Issue No93 - Bands To Watch Edition

Reality Check

At a first view for most people in the palm oil income should stand up against labor; most target organic production, free
developed world, the inscription is this bad advertising which is hurting range, animals’ welfare and many other
nothing special. After all, preservatives the people of the developed countries. things. Some products in Europe even
are not very healthy and neither are The reason why health ‘freaks’ mainly contain a text that these Israeli products
colorants. But what is wrong with in France and other European countries are not produced on the West Bank.
the most used oil in the southern have been, and are still, pushing for this
hemisphere: PALM OIL? Very important is the fast lost of the natural environment So why hitting on all palm oil producers
is that the sale of palm oil is a reliable and habitat for orangutans in Indonesia in the world for a local (Indonesian,
source of income for many developing and Malaysia. Malaysian)? Why do the environmentalists
countries in Africa and Asia. and governments of the developed world
I love nature and I am (although not a not create and name a brand or logo for
Palm oil doesn’t create any health fanatic like some others) also concerned environmentally friendly produced palm
problem like preservatives and colorants. about nature, the natural forest, oil. Excluding only palm oil produced in
orangutan and most of the way Malaysian areas where they destroy the environment
So why mention on food packaging that and Indonesian farmers are encroaching and thus saving income for all other palm
“This product doesn’t contain palm oil”? on the habitat of the orangutan. farmers from developing countries?

Palm oil is great for sustainable land To many people, the orangutans are just I have my ideas and suspicions why
use because the yields of palm nuts per monkeys. Yet they are, together with palm oil is targeted and it has not much
hectare are much better than all other gorillas, chimpanzees, the only species to do with the environment; it is mostly
oils. Palm nuts per hectare yield 3,800 on earth whose DNAs are closer to economic. Although all the facts from the
liters of oil. Soybeans per hectare give human beings than they are to each environmentalists are true and they have
500 liters of oil while olive yields 450 liters other. It is sad that we are killing them. a genuine reason to ban palm oil (from
of oil. Sunflower per hectare offers 700 It would be a mammoth disaster to lose palm farms destroying the environment),
liters of oil whereas rape seed has 800 them. the proposals to ban palm oil are
liters of oil. gladly accepted and implemented by
But does that give anybody the right to governments in Europe and the U.S. for
Just imagine when the whole world hurt any human being not involved in self-serving reasons.
replaces sunflower and rape seed oil destroying nature and natural habitat in
with palm oil. We would end up just the world by declaring that “This product The best oil
using 21% of the land now in use for doesn’t contain palm oil”? As I described
sunflower and rape seed oil all over the earlier, palm oil is the best oil for the Europe and the U.S. can’t produce the best
world. Imagine the forest we could plant whole environment. And the palm tree is oil for the world’s environment because
on that land and reintroduce buffalo, not of the species that environmentalists they simply don’t have the climate to do
wolves and many other endangered try to protect. so. But because their climate is ideal for
animal species. Large parts of Europe rape seed and sun flower oil, they will not
and the United States (U.S.) would be Saboteurs to court address all the negative production effects
turned into pristine forests. of these oils. Banning a product is easier
In fact, I don’t understand why African, than competing against it, especially if you
The best reasons for the production South American and Asian palm tree can climate-wise not produce it.
of palm oil is that we use 10 times farm owners don’t take these saboteurs
less fertilizer and over 3,500 times to court for the destruction of palm oil? Just imagine when the whole world would
less pesticides than for rape seed and Nuclear energy is bad as well. But won’t replaces sunflower and rape seed oil with
sunflower oils, the most commonly used somebody protest if a hospital writes that palm oil. That way, we would regain 79%
oils in Europe and the U.S. “We don’t use nuclear energy to cure extra land to create extra forests in Europe
cancer”? Hard drugs are very bad. But and the U.S. In these forests, we could
Most pesticides and should we stop using morphine (heroine reintroduce buffalos, wolves, cougars,
fertilizers for medical use) as a last resort to help wild cats, deer, lost bird species and many
people stop unbearable pain? other endangered animal species. When
The United Kingdom (UK) website large parts of Europe and the U.S. are
called “the ethical consumer” stated The developed world has, mainly in their turned into pristine forests, won’t that be
that vegetable oils like rape seed and own interest, started many campaigns great for nature and our environment?
sunflower oil use the most pesticides and and implemented many sustainable
fertilizers than any crop. Red palm oil, programs and certifications, brands and Best of all, we would still be able to use
but also refined palm oil (although lower), labels as Max Havelaar, Label Rouge, the same quantity of edible oils. But in this
has many positive health benefits. It has Back to Nature, TonyChoceloni, etc. case, the much better and healthier palm
positive effects on cholesterol levels and Some of these brands are fair trade and oil, and we won’t destroy the environment.
the heart, enriches vitamin A, reduces fair payment based; others target child Rather, we will give back to nature.
stress and improves skin and hair. Environmentalists would love it, but
farmers and governments in the developed
All these are positive facts to use and world wouldn’t be that enthusiastic.
push the use of palm oil all over the world
and for everybody who is environment, I think that idea is unrealistic. I call upon all
health and climate conscious. palm oil producers to force every country
in the world to remove the horrible label
Now, let’s get to the short-sighted on packs because it is too general. And
reason behind the label on the pack. it hurts the most vulnerable people and
I think all palm oil producing countries economies in the world. It is, in my view,
which can’t afford the luxury of losing pure subtle protectionism that must be
fiercely fought and stopped immediately.

tBE

The Business Executive 101

Diplomacy

Australia-Ghana partnership
thriving for better development

By Andrew Barnes

Iam proud to acknowledge that Moreover, both countries share English reform and good governance, all of
Australia was one of the first countries as their official language. Today, more which contribute to the elimination of
in the world to recognize the newly than 10,000 Ghanaians call Australia poverty.
independent Ghana which was home.
decolonized on 6th March, 1957. Before For these reasons, the Australia Awards
then, it was called the Gold Coast. Australia, like Ghana, has an impressive scholarship program forms an integral
reputation as a nation committed to part of our cooperation with Ghana.
On 21st February, 1958 that Australia peace and security, and the soldiers Through this development assistance
opened its High Commission in and police of our countries have served program, Australia is building valuable
Accra. This became Australia’s first together in many United Nations (UN) connections between our people,
foreign mission in democratic sub- Peace Keeping Missions around the strengthening trust between our two
Saharan Africa. Since then the relations world, including in Cambodia, Lebanon nations and fostering an understanding
between Australia and Ghana, a West and the Balkans, where they have of each other’s cultures, political
African state, have been cordial, as developed a strong mutual respect for systems and economies.
both countries are members of the each other.
Commonwealth of Nations – a result Since 2011, the Australian government
of both countries being former British The Australian government recognizes has supported 415 Ghanaian
colonies. that education and training have a professionals with scholarships to
central role in Ghana’s development. By study in Australia through the Australia
It is important to summarize the historical creating a skilled and socially engaged Awards program.
development of Australia as a nation. On workforce to bring about positive
26th January, 1788, the first fleet arrived change, higher education helps to This is a testament to the outstanding
at Sydney Cove, near where the iconic improve the prospects for economic caliber of Ghanaian candidates, and
Sydney Opera House now stands. The growth, social cohesion, democratic underscores the high value that the
arrival of 11 convict ships from Britain
began the first permanent settlement
of Europeans on Australian soil, which
had been occupied by the indigenous
people or Aborigines for centuries. Thus
Australia Day has been marked on 26th
January annually to commemorate the
first settlement on the territory.

