New risk management practices needed to safeguard transport, supply chain networks – WEF

News Ghana
-
0

 

A World Economic Forum report released January 25, 2012 calls for new models to address supply chain and transport risks.

The report, New Models for Addressing Supply Chain and Transport Risks, produced in collaboration with Accenture, highlights the urgent need to review risk management practices to keep pace with rapidly changing contingencies facing the supply chain, transport, aviation and travel sectors.

US Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano reinforced the report’s warning. “We must continue to strengthen global supply chains to ensure that they operate effectively in time of crisis; recover quickly from disruptions; and facilitate international trade and travel,” she said.  “As part of this effort, we look forward to working closely with our international partners in the public and private sector to build a more secure and resilient global supply chain.”

Trends such as globalization, lean processes, mass travel and the geographical concentration of production have made supply chain and transport networks more efficient, but have also changed their risk profile.

Major disruptions in the past five years – including the global financial crisis, the Yemen parcel bomb scare, flooding in Thailand and the Japanese earthquake and tsunami – have highlighted how risks outside the control of individual organizations can have unintended consequences that cannot be mitigated by one organization alone. Encouragingly, more than 90% of those surveyed by the World Economic Forum and Accenture initiative indicate that supply chain and transport risk management has become a greater priority in their organization over the past five years.

“General uncertainty in the global economy and the increasing sophistication of supply chains naturally breeds concern around network efficiency and vulnerability,” said Frank Appel, Chief Executive Officer, Deutsche Post DHL. “Our industries are working through the World Economic Forum’s Supply Chain & Transport Risk Initiative to understand and improve systemic resilience, for the benefit of business and society.”

“The World Economic Forum has identified opportunities for improving risk mitigation and building resilience across networks,” said Elaine Dezenski, Senior Director, Risk Response Network, of the World Economic Forum. “Global supply chain and transport networks form the backbone of the global economy, and the report is a call to action for the international community – business and government – to continue improving coordination and collaboration in order to effectively address these risks.”

The report is based on input from executives participating in the Forum’s Industry Partnership programmes in automotive, aviation and logistics, and an interview series and survey involving some of the world’s foremost academic, industry and government experts.

It identifies the most significant threats to supply chains and transport networks: natural disasters, conflict and political unrest, sudden demand shocks, export/import restrictions and terrorism.

It also highlights the vulnerabilities undermining the resilience of networks: reliance on oil, availability of shared information, fragmentation of value chains, extensive subcontracting and lack of supplier visibility.

The report identifies risk management priorities requiring further development. These tools need to be integrated into the broader strategic framework of organizations: collaborative and trusted networks, effective risk legislation and incentivization, appropriate data and information sharing, improved quantification metrics and enhanced scenario planning.

CEOs meeting at the Annual Meeting in Davos discussed five key recommendations for business and governments to enhance risk understanding and management: improve international and inter-agency compatibility of resilience standards and programmes; explicitly assess supply chain and transport risks as part of procurement, management and governance processes; develop trusted networks of suppliers, customers, competitors and governments focused on risk management; improve network risk visibility through two-way information sharing and collaborative development of standardized risk assessment and quantification tools; improve pre- and post-event communication on systemic disruptions.

Source: World Economic Forum

Court remands 19-year Nigerian for stealing

News Ghana
-
0

A 19-year-old Nigerian who allegedly broke into a house at Anyinam New Site in Kumasi and made away with items valued at GH¢2,880.00 has been remanded into prison custody by a Kumasi Circuit Court.

Benjamin Obiola Ameka and his accomplice, one Kwame, now on the run, were said to have also poisoned three dogs in the house to pave way for the burglary.

He is charged with conspiracy, unlawful entry and cruelty to animals, causing unlawful damage and stealing.

The accused pleaded not guilty and would re-appear on February 2.

Police Inspector Kwabena Oduro told the court presided over by Justice William Boampong that the complainant, Seth Osei Twumasi, resides at Anyinam New Site.

