News
Fairtrade Premium Committee inaugurates creche facility for Golden Exotic ladies
Fairtrade Premium Committee(FPC), a global movement which addresses the injustices of conventional trade by supporting small holder farmers and workers in plantations, has opened a creche facility for female workers of Golden Exotic Limited (GEL), Ghana’s largest exporter of Banana at Kasunya in the Shai-Osudoku area of the Greater Accra Region.
The inauguration is not only a fulfilment of a promise made to the workers but also fulfills an important tenet of the charter of GEL’s parent company, Compagnie Fruitiere.
It also fulfills GELs gender equity policy which aims to provide a congenial atmosphere at the workplace for all women.
The event, which was organized to coincide with International Women’s Day also marks a call to action to accelerate women’s equality in all spheres of human endeavor.
The GEL Fairtrade Officer, Mr. George Kporye in his address said the facility would give the workers peace of mind knowing that their children would be well taken care of whilst they are at work.
He said facilities in the creche include three spacious classrooms with modern teaching aids, washrooms, a sick bay and a breastfeeding room. It also includes teachers and nurses restrooms, headmistress office and a visitor’s waiting room, with an outdoor canteen to be added later this year.
The FPC has also provided a 30- seater bus exclusively for the use of the creche which will bring the mothers from their workplaces during break to the creche to feed their children and return them quickly to work.
He said recruitment of staff to man the facility is ongoing and should be completed soon for children to start school in May after all training, certifications and approvals have been done.
In his keynote address, the Managing Director of GEL, Mr. Benedict John Rich said an educationist has been recruited who shall be responsible for the daily running of the facility, three trained teachers in childhood education and three class attendants for the respective classes.
According to him, in 2017, GEL commissioned research into finding out the reasons for the low numbers of women employed in GEL.
Following the research, he said policies were developed to improve conditions of engagement and of work particularly for women after a consultative meeting.
He expressed confidence that the FPC would continue to apply the premium resources to similar projects in the future to enhance the general welfare and economic well- being of all GEL workers.
In a solidarity message, the Municipal Chief Executive for Shai-Osudoku, Hon. Fred Offei said the inauguration of the facility provides a significant opportunity for the women folk who would essentially remain in the organization and have access to reliable childcare for the business to benefit from a workforce that is focused, engaged and productive.
He said by providing access to childcare solutions, employers would eliminate a major source of stress, worry and distraction for their employees.
Around the globe, he said the lack of quality childcare has continued to be a major barrier to allowing parents, particularly women, to participate fully in the workforce.
He appreciated the effort of FPC at making childcare an important part of their employee effectiveness strategies
News
A Royal Reunion: Yagbonwura pays historic visit to Manhyia, pledges deeper traditional cooperation
The centuries-old relationship between the Gonja and Asante kingdoms received a significant boost on Monday when the Yagbonwura, Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I, paid a historic visit to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.
The royal encounter, attended by paramount chiefs, queen mothers, traditional elders, government officials, academics and cultural enthusiasts, was more than a ceremonial exchange of greetings.
It underscored the enduring role of Ghana’s traditional authorities in promoting national unity, peaceful coexistence and cultural preservation.
Accompanied by a distinguished delegation from the Savannah Region, the Yagbonwura arrived in regal splendour, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Gonja Kingdom through traditional drumming, praise singing, symbolic gifts and elaborate royal protocol.
The reception at the Manhyia Palace reflected the dignity and grandeur associated with the Asante Kingdom, creating an atmosphere of mutual respect between two of Ghana’s most revered traditional institutions.
Although the Gonja and Asante kingdoms share a history marked by periods of diplomacy, trade, rivalry and political interaction, the meeting demonstrated how historical relationships have evolved into one founded on reconciliation, cooperation and mutual respect.
The discussions centered on strengthening collaboration among traditional authorities to address contemporary national challenges, including peacebuilding, youth empowerment, education, environmental protection, cultural tourism and economic development.
Both monarchs acknowledged that traditional leadership continues to complement constitutional governance by promoting dialogue, resolving disputes and mobilising communities for development.
