Month: July 2025

UNDP and Partners Host Private Sector Investment Forum in Tamale

A regional private sector investment and capacity-building forum aimed at fostering collaboration between local government and private sector players was held in Tamale. The discussion focused on promoting women’s and youth participation in regional economic development and preparing the private sector to capitalise on opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Strengthening Partnerships for Regional Growth

Organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) and supported by the Peacebuilding Fund Project, the event was part of broader efforts to unlock the investment potential of northern Ghana and foster inclusive economic growth. The theme for the forum was: “Accelerating Local Development by Leveraging Private Sector Investment and Partnership.”

Encouraging Investment and Economic Empowerment

Participants included government officials, civil society organisations, entrepreneurs, financial institutions, and development partners, all of whom came together to explore new paths for regional development. Mr Niloy Banerjee, UNDP Resident Representative in Ghana, emphasised the forum’s alignment with the UNDP’s mission to create sustainable livelihoods, promote social cohesion, and empower women and young people. He stated, “This forum is designed to equip women and youth groups in northern Ghana to build resilience and enhance productivity in their communities.”

Government Support for Investment

Mr. Banerjee also urged the government to prioritise the creation of an investment-friendly ecosystem that ensures safety and confidence for investors, which, in turn, would foster job creation and business opportunities.

Renewed Development Mindset

Dr. Audrey Smock Amoah, Director-General of NDPC, in a speech read on her behalf, stressed the importance of empowering local authorities in northern Ghana to lead in attracting private sector investments. She urged local government leaders to actively pitch investment opportunities, negotiate partnerships confidently, and follow through on commitments to ensure credible development outcomes.

Additionally, she highlighted the launch of an Investment Toolkit, developed with the support of UNDP, which serves as a guide for districts to assess their investment readiness, identify high-potential sectors, and craft compelling investment proposals. She also encouraged financial institutions to innovate in providing accessible financing options for micro and small enterprises, particularly those led by women and young people.

Regional Minister’s Call for Private Sector Investment

Mr. Ibrahim Tia, North East Regional Minister, whose speech was read on his behalf, emphasised the role of strong public-private partnerships in driving sustainable development. He announced plans to boost tomato cultivation and promote year-round farming in the region through expanded irrigation systems. He called on private sector actors to prioritise investments in the area, aiming to address local vulnerabilities and strengthen economic resilience.

Conclusion

The forum in Tamale served as a critical platform for collaboration between government, private sector, and development partners, laying the groundwork for more sustainable and inclusive economic growth in northern Ghana. With an increased focus on private sector investment and partnership, the region is well-positioned for greater economic development and resilience.

Tamale | Northern Region | June 28 | 2025.

From saving souls to saving lives – 1 Pentecost Hospital Opened

The Church of Pentecost has officially commissioned a state-of-the-art 35-bed hospital in Bolgatanga, designed to provide quality and accessible healthcare services to residents of the Upper East Region and its surrounding communities. This new facility is equipped with advanced medical technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), to cater to the healthcare needs of the region and northern Ghana.

Advanced Healthcare Facilities

Pentecost Hospital: Bolgatanga is designed to offer comprehensive healthcare services, including a fully equipped Outpatient Department (OPD) with an emergency unit, male and female wards, consulting rooms, a delivery ward, a dispensary, a surgical theatre, a diagnostic laboratory, a public health unit, and doctors’ offices. The facility is designed to deliver a comprehensive range of medical care tailored to meet the community’s needs.

Part of a Broader Social Agenda

This hospital is part of the Church’s broader social intervention program, which falls under its “Possessing the Nations” agenda, launched in 2018. This initiative aims to transform society per God’s principles and values. As part of this agenda, the Church has invested in critical sectors, including health, education, water, sanitation, and security.

A Vision Born from Tragedy

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, explained that the decision to build the hospital in Bolgatanga was motivated by a tragic car accident in 2018. The accident, which involved Pastor John Ofori and his family, as well as Pastor Godwin Kpobi, highlighted the urgent need for better emergency healthcare in the region.

The victims of the accident were referred from Bolgatanga Hospital to Tamale Teaching Hospital and later to Duayaw Nkwanta Catholic Hospital. This journey took a traumatic sixteen hours. This experience highlighted critical gaps in healthcare and underscored the need for a local facility to address the growing healthcare demands.

Ongoing Healthcare Expansion

Apostle Nyamekye commended the Teshie-Nungua Area of the Church, under Apostle Wilberforce Nkrumah’s leadership, for their efforts in realizing the project. Currently, the Church operates a network of 12 healthcare facilities, including four hospitals and eight clinics, serving more than 234,516 outpatients annually. With a dedicated staff of 1,199, these facilities provide crucial healthcare services across Ghana.