Today, Australia is a thriving, successful
multicultural society that, like Ghana,
has a reputation as a friendly, easy-
going country. Let me also use this
opportunity to express our heartfelt
gratitude for the outpouring of
sympathy, warm wishes and support by
the Government and people of Ghana
for Australia and the people of Australia
concerning the devastating bushfires.
The scale and ferocity of these fires has
been unprecedented and have caused
enormous destruction to our country’s
wildlife habitat.

Australia’s relationship with Ghana is
therefore a long one, one based on
many shared values and interests,
including democracy, a commitment
to peace and security, a belief in the
importance of free trade and investment
and deep people-to-people links.

102 The Business Executive

Diplomacy

Australian government places on its to support the New Horizon Special The writer
bilateral partnership with Ghana. School in Accra with funds raised at our
annual Melbourne Cup Charity Gala in
In the economic sphere, in the eyes of November 2019.
many, Australia and responsible mining
are synonymous in West Africa. With The previous year (i.e. 2018), we were
Australian mining companies’ current pleased to support the Pearl Safe
and prospective investment across the Haven with funding for the construction
West African sub-region estimated at of a safe house for victims of domestic
GHC100 billion, this fruitful partnership violence in Accra. The shelter will be a
will continue. small, but important part of efforts to
help in this under-resourced area.
Over many decades, Australian
mining companies have contributed Since 2004, the Australian High
significantly to the development of Commission has been working with
Ghana through the taxes and royalties communities across Ghana to deliver
they have paid and the people they over 200 projects, bringing strong,
tangible benefits to local communities.

Since 2004, the
Australian High
Commission has
been working with
communities across
Ghana to deliver over
200 projects, bringing
strong, tangible
benefits to local
communities.

have employed. Our companies In the Chuchuliga community in the In line with promoting inclusive development
pride themselves on the transfer of Builsa North Municipality of the Upper and addressing violence against women
knowledge, skills and expertise to their East Region, for example, the High and girls, the High Commission, in
Ghanaian workforce. This has been Commission completed the construction partnership with our Ghana Australia
so successful that Ghanaians are now of a 20-bed maternity ward. The project Alumni Association - G3A, refurbished
employed in key mining positions right was funded through the Australian the Greater Accra Regional Domestic
across Africa and in other parts of the Government’s Direct Aid Program (DAP) Violence Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU)
world. and implemented through RISE Ghana, of the Ghana Police Service. As part of
a local nongovernmental organization the project, 75 DOVVSU coordinators and
The Australian Government is also (NGO) working to improve human rights prosecutors from 14 Divisional Commands
proud to share its world-leading mining and ensure sustainable development in were given training to address victim’s
expertise with Ghana through a range Ghana. needs better, and effectively investigate
of capacity building initiatives such as gender-based violence cases.
scholarships and study tours. Australia Thanks to this project, in-patients are
has also supported the Ministry of now receiving treatment in private On this Australia Day, we reflect on the
Lands and Natural Resources in its fight cubicles; doctors and nurses now have depth of our relationship with Ghana. It
against illegal mining (locally known comfortable offices; bathroom facilities is an exciting time for Australia in Ghana.
as ‘galamsey’) through several joint are user friendly; and the treatment Despite being on the opposite sides of
initiatives. room is now fully equipped. The the world, we do enjoy warm and friendly
project is one of five health, water and relations.
Reflecting the priority that the Australian sanitation and hygiene projects funded
Government places on promoting in the 2018/19 DAP. The writer is the Australian High
human rights and inclusiveness, the Commissioner to Ghana
High Commission in Ghana was pleased
tBE

The Business Executive 103

Management

The Art of
Negotiation:

Its features, tactics
and myths

By Ebo Bhavnani

We negotiate all the time with office. In other words, they hate it!. He really does “win” or “lose” more than the
our colleagues, customers, makes an interesting analogy when he other, this is not the only possible outcome.
potential employers, service likens negotiation to a back-and-forth Both parties may walk away “winning,” or
providers, landlords, family exchange whereby two people are working both parties may walk away “losing!”
members, friends, and many others. together toward some common objective.
People negotiate for a number of reasons: Negotiation occurs when the following Myth #2: The best negotiators have a
ensues. “tough” style: - As a consequence of Myth
• Seeking agreement on how to #1, a number of people including business
share or divide resources (e.g., buying a • Two or more parties have a conflict of leaders believe that they need to always be
house in exchange for a certain amount of needs or desires. aggressive in negotiation. Their contention
money) is that it is necessary to acquire as much
• Parties discuss to get a better deal power as possible, and then dominate the
• Creation of something new than simply accepting what is offered other party. However, pushing others around
that neither party could create alone (e.g., by the other side. mercilessly is likely to result in dissatisfaction
partnering with a friend to start a new on a number of levels, which may among
business) • Parties expect a “give-and-take” other outcomes damage one’s relationships
process. or reputation.
• Conflict resolution (e.g. trying to
resolve a disagreement with a co-worker) There are however myths associated with Myth #3: Effective negotiators are born,
As Dustin J. Sleesman, an associate negotiation. not made: - The proverbial “nature versus
professor of management at University of nurture” debate has been considered in a
Delaware, indicate that some people see Myth #1: Negotiations are always fixed- number of contexts. For example, do our
negotiation as a battle or game, in which sum: - Many people see negotiation in terms genetics or personal experiences better
the objective is to dominate a competitor. of a “winner” and “loser.” The idea is that as predict negotiation capability? It is true that
Sleesman further notes that others put one party gains value in a negotiation, the some aspects of our personality and natural
negotiation in the same mental category other party loses that value. However, the communication abilities can shape our
as getting a root canal at the dentist’s reality is that although sometimes one party potential as negotiators. However, it is true
that negotiation is a skill that can be studied
and improved over time.

