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Devastating coronavirus disease: AfDB to rescue women businesses
| The African Development Bank (AfDB) says it is mobilising $5 billion through its Affirmative Finance Action for Women to support women businesses in Africa in view of the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The President of the AfDB, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, who disclosed this at the Virtual 2020 International Forum on African Leadership, said the move was to help revive the businesses of women. He noted that the coronavirus pandemic had collapsed many businesses owned by women in Africa. The programme organised by the African Leadership Magazine in Malawi was on the theme, “Rethinking Global Partnerships and Africa’s Economic Resurgence.” “We must build back by ensuring that women are strongly supported, as majority of them have lost incomes, due to their greater dependence on informal markets and sectors such as tourism, hospitality and trade, all of which have been devastated by the lockdowns,” he said. Dr Adesina said the bank would continue to raise resources to support women across Africa. He said the world had become more fragile to the coronavirus disease, saying “all are affected — developed and developing countries. There’s no coronavirus for developed countries and coronavirus for developing countries.” Dr Akinwumi said the pandemic had laid bare the divide in the labour market. He said those with skills were able to keep their jobs, while low skilled workers, especially those employed in the informal sector, lost jobs worsened by the lockdowns. “It’s estimated that up to 30 million jobs will be lost in Africa by the end of the year,” Dr Akinwumi said. He said Africa must build back by focusing on the youth, many of whom had no jobs prior to the pandemic. “That’s why the African Development Bank will support the launch of the Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Banks to create a viable financial ecosystem to unleash the entrepreneurship and businesses of young people,” Dr Akinwumi stressed. The AfDB President said Africa must build back by focusing sharply on food and nutritional security. “For many, the risk of hunger is higher than coronavirus. Without food, medicines or vaccines don’t work. There is vaccination against coronavirus, but there is no vaccination against hunger,” Dr Akinwumi said. He said the AfDB had provided over $384 million for countries to address immediate food and nutrition issues, including providing access to improved seeds, farm inputs, strategic food reserves and opening up of regional trade corridors to facilitate trade in food. ###### Dr Adesina Pix/samba/08-12-2020 Caption: Dr Adesina |
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Health Minister leads delegation Mimi Darko’s appointment as AMA Director General
Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Minister for Health and Member of Parliament has led a delegation to secure the appointment of Dr Delese Mimi Darko, Chief Executive Officer of the Food and Drugs Authority, as the Director General of the African Medicines Agency (AMA) during the ongoing 2nd Ordinary Session of the Conference of State Parties in Kigali, Rwanda.
This prestigious appointment, achieved through a competitive process, marks a proud and historic moment for Ghana and the entire continent.
It highlights Dr. Darko’s exceptional leadership, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to enhancing public health and regulatory systems across Africa.
The Minister expressed his deep appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama for his strong support and leadership throughout this process.
Mr.Akandoh congratulated Dr. Mimi Darko and Team Ghana for their incredibly successful campaign.
The AMA was established by the African Union on November 5, 2021, with the primary objective of improving access to quality, safe, and effective medical products throughout the continent. Its creation aims to facilitate the regulation and oversight of essential medicines at a continental level while promoting collaboration among African countries and regions.
The Agency’s mission is to provide leadership in creating an enabling regulatory environment for the pharmaceutical sector in Africa, ensuring that the African population has access to essential medical products and technologies.
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Police arrest five suspects involved in robbery cases in Ashanti Region
The Police Intelligence Directorate (PID) in the Ashanti Region has informed the public about a recent breakthrough in the fight against armed robbery in the Denchemuoso District.
Following a series of robbery incidents in the area, on April 22, 2025, PID/Ashanti operatives, acting on credible intelligence, apprehended one Michael Owusu Ansah, alias Baby Last, aged 32.
The suspect had been on the police wanted list since 2016 in connection with a robbery and the murder of Police Officer G/Cpl Frank Essel of SWAT/Ashanti, which occurred at the Open Space Hotel in Denchemuoso on May 19, 2016.
During interrogation, the suspect confessed to engaging in multiple street and residential robberies in Denchemuoso, Atwima-Techiman, Asuoyeboah, and surrounding areas.
He also disclosed that his gang operated with knives, pistols, and pump-action guns.
Further investigations led to the identification and arrest of his accomplices, namely:Emmanuel Owusu, alias Cassidy, Maxwell Gyimah, alias Nana Kwame, Sudais Oxford Ntiamoah, alias The Man Sudais and Rhano Okyere, alias Demon
These individuals were arrested from their hideouts within Atwima-Techiman and Denchemuoso.
However, one suspect, remains at large and efforts are underway to apprehend him and recover the weapons used in the robberies.
All five arrested suspects were arraigned before the Atasomanso Circuit Court on May 13, 2025.
They were remanded into police custody and are scheduled to reappear on June 4, 2025.
