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”Give us tax waiver to compete with foreign automobile companies” – Kantanka Automobile

By
Daniel Opare
-

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Kantanka Automobile Company Limited, Kwadwo Sarfo Jnr, has asked the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government to give Kantanka motors tax waivers if indeed government is serious about giving support to local industries to compete  in the international market.

The Kantanka CEO's admonishing comes in the wake of a descision  by Germany's Automobile giant ,VW, to set up an assembling plant in Ghana.

Managing Director of VW Africa, Thomas Schaefer, on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of Ghana to begin the process of establishing an assembling plant in the country to serve the West African sub-region.

The assembling plant is expected to produce about 5 000 units of vehicles every year with plans to increase production depending on the market demand.

But  CEO Kantanka Automobile, Kwadwo Sarfo Jnr ,In an interview with Ekourba Gyasi on Atinka AM Drive, said  although President Akufo Addo posted on his  social media handle  in  the run up to the  2016 elections  that he will support the Kantanka motors by  purchasing  vehicles for his ministers should he win the 2016 elections, he is yet to fulfil the promise.

According to Kwadwo Sarfo Jnr, Angela Merkel and the VW Africa team came to Ghana to promote their local brand to a President who has done very little to support his own local automobile manufacturing brand.

He mentioned that Kantanka Automobile pays duties as high as GHS 25,000 on the least of  their cars that have been assembled and manufactured in Ghana which he says add up to the high cost of the vehicle .

“How well has the President helped his local automobile manufacturing brand, Kantanka, in terms of tax waivers,as  others like Angela Merkel is doing for her local industry VW?. We are paying high tariffs and high electricity bills and we have gotten no help from the government. If it is about job creation, Katanka Automobile already has a staff strength of about 450 workers at the automobile plant”, he added.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Vivian Adu Boatemaa

Pharmaceutical Council of Ghana holds Induction ceremony for 280 Pharmacists

By
Daniel Opare
-

The pharmaceutical council of Ghana has inducted 280 newly trained  pharmacists into practice.  .

Speaking at the induction ceremony which was under under the theme:"Universal Health Coverage: The role of pharmacy Education, a  Deputy Minister of Health ,Hon Kingsley Aboagye Gyadu, emphasized on the need to ensure healthy lives and the  promotion of  well being for all.

'The work of  pharmacists have partly informed the strategic interventions that the ministry of health (MOH) has put in place within the health care delivery system and has seen an improvement in  quality  health-care delivery, increased access to health services, fostering partnership in jobs creation, and improved  health sector financing".He stated.

According to him, the need to achieve universal health coverage as captured in the Sustnainable Development Goals (SDG 3.8,) which outlines financial risk protection, access to quality essential healthcare services and access to safe, effective, quality essential medicines and vaccines for all is very key to actions within the Ghanaian health sector today.

He urged the inductees to use their training to churn out  quality essential medicines and vaccines which are of  quality and affordable to all  Ghanaians.

 

Ghana | Atinkafmoline.com | Queenel Delali Kukey

 

Kasena/Nankana: Hundreds of farms destroyed by spilled water from Tono Dam

By
Daniel Opare
-

Spilled water from the Tono dam has flooded several farms in low lying areas along the Dam's Spillway in the kasena/nankana Municipal Assembly of the Upper East Region, destroying crops and farming equipment. 

The spillage which was triggered by a heavy downpour on Thursday night coupled with  water from the Bagre Dam in neighbouring Burkina Faso, has affected several farms in communities including Bonia, Korania, Gaani, Biu and Chuchuliga-Naasa.

Crops such as maize, rice, tomatoes, garden eggs and pepper which are predominant in the area have been submerged and destroyed by the slow moving waters, leaving farmers to count their losses. 

The water has also cut access to farms on high lying areas and farmers have fears that  the  coming rains will not spare their  remaining crops. 

A farmer who identified himself only as Albert, said he came to his farm in the morning only to realize his entire vegetable farm had been flooded. He said although he anticipated the rise in water level, he did not expect that the entire area will be flooded. 

"This is my farm. I grow pepper, garden eggs and other vegetables. I'm very sad today because I never expected this. Everything was nice yesterday before I went home. I was here yesterday afternoon. But everything has changed this morning. The water has destroyed my entire farm and carried away our machines and tubes"

"The water level goes up every year, but this year is different. Just look at what the flood has caused us". Mr. Albert lamented as he took our Reporter, Senyalah Castro Cazo, around his farm. 

