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National Council on Health seeks investment in vaccine manufacturing

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Dr Osagie Emmanuel Ehanire Minister of Health

After a lengthy two-day deliberation, the 2021 National Council on Health (NCH) conference concluded Friday with a resolve for a deliberate investment on Nigeria’s health security starting with drawing support for pharmaceutical and research agencies to produce locally developed vaccines.

The annual event, which came amid rising concerns over the detection of the new Omicron variant of coronavirus in Nigeria, centred on Nigeria’s fight against the pandemic, lessons learnt and the way forward for the prevention of infectious diseases in the country.

Organised by the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) and held both virtually and physically in in the Federal Capital Territory between Thursday and Friday, the theme of this year’s NCH meeting was “The Journey to Attaining Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Applying Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic Towards Building A Resilient National Health System.”

While Nigeria, like most African countries, has not suffered from the worst effects of the pandemic unlike its European and American counterparts, the country hasn’t been entirely free of the socio-economic challenges associated with the pandemic.

Global health security aims to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats. In practice, this is limited to specific activities, including strengthening surveillance systems and improving risk communication.

But health officials and experts at the event opined that global health security alone simply is not enough.

They said the experience with COVID-19 suggests that hyper-focusing on infectious disease control often derails targets and priorities on other health challenges such as HIV, Malaria, Tuberculosis, noting that the Nigerian health system is chronically underfunded, disjointed, and inequitable.

Credit:  premiumtimesng.com

Omicron: UK extends travel ban to Nigeria

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UK extends travel ban to Nigeria

The United Kingdom (UK) has said travellers from Nigeria would not be permitted to enter the United Kingdom beginning from Monday as a result of the growing concerns over an outbreak of the Omicron variant of coronavirus.

This is coming a few days after Canada extended its travel ban to travellers who recently visited Nigeria.

The UK health minister, Sajid Javid, said only residents and citizens of the UK and Ireland travelling from Nigeria would be allowed entry into the region adding that they will have to quarantine on arrival.

The official said the measures are required to slow the spread of the new variant while scientists work to understand more about the transmissibility and implications for vaccine effectiveness of the variant.

“In light of the most recent data we are taking further action to slow the incursion of the Omicron variant.

“From 4 am Monday, only UK/Irish citizens and residents travelling from Nigeria will be allowed entry and must isolate in a managed quarantine facility,” the statement said.

The British health minister said travellers from countries not on the UK’s Red List would also be required to take a test before they arrive in the country.

“And from 4a.m Tuesday, anyone travelling to the UK from countries not on the Red List will be required to take a pre-departure test, regardless of their vaccination status,” Mr Javid said.

Nigeria on Wednesday joined the growing number of countries that have recorded the first cases of the Omicron variant also known as B.1.1.529 lineageThe Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) announced that three persons with a history of travel to South Africa returned positive tests for the new variant.

Credit:  premiumtimesng.com

Nigeria remains most attractive investment destination in Africa; Buhari

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President Muhammadu Buhari Saturday in Dubai declared that Nigeria remains the most viable and attractive investment destination in Africa, adding that the country is on the path of becoming the continent’s leading industrial and trading nation.

Addressing a trade and investment forum at Dubai Expo 2020, organised by the Nigerian Arabian Gulf Chamber of Commerce, Nigeria’s Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), the President said Nigeria is reaping from the efforts his administration has made to consciously improve the investment environment.

‘Nigeria’s pavilion at the Expo 2020 clearly shows why we remain the most viable and attractive investment destination in Africa. Our location, our natural resources, our population, and our regulations are there for all to see. Nigeria is on its way to become a leading industrial and trading nation in Africa,” special media aide, Femi Adesina quoted Buhari as saying.

‘‘To achieve this, our government focused on policies, projects, and programs that support private sector investors. We introduced numerous fiscal incentives and infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing the viability of investments.

‘‘Despite the adverse global economic environment of recent years, Nigeria’s investment environment has greatly improved both at the national and sub-national levels.’’

The president also assured captains of industry, and entrepreneurs, who have shown interest and commitment to further enhance trade and investment relations with Nigeria, that his administration would continue to work with them to improve the business climate especially as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) comes into full effect.