104 The Business Executive

Management

The studio agreed to the deal, which are not quite at an agreement yet. How do
seems great; however, it later surfaced you close the deal? Here are some useful
that the studio was actually willing to techniques to consider. Firstly, one can
give them 25% of the profits! Thus, by apply the principle of “deal sweeteners”
allowing the Beatles to make an initial which refers to any minor concession
offer, the movie studio was able to score made at the end of a negotiation. The car
an incredible deal. salesman gives you free oil changes for
onje year. The equipment vendor decides
Here is the advice: You should make to give you free shipping. The person
the first offer if your knowledge of the providing the deal sweetener is not giving
market value is at least as good as your up much, but it is meant to “throw in a
counterpart’s. If you lack such knowledge little extra” and convince the other party to
(or such knowledge doesn’t exist, such make an agreement.
as a product or service that is novel and
difficult to compare with others), then Also, the ’assume the close” strategy
you may want to let your counterpart can be adopted. This refers to starting
make that initial offer. Sleesman however post-agreement procedures before an
argues that in most cases, your market agreement is even reached. It could be
value knowledge is at least as good as in the form of having the contract already
your counterpart’s and as such the safe written and on the table, ready to sign. Or
bet is to move first. Negotiation studies the negotiator may shake your hand as he
generally find a positive correlation is giving you his counter-offer, saying that
between (a) the first offer and (b) the he is happy to be reaching an agreement
final agreement in a negotiation. In other with you. The presumption is that “don’t
words, if the first offer is high, the final even think about it any further; the deal is
agreement is also likely to be high and done! And congratulations, by the way.”
if the first offer is low, the opposite is
likely to happen. As such, it is argued The “split the difference” tactics whereby
that it generally pays to make a relatively each party has made some concessions
aggressive first offer. The question then and are close to reaching an agreement
is just how “aggressive” should your first “meet in the middle” by agreeing to give in
offer be? As a general rule, it is advised the same amount can also be employed.
that you make it as aggressive as you Split the difference is generally perceived
can justify. to be a very intuitively appealing, fair, and
quick method of closing a deal. However,
A regular future be wary of how much you have conceded
to the other party at the point a “split the
The question is always asked whether one In negotiation, offering “concession” difference” request is made. The party who
should make the first offer in a negotiation. is a regular feature and refers to giving has given up the least benefits the most
This is a question that professional in on something to the other party. For with this tactic.
negotiators can be very opinionated about. example, during a negotiation, I may
Some experts passionately maintain that agree to lower the price of my product The “exploding offer” tactic which refers to
you should always make the first offer while by GhC100. I just made a concession to giving your opponent little time to respond
others argue otherwise. Let us consider my customer. In terms of the process of to your offer can also be employed. For
some of the pros and cons of making the making concessions, negotiators tend to example, a negotiator may say he needs
first offer. expect that sequential concessions will a response within 24 hours, by the end
be equal in magnitude. In other words, of the business day, or even within the
On the positive side, making the first to the extent that I give you a generous next 10 minutes or else the deal is “off
offer allows you to set the tone of the concession, I will expect such a generous the table”! The intention is to pressure the
negotiation. In other words, you can begin concession in return. other side to make an agreement quickly.
the discussion with an upper hand. In Although this tactic can be effective, some
fact, some people believe that letting your When a negotiator does not reciprocate negotiators perceive it to be unreasonable
counterpart make the first offer is a sign concessions, the other party tends to and unfair.
of weakness. On the negative side, it is experience perceptions of unfairness
argued that by making the first offer you to the extent that the other party is From all indications, it can be safely
forego the opportunity to get a great deal if perceived as not being reasonable. In concluded that there is no hard and fast
your counterpart makes a non-aggressive this vein, research finds that negotiators rule regarding the art of negotiation. Once
offer. tend to be more satisfied with a given its features are identified and tactics
In his book “Bargaining for Advantage”, negotiation to the extent that there was employed, it becomes an enjoyable venture
author Richard Shell describes a a progression of concessions by both for all parties engaged in negotiation. Once
fascinating example of this possibility. A parties. In fact, negotiators tend to feel the myths about negotiation is demystified,
manager represented The Beatles (the particularly dissatisfied when their initial the tendency to learn negotiation as an art
famous British band) in a negotiation with offer was immediately accepted by the is enhanced.
a movie studio for the 1964 film “A Hard other party. This phenomenon is known
Day’s Night.” The manager opened the as the “winner’s curse.” The writer is a Branch
negotiation with a demand of 7.5% of Manager at FBN Bank
profits from the film. A critical stage in negotiation is “closing Ghana Ltd. He is a
the deal”. Okay, so the initial offer has Fellow of the Chartered
been made and each party has made a Institute of Marketing,
series of concessions to the other, but you UK and an alumnus of the
Commonwealth Scholars
and Fellows, UK.

The Business Executive 105 The writer

tBE

Real Estate

Surv. Dr. Gad Akwensivie

Overcoming
the challenges to
land registration
in Ghana
(Final Part)

106 The Business Executive
106 The Business Executive

Real Estate

Stamping is a stand-alone process. Therefore, Measures have been put in place to prevent the
the stamped document has to be represented for collection of Land Title certificates by fraudsters
registration proper. To be successful at obtaining a and impersonators. Therefore, the under-listed
Land Title Certificate, the additional information below documents will be required before a Land Title
must be provided. Certificate is released by the Client Service
Access Unit (CSAU). They are:
• If the nature of the instrument to be
registered is a judgment, the applicant must attach a • A photo I.D. of the grantee if he/she
copy of the certified judgment plan. is receiving the certificate in person. The grantee
is the person in whose favor the registration is
• For Stool and Skin lands, the applicant made;
should provide planning comment/approval from the
Town and Country Planning Department of the local • Where the recipient (person collecting)
authority in the area where the land is situated. The the document is not the grantee, the collector
planning comment basically confirms whether or not must provide his/her photo I.D. and an authority
the proposed use (residential, commercial, industrial, note of the grantee. Certificates will not be
recreational, etc.) conforms to the zoning and planning released without them;
scheme approved for the area.
• The recipient must show proof of the
• Also for Stool, Skin and State Lands, payment for concurrence (with the payment
applicant must provide evidence of consent. receipt) - applicable only to stool and skin lands;
ands
• Where the registration is about the transfer
of the whole parcel of land that has been previously • The recipient must also show proof of
registered, the applicant must attach the original Land the payment of ground rent. This is applicable to
Title Certificate. stool, skin and some family lands.

• Finally, the applicant must attach any The above apply to Land Title Registration. When
recited documents that he/she thinks will help the these processes and procedures are religiously
application. complied with, the purchaser of land in Ghana will
acquire a valid legal title which is uncontestable.
With these, an applicant has a good chance of The buyer, however, is cautioned to be aware
obtaining a Land Title Certificate on the assumption when purchasing land.
that there are no competing interests, pending litigation
or applications for objections to the registration. tBE

The author is a landed Property Investment advisor. (Land Ad-
ministration, Property Valuation, Estate Agency & Property In-
vestment Viability) Telephone : 0244843997 Email: dadosman@

yahoo.com . wwww.gadakwensivie.com

The Business Executive 107
The Business Executive 107

Law

Law and the New
Developmental State in West
Africa (Part One)

Published below is a keynote address that Dr. Raymond A. Atuguba,
a Visiting Professor of Law and Henry J. Steiner Visiting Professor
of Human Rights (2018-2019) Harvard Law School, delivered at
the 2019 Annual Conference and General Meeting of the Sierra
Leone Bar Association on 4th-5th July, 2019 at Lagonda Complex in
Freetown, Sierra Leone’s capital city. The contemporary relevance of
the address necessitates its publication in this magazine.

It is traditional to begin a keynote address by indicating Before we focus on my sadness and anger about Sierra Leone,
that one is happy or glad to do so. On this occasion, and about Africa generally, let us put that sadness and anger in
and in line with the dictates of the central theme of my a global setting. In other words, what picture or what view do
address, I must be forthright and say that I am really sad, the rest of the 194 countries in the world present; and how do
almost angry, to deliver this keynote address. Sierra Leone and her Bar Association fit in there?

I say this unapologetically, without fear of ruining your That way, we can begin to surmise the issues we face here in
celebratory mood because that very mood, the extremely their most “profound reality.” And more importantly, appreciate
premature euphoria, the dance before dawn, is part of the the courses of action we must take as the Sierra Leone Bar, and
phenomenon that I am sad and angry about. the sacrifices that are implicated thereby.

108 The Business Executive

Law

Today, the Global Picture, the view of “the Libya and Tunisia), at the beginning of
world we live in” is pretty simple to crack, this decade and joined by Djibouti also
and does not appear to be changing in from 2000 and 2001, the army overthrew
the near future; unless we intentionally, the governments in Guinea Bissau and in
deliberately, positively, let it. Mali in 2012. Benin, Comoros, and Chad
experienced failed coup d’états in 2013,
Politically, we are witnessing the death whilst those in the Central African Republic
of Democracy and Good Governance in 2013.
and the rise of dictatorships and a
new populism all over the globe; with In Burkina Faso, in 2014 a coup succeeded.
the traditional democratic frontiers, In 2015, another coup in the same country
the United States and Great Britain succeeded, but for just one week. A
leading the pack. Economically, we are “counter-counter” coup reinstalled the
experiencing accelerated extractivism, new deposed President, and yet another
as the G20 countries continue to pillage failed coup, still in Burkina Faso, occurred
every imaginable resource - human, in 2016. After a failed coup attempt in
material, cultural, technological - from Gambia in 2014, another internationally
poorer countries; whilst killing, maiming, orchestrated “coup” succeeded a few
threatening, starving, corrupting anyone in years later.
the line of the resources.
Burundi experienced a failed coup in 2015,
Socially, the world is so divided everyone is and the interesting coup in Zimbabwe in
looking over his/her shoulder to see if his/ 2017 is unforgettable. The attempted coup
her neighbor is about to throw a bomb or in Gabon and the successful one in Sudan
otherwise harm them; and nations are so this year are both fresh in our memories. In
scared of one another they now parade the last two or so years, there have been
military tanks, flyovers, and fireworks at 11 attempted or successful coups in the
their independence parades. world, and eight of these were in Africa.
Even countries that appear politically stable
Steal from each other are not that stable. Mali, Nigeria, and many
other countries live under the specter and
Technologically, we are so screwed up Prof. Raymond A. Atuguba growing threat of terrorism.
that we use it to fight wars, rig elections
to subvert the authentic choices of the economic sustainability … While almost Shining stars like Ghana are slowly
people, and steal from each other. This is all African states hold multiparty elections experiencing democratic reversals, and
“the world we live in”. No matter how much that create the outward appearance of Sierra Leone is learning all the bad things
we pretend, and no matter how far we try democracy, in many cases constitutions from Ghana. When a country starts
to sweep it under the carpet, the Liberal continue to confer disproportionate power to illegitimately remove constitutionally
Democratic Model is exhausted and almost on the president and ruling party. protected officers from their posts,
dead. including sitting Supreme Court judges,
“The last few years have also seen the represses journalists, and interferes in court
That Model, the dominant model in our time continuation of a decade long trend of processes for really micro and meso level
for getting every country out of poverty and democratic backsliding, with governments political agendas, the destructive seeds of
unto a path of sustainable development … deploying repression to deal with the authoritarianism and the annihilation of the
and keeping it there will be no more by challenges posed by the spread of social freedoms of the people are sown. It is no
2020; yes, by next year. As Vladimir Putin media and the emergence of increasingly wonder that Liberia experienced a massive
told the Financial Times at the Kremlin assertive civil society groups and citizens demonstration last month, Sierra
exactly a week ago today, “The Liberal Idea opposition parties.” Leone experienced similar skirmishes in
Has Become Obsolete”, having “outlived the same month, and just at the beginning
its purpose”. Putin is one hundred per cent Basic State stability of this month, the courts were used by
right, but for completely different reasons the government of Ghana to temporarily
from those he espoused at the interview. I Even basic State stability appears to elude subvert a demonstration.
will come back to this later. Africa. In the last decade alone, there
have been coups in Madagascar in 2009 Enough of politics
To return to the theme of global politics, and in Niger in 2010. After the coups and
and coming closer home, the BTI Regional uprisings in North Africa (Algeria, Egypt, Enough of politics; let’s move on to the
Report for Africa for 2018, appropriately economy. I return to the BTI assessment:
titled “A Divided Continent”, notes that: “Economic transformation also stalled
“Between 2015 and 2017 Africa witnessed during this period. Following the optimism
an overall deterioration in the quality of of the ‘Africa rising’ years, a combination
political and economic transformation of falling demand for commodity prices,
and governance … it is striking that every the failure of many states to diversify their
criterion of democracy … recorded a economies … led to lower than projected
decline. economic growth between 2015 and 2017.
In turn, falling revenue placed significant
“The same was true of every measure of pressure on government budgets, and
economic status and governance. The thus constrained the policy levers available
combined effect of these trends was to to many … Along with rising currency and
move the continent further away from price instability and the growing percentage
political stability, democratization, and of GDP that African states spend on

The Business Executive 109

Law

servicing an increasingly heavy debt As happened with themselves with new constitutions,
burden … this led to a deterioration in Ghana’s Constitution those constitutions, representing quick,
the standard of living.” Review Commission, reluctant, creasy, political settlements and
such reviews must compromises, were just enough for their
This is no news and has been extend beyond the needs.
happening since 1488 when the first Constitution, even
European explorers arrived in Africa. beyond law, and No longer enough
Since then, Africa has been a living touch the hardcore
carcass, feasted upon for centuries by governance, Today, those constitutions are no longer
Euro-American nations, and lately by developmental, and enough for their needs, and are definitely
the other G20 nations. From 1980 to nation-building issues ultra-inadequate for their wants. What
2009, at least $1.2 trillion was lost from that need to be African countries need now is deep,
our dear continent in illicit financial flows, confronted. participatory reviews of their constitutional
a terminology that does not cover all governance, undertaken in a manner that
of the illegitimate outflows from Africa; it. After the then Vice President won against simultaneously builds citizenship and
it covers only “money earned illegally the government at the ECOWAS [Economic garners the nationalism that is essential for
and transferred for use elsewhere Community of West Africa States] Court of pushing through the governance reforms
… usually generated from criminal Justice, the previous government and this that all African countries badly need.
activities, corruption, tax evasion, bribes government have both failed to abide by the
and transactions from cross-border judgment. As happened with Ghana’s Constitution
smuggling … The illicit haemorrhage Review Commission, such reviews must
of resources from Africa is about four I know this because I was the lawyer for extend beyond the Constitution, even
times Africa’s current external debt … the dismissed Vice President. Over the last beyond law, and touch the hardcore
Africa has been a net creditor to the rest few years, many persons who occupied governance, developmental, and nation-
of the world for decades.” constitutionally protected positions have building issues that need to be confronted.
been sacked or otherwise removed I call on the Sierra Leone Bar to initiate
The BTI report continues: “The African by government. The recent removal of this process. Be reminded that if done
continent is resource-rich. With good Members of Parliament and their illegitimate properly, such a review will be effective
resource husbandry, Africa could replacement are clearly contrary to the even if it is not passed into law. It will
be in a position to finance much of election laws that allow for those seats to serve as a constant reference point for the
its own development.” The report remain vacant when an appeal is imminent. democratic guidance of the nation.
contains another set of really profound Those laws also require another election
statements that we need to have to be held. This was not done. The fact Still on the political solution, we need to
front and center in our minds as we that these actions were taken pursuant be reminded that liberal democracy will
move into issue resolution mode: “The to judgments of the courts of law is very be dead by next year, and so we must be
composition of these outflows also worrying indeed. This is the Sierra Leone brave enough to sing him a dirge (liberal
challenges the traditional thinking about we live in today. democracy is definitely a “him”); dance
illicit money…[C]orrupt activities such the funeral-war dance; bury him; shed
as bribery and embezzlement constitute On the economic front, Sierra Leone is still some tears; hug in sorrow; and move
only about 3% of illicit outflows a favorite site for vultures to scavenge. Her past him. The new aspiring democracies
… criminal activities such as drug mineral resources, agricultural lands, fishery and economic miracles in Africa - notably
trafficking and smuggling make up 30% resources, and everything are there for the Mauritius, Botswana and Rwanda - did
to 35% and commercial transactions taking by any multinational company that not reach there through liberal democracy.
by multinational companies make up has a few dollars to throw around. Recently, Indeed, those countries are increasingly
a whopping 60% to 65%. Contrary the government had to ban fishing by becoming illiberal in several respects.
to popular belief… money stolen by foreign trawlers in Sierra Leone waters.
corrupt governments is insignificant A reading of “Behind the presidential
compared to the other forms of illicit What can be done about “the world we live curtain: inside out of real Paul Kagame
outflow. The most common way illicit in”? Let’s start with the political. Some 30 from his former bodyguard”, gives us
money is moved across borders is years ago, when many African countries, an enlightening picture of the illiberal
through international trade.” including Sierra Leone, experienced the aspects of Rwandan governance.Although
third wave of democracy, and adorned Botswana looks thoroughly democratic,
Economic policy her last President [Ian Khama Serekse
reversals Khama] was in power for 10 years. Before
that, he was Vice President for another 10
Against this background, I wish to years, and even before that, he was the
focus on two things: democratic, good
governance and economic policy commander of her army. tBE
reversals in Sierra Leone in the last few
years, and more important, what the Subscribe to
Sierra Leone Bar may do about these. Ghana’s Number
Sierra Leone has experienced many One corporate
democratic reversals in the last decade.
In 2015, the then President sacked his magazine
Vice President unconstitutionally, and
strangely, the Supreme Court endorsed

110 The Business Executive

evUPeCnOMtINsG 2020

FEMININE GHANA ACHIEVEMENT AWARDSAswenwcwatow.rfsae.rmdAinsCicnohecegkmhtaaeinltaeoavhecohnniteowvueirtrhso.utchtosemtaatnredisnegttwinogmfeonr 2e0xc0eplleinogplien. their various

ghana development awardSsTpouhcbeiloiac-weinacrsodtnistoumatiimoicn.sstaownidwdewpnr.tgivifdayatea.tnhedenbtpeuursbpinlriiceslseyssreetxhceaoctguhntiaivzveee.nincedotnivtirdibuuatlsedantod both
Ghana’s

Ghana Industry CEO AwardsCTCTrhooairrscppkooarrwRaaeatteecrdoSLriedosacwtdioaewlrawRswh.egaisphrpdioScnGeksoihlilaabswn,ilaiaQt’yrusd,asPml.iectoyoospmotlfeRPeSrskopidleluscct(etCsdlioeCrnEtSOeRsrevwliachteioosn,hsIan)vnaeonvmdaetOitortgnha,enCicrzeraiatteitoirvniaitaylo,f

NIGERIA MOST RESPECTED CEO AWARDStbhuToputhtsspetith:nr/aeie/vwniserisagctreoaodrcrsiepatmiowsvrmiuitalylltoaenistneotartNcewohsiignpiteheleyvrcrieraetmee;gwdteahcanreedrtdoystsowft.uhcicreloltohmmareplsoroosraatnetodneucbltoeseuatcardoanemgdresienhtgirhpoeClaeEdnOmedscomoidnraeanletseaadfgcoheCrmEsoeOethcnsetto.trorCosEftOeps
African Global Trade & Investments AwardsApaionwnlGivsdneThseIimEntrmsveis/eenCsnutEttnmaOitnqesrdaunanetplsllcryaoaocdvrutoeeniuonstnneigcsdrnapaeptahndaretdciteioctlsoioeinndisngteitennAortefirdntfieyectralawmiv.nhedrhoretspolteapunt:bei/tol/hxinaceesglmiyhrtipiraepelwnascd,raoymrgodtnfarsiaki.zncceetokseemrrtnneh/taceetomripordnreisasxlecostefrlaaaledcnnecdtoattmhrnae-ddire

The Business Executive Ltd. | P. O.Box 892, Odokor - Accra

[email protected]|e+c(u2t3i3v)e302-431116108 +(233) 248-135645

ICT

Truecaller turns profitable
with 200 million active users
globally
Premium Subscriptions in India. Truecaller partnerships across the ecosystem. “This is
The Sweden-based caller-identification added that premium subscriptions on the a concrete milestone on our path to build a
app, Truecaller on 4th February, platform have grown immensely since it financially-sustainable independent company
2020 announced that it has achieved was launched a year back. It has already that will be ready for IPO in three years,” he
profitability over the last 4 months and crossed the one million mark and projected said.
also crossed the major milestone of 200 million to grow by another 50% in coming months.
monthly active users (MAUs) around the world. “We are thrilled and humbled that we have The platform currently offers various services
been profitable for the last several months such as Instant Messaging, VoIP, and FINTECH
The Sweden-based caller-identification app, while simultaneously growing revenues Products including UPI money transfers,
Truecaller Tuesday announced that it has at over 70% annually. This achievement Bharat Bill Payment System and digital money
achieved profitability over the last four months is a testament to the trust that our users lending, which is expected to launch within the
and also crossed the major milestone of 200 place in us and the effectiveness of our first quarter of this year.
million monthly active users (MAUs) around the revenue businesses. We will continue
world. to grow revenues through investments It further plans to expand its business portfolio
in advertisement, subscriptions, credit with services like Truecaller for Business.
In a statement, the company said that the and financial services,” Sandeep Patil, Another feature being revamped is Truecaller
reason behind its revenue generation was Managing Director, Truecaller, said. Priority, which identifies relevant calls from
aggressive growth in Advertising Sales and businesses, thereby differentiating them from
Patil added that the platform will make in spam calls.
India for India by recruiting talent across
technology, product management, data Source: https://www.zeebiz.com/technology/news
sciences and finance and by developing
tBE

112 The Business Executive

ICT

Half of 10-year-olds in UK own
a smartphone

By Zoe Kleinman

Fifty per cent of the United Kingdom’s Ofcom also interviewed parents about their their users and ensure they are a force for
(UK) 10-year-olds owned a smartphone concerns. It found that 45% of parents good not bad,” said Andy Burrows, head
in 2019, according to a report by media thought the benefits of children using the of child safety online policy.
regulator, Ofcom. internet outweighed the risks, but there
was an overall increase in parental concern Source: The writer is the technology reporter
The number of young phone owners doubled about young people seeing content that of BBC News
between the ages of nine and 10, which Ofcom might lead them to self-harm.
dubbed “the age of digital independence”. tBE
In addition, 24% of three and four-year-olds Just under half (47%) of the parents spoken
had their own tablets, and 15% of them were to were worried about pressure to spend
allowed to take it to bed. money within games, especially on loot
boxes, where the reward is not clear before
Ofcom’s annual report looks at the media habits purchase. Of those parents with children
of children, and the types of devices they are aged between 5 and 15, 87% had sought
using. The 2019 study was based on more advice about how to keep them safe online.
than 3,200 interviews with children and parents
around the UK. “The mobile phone is the device “We are seeing around half of 12-15 year
of choice for children,” said Yih-Choung Teh, olds saying they have seen hateful content
strategy and research group director at Ofcom. online, and an increase in parents who are
“I’m conscious that for these children who have concerned about it,” said Yih-Choung Teh.
never known a world without the internet, in “The good news is, more conversations
many respects their online and offline worlds are about staying safe online are also happening
indistinguishable.” across the country.”

The report also found that older children were Following the report, children’s charity the
using social media to express their support NSPCC called for independent regulators
for social causes and organizations, with 18% to force social media platforms to protect
having shared or commented on a post, and one their users from viewing harmful material.
in ten having signed an online petition. Ofcom “While it’s encouraging that parents are
dubbed this “the Greta effect” after the 17-year- talking to their children about their media
old environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg. use, we must look to tech giants to protect

Other key findings for 2019 included:

• 48% of girls aged 5-15 played online
games, compared with 71% of boys. Boys
spent twice as long playing, clocking up
14.5 hours per week, compared with 7.5
for girls.

• Snapchat and Facebook remained the
most popular social media platforms of
older children, but 62% were also using
WhatsApp (up from 43% in 2018).

• 99% of children aged 5-15 used a TV set,
27% used a smart speaker and 22% used
a radio.

• 80% of the children in the report watched
video-on-demand, and 25% watched no
live broadcast TV at all. One nine-year-old
girl told researchers: “I don’t really like the
TV because you can’t pick what channels
are on it”.

The Business Executive 113

Education

Quality: A Goal of the Education
for All Policy (Part One)

By Rehaf A. Madani

Education is recognized as a human Investing in education reinforces a society’s lifts individuals to freedom, which helps
right since the adoption of Universal wealth and growth, where individuals to eradicate international poverty and
Declaration of Human Rights in can easily improve their own personal hunger. Different nations of the world have
1948 besides health and shelter. efficacy, productivity, and incomes. A major declared that it is the right of every person
Education for All Goals was established challenge lies in defining the ideal education to get education by speaking through the
where more than 150 governments have indicators and circumstances among Universal Declaration of Human Rights
adopted world declaration on Education for countries; especially poorly developed (World education forum, 2000).
All policy to support the universal right for countries that strive to establish a quality
education. evaluation theme. Therefore, there is need Since then, numerous organizations
of multifaceted standpoint and reasoning have struggled to promote education
The ultimate a goal of many countries is framework to realize educational policy through the implementation of new
to guarantee the optimum educational evaluations that can truly contribute to the educational strategies and policies. These
access rates for improving the quality. improvement of educational situation in organizations include; United Nations
Similarly, quality is reflected by a range of developing countries and around the world. Educational, Scientific, and Cultural
indicators, including government spending Organization (UNESCO), Convention
on education, student/teacher ratios, Education is an essential tool for social against Discrimination in Education (1960),
teacher qualifications, test scores, and the and economic growth of a country. The the International Covenant on Economic,
length of time students spend in school. basic educational skills; like reading and Social and Cultural Rights (1966) and the
Every investment must be measured writing increases a person’s income up to Convention on the Elimination of All Forms
against how it can serve such aspects to 10% acting as the perfect weapon that of Discrimination against Women (1981)
ensure the ultimate quality of Education for (UNICEF, 2007).
All programs.

114 The Business Executive

Education

A universal commitment Education for All program, concentrating on must be at the heart of EFA” (UNESCO,
specific area of its quality (Haddad & Demsky, 2000). It is said that knowledge, interests,
Education for All policy (EFA) has been launched 2005). Quality of education is a broad concept capacities and circumstances (gender,
at World Conference in 1990 that as a universal and there is no single definition that has race, culture, language, religion, social
commitment that provides quality basic education identified the exact meaning of quality due status and migration) should be taken
for all children, youth, and adults. Education for to its complex nature. into consideration, when setting certain
All Goals were established at Jomtien (Thailand) strategies to improve educational quality
in 1990, where more than 150 governments Terms like effectiveness, equity, efficiency, and factors among students.
adopted world declaration on Education for All quality have often been used synonymously
policy and committed to support the universal (Adams, 1993). The definition of quality Physical and psychosocial health always
right for education by achieving free quality should always be flexible for change to cope affect the students‟ cognitive developments
education access. with educational evolution and its continuous and academic performance, especially
progress (Glasser, 1990) as quality is in their early childhood lives (McCain &
It was reaffirmed 10 years later in 2000 World influenced by various changing factors; such Mustard, 1999). Parents‟ background and
Education Forum in Dakar (Senegal), where as, politics, culture, and economy. EFA Global level of education plays an important role
following six Education for All goals were Monitoring Report (2005) used two principles in students‟ educational quality. Financially,
adopted to be implemented by 2015: to define the educational quality: parent’s income and social status highly
affect the decision of children enrolment in
• First goal is to expand and improve early • The first is to recognize the cognitive schools, especially in developing countries
childhood care and education; development of learner’s as the major (Carron & Chau, 1996).
objective of all education systems.
• Second is to achieve gender parity by 2005 Academically, Williams (2000) revealed that
and equality by 2015; • The second is to highlight the role of children with poor educated parents have
education in promoting the values and achieved three times lower scores or grade
• Third is access to free, quality, and compulsory attitudes of the learners and in nurturing their repetition as compared to those with parents
primary education to all; creative and emotional development. with some secondary schooling. Successful
attempts to enhance parental involvement
• Fourth is to increase adult literacy by 50%; The main focus of 2005 Quality Imperative especially in developing countries need to
• Fifth is to promote learning and life skills report is related to the improvement of be considered. In Sri Lanka, an eight-week
improvement for youth and adults; and educational quality and the progress towards program was conducted to enhance literacy
achieving the Millennium Development Goals skills of uneducated low-income mothers
• Finally, to improve every aspect of educational (MDGs) to overcome extreme poverty. It is that has a positive effect on their children’s
quality. helpful to decrease the spread of HIV/AIDS educational outcomes (Dharmadasa, 1996).
and to provide universal primary education.
Quality of education is considered to be the heart Quality of education is aimed to enhance all Regular school
of Education for All (UNESCO, 2000a). Babalola features of educational quality by ensuring attendance
(2004) stated that quality of education refers to excellence in all educational progresses,
the worth of education (with reference to its input, inputs, and outputs especially in literacy, It is said that regular school attendance and
the teaching - learning process and the output/ numeracy, and essential life skills. constant exposure to curriculum influence
outcome). The Jomtien Declaration in 1990; and students‟ achievement levels (Fuller et al.,
more particularly, Dakar Framework for Action A policy change, as described by Haddad 1999). As consistent with many research
in 2000 recognized that Education for All policy & Demsky (1995), is usually a response to a findings, a village-based study that took
cannot be achieved without the improvement of problem or a malfunction in a sector. In this place in Malawi confirmed that students with
its quality. case; focusing on the quality of education higher attendance rates have attained higher
is essential to achieve the ultimate goal of learning achievements (Miske & Dowd,
Most of the goals; such as the enhancement of Education for All. In addition to the analysis 1998).
early childhood education, improvement of adult of Education for All, policy analysis should
literacy, and life-skills programs, are affected review several aspects that has affected the Early childhood exposure to experience
by the quality of educational contents and the decision-making and implementation process and interactions positively affect their
quality of educators themselves. Governments of the educational sector. Quality education cognitive and psychosocial developments.
around the word have greatly participated in their includes: learners, learning environments, Williams (2000) has demonstrated that a
citizens‟ education. Huge amounts of resources content, process, and outcomes. child’s attendance to daycare, accompanied
are invested in education annually for the sake with higher levels of parental involvement
of improving the learning process. However, the Five major factors is associated with higher performance in
standard and quality of education does not meet primarily schools.
its potential in most of the cases especially in the EFA Global Monitoring Report (2005) has
developing counties. adopted a framework, comprised of such five Quality learning environments highly
major factors which has affected the quality influence the quality of learning, and
An applied framework of education and influence its core process of are made up of physical, psychosocial,
teaching and learning. This has provided a and service delivery elements. Developing
Haddad and Demsky (1995) stated that better understanding of educational complex countries have witnessed a massive
education policy-planning process: an applied system. These dimensions are interdependent increase in students‟ access and enrollment
framework and World Bank Logical Framework and influencing each other in unpredicted to primary education, which is considered
Handbook (2005) aims to analyze “Education ways. Focusing on their interactions can as an achievement of EFA goal. It resulted
of All policy: The Quality Imperative of the EFA help to draw up a comprehensive map for in class size expansion to accommodate as
Global Monitoring Report”. This approach is likely understanding, monitoring, and improving the much students as possible.
to provide a comprehensive empirical analysis quality of education.
of the educational quality. Educational policy is The writer is an Adjunct Lecturer at the
considered as a program related to the design of The learners are considered as the core, American University.
while setting an educational policy with
the attempt to ensure its quality. Thus, it tBE
is said that “The quality of learning is and

The Business Executive 115

Environment

Innovative
biotech to clean
up building
industry with
waste products

With dried orange peel and
waste materials, a biotech
startup is researching building
materials that could revolutionize
construction. Not only are they
biodegradable – some also
absorb toxins.

Cocoa husks, dried orange peel, During his studies, he conducted two research “The aim is to replace every harmful
ground blue pea flowers are waste projects. The first explored which industries construction material with something
products that are used to make Orb caused hazardous levels of waste in the United sustainable and higher performing,” Sayed
– a sustainable building material that Kingdom (UK). “Everything pointed towards explains. Sheet material and insulation are
is carbon neutral. Orb is versatile enough to be construction,” he says. His second project just two of the products being manufactured:
used for furniture or as a substitute for a wood- looked at the environmental impact of those plant-based concrete is in development. So
based sheet material waste materials. far, mycelium insulation outperforms almost
everything on the market. According to
Orb is produced by Biohm, a startup founded “That was even more shocking,” he says. Sayed Sayed: “The only thing it doesn’t outperform is
in 2016 by Ehab Sayed, who grew up in decided that the way to tackle this is to create polystyrene, which is flammable and there are
Doha, Qatar’s capital, his home-town that he buildings from natural materials. “I started specks of it all over the place.”
considers as one of the “biggest motivators” exploring what could be used, knowing that I
for him to inspire change. “Although it is the absolutely had to find a solution for structural The waste used by Biohm comes straight from
richest country in the world, it is likely one of materials, insulation and sheet materials.” industry, rather than via a waste management
the least sustainable and a contributor to the company. Orange peels collected from the
climate crisis,” Sayed says. “Growing up in this Community of biotech startups staff canteen of a tech giant (a staggering
environment resulted in a resentment towards three tons of which are produced each week)
the impact we are having on our planet.” Sayed’s “material development journey” led him and the grass cuttings collected from a
to Open Cell, a community of biotech startups London airport (up to 47 tons per week) are
Sayed studied Design Engineering and based in shipping containers behind Shepherd’s just two of the localized waste streams that go
graduated from Brunel University with a Bush market in west London. With a small team into producing Orb. The orange peel board –
Master of Science in Integrated Product of designers, engineers and scientists, he has which is cork-like in texture and varies in tone
Design. “I have always been shocked at how developed two materials: Orb, made out of food from warm honey to rich brown, depending on
manufacturers and material developers don’t or agricultural waste, and mycelium insulation, how long the peel has dried for – is then sold
extend their responsibility to their product’s made by feeding waste to the root system of to the company in the form of panels, tiles and
end of life and how inefficient our waste mushrooms. risers.
management processes are. The concept of Mycelium insulation can be grown from
waste has never made sense to me,” he says. more toxic byproducts because it can break
“It is a human construct that has resulted in down petrochemicals and other substances
major problem.”

116 The Business Executive

Environment

into harmless hydrocarbons, which are In the “clean” lab, things look a little less is to challenge the stigma around sustainable
then absorbed into the material. Biohm’s familiar. There is a particularly sensitive piece materials, making them the affordable norm, as
researchers discovered this by accident at of mycelium growing – a lumpen, organic opposed to a rarefied, premium product.
the beginning of last year when they were shape slowly expanding into one corner of
developing a strain of mycelium in the lab the shipping container. Along one wall are First mycelium production
that slowly grew out of its jar and consumed jars of mycelium covered in foil lids. Sayed facility
a nearby plastic sponge. “When we cut explains that there are up to five million
the mycelium open, there were absolutely species of mycelium in the world. Biohm This month, Biohm will open its first mycelium
no remnants of the sponge at all,” Sayed is developing around 300 strains that have production facility outside London, in a disused
explains, “just a small square where it had been gathered by hand from forests and paper mill. “We’ve always wanted to have social
been.” gardens. They begin the growing process impact embedded in our business model – we
by feeding the mycelium with a nutrient- just didn’t know exactly how we were going to
One dirty and one clean rich food source such as grain. This is then do that,” says Sayed. In its second year, Biohm
mixed with a substrate (the waste product) was contacted by the Onion Collective, based
Biohm has two laboratories at Open Cell: to see how well it grows. Those that perform in Watchet, West Somerset. The all-female
one dirty and one clean. “Because we’re well are cloned and developed further by community business was looking for a pioneering
working with natural living organisms that Biohm’s biotechnology engineer. biotech company with global ambitions to
do most of the work, there is very little replace the 175 jobs that were lost when the
machinery involved,” Sayed says. The Because it involves so little machinery, town’s paper mill closed in 2015.
equipment set up in the “dirty” lab has products have high profit margins and a
been adapted from the food and agriculture double revenue stream: Biohm is paid to “Context is everything,” explains Sally Lowndes,
industry. There is what looks like a huge collect waste and can sell on the material director of the Onion Collective, “When the mill
bread mixer and a standing press for created from it. As a result, Sayed claims closed, it was completely devastating. It had
molding the boards. There is a sample of its products can compete with everything been operating for 250 years. It was the beating
Orb: a deep brown square of textured in the market. Customers are contractually heart of our economy here in Watchet, providing
material that has been dyed with discarding bound to return any materials to Biohm both jobs and our sense of identity.”
cocoa husks. “It smells like a cereal bar, at end of life – they are collected free of
right?” says Sayed. “It is completely edible: charge (the cost of this is built in). “This is After the closure of the mill, 20% of the working
that’s how natural it is.” how far the manufacturer’s responsibility population lost their jobs. “Watchet is a beautiful
should extend,” insists Sayed. The aim place to live, with a strong sense of community,
but we have the lowest social mobility in the
entire country. We also have one of the oldest
populations in the country and the lowest
income. We’re a coastal community, one and
a half hours from the nearest city. The current
economic system doesn’t work for places like
ours,” Lowndes says. The Onion Collective
works to create a new model of local economics
and Biohm is at the center of that plan.

At the old paper mill, 3,000 square meters of
mycelium insulation will be produced per month
– enough to sequester 16 tons of carbon. “Just
by creating the material, we’re having a positive
impact,” says Sayed. The facility will employ 14
local people in the first year, with the aim of rising
to 200 over five years. The revenue generated
by the facility – estimated between £3 million
to £5 million per annum in three years’ time –
will provide a profit share that will be retained
locally. “This will be a community industry and
a beautiful continuation of what was on this site
before,” says Lowndes. “We’re thinking deeply
about how to counter gentrification and the ways
we can bring the whole community along for the
ride.”

By partnering with social enterprises, Biohm
is able to raise grants to pay for setup costs,
employ a local workforce and use local waste
streams. A similar project is planned with the
YMCA in Newcastle for later this year, in which
Biohm will provide six-month employment
schemes for disadvantaged young people.

