Around 50% of Ghanian exporters of goods and services face difficulties with non-tariff measures (NTMs) – which range from export inspection, customers clearance and visas to rules of origin and conformity assessment (performance, safety, efficiency) and irregular payments – according to a new ITC report: Ghana: Invisible barriers to trade – Business perspectives.

The report is based on a survey of 960 trading firms (of all sizes) across the country, conducted between October 2019 and June 2020. It identified trade hurdles through direct interactions with businesses – information that should help policymakers craft trade policies to boost Ghana’s trade and better integrate into global value chains.

These NTMs affect exporters of goods and services (47%) more than importers (33%), with impacts varying across sectors. In the information and communication technologies sector (ICT), the percent of companies facing obstacles was 52%, followed by manufacturing (48%), agriculture (43%), transport and logistics (41%), and tourism and travel (32%).

Both foreign and local regulations slow down trade. For goods exporters, partner (or destination) countries account for 69% of the hurdles, while Ghana accounts for 31%. The European Union (EU) holds the largest share of these NTMs at 34%, followed by ECOWAS at 27% and Asia at 11%.

But a higher NTM share does not coincide with a higher trade volume. While 40% of Ghana’s exports go to Asia, only 11% of companies face obstacles there. The opposite occurs in ECOWAS, with 12% of the export trade but 27% of the obstacles – an indication that it is relatively difficult to access. As for the EU, it accounts for 34% of Ghana’s export trade and 34% of the obstacles.

Too many regulations and procedures lead to delays, hindering business

Which regulations pose the most problems? For goods exporters, the biggest ones are technical measures (like wood fumigation), which account for 52%, followed by rules of origin (32%). For services exporters, however, tax measures top the list (31%) along with technical requirements (31%). For example, the paperless port system, which is mandatory, was introduced to reduce clearance time and human contacts; instead, completion time has risen from 2 to 5 days.

As for domestic procedures, the survey cites lengthy compliance procedures, high fees and charges, and informal payments. For example, many exporters say that obtaining a conformity assessment certificate means paying bribes at each level of the inspection process to speed it up.

Given that many of the difficult regulations and procedures are domestic – not just those of trade partners – there is a lot that Ghana can do to improve its business environment for trade, which would help create more jobs (especially for youth and women) and enhance economic development. Hence, the belief that market access begins at home.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Trade Centre.

On June 27, Ambassador Zhao Weiping attended and addressed the launching ceremony of the second phase of the China-FAO-Namibia South-South Cooperation Project online, which was also attended by officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Hubei Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and Ms. Anna Shiweda, Deputy Minister of Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform of Namibia. Mr. Wei Jinming, Counselor of the Chinese Embassy was also present.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Namibia.

On July 3, 2024, the Chinese Embassy in Namibia and the Namibian Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture co-hosted the Unveiling Ceremony of the Statue of Chairman Mao Zedong at the Chairman Mao Zedong High School in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. The statue was unveiled by Hon. Anna Nghipondoka, Minister of Education, Arts and Culture. Ambassador Zhao Weiping, Namibian Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation, Namibian Ambassador to China, Governor of the Khomas Region, and over 100 other guests attended the ceremony. The statue was created and donated by Mr. Yuan Xikun, a famous Chinese artist.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Namibia.

Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com) , the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany announced the Winners of Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition “More Than a Mother” Awards 2023 and “Diabetes and Hypertension” Awards 2023 from Tanzania. Winners from the rest of the Africa were also announced, in partnership with African First Ladies, the Ambassadors of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother. The awards ceremony was held via Videoconference to felicitate all the media award winners.

The winners were announced and acknowledged by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of “More Than a Mother” campaign. The theme of “More Than a Mother” Awards was to raise awareness on any of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/or Stopping GBV at all levels and the theme of “Diabetes and Hypertension” Awards was to Promote a Healthy Lifestyle and raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension in the African countries.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej expressed, “I am very excited to announce the winners from Tanzania and the rest of Africa. We have 83 winners from 22 African countries in partnership with my dear sisters First Ladies of Africa and Ambassadors of “Merck Foundation More than a Mother”. Congratulations to all our winners.

We started our Media Awards in 2017, and year after year we are witnessing a substantial increase in the number of outstanding and regular entries from many African countries, which is very encouraging for us.

All our winners are the Champions of critical and sensitive social and health issues in their communities.

It’s truly inspiring to witness how we’re actively involving and engaging everyone, enabling them to be the voice of the voiceless and create a culture shift.

I’m delighted to extend a warm welcome as you join the Merck Foundation Alumni. let’s keep raising awareness on social and health together.”

Merck Foundation is additionally rewarding the winners by providing them with one year access of an online educational training program called ‘MasterClass’. The MasterClass is an immersive online experience and self-paced learning course that can be accessed anywhere with the internet.

“I would also like to announce the Call for Applications for the Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition Awards 2024 “More Than a Mother” and “Diabetes and Hypertension”. These awards are in partnership with my dear sisters, the African First Ladies who are also the Ambassadors of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”, concluded Senator Kelej.

