Under the patronage of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, attended the ceremony of the sixth edition of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity.

Held on Tuesday at the Founder’s Memorial in Abu Dhabi, the ceremony gathered world leaders, dignitaries, and humanitarian advocates, including President of East Timor José Ramos-Horta; His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence; First Lady of Colombia Verónica del Socorro Alcocer García; and former president of the European Council Charles Michel.

The event – with the theme ‘Tapestry of Humanity’ – opened with a moving performance by 18-year-old sight-impaired Indonesian singer Putri Ariani and Emirati pianist Rashed Al Marzooqi.

The ceremony coincided with the UN-recognised International Day of Human Fraternity, which commemorates the signing of the Abu Dhabi Document on Human Fraternity by Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church, and Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, on February 4, 2019.

The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity recognised three honorees namely: Prime Minister of Barbados the Honorable Mia Amor Mottley, SC, MP, for her visionary leadership and climate advocacy; World Central Kitchen (WCK) – founded by Chef José Andrés – for the organisation’s relentless commitment to providing food relief in conflict zones and following natural disasters; and 15-year-old health innovator Heman Bekele for his efforts in developing a cancer-fighting soap to treat early-stage skin cancer.

The Honorable Mia Amor Mottley, SC, MP, received the award for her bold leadership on climate action. Through the Bridgetown Initiative, launched in 2022, she advocates for systemic changes to combat climate inequality and urges global financial systems to prioritize climate resilience in vulnerable nations.

Mottley has committed to making Barbados 100 percent renewable by 2030, setting a powerful example for climate action. Her innovative debt-for-climate swaps have enabled countries to redirect resources toward building climate resilience, influencing policy shifts worldwide and creating lasting impacts on a global climate justice.

Since its founding by Chef José Andres in 2010, World Central Kitchen has delivered over 300 million meals across more than 30 countries. Its rapid response model and ability to operate in some of the most challenging and dangerous circumstances have established WCK as a global leader in disaster relief, offering immediate aid and long-term support to communities in need.

Heman Bekele received the award for his ambition to save the lives of the most vulnerable and his vision of accessible and affordable healthcare. Inspired by the high cost of skin cancer treatment in developing countries, he developed a cost-effective soap that aims to treat early-stage skin cancer.

He is now collaborating with Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health to refine and assess his concept, with skin cancer researchers recognizing his potential to revolutionise healthcare in underserved communities and improve global access to affordable treatments.

Pope Francis and His Eminence Grand Imam Al-Tayeb addressed the ceremony in video messages.

Pope Francis remarked: “I trust that the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity honorees will set an example to encourage others in undertaking initiatives to promote peaceful coexistence and that they will be models of fruitful collaboration between people of different religions at the service of all humanity.”

Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb shared: “On this occasion I am pleased to extend my heartfelt congratulations to this year’s Zayed Award for Human Fraternity honorees.

The Honorable Mia Mottley, I commend your tireless efforts in addressing the global challenges of climate change. The young hero – today’s child and tomorrow’s scientist – Heman Bekele, it was truly a joy to witness your well-deserved recognition. World Central Kitchen, honoring you today is indeed an acknowledgement of all humanitarian relief workers who have left their homes, families and children to extend a helping hand to the vulnerable and oppressed.”

Prime Minister of Barbados the Honorable Mia Amor Mottley, SC, MP, expressed: “It is our responsibility to recognize that we must make history trend in the right direction, not for us who have lived life, but for the young ones.

The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity bringing together the best of what is represented both by His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam allows us to reflect on what really matters. Without life, we have nothing and without a planet, we definitely have nothing. I thank you for this high honor bestowed upon me, and I take it not in my name but in the name of all those who want a voice for a better planet and for opportunities and peace for the people of the world.”

Founder of World Central Kitchen, Chef José Andrés, shared his insights during the ceremony, emphasizing, “This award is an expression of the values Sheikh Zayed has taught his nation and the world; tolerance, coexistence, understanding and respect, they are the values of the UAE, and I think in our own way, World Central Kitchen seeks to live by these simple principles.”

In his remarks, Heman Bekele said, “I have always been driven by one goal: to equalize access to healthcare—to ensure that life-saving treatments and technologies aren’t limited by geography, wealth, or privilege. Science and innovation should serve humanity, not just those who can afford it. This award will help so much in fueling my dreams. This is just the beginning, and I invite you all to join me in making healthcare a universal right, not just a privilege.”

The ceremony also marked the opening of nominations for the 2026 edition of the award. Eligible nominators can submit their nominations via the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity’s official website.

