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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
BISHOP Dr Richard Owusu Akyeaw, the Founder and General Overseer of Living Grace Ministries, has condemned the growing acts of indiscipline and lawlessness in second cycle institutions.
He called for a collective approach to reverse the trend, saying that discipline triggered academic excellence in achieving life successes.
Bishop Dr Akyeaw made the call when speaking at a durbar of parents, teachers, and students to climax the 15th anniversary celebration of the Standard School of Royals in Sunyani and praised the school authorities for the level of discipline among the students and pupils.
He noted that instilling a sense of discipline would improve academic performance of students and thereby advance academic growth and development in schools.
Bishop Dr Akyeaw said that:
“Excellence isn’t an event, but a habit formed through consistency and self-discipline,”
saying that any disciplined environment fostered confidence, creativity, and love for nation.
He commended the teachers of the school for the dedication in moulding the students and pupils responsibly and urged the school children to remain focused, obedient, and studious.
Mrs Vivian Adu Bonsu, the Proprietress of the School, expressed appreciation to God, management, teachers, and parents for the school’s academic successes.
She said despite some emerging challenges, the school remained committed to achieving its vision of churning out quality and well-behaved and morally upright graduates. –GNA
THE chiefs and people of Ntotroso in the Asutifi North District of the Ahafo Region on Saturday celebrated their Apomasu Yam Festival at Ntotroso amidst pomp and pageantry.
The colourful festival, which featured a week-long activities including traditional cultural rites, was held under the Theme: ‘Mining and Tradition: Building Resilient Communities through Sustainable and Responsible Mining.’
It attracted a lot of guests including chiefs, politicians, businessmen and women, foreigners, school children and members of the public amidst drumming and dancing.
The Apomasu Yam Festival, celebrated biennially, honours the Apomasu deity believed to safeguard the community’s wellbeing.
The festival also served as a fundraiser to support ongoing educational infrastructure projects initiated by the Ntotroso Traditional Council.
Addressing the people, Barima Twereku Ampem III, Paramount chief of Ntotroso, said the Apomasu festival was not merely a celebration of harvest, but signifies a spiritual homecoming as well as a moment of thanksgiving to the Almighty God and to the ancestors for protecting the land, blessing the farms, and sustaining them.
The festival, he noted, symbolises renewal of unity, purpose and collective responsibility to protect the land entrusted to us.
Touching on the menace of illegal mining activities, Barima Twereku Ampem, who is also the president of the Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, pledged the support of the chiefs and people in the area to complement government’s efforts at finding a lasting solution to the problem.
According to him, illegal mining remains a threat not only to our environment but to national security and long-term development of the country.
He, however, urged the government to ensure strict enforcement of the law, in a fair, consistent and transparent manner so as to deal with the menace.
The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, who led the government delegation, commended the chiefs and people of Ntotroso for organising a successful festival.
He praised their commitment to be accountable and transparent in their dealings with the people.
“Most leaders finds it difficult to be accountable to their people. What you have shown here is a demonstration of your commitment to honesty and integrity—a virtue that must be emulated by who aspire to lead,” he stated.
He later donated a cash of Gh₵100,000 to support the celebration.
After more than 300 years of existence, Ntotroso has seen a lot of changes both the social and economic fronts.
From a largely subsistence local economy, Ntotroso and other surrounding communities have now been placed on the global map of gold producing areas following the acquisition of mining concession in 2003 by Newmont Ahafo Mines.
From Daniel Dzirasah, Ntotroso
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