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GRATIS Foundation takes charge of rural tech centres from Govt
The Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Mrs Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has reaffirmed government’s commitment to promoting the adoption of appropriate technologies to accelerate national transformation and industrial development.
Delivering a speech on her behalf at the handing over of 31 Technology Solution Centres (TSCs) in Elmina, Deputy Minister Samson Ahi said technological support in equipment repairs, spare parts fabrication, and maintenance remains critical for successful industrialisation.
The 31 centres, established under the Rural Enterprises Programme (REP), were officially handed over to the GRATIS Foundation, which will operate and supervise their activities. The centres, located in various districts, aim to reduce machinery downtime and revenue losses while enhancing productivity and efficiency.
Mrs Ofosu-Adjare said the handover reflects a continued national development strategy anchored on technology and a shift toward agribusiness, industrialisation, and technical training. She noted that GRATIS Foundation’s role is pivotal in offering responsive technology support to strengthen district-level manufacturing.
She highlighted government’s ongoing retooling of GRATIS Foundation’s engineering workshop, including the installation of a state-of-the-art Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine for precision engineering and advanced manufacturing. “GRATIS is gradually becoming Ghana’s national centre of excellence for technical innovation, rural industrialisation, and skills development,” she added.
The Chief Executive Officer of GRATIS Foundation, Dr Isaac Adaebsah, underscored the importance of the centres in supporting Ghana’s industrialisation efforts at the district level. He said the facilities will benefit thousands of artisans, fabricators, machine operators, and young entrepreneurs by offering affordable fabrication services, appropriate technologies, and business-enhancing training.
Central Regional Minister, Eduamoah Ekow Panyin Okyere, also speaking at the event, called for stronger collaboration between academia and industry to drive technological innovation. He raised concerns about financial barriers limiting farmers’ access to modern technologies and appealed for government intervention to make the centres’ innova
FROM DAVID O. YARBOI-TETTEH, ELMINA
The Diaspora Affairs Office at the Office of the President has hosted a delegation of African diaspora women who are in Ghana ahead of a planned Presidential Conferment of Citizenship ceremony.
The Director of Diaspora Affairs, Kofi Okyere Darko, explained in a Facebook post that the visit was a gesture of appreciation by the delegation to the Government of Ghana for its continued efforts to reconnect Africans in the diaspora with their ancestral homeland.
He indicated that the ceremony, scheduled for next Monday, will officially grant Ghanaian citizenship to members of the delegation as part of the country’s broader engagement with the African diaspora.
The delegation was led by Erica Bennett, Founder of the Diaspora Africa Forum.
According to Mr Okyere Darko, her years of advocacy have played an important role in strengthening ties between Africa and people of African descent living abroad.
He noted that the group’s journey towards citizenship represents not only a legal process but also a cultural and spiritual return to their roots.
Also present at the meeting was Natalie Jackson, an attorney who is also expected to receive Ghanaian citizenship during the ceremony. She works closely with renowned civil rights lawyer Ben Crump.
Mr Okyere Darko emphasised that Ghana remains committed to strengthening relationships with the African diaspora and promoting unity, identity, and shared heritage among people of African descent worldwide.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana has signed a debt restructuring agreement with the Kingdom of Belgium as part of efforts to restore the country’s economic stability after the financial crisis that hit the nation in 2022 and 2023.
The Minister of Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, today disclosed that he signed the agreement on behalf of the Government of Ghana.
He explained that Ghana experienced a very difficult period during the crisis, which forced the government at the time to declare a debt default.
However, he indicated that the country is now recovering and witnessing a significant economic turnaround.
According to him, stronger systems are also being put in place to ensure that Ghana does not return to such a situation again.
Dr Forson noted that the agreement with Belgium is the eighth deal Ghana has concluded with countries under the Official Creditor Committee as part of its external debt restructuring programme.
He expressed appreciation to the Government of Belgium for its support and partnership with Ghana during the process.
The Finance Minister thanked Carole van Eyll, Ambassador of Belgium to Ghana, for her role in strengthening relations between the two countries.
The agreement forms part of Ghana’s broader effort to restructure its external debts and stabilise the economy following the crisis.
By: Jacob Aggrey
