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Businesses must brace themselves for the possible take-overs -– Rev. Okosun
Integrity Magazine, a subsidiary of Krif Ghana Limited, has held the maiden edition of a series of webinars aimed at promoting good corporate governance amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Themed “Effects of COVID-19 on Good Corporate Governance in Ghana”, which was held on Tuesday in Accra, it served as a platform for businesses to discuss the next strategic steps to take in order to sail through the coronavirus crisis with minimal losses.
Speaking on the effects of the pandemic on companies, Rev. Kennedy Okosun, Executive Chairman of Krif Ghana Limited and Publisher of the Integrity Magazine, said many organisations would “have to brace themselves for the possibility of take-overs”.
According to him, “there might be critical unanswered questions rummaging through the minds of many as we move into a period of a new normal.
“Our culture, corporate behaviour and organisational output are going to be affected, whether we like it or not. Organisations will never go back to doing business as usual, or doing business the way they knew how,” he said.
Rev. Okosun noted that businesses must be ready to embrace the positive or negative changes which may occur after the pandemic, adding that businesses would also have to make far “reaching decisions regarding liquidity and capital considerations”.
He argued that the COVID-19 era was also testing the leadership and management structures of organizations, hence the need for businesses to identify gaps and then strengthen the areas where they may be falling short.
Mr Michael Osikoya, the Chief Executive Officer of Mikensy Consulting Limited, examining the effects of COVID-19 on various stakeholders, also said, “Just as we are recording human fatality, we may not be able to account for the number of businesses that suffer similar ‘fatality’ from the hands of COVID -19.”
He noted that though the pharmaceutical industry was believed to have benefited from the crisis, industries including tourism and leisure, aviation and maritime, automotive, construction, real estate and manufacturing, were hard-hit by the pandemic.
“Government has been affected adversely by this virus because it has had to provide various stimulus packages and dole out free cash to support various stakeholders, interest groups, businesses and citizens.
“Hard decisions had to be taken, government has lost income from taxes and has resorted to borrowing as part of measures to bring the economy back on track,” he added.
For the solutions, Mr Osikoya suggested that business, leaders and stakeholders should enter into a “restart” mode to come out of the challenges the virus has imposed on them.
He said that all the various stakeholders in business such as the shareholders, employees, customers and others must forfeit certain benefits to bring back businesses on track.
The webinar brought together leaders from various organisations in the corporate environment in Ghana.
By Spectator Reporter
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Govt urged to provide safe, supportive environment for menstruating girls
The government has been urged to take urgent steps toward providing a safe and supportive environment for menstruating girls to ensure proper personal hygiene and promote school attendance.
Sarah Nkansah Boateng, a midwife at the Eastern Regional Hospital made the call during a forum organised as part of activities to observe Menstrual Hygiene Day celebration in the New Juaben North Municipality of the Eastern Region.
The event was held under the theme “Together for a Period-Friendly World.”
She noted that many girls skip school during their menstrual periods due to a lack of access to sanitary products and appropriate spaces to change them.
“The basic necessities for these girls are not being provided; creating a safe and enabling environment is crucial,” Madam Boateng emphasized.
She called on school authorities and policymakers to prioritise the construction of hygienic and private changing spaces in schools.
She further appealed for a collective effort to address menstrual health challenges affecting girls in the community.
The New Juaben North Municipal Director of Health Services, Nana Yaa Konadu, also highlighted her office’s initiatives in both school-based and community clinics to educate young girls on menstrual hygiene.
She stressed the health implications of poor menstrual hygiene, saying, “When girls lack access to sanitary pads and a clean environment, it can negatively impact their reproductive health.”
Madam Konadu warned that the absence of menstrual hygiene facilities and products left some girls vulnerable to exploitation, increasing the risk of teenage pregnancy.
The Municipal Chief Executive for New Juaben North, Mr Samuel Adongo, described menstruation as a natural biological process and not a taboo or burden.
He expressed concern over the poor state of sanitation facilities in schools.
“I have visited almost all public schools in the municipality, and none has a proper, standard toilet facility suitable for girls,” he stated.
Mr Adongo assured that the assembly would work to create an enabling environment to reduce school absenteeism related to menstruation.
“Too many girls are missing school because of their menstrual cycle, and this is unacceptable,” he added.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
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Akwesi Agyeman, Ekpe vow to lead GJA to ‘era of purpose and professionalism’
As the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) prepares for its national elections, two of the key contenders, General Secretary Aspirant Akwasi Agyeman and Vice Presidential hopeful Rebecca Ekpe have called for a return to ethical journalism, stronger mentorship and institutional reforms.
They both made the remarks during separate visits to The Spectator and The Ghanaian Times, respectively to solicit for votes.
Akwasi Agyeman, an Editor with Multimedia is seeking to lead the association into what he calls a “new era of purpose and professionalism.”
He stressed the urgent need to reposition the GJA as a strong and relevant voice in national affairs.
“We cannot continue with business as usual. The GJA must be visible, active, and fearless in advocating for the rights and welfare of journalists,” he said during a meeting with media practitioners in Accra.
Mr. Agyeman noted that his leadership will focus on building partnerships, improving member services, and restoring the dignity of the Association. “We need to rekindle the spirit of solidarity within the GJA and provide real value to members, especially the younger generation,” he added.
Ms Rebecca Ekpe, a respected Broadcast Journalist and Editor, echoed similar sentiments in her call for mentorship and capacity building.
“I discovered through my journey that journalism is not just my job, it is who I am. My path in journalism was shaped by my seniors in the newsroom, and now I feel called to give back,” she said.
Ms Ekpe envisions a GJA where senior journalists regularly engage with young professionals through face-to-face mentoring and training platforms. “Even if you attend a session and pick just one idea, it could change the course of your career,” she remarked.
She also raised concerns about the rise of misinformation and the blurred lines between journalism and social media content creation. “People sit online insulting others and call themselves journalists. When they are attacked, GJA defends them, but we must ask: are they truly journalists? We must protect the integrity of our profession,” she stressed.
The Editor of The Spectator, Mrs Georgina N.M Quaittoo wished them well in their campaigns and quest to serve the GJA.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
