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British High Commissioner unwraps climate-inspired Queen’s birthday present to Ghana
Three years since the British High Commission to Ghana held a party to mark Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s birthday and Platinum Jubilee.
Guests included Minister for Tourism, Dr Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, Sir Tony Blair, chiefs, representatives from political parties, and members of the diplomatic corps as well as colleagues, friends, artists, performers, and leaders in business and industry.
On February 6, her Majesty became the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking seventy years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth.
Her extraordinary reign has seen her travel more widely than any other monarch, undertaking more than 260 official visits overseas, and two of those visits have been to Ghana.
Held in person for the first time since 2019 and hosted by the first female High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson, and her husband Nick Thompson at their home in Accra, guests saw some of the newest and most vibrant British-Ghanaian innovations including a Kofa e-mobility motorbike.
During her speech, British High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson announced £1 million of funding, matched by UK charity Shell Foundation, over the next four years to turbocharge Ghana’s e-mobility, battery, solar and charging sector.
The announcement honours the global commitments made at COP26 by leaders from around the world including his Excellency President Nana Akofo-Addo. Hosted by the UK and Italy in Scotland last year, COP26 marked a decisive shift in the world’s approach to tackling carbon emissions and setting a clear roadmap to limiting the rise in global temperatures to 1.5 degrees.
British High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson said, “Hosting this very special event after three long years is a tremendous honour and a pleasure for my family and me.
“Tonight we celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s 96th birthday, her unprecedented achievement of reaching 70 years on the throne and the deep, broad and growing UK-Ghana partnership.
“The Queen’s Birthday is the biggest event in the British High Commissioner’s calendar, and it is the perfect moment to announce that the UK, matched by UK charity Shell Foundation, is investing almost ¢10 million of funding, over the next four years, in Ghana’s e-mobility, battery, solar and charging sector, bringing technological innovation and climate action together.”
Representatives from British e-mobility business Kofa based in Accra attended the party bringing along their e-mobility motorbike. Guests had a chance to sit on the motorbike and understand more about how the new battery technology works.
The company has been able to create its new motorbike thanks to the support from the UK charity Shell Foundation and the UK government.
Jaguar Landrover has also displayed the new model Landrover Defender, which later this year, will be available as a hybrid vehicle for the first time in Ghana.
Shell Foundation Regional Manager, West Africa, Kwaku Owusu-Achaw said, “Shell Foundation’s partnership with the UK government, as part of the Transforming Energy Access programme, has already improved the lives of 12.5m people and reduced 1.8m m/t of carbon emissions through improved access to energy and transport technologies and business solutions across Africa.”
“We’re excited to see this new commitment support innovative, game-changing solutions such as Kofa. With Kofa’s battery technology viable for multiple household and business applications, it is a great example of how entrepreneurial talent can Ghana to transform income, health and education through access to renewable energy.
Guests enjoyed music from the amazing Kelvyn Boy and Gyakie and had a chance to watch archive footage from Her Majesty the Queen’s Coronation. Speeches and highlights from the birthday party were live-streamed around the world on Instagram.
Source: Myjoyonline
Education Minister Haruna Iddrissu has announced that government is working to make education free for all learners with special needs, with funding expected to come from GETFund.
He shared the plan during a press briefing with the media.
According to him, an initial estimate shows that the policy will require between 65 million and 100 million cedis every year.
He noted that GETFund currently has a budget of 9 million cedis, and with proper adjustments, it should be possible for the fund to release about 100 million cedis every other year to support the policy.
Mr Iddrissu added that government is also committed to providing free tertiary education for all persons with disabilities.
He explained that the support will go beyond classroom learning and will include feeding and the provision of assistive learning devices for learners with special needs.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana’s singing Prophet, Joseph Atarah, has released a video for his new song dubbed ‘Increase’. The video was directed and shot by renowned director, Sky Web.
The motivational video exhibits captivating dance moves, set against the vibrant and beautiful city of Accra. Prophet Atarah co-wrote the song with Nana Boateng.
Touching on the message during an interview on Hitz FM’s Daybreak Hitz, he said, ‘Increase’ is a motivational song telling people not to give up in their present situation. According to him, with determination and a relentless desire to succeed, God will make everything beautiful.
“As you trust in God’s plan, remember that ‘INCREASE’ is on the way. Just as seeds grow into harvest, your faith is growing into abundance. God’s got you, and His increase is surrounding you,” he added.
Prophet Atarah resigned from the military band in 2006 after an encounter with God to start his prophetic ministry and commenced his music journey about four years ago.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
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