A meeting between President Akufo-Addo, leadership of the National House of Chiefs and the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to discuss the illegal mining menace is currently underway in Kumasi. The discussions at the meeting are expected to provide the President and the stakeholders the opportunity to find realistic means of dealing with the problem, which is destroying water bodies and lands in parts of the country. It is taking place at Manhyia in the Ashanti Region, one of the regions worst hit by the galamsey canker. Ahead of the meeting, the Pressure group, OccupyGhana has asked President Akufo-Addo to immediately declare a state of emergency in all mining areas in the country. To them, this will help the President and his government streamline mining activities in the country. President Akufo-Addo meets chiefs and MMDCEs over galamseyIn a press release issued on Monday, October 3, it urged President Akufo-Addo to seek advice from the Council of State before publishing a Gazette on same. "We, therefore, request that you take immediate steps towards declaring a state of emergency in every mining area in Ghana" “In accordance with article 31(1) of the Constitution, these steps would be, first, seeking and obtaining the advice of the Council of State and, second, publishing a Proclamation of the declaration in the Gazette,” the group urged. Meanwhile, the Convenor of the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining, Dr Ken Ashigbey, has said the government’s failure to appropriately tackle the galamsey menace might be either because they are complicit in the illegality or they are incompetent. According to him, the failure of government to decisively deal with key persons who have been identified as being active participators and facilitators of galamsey in the country is rather telling on the government’s lack of commitment to the galamsey fight. Credit: Myjoyonline.com

Ghana, has once again makes her stance on the effective and responsible exploitation of fossil resources at the ongoing Africa Oil Week (AOW) in Cape Town, South Africa. The ongoing Africa Oil Week commenced on Monday 3rd October and is expected to end on Friday 7th October 2022. This year’s event stimulates a deeper conversation on the escalating debate between the need to strategically exploit fossil energy as against the global move to transition to clean and greener energy. The delegation is led by the Ghana High Commissioner to South Africa, Mr. Charles Owiredu and Deputy Minister for Energy and Member of Parliament (MP) for Karaga, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam. In a panel discussion on the opening day, Dr. Amin Adam shared with African leaders present, the decision of Ghana to continue utilising her fossil deposits to prevent stranded assets while striving to transition to cleaner forms of energy by having a net-zero emission target. It is indeed needful to say that similarly, the idea was evident in the submissions of other panelist. On the sides of the first day of the conference, the deputy minister interacted with the Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy in South Africa, Samson Gwede Mantashe as Ghana and South Africa share a strong bilateral relation. “One key factor every nation should be very mindful of in the petroleum enterprise is the conversation of Local Content and participation”, Dr. Amin said while addressing senior management members of Halliburton later on. "Ghana is very open to your support in other to build a more robust local content through capacity building” he added. Ghana aims at forming deeper ties and having conversations that would benefit her energy sector as the conference unfolds. This was on the back of the signing of an Agreement for Seismic acquisition between Petroleum Commission and Exploro Geoservices. Below are some pictures: Story by: Think News Online

Management of Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has opened up saying the recent rains and opening of the spill gates for the Bagre Dam in Burkina Faso has caused considerable havoc to some water treatment plants in the country. According to GWCL, it is assuring the public, that despite the challenges, it is in control and have put in measures to ameliorate the situation to minimize the impact on consumers. In a statement sighted by Thinknewsonline.com, it said "The Weija dam is currently at a level of 49.5ft as against the maximum operating level of 48ft. Spillage normally begins when the level gets to 46.5ft" The statement also mentioned that as a result, four (4) spill gates have been opened to safeguard the integrity of the dam, save the dam from collapse, and save lives and properties. At Jambusi in Wa, the Treatment Plant is said to be sited at the banks of the Black Volta, at the boundary between Ghana and Burkina Faso. The statement further stressed that the level of the river rose to a level of 13.8ft as against the maximum operating level of 13.0ft. "The high level of the river, coupled with run water from the rains, caused the flooding of the Pump House at the intake and production had to be curtailed at that point" "Nawuni-Dalun, Northern Region; the opening of the spill gates of the Bagre Dam in Burkina Faso raised the level of the Nawuni river where water is abstracted at Dalun and treated for the people of Tamale." The statement also hinted that two transformers that feed the treatment plant got damaged and power to the plant was curtailed. Due to the challenges, production has reduced, and Engineers from Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) are assisting GWCL to have it solved. Head of Public Relations and Communications, Stanley Martey said "Akyem Oda, Eastern Region; Water supply to Akyem Oda, Akwatia, Kade and surrounding communities have been curtailed because of the shutdown of the Akyem Oda Treatment Plant, due to the flooding of the pump house at the abstraction point (in-take point)" The flooding also caused damage to some equipment such as electronic control panels and pumps. At Densuano in the Eastern Region, residents of Koforidua are currently experiencing low pressure in some areas of the metropolis due to flooding of the plant at Densuano and this has affected all the equipment in the plant. "It is pertinent to note that there are similar situations occurring at Daboase in the Western Region, Winneba and Kwanyarko in the central region, and other areas, Management of the Ghana water Company limited wishes to assure the public and its cherished Customers, that Engineers of the company are on top of the situation and doing everything possible to forestall further eventualities" Below is a copy of the release: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation (MoCD) in collaboration with the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has formerly launched the National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM). The NCSAM is aimed at promoting capacity building and awareness creation to ultimately improve cyber security as well as strengthen the country'a national cyber resilience. Speaking on the theme, Regulating Cyber Security, A Public-Private Sector Collaborative Approach, the Deputy Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Pomaa-Boateng (MP) said "The theme was adopted to reflect the heightened need for cooperation between the private sector and state actors on cybersecurity Cooperation at the domestic levels which was essential for the successful implementation of the Cyber security Act, 2020 (Act 1038)." She underscored that celebrating the NCSAM also forms part of the global efforts to raise awareness on cybercrime trends, cybersecurity issues and cyber hygiene practices as well as to dialogue and highlight the growing cybersecurity issues under specific thematic areas. She stressed that there were various activities that have been earmarked for the month-long celebration as part of measures to enhance the public-private sector understanding of the Cyber security law. According to her, the celebration was again intended to provide the platform for industry players and stakeholders to make inputs into the activities currently being implemented by the CSA. This, she said was a follow-up on the 2021 activities which focused on the role of stakeholders in the implementation of the Cyber security Act which was passed into law last year. CSA Mandate The Acting Director-General of CSA, Dr. Albert Antwi-Boaiako emphasized the CSA'a mandate of protecting Critical Information Infrastructures (CIIs), pursuant to Sections 35 to 40 of the Cyber security Act, 2020 (Act 1038); coordinating Incident Response in both private and public sectors, pursuant to Sections 41 to 48; awareness creation on Cyber security matters, pursuant to Section 60 and other related functions of the Authority require collaboration for effective implementation. "In addition, the nature of the cyberspace and associated technologies including the internet, requires international collaboration for effective response to cyber security incidents. Consequently, this year’s celebration is to highlight the need for such collaborations and encourage the needed partnerships to implement Act 1038" Background In July 2017, His Excellency the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, directed the then Ministry of Communications to oversee Cyber security development in Ghana and pursuant to that effect the National Cyber Security Secretariat was established to coordinate Ghana’s Cyber security efforts by implementing strategic initiatives for a secure and resilient digital Ghana. The Secretariat transitioned into the National Cyber Security Centre and is now, the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), following the passage of the Cyber security Act, 2020 (Act 1038) in December 2020. The period leading to the passage of the Act witnessed a number of critical interventions, as government anticipated the need for a robust Cyber security to support our country’s digital transformation agenda. Again, the Convention on Cybercrime, also known as the Budapest Convention and the African Union Convention on Cyber Security & Personal Data Protection also known as the Malabo Convention were adopted and ratified by Parliament. Subsequently, the annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) was also institutionalized, making October each year, a month for cyber security awareness creation. Programs Implementation by the Ministry Ms. Pomaa-Boateng noted that the launch of the Cybercrime/Cyber security Incident Reporting Points of Contact (PoC) in October 2019 had achieved impact as it provided citizens with multiple avenues and channels to report cyber-related incidents and to receive assistance and guidance from CSA. "This year alone, as at the end of the third quarter, a total of 9,769 contacts have been received through the various points of contact of which 431 were recorded as actual Cyber security incidents and 5,389 as direct advisories. This means that, over 5,000 incidents which could have caused various degrees of losses to victims were prevented, and