The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has commissioned the 2nd National Fire Service Training School built by the Akufo-Addo Government, bringing the total number of Fire Service Training Schools in Ghana to three.

Prior to the present governemt assuming office in 2017, Ghana had only one Fire Service Training School, located in Accra. About two months ago, Vice President Bawumia commissioned the  nation’s second Fire Service Training School in Wungu, in the North East Region.

Speaking at the commissioning of the third Fire Service Training School at Duayaw- Nkwanta in the Tano North District of the Ahafo Region, Dr. Bawumia said the commissioning marked the “unwavering commitment” of the Government towards strengthening the fire service and protecting lives and property.

“It is with immense pride and gratitude that I stand before you today, on this historic occasion—the commissioning of the first phase of the Duayaw Nkwanta Fire Academy and Training School. This milestone reflects the unwavering commitment of the Government of Ghana to the safety and well-being of its citizens,” Dr. Bawumia said.

“This training school stands as a testament to the government’s pledge in 2017 to increase the number of training schools for the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) from one (1) to four (4) since independence,” Dr. Bawumia added.

“We are happy to be here in less than seven (7) weeks following the successful commissioning of the Wungu Fire Academy and Training School in the North East Region on Friday, January 19, 2024, to commission the second and third Fire Academy and Training School in the country, specifically here at Duayaw Nkwanta in the Ahafo Region.”

“Today’s event which marks another significant step towards achieving the government’s commitment to protecting its citizenry is unwavering,” Dr. Bawumia added.

The newly-commissioned training school has modern training facilities and equipment, including  two hydraulic platforms to reach the 16th floor, to fight fires and effect rescue for key institutions such as the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS). This, Dr. Bawumia described as “a strategic move to ensure the safety of lives, businesses, livelihoods, and property.”

The Vice President also highlighted significant support the government has offered the Ghana National Fire Service, including the provision of modern equipment and expansion of the human resource capacity of the Service in the past 7 years to respond efficiently to emergencies.

Among the equipment are: command vehicles, modern fire engines, drones, rapid intervention vehicles, buses, appropriate personal protective equipment (APPEs), rescue and firefighting equipment.

“This investment in modern equipment aligns with the government’s vision to empower the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to deliver on its lawful mandate of saving lives and properties. 

“These resources will not only enhance the Ghana National Fire Service’s capacity to handle diverse and complex firefighting scenarios, but also contribute to the overall safety and security of our communities.”

The support, Dr. Bawumia continued, has impacted positively on the operations of the Ghana Fire Service.

“The Service in 2022, recorded 6154 fires as against 5973 fires in 2023 which translates to a 2.94% rate of reduction. This feat is clearly a testament to the effectiveness of the government’s initiatives, support, training, and the dedicated efforts of the firefighting force,” the Vice President stated.

On the staff strength of the Service, Dr. Bawumia noted that the current government has almost doubled the personnel of the Fire Service from the number it met in 2017.

“It is unprecedented in the history of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) for a single government to recruit over 7000 personnel, increasing the workforce to over 15000 in just 7 years.” 

“This achievement, spearheaded by the NPP Government, led by His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, showcases the administration’s commitment to enhancing the capabilities of our firefighting force to provide world class emergency firefighting and rescue services to the good people of this great country of ours.”

Despite the huge contributions and successes chalked, Dr. Bawumia stressed that a lot more has to be done to protect lives and property, assuring that government is ever committed to support the Service realize its vision and mandate.

The Acting President of the Duayaw Nkwanta Traditional Council, Nana Boakye Bonsu, expressed gratitude to government, for the training school.

The Chief Fire Officer, on behalf of the Service, expresses gratitude to the Government for what he described as immense support, the Government has offered the Service, which he said, has significantly boosted their operations.

The 3rd Fire Service Academy and Training School built by the Akufo-Addo Government, is ready for commissioning in the Eastern Region.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.

Small businesses in Livingstone, the country’s top tourism destination, can now benefit from the ITC ecomConnect Learning Programme’s suite of digital tools and training.