‘‘Just last month at the Intra Africa Trade fair in Durban, I reminded business leaders that most of Africa’s challenges, whether security, economic or corruption, can be traced to our inability to domesticate the production of our most basic requirements and provide jobs to our teeming and dynamic youth population.

‘‘I am pleased that this Forum focuses on ‘Unveiling Trade and Investment Opportunities in Nigeria,’ and will encourage you all to keep an open mind and look beyond the challenges.

Credit: channelstv.com

Mobile money tax dispute weighs on Cedi

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Cedis

The Cedi depreciated against the dollar this week, slipping to 6.140 from 6.127 at last week’s close. It follows Ghana’s MPs last Friday rejecting next year’s budget proposal amid disagreements over a new tax on mobile money transfers. Meanwhile, President Nana Akufo-Addo has been seeking to drum up foreign investment, calling on Norwegians to invest in the West African country at last week’s Ghana-Norway business forum. We expect pressure on the Cedi to ease in the coming week with the President taking steps to spur FDI.

China cuts Africa funding as EU steps up
China this week reduced the amount of money pledged to Africa for the first time in a decade amid criticism of its lending practices on the continent and potential debt traps that could force borrowers to surrender ownership of key assets. China’s President Xi Jinping pledged $40bn—a third less than the $60bn China committed back in 2018. At the same time, competing powers are stepping up their influence on the continent. Last month, the US signalled it wanted to revamp its relationship with African nations, while the European Union announced its overseas infrastructure investment framework—a direct rival to China’s Belt and Road Initiative that targets mobilising 300 billion euros ($340 billion) in public and private infrastructure investment. Competition for investment in Africa between China, US and Europe should increase the amount of funds available and potentially lead to more attractive terms for African borrowers.

Weakened Naira may bounce back as dollar demand wanes

Naira

The Naira depreciated against the dollar this week, sliding to 565 on the unofficial window from 562 at last week’s close as demand for the greenback ticked up—at one point hitting 567. Nigeria’s FX reserves also declined again according to the central bank’s latest data, falling by around $100m to $41.2bn. Nigeria was added to a growing list of African nations banned from entry into Canada as countries tighten travel restrictions because of the Omicron Covid-19 strain that was first identified in Southern Africa. We expect the Naira to appreciate in the coming days as dollar demand eases at the start of the month.

Rand

Rand eases from 13-month low with Omicron assessment
The Rand recovered slightly this week after slumping to its lowest level against the dollar in more than a year on Friday as concerns about the Omicron Covid-19 strain that was first identified by scientists in South Africa roiled global markets. The Rand hit a low of 16.28 at the end of last week after the discovery was first announced—its weakest level against the dollar in 13 months—before recovering to 15.94 this week as traders weigh information about the severity of the new strain and the potential for it to evade existing vaccines. We expect the Rand to sustain current levels as uncertainty about the new strain lingers while President Cyril Ramaphosa considers introducing vaccine mandates and resists lockdowns for now.

Tourism rebound boosts Egyptian Pound outlook

Egypt

The Pound was unchanged against the dollar this week, trading at 15.66/15.76. The Egyptian Cabinet’s Information Decision Support Centre this week said the country had achieved its highest quarterly growth rate in two decades, with the economy expanding 9.8% in the first quarter of the 2021/22 fiscal year, up from 0.7% during the same period 12 months ago. That recovery was fuelled in part by the performance of sectors such as tourism, which expanded by 15.2% as holidaymakers began returning to the country. We expect a stable Pound over the next seven days, supported by inflows from investors and exports.

Kenyan Shilling weakens to fresh dollar low

Kenya

The Shilling continued to plumb new depths against the dollar this week, depreciating to 112.65/113.50. Kenya’s central bank Governor Patrick Njoroge said the country’s economy is expected to rebound more strongly this year, forecasting growth of 6.4% before slowing slightly to 6% in 2022, driven by the recovery of sectors such as tourism that were hit hard by the pandemic. We expect the Shilling to stabilise over the coming week with support from Kenya’s FX reserves, which currently stand at just shy of $8.8bn, sufficient for 5.36 months of import cover.

