Day: April 24, 2023

Tampico drink, one of the products of Acadia Industries Limited is the winner of the 2022 and the 7th edition of the Ghana Beverages Awards (GBA) competition organised by Global Media Alliance (GMA). The categories of awards listed for 2022 were the international spirit of the year, international beer of the year, international liqueur of the year, spirit of the year, beer of the year, and bitters of the year. Others were liqueur of the year, RTD of the year, water of the year, CSD of the year, energy drink of the year, fruit drink of the year, cocoa/chocolate product of the year, dairy product of the year, and CSR company of year. The rest were new beverage of the year, indigenous beverage brand of the year, beverage campaign of the year, manufacturing company of the year and product of the year. Mr Kwabena Agyekum, the Chief Executive Officer of Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana (CIMG) in a speech said Ghana’s beverage industry needed an applause for its dedication in delivering quality products that met the needs of its customers. ‘We must recognise them for utilising marketing as a tool to drive growth and innovation thereby giving visibility and brand awareness to their products,’ he stated, adding; ‘Despite the many successes of the beverage industry it is crucial to keep in mind that there are more to be done to ensure the industry’s continuous achievements.’ Mr Agyekum said the CIMG was devoted to assisting the sector with effective marketing strategies that were crucial for beverage brands to step out from their competitors, engaged with their customers and build lasting relationships. ‘The CIMG will keep collaborating with the beverage industry and contribute tremendously to market research that will help the industry understand the terms of our preference, identifying needs and opportunities to develop new products while improving upon the existing ones,’ he stated. He congratulated the various awardees of the various categories, saying; ‘Your perseverance, commitment and ingenuity has helped Ghana to become a reference nation for great beverages. You have motivated several people to work in this field and your accomplishment are highly recognised. I say Ayekoo to you all for refreshing us, entertaining us and giving us a sense of hope that Ghana too can do it.’ The Chief Executive Officer commended Global Media Alliance and its partners for organising the programme, stating; ‘Indeed you are a shining example to many as we seek to develop our nation with concerted efforts.’ Mr Bernard Offei, the Marketing Manager of Acadia Industries Limited in an interview with the Ghana News Agency expressed gratitude to GMA and the judges of the GBA for recognising the company’s effort in producing an international brand of Tampico. ‘This means a lot for the factory workers. It has not been one person activity but to the last man at the factory and to the head of the hierarchy, and everybody in the team. We are so excited and we say thank you for recognising our activities over the past years.’ Madam Emma Wenani, the Chief Director of GMA said the journey so far by the GBA had been exciting because they had added two new categories to the list of awards making it 20 and that they also introduced public voting, which determined the product of the year award. The new categories were indigenous beverage brand of the year to create competition among smaller companies, which could not compete with the international companies and the beverage campaign of the year was to promote advertisement. ‘We are always looking for innovations and we are expecting something new this year,’ she stated. Mr Samuel Ato Aggrey, the General Secretary of the Food and Beverage Association of Ghana said the industries in the country were comparable to those in the world and that there was the need to encourage and create an atmosphere that would allow people to invest in the area. He urged companies to ensure that the products they put out on the market were of high quality for the citizens. Mr Aggrey congratulated Acadia Industries Limited for winning the 7th edition of the Ghana Beverage Awards. The Ghana Beverage Awards was birthed in 2017 on the premise of distinguishing and acknowledging the works and contribution of the beverage industry to the social-economic development of Ghana. The sponsors of the programme were the Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ghana Tourism Authority, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Food and Beverages Association of Ghana, and Consumer Protection Agency.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Western Nzema Youth League have called on corporate organisations especially oil and gas companies operating in the Cape Three Point Area to, as a matter of priority, see to the completion of the abandoned toilet in the community. Cape Three Points, a village located near Princes Town in the Western Region of Ghana is said to have no toilet facility and as such, residents are compelled to use the beach as their place of convenience, thus, affecting the scenic beauty of the area. However, a toilet facility, which was started by the Ghana National Petroleum Commission (GNPC) some two years ago, had been abandoned for unexplained reasons. The call by the Western Nzema Youth League was expressed in a statement issued and signed by its leader, Dr Patrick Ekye Kwesie and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Takoradi at the weekend. ‘Sanitation is key in every society, and it will surprise you to know that Ghana’s cape three point cannot boast of a single toilet facility not to talk of access to clean water,’ the statement said. ‘We urge the GNPC to stop political favoritism in delivering projects across the Western Region and complete the abandoned toilet facility which is left to rot in the bush,’ it added. The statement bemoaned why in the 21st century, a village with much relevance and importance could not access necessities such as toilets, the basic human sanitation and were using the beach for convenience. ‘It is very disheartening and not humane. Nzemas are the most peaceful people but are always taken for granted and neglected despite being the owners of Ghana’s Hydrocarbon Resources. So, as a matter of urgency, we are calling on all stakeholders to come to the aid of this sensational community and give them a befitting place for nature’s call.’

Source: Ghana News Agency

The indicators of the country’s macroeconomic performance, in light of the reforms boosted since 2018, will be under analysis at the 1st Edition of the Angola Economic Outlook AEO, to be held next Wednesday in Luanda.

According to a press release reached ANGOP Monday, the indicators will be analysed at the event, to be promoted by the Ministry of Economy and Planning in partnership with the magazine Economia and Mercado.

The meeting will also address issues on the macroeconomic reforms developed by the Government to remove internal and external imbalances in the economy.

The debate on the AEO 2023 will have as its starting point the gains made so far, such as resumption of the trajectory of positive fiscal balances and surplus balances on the current account of the balance of payments and the reduction of the public debt stock as a percentage of GDP.

The statement said that measures boost a return to economic growth in Angola, after a long period of recession, were also under analysis.

The statement said that this was the case with the introduction of a flexible exchange rate system that made it possible to adjust the value of the national currency to market conditions, and the deepening of monetary policy instruments, with the adoption of a new monetary system that improved the ability to forecast liquidity flows.

“Participants in AEO 2023 will also examine current challenges and risks and assess strategies that will make it possible to maintain the gains made so far and consolidate the process of recovery of economic activity,” the note reads out.

As part of the next National Development Plan (PDN) 2023-2027, the statement said, the speakers will discuss the need to prioritise programmes that promote human capital, expansion and modernisation of infrastructure and speed up diversification of the economy.

According to the organisation, the event will be opened by the Minister of State for Economic Coordination, Manuel Nunes Júnior.

The panels and debate table will be attended by the Minister for the Economy and Planning, Mário Caetano João, Finance Minister, Vera Daves de Sousa, the governor of the National Bank of Angola, José de Lima Massano, and representatives of international institutions, the business sector and banks.

The 1st edition of the Angola Economic Outlook – AEO 2023, taking place under the slogan, “From economic recovery to sustainable development,” is an economic observation platform that aims to allow investors and other operators to anticipate their decisions based on the projected scenarios

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

comprehensive vaccination campaign against COVID-19 and other diseases was launched on Monday (24), targeting children and pregnant women, health authorities have announced.

The nationwide campaign was launched ahead of the celebration of African Vaccination Week and will run until April 30, according to the Health Ministry (MINSA).

In addition to Covid-19, the campaign foresees administration of the other vaccines included in the schedule, aimed at increasing national coverage.

According to a press note from MINSA, the main goal is to increase vaccination coverage, reaching those who have not been vaccinated or with incomplete vaccine schedules.

In the note, MINSA appealed to health units, at all levels, for joint effort, and the cooperation of the population.

Data show around 500,000 children did not receive any vaccine at all, in rural, urban as well as peri-urban areas.

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)