Total Petroleum reinforces customer service at its stations

With customer service as a focal point of its business, Total Petroleum Ghana Limited, a leading oil marketing company in the country, embarked on its regular Top Service week to interact with customers and give them utmost service delivery.

During the week-long activity in March 2019, management and staff of Total Petroleum Ghana Limited visited selected service stations nationwide to serve customers along with their station attendants.

Among other activities, customers enjoyed free under bonnet checks, tire pressure, windshield cleaning and maintenance tips for prolonged vehicle engine life and performance.

The Sales and Marketing Manager of the affiliate, Abdul-Rahim Siddique, who visited Abossey Okai 1 and Korle – Bu TOTAL Service Stations noted that the company had made available a comprehensive line of motorist services encompassing a full range of quality Total Lubricants, TOTAL EXCELLIUM fuel that helps motorists save money, and services like the Café Bonjour, Car Wash Centre, and state- of- the- art Lube Bays to give comfort   to the customer.

‘The company in its drive to offer an environmentally friendly environment keeps refurbishing its service stations to a modernized standard with a touch of innovation. 

For instance, solar kiosks were introduced at selected stations in Accra to offer secure phone charging and WIFI outlets for customers as they fuel up, pick a quick confectionary at the shop or even as they enjoy a convivial moment with friends and family at partner food corners like KFC, Sesnas, Calitos and so forth.’

He added that ‘the customer service week is a unique moment for Total to take stock of the needs of customers and provide them with the desired service.

Established in 1951, Total Petroleum Ghana Limited is a locally listed oil marketing company with over 4700 Ghanaian shareholders.

The company has a retail network of 251 service stations across the ten regions of the country with activities spanning the Aviation, Bitumen and Mining businesses. 

The company provides expertise on engine performance and reduction in fuel consumption through premium quality fuels, lubricants and car care products.

By: Georgina Otoo

Guinness Ghana supports Otumfuo’s 20th coronation anniversary

Guinness Ghana Breweries PLC (GGBPlc) has supported Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s 20th coronation anniversary with GHC90,000 worth of cash and premium drinks. 

The Board Chairman of GGBPlc, Dr. Felix Addo led a high-powered delegation to the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on 16th April 2019 for the presentation. During the celebration, Guinness Ghana will also refresh Otumfuo’s guests with their premium and number 1 Scotch whisky Johnny Walker.

Guinness Ghana has a long-standing relationship with the palace following years of operation in its factory in Kumasi.

Presenting the support package to Otumfuo, Dr. Felix Addo congratulated the King for his great leadership and direction for Asanteman and Ghana for the past 20 years and for being an invaluable asset to the people of Ghana; bringing peace and a clear voice of stability in times of trouble.

“We are also grateful for your continuous support for our business - one of the successes of your reign is the provision of a safe and thriving business environment in Asanteman, that has allowed our business, which also sits on your land to thrive. Indeed, Kaase hosts our biggest installation, which underscores the importance of Asanteman to us”.

The company has employed thousands of young people from Kumasi and its environs over the years to produce Guinness Ghana products such as Malta Guinness, Alvaro, Guinness FES, ABC Golden Lager Beer, Star, among others. 

MTN Ghana earmarks US$160m to deploy infrastructure

MTN Ghana is investing over US$160 million into its operational expansion and improvement project in 2019, as against US$144 million last year, its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Selorm Adadevoh has said.

The company, as part of its broad-based expansion drive is deploying 350 new greenfield and 100 rural sites across all regions, whiles 3G network is being rolled out to 277 new site. The fiber rollout will involve 368km fibre-to-site whiles fibre broadband coverage expansion will also cover 45,000 new homes.

Speaking at an Editors Forum in Accra, Mr. Adadevoh, said: “MTN has deployed a total of 1,092 4G LTE sites at the end of March 2019, out of which 600 sites are 4G+ sites in different parts of the country especially regional capitals and key towns and plans for full national coverage is currently ongoing.”

The 2019 expansion which will cover technology development and infrastructure will include rolling out new Long Term Evolution (LTE) sites at over 300 locations and upgrading it to over 2600MHz in 600 collocations as well as existing sites capacity upgrades of  814 of the 2G platform and 560 of the 3G network.