Some of the farmers who spoke off record said the only way to avert future occurrences is to desilt the Tono Dam Spillway which has seen no digging since it was cut out as the main channel through which spilled water from the  Dam is carried away.

They commended the Agriculture Minister for his swift response to their cries for government's subsidised fertilizer during his recent visit to the Municipality and pleaded that he looks into desilting the spillway. 

Ghana| Atinkaonline.com | Senyalah Castro Cazo | [email protected] 
 

Apple self-driving car in minor crash

By
Daniel Opare
-

A self-driving car owned by Apple was involved in an accident, California’s road authority has confirmed.

The car, a modified Lexus RX450h with autonomous sensors, was rear-ended by a human driver in a Nissan Leaf.

Humans were unhurt, but the machines suffered moderate damage.

Apple’s car is understood to be part of an ambitious but secretive programme – Project Titan. Apple has not commented on the 24 August collision, understood to be the company's first.

Speculation as to what the project seeks to achieve ranges from a fully-fledged Apple car – or just working with existing car makers to provide autonomous technology.

Apple’s self-driving programme had been public knowledge, It was revealed that the company now has 66 such cars on the roads, with 111 drivers registered to operate them.

Like every firm experimenting with autonomy in California, Apple must provide regular reports to the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), including when a crash occurs.

According to documents released by the DMV on Friday, Apple’s car was on the roads in Sunnyvale, a Silicon Valley city not far from Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino.

The crash happened just before 15:00 – it was dry, clear and there were no unusual conditions, the DMV said.

“An Apple test vehicle in autonomous mode was rear-ended while preparing to merge onto Lawrence Expressway South from Kifer Road,” the incident description reads.

“The Apple test vehicle was travelling less than 1mph waiting for a safe gap to complete the merge when a 2016 Nissan Leaf contacted the Apple test vehicle at approximately 15mph.

"Both vehicles sustained damage and no injuries were reported by either party.”

The DMV does not attribute blame in its reports. Self-driving cars being rear-ended, however, might be considered a trend.

A recent report by investigative technology news site The Information revealed teething problems at Waymo, the self-driving car company spun out of Google, where there have been headaches caused by what humans might consider over-cautious driving.

The self-driving cars would stop abruptly in scenarios where humans might zip through, such as turning across a line of traffic.

"As a result, human drivers from time to time have rear-ended the Waymo vans,” the report noted.

BBC

Two Harry Potter fans tie knot in magical themed wedding

By
Daniel Opare
-

When Allison first laid eyes on her husband, her first thought was that he looked like Ron Weasely.

In fact, she was so taken aback by his ginger locks and him similarities to the adorable sidekick she immediately offered him a job at the cinema she was working at.

And luckily Steven shared her love of all things Harry Potter, so after years of dating it seemed only fitting that their wedding was themed around JK Rowling's incredible wizarding world.

Steven, 30, popped the question last year with a special ring designed to look like a golden snitch – and the theme grew from there.

Naturally, they picked Harry's birthday, July 31, for their big day and their invitations were in the style of the Marauders Map.

On the day itself they arrived at their local registry office in a blue Ford Anglia – the same car used by Harry and Ron in the Chamber of Secrets.

Allison, 45, from Aylesbury, Bucks, said: "The bridesmaids were sorted into houses and had dresses in their house colours.

"I took pages from the books to make their flowers and put real flowers in their too, the Gryffindors had red, Slytherin green.

"The table decorations were all around Harry Potter, they had names like the Leaky Cauldron, the Three Broomsticks, Hogwarts, etcetera.

"The table savers were Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans and chocolate frogs.

The name placement cards had the unforgivable curse printed on them and every seat had a wand.

"The cake was also themed with all our favourite professors, our patronuses and our house crests – I'm a Hufflepuff and Steven is a Ravenclaw."

Allison said she fell in love with the Harry Potter franchise when she was working at a cinema and had to watch test screenings of the films.

She was hooked, and when Steven, who is now 30, came for a job interview she hired him on the spot – partly because he looked like Ron Weasley.

Allison, now a shop manager, said: "I prefer the films, but Steven likes the books. I like the way they were adapted for the cinema.

"I interviewed Steven years ago – he was ginger and we gave him the job because he looked like Ron Weasely.