China’s $300bn Africa import plan to lift Ugandan exports

Uganda

The Shilling was steady against the dollar this week, trading at 3560/3570 as dollar demand from importers was matched by supply. On Sunday, China said it plans to increase purchases of agricultural goods from Uganda as part of a broader goal to boost imports from Africa to $300bn over the next three years. We expect the Shilling to remain stable over the coming week.

Tanzanian Shilling supported amid trade talks

Tanzania

The Shilling was unchanged against the dollar this week, trading flat at 2295/2305. Talks between the Tanzanian and Ugandan Presidents Samia Suluhu Hassan and Yoweri Museveni took place in Dar es Salaam in an effort to ramp up trade between the two nations by potentially removing all non-tariff barriers that have frustrated cross-border business to date. We expect a stable Shilling in the coming week with support from bond investors inflows and agricultural exports.

Credit: www.azafinance.com 

Agricultural sector has grown by 5.8% under my leadership-Prez

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President Akufo-Addo

President Akufo-Addo has described the record of his government in the growth and development of the agricultural sector as impressive.

Speaking at the 35th edition of Farmers’ Day on Friday, 3rd December, 2021 in Cape Coast, President Akufo-Addo stated that his government, since 2017, has set out to transform Ghanaian agriculture through investment in integrated and mutually reinforcing measures that are yielding positive results.

With the central pillar of Government’s transformative policy being the Programme for Planting for Food and Jobs, the President stated that: “we have, through the Programme, achieved a yearly average growth of agriculture of 5.8% from 2017 to 2020, compared to the 2.7% growth we inherited in 2016.”

To date, according to him, “a total of 1.4 million metric tonnes of fertilizers and some ninety-one thousand metric tonnes (91,000 MT) of certified seeds have been made available to farmers since 2017, with the number of beneficiary farmers now hitting the 1.7 million mark, taking off from the initial number of two hundred and seven thousand (207,000) farmers in 2017.”

Through Planting for Export and Rural Development, which was launched in 2019 to promote the rapid development of six (6) strategic tree crops, i.e. rubber, oil palm, cashew, mango, coconut and shea, and thereby, diversify and augment our export earnings.

President Akufo-Addo revealed that some twenty-nine million (29 million) seedlings have been distributed to some two hundred and twenty thousand (220,000) beneficiary farmers.

Rearing for Food and Jobs, aimed at expanding domestic meat production and reducing the huge annual import bill for meat and meat products of some three hundred million dollars ($300 million), he said, has seen thousands of different livestock species being distributed to seven (7) national livestock breeding stations in one hundred and sixty-six (166) MMDAs across the country.

“Vegetable production, under the greenhouse village concept, has also been promoted intensively, with three centres established at Dawhenya, Akumadan and Bawjiase for commercial production and training of youth interested in establishing agribusinesses in the vegetable value chain,” he said.

President Akufo-Addo added, “To improve the efficiency of farmer operations, a total of eight thousand nine hundred and eighty (8,980) units of various machineries and equipment have been imported to enhance access to mechanisation services by farmers. Sixty-three (63) out of the proposed eighty (80) one thousand metric capacity (1,000MT) warehouses have been completed.”

This, he indicated, has increased the warehouse capacity owned by Government to ninety-seven thousand metric tons (97,000 MT), with additional warehouses set to be constructed to handle the expected increased production of grains to enlarge storage, and reduce post-harvest losses.

On irrigation, the President stated that: “the result of significant investment by my government in the Ghana Commercial Agriculture Programme has resulted in the availability of a total of thirteen thousand, one hundred and ninety (13,190) hectares of additional irrigable land, through the rehabilitation of Tono, Kpong Left Bank and Kpong Irrigation Schemes for rice and vegetable cultivation.”

To address the perennial challenges of access to credit for our farmers and fisherfolk, the President stated that the Ghana Incentive Based Risk Sharing Agricultural Lending Scheme (GIRSAL), which was established in 2019, has approved and issued credit guarantees for agricultural loans to the tune of two hundred and seventy-three million cedis (GH¢273 million).