Tanzanian Winners of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” and “Diabetes&Hypertension” Media Recognition Awards 2023:

Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” Media Recognition Awards 2023

Marco Maduhu, Nipashe Newspaper, First Position, Print Category
Shaban Njia, Nipashe Newspaper, Second Position, Print Category
Aveline Kitomary, Tanzania Standard, Third Position, Online Category
Beatrice Philemon Mukocho, The Guardian Newspaper, Third Position, Online Category
Olga Fadhil Lungala, Moshifm Radio, Second Position, Radio Category
Adam Hhando, CG FM, Second Position, Radio Category

Merck Foundation “Diabetes&Hypertension” Media Recognition Awards 2023

Christina Stephen Mwakangale, Nipashe, First Position, Print Category
Lucy John Bosco, Mwananchi Online, First Position, Online Category
Veronica Romwald Mrema, Freelancer, Third Position, Online Category
Tulinagwe Alison Malopa, Gazetini, Third Position, Online Category
Mwanaisha Mohamed Makumbuli, Highlands FM Radio, Second Position, Radio Category

Winners of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” Media Recognition Awards 2023

Here are the winners from West African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of The Gambia, H.E. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW; and The First Lady of Ghana and H.E. REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO:

PRINT CATEGORY WINNER

Raissa Sambou, The Spectator, Ghana (First Position)

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS

Emelia Naa Ayeley Aryee, Myjoyonline, Ghana (First Position)
Mariam Hamzat, Freelancer, Nigeria (Second Position)
Mariama, Dem Star.gm, The Gambia (Second Position)

RADIO CATEGORY WINNER

Evelyn Kpadeh Seagbeh, New Narratives, Liberia (First Position)
Mavis Offei Acheampong, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), Ghana (Second Position)

MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNERS

Emmanuel Samani, TV3, Ghana (First Position)
Stanley Nii Blewu, TV3, Ghana (Second Position)

Here are the Winners from Southern African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of Malawi, H.E. MONICA CHAKWERA; The First Lady of Zambia, H.E. MUTINTA HICHILEMA; The First Lady of Zimbabwe, H.E. Amai Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA:

PRINT CATEGORY WINNERS

Melody Mupeta, Zambia Daily, Zambia (First Position)
Moses Mugugunyeki, The Standard, Zimbabwe, (Second Position)
Gresham Ngwira, Freelancer, Malawi (Second Position)
Sonja Smith, The Namibian, Print Category, Namibia (Third Position)

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS

Michael Magoronga, Zimpapers, Zimbabwe (First Position)
Munyaradzi Blessing Doma, ZimNow, Zimbabwe (Second Position)
Caroline Mapando, Africabrief, Malawi (Third Position)

RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS

Charlotte Nambadja, Desert Radio, Radio Category, Namibia (First Position)
Britta Mpata Blantyre, Synod Radio, Malawi (First Position)
Sera Tamina, Radio Icengelo, Zambia (Second Position)
Monde Chaba, Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation, Zambia (Third Position)

MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNERS

Mirriam Kayemba, CAMNET TV,  Zambia (First Position)
Alepher Kasongo, MBC News, Malawi (Second Position)

Here are the winners from East African Countries:

PRINT CATEGORY WINNERS

Elizabeth Angira, MT Kenya Times and People Daily, Kenya (First Position)

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS

Moraa Obiria, Nation Media Group, Kenya (First Position)
Isabella Maua Chemosit, The Times, Kenya (Second Position)
Sophia Rukwaro, Black Hustlers TV, Kenya (Third Position)
Hudson Kuteesa, The New Times, Rwanda (Third Position)

RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS

Caren Waraba Sisya, Citizen Radio, Kenya (First Position)
Namale Hajara Shahista, CBS FM, Uganda (Third Position)
Angela Kezengwa, Citizen Radio, Kenya (Third Position)

MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNER

Walter Mwesigye, NTV Uganda, Uganda (First Position)
Elizabeth Atieno Ochieng, TV 47 KENYA, Kenya (Second Position)

Here are the winners from French Speaking African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of Burundi, H.E. ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE:

PRINT CATEGORY WINNER

Koami Agbetiafa, Societe, Niger (First Position)
Astère NDUWAMUNGU, www.LeRenouveau.bi, Burundi (Second Position)
Traore Brehima, The TOGUNA, Mali (Third Position)

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS

Mêmèdé Ambroisine Azododassi, Savoir News, Togo (First Position)
Jessy NZENGU,LualabamaProvince.com, DRC (First Position)
AYIBE Ablavi Ayélo, SAVOIR NEWS, Togo (Second Position)
Haburanimana Gérard, Agaseke.bi, Burundi (Third Position)
JEANINE NYABENDA, Ijisho Web Site News TV, Burundi (Third Position)
Tognisse Pugilbert Yannick, DecryptageBenin.com, Benin (Third Position)

RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS

Cyriaque NDAYISHIMIYE, Radio TV BUNTU, Burundi (First Position)
Edmond Niyonkur, Radio Ubuzima-FM, Burundi (Second Position)

MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNERS

Bahwa Ferdinand, Le Journal.Africa, Burundi (First Position)
Amadou BELLO, Balafon Direct, Cameroon (Second Position)

Here are the winners from Portuguese Speaking African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of Cabo Verde, H.E. Dr. DÉBORA KATISA CARVALHO:

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS

Ângelo Amaro Semedo, DW África, Cabo Verde (First Position)

RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS

Maria José Teixeira Veiga Macedo, Rádio de Cabo Verde, Cabo Verde (First Position)

MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNERS

Edineia Barros, TV Cabo Verde, Cabo Verde (First Position)

Winners of Merck Foundation “Diabetes&Hypertension” Media Recognition Awards 2023

Here are the winners from West African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of Ghana, H.E. REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO:

PRINT CATEGORY WINNER

Jennifer Ambolley, Chronicle, Ghana (First Position)
Godwin Awuni Anafo, Daily Graphic, Ghana (Second Position)

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS

Odimegwu Onwumere, TheNigerianvoice.com, Nigeria (First Position)
Muniratu Akweley Issah, Ghana News Agency, Ghana (Second Position)
Cecilia Lagba Yada, Ghanaian Times, Ghana (Third Position)

MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNER

Grace Hammoah Agyemang, TV3, Ghana (First Position)

Here are the Winners from Southern African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of Malawi, H.E. MONICA CHAKWERA; The First Lady of Zambia, H.E. MUTINTA HICHILEMA; The First Lady of Zimbabwe, H.E. Amai Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA:

PRINT CATEGORY WINNER

Ed-Grant Ndoza, Malawi News Agency, Malawi (First Position)

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS

Maria Kandjungu, Unwrap, Online Category, Namibia (First Position)
Alain Kabinda, Daily News Agency, Zambia (Second Position)
Phillipa Mwazvita Chinhoi, Herald.co, Zimbabwe (Third Position)
Rosalia Hipondoka, DBS Blogposts, Online Category, Namibia (Third Position)

RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS

Henry Haukeya, MBC Radio, Malawi (First Position)
Sylviah Chisi, Trans World Radio Malawi (TWR), Malawi (Second Position)
Martha Mzumara, Trans World Radio Malawi (TWR), Malawi (Third Position)

Here are the winners from East African Countries:

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS

Dorcas Wangira, BBC, Kenya (Second Position)

RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS

Mildrine Nafula Sabwami, North Rift Radio FM, Kenya (First Position)

Here are the winners from French Speaking African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of Burundi, H.E. ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE:

PRINT CATEGORY WINNERS

Moïse NKURUNZIZA, Le Renouveau du Burundi, Burundi (First Position)

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS

Cassien Tribunal Aungane, Diplomacy&Development, DRC (First Position)
Akossiwa Agossivi YIBOKOU-MENSAH, SAVOIR NEWS, TOGO (Second Position)
Alphonse Julio GADA, GLOBAL NEWS BÉNIN, Benin (Third Position)
Petga Tonga Valgadine, LaVoixDuKoat.com, Cameroon, (Third Position)

RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS

Honorine NININAHAZWE, Burundi National Radio, Burundi (First Position)
Maurice TUNINAHAZIMANA, Radio TV Buntu, Burundi (Second Position)
Rémy RUKUNDO, TV BUNTU, Burundi (Third Position)

Here is the winner from Portuguese Speaking African Country in partnership with The First Lady of Mozambique, H.E. ISAURA FERRÃO NYUSI:

RADIO CATEGORY WINNER

Abdul Ibraimo, Radio of Mozambique, Mozambique (First Position)

Details of Merck Foundation Media Awards 2024:

1. Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition “More Than a Mother” Awards 2024

Theme for the awards: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/or Stopping GBV at all levels.

Who can apply: Journalists from Print, Radio, Online, and Multimedia platforms from the following groups:

Southern African Countries
West African Countries
East African Countries
French Speaking African Countries
Portuguese Speaking African Countries

Submission deadline: 30th September 2024.

2. Merck Foundation Media Recognition “Diabetes&Hypertension” Awards 2024

Theme for the awards: Promoting a healthy lifestyle and raising awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.

Who can apply: Journalists from Print, Radio, Online, and Multimedia platforms from the following groups:

Southern African Countries
West African Countries
East African Countries
French Speaking African Countries
Portuguese Speaking African Countries
Latin American Countries
Asian Countries

Submission deadline: 30th October 2024.

All entries are to be submitted to submit@merck-foundation.com.

Kindly note, sending multiple relevant entries for both the categories will increase the chances of winning the award.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.

Contact details:
Mehak Handa
Community Awareness Program Manager
+91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669
mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com

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About Merck Foundation:
The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality&equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare and scientific research capacity and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website.  Please visit www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4f1fXAA , Twitter: https://apo-opa.co/4f1w3dQ, Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/3S5UOf0, YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/4eZEEO4 and Flickr: https://apo-opa.co/3zBzG9T