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Renowned academic and Political Marketing expert Prof. Kobby Mensah has been appointed by the President of the Republic of Ghana as the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC).

His leadership comes at an important moment when the tourism sector seeks innovative strategies to boost growth while preserving the country’s rich cultural and natural heritage.

One of the key philosophies that will shape his tenure is sustainable tourism – a vision that aligns with global best practices and Ghana’s long-term tourism objectives.

What is Sustainable Tourism?

Sustainable tourism refers to a responsible approach to travel and tourism that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

It balances economic growth, environmental protection, and social well-being by minimising negative environmental impacts, such as pollution, deforestation, and over-tourism.

It also helps preserve cultural heritage by ensuring that local traditions, customs, and historical sites are safeguarded. This will lead to economic inclusivity so that local communities benefit from tourism investments and employment opportunities.

What Prof. Kobby Mensah Brings to the Table

With his deep expertise in strategic tourism marketing, branding, and media relations, Prof. Mensah is expected to bring a fresh perspective to Ghana’s tourism sector.

His leadership at GTDC will likely focus on branding Ghana as a Sustainable Tourism Destination and repositioning it as a leading eco-tourism and cultural tourism hub in Africa.

He is also expected to develop strategic marketing campaigns that promote responsible tourism.

Another critical area he will likely focus on is community-centred tourism development, which ensures that local communities are actively involved in tourism projects by encouraging local entrepreneurship in the tourism value chain, like hotels, restaurants, tour guides, and artisanal businesses.

The venerable Professor is also expected to encourage eco-friendly infrastructure and investment by advocating for environmentally sustainable hotel and resort developments and supporting green initiatives such as waste management, clean energy, and conservation projects within tourism sites.

In the coming months, I look forward to several collaborations with government agencies, tourism operators, and international bodies to implement sustainable tourism policies to drive partnerships with investors who align with sustainability principles.

A New Era for Ghana’s Tourism Sector?

I am hopeful that under Prof. Kobby Mensah’s leadership, the GTDC is poised to advance Ghana’s tourism industry through responsible, community-driven, and eco-conscious strategies.

His vision for sustainable tourism will not only attract visitors but also ensure that Ghana’s natural beauty, historical landmarks, and cultural legacy are preserved for future generations.

His appointment signals a progressive shift towards a tourism sector that prioritises both economic growth and environmental responsibility.

As Ghana continues to expand its tourism footprint, Prof. Mensah’s leadership could be a game-changer in positioning the country as a sustainable tourism model for Africa and beyond.

Story by Noel Nutsugah

Telecel Ghana has been recognised as a Top Employer in Ghana for the 7th consecutive year, a major achievement that demonstrates the company’s commitment to creating a world-class workplace and promoting excellence in its Human Resource (HR) policies and practices.

The recognition also comes almost a year after the telecommunications giant completed its rebranding to Telecel.

“We are delighted to be recognised as a Top Employer in Ghana. This award validates the hard work and dedication of our team, and it reflects our ongoing commitment to encouraging an inclusive, innovative, and supportive work environment. We’ve worked tirelessly to ensure that Telecel Ghana is not only a leader in digital connectivity but also a leader in talent development and employee wellbeing,” said Ing. Patricia Obo-Nai, chief executive of Telecel Ghana.

Being certified as a Top Employer reflects Telecel Ghana’s dedication to building a better world of work through exceptional people strategies, inclusive practices, and innovative talent development.

The Top Employers Institute evaluates organisations through a rigorous HR Best Practices Survey, covering key areas such as People Strategy, Work Environment, Talent Acquisition, Learning, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Wellbeing, among others.

David Plink, CEO of Top Employers Institute, said “This year, the Top Employers Certification Programme highlights the dedication of Top Employers as they continue to set the standard by consistently delivering world-class HR strategies and practices. We are proud to celebrate these people-first leaders and teams as Top Employers for 2025.”

Over the past year, the telco has focused on improving its internal culture, focusing on employee development, diversity, and inclusion.

“Our aim is to build a workplace that nurtures talent, promotes continuous learning, and empowers our employees to contribute to both their personal growth and the company’s mission of connecting Ghana and Africa. This recognition reaffirms that we’re on the right path,” said Hussein Rifai, Head of Centre of Excellence (CoE) at Telecel Group.

With over 2,400 organisations certified across 125 countries and regions, the Top Employers programme has become the global standard for recognising excellence in people practices. This year, Top Employers Institute certified companies that positively impact the lives of over 13 million employees globally, with Telecel Ghana standing as a proud member of this esteemed group.