"We were just friends then but we stayed in touch. We had the same social circle and we would hang out together.

"I don't really know how it happened but we ended up together."

When it came to planning their wedding the loved-up duo decided to stray away from tradition.

Allison added: "Harry Potter was something we shared.

"We've been together for nine years and our relationship has been fun and we wanted the wedding to be like we are – fun and not too formal.

"The wedding was amazing, we had the most fun – it was a truly magical day. It was perfect."

mirror.co.uk

7 Better Ways to Answer "What Do You Do?"

By
Daniel Opare
-

The question “What do you do?” has basically become synonymous with “Who are you?” There’s a reason it almost always follows “What’s your name?” in polite conversation: It’s helpful. It’s get-to-know-you shorthand. The one-word answer to “what do you do?” allows people categorize us and gives them a snapshot of what we do or who we are.

But everywhere from networking events to family gatherings, this question is going to live on. So you need to find a way to explain your job in a way that it makes for an energizing conversation starter, instead of a fast track to the pigeon-hole.

Here are seven ways to reframe this common question to help you come up with a more compelling answer. Experiment with different ones during conversations in the next couple weeks to see which allows you to represent yourself the best and build more meaningful relationships.

1. Talk About How You Help People

You might be, say, a copywriter. Or you might be someone who helps companies tell compelling stories about their brands. And doesn’t that sound infinitely more interesting? I’ve used this at dinner parties to great effect: It instantaneously removes stereotypes about your job title and explains the value you bring to the table. Start your next response with “I help people…” and see where the conversation takes you from there.

 

2. Tell an Anecdote About Your Job

Narrative is always compelling. It helps us make connections. A study out of Princeton University found that the brain activity of the storyteller and the listener actually begin to mirror each other, despite the fact that one person is talking and one is listening.

And best of all, to solve the “What do you do?” problem, you get to provide context for the person you’re talking to, instead of relying on the picture they have in their minds of what you do.

When implementing this strategy, you might have to use your job title as a segue, but transition immediately into a story about something that was fun or inspiring to you at work. For example, at a recent party I told someone I was a communications consultant, but then followed up with a story about a client that offered context for my work and illustrated the need in the market for what I do.

 

3. Make it a Teachable Moment

Think about your answer in this light: You are educating the other person on the subject of you. So instead of just saying your title, explain something he or she might not know about your work or industry. Talk about the void in the market that you are filling. Talk about the latest thing happening in your industry. Talk about the most interesting thing you’ve learned lately.

 

4. Be Vulnerable

Don’t be afraid to get personal and talk about your journey. What led you to where you are today? What are your dreams for the next phase of your career? Every conversation is building a relationship. To do this effectively, you need to let people behind the curtain, even just a little, so they understand where you are coming from.

 

5. Be Relevant

It’s not all about you, even when it is. Relay the details about you and your work that are relevant to the person you’re talking to. The client whose story I told at the party was also finishing up successful rehab after a car accident, and as I told it, I saw the cardiac rehab therapist’s face light up with recognition. Think about what experiences you have that will resonate with the people you’re talking to or be able to help them out in some way.

 

6. Let Your Freak Flag Fly

Find something about what you do that really lights you up, and focus on that. When you show how enthusiastic you are about something, you are a magnet. People actually really want to be around that. Don’t let anyone tell you to take a chill pill. Ever.

 

7. Be Self-Promotional

We need to rebrand self-promotion. We need more people who can speak frankly about the value they bring to the clients and organizations with which they work. Wouldn’t the world be a better place if everyone just let down the veil and really opened about what they are good at? More people would be doing things they love. We would, collectively, be happier.

So, don’t be shy. You’re actually doing everyone a favor by being honest about what you’re good at and what lights you up. And you can plainly see how much better that is than saying “I’m an accountant” the next time someone asks.

“What do you do?” may forever be synonymous with “Who are you?” but with one of these alternative answers, you have a say in who you get to be in the mind of the person you’re talking with.

themuse

Hundreds escape Libya prison amid deadly clashes in Tripoli

By
Daniel Opare
-

Some 400 prisoners have escaped from a facility near the Libyan capital Tripoli amid deadly violence between militia groups in the city, police say.

"The detainees were able to force open the doors" in order to leave the Ain Zara prison, the local police said.

They added that guards, fearing for their lives, were unable to prevent the breakout following riots at the jail.

