News
Parliament waves tax for 4 companies under 1D1F
Parliament yesterday approved request by the government for tax waivers to four companies under the One District One Factory initiative.
The package included import duties, import Value Added Tax, Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) levy, Import National Health Insurance Levy and Export and Import (EXIM) levy.
The companies are Camelot Ghana Limited (US$347,174), Favour 01 Limited (US$131,988), Gee’s Fresh Point Limited (GHC48, 369) and LK International Company Ghana Limited (US$2,284,831).
Areas of the economy where the companies are expected to operate include production of non-alcoholic beverages, tricycle assembling, security printing and processing and packaging of birds.
The request for waiver laid in the House on May 26, 2020, was in accordance with Article 174(2) of the Constitution.
Presenting the Finance Committee’s report on the waiver, Chairman, Dr Mark Assibey-Yeboah said the move was in line with government’s efforts to industrilise the country.
The report, a copy of which the Ghanaian Times has said in part that “considering the benefits to be derived from the projects, the Committee is of the view that the requests will go a long way to boost government’s flagship 1D1F programme.”
According to the report, some of the benefits of the projects would include increased employment, reduction in post harvest losses of fruits by providing alternative market, increased export earnings and increased fruit production in the country.
The report said Camelot Ghana Limited’s main business was the printing of security documents and continuous forms.
“The company offers the printing of cheque books, bankers’ drafts, share certificates, dividend warrants and certificates, lottery tickets of various types and continuous and cut sheet stationery, preprints for laser printers, electoral ballot papers-standard and special size and many more,” it said.
Located in Tamale, LK International Company Limited assembles tricycles and other related products for distribution on the local market and countries in the ECOWAS sub region such as Burkina Faso, Togo, Cote d’Ivoire, Benin and Mali.
Favour 01 Limited, the report said is a limited liability company under the Companies Code of Ghana, 1963 (Act 179) and is located at Ayikuma in the Shai Osudoku District in the Greater Accra Region.
Gee’s Fresh Point Limited, the Committee reported is a gender sensitive organisation working with NGOs like WUSC, FARM RADIO, and GIZ towards empowering women through capacity building programmes and creating ready markets for women poultry farmers.
A member of the Committee, Benjamin Kpodo, urged that government to track the intended mission of the firms to ensure that they lived up to the billing.
BY JULIUS YAO PETETSI
News
Invest in the welfare of children – UNICEF
The Country Representative for United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Ghana, Mr. Osama Makkawi Khogali, has urged the government and other stakeholders to invest more in the welfare of children.
He explained that Africa was home to a growing number of children, and by the year 2050, four out of every 10 children in the world will live in Africa.
This, he said, was a major reason why more investments are needed in children’s education, health, nutrition, safety, digital access, and job training.
Mr Khogali said this in a statement copied to The Spectator in Accra on Monday June 16 to commemorate the Day of the African Child.
Every year on June 16, the Day of the African Child is celebrated to remember the brave children of the 1976 Soweto Uprising in South Africa. These children stood up against unfair education and fought for their rights. Today, the day reminds everyone to stand up for the rights and welfare of African children.
Mr. Khogali said, “we must act now so that children would not only survive but grow and succeed. Africa’s future is global, and it begins with the children of today.”
The Country Representative for UNICEF said, in Ghana, children make up about 45 per cent of the country’s population, indicating that the future of Ghana depends heavily on how well children were supported and protected today.
He therefore called on governments, communities, families, and individuals to work together and make sure every child has access to good education, health care, safety, and opportunities.
“Helping children now is the smartest way to build a strong and successful country,” he added.
UNICEF is the world’s leading children’s organisation. It works in over 190 countries to protect children’s rights and ensure that every child has the chance to live, grow, and reach their full potential.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
News
First Lady, Lordina Mahama address 7th Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit in Dubai
The First Lady of the Republic of Ghana on Wednesday, June 18, addressed the prestigious 7th Edition of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Summit in Dubai.
The programme held at Hilton Hotel was attended by First Ladies from about 15 African and Asian countries.
The First Lady shared insights on strengthening healthcare systems, empowering women, and celebrating the impactful partnership between Ghana and the Merck Foundation over the past 13 years.
Mrs Mahama also underscored the critical role of First Ladies as Ambassadors for the “More Than a Mother” campaign, working to break the stigma around infertility and promote gender equality.
At the Committee Meeting held on Thursday, June 19, Mrs.Lordina Mahama through her presentation showed video documentary of her varied projects aimed at impacting lives.
The documentary showcased her extensive works in Education, health and other sectors of the country.
This received applauds and commendation from her colleague First Ladies and leadership of Merck Foundation.
Expressing gratitude to the Merck Foundation, she reiterated her and the Lordina Foundation’s commitment to strengthening collaboration for enhanced initiatives in health, education, and combating social stigma across Ghana.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme, Dubai
