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GEXIM commemorates Homowo with “Homowo Mart” on August 27
As part of activities to commemorate this year’s celebration of the Homowo festival, Management of the Ghana Export – Import Bank (GEXIM) has announced a special edition of its popular Tuesday Market. Dubbed “GEXIM Homowo Mart”, it is scheduled to take place on Tuesday August 27, 2024 at the forecourt of the Bank’s headquarters, the Africa Trade House, in Accra.
In the spirit of the celebration, the “GEXIM Homowo Mart” which will commence at 10am and end at 8pm will provide a platform to showcase a variety of top-quality Made-In-Ghana products and services at unbeatable prices.
The very unique, and authentic products to be exhibited at the fair will include food and ingredients, beverages, skin and beauty care products, textiles, apparel, garments, leather footwear, slippers, and many others.
Commenting on the Bank’s rationale and preparation towards the successful organization of the “GEXIM Homowo Mart”, the Deputy Chief Executive of GEXIM, responsible for Banking, Ms. Rosemary Beryl Archer, highlighted the important role cultural sensitivity plays in global trade, bilateral relations between countries as well as building synergies between international businesses and entrepreneurs.
“We are excited to be participating in this year’s edition of the month long harvest festival by the Gas in the Greater Accra region by organizing the special edition of our award winning SME fair, Tuesday Market, which seeks to promote and market products and services by Ghanaian entrepreneurs. I must say, cultural sensitivityis a cornerstone of successful international trade and it is significant to leverage on important festivals like Homowo by the Gas which comes with a lot of lessons. When businesses value and respect cultural differences, they foster trust, enhance communication, and drive sustainable growth in global markets”, she elaborated.
According to Mr. Archer, in addition to the exhibition of Ghanaian made products and services on the day, the forecourt of the Africa Trade House will come alive with a Ga cultural display to provide a captivating insight into the tradition and customs of the Ga people in the presence of some very important dignitaries from the Ga state confirmed to participate in the “GEXIM Homowo Mart”.
The word “Homowo” means hooting at hunger in the Ga language. The Ga people celebrate the “Homowo Festival” in remembrance of famine that once happened in their history in precolonial Ghana. The festival is a time of immense joy, gratitude and reflection for all Gas in the country and around the world.
The Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has pledged to work closely with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice to address challenges affecting the delivery of justice in Ghana.
He made this known after receiving the Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, who paid a courtesy call on him earlier today.
The Chief Justice was accompanied by Supreme Court Judge, Justice Gabriel Pwamang, the Acting Director of the Ghana School of Law, Professor Raymond Atuguba, and the Judicial Secretary.
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, was also present at the meeting.
Dr. Forson said the Chief Justice explained that the visit was to express appreciation for the continuous support the Ministry of Finance has given to the Judiciary.
According to him, the Chief Justice raised concerns about congestion in the courts, describing it as a major challenge that affects the speedy delivery of justice.
He said several solutions are currently being considered to help reduce the pressure on the courts.
“The Chief Justice also highlighted issues regarding the working conditions of staff within the Judiciary,” Dr. Forson stated.
He assured them of his commitment to helping resolve these problems through collaboration with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice.
“I am committed to working closely with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice to tackle these challenges,” he said.
As part of the measures being considered, Dr. Forson revealed that his ministry is examining the possibility of allowing the Judiciary to use 100 percent of its Internally Generated Funds (IGF) to meet urgent operational needs.
He said this move, if approved, would help improve the efficiency of the courts and enhance justice delivery across the country.
The meeting forms part of efforts to strengthen cooperation between the Executive and the Judiciary in addressing systemic challenges within Ghana’s justice system.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana has begun talks with the family of Guinea’s first President, Sékou Touré, to take possession of the house where Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah lived and worked during his final years in exile.
The Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced that the move follows instructions from President John Dramani Mahama.
According to him, the Mahama administration plans to renovate and preserve the residence in Guinea as a mark of respect for Nkrumah and to protect his legacy.
He explained that the site is expected to become part of a broader historical and tourism experience that traces Nkrumah’s life from Ghana to Guinea.
The decision was formally communicated to the Sékou Touré family on Saturday during a visit led by Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.
The visit took place after the investiture of Guinea’s President Mamady Doumbouya.
Mr Ablakwa noted that the Ghanaian delegation toured Nkrumah’s abandoned home and was warmly received by three generations of the Sékou Touré family, led by the former president’s eldest son.
He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently negotiating the terms and conditions of the arrangement and engaging preservation experts to handle the restoration works.
The minister assured the public that the process will be handled openly, stressing that Ghanaians will be kept informed at every stage in the interest of transparency and accountability.
Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah was Ghana’s first President and a leading figure in Africa’s independence and Pan African movements.
His years in Guinea symbolised the strong political and ideological ties between the two countries.
By: Jacob Aggrey