On the growth prospects, he said the company posted a landmark growth for the year 2018 on strong performance on three key service areas which were Mobile money, data, and voice revenues, added that during the year under review, MTN Ghana recorded +60.3% and +30.2% of mobile money and data revenues respectively. While voice revenue surged to 15.1%.

All these contributed significantly to the growth and increased its contribution to total revenue of the company to 17.7%.

The reported earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) margin declined year-on-year by 2.2 percentage points to 37.6%, following the introduction of the management fee agreement which took effect on 1 May 2018.

The growth in mobile money, data, and voice revenues were influenced by the huge investments the telecoms giant made into these sections of its operations.

He assured customers of more exciting products and services this year as it plans to invest hugely in technology infrastructure.

“The company cherish the patronage of its customers and that is imperative to give them quality service for their loyalty. MTN will continue to put in extra efforts to come out with innovative products and services that will meet customer needs.”

He used occasion to unveil MTN TurboNet, an instant high speed internet product. “As part of our 4G campaign, we have launched a turbonet as a pilot which allows you to have a wireless box for internet at home. In the past we had to dig fibre in the ground all the way to people’s doorstep but today you can pick up a box in our office and you can plug it at home to have access to internet with fibre”, he stated.

He said though the product had not been commercially launched, over 7,000 boxes had already been sold.

Apart from quality network experience, he said, MTN Foundation was also making significant impact on the lives of Ghanaians through the execution of various projects in the areas of health, education and economic empowerment.

Many women ‘can avoid cancer chemotherapy’ – Research

 


About 70% of women with the most common form of early-stage breast cancer can be spared the “agony of chemotherapy”, researchers say.

It follows trials of a genetic test that analyses the danger of a tumour.

Cancer doctors said the findings would change practice in UK clinics on Monday, and meant women in this group could be treated safely with just surgery and hormone therapy.

Charities said the news, affecting 3,000 UK women a year, was “wonderful”.
Chemotherapy is often used after surgery to reduce the chance of breast cancer spreading or coming back.

It saves lives, but side-effects of the toxic drugs range from vomiting, fatigue and infertility to permanent nerve pain.

In rare cases it can lead to heart failure and leukaemia.
This trial of 10,273 women analysed cancers using a genetic test that is already widely available, including on the NHS.
Currently, women who get a low score on the test are told they do not need chemo, those with a high score are told they definitely do.

But most women get an intermediate result meaning they are unclear as to what to do.
Data presented at the world’s biggest meeting of cancer doctors and scientists in Chicago shows these women have the same survival rates with or without chemo.

The nine-year-survival-rate was 93.9% without chemotherapy and 93.8% with chemotherapy.

‘Fundamental change’

The study, led by the Albert Einstein Cancer Center in New York, is a rare cancer breakthrough as it can save money and instantly change practice.

Dr Alistair Ring, a consultant at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, told the BBC: “Oncologists have been waiting for these results, it will affect practice on Monday morning.

“It’s a fundamental change in the way we look after women with early breast cancer.
“It’s a great news story.”

He estimates 3,000 women a year in the UK will no longer need chemotherapy because of this trial.
The study is strictly about early stage breast cancers – specifically those that can still be treated with hormone therapy, have not spread to the lymph nodes and do not have the HER2 mutation, which makes them grow more quickly.

Dr Alistair Ring said his practice at the Royal Marsden Hospital will change on Monday as a result of the study
The test is performed on a sample of the tumour when it is removed during surgery.
It works by looking at the activity levels of 21 genes, which are markers of how aggressive the cancer is.

‘Transform care immediately’
Rachel Rawson, from the charity Breast Cancer Care, said: “Every day, women with certain types of breast cancer face the terrible dilemma of whether or not to have the treatment, without hard facts about the benefit for them.

“This life-changing breakthrough is absolutely wonderful news as it could liberate thousands of women from the agony of chemotherapy.”

