In a significant move to strengthen climate resilience efforts, Frontline for Climate Action actively participated in a four-day Advocacy and Resource Mobilisation Training for Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Ghana.

The initiative, part of the Response and Resilience Strengthening Programme, was hosted by WACSI and supported by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF).

The event aimed to equip CSOs with essential skills for impactful climate advocacy and securing resources for sustainable environmental action and social change.

Frontline for Climate Action was represented by Mr. Peter Martin, Communications Officer, and Mr. Solomon Djangmah, Programs Officer, who engaged with key stakeholders and fellow CSOs in discussions on innovative strategies for resource mobilisation and climate change and biodiversity conservation advocacy.

Building resilience through strategic advocacy

The training highlighted the urgent need for grassroots organisations to enhance their advocacy capacity, especially in the face of increasing climate challenges and a constantly evolving donor landscape.

Participants were introduced to effective advocacy strategies, stakeholder engagement techniques, and fundraising mechanisms vital for driving long-term impact.

Mr. Peter Martin stressed the importance of strategic storytelling and public engagement in shaping policy and mobilising support for climate resilience initiatives.

He explained how effective communication can amplify grassroots voices, ensuring that climate concerns are addressed at the grassroots, national, and international levels.

Similarly, Mr. Solomon Djangmah shared insights on programme implementation and donor engagement, emphasising the need for collaborative partnerships to sustain community-driven climate initiatives. He underscored that securing financial and technical support is crucial for scaling up interventions aimed at environmental conservation and resilience building.

Empowering CSOs for sustainable climate action

The workshop provided an interactive platform for CSOs to exchange ideas, best practices, and success stories from their climate resilience projects.

Through various sessions, participants gained practical knowledge on proposal writing, donor engagement strategies, and policy advocacy—vital tools in strengthening the climate action ecosystem in Ghana.

The training also encouraged multi-sector collaboration, urging CSOs to work alongside government agencies, private sector players, and international donors to ensure sustainable financing for climate-related projects.

A call for continued action and support

As climate change continues to threaten vulnerable communities in Ghana, initiatives like this remain crucial. WACSI reaffirms its commitment to supporting CSOs in advocating for climate justice, building resilience, and mobilising resources effectively.

By leveraging the skills and knowledge gained from this training, Ghanaian CSOs are now better equipped to influence policy, secure robust funding, and drive impactful climate solutions at both grassroots and national levels.

The successful completion of the training marks another milestone in strengthening climate advocacy in Ghana. However, the journey toward climate resilience requires continuous engagement, collaboration, and sustainable investment in CSO capacity-building.

Frontline for Climate Action calls on stakeholders—including government, the private sector, and development partners—to support local CSOs in their fight against climate change, ensuring a more sustainable and climate-resilient future for Ghana.

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.

Isaac Adongo has been appointed as a member on the BoG board

Bolgatanga Central Member of Parliament, Isaac Adongo, has defended the appointment of Dr Cassiel Ato Forson as Finance Minister, stating that Forson has always been ahead of him in parliamentary finance roles.

His comments come in response to concerns from some of his constituents, who believe he was overlooked for a ministerial position by President John Dramani Mahama.

Some supporters have even argued that Adongo should have been made finance minister instead of Dr Ato Forson.

Adongo acknowledged Dr Ato Forson’s seniority and experience in financial matters within Parliament.

“In the issue of finance minister proper, since I came to Parliament, I’ve always been behind Ato Forson,” he stated.

He explained that when he first entered Parliament, Dr Ato Forson was already the Ranking Member on the Finance Committee while he was only a member.

“In my second term, they promoted me to be Deputy Ranking, and he was still the Ranking Member. Then, when there was a reshuffle in Parliament, he was made the Leader of the Caucus, and I was made the Ranking Member of the Finance Committee,” he added.

Adongo further emphasised Forson’s previous experience as a Deputy Minister of Finance, which he said made him a strong candidate for the ministerial role.

“He has also been a Deputy Minister of Finance before. So it was really a tall ask,” he admitted. By acknowledging Forson’s qualifications, Adongo suggested that his appointment was a logical decision based on experience and seniority.

He, therefore, urged his constituents to remain patient and allow the political process to unfold in due course.

“My time will come,” he assured them, emphasising that he remains committed to serving both his constituency and the country.

Adongo’s remarks were aimed at calming tensions and reinforcing the importance of structured political progression in governance.

He spoke in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen on Thursday, February 27.