Clashes between militias in the city have led Libya's UN-backed government to declare a state of emergency.

The incident on Sunday took place during armed violence between rival factions around the facility, which houses only male inmates.

Many of the prisoners held at the Ain Zara prison in south-east Tripoli were reportedly supporters of the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, and had been found guilty of killings during the uprising against his government in 2011.

Separately on Sunday, two people were killed and several others were injured when rockets hit a camp in Libya's capital housing hundreds of displaced people, according to emergency services and witnesses.

Libya's Ministry of Health reports that some 47 people, including civilians, have died in rival militia clashes in Tripoli over the past week, with dozens more injured.

A UN-backed government is nominally in power in the capital, but militias occupy much of the rest of the country.

The violence broke out last week when militias from a city to the south of Tripoli attacked southern areas, leading to fighting with local militias that support the internationally recognised government, the Government of National Accord (GNA).

The GNA has described the clashes as "an attempt to derail peaceful political transition" in the country, adding that it "could not remain silent over the attacks on Tripoli and its suburbs, which is a violation of security in the capital and of citizens' safety".

Human Rights Watch has also condemned the violence, adding that at least 18 of the dead were reportedly civilians, among them four children.

Hundreds of migrants trapped by the fighting have been moved to other detention centres, while the city's airport was closed for two days on Friday.

Libya has faced continuing chaos since Nato-backed militia forces, some of them rivals, overthrew long-serving ruler Colonel Gaddafi in October 2011.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has said the "indiscriminate use of force is a violation of international humanitarian and human rights law" and has urged "all parties to grant humanitarian relief for those in need".

On Saturday, the US, UK, France and Italy called for an immediate end to deadly violence in Libya's capital.

A joint statement said attempts "to weaken the legitimate Libyan authorities and hinder the ongoing political process are not acceptable".

"We are calling on the armed groups to immediately stop all military action and warn those who seek to undermine stability, in Tripoli or elsewhere in Libya, that they will be made accountable for it," the joint statement read.

However successive attempts at a truce have so far failed to stop the fierce fighting between several militias.

BBC

GJA Organiser takes over Atinka Media Village as Managing Director 

By
Porcia Oforiwaa
-

 

Media consultant and entrepreneur, Albert Kwabena Dwumfuor, is the new Managing Director of Atinka Media Village, an affiliate of the Tobinco Group.
Atinka Media Village comprises Atinka FM 104.7, Atinka TV, Atinkaonline, Ahotor in Takoradi and Agyenkwa FM in Kumasi. 
 
Dwumfuor, who is also the National Organiser of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) officially begins work on Monday, September 3, 2018. He was given the green light last week following the exit of JOT Agyeman, who was the acting Managing Director for the Village.   

The GJA organizer, who is also the CEO of KAD Media Consultancy is not new to the Tobinco Group after serving in various capacities at the different times within the organization. He served as board secretary to the JAM Media group (now Atinka Media Village) which birthed Atinka FM. 

Dwumfuor was later appointed the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Tobinco Group in charge of Media and also served as General Manager of Atinka FM in February 2016 before exiting.

He later pursued further interests which include setting up his PR firm, KAD Media Consultancy and vying for the national organizer position of the GJA, which he won by a landslide. He, therefore, brings a wealth of experience to Atinka Media Village which is now a force to reckon with in the media industry due to the Di Asa fever.

Dwumfuor, a result-oriented professional is expected to use his vast experience to improve the fortunes of Atinka Media Village by ensuring "compelling content" on Atinka TV; excellent programming on  Atinka FM, making Atinkaonline a more competitive news portal and above all maximize returns for shareholders.

The new Atinka MD has risen through the ranks in his journalism profession; he was a reporter for The Independent newspaper, worked as a freelance journalist for the Insight and Daily Guide and later became the Managing Editor of Ghanaian Analyst newspaper.

Dwumfuor is currently pursuing his MA in International Relations and Diplomacy at GIMPA. He also did Post Graduate Studies in Public Administration at Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).

He has an Advanced Diploma in   Journalism (ICM); Advanced Diploma in Marketing (ICM) and Private Certificate in Teaching from Prime Vision Ghana (Accra Training College).

The new Atinka MD was once the SRC Vice president, of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) where he was nicknamed “Asaase”.