several amounts of money saved. The top five most reported incidents include Online Fraud, Unauthorised Access to protected systems, Online Blackmail, Online Impersonation and Publication of Non-consensual Intimate Images" she mentioned. She said the development of the Computer Emergency Response Ecosystem by the ministry has brought improvement in incident reporting and response, specifically in the financial and telecommunications sectors. She said the government also partnered with the Council of Europe and the World Bank, to organise capacity building and training for judges, prosecutors, and other key stakeholders in cybercrime prevention and electronic evidence gathering for effective prosecution of cybercrimes and computer aided offences. These developments established the critical pillars of Ghana’s national Cyber security development. Consequently, the 2020 ITU Global Cyber security Index (GCI) report scored Ghana's Cyber security development at 86.69%, a major improvement from our earlier rating in 2017 which was 32.6%. Participation The program was highly participated including representation for Office of the Vice President, H.E Dr. Alhaji Mahamud Bawumia; the Minister For National Security, Hon. Albert Kan Dapaah; the Minister for Information, Hon. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah (MP); the Chief Executive Officer (CEO)of the Rwandan National Cyber Security Authority Colonel David Kanamugire ; the Chairman of the National Information and Communications Technology Institute of Mozambique, Prof. Lourino Alberto Chemane; Member of the Diplomatic Corps; Parliamentary Select Committee on Communications; Board of Directors; Heads of Security and State Institutions; CEOs from Private Sector institutions; representatives from Civil Society Organisations and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana academic community. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Pupils of President John Evans Atta Mills Junior High School have won a quiz competition organised by National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) Ablekuma Central Municipal Assembly in Accra. The two hours competition saw schools such as Kaneshie West 1 Junior High School, Kaneshie clash with President John Dramani Mahama Junior High School, Salvation; President John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills Junior High School, Salvation and Presbyterian Junior High School, Black Smith. The fierce contest saw President John Evans Atta Mills Junior High School win the first round with so much ease. In the second round, Kaneshie West 1 Junior High School gained their momentum and matched President John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills Junior High School boot for boot. Presbyterian Junior High School, Black Smith on the other hand were struggling in both first and second rounds. In the third round, Kaneshie West 1 Junior High School took charge of the competition, answering almost all the question. The surprise turn-around from Kaneshie West 1 Junior High School shook President John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills Junior High School. However, President John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills Junior High School managed to answer a bonus and main question which won them the ultimate trophy. At the end of the competition, President John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills Junior High School secured 47 points while Kaneshie West 1 Junior High School, Kaneshie scored 44 points. President John Dramani Mahama Junior High School, Salvation got 32 points while Presbyterian Junior High School, Black Smith got 30 points. In an exclusive interview with Thinknewsonline.com, Municipal Coordinator, Ablekuma Central, Abdulai Alhassan commended the NCCE for coming up with such competition. He also revealed that the competition will not only broaden the learning skills of the pupils but also empower then to know more about the constitution of the country. He joshed saying some of the questions being asked eluded him adding that he would have failed if asked. He called the Ghana Education Service to make Civil Education a compulsory subject in schools. On her part, Municipal Director Ablekuma Central Municipal Office, NCCE, Comfort Azalletey thanked teachers of the various schools for their great jobs. She charged them to do more in order to churn out brilliant pupils for the future. Madam Comfort Azalletey also thanked her team and the special guests for throwing their support in making the quiz a success. The pupils who partook in the quiz competition also thanked the organisers. They promised to study hard. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