The programme, a collaboration between the International Trade Centre (ITC) and Absa Bank Zambia Plc, aims to unlock the potential of online business for growing trade.

‘The initiative represents a significant milestone in our efforts to foster economic development and empower our local entrepreneurs,’ Livingstone Mayor Constance Muleabai said at the launch on 14 March.

‘Our city is also home to a vibrant community of small and medium enterprises striving to succeed in an increasingly digital world,’ she said. ‘Today we take a bold step forward in supporting these businesses on their journey towards ecommerce excellence.’

The new hub will offer free access to a mix of online and offline resources:

Dedicated e-learning platform with self-driven training tailored to Zambian needs
Online support to get first-hand advice and feedback from the experts.
E-commerce focus groups, technical workshops and webinars to share knowledge about e-commerce topics.
Free access to e-learning materials and ITC’s e-commerce tools
Benefits ITC’s partnerships with local and international marketplaces such as eBay and Novica, and logistics and payment providers like DHL and Payoneer, to access additional capacity building, technical support and preferential rates.

‘The focus we have in this hub is really to drive business enablement, business linkages, and linkages to finance for small and medium enterprises,’ said Owen Malambo, Director of Digital and Technology at Absa Bank Zambia. ‘This would include startups, and any businesses already existing.’

The new programme in Zambia forms part of ITC’s Digital Moonshot, a cross-cutting effort to make sure that small businesses in developing countries can reap the benefits of the digital economy.

‘Our ultimate goal is for these hubs to become self-sufficient and diversify their income streams,’ said Daniel Chileshe, ITC’s Digital Moonshot Lead in Zambia. ‘Following this event, we will be launching a call for applications for businesses to participate in a five-month e-commerce programme.’

The selected businesses will receive free training, backed by in-person consultancy from ITC to ensure they complete the programme and can access additional resources.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Trade Centre.

Angola’s push towards economic diversification and privatization has opened up opportunities for foreign investors, and Brazil has emerged as a highly strategic partner owing to its expertise in the oil and gas industry. Brazil’s trade with Africa surged by 33.7% in 2022, reaching nearly $21.5 billion, up from $15.9 billion in 2021. This increase presents an opportunity for Angola to deepen its economic ties with Brazil as the country aims to increase oil production while diversifying its economy.

Last year, Angolan President Joao Lourenço and Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva convened at the presidential Palace in Luanda. The meeting resulted in the signing of seven memoranda of understanding across various sectors, including tourism, health, and agriculture, showcasing a mutual dedication to strengthening bilateral collaboration. As the Angola Oil&Gas (AOG) 2024 conference draws near, the event presents an opportunity for both nations to expand their strategic partnership within the oil and gas sector.

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AOG is the largest oil and gas event in Angola. Taking place with the full support of the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas; national oil company Sonangol; the National Oil, Gas and Biofuels Agency; the African Energy Chamber; and the Petroleum Derivatives Regulatory Institute, the event is a platform to sign deals and advance Angola’s oil and gas industry. From October 2-4, AOG unites global capital and technology providers with Angolan government and companies towards a common goal of establishing Angola as the hub of the future. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com

Mutually-Beneficial Investment Opportunities

Angola boasts estimated proven reserves of 9 billion barrels of crude oil and 11 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Currently producing approximately 1.18 million barrels per day (bpd), the petroleum industry plays a pivotal role in Angola’s economy, contributing nearly 75% of its revenues. Additionally, Angola yields an estimated 17.9 billion cubic feet of natural gas annually from associated oil production.

Meanwhile, Brazil, Latin America’s top oil producer, witnessed a surge in crude oil production in 2023, reaching 3.4 million bpd. Most notably, Brazil’s national oil company and the country’s largest oil and gas producer Petrobras, accounted for 87% of oil production and 91% of gas production in December 2023. Brazil also possesses the largest recoverable ultra-deep oil reserves globally, with 97.6% of its oil production occurring offshore, highlighting its expertise in offshore drilling. This expertise in upstream developments, technology, and industry practices highlights a strategic opportunity for Brazil to support Angola’s major upstream projects.  