Ghana | Atinkaonline.com
 

AICEI trains police officers in emotional intelligence

By
Porcia Oforiwaa
-

 

The Addison International Center for Emotional Intelligence (AICEI) led by the founder, master trainer and the SESA Africa Director James Kwesi Addison is pioneering Citizen Friendly Policing aimed at serving and trainee police officers in Ghana. This project is to equip the police with the composite skills required to engage with communities using Emotional Intelligence; to enhance their leadership competencies and deploy highly effective interpersonal skills to build rapport and trust during their interactions.

This was given a kick start on Tuesday, August 28, 2018 at the Police Academy when the Assistant Commissioner of Police and the Director General of Public Affairs and the Communications Department, David Senanu Eklu gave Ghana’s first internationally certified emotional intelligence Coach James Kwesi Addison, the opportunity to introduce aspiring Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs) to emotional intelligence at the Police Academy in Accra.

Addison International Center for Emotional Intelligence (AICEI) is the exclusive Africa partner for the Social-Emotional Development Institute (SEDi); being an expert community which supports public, private and third sector professional development internationally. 

SEDi possesses a dedicated Emotional Intelligence learning zone, which is mobilized within Ghana through AICEI and underpinned by expertise and resources which SEDi provides within training.

In a post-workshop interview, James concluded that to be an effective and efficient law enforcement officer in today’s environment requires intelligence about and control of emotions to meet the demands faced on the streets. 

He was of the opinion that today’s officers need to be highly motivated; have well-developed communication skills; and be able to engage leadership, other officers, and community members by managing relationships and making emotional connections to balance the needs of the organization and the community.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com
 

Agreement for construction Of Tema LNG Terminal project signed

By
Daniel Opare
-

Tema LNG Terminal Company Ltd., an entity controlled by Helios Investments, the world’s largest Africa-focused private equity fund, on Sunday, 2nd September, 2018, signed an agreement with China Harbour Engineering Company, for the construction of a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Terminal to be sited in Tema.  

The LNG Terminal is being constructed on the back of a 12-year gas supply agreement that was executed between the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and Rosneft, a global LNG trader and the world’s largest listed oil producer. Rosneft subsequently engaged Tema LNG Terminal Company for the provision of the regasification services.

The LNG Terminal, which will be completed in 18 months, will be Sub-Saharan Africa’s first regasification terminal, strengthening Ghana’s position as a regional trade and energy hub.

The project, which will generate some 1,600 jobs, is estimated to provide about two million tonnes of liquefied natural gas every year. This would mean that the facility would supply about 30% of Ghana’s total electricity generating capacity, displacing crude oil and crude derivatives as fuel sources for the generation of power.

In addition, a concession agreement signed between the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) and Tema LNG Terminal Company Ltd, to allow for the siting and operation of the facility within the Tema port, will deliver an annual revenue in excess of $6 million to GPHA throughout the total concession period.

Witnessing the signing of the agreement, in Beijing, China, as part of his official visit to that country, President Akufo-Addo indicated that the Tema LNG Terminal Project is testament to the efforts his government has put in place over the last 19 months to encourage private sector participation in the growth of the economy.

The President noted that the construction of the terminal is in line with the commitment of his government to providing Ghana with constant, reliable and affordable power supply.

He stressed that “if we are going to succeed in pushing the industrial development of our country rapidly, the supply of gas, which will mean even more affordable rates of power, to our country is now a matter of very great importance for us.”

The Tema LNG Terminal Project is a private sector funded and driven project, led by established international sponsors, such as Rosneft, the world’s largest listed producer of crude oil, and Helios Investments, the world’s largest Africa-focused private equity fund. As such, there was no requirement for capital from Government.

The cost of the project is estimated in excess of some $350 million, of which $200m would be spent directly in Ghana over the next 18 months.

China Harbour Engineering Company, which is already involved in the current Tema port expansion project, is constructing the marine facilities, whilst Jiangnan Shipyard of China will be constructing the floating regasification facility.

The Terminal will be transferred to government (GNPC and GPHA) after 12 years.

Present at the signing ceremony were the Minister for Roads and Highways, Hon. Kwasi Amoako-Atta; Minister for Railways Development, Hon. Joe Ghartey; Minister for Agriculture, Hon. Owusu Afriyie Akoto; Minister for Information-designate, Hon. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah; and the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Mr. Yofi Grant, amongst others.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com 

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