He said on January 15, on his return from church service he found that his bedroom and four other rooms in the house had been broken into with his laptop computer, digital camera, jewelries, two modems, cellular phone and cash of GH¢450.00, stolen and the locks to his wardrobes and drawers were all destroyed.

Three of the four dogs that had been providing security in the house were also found dead and one left badly sick.

The prosecution said a witness in the case, who had seen Obiola hovering around Twumasi’s house assisted in his arrest and during a search in his room, the missing jewelries were found.

Source: GNA

African leaders call for continent’s greater market integration

News Ghana
-
0

South Africa President – Jacob Zuma

African leaders called for greater market integration on the continent, the freeing-up of border controls and more coordination in developing infrastructure, with Alpha Condé, President of Guinea, advocating the establishment of several pan-African ministries to drive this process.

“At the next African Union meeting, we must consider establishing three or four ministers for all of Africa,” said Condé. “These new posts should at least cover energy, infrastructure and trade in Africa.”

Jacob G. Zuma, President of South Africa, said much work has already been done on increasing cooperation among African states, such as the agreement among leaders last year on the need for a free trade zone. He said in-principle decisions have been taken at the African Union on coordinating infrastructure projects.

Zuma warned that developing common infrastructure would be useless unless restrictions on the movement of people and goods across borders are eased, as bottlenecks at border posts are a major problem on the continent. The South African president added that leaders also need to develop a common understanding on natural resources. Discussions are needed on the local beneficiation of resources and how resource exploitation can best benefit Africa.

“For centuries we have not determined for ourselves how we deal with our resources. We need that discussion now,” said Zuma.

Jakaya M. Kikwete, President of Tanzania, said a common market in Africa could be achieved through the integration and merging of current regional trade groupings. This process would be furthered by building a trans-African highway. “Cecil Rhodes wanted to build a Cape-to-Cairo road for colonial purposes, but now we can do it for our own purposes,” he said.

Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, backed Condé’s call for ministries at the Africa level.

He said the coordination of multi-country infrastructure projects is currently being handled by the African Union agency, NEPAD. “Capacity building is already happening across Africa, with many partners involved, including India and China,” Zenawi added.

“We cannot wish a common African government into existence,” continued Zenawi. “It is a slow process of integration.” He pointed to the example of Europe, which integrated over the course of about 50 years, yet is still encountering problems.

Raila Amolo Odinga, Prime Minister of Kenya, said great progress has been made in developing democratic governance throughout Africa. It is now critical that ordinary African people receive the “democracy dividend” through greater empowerment in their lives.

Source: World Economic Forum

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation commits $750m to Global Fund

News Ghana
-
0

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has committed an amount of $750 million to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Mr. Bill Gates, Co-Chair of the Gates Foundation, on January 26, 2012 made the announcement at the ongoing 2012 World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.

“The Gates Foundation is giving $750 million through a promissory note – a new and innovative funding mechanism,” the WEF said in a statement copied to ghanabusinessnews.com.

Providing funding through a promissory note gives the Global Fund the flexibility and authority to distribute funds efficiently based on immediate needs, leading to greater impact.

“These are tough economic times, but that is no excuse for cutting aid to the world’s poorest. The Global Fund is one of the most effective ways we invest our money in every year,” the statement quoted Bill Gates as saying.

“By supporting the Global Fund, we can help to change the fortunes of the poorest countries in the world,” Gates added.

The new commitment is in addition to the $650 million the Gates Foundation has already contributed since the Global Fund was launched 10 years ago, according to the statement.

The Global Fund financing helps developing countries fighting against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. This public-private partnership creates economic opportunity and makes those living in poverty less dependent on aid.

By Ekow Quandzie/ghanabusinessnews.com

View the original article here

About 1,400 graduates to undergo entrepreneurial skills training

News Ghana
-
0

About 1,400 graduates have registered with the Graduate Business Support Scheme (GEBSS) to be given training in entrepreneurial skills and to have access to credit to open their own businesses.