Former ADB MD, Alhassan Yakubu-Tali

The Managing Director of Agricultural Development Bank PLC, Alhassan Yakubu-Tali has formally resigned, with effect from Wednesday, February 5, 2025.

His resignation follows the majority shareholder of the bank nominating a new managing director.

From August 2017 to November 2022, Mr. Yakubu-Tali was the Deputy Managing Director before taking up the position on December 1, 2022.

He led a two-year corporate plan that greatly increased the bank’s capital and assets.

“Under his leadership, the shareholders of the Bank successfully injected additional capital of GHS1.501 billion to ensure capital stability. The strategic focus on recovering the Bank’s Non-Performing loans yielded impressive results. leading to improved financial performance. His leadership also resulted in the reversal of a trend of significant losses recorded in prior years,” according to a statement released by ADB on February 6, 2025.

The Board, Management, and Staff wished him luck in his future undertakings and conveyed their gratitude for his contributions.

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, met with the Western Regional House of Chiefs in Sekondi-Takoradi, seeking their support to combat illegal mining, on February 6, 2025.

“It is not for nothing that it is said that the best comes from the West. God has blessed us with an abundance of precious minerals, rich vegetation, and peace-loving people,” Armah-Kofi Buah said.

The minister emphasized the importance of traditional authorities in leading the fight against galamsey.

“To put it bluntly, the fight against galamsey must be led by our chiefs and traditional authorities in every part of this country,” he stated.

Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah outlined key features of the government’s new anti-galamsey policy, including introducing new initiatives and reviewing existing strategies.

Paramount Chief of the Essikado Traditional Area, Nana Kobina Nketsia V, commended the minister for engaging the chiefs. Some chiefs raised concerns about land issues and mining regulations, and the minister promised to address them.

By Vera Owusu Sarpong

 President John Dramani Mahama has released the first batch of deputy ministerial nominees to serve in his government.

A statement signed and issued by the Acting Spokesperson to the President, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, in Accra yesterday said the President has also named Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba, Member of Parliament (MP) for Tempane as Minister of State, Public Sector Reforms.

The list of the 13 deputy ministerial nominees and the minister of state brings to 56 persons President Mahama has named so far to constitute his cabinet.

The fresh deputy ministerial nominees are made up of 11 MPs and two non MPs.

They are Thomas Ampem Nyarko, MP, Asuogyaman; Finance, Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, MP, Lower Manya Krobo; Interior, Ernest Brogya Gyenfi, Defence, Clement Abas Apaak, MP, Builsa South; Education and Yusif Sulemana, MP, Bole Bamboi, Lands and Natural Resources.

Others are Richard Gyan-Mensah, MP, Gomoa West; Energy and Green Transi­tion, Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini, MP, Tamale North; Roads and Highways, Justice Srem-Sai, Justice and Attorney-General, and Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, MP, La Dadekotopon; Local Government, Chieftaincy and Reli­gious Affairs.

The rest are Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui, MP, Awutu Senya West, Works, Housing and Water Resources; Yussif Issaka Jajah, MP, Ayawaso North, Tourism, Culture and Cre­ative Arts: John Kofi Setor Dumelo, MP, Ayawaso West Wuogon, Food and Agri­culture; and Samson Ahi, MP, Bodi, Trade, Agribusiness and Industry.

The list, according to Mr Kwakye, MP, Abura Asebu Kwamankese, has been sub­mitted to Parliament, through the Speaker, for prior approval.

In line with his electioneering campaign to have a 60-member ministerial and dep­uty ministerial cabinet, President Mahama has four more nominees to complete the full complement of his government.

Dr. Johnson Asiama has been nominated as Bank of Ghana Governor

The Forum for Development and Accountable Governance (FDAG) has criticized recent remarks by Dr. Gideon Boako, MP for Tano North, regarding the appointment of Dr. Johnson Asiama as Governor of the Bank of Ghana.

FDAG asserts that Boako’s claims misrepresent legal processes and could undermine institutional credibility.

In a statement issued on Thursday, February 6, 2025, and signed by its Senior Research Fellow, Nana Kojo Abbam, FDAG criticized Dr. Boako’s claims, particularly his assertion that the appointment is illegitimate due to a lack of prior consultation with the Council of State.

Citing Supreme Court rulings, FDAG clarified that while consultation is required under Article 70 of the 1992 Constitution, it does not equate to mandatory prior approval.

The group referenced the 2005 Supreme Court case Agyei Twum v. Attorney General & Akwetey, which established that consultation with the Council of State is advisory and does not restrict the President’s discretion in making appointments.

