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GEXIM to host “Tuesday Market” in Volta Region from September 26-28
The Volta Regional capital, Ho, will in the coming days host the region’s biggest Made-In-Ghana fair to be organized by the Ghana Export – Import Bank (GEXIM). Dubbed the “Volta Weekend Market” or “Teza Mart”, the fair is scheduled to take place at Ho Bankoe (Movie Street) from Thursday September 26 to Saturday September 28, 2024 between 8am and 8pm each day.
“Volta Weekend Market” is a platform created by the Bank for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) across the Volta region and other Ghanaian entrepreneurs in neighboring regions to showcase carefully selected top-quality and uniquely packaged Made-In-Ghana products.
Announcing the “Volta Weekend Market”, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of GEXIM, responsible for Banking, Ms. Rosemary Beryl Archer expressed the Bank’s appreciation to all relevant stakeholder in the Volta region for their enormous support to make it possible for the Bank to host an SME fair in the region.
“I am happy we are coming to the Volta region at a very important time, during the celebration of the Asogli Yam Festival.
Without a doubt, SMEs play a critical role in national development, and we are excited to place a spotlight on SMEs across the region by promoting them locally and internationally to be patronized. In addition, as part of the fair, we will be building the capacities of the SMEs and engage them to explore avenue for growth,”she added
She further stated that “with the recent launch of the SME Growth and Opportunities Programme by the Ministry of Finance and the follow up sensitization across the regions, the fair presents an opportunity to further engage SMEs in the Volta Region.”
Currently, about hundred Ghanaian entrepreneurs with unique products have been confirmed to participate in the fair. Some of the very unique, and authentic products expected to be exhibited at the fair at unbeatable prices include food and ingredients, beverages, skin and beauty care products, textiles, apparel, garments, leather footwear, slippers, and many others.
On the sidelines of the “Volta Weekend Market”, the Bank will organize a training programme for the SMEs, dubbed “SME Clinic.”
It is aimed at building the capacity of entrepreneurs, exploring solutions to challenges faced by Ghanaian businesses as well as identifying pragmatic approaches to assist SMEs to scale up and become more efficient in their operations.
Troubled and anxious citizens in Damongo of the Savannah Region have expressed concerns about the number of young people, believed to be under the age of 18, involved in ‘shisha’ smoking in pubs and drinking spots within the township.
Eyewitnesses say the minors were seen patronising nightlife venues, where Shisha smoking happen in the open.
The situation has sparked renewed public concern over the enforcement of child protection laws and regulations governing the operations of entertainment centres in the municipality and country as a whole.
An eyewitness, who spoke to The Spectator on conditions of anonymity for security reasons, noted that the situation was becoming increasingly common.
“This is not a one-off incident. It is becoming very common, but residents like us cannot openly report or speak about it because our lives will be at risk,” he said.
Under Ghanaian law, minors were prohibited from patronising Shisha.
Public health experts have consistently warned that shisha use exposes users to harmful substances that can negatively affect brain development, respiratory health, and overall well-being, particularly among young people.
The residents believe the alleged incidents point to broader challenges relating to youth supervision, substance abuse, and weak enforcement of existing regulations and have called on municipal authorities, security agencies, and regulatory bodies to intensify monitoring of pubs and entertainment centres to ensure compliance with the law.
In an effort to address the menace, Mr Salisu Be-Awurbi, the Savannah Regional Minister, has led public education campaigns, engaged security agencies, and supported enforcement actions to address the rising use of illicit substances in the region.
Wura Kelly Seidu Boresah I, the Chief of Damongo, has also called on all stakeholders including parents, community leaders, institutions, and young people to actively support efforts to curb drug abuse, warning that the rising consumption of hard drugs poses a serious health threat to the future of the youth in the Savannah Region.
He also cautioned individuals involved in the sale and distribution of illicit drugs to immediately desist from the practice, stressing that offenders will face arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law.
From Geoffrey Buta, Damongo, Savannah Region
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Dr Theresa Baffour, an advocate for ending violence and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SAHM SAHW Foundation, has said that society plays a critical and pivotal role in breaking the cycle of domestic violence.
According to her, domestic violence is a major contributor of making women, who are mostly the victims, mentally derailed and unable to engage in economic activities.
She said this when the foundation called on the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, to solicit support for the initiative by the “Strong and Healthy Minds, Strong and Healthy Women” (SAHM SAHW) to combat domestic violence within the Ga State.
The visit was occasioned by the fact that domestic violence cases have become quite prevalent in the Ga communities and is retarding growth.
According to her, the canker was an impediment to national development because the victims were usually tortured and would have to go through series of therapies to return to the right state of mind.
Dr Baffour mentioned that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) places a mental toll on women, and was, therefore, important to break the cycle through comprehensive mental health support, crisis intervention and empowerment programmes in communities with high rates of GBV.
This intervention, she underscored, would help in empowering the denigrated victim of domestic violence to soundly heal, build and thrive.
Dr Baffour added that the initiative would provide holistic, trauma-informed mental health care and advocacy for young women affected by domestic violence.
According to her, the above statement would create safe spaces for healing and equipping them with entrepreneurial skills for renewed hope and empowered life.
The Ga Mantse pledged his support for the laudable initiative to combat domestic violence and also acknowledged the need to address it in the Ga State.
Further endorsement came from Justice Julia Naa-Yarley Adjei Amoah, Chief of Staff at the Office of the Ga Mantse, as she commended the team of SAHM SAHW Foundation for taking a bold step to end the canker in the Greater Accra.
She added that it was a step in the right direction to save vulnerable women from torture, stress and emotional abuse.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
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