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As part of a six-year licensing round initiated in 2019, Angola concluded a 12-block tender in January 2024 and is now finalizing production sharing negotiations in preparation for its next oil and gas licensing round – set to launch in 2025. Meanwhile, Brazil’s recent oil and gas licensing rounds highlighted the Pelotas basin’s emergence as a new exploration frontier. Petrobras, in partnership with Shell and CNOOC, secured assets in the basin. As such, both nations are witnessing a surge in exploration activities and opportunities in mature and high-potential basins, signaling an opportunity for mutual partnerships.

As Angola seeks to leverage its resources for economic growth, the African Development Bank (AfDB) called for enhanced cooperation with Brazil through the multi-partner Lusophone Compact in November. Launched in December 2018, this initiative involves the AfDB Group, Portugal, and the six Portuguese-speaking Countries in Africa – Angola, Cabo Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique, and Sao Tome e Prinipe. The Lusophone Compact presents an opportunity for Brazilian private investors to explore partnerships and contribute to the economic development of Angola and other Lusophone nations.

Transcending Oil and Gas Opportunities

Opportunities for bilateral collaboration transcend the oil and gas industry. In the aviation sector, TAAG Angola Airlines is enhancing connectivity between Luanda and São Paulo by increasing weekly flights from four to six. This move not only meets growing market demand but also strengthens ties between the two Portuguese-speaking nations. The codeshare agreement between TAAG Angola Airlines and GOL Airlines further facilitates smoother travel options for passengers, positioning Luanda and São Paulo as connection hubs between South America, Africa, and Europe.

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In addition to Brazil’s strategic ventures in Angola, Angola is reciprocating with significant investments in Brazil’s telecommunications sector. Angola Cables has announced plans to construct a second data center in Fortaleza, Brazil, with an investment of up to $80 million. The expansion aims to establish Ceará as the company’s hub in the Americas, leveraging its expertise and infrastructure to enhance telecommunications and information technology markets in the region. The project is scheduled to commence in the second half of this year and conclude by 2025.

Brazil’s expanding trade relations with Africa and strategic investments in various industries present Brazilian investors, government, and companies with an opportunity to participate in collaborative ventures and contribute to the Angola’s economic development at AOG 2024. Scheduled to take place in Luanda from 2-4 October under the theme Driving Exploration and Development Towards Increased Production in Angola, AOG offers a platform for stakeholders to engage and explore potential partnerships in Angola’s oil and gas sector.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power.

The Director General of the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) for East Africa, Nnenna Nwabufo, has expressed satisfaction with the implementation of projects funded by the Bank in Burundi.

During her four-day visit to the East African nation between March 18-21, Ms Nwabufo assessed the progress of projects supported by the Bank, including the East African Nutritional Sciences Institute (EANSI), which has received over $9 million from the African Development Bank. She was joined by the Burundian Minister of Education and Scientific Research, François Havyarimana.

Nwabufo remarked, “The buildings have been properly renovated, the laboratories (microbiological, food and medical) are well equipped, and the students are actively engaged in their courses.” She lauded the involvement of the Burundian Ministry of Education in implementing this innovative project aimed at benefiting countries in the East African Community.

Currently, 129 students from Burundi, Tanzania, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are pursuing specialized courses in nutrition and food processing.

Minister Havyarimana expressed satisfaction with Burundi hosting a sub-regional center of excellence, which is contributing to the country’s acquisition of highly specialized skills. He emphasized, “The project is clear evidence of the African Development Bank’s commitment to sustainable development through promoting quality education.”

Nwabufo also inspected the mordernization works at the Port of Bujumbura, co-funded by the African Development Bank and the European Union with $48.93 million. Her delegation observed with concern about the rising water levels in Lake Tanganyika, attributed to climate change. She pledged support for initiatives to mitigate potential damages.

Engaging with representatives of the Burundian private sector, Nwabufo commended their commitment to the country’s socio-economic development. She announced plans to dispatch a special mission by year-end to assess needs, make recommendations and outline how the Bank could support the private sector in Burundi.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Media contact:
Communication and External Relations Department
medias@afdb.org