A middle-aged lady, Madam Philomena Dzogbo has won the Most Distinguished Borla Woman of the Year 2022 Award. She was presented a plaque and a luxurious plus hotel accommodation with meals all for free for a period of one month at the AH Hotel within East Legon. Madam Dzogbo is a sweeper with Zoomlion snd stationed under the capital of the La Nkwantanang Municipal Assembly Madina. In an interview with Madam Dzogbo, she is inspired by the rewards by God than worldly possessions. "I look at how God made everything so beautifully and perfectly and that has inspired me to want to continue to dedicate my life for environmental cleanliness" she said. "I work the whole day without complain making sure Madina is clean and hoping that God has seen my sacrifices without thinking about what salary or position I occupy" Madam Dzogbo intimated. She said she will continue to work hard for a better Ghana and expressed great satisfaction about her award. She was thankful to the organizers of the awards and encourage her colleague sweepers to give the work all their best for their time will certainly come as she was not expectant of any recognition. The Ghana Environmental and Sanitation Awards is organised for the first time by the founder and CEO, Nana Yaw Kwakye-Boadu. Several people were recognised and awarded with plaques and citation including eight subsidiaries of the Jospong Group of Companies (JGC) namely, Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Sewerage Systems Ghana Limited, Metropolitan and Allied Waste Management Services and One Million Bin Project among others. The Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, Mr. Ernest Morgan Acquah, General Manager of Metropolitan and Allied Waste Management Services, Ms, Patricia Ofori Atta, Senior Communications Officer of Zoomlion and many others were awarded at the awards night at the AH Hotel in Accra. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Jospong Group of Companies (JGC) triumph as it grabbed Eight (8) prestigious awards at the just ended maiden edition of the Ghana Environmental & Sanitation Awards, (GESA) 2022. The Ghana Environmental Sanitation Awards (GESA) is a pace setting annual awards scheme that seek to encourage Government, Public Sector, Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and all individuals and institutions to create synergies to work towards achieving the set goals in the Environment and Sanitation value chain to attained the sustainable development goals (SDG GOAL 6, 13 and 14). The event took place at the AH Hotel and Conference within American House in East Legon, Accra. In his remarks, Mr. Nana Yaw Kwakye-Boadu, Founder and CEO of GESA, thanked his team, headline sponsors, partners especially AH HOTEL and congratulated all awardees for their hardworking and passion in environmental and sanitation promotion. He encouraged awardees to excel and continue to advocate for positive change towards environment and Waste Management. He also announced that his organisation and the AH Hotel under the support of Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong would give a one month free accomodation to Madam Philomena Dzogbo, a sweeper based in the Madina area who won the maiden Borla Woman of the Year. This is to appreciate her selfless, hardworking, passionate, enthusiastic and dedicated work in the area of environmental and sanitation promotion. He alluded " Madam Philomena Dzogbo known as Borla Police in the Adenta and Madina Municipalities would be given special treatment at AH Hotel for the one month period which will included free breakfast, launch and dinner of her choice among others. The Executive Chairman of Jospong Group of Companies Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong won the Environmental and Sanitation Man of the Decade, Most Impactful Clean Ghana organization went to Zoomlion Ghana Limited, while Sewage System Ghana Limited was adjudged Most Impactful Waste Management Organization of the Year. The Most Impactful Clean Ghana Campaign Project went to One Million Bins Project as the Most Borla Woman in Ghana Award went to Madam. Philomena Dzogbo (a. k. a. Borla Police) and Mr. Edmond Nana Otu Yeboah, an Assistant Communications Officer at Zoomlion grabbed the Distinguished and Most Competitive Award which was Most Influential Blogger/ Vlogger in Environmental & Sanitation Promotion of the Year. Other Awards received were; Distinguished Service & Environmental Sanitation Management which was won by Mr. Ernest Morgan Acquah (General Manager of Metropolitan Waste and Allied Services), Ms. Patricia Ofori Atta, a Senior Communications Officer, Zoomlion Ghana Limited was recognized as the Distinguished Service in Environmental & Sanitation Communications. The Awards were received on behalf of the Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies, Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Sewage System Ghana Limited, and 1 million Bin Campaign Project Team, by Ms. Emma Adwoa Appiaa Osei-Duah, Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs of Zoomlion Ghana Limited and was supported by Mr. Ernest Morgan Acquah and three Senior Communications Officers at Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Mr. Francis Atayure Abirigo, Patricia Ofori Atta and Mohammed Adams Mahama. Receiving the award, Ms. Emma A. A. Osei-Duah dedicated the award to the Zoomlion staff, Sewage System Ghana Limited hardworking Staff, and the entire Jospong Group of Companies' employees for their passion, dedication and hard work which has brought such honours to the group. She thanked the Executive Chairman, Dr. Joseph siaw Agyepong, Management and the entire amazing employees of Jospong Group. "We are grateful for your votes, support and enthusiastic work to project the brand to the world, God bless us all". She also expressed her appreciation to the organizers for organizing such a prestigious awards. Other Individual and company awardees at the event included Most Beautiful Ghana Advocate, Most Impactful Green Ghana Promotion Advocate, Most Influential Broadcast Media Organization in Environmental & Sanitation Promotion, Most Influential Personality (Show Host) in Environmental & Sanitation and more. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council has indeed began the enforcement of its most touted and campaigned clean Accra law enforcement project dubbed "Operation Clean Your Frontage". The operation is jointly executed with Zoomlion Ghana Limited, the Ghana Armed Forces, the Metropolitan and Municipal Assemblies and other interested partners. The core aim of the operations is to enhance enforcement of the “Operation Clean Your Frontage” bye-law. Interestingly, the exercise provides the opportunity for the Environmental Health Officers to take immediate action against Households and Businesses that have not maintained a clean frontage and sanitised environment. In concurrent terms, warnings and compliance notices are issued instantaneously once the joint team arrived at one's frontage and notices your surroundings are not clean. The Environmental Health Officers also take the advantage to engage households and businesses who have not subscribed to solid waste management service provision to do so. The Zoomlion team supports with technical assistance, equipment and men while the Millitary Team carters for operations. Addressing the Taskforce, the Coordinator, Col. Kofi Amissah Mensah (Rtd), said enough education has already gone down and the team is here to enhance the enforcement of the bye-law and nothing else. According to him, the taskforce will deal ruthlessly with anybody who disobeys the law by making people forcefully clean their frontage, issue summons and cause arrest of culprits for misconduct. Col. Amissah Mensah therefore warned that any material or property that blocks the roads will also be either destroyed or towed away. "Be prepared to clean your own environment under duress if you decide not to do it before we arrive". The Executive Chairman of Zoomlion Ghana Limited Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, assured the team that his presence and that of his staff and equipment will continue everyday for the period of three months to instill discipline in the people so as to keep the city clean. The exercise will cover all MMDAs in Accra. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

A Senior Communications Officer at Zoomlion Ghana Limited (ZGL), a subsidiary of the Jospong Group of Companies (JGC), Ms. Patricia Ofori-Atta, has received an honouring award in Environmental Communications. The award ceremony, which came off Saturday, October 1, 2022 in Accra, was meant to recognise persons who have distinguished themselves in the environmental and sanitation space. Ms. Ofori Atta was recognised for her instrumental role in environmental communication ensuring that the environment was given the due respect. Being the maiden edition of award scheme organised by the Ghana Environmental Sanitation-Award (GESA), sponsored by Zoomlion Ghana Limited, it formed part of the numerous measures to champion and encourage players in the sanitation management space to ensure sustainability of the environment. Ms. Ofori-Atta's award was a unique recognition of her relentless effort in the sanitation sector as monitored by individuals, the organisers and groups in making sure there was always a healthy environment across the country. As an experienced multimedia practitioner with extensive background in waste management, results and performance-driven professional with over eighteen years of communication experience in journalism and marketing, Ms. Ofori-Atta is committed to providing adequate information on the protection of the environment. She holds a Master of Arts in Media Management, Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) and was adjudged the overall best student and a BSc Administration (Human Resources Management, GIMPA, with a Diploma in Communications Studies in Journalism from the Manifold Information Technology (MIT). Before joining Zoomlion, Patricia worked with media houses including The Public Agenda Newspaper, Choice FM and also had a one-year national service at the Graphic Communications Group (Junior Graphic) as the Administrative Assistant. At her current employment with Zoomlion, she works at the Communication set up with other positions within the Jospong Group of Companies holding in trust the oversight responsibility of ensuring that the team of media personnel engaged provide media coverage for the subsidiary companies of the JGC. In an interview with journalists after receiving the award, Ms. Ofori-Atta was positive the award will impact immensely on her job. "This award simply tells me that whatever I was doing, there were people observing. I, therefore, entreat everyone to do whatever entrusted into his or her hand with a sense of urgency," she advised. Meanwhile on the night Zoomlion bagged seven awards in total. These were Environmental and Sanitation Man of the Decade, which award went to the Executive Chairman of the JGC, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong; Distinguished Service in Environmental and Sanitation Communications, Ms. Patricia Ofori Atta, a Senior Communications Officer, and; Distinguished Service and Environmental Sanitation Management, Mr. Ernest Morgan Acquah, General Manager of Metropolitan Waste and Allied Services). The rest were Most influential Blogger/Vlogger in Environmental and Sanitation Promotion 2022, Edmond Otu Yeboah, Assistant Communications Officer; Sewage System Ghana Limited, Most Impactful Waste Management Organisation of the Year; Most committed Borla Woman in Ghana, Madam Philomena Dzogbo, Borla Police, and; Most Impactful Clean Ghana Campaign Project. 1 Million Bin. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Economic Organised Crime Office’s (EOCO), Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) has arrested seven suspected cyber fraudsters at Mahean in the Greater Accra Region. MyNewsGh.com gathers the suspects all Nigerians had set up a sophisticated system where they with Ghana’s Internet Protocol address system and engaging in cyber fraud. According to sources available to this website, the suspects all males, succeeded in kidnapping about 21 colleague Nigerians into the country and camped them at a house in Ashaiman where these cyber-related activities were ongoing before the arrest. The suspects whose identities have been withheld, are currently in custody and would be arraigned before court on Monday, October 3, 2022. The rescued victims are currently being held at an undisclosed location according to a source at the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana with efforts underway to repatriate them. It has however been confirmed that the main architect is in Nigeria and receives the proceeds of cyber activities after which he pays some stipends to his employees aged between 18-35. Security agencies have since seized over 20 laptops used in the operations.Between 2016 and 2018, the country lost over US$200 million to recorded cybercrime cases. According to the Ghana Police Service, more than half of these reported cases were linked to fraud. Police also recorded an increase in cyber crimes in the country from 116 in 2016 to 412 in 2017 and further to 558 in 2018. The major forms of cybercrime were hacking, credit card fraud, software piracy and cyber identity theft. Source: MyNewsGh.com

Media General, an Accra-based media organisation has signed Tik Tok Influencer, Felicia Osei. The media organisation took to its Facebook page to announce the news. Felicia Osei's role at Media General has however not been made known to the public. The announcement has generated lots of mixed reactions on the Facebook. Thinknewsonline.com will update its readers on new developments. Below is a screenshot: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Ghana Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has hosted a delegation from Rwanda FDA led by the Deputy Director General, Madam Umuhoza Martine on a 5-day study tour from the 26th to 30th of September 2022. The visit was pursuant to provisions in a Memorandum of Understanding between the Rwandan FDA and the Ghana FDA dated 24th June, 2022. The study tour forms part of a capacity-building program aimed at supporting Rwanda FDA in attaining the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Benchmarking Tool (GBT) Maturity Level Three (ML3). The WHO GBT, which is divided into 4 levels is an instrument to strengthen medical products regulation and promote universal health coverage. It represents the primary means by which the WHO objectively evaluates regulatory systems. Also, it indicates that a National Medicine Regulatory body’s system is well functioning and integrates all required elements to guarantee its stable performance. In April 2020, the Ghana FDA became the second and one of only two countries of WHO African Region’s 47 countries to have attained a Level 3 ranking. This means that the Authority had strengthened its medicines regulatory system to ensure safety, quality and effectiveness of medical products manufactured, imported or distributed within the country. In a welcome ceremony led by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Health Products and Technologies, Mr. Seth Seneake on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Delese Darko, presentations were made from both Ghana and the Rwandan FDA teams on their scope of operations especially in the areas of Market Authorization and Pharmacovigilance. Some of the objectives of the benchmarking visit were to seek learning opportunities to strengthen their technical operations, enhance participants knowledge in the enforcement of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Good Clinical Practices (GCP) and Good Distribution Practices (GDP) as well as the adoption of a risk-based approach to regulatory inspections and laboratory testing. During the visit, the delegation led by a team from Ghana FDA conducted a GMP inspection at Unichem Ghana Limited and Good Distribution Practices and Good Storage Practice inspection at East Cantonments Pharmacy Limited to enhance their knowledge and skills in these regulatory enforcement activities. At the end of the study tour, Dr. Raymond Muganga on behalf of Rwanda FDA expressed gratitude to the Ghana FDA for the warm reception received and the unique learning opportuning this visit has offered. He added that the team had acquired a lot of knowledge which is expected to build the capacity of Rwanda FDA in preparation towards its attainment of WHO ML3 in the near future. Speaking on the next steps, Patrick K. Rugambya of the Rwanda team said that following the end of the study tour, a team from Ghana FDA had started to review some of Rwanda FDA’s regulatory tools and is expected to receive comments for considerations. In addition, Rwanda FDA looks forward to further peer learning opportunities with a visit from some staff of the FDA Ghana for further coaching and mentorship. FDA led by Mr. Seth Seneake in his concluding remarks congratulated the delegation for their hard work and dedication towards this exercise. He intimated that this has been of mutual benefits to both regulatory authorities and the FDA looks forward to augmenting this partnership for the advancement of the course of effective continental medicine regulation. Below are some pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith