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Electricity essential if 24hr economy will be implemented – Prof Gatsi
Economist Prof. John Gatsi has suggested that electricity is essential if the 24-hour economy proposal by the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, is to be implemented.
He believes part of the manufacturing sector will be disincentivized if constant electricity is not provided to ensure effective production.
The economist also mentioned that efficient security is needed in the implementation of the 24-hour economy.
Mr. Mahama, during his campaign tour in the Bono East Region, proposed to transform the economy with his 24-hour idea if elected in the 2024 elections. The proposal has become a topic of discussion among both the business community and politicians.
“Broadly, we need to incentivize by providing efficient security for some of the cities and sectors that we want to target. Power is key in the production process; electricity must definitely be worked on for us to become competitive,” Prof. Gatsi opined.
Speaking on Citi TV on the Big Issue, Prof. Gatsi emphasized the need for competitive production if the 24-hour economy will succeed in emerging markets.
“If you want to quickly address the huge consumption of tomatoes, ginger, garlic, rice in the country, the demand is there, so no problem; it’s the capacity that is not there. We have to incentivize the capacity within the 24-hour in the production of these areas. The market is already there, so we don’t have a problem with that. Even where the market is, we need to also look at how the 24-hour will incentivize competitive production.
He added, “If we are going to incentivize production in general and foster a 24-hour economy in this capacity to be able to feed into it, then we need not to look at only the market, but we also need to look at the competitiveness of production. If you want to consider the export market, that is where we should be looking at whether the market exists or not. All these nuances within the operation will have to be considered as we go along. Competitive production is key to the success of this agenda.”
Source: Citinewsroom.com
The First Lady, Lordina Dramani Mahama, has announced that the government will soon launch a Free Primary Health Care Programme aimed at improving access to healthcare across the country.
She said the initiative, which will be launched by her husband, John Dramani Mahama, will provide free primary healthcare services at facilities such as the Anyima Health Centre.
Mrs. Mahama made the announcement during the commissioning of the newly renovated Anyima Health Centre in Anyima, Brong Ahafo region.
According to her, the programme is expected to increase the use of health services, support early detection of diseases, reduce healthcare costs for families and improve the overall health and productivity of citizens.
“My husband, President John Dramani Mahama, will soon launch the Free Primary Health Care Programme, which will provide free care at facilities like the Anyima Health Centre,” she said.
Handing over the facility to the community, the First Lady urged health workers who will serve at the centre to treat patients with dignity and compassion.
She encouraged them to work towards ensuring zero maternal mortality and zero infant mortality at the facility.
Mrs. Mahama further called on residents of Anyima to take full ownership of the health centre by keeping it in good condition and making good use of its services.
She appealed to traditional leaders in the area to help protect the facility so that it can continue to serve the health needs of the community for many years.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Vice President, Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has called for stronger action to promote gender equity and create more opportunities for women in the workplace.
She made the call in a Facebook post after joining staff at the Presidency of Ghana to mark International Women’s Day.
The celebration was held under the theme “From Commitment to Action: Promoting Equity for Every Woman in the Workplace” and focused on recognising the achievements of women while reflecting on the work needed to ensure equal opportunities.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang extended warm wishes to women across Ghana and noted that women have always played key roles in the country’s communities and economic activities.
According to her, women in the past served as healers, traders and queen mothers who contributed to leadership and governance in traditional societies.
She explained that Ghana’s cultural history shows that women have long provided knowledge, leadership and innovation to help develop communities.
The Vice President however noted that current disparities require society to examine systems and structures that may have limited opportunities for women.
She stressed that advancing gender equity will require deliberate actions and the mentoring of young women to prepare them for leadership roles.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang recognised women whose work takes place in markets, streets and small trading spaces across the country.
According to her, these women form the backbone of local economies and continue to demonstrate resilience despite the difficult conditions they face.
She commended women working at the Presidency for their dedication and leadership and reaffirmed the need to promote respect, fairness and opportunity for every woman.
The Vice President further called on both men and women to work together to break barriers and ensure that women can fully contribute to Ghana’s development.
By: Jacob Aggrey