On reviving Agricultural Extension Services, President Akufo-Addo noted that Government has increased the staff strength from of the Services from 1,580 in 2016, to 4,280, following the recruitment of 2,700 more extension officers in 2019.

“I am happy to inform you that approval has been given by Cabinet for the recruitment of an additional number of one thousand, one hundred (1,100) veterinary officers into the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. Fifty percent (50%) of this number will be recruited in 2022, and the remaining fifty percent (50%) progressively taken on board over a two-year period,” he added

Fisheries, Cocoa & Pension

Construction works on fishing landing sites and harbour projects, located in the Greater Accra, Central and Western Regions, President Akufo-Addo said, are progressing steadily, with the projects expected to facilitate the transformation of the fisheries sector, by providing modernised berthing, handling, processing and mechanisation facilities to fisher folk.

Cabinet, according to the President, has granted approval for the procurement of a research vessel and four (4) patrol boats for the fisheries sector, with the four (4) patrol boats set to strengthen enforcement capacity, to help address the issue of overexploitation and overfishing, as well as help curb the pervasive incidence of Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated (IUU) fishing.

On cocoa, President Akufo-Addo stressed that the sector has seen significant transformation since 2017.

“From an average production of eight hundred and eighty thousand (880,000) tonnes, the country hit an all-time record production of one million, and forty-seven thousand, three hundred and eighty-five (1,047,385 tonnes) in 2021, being the highest ever yearly production of cocoa, since it was introduced into Ghana in 1879,” he added.

This, he said, has been made possible by the introduction of productivity improvement techniques that ensure higher yields from the same acreage, the adoption of technology and practices that modernise cocoa production in an environmentally, socially and sustainable manner, the design of policies to address the inequalities in the international marketing system of cocoa by paying a Living Income Differential of four hundred United States dollars ($400) per tonne of cocoa to farmers and the fostering of partnerships and collaborative actions of stakeholders towards greater investments.

President Akufo-Addo told the gathering that the commencement of the provision of a pension scheme for farmers started in 2020 under his government, even though the law was promulgated in 1984, with successive governments being unable to bring it into being.

“The pilot pension scheme has, initially, covered some two thousand, eight hundred (2,800) farmers in the New Edubiase Cocoa District of the Ashanti Region, and a nation-wide registration of all cocoa farmers is on-going under the cocoa management system to speed up the process,” he added.

Gov’t must do broader consultation on e-levy –Send Ghana

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E-levy

Send Ghana has joined hands with others calling on the government to have a broader stakeholder consultation on the introduction of the electronic Levy (e-levy).

According to the Civil Society Organisation (CSO), equity consideration is key to the introduction of the e-levy, but if care is not taken, the digital economy the government seeks to create might suffer.

Emmanuel Ayifah, Deputy Country Director of Send Ghana, speaking at Sectorial Budget Forum on the 2022 Statement and Economic Policy on the government in Accra last week Friday, acknowledged that Ghana’s revenue to expenditure is of a concern, but warned that slapping 1.75% flat rate on electronic transactions might generate new set of challenges.

He suggested that instead of the flat rate of 1.75%, the government should graduate the charges progressively, according to volumes of money transfer.

Dr Ayifah also raised concern about the effective day of implementation, as at one breathe the budget says January 2022 while another part suggests February 2022, stressing that “it is important for government to come clear on that … In fact, this is not the only inconsistency we have found in the budget.”

Expenditure

To him, while the government is keen on mobilising funds, it must equally apply similar energy into rationalising expenditure.

To him, if the government does not take steps to block profligate expenditure and corrupt deals, the country’s woes would be far from over, saying “There are too many leakages in the system. The government shouldn’t just focus on revenue, but expenditure. Cut down unnecessary expenditure and it will go a long way to help us.”

Pass the Tax Exemption Bill

He also argued that one other way to ensure that the country received the needed revenue is the passage of the Tax Exemption Bill, which has been laid before parliament.

Dr Ayifah said the bill must be passed  passed and implemented for the benefit of the citizenry, as some GHC5 million is estimated to be lost to tax exempt, adding: “It is a welcome news that the exemption bill is laid in parliament now.”