In addition to the existing facilities, the Church is working on five more healthcare projects, including a Specialist Hospital in Accra. In 2024, the Church contributed GH₵10,729,795.98 toward healthcare support for its members.

Contributions to National Health Goals

Dr. Peter Kwame Yeboah, Executive Director of the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), praised The Church of Pentecost for its commitment to healthcare delivery. He emphasized that the new facility would help address healthcare inequalities between urban and rural areas, further supporting Ghana’s efforts to achieve universal health coverage and primary healthcare.

Local Recognition

Mr. Donatus Atanga Akamugri, the Upper East Regional Minister, commended the Church for its vital contribution to healthcare in the region. He described the facility as a cornerstone for improving healthcare in the area.

Naba Yelzoya Kosom Asaga II, Paramount Chief of Nangodi and member of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs, also spoke at the event. He urged the hospital’s management to maintain high standards of care and professionalism, ensuring that the facility provides hope and healing to all those in need.

Conclusion

The commissioning of Pentecost Hospital – Bolgatanga marks a significant milestone in the Church’s ongoing efforts to improve healthcare delivery in northern Ghana. Through this initiative, the Church is not only addressing immediate healthcare needs but also making a significant contribution to the region’s long-term development.

Bolgatanga | Upper East Region | June 18 | 2025

AppCyclers Launches Northern Ghana Plastic Waste Reboot

AppCyclers, a homegrown social enterprise, has launched the Northern Ghana Plastic Waste Reboot Initiative, aiming to address plastic pollution while fostering sustainable livelihoods in the region. This initiative is poised to revolutionise plastic waste collection and recycling throughout Northern Ghana.

Tackling Plastic Pollution with Innovation – AppCyclers

The project is supported by TRANSFORM, a global impact accelerator backed by Unilever, the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, and EY. It is designed to introduce a scalable, technology-driven model that emphasises environmental sustainability and empowers women and marginalised waste workers in the area.

Circular Economy for a Greener Future

Mr. Agudor Agabas, CEO of AppCyclers, highlighted the initiative’s focus on a circular economy. “Through the Northern Ghana Plastic Waste Reboot Initiative, AppCyclers is pioneering a model where plastic waste is diverted from landfills and processed into reusable raw materials like flakes and pellets. These materials are then sold to local manufacturers, transforming waste into new products and value,” he said. This approach is central to reducing plastic pollution and creating new economic opportunities.

Key Objectives of the Initiative

The initiative will focus on three primary goals:

  1. Waste Reduction: Over 1,800 tonnes of plastic waste will be diverted from landfills, resulting in a significant reduction in environmental pollution.
  2. Empowering Women and Marginalised Workers: The project will empower 100 female informal waste workers by providing them with training, protective gear, and economic opportunities to improve their working conditions and livelihoods.
  3. Enhancing Transparency: A digital platform will be deployed to improve traceability and transparency in waste collection efforts, ensuring that the recycling process is both efficient and accountable.

Conclusion

AppCyclers’ Northern Ghana Plastic Waste Reboot Initiative is set to make a significant impact on both the environment and the local economy. By leveraging technology and empowering marginalised groups, the initiative offers a sustainable solution to plastic waste while creating valuable opportunities for women and workers in the waste management sector.

CARD-Ghana Empowers School Girls with Leadership Skills – She Leads Project

As part of efforts to bridge the gender equality gap in leadership, members of the She Leads Clubs in several Senior High Schools in the Wa Municipality were exposed to essential leadership skills. This initiative by the Community Aid for Rural Development (CARD-Ghana) is designed to prepare young girls for leadership roles at the school, community, and national levels.

Fostering Gender Equality – She Leads Project

The She Leads project is dedicated to building the confidence of these girls, enhancing their public speaking skills, and empowering them to take on leadership roles. Through this initiative, the project directly contributes to advancing United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5, which aims to achieve gender equality by 2030.

Inspiring Young Girls

Ms. Ernestina Biney, Acting Executive Coordinator of CARD-Ghana, opened the one-day workshop in Wa by reaffirming the organization’s commitment to empowering females. She emphasised the importance of leadership and its positive impact on their communities. “We hope that by the end of today, you will understand the importance of stepping up into leadership roles and contributing to the growth and development of your societies,” she shared.

Encouraging Boldness and Confidence

The girls, representing various schools such as Wa Senior High School, Wa Senior High Technical School, Wa Technical Institute, and Wa Islamic SHS, were encouraged to be bold and seize leadership opportunities. Ms Biney urged them to break barriers and present themselves for roles that would allow them to serve their communities effectively.

