News
Stakeholders gear up for 2nd Blue Economy Conference
All is set for the much-anticipated second (2nd) International Blue Economy Conference (IBEG-2025) scheduled for February 19-21, 2025 in the Republic of The Gambia.
Under the auspices of the Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure, the Gambia in collaboration with the Regional Maritime University(RMU) in Accra and the Dar es Salaam Maritime Institute,Tanzania,the conference would be held under the theme, “Harnessing the Blue Economy: Leveraging for Innovative and Sustainable Development”.
According to a press release issued in Accra, the conference forms part of efforts to bring together international stakeholders to share ideas on promoting the blue economy to subsequently lead development across the continent, by tapping into prospects within the industry.
It added that, the conference would seek to bring together partners to promote the innovative and sustainable use of the blue economy within the context of maritime security, safety and development and to establish a platform for knowledge sharing, networking and capacity building among stakeholders and partners, leveraging innovative and sustainable development.
Keynote speaker for the conference, it announced, would be the President of the Republic of The Gambia, Mr Adama Barrow as well as several high-profile dignitaries including the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Mr Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary General of MOWCA Dr Paul Ikongshul Adalikwu and ministers from across the continent would be in attendance.
Other speakers it said include, the Minister for Blue Economy, Zanzibar, Tanzania, Mr Shaaba Othman, Prof. Dr Moenieba Isaacs of the Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies School of Economics and Management Sciences University of the Western Cape, South Africa, Managing Director Adept Blue Economic Solutions, Kenya, Dr Nancy Kairaria and Former Chief of Staff, United Nations (UN) Economic Commission for Africa and Managing Director Centric Digital-Ghana, Dr Aida Opohu-Mensah.
“The rest are, Director General Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute, Tanzania,Mr Ismael A. Kimirei, Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries, Tanzania Dr Salum Soud HAMED, Maritime Law Consultant, Dr Emmanuel Mbiah and former Vice Chancellor, University of The Gambia Prof. Dr Felixtina Jonsyn-Ellis,” it added.
“There would be other sub-themes for discussion including Sustainable fisheries and Aquaculture (Offshore and Coastal Fisheries), Ocean Renewable Energy, Eco-tourism and Marine Conservation, Blue technology and Innovation, Ocean Governance and Policy, Maritime Legislation as well as Climate Resilience and adaptation,” it stated.
In addition, it said, would be conversations on Sustainable Shipping and Transportation, Development of Coastal Infrastructure, Environmental Sustainability, Sectorial and Institutional Linkages, Maritime Safety and Security, Decarbonization of Maritime Transportation, Marine/Coastal Tourism and Hospitality, Marine Digitalization and Marine Artificial Intelligence (AI in Maritime).
“Other areas to be tackled would be Oil and Gas, Marine Technological Innovation, International Cooperation in the Maritime Sector, Maritime Transport and Port Development, Marine Biotechnology, Climate Change and Coastal Resilience and Digital Transformation in the Blue Economy,” it stressed.
Ultimately, the conference would offer a huge opportunity for Africa to take advantage of the huge potentials within the blue economy to foster development.
Ahyiresu and Abofrem, two quiet communities in the Atwima Mponua District, have been shaken to the core by a chilling midnight drama that reads like a nightmare.
A pastor and a young mother stand accused of attempting to bury a five‑month‑old baby girl alive, a crime that has ignited outrage and disbelief across the township.
According to police, Apostle Richmond Akwasi Frimpong, 36, Head Pastor of the Anointed Grace Prayer Ministry at Kuffour Camp, conspired with his uncle Emmanuel Appiah, 53, and the child’s mother, 23‑year‑old Beatrice Agyapomaa, to dispose of the infant, Anaya Achiaa, under the cover of darkness.
A fourth suspect, Emmanuel Donkor, remains on the run.
The suspects were caught near a refuse dump around 10 pm on April 9, 2026, after a vigilant resident, Akwasi Twezor, noticed their suspicious movements.
When confronted, they claimed the child was already dead and had palace approval for burial. But Twezor’s instincts proved right—the baby was still alive, gasping faintly for breath.
Chief Linguist, Nana Yaw Badu, later confirmed that Frimpong had misled him earlier in the evening, securing permission for burial by falsely declaring the child dead.
The infant was rushed to the Abofrem Clinic, where she is now responding well to treatment. Police described her as “very beautiful.”
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Evelyn Yitamkey, Commander of DOVVSU in Bibiani, confirmed that the suspects have been provisionally charged.
Frimpong faces attempted murder and conspiracy charges, while Agyapomaa and Appiah are charged with conspiracy and abetment.
They were remanded by the Bibiani Circuit Court, presided over by Judge Frank Asiedu Nimako, to assist investigations.
The docket has been forwarded to the Attorney General’s Department for advice, ASP Yitamkey indicated.
The attempted crime has provoked fury among residents, many suspecting ritual motives aimed at bolstering the pastor’s influence.
Crowds attempted to attack the suspects outside court, but police intervention prevented mob justice.
The Assembly Member for Ahyiresu, Yusuf Suleiman, has assured residents that justice will be pursued swiftly.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
The forecourt of the African University of Communications and Business (AUCB) in Accra came alive on Friday with colour, creativity and innovation, as Level 300 students transformed the space into a lively exhibition of ideas.
Under the theme “Building meaningful brands beyond the logo,” the students invited patrons into a world where ordinary products were reimagined through storytelling, design and purpose.
From scented candles to innovative food concepts, each stand told a unique story, one that went beyond aesthetics to capture identity, value and human connection.
For many of the students, the event was more than just an academic exercise; it was a moment to dream out loud.
Guided by their lecturer, Peter Wonders, they explored what it truly means to build a brand in today’s competitive world where trust, consistency and experience matter just as much as logos and slogans.
Chairman of the occasion, Nana Kum Gyata VI, in his remarks said a brand is what people say about you when you are not present.
At the end of the presentations, awards were presented to deserving groups with Vida Nyaneba emerging as the overall best branding student.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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