People & Lifestyle
Call for nominations for the 9th Gender Mainstreaming Awards 2021

The Gender Mainstreaming Awards (GMA) are back in 2021 with the aim, once again, to reward organisations and individuals that are at the forefront and are advancing the business case for gender diversity in Africa. The awards are set to take place throughout Africa on 9 September 2021.
Over the past eight years in which the awards have been in existence, they have proven to be the perfect platform for sharing stories, strategies and facilitating the conversation for organisations to participate and share best practice in corporate gender intelligence.
An initiative of Business Engage, this year’s 9th GMA ceremony follows hot on the heels of a highly successful first ever virtual ceremony held in 2020, which was watched by over 2000 attendees across the continent despite a raging pandemic.
“The year 2020 brought with it some unprecedented changes the world over and as with every industry, we had no choice but to quickly adapt. So, we made the decision that global lockdowns or not, the Gender Mainstreaming Awards experience must never stop”, says Colleen Larsen, Chief Executive of Business Engage and President of the 30% Club East and Southern Africa.
Business Engage is calling for nominations from companies that have developed initiatives and are making strides to accelerate diversity with an emphasis on gender mainstreaming. For company nominations there are various categories; these include Women on Boards Award, Equal Representation & Participation Award, Women Empowerment in the Workplace Award, Investing in Young Women Award and Mainstreaming Gender & Disability Award, to name a few.
There are also two individual categories, the Inclusive Leader Award and the Positive Role Model Award.
“This year the GMAs are seeking to celebrate companies in Africa and we have selected some of the most prominent business leaders who are an excellent representation of what the awards stand for to be judges in the different regions”, comments Larsen.
The sponsors for the 2021 awards, who are themselves making major contributions in their respective industries towards gender mainstreaming are Accenture (naming rights sponsor), ABSA and Barloworld.
Ntombi Mhangwani, Experience Architect & Lead Women’s Forum at Accenture Interactive Africa says: “The impact of COVID-19 will continue to allow societies to be less equal, more divided and poorer if they are left unattended. It is therefore important to recognise – through initiatives such as Gender Mainstreaming Awards – women as equal partners and key actors in the economy. Leaders should also see the pandemic as an opportunity to reset the economy by planning a recovery based on the principle of inclusiveness. At Accenture, we are continuously striving to become a more inclusive and diverse company across all levels.”
“According to The Africa Report, women drive 70% of consumer spend, and the global GDP could rise by 3% if the gender disparity gap can be closed. Women are accelerators and companies that continue to exclude women in decision- making processes, will miss out on business opportunities unlocked by gender-balanced teams.” says Busisiwe Sithole, Head of Transformation, Diversity & Inclusion at Absa Group. “Women leadership cannot continue to be a ‘nice-to-have’ for business, and we are proud to be associated with the 2021 Gender Mainstreaming Awards, recognising companies that have actively worked towards gender diversity at all levels. As a proudly African financial services provider, Absa Group currently impacts the lives of tens of thousands of people on the continent who live, work and run businesses in the diverse communities we serve. One of our top priorities is gender diversity and inclusion, which is brought to life by our Group Women Manifesto – supported by the UN Global Compact – which clearly articulates the strategic direction we are taking to ensure that women, throughout the Absa value chain, thrive and their possibilities are brought to life. If we can achieve this goal of promoting gender parity in Africa, it will be one of our greatest achievements as a key player on the continent we call home.”
Tantaswa Fubu, Group Executive: Human Capital, Barloworld says, “At Barloworld, we believe that as a responsible and responsive corporate, it is our duty and responsibility to ensure that the demographics of our country are reflected in the people of Barloworld, especially at the senior levels. It is for this reason that we have been taking and continue to take deliberate actions to redress the past, ensuring that we have amazing women at senior leadership. We believe that women are not merely to be accommodated but should own the spaces where they choose to ply their skills at. We encourage other corporates to go beyond the regulatory requirements because when we empower women, we fundamentally change our societies for best.”
There is no cost to submitting an application and all applications can be done on the Gender Mainstreaming Awards website.
Entries close on 31 May 2021 and the awards ceremony will take place virtually on 09 September 2021. To submit your nomination and to be part of the virtual awards ceremony go to www.genderawards.com.
