News
ACCESS Bank donates to Basic Schools in Bolgatanga
Two Basic schools in the Bolgatanga Municipality have received donations from Access Bank, Bolgatanga branch.
The donation, which was in the form of sandals distributed to the schools, was meant to ameliorate the challenge of schoolchildren from poverty-stricken communities trekking miles to school barefoot.
This altruistic gesture from the bank was honoured after the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Bolgatanga, Roland Atanga Ayoo, engaged banks, financial institutions, and other benevolent individuals and organizations operating in the municipality to solicit their support for the growth and development of Bolgatanga.
Presenting 100 pairs of sandals to the Basiengo Kindergarten/Primary School and Yorogo-Akakiya KG/Primary School, respectively, at separate fora on Saturday in Bolgatanga Branch Manager, Alhassan Salifu Kahaar, said the gesture was part of the organization’s corporate social responsibility of giving back to society.
He said the bank, as a corporate institution, was touched by the precarious challenges confronting learners from underprivileged communities and families in the Bolgatanga Municipality and its environs.
“As a bank, this is a project that we undertake to reduce the burden on parents and guardians,” he pledged. “We know how parents struggle to put food on the table, let alone getting their wards sandals and other educational materials.”
At the Basiengo Primary School, located at Sherigu, Mr. Kahaar noted that the sandals are locally manufactured and eco-friendly.
“The sandals are made out of worn-out car tyres. We have tasked all staff members across the country to make their worn-out vehicle and motor tyres available, so we contract a private person to recycle them and produce sandals to be distributed to children from marginalized communities,” the Bolgatanga Branch Manager added.
He moreover said the bank had been engaged in the project for the past years, “and here in Upper East, we have actually visited orphanages like Mama Lardi Children’s Home at Sherigu in the Kassena-Nankana West District to make donations.”
He assured that the bank meant business in supporting education, health, and other areas of national life in the region to thrive, and would therefore extend the gesture to other schools in the future.
Felicia Adongo, Headmistress of the Basiengo KG/Primary School, commended Access Bank for the support, and equally lauded the MCE for selling the proposal to the bank and other benevolent organizations to intervene and address some challenges confronting the school.
She appealed to the bank to consider supporting the school with furniture, as some children had resorted to sitting on the floor during lessons because of a lack of desks.
The MCE, Mr. Ayoo, said he had recommended the two basic schools to receive the support because of the “seriousness” of their issues.
He pledged that the assembly was working around the clock to address the furniture problem affecting academic work at the Basiengo Primary School.
“I tout the Basiengo community for undertaking the construction of a Junior High School. The structure, a self-initiated project, needs government support, and that will be done in due course,” Mr. Ayoo promised.
He disclosed that the construction of the school would be put under the legacy projects in the municipality for expeditious execution, and asked staff members and learners to stay calm.
FROM FRANCIS DABRE DABANG, BOLGATANGA
The Minority Caucus on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee has called for urgent and decisive action following recent xenophobic attacks on Ghanaians living in South Africa.
In a statement issued in Accra on April 29, the caucus expressed concern about what it described as a growing pattern of violence against foreign nationals, including Ghanaians, in areas such as KwaZulu-Natal, Durban and Gauteng.
The group noted that Ghanaian-owned businesses have been attacked, while some individuals have been harassed and assaulted. It added that, in certain cases, victims have also been denied access to essential services.
According to the statement, claims that foreign nationals are responsible for crime and economic hardship are unfounded and should be rejected.
The caucus referred to the widely circulated assault of a Ghanaian, Emmanuel Asamoah, as an example of the severity of the situation. It also raised concern about reports that some incidents occurred in the presence of law enforcement officers without effective intervention.
The Minority acknowledged steps taken by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, including his engagement with South African authorities and efforts to provide consular support to affected Ghanaians.
It noted the public condemnation of the attacks by President Cyril Ramaphosa, describing these as necessary but not sufficient.
The caucus called on the South African government to ensure the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible and to hold security agencies accountable where they fail to act.
It urged authorities to take practical steps to protect foreign nationals across the country.
On the part of Ghana, the Minority urged the government to adopt a stronger and more structured response.
It called for direct engagement between President John Dramani Mahama and President Ramaphosa to secure firm commitments on the safety of Ghanaians.
The statement further recommended increased consular support for citizens in affected areas and called for the issue to be escalated to the African Union for an urgent inquiry into recurring xenophobic attacks.
It urged the government to work with regional partners within ECOWAS to present a unified response.
The Minority suggested that Ghana should seek assurances from South Africa, including confirmed arrests, clear prosecution processes and a plan to protect foreign nationals.
It added that compensation should be considered for victims who have suffered losses.
The statement, signed by the Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Abu Jinapor, urged Ghanaians in South Africa to remain cautious and maintain contact with the Ghana High Commission.
It stressed that Ghana must act firmly to protect its citizens and uphold the principles of cooperation and solidarity among African countries.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
Climate Change and Sustainability Ministry backs WiSA International Festival to promote women-led climate action
The Office of the Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability has expressed support for the Women in Sustainability Africa (WiSA) International Festival, aimed at promoting inclusive climate action and sustainable development across the continent.
In a statement, the Office said it recognises WiSA as an important platform that brings together governments, development partners, the private sector and civil society to drive climate solutions and economic transformation.
The Festival is scheduled to take place on May 1, 2026, at the Cedi Conference Centre from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
This year’s event under the theme: Empowering Women For The Economic Sustainability of Africa, will feature, Liu Yaw Nana, Acting Secretary of Ghana-Chinese Business Chamber of Commerce, Issifu Seidu, Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability, Dr.Agness Naa Momo Lartey, Minister for Gender Children and Social Protection, Bishop E.O Ansah, General Overseer, Eternal Life Church, President, Women’s Development Association, Turkey, Nilgün Zaimoğlu and Chief of Government Relations and Africa UN Global Compact.
Additionally, it will host, Dr.Charity Binka, Chairperson, Chairperson, African Women Leaders Network , Pearl Opoku, Trader and GUTA National Organiser, Lydia Abbey, Makola Market Queen, actress Juliet Ibrahim, CEO of FZ Global Legacy, Francesca Zoppi, The Revival Founder, Yayra Agbofah and many others.
According to the statement, WiSA’s vision, led by Nana Yaa Serwaa Sarpong, aligns with national and continental goals on climate resilience, green growth and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Office noted that WiSA’s focus on empowering women as key drivers of sustainability and economic productivity is a practical approach to addressing climate challenges and development gaps.
It highlighted WiSA’s track record of engaging global institutions and organising multi-stakeholder events as evidence of its ability to mobilise partnerships and deliver results.
The Ministry said the 2026 Festival presents an opportunity to promote climate-smart investments, green innovation and scalable solutions in areas such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and the circular economy.
It added that the event will also support public-private partnerships and strengthen Africa-led solutions in global sustainability discussions.
As part of its commitment, the Office said it will support policy coordination, facilitate engagement with relevant government agencies, and promote an enabling environment for climate finance and green investments.
It also pledged to contribute to knowledge sharing, technical support and stakeholder mobilisation.
The statement emphasised that investing in initiatives like WiSA is key to driving inclusive economic growth, building resilience and achieving long-term development goals.
It further stressed that empowering women remains central to delivering sustainable and equitable outcomes.
The Office called on organisations to partner with WiSA to support climate action and sustainable development efforts across Africa.
By: Jacob Aggrey
