APA – Accra (Ghana)
The report that four Hungarian companies in Ghana have partnered to invest in the local industries is one of the leading stories in the Ghanaian press on Monday.
The Graphic reports that four Hungarian companies in Ghana have partnered to invest in the local industries
Apart from imports and exports, the companies also seek to invest into other sectors of the economy to facilitate Ghana’s economic growth.
The companies are AlphaVet Ltd., Bábolna Tetra Ltd, Kőröstej Ltd., and Capriovus Ltd.
The move, which is under the auspices of the Hungarian Ambassador to Ghana, Tamás Endre Fehér through the Embassy of Hungary will have series of engagement with the local industries.
At a business forum held in Accra on Wednesday, November 22, at the Embassy, representatives of the four companies did a presentation, highlighting all basic information including operations, their partners, potential partners, targets amongst others to stakeholders and possible business partners.
Speaking with the media at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghanaian-Hungarian Business Council, Ms Mona S. Annewetey said the companies so far have visited some local companies and institutions including the veterinary services department as well as Agrofood to assess how the Hungarian companies can establish business relationships with them.
The newspaper says that more than a third of the country’s population are bleaching their skin, posing a threat to their health.
This is contained in a World Health Organisation (WHO) Africa Region report which found that 39 out of 100 hundred Ghanaians are generally involved in skin bleaching and the widespread use of skin-lightening products is the cause of the rising figures in skin bleaching in the country.
The prevalence of skin bleaching in other African countries ranges from 25 per cent of the population in Mali to 77 per cent in Nigeria, with other countries reporting intermediate rates such as 31.15 per cent in Zimbabwe; 32 per cent in South Africa; 50 per cent in Senegal and 66 per cent in Congo-Brazzaville.
This was contained in the November 2023 analytical fact sheet of the WHO African Region and the Integrated African Health Observatory (iAHO) report released in Accra.
The report said in Ghana, data showed that 40.4 per cent of study participants in Kumasi and 50.3 per cent in Accra reported either current or past use of skin bleaching products.
The report described skin bleaching, also known as skin lightening, skin toning and skin whitening, as a global cosmetic practice to achieve a lighter skin tone. It is often driven by cosmetic desires rooted in deep historical, economic, socio-cultural and psychosocial factors.
It involves the use of topical products containing corticosteroids, hydroquinone, mercury, or other agents to lighten the skin. The use of potentially harmful agents such as mercury is common in Africa and Asia.
The Ghanaian Times reports that the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, has stated that Ghana will soon have the capacity to produce food on a larger scale in the next five years.
Speaking at the official opening of the National Farmers’ Day exhibition dubbed “Agrifest- 2023” in Accra yesterday, Dr Bryan Acheampong said the government had set the five-year target to become self-sufficient in food production through the implementation of the Phase Two of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) programme.
Over 150 exhibitors are showcasing their agri products at the five-day event being held at the Ministerial enclave in Accra.
The PFJ phase Two, launched in October by the President, aims to increase agricultural productivity, create jobs, and reduce food imports.
The institution of National Farmers’ Day is therefore recognising agriculture as a major priority sector in the nation’s development agenda.
The event is the biggest statutory obligation that provides the platform to celebrate Ghanaian farmers and fishers for their contribution to the local and national economy.
This year’s Awards Night ceremony would be held at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), where President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, will honour the best-performing farmers and fishers.
“Food security requires a holistic approach and involves actions targeting enhancing access to high-quality inputs and mechanisa¬tion services, efficient and effective delivery of knowledge and adviso¬ry services, and structured market arrangements,” he said.
The newspaper says that former Presi¬dent John Dramani Mahama says the 24-hour economy policy proposal will be anchored on his vision to create sustainable jobs for Ghanaians.
He said this could be achieved through his agenda to modernise and mechanise agriculture; provide incentives for the private sector to thrive; promote agro-processing and manufacturing; transform Ghana into an import substitution and export-led economy, among others.
This was contained in a document dubbed “John Mahama’s 24- Hour Economy Policy Proposal.”
The former President’s proposal to run a 24-hour economy, if elected President in the 2024 general election, had already received endorsements by Dr John Kwakye of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), Dr William Yaw Baah, the General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress, Dr Theo Acheampong, a political risk analyst and Professor Ransford Gyampo, a Senior Political Science Lecturer at the University of Ghana, Legon.
Mr Mahama who is the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flag bearer for the 2024 election had maintained that his 24-hour economy policy would be a major boost for import substitution and export drive.
This, President Mahama believes would stabilise our national currency, improve our reserves, bring down inflation and interest rates, create more employment opportunities and improve livelihoods.
Furthermore, President Mahama said the 24-hour economy would primarily, but not exclusively, focus on agro-processing, pharmaceutical industry, manufacturing industry, construction, extractive industry (mining and quarrying), and sanitation and waste management.
GIK/APA
Ghanaian press focuses on 4 Hungarian companies investing in Ghana’s local industry, others