People & Lifestyle
Young and Loud Festival: Unleashing Creativity, Advocating Change, and Shaping Futures for Ho’s Youth

The Young and Loud Festival, a ground-breaking initiative of the Young and Safe Project under the Healthy Cities for Adolescent program, is set to launch its inaugural edition on December 16, 2023, at the Mawuli School Campus. This trailblazing event is poised to redefine the city’s cultural scene and herald a celebration of youth creativity while advocating for improved well-being and systemic change. The Young and Loud festival is spearheaded by the Young and Safe Consortium made up of Node Eight, LoveAid Foundation, Ghana Education Service, and the Ho Municipal Assembly.
Advocacy Through Creativity
The Young and Loud Festival is not merely a convergence of art forms; it is a movement. The festival stands tall on its overarching goal: to harness the creative prowess of Ho’s young visionaries, empowering them to drive systemic change that safeguards their wellbeing. Through art, music, technology, and interactive experiences, the festival empowers the next generation to be the catalysts of positive transformation.
Objectives in Focus
At its core, the Young and Loud festival stands on five pivotal pillars:
- Creative Advocacy: Empowering the Youth as Agents of Change.
The festival serves as a platform for the youth to channel their creative energies towards advocating for systemic changes impacting their well-being. By harnessing their artistic abilities, participants will be encouraged to address and influence societal issues affecting Ho’s youth, igniting conversations, and fostering solutions.
- Talent Recognition and Encouragement
Through the Talent Competition, the festival aims to recognize, celebrate, and encourage outstanding achievements in various creative disciplines. By honouring excellence, Young and Loud Festival seeks to inspire continuous growth and dedication among young artists and creatives.
- Networking Opportunities
Young creatives will have exclusive access to established professionals in the creative industries, fostering mentorship, collaborations, and career growth. This networking environment aims to bridge the gap between emerging talents and industry stalwarts, creating pathways for success.
- Platform for Talent Showcase
Emerging artists will showcase their talents to a diverse and global audience, providing a launchpad for their creative expressions. From street art exhibitions to live performances, the festival serves as a canvas for innovation, amplifying their voices and visions.
- Career Exploration and Future Shaping
The festival seeks to introduce young minds to a plethora of career opportunities within the creative sector, emphasizing the role of technology in shaping the future of these industries. It is an opportunity for attendees to explore the intersections between creativity and technological advancements.
A Multi-Dimensional Celebration
The Young and Loud festival unfolds in two distinct yet complementary parts:
- Street Festival: A Canvas of Transformation
The streets of Ho will come alive with vibrant street art, immersive installations, live performances, and interactive exhibits. The city will be transformed into a cultural hub, inviting attendees to experience the beauty and power of creative expression.
- Creative Futures Bootcamp and Talent Competition: Inspiring Innovation
The boot camp offers workshops, mentorship sessions, and the highly anticipated Talent Competition where young talents can showcase their skills, gain insights, and be recognized for their exceptional abilities.
Featured Artists
The Young and Loud Festival is delighted to unveil the lineup of exceptional artists set to perform at the event. Prepare to be captivated by the talent and artistry of renowned performers including Keeny Ice, Tuf B, AfroKhelly, Keli Yong, and Dzidegh. Their presence promises to create a vibrant atmosphere, highlighting the diverse creative expressions of Ho’s youth. Get ready to be immersed in an unforgettable experience as these talented artists showcase their extraordinary talents at the Young and Loud Festival.
Young and Loud Festival is not just an event; it is a movement towards a brighter, more empowered youth community. It is an opportunity to witness first-hand the convergence of creativity, advocacy, and innovation.
Read more on our website:
People & Lifestyle
‘Unforgettable’ : J.E.N.N.Y’s NEW SINGLE LEAVES INDELIBLE MARK ON LISTENERS

Sensational Ghanaian Afro-Pop and R&B singer, J.E.N.N.Y has released his newest song “Unforgettable” – the lead single of his upcoming extended play (EP) titled “Better Than Ever”
“Unforgettable” is an enchanting R&B and Neo soul song about a long-lost lover who can never be forgotten. J.E.N.N.Y falls into the den of lovers and delivers what can be termed as the anthem for holding on to all the pleasant memories made together with that special person.
The new song, just like his last release, again shows the singer’s exceptional skill of infusing his feelings, experiences, and those of others into his songs.
On “Unforgettable,” J.E.N.N.Y smoothly sings his way into the listener’s heart with silvery vocals leaving an indelible mark just as the lyrics of the R&B masterpiece.
Akin to cotton being carried away by wind, and the utopian love he describes on the close to 3 minutes serenade, J.E.N.N.Y flows effortlessly on the ambling record. He carries the message to the listener and at the same time blows the listener away with his delivery.
