINN MENSAH
Popular Ghanaian Radio DJ/Music Producer on Zylofon FM and Vice President of WiLDMONKi Music Group has sent a message to the Youth to restrain from Kofi Mole “Crackheads in the Building “ agenda and rather focus on how to make money and build themselves into greater beings on his Latest Afrotrap Single Titled “Gyae Nkwasiasem “
DJ YoGa who has been on #StopKofiMoleNow Campaign on Social Media said he met a 13 year old young boy in Achimota ,a suburb in Accra who spoke of an artiste called Kofi Mole,and how he had mad Love for his music, DJ YoGa had never heard of the name so he quickly went online to look him up since he appreciates arts so much, but upon his research , he didn’t like Kofi Mole’s message in his music, he quickly recalled seeing his face in Kwesi Arthur’s Grind day remix video,He then decided to give Kofi Mole’s Music some attention and upon his research he found out that Kofi Mole Music is only here to destroy the Youth of Ghana since its only promotes Crack and being a Junkie with a catchphrase “Crackheads in the Building “
Readers can Simply google “Kofi Mole “No gentlemen allowed” and watch the video on YouTube and see the images.
He said , Crack , Tramadol ,Codeine and other laboratory made chemical drugs are gradually becoming our society’s phenomenon that we can’t sit back and watch a musician champion it and try to make it look cool to the Kids.
DJ YoGa said this in an interview with Cordovogh and revealed that he won’t rest till Kofi Mole comes out publicly to accept and promise a change in his message delivery.
DJ YoGa is an advocate for #DecriminilizationofAllPlants, an agenda that helps to create awareness on crimes related to plant usage. All plants are God given and must not be a crime to use it. This agenda is being championed by Kofi Annan, Blakk Rasta, Samini, Kwawkese, Panji , JOEL Orleans And Many others
Let’s encourage the youth to empower themselves to become great not destroy themselves with Chemical drugs.
Click Link Below to Listen on Sound Cloud:
DJ YoGa ft Reed Drago, Young puffie, WildChild – GYAE NKWASIASEM (PROD. BY FIZZI) by DjYogaGh on #SoundCloud
Listen and Download here:The WiLD.MONKi Records signed Artiste Reed Drago teams up with the versatile DJ Halm Of MEDIKAL’s AMG & BeyondControl Label for this 2018 classical titled ‘Lauren’s Lullaby’.
The song is a poetic justice done by Reed Drago explaining his life as an independent man in a world full Fakes and bad promises from friends and Leaders of the society.The song also Explains the essence of loyalty in a progressive society.
The Song is produced by Vader Y.F and is released as a piece for all individual Ghanaians on the 6th of March to celebrate Ghana’s day of Independence.
Click the Link Below to Listen to Lauren”s Lullaby ft Dj Halm (prod by. Vader Y.F) by Reed Drago on #SoundCloud
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DJ YoGa
Radio/TV Host,Disc Jockey,Blogger,Events,Artiste Management
Twitter/Instagram: @DjYoGaGH
CordovoClan 