Watch the latest episode of Health Focus below

MP for Bekwai, Ralph Poku-Adusei

Member of Parliament for Bekwai, Ralph Poku-Adusei, is not impressed with President Mahama’s maiden State of the Nation Address.

According to the MP, the president, in his address, only regurgitated promises he made on campaign platforms ahead of the 2024 general elections.

President John Dramani Mahama yesterday delivered his maiden State of the Nation Address, in which he accused the Nana Addo administration of leaving behind an economic mess.

The president painted a picture of a challenged economy on all fronts but assured the nation that he would fix it before leaving office, just as he did with the energy sector crisis during his first term.

However, speaking to Parliamentary Correspondent Ibrahim Alhassan, Ralph Poku-Adusei argued that the delivery did not meet his expectations. According to the private legal practitioner, the President failed to touch on other critical issues, such as the deportation of some Ghanaians from the United States and the directive for the dismissal of persons employed after the December 7 elections.

“The SONA didn’t meet my expectations at all. It was more of a repetition of campaign promises, and I don’t think that’s what Ghanaians want to hear at this stage,” he said.

Mr. Poku-Adusei accused the President of using the address to condemn his predecessor rather than uniting the country as he discharges his mandate.

“You don’t use SONA to do propaganda. You don’t use SONA to condemn the previous government. You need to give the country some assurance that we should have faith in you, that we should have confidence in you to deliver on the mandate we’ve given you,” he stated.

The Bekwai MP acknowledged the economic turbulence under the Nana Addo administration due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.

According to him, despite these challenges, the economy grew by over 6% in 2024, a fact he believes the President should have acknowledged in his address.

Mr. Poku-Adusei also wished President Mahama had recognized the peaceful country he inherited.

Parliament is expected to commence debate on the President’s State of the Nation Address next week, with the majority requesting more speaking slots due to their larger number of MPs.

However, this proposal has been rejected by the minority, arguing that it sets a bad precedent.

A youth organi­sation in Bolga­tanga Central, pri­marily composed of supporters of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), has urged President John Dramani Mahama to reconsider his decision to overlook the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Isaac Adongo, in his ministerial appointments.

The group has warned that Mr Adongo’s exclusion from a ministe­rial position could result in signif­icant backlash against the party in future elections within the constit­uency.

This declaration from the youth wing comes in response to the announcement of Mr Adongo’s ap­pointment to the Board of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) on the afternoon of Wednesday, February 26, 2025.

Upon learning of this appoint­ment, the youth expressed their discontent, characterising it as an “insult” to the Member of Parlia­ment, asserting that the MP merited a more prestigious position.

In a press conference held in Bolgatanga of the Upper East Re­gion on Wednesday, the youth said the sacrifices demonstrated by Mr Adongo while the party was in op­position could not be rewarded with just a Board Member of the BoG.

According to the NDC Commu­nication Officer for the Bolgatanga Central, Job Aboyom, said the people of Bolgatanga were disap­pointed when they were told the Economist of enormous propor­tion was appointed a member of the Board of the BoG.

“We were promised by the Pres­ident when he visited the constitu­ency on a campaign trail on May 14, 2024, that he (the the flag bearer of the NDC) would recognise the hard work of Mr Isaac Adongo with an appointment of ministerial portfo­lio, if the NDC won power.”

“And we’re totally disgruntled the MP is not even recognised by the president even in the latter’s deputy ministerial appointment,” the Com­munication officer lamented, while describing the decision to overlook the ministerial appointment of Mr Adongo as unacceptable.

He said the people would not badge on their call to President Mahama to give Mr Adongo a befitting appointment, otherwise the rejection of the latter in the ministerial appointments would be confronted with the wrath of the voters in future elections.

The Communication Officer of the party further explained that, the Bolgatanga legislator played a significant role in the historic vic­tory of the NDC in the 2024 polls, and his economic lectures yielded positive outcome for the party in that direction.

 FROM FRANCIS DABRE DABANG, BOLGATANGA

Raymond Archer has been appointed Deputy Executive Director of EOCO

The President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom, Professor Nishan Canagarajah, has expressed immense pride in the appointment of Raymond Archer as Deputy Executive Director of Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).

The renowned investigative journalist was recently appointed by President John Dramani Mahama in line with his ambitious anti-corruption initiative, the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) initiative, which seeks to reclaim illicitly acquired state assets.