This, he impeccably evinces throughout the song, especially on the chorus where he repeatedly sings “your love is unforgettable.”
Widely considered as the most-promising talent in the alternative Ghanaian soundscape, his latest single easily raises both his status and the anticipation of fans for his upcoming EP set to be released in February next year.
Listen To “Unforgettable” Here
Connect with J.E.N.N.Y on Instagram
People & Lifestyle
Great Ways to Improve Your Blog

Blocks of flooding the Internet, which means that you need to make sure that you’re doing everything possible to stand out with yours. It can often feel like that no matter what you do, your blog is just never going to beat the competition. But the idea is you want to stand up and out, not necessarily be a constant winner.
You need your blog to be seen, and you need it to be seen consistently as well as interacted with by customers and potential clients. It’s always a good idea to make sure that you are improving your blog at all times so that you can do your very best to get your word out there. From Connecting with an SEO agency to speaking to other people in your field about boosting each other ‘s blogs. There is plenty that can be done to improve it. You could then generate more website visits, better quality leads, and higher conversion rates when you do.Here are some of the ways that you can improve your blog to make it better.
- Conduct some research. What do people want from your blog? The best people to ask are those who actually interact with your blog in the first place. Find out what it is that they want and then find out you’re trending keywords. You could then find out your audience interest and your competitor content. Putting all this together gives you the right amount of research to say that you have done all that is possible to make sure that your blog is improved.
- Get people to guest post. Having other brands in your industry write for your blog and then their personal knowledge and expertise is not competing but enhancing each other’s audiences. If you have somebody else in your industry who does what you do.Then you can get them to have authority on what they do on your blog and then gain their audience as well as yours. They might be a direct competitor to you, so don’t use the ones that are direct competitors.
- Focus on search engine optimization where possible. You want to ensure that everything that you do in your business has an SEO focus. It makes your content much easier to find on search engines and get in front of your audience if you are aware of your options with SEO. You can improve your readability, add metadata to your content and target different keywords to ensure that you are optimizing it as much as possible. Content is king, remember.
- Instant.If you are a poster who doesn’t post very often, then that might be your problem. You need to be more consistent with your posting so that you can get your blog out there for the world to see.
Improving your blog does take time and it’s vital that you work on it from the beginning. Boosting it will get your message and your brand out there for all to see.
People & Lifestyle
British High Commission donates eight (8) ambulances to the Ghana Armed Forces as part of its annual Security Dialogue

Demonstrating bilateral collaboration and commitment to strengthening the UK-Ghana security partnership, the British High Commission has presented eight (8) ambulances to the Ghana Armed Forces to improve medical outreach in the Northern border regions.
The official handover ceremony which took place today at the Burma Camp in Accra is a testament of the strong security and defence ties the UK and Ghana share.
The event brought together the UK Minister of State for the Armed Forces, Rt. Hon. James Heappey, the Chief of the Defence Staff, Vice Admiral Seth Amoama from the Ghana Armed Forces, British High Commissioner, H.E. Harriet Thompson, representatives from the UK government and representatives from the Ghana Armed Forces, showcasing a collaborative effort to bolster peace and security in the Northern regions.
Ghana, like her neighbours appreciate the importance of civilian cooperation in the Northern regions as the Armed Forces work alongside Non-Governmental Organisations in the fight to prevent and limit violent extremist organisations. The ambulances provided are equipped with state-of-the-art technology to aid the Ghana Armed Forces in their medical outreaches in the five (5) Northern regions as part of the UK-Ghana Civilian Military Cooperation Programme.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony, the UK Minister of State for the Armed Forces, Rt. Hon. James Heappey said:
“Ghana is a key partner for the UK, we work together to tackle shared challenges from violent extremism in the Sahel to maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea and this donation underscores the strong partnership between the UK and Ghana”.
“We are proud to contribute to Ghana Armed Force’s capacity to protect and serve its civilians in the 5 Northern regions to counter violent extremism, and we will continue to foster long-lasting partnerships through our annual security dialogue”.
The ambulances will be distributed in the Wa, Bolgatanga, Sandema Mechanical Brigade Headquarters and the Armoured Regimental Headquarters in Damango respectively.
The UK continues to work closely with the Ghana Armed Forces to support Ghana’s leadership position in the sub-region and to strengthen the capability of Ghanaian security services to take the lead in responding to instability in the region, particularly those related to that of violent extremists emanating from the Sahel.
