News
Italian Embassy marks 23rd Italian language week celebration
The 23rd edition of the Italian language week celebration (Settimana Dela Lingua Italiana Nel Mondo) ended in Accra last week with the rich cultures of Ghana and Italy in full display throughout the published works and arts.
The week-long event was organised by the Italian Embassy in Accra in collaboration with the Italian Business Association of Ghana (IBAG), Ghana Italian Women Association (GIWA) and Piccola Bibilotcca Italiana.
The event brought together seasoned authors and publishers from their two countries to celebrate the cultural exchanges.
The host, the Italian Ambassador to Ghana and Togo, Ms Daniela d’Orlandi, was joined by other dignitaries including a representative from the Ghana Library Board (GLB), Mr Hayford Siaw, to mark the day.
It was commemorated with eight different activities including lectures and reading sessions.
A reading session for children dubbed ‘READ Aloud; Rodari’s Tales,’ at Piccolo Biblioteca Italiana in Accra, kicked the celebrations into motion and was followed by an October 22 workshop dubbed, ‘Let’s colour the world with books’ also for children between the ages of nine to 18 years.
Other events included open discussions on several topics and lectures expertly delivered by notable speakers including Prof. Pierluigi Valsecchi, Prof. Matteo Grilli, Giola Guerzoni and Andrea Ceccarelli.
In an address, Ms d’Orlandi commended the participants for their respective roles in the event to celebrate the cultures of the two countries through their works.
A speaker from Italy, Giola Guerzoni, challenged publishers to delve more into the area of fiction with good story lines.
Andrea Ceccarelli, an Editor, expressed his joy to be in Ghana to be part of the celebration and hoped that publishers will make themselves more visible to be reached from outside Ghana and help raise awareness about Ghana’s publishing sector.
By Margaret Barden
For the first time in its seven-year history, the celebrated Guinea Fowl Bazaar has been brought to Accra, marking a significant expansion of an event that has, for the past six years, been a staple in Tamale.
The two-day cultural and culinary festival, held from May 1–2, drew over 500 patrons and featured nearly 20 vendors, to promote Northern Ghana’s rich food culture particularly guinea fowl delicacies.
Hosted by By Faith Catering Services, the bazaar brought together traditional leaders, cultural groups, food entrepreneurs, and government representatives in a display of heritage and enterprise.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Angelo Dogbe, the Northern Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority underscored the importance of promoting indigenous cuisine as a tool for economic development and cultural preservation. Chiefs from the Northern Region also graced the occasion, lending traditional authority and reinforcing the cultural significance of the festival.
A major highlight of the bazaar was a series of captivating cultural performances representing the diverse tribes of the Northern Region. Attendees were treated to traditional music, dance, and attire, transforming the venue into a lively tapestry of Northern identity and pride.
Vendors expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to showcase their products to a new audience in the capital. Many noted increased visibility, networking opportunities, and strong sales throughout the two-day event.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of By Faith Catering Services, Mrs. Matilda Zenabu Pipio described the Accra edition as a strategic move to broaden the reach of the festival and create new economic pathways for vendors and producers from the north.
She announced plans to make the Accra bazaar an annual event, emphasizing its potential to boost employment, promote guinea fowl production, and introduce more Ghanaians to the unique flavours of Northern cuisine.
She said, the event is a platform for cultural exchange, economic empowerment, and national unity through food.
She commended partners and called on more organisers to support and invest in initiatives like this.
Meanwhile, the organizers of Guinea fowl Bazaar paid a courtesy call to the Editor of Spectator, Mrs. Georgina Naa-Maku Quaittoo and Mr. David Adadevoh, Acting Editor of The Ghanaian Times.
Both editors lauded the initiatives and encouraged the organizers to sustain it.
Organizers for the initiative and called on stakeholders and cooperate bodies to support this good course.
By Geoffrey Buta.
MTN Ghana has hosted more than 200 students from various educational institutions in Accra for an engaging, hands-on technology immersion at MTN House, bringing classroom theory to life and fueling interest in STEM and digital innovation.
Students from Ashesi University, Ghana International School, Cradle Star Academy, and Kinderland School explored MTN Ghana’s rich history, core values, customer-focused innovations, and digital transformation agenda.
They were introduced to the company’s sustainability and social impact initiatives, spanning education, youth empowerment and community development. A key highlight of the visits was a tour of MTN Ghana’s Network Operations Centre (NOC) and data centres.
The students gained first-hand exposure to the advanced technology, systems, and expertise powering seamless connectivity for millions daily – offering a rare look into how MTN ensures network performance, security, and resilience.
Speaking on the initiative, the Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer at MTN Ghana, Adwoa Wiafe, noted, “Hosting students at MTN House reflects our commitment to shaping Ghana’s digital future. As we deliver our Ambition 2030 strategy, we are deepening investments in youth development through programmes like the Bright Scholarship, the MTN Digital Skills Academy, and collaborations on the One Million Coders Programme and the Girls in ICT initiative led by the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation.”
Paschal Paaga, Manager for IT Projects Implementation, emphasised the importance of experiential learning.
‘’By opening our doors, we are helping to bridge the gap between academia and industry. We want young people to see the real-world impact of technology and be inspired to pursue careers in STEM.”
For many participants, the experience was transformative. Maame Sapomaa, a Level 300 Information Systems student from Ashesi University, shared, “The visit was incredibly inspiring. Everything we have learned in the classroom came to life, and we were exposed to new concepts beyond our studies. It has motivated me even more to pursue a career in technology.”
As MTN Ghana advances its Ambition 2030 vision, the company remains committed to driving digital inclusion, platform-led innovation, and building strategic partnerships that support Ghana’s long-term socio-economic development.