In a congratulatory letter, Professor Canagarajah praised Archer’s dedication, leadership, and extensive experience in national security, intelligence, and risk consulting across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

The statement highlighted that Archer’s appointment reflects his deep expertise in investigative and intelligence work, which will be instrumental in strengthening EOCO’s efforts to combat financial crimes.

“As a recent alumnus, you are a remarkable ambassador for the University, and we are proud of your association with us. Your success is a cause for celebration for the entire university community, our graduates serve as role models for current students, and your achievements inspire them,” Canagarajah stated in his letter.

The University of Leicester also extended its congratulations to Archer’s family and support network, recognising the collective effort behind his success.

The Vice-Chancellor encouraged Raymond Archer to remain connected with the university and its alumni representatives in Ghana.

Ghana’s University of Leicester alumni network is one of the largest and most active globally, and Raymond Archer’s appointment further underscores the exceptional talent within the country.

Meanwhile, Professor Canagarajah also expressed his intention to visit Ghana in the near future and that he looks forward to engaging with distinguished alumni like Raymond Archer.

Washington, Feb. 28, (dpa/GNA) – Skype, the once-popular video call service, will cease operations after more than 20 years in May, owner Microsoft said on Friday.

“Starting in May 2025, Skype will no longer be available,” said a brief post on X that encouraged users to switch to Microsoft’s communications app Teams.

Skype was founded in Luxembourg in 2003 by Niklas Zennström of Sweden and Janus Friis of Denmark. The service allowed a mass audience to make free voice and video calls over the internet for the first time.

It was particularly popular for international communication as it avoided high telephone costs.

At its peak, Skype had several hundred million users per month worldwide. According to the Similarweb statistics service, the number of users has since fallen to around 30 million per month.

Skype users can not only call other Skype users, but also make calls to landline and mobile numbers. A Skype credit or subscription is required for this feature.

$8.5 billion for Skype

Microsoft bought Skype in 2011 for $8.5 billion and integrated it into its ecosystem, including Windows and Office.

Despite this integration, Skype has lost ground to competitors such as Zoom and WhatsApp.

But Microsoft Teams, which launched in 2017, has now established itself as one of the leading providers in the collaboration software market and plays a central role in corporate communications.

GNA

Leading pan-African Fintech company, Nsano Ltd has officially opened its East Africa regional office in Rwanda.

This comes after the company was granted both the Payment Aggregation and Payment Remittances Service Licenses (Category II and III) by the National Bank of Rwanda.

Nsano’s track record of providing secure payment solutions has been instrumental in their rapid expansion into multiple African markets.

“We are excited to launch the East African wing of our business in Rwanda. We commend the National Bank of Rwanda for a seamless and transparent process in acquiring our license. Rwanda represents one of the fastest growing technology hubs in Africa and this aligns perfectly with our mission to be Africa’s premier digital payment processor.

“As a customer-focused organization, we believe that coverage across the continent is key to giving our customers cross-market synergies that will enable them scale,” Priscilla Hazel, Nsano’s Group CEO remarked.

The Nsano Group has made major strides in the news in recent months after announcing a monumental partnership with AFS to transform card payments on the continent in February.

About Nsano:

Nsano is a leading Pan-African Fintech company, established in Ghana in 2013. Over the past decade, Nsano has revolutionized payments evolving from a VAS provider to become one of the continent’s fastest growing technology powerhouses.

With regional offices in Ghana, Zambia, Cote D’Ivoire, Rwanda and the UK, the company’s payment processing footprint cuts across over 30 countries. The company holds licenses from the Bank of Ghana, the Central Bank of Zambia, and the the National Bank of Rwanda.

Emal: sales@nsano.com

Website: https://www.nsano.com

Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has called for a collective approach in addressing corruption, urging Ghanaians to broaden their perspective on the issue rather than limiting it to politicians alone.

Speaking at the Constitution Day Public Lecture on Friday, February 28, he questioned the need to blame only politicians for corruption.

“Do we often narrow the issue of corruption and limit it to the political class, or perhaps we have to broaden it and look at it as part of the general life of all of us as a people?” he quizzed.

He explained that corruption is often influenced by cultural and societal expectations, which sometimes push leaders into unethical decisions.

“As part of our culture, don’t we make ourselves vulnerable to what we call corruption? Our cultural lifestyle and how we relate to ourselves makes the leader very vulnerable, and in trying to meet those expectations, if you don’t have the resources, you may end up acting wrongly.”

