News
KOICA Ghana schools awardees on scholarship scheme
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Ghana has held an orientation programme for the latest recipients of the KOICA Scholarship Programme, a major category of its Capacity Improvement and Advancement for Tomorrow (CIAT) Fellowship Programme.
The event marked the beginning of an exciting journey for 25 scholarship awardees, who were set to pursue advanced studies (Masters and PhD) in South Korea.
The orientation was a comprehensive session aimed at preparing the awardees for their academic and cultural experiences in Korea.
The event featured a series of informative presentations and interactive sessions designed to equip the scholars with essential knowledge and skills.
In his opening remarks, the Ambassador of Korea to Ghana, Mr Kyongsig Park, congratulated the awardees on their achievement and reminded them of the significance of their roles in strengthening the partnership between Ghana and Korea.
He alluded KOICA Scholarship programme to the ongoing Olympic Games in France, sharing that it also brings together outstanding talents from 100 countries, all competing to gain more knowledge and experience in Korea.
He added that, “all awardees are the representatives of Ghana and must endeavour to succeed in this competition, as it will lay the foundation for a brighter future for Ghana.”
The orientation featured a special moment for the 2022 KOICA SP cohorts, who were officially inducted as alumni.
The KOICA CIAT Fellowship programme continues to be a beacon of educational excellence and international collaboration, offering Ghanaian public officials the chance to gain world-class education and bring back valuable expertise to support the development of their nation.
There were knowledge-sharing segments as key presentations focusing on the prospects of scholarships in Korea, providing the awardees with detailed information on the academic opportunities, cultural experiences, and career advancements available through the CIAT Fellowship.
This was led by Dr Lloyd G. Adu Amoah, Director of Center for Asian Studies at University of Ghana.
Ms Eunsoo Oh, the Deputy Country Director of the KOICA Ghana Office, delivered a presentation on KOICA’s values and integrity pledge, urging individuals and entities associated with KOICA to uphold these principles.
Another presentation offered a personal perspective, as a distinguished alumnus, Ms Abena Manso-Howard, recounted her experiences, giving the new scholars a firsthand account of life and learning in Korea.
By Michael D. Abayateye
President John Dramani Mahama has visited the Akosombo Dam to assess the impact of a fire incident at a substation operated by the Ghana Grid Company.
The fire is reported to have caused the loss of more than 1,000 megawatts from the national power grid, affecting electricity supply in parts of the country.
During the visit, he inspected ongoing restoration works and received briefings from engineers on efforts to restore power. He commended them for what he described as a swift and professional response to the situation.
According to him, the government remains committed to restoring stable electricity supply as quickly as possible.
He added that steps are also being taken to strengthen the resilience of Ghana’s energy infrastructure to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Ghana Grid Company has not yet provided a detailed timeline for full restoration, but work is ongoing to bring affected systems back on stream.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana’s Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson, says he and his deputy have publicly filed their annual tax returns to demonstrate leadership and encourage compliance among citizens.
In a facebook post, he explained that the move was meant to show that public officials must lead by example when it comes to fulfilling civic duties.
“Leadership must be demonstrated, not declared,” he said.
He commended Ghanaian taxpayers for their continued contribution to national development, noting that tax compliance plays a key role in sustaining government activities.
According to him, paying taxes is both a legal and moral responsibility. He stressed that all citizens, including public officials, professionals, and businesses, are equal before the law and must meet their tax obligations.
He added that tax revenue is essential for funding key sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and security.
The minister praised the Ghana Revenue Authority for its work, especially during the ongoing Tax and Good Governance Month in April. He said the initiative helps to educate the public and promote voluntary compliance.
He urged the authority to intensify public education and continue reforms aimed at simplifying tax processes, reducing compliance costs, and improving transparency.
He further encouraged individuals and businesses that are yet to file their returns to do so promptly, adding that support systems and digital platforms are available to assist them.
He said building a strong tax culture would strengthen the country’s economy, improve accountability, and promote fairness in society.
By: Jacob Aggrey
