In a heartwarming act of generosity, the Chief Executive Officer of Engineers and Planners, and Dzata Cement, Ibrahim Mahama, has extended a helping hand to those affected by the recent flooding in the three Tongu districts, Keta, Anloga, and the Ketu South districts.
The floods, that swept through parts of the Volta region over the past few weeks as a result of the spillage of the Akosombo Dam, have caused considerable damage to properties while displacing thousands of residents.
Mr. Ibrahim Mahama, the brother of former President John Dramani Mahama, known widely for his dedication to social causes, made the donation on behalf of his company, Engineers and Planners, as part of their corporate social responsibility.
Speaking on the initiative at a durbar of chiefs and people of Mepe, Ibrahim Mahama expressed his concern for those who have suffered due to the floods and highlighted the need for immediate assistance.
He stated, “It is our responsibility as individuals and companies to assist our fellow citizens in times of distress. The floods have disrupted the lives of many, and I believe that together, we can help them rebuild and recover. Engineers and Planners is committed to contributing to this recovery effort.”
Mr. Mahama noted that the relief items are to commiserate with the people following the dam spillage. He also promised to help brilliant but needy students affected by the flood.
Receiving the items on behalf of the community, the DCE for North Tongu, Divine Osborn K. Fenu, thanked Mr. Mahama and his team for the massive donation. He said the donation has put smiles on the faces of the people living in the affected communities.
The donation by Ibrahim Mahama, combined with the resources and expertise of Engineers and Planners, is expected to significantly ease the suffering of those affected by the floods and help them rebuild their lives. The relief initiative is already in progress, and affected communities have welcomed the support with open arms.
Local leaders and government officials have commended Mr. Mahama’s generosity and his dedication to supporting communities in need.
According to them, his act of kindness serves as a reminder of the importance of corporate social responsibility and the potential impact that individuals and organizations can make in the lives of those facing adversity.
Ibrahim Mahama’s contribution to the flood relief efforts according to the residents is a shining example of how individuals and companies can play a pivotal role in rebuilding communities and providing much-needed assistance during times of crisis. It is expected that his efforts will inspire others to join in the collective endeavor to help Ghana’s flood-affected communities.
The MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, on behalf of the people thanked Mr. Mahama and his team for their support for the affected communities and assured him there would be equity in the distribution of the items to all the affected communities.
The Paramount Chief of Bator, Torgbega Patamia Dzekley VII, expressed gratitude to Mr. Mahama for coming to their aid at this crucial time. He said they were very excited about this massive donation from the business mogul. He said this will put smiles on the faces of those affected by the massive flooding.
Ibrahim Mahama’s donation is the biggest support yet from an individual or any institution to the displaced people some of whom are forced to lodge in schools, tents, churches, and mosques because their homes were massively flooded following the Akosombo Dam spillage.
The Dam spillage in Akosombo came with massive waters that quickly inundated communities around the Volta, stretching several kilometers. Its effect has been felt mostly in the North, Central, and South Tongu districts and the donation by the businessman will be distributed to the three affected constituencies and other adjoining communities.
The items donated include 20,000 bags of 5kg rice, 24,000 cans of Mackerel, 12,000 bottles of cooking oil, 400 packs of water, and 1,000 pieces of student mattresses.
The prices of petroleum products are expected to fall between 2% and 4% for petrol, diesel, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas, beginning tomorrow August 1, 2024.
This follows the slowdown in the depreciation of the Ghana cedi during the second half of July 2024 and the favourable international market dynamics.
According to the Institute for Energy Security (IES), the price of petrol and deisel fell by 2.99% and 4.59% respectively and LPG by 1.10% in the second half of July 2024.
“Precisely, the price of gasoline [petrol] fell by 2.99%, gasoil [diesel] by 4.59%, and LPG by 1.10% in the second half of July 2024. The Ghana cedi also recorded slowed depreciation (0.52%), the lowest since February 2024.
“Following the positive realised on the foreign fuel market coupled with the slowed depreciation of Ghana Cedi recorded on the domestic forex market, the Institute for Energy Security (IES) projects a fall in fuel prices in the coming days”.
World Oil Market
The second pricing window for July 2024 for the first time since the post-OPEC+ meeting saw Brent crude futures dropping below $80 per barrel.
This was driven lower by disappointing global demand as Chinese imports in July 2024 hit the lowest level in two years.
Brent Crude traded at $78.70 per barrel compared to $83.03 per barrel at the start of the pricing window.
Local Fuel Market Performance
The second pricing window for July 2024 saw the price of liquid fuels jump at the pumps on the local fuels market.
Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) increased the price per litre of petrol by GH¢0.30 and Gasoil by GH¢.20 respectively.
The IES computation of the national average price for the three refined petroleum products for the first pricing window for July 2024 showed petrol and diesel selling at GH¢14.23 and GH¢14.70 per litre respectively, whereas (LPG) went for GH¢15.22 per kilogramme.
The Graduate Unemployed Nurse and Midwives Association has welcomed the latest decision by the government to recruit over 15,000 new health professionals.
In a statement released on Friday, July 26, 2024, the Ministry of Health (MoH) announced the recruitment of 15, 200 nurses and midwives, effective Monday, August 5, 2024.
The MoH confirmed that the Ministry of Finance (MoF) has granted the necessary financial clearance for the recruitment process.
Interested and qualified candidates are expected to apply through the MoH’s online application portal, where they can select their preferred agency under the Ministry. The application period will close on Friday, August 23, 2024.
This comes on the back of numerous protests and demonstrations by several health professionals over the government’s inability to clear the backlog of 2020, 2021 and 2022.
National President of The Graduate Unemployed Nurse and Midwives Association Ibrahim Haruna has been reacting to the latest development.
“We’re very grateful in the first place to the Ministry of Health. It’s not bad news, but it’s not completely what we’re expecting.
“That is what we have got for now, so we will take it… Last week Friday, we received a call from the Ministry that they have got clearance for us around 15,000, so we were expecting an official communication and it came in from the ministry, so it’s welcome news,” the National President of the Graduate Unemployed Nurse and Midwives Association said.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Northern Region has set an ambitious goal to win 14 parliamentary seats in the 2024 general elections.
Mohammed Abdul-Salam, the Northern Regional Secretary of the NDC, stated that the party is determined and prepared to secure victory in the upcoming polls.
On Saturday, July 27, the NDC launched its campaign in Tamale, the capital of the Northern Region, with the aim of increasing their parliamentary seats in the area.
Abdul-Salam expressed confidence that the party would reclaim some of its previously held seats from the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He also mentioned that the NDC has established adequate structures to ensure the achievement of this target in the forthcoming election.
“We should be able to win 14 seats, and that is clearly doable, but our target is to win all the 18 seats because they are all winnable, we have mopped out strategies to get out there on the field, our men are on the ground every day.”
“That is why if you have observed, every genuine survey that is done regarding the election 2024 in all the regions, put the NDC way ahead of the NPP,” he stated.