The country Director advised parliamentnot to do partisan politics with the bill because whenit is passed, it will address the huge budget deficit.

“I will be happy to see an NPP person who will say something against the budget in the interest of the nation and I will be happy see an NDC Parliamentarian saying something in support of the budget, just in the interest of the nation. It shouldn’t be NPP and NDC because it is the ordinary citizen who suffers.”

 Pay attention to other critical areas

More funds were required to be invested into the education, health, social intervention and agriculture.The CSO assessment of the budget revealed that in real terms there are over 12% drop in fund allocation to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) in the 2022 budget.

“While we commend government for the increase in allocation to the PFJ programme in 2022, there should be measures put in place to ensure funds are released to distributors on time for adequate inputs to be supplied to the districts for the benefit of smallholder farmers.This will avert the delay in the distribution of fertilizers and certified seeds to smallholder famers that occurred during the 2021 planting season.”

MOH, Board approved procurement of vehicles -KATH Management

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Fred Effah Yeboah, Director of Administration- KATH addressing the press

The management of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) has debunked claims by a staff that the CEO and a Medical Director had arbitrarily acquired two luxurious cars at the expense of main priorities of the hospital.

It has parried the allegations of misapplication of COVID-19 funds, donated by five major donors, for the procurement of vehicles, saying the allegations are pure lies.

A staff of the hospital, Awuni Akyeraba, has alleged that the management of KATH had misappropriated US$116,000 COVID-19 funds to purchase two cars for the use of the CEO and the Medical director.

The accuser has since petitioned the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate the Chief Executive Officer and Medical Director of the Hospital for allegedly misusing COVID-19 fundsto purchase luxurious vehicles claiming the act is an abuse of public office.

But the Director of Administration of KATH, Mr. Fred Effah Yeboah, speaking to the allegations at a press conference in Kumasi, explained that the procurement of brand new Toyota saloon cars, with minimum specifications had been approved by the KATH Board and the Ministry of Health (MOH), which processes began in 2019, besides the audit of KATH accounts by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the MOH.

He disclosed that the Board took the decision to buy those cars, upon realising that the two officials assumed office without official cars.

According to him, the Board gave the approval in June 4, 2019 at the launch of Tender which was re-launched on February 19, 2020 after which evaluation was done by a Tender Committee on March 4, 2020.

The Director said even as the Board saw the need for the procurement of the vehicles, the decision did not seem to be the priority of the CEO who requested that management seeks the approval of the MOH, as a condition to agree to the said procurement.

Backed by documentation evidence by procurement officials and director of finance, Mr. Effah Yeboah said upon the approval of the Board and MOH the two Toyota saloon cars were purchased from Toyota Ghana Limited at GHC336,042 which payment was spread over five months with 50% paid after a month and the remaining half paid over four months.

The Director of Administration revealed that payment for the vehicles were made on September 7, 2020; October 22, 2020; November 9, 2020 and January 13, 2021 respectively, and duly receipted.

He further said while the Medical director’s car was delivered on June 30, 2020 that of the CEO was delivered on July 30, 2020 but unfortunately the medical director, Prof. Baffour Kofi Opoku’s car, was involved in an accident when a car run into it, as collaborated by police report of August 23, 2020.

Reacting to the alleged misapplication of COVID-19 funds, the Director of Administration said management decided to buy equipment which cost GHC723,030 out of about GHC900,000 the rest of which went into the purchase of consumables.

Following, Mr. Effah Yeboah said the allegations of misapplication of COVID-19 funds for the procurement of vehicles for use by the CEO and medical director are lies, so is his claim that Prof. Baffour Opoku’s car was being driven by his wife at the time it was involved in an accident.

“The allegations are nothing but lies, total lies and pure lies through and through”, Mr. Effah Yeboah stressed and welcomed investigations by CHRAJ.

Meanwhile, Mr.AwuniAkyeraba, the revenue officer, who is behind the allegation, has been interdicted by KATH management.

He is, however, yet to appear before a Disciplinary Committee which would report back to the Board of the health facility.