People & Lifestyle
Jumia appoints Temidayo Ojo as new Ghana CEO

Jumia, the leading e-commerce platform in Africa, has announced the appointment of Temidayo Ojo as Ghana’s new Chief Executive Officer. He takes over the leadership mantle from former CEO, Sunil Natraj who is taking up a new role as the CEO of Jumia Nigeria.
“I am honored and thrilled to take on the role of CEO at Jumia Ghana. Having been part of this
incredible journey at Jumia, I’ve witnessed firsthand the remarkable potential and unwavering dedication of our team. My commitment is steadfast—to steer Jumia Ghana towards continued growth, expanding our market reach, and ensuring that every customer experience is nothing short of exceptional. Our focus remains on innovation, seamless service delivery, and fostering strong partnerships that will elevate not only our platform but also the e-commerce landscape in Ghana,” said Temidayo Ojo upon his appointment.
Temidayo is an adept leader with over a decade of experience spanning project management,
commercial sales, and business strategy. He joined Jumia in 2020, as the Head of Planning and
Performance before moving on to become the Chief Commercial Officer in Ghana and has honed his expertise in crafting and executing transformative strategies within the e-commerce, retail, and consumer goods sectors. His career trajectory showcases a stellar journey—pioneering e-commerce strategies, optimizing financial performance, and spearheading large-scale commercial transformations.
Temidayo Ojo holds an MBA in Finance, Strategy & Consulting from IESE Business School, and a
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics
Engineering from the University of Lagos.
He looks forward to fostering growth within Jumia’s operations in Ghana while collaborating closely with all stakeholders to ensure partner
development and consumer satisfaction as the company charts towards profitability
People & Lifestyle
Seychelles, not just home of giant tortoises, rare fruits, and exotic beaches

Seychelles is home for many things, most especially the thousands of giant tortoises walking slowly across the archipelago and weighing up to 200 kg, as well as the the endemic Coco de Mer palm tree with its very special fruits, which is the symbol of the nation and most commonly found on the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Vallée de Mai” Island.
It also has colourful coral reefs, clown and trumpet fish, sea turtles and much more can be discovered while snorkelling and diving in the pristine blue waters of the country. The uniquely beautiful underwater world of Seychelles can equally be explored and experienced directly from the many great beaches that surround the archipelago nation.
For travelers and tourists dreaming of white, deserted sandy beaches, round granite rocks and turquoise blue water they are guaranteed to find what they are looking for in Seychelles. The beaches of Seychelles are uniquely beautiful and it could give the satisfaction that the traveler is on a desert island of their own.
Indeed, Seychelles is a haven for people seeking to hike around the hills and enjoy the cool and calm waters of the Indian ocean and a warm sunny tropical weather off the African continent.
However, Seychelles is not only about giant tortoises, the sea, turquoise blue pristine waters, sandy and rocky beaches, and beautiful coral reefs below the waters, it is a place to get lost in the culture and essence of the 100,000 or so people on this beautiful island nation.
As 65 tourism trade and media partners from around the world hosted by Seychelles’ tourism board would find out, there is more to Seychelles than the sea and beaches. It is a nation of many cultures exuded through a warm and welcoming populace providing different experiences for the visitor.
This was emphasized by Sherin Francis, Principal Secretary of Tourism Seychelles when she led a team of officials from Tourism Seychelles to welcome the 65 guests to the archipelago nation for a three-day Mega Familiarization Trip.
“For those of you who have been here seven years, I know somebody who just told me seven years ago he was here, probably you did not get to experience this. But today, with, focus on product diversification, having more cultural experiences, we have also, encouraging our visitors to make time to discover more of the Seychellois culture,” she said.
“The gastronomy, arts, dance, crafts, artisan, all this today are on offer, and you are able to experience and immerse yourself in more cultural experiences, activities, entertainment in general.”
Highlighting on the range of accommodation offering, the Principal Secretary said, ‘’You would know we have a wide range of accommodation in Seychelles. We have beautiful resorts like this one, the Constance Ephelia, but we also have homegrown properties, self-catering apartments and guest said houses. We want them to provide exceptional services, we want their products to be of higher standards, so that they can attract better kinds of visitors that will benefit the whole destination at the end of the day.
She said the kind of visitors Seychelles is targeting to attract are those that would give high value, such as visitors who “will want to go out and discover, and go out and do an excursion, go to a hiking, experience a cultural product, living more than just, the waste that it would probably produce like we all do when we travel and also lower impact.’’