Promoting Equal Opportunities

Ms. Naema Abdullah, Gender Desk Officer at the Upper West Regional Office of the Legal Aid Commission, emphasised the importance of raising awareness about gender equality. She pointed out the persistent issue of discrimination, particularly in financially disadvantaged families where male education is prioritized over that of the girl child. “Girls have just as much to offer society. When society leans too heavily towards one gender, especially boys, development is stunted,” she noted.

Breaking Gender Barriers

Ms Abdullah further stressed the need to encourage girls to aspire to roles traditionally dominated by men. She urged the girls to challenge the status quo and strive for positions where their voices could make a meaningful impact and drive change.

Comprehensive Learning

In addition to leadership training, the workshop covered essential topics such as menstrual hygiene management, effective communication, and building strong leadership qualities. These sessions equipped the girls with practical skills to excel both personally and professionally.

Conclusion

CARD-Ghana’s She Leads project remains a pivotal force in empowering young girls, equipping them with the leadership skills and confidence to make lasting contributions to their communities. As these young women acquire the necessary tools to thrive, the future of gender equality in leadership roles appears promising.

Wa | Upper West Region | June 26 | 2025.

Builsa Community Bank Reported Exceptional Growth in 2024

Despite the global and national economic challenges faced by the financial sector in 2024, Builsa Community Bank (BUCO Bank) achieved remarkable growth across all financial indicators.

Record Profit by Builsa Community Bank

The Bank posted an impressive after-tax profit of GH₡5.33 million, marking a staggering 646% increase over its 2023 profit. This performance marks the highest profit recorded by the Bank in its history, dating back to its founding in 1996.

Strong Capital Position

BUCO Bank also demonstrated a solid financial position, with stated capital rising to GH₡2.3 million in 2024, up from GH₡2.1 million the previous year. This growth comfortably exceeded the Bank of Ghana’s mandatory capital requirement of GH₡1 million for rural and community banks.

Reasons Behind the Growth

The Board and Management attributed this significant growth to strong shareholder confidence in the Bank’s long-term vision and financial stability. Additionally, prudent financial management and operational efficiency played pivotal roles in achieving these results.

Growth in Key Financial Indicators

The Bank’s total deposits saw a substantial increase of 49.26%, growing from GH₡59.3 million in 2023 to GH₡88.5 million in 2024. Similarly, its net worth surged from GH₡1 million to GH₡7 million, representing a remarkable 582% growth. Short-term investments grew by 77.4%, from GH₡34 million to GH₡60.3 million, while loans and advances increased by 20.44%, reaching GH₡25.7 million in 2024.

Strong Resilience

The Chairperson of the Bank, Mrs Akanbangbiem Agamu Asokea, highlighted that BUCO Bank’s strong performance in 2024 allowed it to fully absorb the GH₡6 million impairment provision imposed by the Bank of Ghana in 2023 on the Bank’s legacy loans. Furthermore, the Bank received a “Satisfactory” rating from the Efficiency Monitoring Unit of the Association of Rural Banks (ARB) Apex Bank PLC. This was a notable improvement, with BUCO Bank climbing from 89th position in 2023 to 66th among the 147 Rural and Community Banks in 2024.

Strategic Focus for Sustained Growth

Looking ahead, Mrs Asokea emphasized the Bank’s commitment to strengthening asset quality. This will involve disbursing well-assessed credit facilities, aggressively recovering non-performing assets, and diversifying the loan portfolio to mitigate concentration risks. These efforts align with regulatory expectations for sustained growth.

Corporate Social Responsibility Efforts

In terms of corporate social responsibility, BUCO Bank invested GH₡55,428.00 in various community initiatives, focusing on education, agriculture, healthcare, culture, sports, and environmental sustainability. Mrs Asokea reaffirmed that the Board and Management remain committed to pursuing initiatives that would promote sustainable growth, safeguard depositors’ funds, and maximize shareholder value.

Commendations and Recommendations

Mr. Mark Odoi Adjei, Head of Banking Operations at ARB Apex Bank PLC, praised Builsa Community Bank for its exceptional performance. He encouraged the Board and Management to maintain professionalism, diligence, honesty, and transparency to strengthen shareholder trust and ensure continued investment.

Meanwhile, Reverend Father Joseph Tabase, the Acting Upper East Regional Chapter President of ARB, called on the government to review the 25% corporate tax imposed on the profits of rural community banks, arguing that it was adversely affecting their growth.

Mr. Solomon Akogti, the Builsa North Municipal Chief Executive, commended Builsa Community Bank for its consistent support for the district’s development and urged the Bank to continue initiatives that will promote the welfare of the community.

Conclusion

Builsa Community Bank’s stellar performance in 2024 underscores its resilience and commitment to financial stability and community development. With continued focus on operational excellence and community growth, the Bank is well-positioned for long-term success.

Exit mobile version