Okudzeto Ablakwa meets US Ambassador over imposition of 10% tariffThe Ambassador of the United States of America, Her Excellency Virginia Palmer today honoured an invitation from the Minister for Foreign Affairs,

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (MP) to discuss the imposition of 10% tariff by the United States of America on Ghana, effective April 5, 2025.

The Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry,  Sampson Ahi and other officials from his Ministry joined the meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The US Ambassador indicated that the tariff did not maliciously target Ghana but was intended

to address the significant trade imbalances between the USA and its partners such as Ghana.

The Ambassador however, informed that the tariff is being imposed, pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA).

She further intimated that the 10% tariff imposition exempts some products like oil and gas,

and energy related products that Ghana exports to the United States.

 It emerged that products

exported under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) initiative are affected.

The meeting additionally discussed the possible exemption of other sectors, particularly with cocoa and garments.

 Both sides agreed towork together to mitigate challenges including

potential job losses.

The Ministries of Foreign A ffairs and Trade, Agribusiness and Industry would continue to engage the USA authorities on how to mitigate and alleviate the effect of the tariffs on Ghanaian businesses and the Ghanaian economy generally through bilateral and diplomatie means.

Ghana and the USA affirm their strong and cordial relations.

The Minister of Roads and Highways,  Kwame Agbodza has ordered an immediate investigation into the rapid deterioration of sections of the newly reconstructed 66km Tarkwa-Agona Nkwanta Road. 

During his inspection tour of major road projects in the Western Region on Friday, he observed that sections of the €95million project were deteriorating quickly.

The Project Manager, Mr. Joaquim Ferreira, attributed the early deterioration to consistent overloading by heavy-duty trucks transporting manganese, bauxite, and other mining products. 

This led to a surprise visit by the Minister and his team to the Apimanim axle load station, where about 5 trucks were arrested for overloading, some by as much as 20 tonnes.

Addressing the media after the surprised visit Mr. Agbodza said “there is no doubt that overloading is damaging our roads and the axle load Programme is quite problematic.”

He said the Ministry had already commissioned a 5-member

committee to investigate the activities of the axle load programme in the country to

enable the government to improve the programme’s effectiveness and efficiency.

The infectious smiles and beam­ing grin on the faces of children is one of life’s greatest joys. It also has a way of brightening even the darkest days.

Most children have their smiles dimmed because their parents have no means of providing them with their basic needs and rights.

While some have lost their child­hood to struggles of life, others have lost it to the cruelty of abuse, ne­glect and harsh realities of poverty.

Helping bridge the gap by putting smiles on faces of less privileged children, Reach out for a Child (ROFAC) is gradually becoming a household name in the Greater Accra Region, especially within the Ada and the Madina- Adenta enclave.

With the aim to improve education, healthcare, and facilities for the un­derprivileged group in Ghana, ROFAC believes that by improving school infrastructures, learning will be at­tractive to children, thus increasing attendance and providing a pleasant and safe learning environment.

ROFAC is a registered charity in Denmark which is run by volunteers, and invests every penny it receives into schools, children and the com­munities it supports.

In collaboration with its partners, ROFAC also offers a safe 24 hours, seven days a week consultation for street children and abused women.

Ms Yvonne Pedersen founded ROFAC in 2009 after she visited Ghana in 1997 and returned to Germany.

She then visited Ghana two years after moving to Denmark to visit family and friends and to research the cause of poverty and why the streets of Accra are full of children at hours they should be in school or at home with their parents, and heard stories that led to the birth of ROFAC.

Through her initiative, ROFAC has over the years, donated school furni­ture and writing boards for teach­ers and pupils at the Nuhalenya D/A Primary School in the Ada district, explaining that the organisation has been part of the growing process of the school since the year 2018 for which the head teacher, Mr Narh, together with teach­ers and some opinion leaders had always expressed their grat­itude to the team.

Speaking to The Spectator in Accra last Thursday, Ms Ped­erson said the organisation has also begun teaching Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in some basic schools, including Nuhanenya and Pauline Queenlands schools in the Ada district to equip young learners with essential skills that can help save lives during cardiac emergen­cies.

CPR is a lifesaving emergency procedure performed when the heart stops beating.

Introducing the CPR programme in the basic schools, she indicated would not only empower the chil­dren with practical knowledge but also promote a culture of safety and responsibility.

In this cause, ROFAC has been ad­vocating the subject matter to teach students the basic steps of CPR, including chest compressions and rescue breaths.

She mentioned that to educate children on recognising emergencies and the importance of seeking adult help will increase awareness of heart health.

As part of the safety measures, ROFAC has also introduce the idea of using child friendly mannequins for the learners to practice chest compressions and breathing tech­niques under the guidance of medical trainers.

The programme, she said, em­phasises on safety, including how to avoid panic and handle emergency situations calmly. The schedule for subsequent teaching children CPR will potentially assist in saving lives within their families and communi­ties.

“Implementing a CPR programme in basic schools is a valuable invest­ment in public health and safety. It empowers students with essential life-saving skills and fosters a sense of responsibility and confidence. By integrating CPR education into the curriculum, schools contribute to building safer communities,” she explained.

Ms Pedersen further indicated that the programme not only prepares children to respond to emergencies but also cultivates a generation of informed and proactive individuals.

ROFAC also embarked on another project by donating a laboratory incubator to the Duala Medical Clinic based at Burma Camp in Accra.

This follows a request made by the medical doctor in charge, Dr Awura Adjoa Nunoo, for the equipment for services at the facility.

By Lawrence Vomafa-Akpalu