Dubbed the “Mega Familiarization Trip”, the inaugural hosting by the department responsible for tourism in Seychelles, Tourism Seychelles, invited these trade and media partners from over 15 markets from all six continents and hosted them from 29th November to 2nd December 2023.
On his part, the Seychelles Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Loius Sylvester Radegonde Said they would have to diversify their tourism products to entice tourists from new source markets to visit Seychelles.

“Over here we need to continue to diversify the range of products we have, continue to raise our level of services, continue to give that value for money. So basically, that’s going to continue to be the work for next year,” the Minister said.
Minister Radegonde said this during an interview with the media at a special Creole Rendezvous night at the Cap Lazare Nature Reserve at Mahe during the hosting of 65 trade and media partners to a familiarization tour of Seychelles.
Mr. Radegonde also noted that his ministry and the tourism board need to work on the perception that Seychelles is an expensive destination. “We need to work on the perception that people have of Seychelles out there. When you talk to somebody, they perceive Seychelles to be a 5-star destination beyond the needs of the ordinary person, it is not true, he said. “We have a range of accommodation, 5-star plus, but also small guest houses which we are pushing.” He said there are over 700 of these small hotels and guest houses across the archipelago.
“This has been my focus since I was appointed 3 years ago. Since my appointment, I have visited over 300 of these small hotels because I want to see what the challenges are, see how we can improve. It is not for them to compete with the 5-star hotels, absolutely not, because they offer a different category of services and we want them to benefit from the tourism industry,” he noted.
The meticulously curated itinerary for the hosting was designed to enhance every moment of their journey across the 115-island archipelago nation. This includes a three-night stay at the 5-star Constance Ephelia Resort, experience on Silhouette Island by Hilton Labriz, rum tasting, snorkeling, fishing, boat rides, sundowners, heritage experience at Mission Lodge, city tour of Victoria, market experience at Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market, lunch experience at Marie Antoinette and a special Creole Rendezvous night at Cap Lazare Nature Reserve.
“The primary goal of this marketing endeavour is to provide travel agencies with firsthand experiences and comprehensive information about our destination, enabling them to more effectively market and promote it to their clients,” said Bernadette Willemin, Director General of Destination Marketing at Tourism Seychelles.
She added at the official welcome event at the Cyann Restaurant at the Constance Ephelia Resort at Mahe that “this familiarization trip is intended to showcase aspects of intellectual discoveries, cultural discoveries, which our destination has to offer. It is not just a trip. It is an immersive experience designed to deepen your understanding of our unique offerings.”
Tourism Seychelles spared no expense to give its guests the most wonderful experience as it hosted them to some of the best things the nation has on offer from accommodation, to tour packages, gastronomy, drinks and beverages and local Seychellois cultural experiences. Thus, while it provided an opportunity for networking by the guests, the Fam Trip also showcased the breathtaking beauty and sleuth of attractions that Seychelles has to offer those who wish to visit.
The Mega Fam Trip hosting got substantial backing from local partners, such as Constance Hotels & Resorts, Constance Ephelia Resorts, Hilton Seychelles, and Laïla, Seychelles, Creole Travel Services, Masons Travels, 7 Degree South, Summer Rain Tours among others.
These concerted efforts to build partnerships with travel agencies and media outlets within and outside reflects Seychelles’ comprehensive approach to destination marketing. The success of this hosting and other initiatives would help Seychelles’ ambition to position itself prominently among the world’s premier island destinations aiming at attracting high value visitors to boost their tourism drive.
Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, off East Africa. It’s home to numerous beaches, coral reefs and nature reserves, as well as rare animals such as giant Aldabra tortoises. Mahé, a hub for visiting the other islands, it is home to capital Victoria. It also has the mountain rainforests of Morne Seychellois National Park and beaches, including Beau Vallon and Anse Takamaka.
Tourism is the topmost contributor to the economy of Seychelles, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean.
According to the World Bank, Seychelles has a population of 107,000 inhabitants, three-quarters of whom live on the main island of Mahé and it has the highest gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in Africa, at $ 15.8 billion (2022). Its economy is highly dependent on tourism and fisheries.
The Mega Fam Trip had representatives selected from 46 travel agencies and 19 press partners across the world. The participants came from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Austria, Scandinavia, the Americas, the Middle East, China, Japan, India, Saudi Arabia, and countries from the Indian Ocean, and Africa.
By Francis Doku
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