The findings were presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Dr Harold Burnstein, from the American Society of Clinical Oncology, said: “This study will transform care immediately, and for the better.”
–
Source: BBC

USA Education Centre Holds Orientation Session For 2018 FAMU Beneficiaries

A Ghanaian faculty Advisor of Student Associations of Global Health at FAMU), Dr. Yussif Mijirah Dokurugu, has said that youth who decide to stay in America illegally undergo various grades of stress and fear in life.

“You going to the U.S and not coming back will make you go through a lot of stress and do the meaner jobs; you can make money, yet you cannot come  back home because you do not have documents to go back to the States again - which is an opportunity you have lost forever,” he said.

During an orientation session at the Education-USA office in Kumasi for Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) students who will be embarking on an exchange programme to Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) in Florida USA, Dr. Dokurugu - who is also an Assistant Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, advised that “It is always good to travel and make sure to return home, and apply again when the need arises”.  

He urged participating students to take the exchange programme as an opportunity to explore and learn new health methods and practices which will help grow Ghana’s health systems after the they have returned home.

“I entreat all students and participants on the exchange programme to learn as much as they can of the new trends in health practices and come back to make a change in the lives of people and the entire society,” he said.

About 26 pharmacy students from the KNUST and four professional workers will be embarking on the second edition of the Advance Pharmacy Initiative in FAMU this year.

The exchange programme, which has been described as an ambitious agenda for deepening bilateral relations between Ghana and Florida, USA, through health education for university students, will be targetted at allowing students and participants to acquaint themselves with current trends in global health care systems.

It will focus on disease epidemics, modern pharmaceutical practices, cultural exchanges and environmental issues, and will be aimed at improving the knowledge capacity of the students about health systems to enable them give back to their country upon successful completion of the programme.

The lead initiator of the programme, FAMU’s  College of Pharmacy, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with its sister university in Ghana - KNUST - to explore exchange programmes in the area of pharmacy education for students from both countries to study abroad, relating to academic and research affiliations.

Dr. Dukurugu, explaining about the initiative, confirmed that it is an ambitious agenda being explored by the school: “One that the college is tackling through an academic and cultural exchanges to broaden the horizons of the next generation of health care practitioners”.

He anticipates that the selected students from both sides will be offered the chance to get a better understanding of best practices and systems that are in place in both nations and allow them to bring back new ideas.

Dr. Dukurugu added: “Overseas study adventures provide students with distinct benefits, as they develop responsibility, initiative and accountability.

“I want them to learn as much as possible to be able to contribute positively to the health care delivery of every single person they may come across in their future practices back at home.”

He indicated that the engagement will explore various areas of collaboration, including student exchange programmes and partnerships with other celebrated health experts in the United States of America.

“As the Institute of Public Health within the College continues to grow, this internship programme will provide an opportunity for FAMU to cultivate to a diverse workforce of individuals to be able to analyse public health issues both at home and abroad,” said Dr. Dukurugu.

The programme, he said, has been designed to give the students first-hand experience in global health issues. It will also provide them with a spring-board to compete for jobs in the field.

“This will position participating students to be fully equipped for employment in their selected programmes, governmental and non-governmental agencies where a knowledge of international systems is pertinent to jobs, even in the USA,” he remarked.

Marilyn Owusu, Educational Advisor at the Education USA in Kumasi, said taking the students through various steps and documentation processes as part of preparation for the travelling visa application interview indicates that to apply for a student visa, applicants should have all the necessary documents like any other visa applicant.

She said: “One has to pay a visa fee of US$160 at any GT Bank branch  across the country, fill out the DS-160 form, schedule for a visa appointment online, and pay for Student Exchange Visitor Processing Fee (SEVIS).

By Georgina  Otoo

Gold Fields Ghana supports Prestea Huni -Valley with water

Gold Fields Ghana Limited,Damang Gold Mine has hinted that the managing trustees of the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation have approved the rehabilitation of the Huni Valley Health Centre. The six-bed capacity center will be upgraded to 20 beds and will be done in 2018.

Mr. Abdel Razak Yakubu, Community Affairs and Stakeholder Relations said  the health care of the host communities remains a primary concern for the company, under the Foundation’s health intervention in the communities, the Abosso clinic will be provided with a sustainable source of water.

