The report of a nationwide internet disruption in Ghana due to outages on multiple submarine fibre optic cables that connect Ghana is one of the leading stories in the Ghanaian press on Friday.
The Graphic reports that there is a nationwide internet disruption in Ghana and according to the National Communications Authority (NCA), it is due to outages on multiple submarine fibre optic cables that connect Ghana.
The NCA in a press statement explained that multiple undersea cable disruptions have affected Mobile and Fixed Data services nationwide in Ghana.
It said the disruptions affecting the multiple undersea cables responsible for carrying international traffic have occurred in Senegal and Cote d’Ivoire. There are also some disruptions in Portugal, it added.
This has led to a significant degradation of data services across Ghana.
“It is important to note that the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) are working around the clock to restore full services. In addition, the MNOs have informed affected customers of the disruptions via various channels,” the NCA added.
In another press statement issued by the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications on Thursday [March 14, 2024], it was explained that “further investigations are being carried out, as well as work to resolve the current problems to restore service to our customers.”
It said some of the fibre optic cables are down while others are delivering limited capacity.
The newspaper says that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture has rolled out a comprehensive programme to assist senior high schools that are interested in farming.
Interested schools will benefit from a partial grant, including supplies of inputs such as improved seeds and fertiliser
“We want to give every senior high school in Ghana that is willing to do school farming the opportunity; the ministry now stands ready to support them, especially those in the southern and middle belt where the planting season is about starting.
“We are now willing to support them to engage in massive school farming.
With that, the school will now be able to feed on the grains, legumes and cereals that they have cropped, and thereby leaving what our general farmers have planted for the market for the rest of the population,” the sector Minister, Dr Bryan Acheampong, announced at a media briefing in Accra last Monday.
He was briefing the media on the official rollout of the implementation of the Phase Two of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ2.0) programme launched in August last year.
Dr Acheampong expressed the belief that such a move would reduce the pressure on food and stabilise food prices generally.
The minister said any school that was interested could go onto a mobile and web application platform, the Ghana Agriculture and Agribusiness Platform (GhAAP), where there was an opportunity to enrol.
“It is the school that must fill the form, and in doing so, the head of the school must enter his or her full name and staff number, and the number and name must match with what is on file with the Accountant General’s Department,” Dr Acheampong explained.
The Graphic also reports that the United Bank for Africa (UBA) has signed a partnership agreement with the African Guarantee Fund (AGF) to inject $150 million in new loans and guarantees to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and business owners across 20 African countries.
Under the agreement, the AGF would support and guarantee SMEs with $50 million portfolio guarantee as well as facilitate extensive capacity development for the bank’s teeming customers who run small businesses across the continent, paying special attention to women-led businesses and green finance projects.
Speaking at the signing ceremony at the UBA Head Office in Lagos, last Monday, the Group Managing Director of UBA, Oliver Alawuba, said that as Africa’s global bank, UBA remains committed towards supporting SMEs in Africa, especially to women founded and managed businesses, given its robust network, which is spread across 20 countries in Africa and major global financial capitals.
“This guarantee will serve as a catalyst for the bank’s intervention for SME business, women-led and environment friendly businesses, enabling us to further extend our reach and impact,” he said.
Additionally, he said the extensive capacity development initiatives planned for its SME customers across 20 African countries align with the bank’s vision to empower businesses, drive innovation, and foster sustainable growth.
“I am particularly excited about our focus on advancing the AfCFTA initiative, reaffirming UBA’s $6 billion commitment to SMEs across Africa. This initiative, announced in September last year, demonstrates our dedication to supporting the economic integration of our continent,” he said.
The Group MD noted that the bank was commitment to promoting gender equality in its business which was reflected in collaboration with the Affirmative Finance Action for Women (AFAWA) protocol.
Towards that, he said the bank would provide loans to women owned SMEs at more concessional rates with customer friendly collateral terms, aiming to bridge the sinificant financing gap faced by women in Africa, amounting to $42 billion.
The Ghanaian Times says that two groups affiliated with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her retention as the running mate to Former President, John Dramani Mahama.
In separate statements issued by the NDC Canada Chapter and the NDC Professionals Forum (PROFORUM), they expressed full support for the decision made by the Presidential Candidate.
The NDC Canada Chapter, the Secretary, Dr Eric Asempah, said Prof. Opoku- Agyemang’s selection as the running mate had come at an opportune time in history.
“The chapter is convinced that the pairing of John Dramani Mahama and Prof. Opoku-Agyemang is precisely what Ghana needs right now. There is a divine understanding that the universe operates in harmony when we do not disrupt the balance, a fundamental principle echoed in all major religions of the world.”
“The NDC Canada Chapter believes that Professor Opoku Agyemang possesses all the qualities necessary to breathe life into the party’s agenda as it approaches the 2024 general elections”, it said.
The statement also said Prof ’s leadership and track record and dedication to public service spoke volumes about her capabilities to be instrumental in the implementation of critical policies such as the 24-hour economy initiative, as we collectively work towards building the Ghana we want together.
The chapter pledged its untiring support to Former President Mahama and Pro¬fessor Opoku Agyemang ticket, and was optimist that the two would win the 2024 general election to turn the fortune of the country around.
The President of PROFORUM, Sam Pee Yalley, in a signed statement, conveyed the group’s delight with the selection and pledged to do all within its power to mobilise Ghanaian Professionals in order to ensure victory of the NDC.
“There is no doubt Ghana at 67 is a far cry from the Ghana we all want and that the announcement of Prof. Opoku-Agyemang as the running mate of his promises to put Ghana into a matured and tested pair of hands.
GIK/APA
Ghana: Press zooms in on undersea fibre optic disruptions, others