Gov’t is tackling gender-based violence -Minister

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Cecillia Abena Dapaah

Caretaker Minister for the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, has indicated that government has introduced electronic systems to facilitate proper coordination of its Social Protection programmes, as well as help in the effective management of violence and other forms of challenges faced by vulnerable people in the country

Speaking at a Meet the Press session organised by the Ministry of Information on Sunday, December 5, 2021 the Minister explained that in line with government’s digitalization agenda, the Ministry has taken to digital platforms as a one stop point for citizens to report grievances about the implementation of major social protection flagship programmes and at the same time provide a support platform for the vulnerable in our societies.

Providing details of these digital platforms, Mrs. Dapaah said government has so far introduced numerous support platforms to address sexual and gender-based violence and help in the proper coordination of the Ministry’s activities.

Orange Support Centre

According to her, “the Orange Support Centre (OSC) is a technology platform that aims at providing information and support for survivors of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence including child marriage in Ghana.”

She said the OSC comes in two folds; the call-in section (a toll free line) and the mobile app referred to as the Boame App noting that the OSC, there is a team of volunteers in the health, legal and psychosocial sectors who render relevant services in their fields of work to victims or survivors of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence through the app that allows for strict confidentiality and assures reporters’ safety while providing evidential reports.

Single Window Citizen Engagement Services

Mrs. Dapaah also said as part of the Ministry’s effort to strengthen systems and improve coordination among Social Protection programmes, the Ministry has operationalized a Single Window Citizen Engagement Services. The system provides a one stop point for citizens to report grievances for redress about the implementation of the major social protection flagship programmes like the School Feeding Programme, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) and the Education Capitation Grant.

Ghana National Household Registry

The Ghana National Household Registry serves as a national data repository for the targeting and selection of the extreme poor in Ghana to benefit from social interventions programmes.

She said, so far, data has been collected in the five northern regions of the country that has helped government in the formulation of policies directed at the poor in these regions.

What matters is my music not my body -Sefa 

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Sefa

For the umpteenth time, Sefa has responded to rumours that she may have gone under the knife to work on her body. The Ghanaian singer insists that she hasn’t surgically enhanced her body but some people have decided not to believe her. According to the ‘E Choke’ hitmaker, the rumours always stir out from the inquisitiveness of people.

Sefa explains that she has nothing wrong with people fixing their bodies or anything because if there is the need for her to do so, she will boldly do it without anyone’s influence.

I think that it’s just people who want to know a lot about you. But it doesn’t really matter because I always say that if I wake up and I find out that there’s something about me that I don’t like, maybe there’s a pimple. I won’t wait for Empress to say that I should remove it before I go and remove it,” she said.

She continued that “because I am very secure about myself. I mind my own business. If I see that there’s a problem, I will fix it. I am not waiting for a celebrity to tell me that this and that is what they’ve done.”

The ‘Fever’ singer has however emphasized that people pay for her music and therefore, they should focus on her career and nothing else

Credit: pulse.com.gh

Pat Thomas receives ‘Black Star Honour’ 

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Pat Thomas

Highlife musician, Pat Thomas, received the biggest honour at the 9th edition of the fashion and music show, Rhythms On Da Runway dubbed ‘The Masquerade,’ held at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC).

The special Black Star Honour, according to the organizers, Nineteen57 Events, is intended to recognize excellence and remarkable contribution to the advancement of show business in Ghana and Africa.

Samuel Atta-Mensah, Managing Director of Citi FM, who presented the plaque, said, the award is an acknowledgement of Pat Thomas’ lifelong contribution to the creative arts industry in Ghana and “leaving an indelible legacy.”

The 75-year-old vocalist and songwriter, who has been active in the highlife scene since the 1960s, expressed gratitude to the organizers for the honour and his followers for their continued support throughout his career.

The 2021 edition of Rhythms On Da Runway was held at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) under the theme, The Masquerade, to promote the wearing of face masks for the prevention of the spread of COVID-19. The event showcased a variety of designs from across the African continent and the African diaspora

Credit: citinewsroom.com

The Ghanaian Chronicle