Tag Archives: Conference

News, Politics

Andrew Okaikoi Highlights the Impact of Climate Change on Ghana at 2024 Asian Leadership Conference

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The 2024 Asian Leadership Conference (ALC), held on May 22-23, 2024, in Seoul, South Korea, brought together distinguished leaders, policymakers, and experts from across Asia and beyond. This year’s conference, themed “The Era of Hyper-Uncertainty: Innovative Leadership for the New Future,” focused on addressing the urgent environmental issues facing the world and exploring sustainable solutions for the future.

The conference featured a diverse array of speakers and participants, including Andrew Okaikoi of Ghana, renowned for his contributions to disability issues and policy advocacy. Other notable speakers included Mike Pompeo (former United States Secretary of State), Jacinda Ardern (former Prime Minister of New Zealand), Nikolaus von Liechtenstein (Prince of Liechtenstein), Ryu Hong Lim (President of Seoul National University), among others. Andrew Okaikoi spoke on climate change, underscoring its global nature and highlighting the importance of international cooperation in tackling this critical issue in Ghana.

In his speech, Okaikoi addressed the challenges that have recently confronted Ghana’s economy as a result of climate change, the strategies to mitigate its effects, and the difficulties faced in implementing solutions to the damages caused. He believes these challenges are hurting Ghana’s economy, environment, and social fabric, notably the community of people with disabilities to which he belongs. As Founder of Gravitas World and President of the Center for Disability, Entrepreneurship, and Public Policy (CDEPP), Andrew Okaikoi reiterated that persons with disabilities are more vulnerable to the myriad of challenges associated with climate change.

Unpredictable rainfall patterns, droughts, and floods have an adverse effect on the nation’s economy by lowering crop production and generating food insecurity. Cocoa, Ghana’s main export revenue source is in danger of being extinct due to lower yields. Because of rising temperatures and humidity, health problems have worsened, and diseases like cholera and malaria are spreading. In coastal communities, houses, livelihoods, and infrastructure are all at risk from coastal erosion.

Despite the country’s unfavorable economic circumstances, it has created a National Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan with the goals of strengthening early warning systems for extreme weather conditions, encouraging climate-smart agriculture, and improving water management. In addition, Ghana has introduced a tree-planting exercise where about a million trees are expected to be planted every year to boost the nation’s afforestation drive.

Attendees and participants at the conference engaged in a series of panel discussions, workshops, and keynote speeches, all aimed at fostering dialogue and collaboration. Okaikoi emphasized the necessity for unified action: “Climate change is a global challenge that requires a global response. By coming together at forums like the ALC, we can share knowledge, devise innovative solutions, and commit to actionable steps that will benefit not only Asia but the entire world.”

The 2024 ALC is expected to yield significant insights and proposals that will influence policy decisions and environmental strategies worldwide. Further collaborative efforts are anticipated, aiming to pave the way for a sustainable and resilient future.

Source : Daily Post

News, Topstory

We cannot bless same-sex marriage’ – Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference

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The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has served notice Catholic priests are not authorized and will not bless same-sex marriages.

The leadership of the Church in Ghana has been compelled to react following the growing anxiety among congregants over recent comments on the rights of gays and lesbians.

In a press statement dated December 21, 2023, the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference described as misinformation, an interpretation of the document, published on December 18, 2023, from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith suggesting that Pope Francis has granted formal permission for Roman Catholic priests to perform blessings for same-sex unions.

“We, the members of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, have seen the need to issue this statement in the wake of the publication on 18 December 2023 of a document from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith entitled “Fiducia Supplicans” (Supplicating Trust: On the Pastoral Meaning of Blessings”).

“Following its publication, some TV and radio news items as well as posts on the social media have falsely stated that Pope Francis has formally given Roman Catholic priests the permission to bless same-sex marriages.

“This publication has caused a lot of consternation among many people, Catholics and non-Catholics alike. We would like to make the following points,” part of the statement said.

The statement signed by Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, Catholic Bishop of Sunyani and President, Ghana Catholic Bishops’ conference continued “Firstly, the Declaration does not give Catholic priests the permission to bless same-sex marriages. This is clear from the following statements in the Declaration.

“In the introductory paragraph, the document says, ‘this Declaration remains firm on the traditional doctrine of the Church about marriage, not allowing any type of liturgical rite or blessing similar to a liturgical rite that can create confusion’.

“The Declaration also defines marriage as the “exclusive, stable, and indissoluble union between a man and a woman, naturally open to the generation of children” (par. 4). It adds that it is only in the context of marriage “that sexual relations find their natural, proper, and fully human meaning”.

The Bishops’ Conference emphasizes that the prayers and blessings offered to individuals, including those in same-sex relationships, are intended to guide them toward conversion rather than legitimizing their lifestyle.

Most Reverend Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, Catholic Bishop of Sunyani and President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, reaffirms in the statement that priests cannot bless same-sex unions or marriages.

“The blessing which the Declaration says could be given to everyone refers to prayers that people may request for. For those in the state of sin, the prayers are meant to lead them to conversion.

“Therefore, the prayers for persons in same-sex relationships are not intended to legitimize their way of life, but to lead them on the path of conversion (cf. paragraphs 38, 42-45).
“In conclusion, we wish to reiterate that priests cannot bless same-sex unions or marriages.”

Find below full statement

 

Busines, News

UPSA hosts 4th Financial Innovation and Enterprise Conference tomorrow

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The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), will on Thursday, December 14, 2023 organise the 4th edition of the Financial Innovation and Enterprise (FIE) Conference.

The two-day conference scheduled to take place at the Ohene Konadu Auditorium, UPSA is themed: “Promoting Sustainable Enterprises In Developing And Emerging Economies”.

It will bring together industry leaders, academic scholars, policymakers, and budding entrepreneurs to foster dialogue, share insights, and catalyse change in the financial and entrepreneurial sectors.
The annual event serves as a melting pot of ideas, innovations, and strategies, all geared towards driving financial growth and promoting sustainable enterprise, especially in developing and emerging economies.

The 4th edition in the series is a collaborative effort, jointly convened by the UPSA, Birmingham City University, the University of Sunderland in London, and the Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE).

Participants will discuss challenges and opportunities developing and emerging economies face in fostering sustainable enterprises.
Key among the facilitators are Prof. Abednego Okoe Amartey, Vice-Chancellor, UPSA, Prof. John K. M. Mawutor, Pro-Vice Chancellor, UPSA, Madam Abena Osei-Asare, Deputy Minister of Finance, Mrs Elsie Addo Awadzi, Second Deputy Governor, Bank of Ghana, amongst others.

By focusing on the theme, FIE 2023 aims to bring together diverse perspectives from grassroots entrepreneurs to global financial moguls, to chart a course for a future where businesses thrive, societies benefit, and the planet prospers
The conference, according to the organizers, will emphasise the importance of a holistic approach, encompassing not just financial systems but also the broader business environment.

This will lead to initiatives aimed at strengthening the entire entrepreneurial ecosystem, from education and training to regulatory frameworks and infrastructure.