TIG Post

Tag: AfricaWeb Group

  • Military deployment won’t end galamsey – Group to govt

    Military deployment won’t end galamsey – Group to govt

    A leading environmental advocacy group, Eco-Conscious Citizens, is urging the government to adopt a more sustainable and long-term strategy to address the illegal mining crisis, commonly referred to as galamsey.

    The group contends that while current efforts are necessary, they fall short of delivering a lasting solution.

    The Coordinator of Eco-Conscious Citizens, Awula Serwah, has called for a state of emergency in areas affected by galamsey, emphasizing that only bold and coordinated actions will effectively tackle the environmental devastation caused by illegal mining.

    In an interview with Citi News, Serwah stressed the need for the government to intensify its efforts against illegal mining.

    She highlighted the repetitive nature of the issue, where illegal miners return to damaged forest reserves once temporary enforcement measures end.

    “We visit some forest reserves, destroy machinery, but then what? They [illegal miners] just come back,” she remarked.

    “To break this cycle, she proposed declaring a state of emergency, pausing all small-scale mining activities, and encouraging communities to report illegal miners. “It doesn’t matter their political affiliation—action must be taken,” she added.

    To break this cycle, Serwah proposed declaring a state of emergency, suspending all small-scale mining activities, and encouraging communities to report illegal miners.

    Her remarks came after the government deployed over 100 soldiers on Thursday, October 10, as part of the enhanced Operation Halt initiative. This latest phase focuses on illegal mining operations in the Eastern Region, particularly targeting river bodies like the Birim and Pra Rivers, which have been heavily polluted.

    The military, equipped with surveillance drones and advanced technology, is dismantling illegal mining sites, seizing excavators, and arresting those involved.

    However, Serwah warned that military crackdowns alone will not resolve the issue. She called for stricter enforcement of mining laws, the provision of alternative livelihoods for miners, and greater community involvement to ensure illegal mining does not return once military interventions end.

  • GhanaWeb, a subsidiary of AfricaWeb Group officially announces death of Ekow Blankson

    GhanaWeb, a subsidiary of AfricaWeb Group, has officially announced the death of its Commercial Manager, Ekow Blankson.

    In an article published on October 3, 2022, the website noted that “it is with great sadness that the AfricaWeb Group, GhanaWeb and Advertiser and Publisher Solutions Ghana Ltd. (ADPU) announce the death of our friend, colleague and commercial manager Ekow Blankson. Ekow died early morning on Monday, October 3, 2022, at a hospital in Tema surrounded by his wife and close relatives. He was 50 years old.”

    The article further noted that “Ekow Blankson was a management member of the AfricaWeb group and key driving force behind the company’s commercial activities in Ghana. Recently, he led the company to present our products and services at the 2022 Ghana Bloggers Summit where he had been his usual ebullient and energetic self.

    “He had time for everyone and was always engaged and interested in the people he met. In addition, he had a great intellect and was forever learning new things and developing new ideas. He brought those personal qualities (not to mention his vast experience in business) to the company and we owe him a great debt.

    Ekow left behind his wife Justina Naadu Blankson and children; our thoughts and condolences go out to them.

    While announcing this, GhanaWeb pledged to continue to support the family left behind.

    “They too, have been part of the AfricaWeb family and we will continue to support them through this difficult time.

    In the immediate term, urgent communications should be directed to Matilda Nartey at matilda.nartey@adpugh.com.

    About Ekow Blankson

    Ekow Blankson was the Commercial Manager of Advertiser and Publisher Solutions Ghana Ltd. (ADPU) where he brought his 22 years of experience gained across various business fields. Ekow Blankson managed the expansive growth of the digital business as well as identified areas within the organization that can be commercially expanded and developed in the digital world. He managed the sales and marketing teams of GhanaWeb as well as all AfricaWeb subsidiaries.

    Ekow Blankson has worked with four multinational companies including Ghana Breweries Limited, a subsidiary of Heineken; Coca-Cola; Vodafone, and WaterHealth International in various leadership roles. He has also worked with media companies including TV Africa, Media General Ghana Limited and Multimedia Broadcasting Company as Managing Director, Director of Brands and Corporate Communications and General Manager (Luv FM and Nhyira FM) respectively. He was also the Director of Strategy and Corporate Communications at the conglomerate Groupe Ideal.

    Ekow Blankson has a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts from the University of Ghana, Legon; a marketing certificate from Heineken University, Amsterdam; and a Diploma in Theatre Arts (Drama) from the University of Ghana, Legon. He also received years of training in various fields of marketing, sales, management and advertising. He is a full member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana (CIMG).

    With a long career in acting, he was awarded Best Male Actor International nomination at the 2022 NELAS AWARDS UK; Best Adult Male Role GH Student’s Awards 2022; and nominated for Best Actor at the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) and Best Supporting Actor nomination at the 2010 Ghana Movie Awards. He has directed and featured in several Ghanaian movies including Checkmate; Borga; In April; Black Earth Rising; Death After Birth and The Intruder among many others.