FDAG also took issue with Dr. Boako’s characterization of Dr. Asiama as a “potential criminal convict,” condemning what it described as an attempt to tarnish the reputation of the newly appointed BoG Governor.

The group pointed out that all past charges against Dr. Asiama were dropped by the Attorney General due to a lack of evidence.

It further emphasised that any new allegations should be pursued through legal channels rather than media statements.

Addressing concerns that Dr. Asiama’s appointment could harm Ghana’s credibility with international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), FDAG dismissed such claims as baseless.

The group argued that institutions like the IMF operate based on legal due process and regulatory frameworks, and there is no evidence to suggest that the appointment undermines Ghana’s financial standing.

Instead, FDAG warned that politically motivated disputes over lawful appointments could weaken investor confidence and create perceptions of instability.

FDAG further highlighted Dr. Asiama’s contributions to Ghana’s financial system, particularly his role in shaping key regulatory frameworks.

“As Deputy Governor in charge of supervision at the BoG, he played a crucial role in developing the Deposit Protection Act, 2016 (Act 931), which led to the establishment of the Ghana Deposit Insurance Corporation (GDIC),” the group noted.

Additionally, FDAG credited Dr. Asiama for initiating the groundwork for the Corporate Governance Directive, which was later implemented in 2018. This directive has since improved risk management, strategic planning, and governance structures in Ghana’s banking sector.

The group stated that these reforms, which began under Dr. Asiama’s leadership, contributed significantly to strengthening financial sector governance before his contract termination following the change in government in 2016.

FDAG urged all parties to respect due process and focus on governance issues through legal and institutional mechanisms rather than public speculation and accusations.

AM/MA

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The Agricultural Development Bank PLC (ADB) has announced the resignation of its Managing Director, Alhassan Yakubu-Tali.

This follows the nomination of a new Managing Director by the bank’s majority shareholder. His resignation takes effect from February 5, 2025.

Mr Yakubu-Tali, who took the helm as Managing Director on December 1, 2022, had previously served as Deputy Managing Director from August 2017 to November 2022.

During his tenure, he spearheaded a transformative two-year corporate strategy that significantly bolstered the bank’s financial stability and operational efficiency.

One of his key achievements was overseeing the successful injection of GHS1.501 billion in additional capital from shareholders, a move that reinforced ADB’s capital base.

His leadership also saw a strong focus on recovering non-performing loans, a strategy that improved the bank’s financial standing and reversed a streak of significant losses recorded in previous years.

The Board, Management, and Staff of ADB have expressed their gratitude for his dedication and impactful leadership, acknowledging his pivotal role in steering the bank towards stability and growth. They wished him success in his future endeavours.

With Mr Yakubu-Tali’s departure, all eyes are now on the incoming Managing Director to build on the foundation laid and further propel ADB’s mission in Ghana’s agricultural and financial sectors.

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

Kwame Governs Agbodza, Minister of Roads and Highways

The government, through the Ministry of Roads and Highways, has announced its intention to reintroduce road tolls.

In a statement issued on Thursday, February 6, 2025, the ministry indicated that it was finalizing the modalities for toll collection.

“The Ministry of Roads and Highways wishes to inform the public that the government intends to reintroduce road and bridge tolls to generate revenue for road maintenance and related matters.

“To this end, the Ministry is developing the framework for a modern, technologically driven toll collection system,” parts of the statement read.

It further stated, “To achieve this objective, the Ministry will employ an open, transparent, competitive, cost-effective, and fair procurement process.”

The government urged the public to support the reintroduction of tolls, emphasizing that the revenue generated would be used to maintain roads across the country.

“The Ministry wishes to assure the public of its commitment to introducing a modernized system that addresses the current challenges in tolling and road maintenance funding.”

It can be recalled that the Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, during his vetting, stated that the John Dramani Mahama-led government intends to reintroduce the tolls, which were abolished by the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration.

He explained that there would be no physical structures on the roads for toll collection. Instead, a technology-driven system would ensure efficiency, transparency, and accountability.

“Yes, the road toll is coming back, but not in the form of building obstructions on the road where drivers must stop and pay manually. It will be implemented using a technological platform that ensures fairness, ease of collection, accountability, and transparency regarding how the funds are utilized.

“Together with the Minister, we will develop a comprehensive policy on how the system will operate,” he stated in response to a question on the reintroduction of tolls.

In November 2021, the then Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako-Attah, unilaterally abolished the collection of road tolls despite opposition from Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, who described the move as illegal and called for its reversal.

BAI/MA

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