“Contract processes are underway to construct a mechanized borehole with an electric pump and overhead tanks to supply the facility with potable water all year round” he said.

Mr Yakubu speaking at the world malaria day as they marked this year’s day with a durbar and the distribution of insecticide treated bed nets to 300 women in the Damang community.

He entreated the communities within the company’s catchment area to keep the environment clean to prevent the breading of mosquitoes which carry the malaria parasites.

The 25th day of April is earmarked every year by the World Health Organization (WHO) as World malaria day. This year’s, day was observed on the theme “Get Ready to Beat Malaria”.

Dr. Ishmael Sackey, Gold Field Manager in charge of Health Services speaking at a durbar at Damang in the Prestea Huni-Valley District in the Western Region for the host communities, explained the causes of malaria, symptoms and the need for individuals to visit the hospital regularly to check their health status.

He pointed out that pregnant women and children below age five are the most vulnerable in contracting malaria and dispel some myths associated with malaria.

He urged the recipients of the insecticide treated nets to use them properly and regularly to avoid contracting the disease.

“The company, in 2012 commissioned a clinic for the Damang community. In 2014, another clinic was constructed and donated to the Bompieso community. Numerous nurses and doctors’ accommodation units have also been provided to the host communities over the years” he said.

Mr. Francis Toku Aubynn, Assembly member for Damang electoral area was full of praise for Gold Fields. Mr. Aubynn called on the community to always avail themselves for communal activities especially those geared toward sanitation.

By: Georgina  Otoo 

Global Funds Allots more Funds to Ghana to Fight three Diseases

The Global Fund (GF) has allotted to Ghana $200 million to fight HIV and AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB) and Malaria from this year, 2018 to 2020.

The fund would help in assisting community systems to build up strong and resilient health systems to deal with disease outbreak should they occur.

The GF as a global financier of HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria Programmes, has disbursed more than $37 billion in over 100 countries since 2002.

Mrs Cecilia Senoo, Executive Director of Hope for Future Generation (HFFG) made this known at the ongoing five-day Anglophone Africa Community Rights and Gender Meeting in Accra.

It being co-hosted by HFFG and the Eastern Africa National Networks of AIDS Service Organisation (EANNASO) both Nongovernmental organisations, attracted over 24 countries including Ghana, Rwanda, Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, and others.

FThe third Anglophone Regional Platform meeting seeks to review and discuss civil society engagement in the GF with increased focus on human rights and the development of gender responsive instruments for vulnerable population in terms HIV and AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

It also aims at strengthening the capacity of civil society and community based groups to identify and adequately access technical support at the various stages of funding for monitoring and evaluating their respective projects.

Mrs Senoo noted that as countries were faced with the issue of withdrawal of donor funding from projects, it was proper to strengthen Civil Society Organisations (CSO’s) engagement in terms of accessing funds from the Global Fund as well as address matter relating social accountability.

Ms Olive Numba, Executive Director of EANNASO said the meeting brought together CSO’s to engage them on how to effectively develop skills and knowledge to mobilise their constituencies and ensure that fund investments adequately reflected their priorities.

Dr Gemma Oberth, an Independent Consultant told the participants that the GF gave more to CSO’s that developed proactive and peer-led community engagements.

He however said CSO’s that did not verify whether there were technical partners in a particular region and were providing similar work, were also rejected by the GF.

Dr Victor Bampoe, Director and Coordinator, Fast Track Implementation Programme, UNAIDS, on his part, said there had been a decline in HIV infection rates but emphasised that there was the need to step up efforts in controlling it.

Ms Ann Ithubi, an official with Aidspan, a Kenyan based non-governmental organisation, the GF had provided various amount of money towards the eradication of .

She said HIV and AIDs received $18 million, while $6 million was allotted for TB, Malaria received $10.7 million, TB/HIV received $1.3million and other ailment received $ 750,000.

Ms Ithubi cited the lack of understanding of GF policies, processes and guidelines and exclusion of key and vulnerable population in GF process as challenges confronting countries and regional levels from accessing the fund.

GNA