Observers described the meeting as a significant demonstration of the critical role chiefs continue to play in safeguarding Ghana’s peace and social cohesion.
The visit highlighted the growing influence of traditional institutions in national development. Across Ghana, chiefs increasingly contribute to conflict resolution, environmental conservation, educational advocacy and community development while serving as custodians of the country’s cultural heritage.
For many participants, the gathering reaffirmed that the authority of traditional rulers extends beyond ceremonial functions to include moral leadership and social responsibility.
The occasion also offered younger generations a unique opportunity to witness centuries-old customs that continue to shape leadership, identity and governance in modern Ghana.
The colourful display of royal umbrellas, ceremonial swords, linguists, traditional drumming and court protocol served as a vivid reminder of Ghana’s rich cultural diversity and the resilience of indigenous governance systems.
A major highlight of the visit came when Otumfuo Osei Tutu II assured the Yagbonwura and the people of the Gonja Kingdom that he would pay a reciprocal visit to the Savannah Region.
The announcement was warmly received by the Gonja delegation and was widely interpreted as a symbol of renewed friendship and stronger collaboration between the two historic kingdoms.
The two monarchs reaffirmed their shared commitment to promoting peace, preserving Ghana’s cultural heritage, empowering young people, supporting education and healthcare, and fostering sustainable development within their traditional areas.
They emphasised that stronger collaboration among traditional rulers would contribute significantly to national cohesion and complement the country’s democratic governance structures.
As the royal delegation departed the Manhyia Palace, the significance of the visit extended far beyond its ceremonial splendour.
The meeting marked a renewed chapter in the relationship between the Gonja and Asante kingdoms and reaffirmed the importance of dialogue, reconciliation and mutual respect in strengthening Ghana’s traditional institutions.
At a time when societies around the world continue to grapple with division and conflict, the image of two revered monarchs meeting in friendship offered a powerful reminder that unity remains one of Ghana’s greatest strengths.
The historic encounter is expected to deepen cooperation between the two kingdoms, promote greater cultural exchange and reinforce the enduring contribution of traditional leadership to Ghana’s peace, stability and national development.
From Geoffrey Buta, Kumasi
The New Juaben South Municipal Cultural Officer, Ms Richill Aniwaa Appiah, has called on parents to make a conscious effort to teach their children Ghanaian languages at home to preserve the country’s culture and improve pupils’ performance in local language subjects.
According to her, many parents now communicate with their children mainly in English, a trend that is making it difficult for many pupils to understand, speak and write their mother tongue.
She noted that recent assessments show many children are struggling in local language lessons, while some even feel shy speaking their native language.
She described the situation as worrying and stressed the need for parents to encourage their children to speak their local languages.
Ms Appiah made the call at this year’s Nyansapo Afahye organised by the Centre for National Culture (CNC) in Koforidua.
The festival, held on the theme: ‘Promoting Our Culture Through Our Mother Tongue,’ brought together pupils from seven schools in the municipality to compete in proverb recitation, Adinkra symbol identification, idiomatic expressions and old-time songs.
At the end of the competition, Brentford International Academy emerged winners, with Freeman Methodist ‘A’ Basic School placing second, while Nana Kwaku Boateng “B” Basic School came third.
Ms Appiah stressed that language is an important part of a people’s identity and helps define Ghanaians as a nation.
She urged parents and communities to encourage children to speak their local languages regularly to ensure that Ghana’s rich cultural heritage is preserved.
She added that teaching children proverbs, idiomatic expressions and old-time songs would help them appreciate the beauty and value of their mother tongue.
According to her, such efforts would equip the younger generation with the knowledge and confidence to speak their local languages and inspire them to pass on the language and culture to future generations.
In a speech read on behalf of the Chief Executive of the New Juaben South Municipal Assembly, Mr Ransford Tetteh, assured the Centre for National Culture of the Assembly’s commitment to partnering with the Centre to promote Ghanaian languages and preserve the nation’s cultural heritage.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