Mr Afenyo-Markin further highlighted that tackling corruption requires a joint effort from citizens, businesses, civil society, and the media, rather than just placing the burden on government officials.

“It is not enough to talk about corruption, we must look at a collective approach in how to deal with it. We cannot lay blame on one side, we have to be very collective and tackle it head-on.”

He also encouraged civil society to play a more active role in holding leaders accountable, noting that public scrutiny could serve as a deterrent.

“I encourage discussions by civil society all aimed at cracking the whip on the political class. If somebody knows that on the radio, people will be talking about his lifestyle, he will be careful when he gets into office.”

He concluded by emphasising that corruption is not just a government problem but a societal issue that requires all stakeholders to take responsibility.

“The laws are just not enough, it is our collective will. And in the process as citizens we must never give up because giving up will mean leading us to a failed state, that cannot help us as a nation. Let us continue to crack the whip, let us continue to be hard on the political class but at the same time other actors in that chain of corruption, because if you leave the other actors and focus on the political class, dealing with the canker will still remain a big headache on our heads as a country,” he concluded.

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

President John Dramani Mahama is Ghana’s president

President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the government will airlift 5,000 Ghanaian pilgrims to Mecca for the 2025 Hajj.

Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony for the Hajj Village on Friday, February 28, 2025, he emphasised the government’s commitment to ensuring a smooth pilgrimage process.

“After we pay off the millions of dollars of debts that have accumulated in Saudi Arabia from earlier Hajj operations, this year, we intend to airlift exactly 5,000 pilgrims to the Holy Land. And the taskforce has announced March 13, 2025, as the deadline for payment,” he stated.

President Mahama further disclosed that the government had secured a pre-financing arrangement with a local bank, ensuring that all deposits for accommodation, transportation, and other essential facilities were fully covered.

“We have facilitated a pre-finance arrangement with one of the local banks. And so, I’m pleased as I speak to you to announce that all deposits for accommodation, transport, and other facilities have been paid,” he said.

He also directed the Hajj Task Force to strictly adhere to the set limit of 5,000 pilgrims.

“I’ve instructed the Hajj Task Force that they should cut off at exactly 5,000 and not go beyond 5,000. We don’t want the previous situation where people rush with late payments and we are unable to airlift them and become complaining,” he stated.

JKB/AE

Also, watch as Ahiafor explodes at Habib over ‘insulting’ deputy minister question

Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare

The government is taking steps to resurrect the 35-million-US-dollar Komenda Sugar Factory.

The Minister of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, says the edifice, which forms part of the Komenda Sugar Development Company, will be reopened in an expedited timeline.

She made this known during a working visit to Komenda to assess the factory, which has been neglected for some eight years.

To honor President John Dramani Mahama’s promise of prioritizing production in the country over importation, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare visited the abandoned Komenda Sugar Factory.

The facility, which was rehabilitated and commissioned in 2016 after closing down post-Nkrumah regime, was restarted for a short period in 2016 but had to be closed down due to a material shortage—a matter the Trade Minister says will be resolved through locally sourced raw materials.

“We will start planting sugarcane here to make sugar and ethanol here at the factory,” she added.

However, the minister expressed disappointment over parts of the abandoned factory that had been ruined due to the neglect.

Also, during the tour of the facility, the Central Regional Minister, Ekow Panin Okyere, noted that a special high-yielding variety of sugarcane will be planted in the area to boost productivity.

The Member of Parliament for the Komenda Edina Eguafo Abirem Constituency, Samuel Atta Mills, acknowledged the potential of multiple employment opportunities the factory’s revival will bring.

He commended the prioritization of the factory, especially at a time when young people in the community have resorted to moving to other areas for greener pastures.

“Almost all our youth are outside. They are in Takoradi, Accra, or even outside the country looking for jobs while we have this factory here,” Mr. Okyere bemoaned.

Prior to inspecting the facility, the Trade Minister, Central Regional Minister, and the Member of Parliament for the area paid a courtesy call to the Omanhene of the Komenda traditional area, Okatakyie Komeh VIII.

The Paramount Chief thanked the government for prioritizing the Komenda Sugar Factory in the industrialization of Ghana.

The Komenda Sugar Development Company, when fully operational, will run as a 24-hour factory, running three shifts, employing at least three times the expected number of workers.

Sugarcane for the factory will be planted by the government and also bought from local farms to produce sugar and ethanol.

Watch the latest edition of BizTech below:

Click here to follow the GhanaWeb Business WhatsApp channel