Public Agenda (Accra)
Ama Achiaa Amankwah
14 November 2008
Services export strategy launched
A National Services Export Strategy has been launched with the aim of exporting consultancy services, medical tourism, travel and leisure, education, other non-tangible and invisible services provided by Ghanaians abroad.
Mr Edward Collins Boateng, Executive Secretary of Ghana Export Promotion Council (GEPC) explained that services like medical and consultancy services were being provided by Ghanaians who earned foreign exchange from such services but there was no data captured on those activities.
"The launch of the National Services Export Strategy would help us to capture data on the amount of foreign exchange earned through such services and how that could contribute to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country."
Gross Domestic Product is the total market value of all goods and services produced in a country in a given year.
Mr Boateng was of the view that the services sector was the future of the country's economy and urged stakeholders to promote the sector not only in the country but the global market.
Papa Owusu Ankomah, Minister of Trade, Industry, Private Sector Development and President's Special Initiative noted that Ghana has a service export sector that has an the immense potential and prospects to grow the non-traditional export sector in far greater leaps.
He said that businesses required superior services to remain competitive in a sophisticated and competitive market place.
"That is why we embrace this renewed national effort at providing a clearer strategic direction for the development of the services export sector in Ghana."
New appointments at GIPC
The Ghana Investment Promotion Center (GIPC) has appointed new officers for the positions of Business Development, Public Affairs and Communications, and Training and Development.
A statement from the GIPC cited Mr. Edward Benjamin Ashong-Lartey as Director of Business Development. He is a veteran in investment promotion analysis and targeting. He holds an MBA in corporate strategy and economic policy from the Maastricht School of Management, Holland and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Economics and Geography from the University of Ghana, Legon.
His role at GIPC, where he has worked for over 21 years, includes provision of investment advisory services, monitoring and coordinating investments from South East Asia in the services, tourism and real estate sectors of Ghana.
Mr. Kwasi Kyei Darkwah is the new Director, Public Affairs and Communications and holds a Master of Arts Degree in Film and Television Production from London Metropolitan University, Diploma in Journalism from Ghana Institute of Journalism and Certificates in Marketing Management from Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration.
Ms Afua Yeboah Mamattah, is the Principal, Training and Development and has over 18 years training experience in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.
IPS to introduce MBA programmes
Prof. Joshua Alabi, Acting Rector of the Institute of Professional Studies (IPS), has announced that the Institute would introduce Masters in Business Administration programmes from next year if all requirements are met.
He said the Masters programme would be in the areas of Auditing, Financial Accounting, Marketing and Corporate Governance to help expand access to higher education.
"We will not only expand access to higher education but also continue to produce quality manpower required for the country's development," he added.
He said as part of efforts to marry academic work with sporting activities, the Institute would put up a sports complex consisting tennis, squash, basketball and volley ball courts and a club house.
MTN supports EC with electronic package
MTN, a mobile telecommunication service provider has presented communication equipment valued at GH¢239,050 to the Electoral Commission (EC) in support of Election 2008.
These include 900 mobile handsets for distribution among EC officials across the country, 900 Starter Packs, GH¢82,520 post-paid airtime, 24 GPRS modems bulk nationwide broadcast worth GH¢114,000 and a Closed User Group communication.
"The corporate donation is made to support the very important use of mobile telecommunications to facilitate exchange of information between election officials and indeed all Ghanaians through MTN network before, during and elections," Ms. Mawuena Dumor, MTN Corporate Service Executive stated this at a presentation ceremony in Accra.
She said the company, in collaboration with the EC, would deploy mobile telecom cell sites, especially at highly populated electoral areas for anticipated additional capacity requirements.
"We will also continue to work closely with the relevant permitting agencies responsible for allowing us to add on capacity to existing infrastructure to do so expeditiously in both urban and rural areas where those will be required".
Mr David Adeenze Kangah, EC Deputy Commissioner in- Charge of Finance and Administration pledged the EC's commitment to conducting peaceful, transparent, free and fair elections.
He urged all democratic stakeholders' especially political parties, media practitioners, security agencies, and the electorate to play according to the rules governing elections in the country.
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