News
WIN trains 15 youth to turn Coconut waste into Charcoal briquettes
The World Inspiring Network (WIN) has organised a two-day training workshop for 15 young people in the Greater Accra Region to equip them with skills in converting coconut waste into charcoal briquettes.
This initiative, dubbed EcoFlames, aims to promote clean energy, reduce waste, and create green jobs by addressing three key challenges facing the city: mounting coconut waste, youth unemployment, and the reliance on harmful cooking fuels.
The workshop was a collaborative effort with the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Bloomberg Philanthropies, the International Trade Centre’s Ye! Community, and EBApreneur Solutions Limited.
Participants at the workshop were taken through waste collection, segregation, carbonisation, manual and mechanised briquette production, and the environmental and health benefits of clean energy.
They also engaged in hands-on sessions to prepare them for both small-scale and large-scale production.
Speaking on the sidelines , the Executive Director of World Inspiring Network, Maxwell Odonkor, said the EcoFlames Initiative was designed to empower young people to turn coconut husks and shells into clean-burning briquettes while starting sustainable businesses.
He explained that over 80 percent of households in Accra depended on firewood and traditional charcoal for cooking, which continued to damage the environment and expose users to health risks such as cardiovascular diseases.
Mr Odonkor added that Accra alone generated an estimated 151 tonnes of coconut waste daily, much of which ended up in open drains or landfill sites.
He said converting this waste into briquettes would not only improve sanitation but also provide affordable alternatives to traditional fuels.
He noted that the next phase of the project would involve campaigns in markets and schools to educate women, students and food vendors on the benefits of switching to clean energy.
According to him, plans are also underway to host the Green Action Summit, which is expected to bring together over 200 young people to explore innovative climate solutions.
The Project Lead for EcoFlames and Executive Secretary of WIN, Thelma Naroog Bamanteeh, said the training was intentionally designed to be practical so that participants could immediately apply the knowledge and skills acquired.
She explained that the initiative was addressing two problems at once: reducing deforestation caused by cutting trees for charcoal and tackling improper disposal of coconut waste in the city.
According to her, the NGO had plans to set up a demonstration site but the high cost of equipment remained a challenge.
She therefore appealed to the government to partner with suppliers to reduce the cost of production machines so that more young people and organisations could venture into the sector.
Ms. Bamanteeh maintained that in the long run, the project would not only create green jobs but also improve public health, protect the environment and help Ghana meet its climate action goals.
Background:
Under Phase Two in Accra, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly selected 20 youth-led projects from 59 applications.
The chosen teams received microgrants from a total budget of $100,000 to implement their projects over a six-month period.
Most of the groups have already received their funding and started work on initiatives in waste management, clean energy, urban greening and public education, with WIN’s EcoFlames Initiative among them.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
I funded Dr. Bawumia’s 2023 campaign in the Eastern Region– Bryan Acheampong
Flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Bryan Acheampong has alleged that he was the main financier of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s campaign in the Eastern Region during the party’s 2023 presidential primaries.
Addressing party members, Dr. Acheampong claimed that Dr. Bawumia did not contribute financially to his campaign in the region.
He stated that he personally covered all expenses to secure support for Dr. Bawumia.
He further alleged that during the primaries, constituency executives each received $1,500, which he funded.
Dr. Acheampong recalled a conversation with former President John Agyekum Kufuor, who, according to him, acknowledged his significant financial contributions to the NPP’s victory in the 2016 elections.
He added that in the lead-up to the 2024 elections, he spent even more on Dr. Bawumia’s campaign than he did on former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s earlier campaigns.
According to him, he has already visited 14 regions, with the Eastern Region being the last, and will continue to share his message with party supporters.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
32 brands win big at Ghana Corporate Brands Awards 2025
Thirty-two brands and corporate leaders have been honoured at the 2025 Ghana Corporate Brands Awards, held at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra.
The event, organised by Maven Communications, recognised outstanding companies and individuals who have excelled in their industries and contributed to Ghana’s economic development.
Winners were selected after a thorough evaluation of their corporate social responsibility, customer service, product quality, market influence, and brand communication strategies.
Among the awardees were Blow Group of Companies, Baobab Microfinance Limited, Hale Pharmacy, Moove Vehicle Ghana Limited, Indo-Ghana Industries, Samatex Timber and Plywood, Bel Aqua, B5 Plus, Sonotech Medical Center, Joy Industries, Letap Packaging, Reservoir Management Group, and Rehoboth Properties Limited. Ridge Medical Center, led by Dr. Emmanuel Gyimah Amankwa, won the prestigious Outstanding CEO of the Year award.
Other award winners included Coronation Insurance, Dank Natural Healthcare Complex, HR Certification Centre, Drill Masters Africa Limited, Servacco Legacy, Classic Cristken Limited, Village-Herbs Clinic, Manbah Gas Company Limited, and PrestoDea Ghana Limited, among others.
Event Director of the Awards, Seth Joojo Danso Asante, commended government for addressing the country’s power challenges, saying it had relieved businesses of a heavy cost burden.
He, however, appealed for urgent measures to stabilise the cedi, noting that its depreciation continues to hurt companies that rely on imports.
He explained that the awards were not only to celebrate excellence but also to highlight the role of essential service providers whose impact often goes unnoticed.
Mr. Asante called for stronger collaboration between government agencies and the private sector to drive national development.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Ga West, Nii Sowah Nai, said the government’s proposed 24-hour economy would expand opportunities for businesses, create jobs, and support SMEs.
He revealed that the Assembly was developing a tax policy to encourage more businesses to embrace the initiative.
Senior Marketing Manager of Bel Aqua, Maxine Opoku Ababio, urged government to reduce import duties on essential raw materials to help ease the burden on manufacturers.
She also appealed for improved road infrastructure, stressing that poor roads delay distribution and increase operational costs.
“Improving the roads will help businesses run smoothly and contribute more to national development,” she said.
Background
Maven Communications, a leading corporate events and brand communications company, is the organising force behind some of Ghana’s most prestigious events, including the Ghana Business League Awards, Africa Best Business Awards, Corporate People’s Choice Awards, and the HR Summit and Awards.
Proceeds from its programmes support the Maven Foundation, which focuses on equipping students and young graduates with practical skills for future success.
By: Jacob Aggrey
