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Firmus Ghana marks 15th anniversary with tree planting, donates cash to Accra Girls Vocational School
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Firmus Ghana has planted 15 trees at the Accra Girls Vocational School in Tesano as part of activities marking its 15th anniversary and made a cash donation to support the school’s administrative work and development.
The exercise, held in partnership with the Forestry Commission, formed part of the company’s Building the Forest Strategy, a long term sustainability programme aimed at promoting environmental conservation and giving back to communities.
The Managing Partner of Firmus Advisory Limited, Mr Alex Twumasi, said the company had organised a series of activities throughout the year to celebrate 15 years of providing market research and business consulting services across Africa.
He explained that the school was selected because it is located within the company’s community and because Firmus had previously engaged the students on entrepreneurship two years ago.
“We live in this community and this school is doing amazing things for girls in Accra. We felt it was important to return and support its development,” he said.
Mr Twumasi explained that the tree planting exercise formed part of the company’s corporate social responsibility and reflected its commitment to protecting the environment.
According to him, the company planted 15 trees in partnership with the Forestry Commission to leave a lasting legacy that would benefit both the school and the wider community.
He added that the cash donation was intended to support the school’s development and encourage its management to continue its good work.
Mr Twumasi assured the school that Firmus would continue to support its activities in the years ahead and encouraged the students to remain focused on their education and pursue their dreams.
The House Mistress and Fashion Teacher at Accra Girls Vocational School, Ms Tricia Afatchao, expressed appreciation to the company for including the school in its anniversary celebrations.
She said the trees would improve the school’s environment, help reduce the effects of climate change and serve as a lasting symbol of the partnership between the school and Firmus.
Ms Afatchao assured the company that the school would properly maintain the trees, noting that it already cared for other trees on the campus.
She, however, said the school was facing declining enrolment following the introduction of the Free Senior High School policy, explaining that many people wrongly believed vocational schools were only for students with poor academic performance.
She explained that vocational education equips students with practical skills while also giving them the opportunity to pursue higher education.
A representative of the Forestry Commission’s Plantation Department, Ms Millicent Bilson, urged Ghanaians to plant more trees, describing them as essential for human survival and environmental protection.
She encouraged households, schools and institutions to take advantage of the Forestry Commission’s support for tree planting activities.
Ms Bilson also educated students and staff on proper tree planting and maintenance, stressing the importance of regular watering, mulching and proper care to ensure healthy growth.
Some students thanked Firmus Ghana for the initiative and pledged to take good care of the trees.
They also expressed gratitude for the cash donation and said it would support activities in the school.
The students assured the company that they would water and nurture the trees so they would grow into a lasting legacy for future generations.
By Jacob Aggrey
The Ministry of the Interior has condemned the assault of an arrested person while in police custody and has directed the Inspector-General of Police to launch a full investigation into the incident.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Ministry said it noted with concern that the assault followed public statements linked to a religious dispute, including calls for violence against persons considered to have offended religious sensibilities.
“The Ministry unequivocally condemns all such statements, as there is no justification for inciting violence against Christians, Muslims, or any other person on the basis of religion,” the statement said.
The Ministry stressed that regardless of the allegation against a suspect, no one has the right to assault a person in police custody.
“An arrested person is in custody of the State and is entitled to the protection of the law,” the statement noted.
It also expressed serious concern over how civilians gained access to the person in custody.
The Minister, Muntaka Mubarak has directed the IGP to take three immediate actions
They are to identify how civilians accessed the arrested person and determine if any police personnel facilitated, permitted or acquiesced, adding that officers found culpable will face disciplinary action.
Additionally take immediate steps to identify, arrest and investigate the civilian persons who carried out the assault, in accordance with the law.
And finally investigate the conduct of all supervising officers responsible for custody and supervision, and apply disciplinary sanctions where necessary.
The Minister further directed the Police to deal with all persons arrested in connection with the preceding incidents “strictly in accordance with the law and without fear or favour.”
The Ministry reiterated that religious incitement, religious violence and the unlawful assault of persons in custody have no place in Ghana.
“No religious belief, personal grievance or other consideration places anyone above the law,” the statement emphasized.
It reaffirmed government’s commitment to maintaining public order, protecting the rights of persons in custody and promoting peaceful coexistence among citizens of all faiths and backgrounds.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Government of Ghana has stated that it fully funded the evacuation of more than 1,600 Ghanaians from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement issued on Thursday, August 13, 2026, said Ghana did not seek financial or material support from the South African Government to bring the affected Ghanaians back home.
The Ministry was responding to media reports that South Africa was seeking about $18 million in reimbursement from some African countries for costs incurred in supporting and evacuating their nationals.
It explained that all costs related to the evacuation of Ghanaians were covered by the Government of Ghana and Ghanaian partners.
According to the Ministry, more than 1,600 Ghanaians have been evacuated from South Africa since May 2026, with the exercise still ongoing.
It said the evacuees are also provided with reintegration funds, transport fares and other relief items after arriving in Ghana to help them settle back into the country.
The Ministry assured Ghanaians that the country would not be included among those being asked by South Africa to reimburse the cost of repatriating foreign nationals.
It reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting the lives and welfare of Ghanaians living abroad.
The Ministry said the government would continue to take timely action whenever the safety and security of Ghanaians outside the country were at risk.
It expressed gratitude to President John Mahama and Ghanaian partners for supporting the fully Ghanaian-funded evacuation exercise.
By: Jacob Aggrey