About 10,000 unemployed graduates are projected to benefit from the scheme that is a public/private  sector initiative that will take off this year.

Ms Enam Gbekor, the National Coordinator of the GEBSS, told the GNA in an interview that that the first batch of successful applicants would be taken through a business development phase to enable them to have the ability to spot opportunities to set up their own businesses.

Phase two involves 2,000 participants to be supported to produce good business plans that will attract funding from targeted sources.

Ms Gbekor said at the third level, 500 beneficiaries would be professionally guided and attached to local industries to gain experience including incubation support to set up their own businesses.

The final level, level four which is the ultimate, will involve 100 beneficiaries who will receive executive-level mentorship and overseas exposure and support to set up 100 trans-generational businesses  in Ghana.

She said branches of the scheme had been opened in Accra, Kumasi, Tamale and Takoradi to make it easy for those interested in the programme to register.

The Tamale office will cater for applicants from the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions, the Kumasi office will handle those from Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions, the Takoradi office will take care of applicants from the Central and Western regions and the Accra office will take care of applicants from the Volta, Eastern and Greater Accra regions.

Source: GNA

Oil marketing firms say fuel price hikes impact on operations negatively

News Ghana
-
0

The Association of Oil Marketing Companies (AOMCs) on Tuesday revealed that increases in fuel prices had impacted negatively on the operation of downstream oil marketing companies.

“The reality on the marketing field is OMCs make very low return on their investment, therefore when fuel prices are increased, what it means is that the OMCs require additional capital to lift the same quantity of fuel at the new price.

“For example, for petrol, if an OMC lifts 1,000,000 litres in a month at GH¢1.0886 per litre, the total amount required to lift such quantity of fuel is GH¢1,088,600.

“If the price is increased to GH¢1.3127 per litre (15 per cent increase), an OMC requires GH¢1,317,700 to lift the same quantity of fuel which in effect requires additional capital of GH¢224,100,” Mr Kwaku Agyemang Duah, AOMC Industrial Coordinator told the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Accra.

He said: “Cost of sales increases by 20.59 per cent without a corresponding increase in margin. An added upshot of fuel price increase on OMCs is that cost of capital also increases”.

Mr Agyemang Duah explained that the OMCs’ had the option to decide whether to finance with debt or equity…”Financing the GH¢224,100 with equity would require payment of dividend annually – either preference or ordinary shareholders to shareholders.”

“Moreover, in Ghana, most of the OMCs’ are not listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) so cost of marketing the shares of unlisted companies will also be high”.

The AOMCs Industrial Coordinator said, “If the OMCs’ decide to finance the extra capital requirement with debt, it has to pay monthly interest on the loan…we should not forget the fact that some loans come with restrictive covenants.

“With reference to our example, assuming an average interest rate of 25 per cent, the OMCs’ will pay GH¢56,025 as interest on the loan.

“It is pertinent to note that a significant number of OMCs’ cannot raise the GH¢224,100 additional capital to finance their operations looking at their financial position so they would like to trade with the available working capital.

“An OMC which used to lift 1,000,000 litres at GH¢1.0886 will lift 829,283 litres at GH¢1.3127 per month”.

Mr Agyemang Duah said since the OMC did not get an increase in margin, it was expected that it sold more products to make up for the lost margin but in such a situation, the cost of sales went up while there was financial constraints on how much litres it could lift to sell at a reduced quantity of 829,283 litres.

He explained that when fuel prices were increased, the regulatory authority expected that products would be sold at the prevailing new prices which meant that the prices quoted on the dispensers had to be changed overnight and also billboards.

“It also cost OMCs GH¢200.00 per machine to contract expert to their various stations all over the country to replace the old prices with the new prices…not forgetting the distance and the time constraints.

“Increase in fuel prices results in general price increase of goods and services which in effect increases the general cost of operation by an OMC without a corresponding increase in margin.

“Increase in operating cost which is a recurrent expenditure would have to be financed with the existing margin including the fact that employees would expect an increase in salaries and wages since increase in fuel prices affect the standard of living of the ordinary Ghanaian, especially their colleagues in the public sector are enjoying the almighty single spine,” the Industrial Coordinator stated.

Mr Agyemang Duah said the imperative factor with the issue of fuel price increase was the fact that it did not make OMCs effective distributors.

He suggested that the way forward was for OMCs to obtain an increase in margins to be able to recover their cost and operate effectively by sending products to every part of the country.

Source: GNA

Kenya’s tea export earnings hit 1.27 billion USD in 2011

-
0

NAIROBI , (Xinhua) — Kenya ’s weak shilling lifted tea export earnings to reach 1.27 billion U.S. dollars in 2011, up from 1.13 billion dollars in 2010, a government official said on Wednesday.

Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture Gideon Ndambuki

An Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture Gideon Ndambuki told journalists in Nairobi the tea sector recorded a 12 percent increase in earnings despite lower export volume due to a depreciated shilling and strong price of tea.

“The export earnings for 2011 which stood at 1.27 billion dollars were the highest the industry has ever recorded, due to weakening of the shilling against the dollar coupled with improve prices,” Ndambuki said.

“During the year 2011, Kenya ’s tea export volume reached 421 million kilograms which was slightly lower compared to 441 million kilograms recorded in 2010,” he added.

Ndambuki said that the average exchange rate was 88.6 to the dollar in 2011 compared to 79.2 to the dollar recorded in the previous year.

“Due to Kenya ’s good quality of tea, only a few countries including Sri Lanka recorded better auction prices than Kenya ,” the assistant minister added.

“The cumulative local tea consumption stood at 20 million kilograms valued at 128 million dollars, up 7 percent from 2010, where 18.7 million kilograms of the beverage worth 119 million dollars was sold locally,” Ndambuki said.

He said that over the past five years local consumption has been growing at an average rate of 3 percent annually.

Agriculture Permanent Secretary (PS) Dr Romano Koome said the country’s five traditional export markets accounted for 70 percent of total exports, while the other 49 markets accounted for remaining 30 percent volume.

“ Pakistan was the leading export destination having imported 80. 8 million kilograms or 19 percent of all the volume,” Koome said.

The other key markets were Egypt , which imported 79.9 million kilograms, Britain accounted for 68.3 million kilograms, Afghanistan 44.4 million kilograms and Sudan 26.1 million kilograms.

Kiome said that among the key markets, Pakistan recorded a growth of 6 percent in volume compared to 2010 due to a continued reduction in incidences of commodity smuggling from neighboring Afghanistan .

“Exports to Egypt , which was the largest market for Kenyan tea in 2010, declined by 14 percent largely due to political unrest within the Arab country at the beginning of last year,” he added.

“Tea volumes destined to Britain declined by 6 percent, while Afghanistan and Sudan also reduced volumes by 10 and 16 percent respectively. The lower export volumes to Sudan was attributed to a shortage of foreign exchange in the country due to reduction in revenue after the country lost 75 percent of its oil reserves to South Sudan following the secession in 2011,” he added.

Koome said that deliberate efforts to develop emerging markets are paying off, as these new markets experienced the largest increase in volumes in 2011. Compared to 2010, export volumes to Russia , China , Iran rose by 11 percent, 40 percent and 70 percent respectively in 2011.

The PS said that there has been a global trend of declining consumption of tea except in countries that have large population such as China and India .

“In Europe and North America tea is considered an old style habit and so the youth in these nations are going for other beverage options such as juices and soft drinks,” he said.

“We hope to tap the huge youth market in foreign counties by introducing attractive and innovative types of tea in order to boost our export volumes even further,” Koome said.

Tea Board of Kenya MD Sicily Kariuki said that the tea sector surmounted the production challenges occasioned by hot and dry conditions in the beginning of 2011 and frostbite towards the end of the year to post record earnings.

“The Tea Board of Kenya estimates around 10.4 million dollars worth of tea has been affected by the frostbite already,” she said. “Already 2 percent of all areas under tea have been affected by the frostbite,” she said.

Kariuki said that the country’s production for the first quarter of 2012 will be impacted negatively by the dry weather spell and the frostbite that has affected parts of the tea growing areas.

“We are projecting that production for the first quarter of 2012 will likely drop by 17 percent from 85 million kilograms recorded during the same period in 2011 to about 70 million kilograms,” she added.

“Consequently, this is likely to affect production for the year marginally by 2 percent from the 377 million kilograms recorded in 2011 to 369 million kilograms,” the managing director said.

However, Kariuki said that due to expected firm prices at the auction, Kenya ’s tea export earnings for the year 2012 should reach 1.34 billion dollars thereby surpassing the 2011 record of 1. 27 billion dollars.

FUEL SUBSIDY REMOVAL: ACTORS STORM NATIONAL THEATRE FOR JONATHAN’S LARGESSE.

News Ghana
-
0

Recall that weeks back,we served you a report on how top Nollywood stakeholders gathered at Eko Hotel and Suites,Victoria Island,Lagos state on December 30,2011 to partake from the “Ghana-must-go” load of Naira notes remitted to the industry by President Goodluck Jonathan to help encourage the actors to support the fuel subsidy removal.

On that day,each Nollywood personality who received text messages from the organizing committee and had their names on the long list of members that got N200,000)(Two Hundred Thousand Naira) as their share.But it seemed that cash was not enough to get them campaigning for removal of subsidy,so on Sunday,January,9, 2012 these top film makers.including all the once upon a time actors streamed to the National Theatre,Iganmu Lagos to continue with the allocation of the millions forwarded to them by President Jonathan through his representative,this time,Information Minister,Labaran Maku.

As gathered by reliable sources,at late hours of Saturday and early hours of Sunday,test messages were circulated among these stakeholders and the numerous out of work actors to come out en mass to National Theatre for what they tagged,”Nollywood Communique on Fuel Subsidy Removal”.

These actors,including Chief Chika Okpala a.k.a Chief Zebrudaya who traveled all the way from Enugu State gathered to get their personal share from this National Cake.

It was yet another day of great merriment with food and drinks as everybody who received the test message went home with white envelops filled with N100 notes of N100,000(One hundred Thousand Naira).

According to our source,individuals who got the freebies at Eko Hotel few weeks back,equally stormed the National Theatre for more and indeed they went home with white envelopes too.

View the original article here

18th AU Summit / Inauguration of the new AU Conference Complex

APO
-
0


18th AU Summit / Inauguration of the new AU Conference Complex

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, January 27, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — INVITATION

When: 28th of January 2012 starting from 4pm

Where: New AU Conference Complex, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Who: Organized by the African Union Commission. The AU will officially inaugurate its new Conference Center on January 28. Built on a land of 110 000 m² offered by the government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, this center was generously built by the People’s Republic of China within the framework of the cooperation between Africa and China.

A 113 m high block of the building offers all facilities of a conference center of international standard. The AU will be able to host big events and comply with the expectation of an expanding international organization.

The official inauguration ceremony will be attended by Mr. Jia Qinglin, Chairman of National Committee of the People’s Political Consultative Conference; Mr. Teodoro Obiang Nguema, President of Equatorial Guinee and current Chairperson of the African Union; Mr. Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; Mr Jean Ping, Chairperson of the African Union Commission the diplomatic corps, representatives of the international community and several personalities are invited for the occasion.

Top on the agenda of the inauguration will be the submission of the keys of the New Conference Center by the Chinese authorities to the Chairperson of the AU. There will also be a number of symbolic events such as the inauguration of the Kwame Nkrumah monument and the laying of the first stone of the AU memorial for Human Rights. Participants will be entertained by shows prepared by several AU member States.

Journalists are invited to cover the official opening ceremony of the new African Union Conference Complex, on January 28, starting from 4 pm.

For more information, please visit the African Union’s website: www.au.int and visit the 18th AU Summit page: http//au.int/en/summit/18thsummit

SOURCE 

African Union Commission (AUC)

Be the first to like this post.

Agricultural development in Africa / The African Union and the African Agricultural Technology Foundation Sign Memorandum of Understanding

APO
-
0


Agricultural development in Africa / The African Union and the African Agricultural Technology Foundation Sign Memorandum of Understanding

NAIROBI, Kenya, January 27, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Collaboration to facilitate the deployment of agricultural technologies to help address productivity constraints affecting smallholder farmers in Africa and raise agricultural productivity

The African Union (AU) Commission and the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will see them work together to raise agricultural productivity in Africa through technology access, development, delivery and uptake. The collaboration will facilitate the deployment of proven technologies to help address the constraints faced by smallholder African farmers.

‘We recognise and appreciate the contribution that AATF is making towards Africa’s agricultural development. The signing of the MoU today is a testimony to a mutual aspiration to work together to sustain the economic backbone of the continent and its peoples especially those who depend on agriculture and associated appropriate technologies for their livelihoods,’ said Mrs Rhoda Tumusiime Peace, the Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture of the AU Commission during the signing of the agreement at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The Commissioner underscored the importance of partnerships saying progress gained to date requires stronger commitment and support on the part of the Commission, the Regional Economic Commissions and other Pan African institutions involved in agricultural development.

While welcoming AATF to the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development (CAADP) programme of NEPAD, the Commissioner said that the platform has made great progress towards realising Africa’s goal of a food-secure and poverty-free Africa with 30 member states being aligned to the programme. ‘We will therefore require the technological leverage that the AATF has to offer the continent,’ she said.

‘AATF’s mission to access and deliver agricultural technologies for use by smallholder farmers is in full accord with the African Union Sirte Declaration on the challenges of implementing integrated and sustainable development on agriculture and water in Africa,’ said Dr Kyetere, the AAT Executive Director.

Africa has one of the lowest levels of farm productivity in the world as a result of the absence of appropriate agricultural technologies to deal with the stresses, pests and diseases that face the region’s smallholder farmers. Agricultural science and technology is recognised as offering potential to improve food security and reduce poverty in Africa.

“Since agricultural stresses and diseases are not contained by national boundaries, cooperation between nations will build critical mass and accelerate the production of science-based controls and remedies,’ said Dr Kyetere. ‘Success depends on all relevant organisations like the AU and AATF working together through partnerships,’ he added.

Saying that smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa offer great potential towards enhancing food security and improved livelihoods, Dr Kyetere said there was need for radical interventions to stem the tide of these effects on food security and income and support the growth and meaningful participation of small farmers in the economic development agenda of the continent.

Currently working in eight countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, AATF facilitates access and delivery of affordable agricultural technologies for use by smallholder farmers in Africa. Priority areas for the Foundation include addressing targeted agricultural constraints facing these farmers which include the impact of climate change in agriculture; pest management; soil management, nutrient enhancement in foods; improved breeding methods; and mechanisation. These are addressed through the access, development and deployment of accessible, transferable, adaptable and proven technologies.

Current projects being coordinated by AATF include: Striga control in maize; development of insect-resistant cowpea; Improvement of banana for resistance to banana bacterial wilt; biological control of aflatoxin; development of drought tolerance in maize; and development of nitrogen-use efficient, water-use efficient and salt tolerant rice varieties for use by smallholder farmers in SSA.

Dr Kyetere renewed AATF’s commitment to honour the provisions of the MoU for the benefit of the continent saying that ‘with this MoU we can work together with the Commission on various initiatives to eradicate poverty and assure food security, health and nutrition for majority of people in Africa’.

Reaffirming the commitment of the AU, Mrs Tumusiime expressed the need for the two organisations to explore options of mutual benefits and make them work for the good of Africa.

SOURCE 

African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF)

Be the first to like this post.

1...49,52049,52149,522...49,603Page 49,521 of 49,603