Governments in Portugal, Germany and the
Netherlands have approached Biohm to set up
facilities in towns in need of regeneration and
there is talk of a facility in Mumbai, India. “We
are both trying to change the world, really,” says
Lowndes in summation.

tBE

The Business Executive 117

Health

ECcooronnoamviicruSshSoecnkdwsaPvoelsitFicaarl-
Beyond China

By Frida Ghitis

The fast-spreading new coronavirus Much will depend on how long this health is a unique case. Its economy
that originated in the Chinese city crisis lasts, which, in turn, depends on how is more closely integrated into
of Wuhan is, at its most immediate fast the virus continues to spread and how global activity than ever before
level, a public health crisis. But it is effective public health measures prove and vital to global supply
also much more than that. to be. Although the virus remains largely chains. What happens in
confined to China two months after it was China economically does not
As governments struggle to contain the first detected in Wuhan, it is all but certain stay in China.
epidemic, the virus is already having that it will send shockwaves to every corner
economic ramifications in China and around of the world, even if there is not a single A political issue of
the world. That is the second level of its new case outside of mainland China. its own
impact. And as the epidemic threatens to
become a pandemic, and the speed of the That is because, as the number of victims The spread of the coronavirus
contagion exceeds the number of cases of and confirmed cases in China grows— has quickly become a political
the 2003 SARS outbreak, there is a third they roughly doubled in a recent four-day issue of its own. In China, the
level of consequences that has received far period—the country’s level of economic epidemic is unlikely to loosen
less attention: The coronavirus could leave activity is steadily contracting. If that were Xi Jinping’s tight grip on power.
a lasting political mark far beyond China happening in any other country, there But the government’s initial
that could ultimately be its most profound would be fewer reverberations. But China response, including trying to
legacy. silence the whistleblowers
who first raised the alarm in
Wuhan, has stirred murmurs
about the most powerful
Chinese leader since Mao
Zedong.

In Hong Kong, the epidemic
may put a damper on mass
protests, but it has added
one more grievance to the list
of complaints against Beijing
and its minions in the Hong
Kong government. Protesters
have blasted the authorities’
failure to more thoroughly cut off links to
the mainland and prevent the virus from
spreading into Hong Kong.

But there is more. Because China’s breakneck
economic growth in recent decades has
turned it into the world’s biggest importer of
commodities like oil, iron ore and soybeans, a
sharp economic slowdown in China inevitably
means a sharp drop in commodity exports
and prices around the world.

Commodity exports are the lifeblood of
government revenues for many developing
countries. When those revenues drop,
the state is less able to respond to public
demands. The potential for political
disruptions from the coronavirus is magnified
by the recent wave of mass protests in many
of these countries.

118 The Business Executive

Health

Many of the predictions about the impact of the Today’s China is the top export destination for 33
epidemic are based on what occurred in 2003, globalized countries and the top source of imports
during and after the SARS outbreak. But this is economy for 65. One of those is the U.S. The
not the SARS virus, and China in 2020 is not means that White House’s chief economic adviser,
China in 2003. one country’s Larry Kudlow, said the virus will have “no
health crisis can material impact” on the U.S. economy.
Today’s globalized economy means that one easily become But financial firms are predicting a modest
country’s health crisis can easily become another’s hit to GDP.
another’s country’s political wild card. country’s
political wild U.S. GDP growth
SARS was much deadlier, killing up to 10% of card.
those who became infected. The new virus has A loss of a fraction of a percentage in
a mortality rate of about two percent, but it is disrupted. Whether in the U.S., Germany, U.S. GDP growth during an election year
infecting so many more people that the number Japan or elsewhere, makers of electronics, could have more than a material impact
of dead in China has already surpassed the toll cars and other machinery all rely on Chinese on the result of the 2020 elections. After
from SARS, which spread over nine months. suppliers. And many rely on airlines, which all, the 2016 election was decided by
Because the coronavirus is so infectious, it is are no longer flying in and out of China, to the narrowest of margins. Donald Trump
harder to stop. help transport their products. would not have become president if not
for 80,000 votes going his way in three
Four percent of global GDP key states: Michigan, Pennsylvania and
Wisconsin. Trump’s strongest suit for
China, too, has changed. In 2003, it accounted reelection is the economy, even if he
for four percent of global GDP; that share always exaggerates his own economic
has since quadrupled. China’s economy— record and takes credit for a recovery that
now worth an estimated $14 trillion, making started and was by many metrics better
it the world’s second-largest after the United under President Barack Obama. In a tight
States—consumes more than 50% of the race, it is conceivable that by shaving a
global output of copper, aluminum, iron ore and small slice off of America’s economic
other materials. growth, the coronavirus could hurt
Trump’s reelection campaign enough to
For the countries that provide those change the outcome in November 2020.
commodities such as Chile, the world’s biggest
exporter of copper, the timing is precarious. Viruses do not see borders, even if
Chile endured huge popular protests late politicians in an age of nationalist drift
last year in the wake of an increase in public quickly opt to shut them amid fears of
transportation fares. The Chilean government a global outbreak. Today’s globalized
responded with a promise to tackle inequality economy also means that one country’s
and address the economic demands of health crisis can easily become another’s
demonstrators. A sharp drop in export revenues country’s political wild card.
will make those promises more expensive.
Other countries that rely on commodity exports The writer is a former CNN producer and
to China will feel the economic impact of the correspondent. She is a regular contributor
coronavirus as well, putting their governments to CNN and The Washington Post.
under pressure.
tBE
For developed economies, generally less reliant
on commodity exports such as Germany,
France and the U.S., the combination of
China’s economic slowdown and measures
aimed at constricting traffic in and out of the
country means disruptions of supply chains,
loss of export sales and, ultimately, their own
diminished economic growth. Slower growth in
these developed economies, particularly during
election years, can have a powerful effect at the
ballot box.

In Washington, Commerce Secretary Wilbur
Ross dubiously claimed that manufacturers
would relocate from China to the U.S. due to
the coronavirus. By the time any firm actually
relocates, if they do, the outbreak will probably
be over.

Supply chains disrupted

Until then, exporters will see Chinese sales
plunge—Apple closed its stores in China—
and manufacturers will see their supply chains

The Business Executive 119

Show Business

INn ololvleywwithotohedblEacigklihstted?

By Eromo Egbejule

As the 92nd Academy Awards
were handed out in Los
Angeles, lovers of Nigerian
films worldwide mourned
what could have been.
Three months ago, Nigeria’s first-ever
official entry to the foreign film category
— Lionheart, which is also the nation’s
first Netflix original — was ruled ineligible
because it is predominantly in English.

Even though Lionheart’s road did not end
in Oscar gold, its journey to the screen
was an epic one. And it begins, curiously,
15 years before the film was even released
— with a blacklist that rocked Nigeria’s
film industry, AKA Nollywood. That
upheaval may have helped it become
the second most prolific film-producing
community after India’s Bollywood, and
its indie filmmakers are increasingly
getting a moment in the spotlight.

Back in 2004, a powerful cabal of film
studios and distributors controlled
Nigeria’s film industry, which was laser-
focused on DVDs and videos rather than
the cinematic culture common elsewhere.
But even on DVD, superstars emerged,
and their power threatened to overtake
the era’s producers. So the studios made
a bold move: They banned eight A-list
actors from working for a year. Known
as the G8, the actors were put on blast
for charging what studios considered
to be exorbitant fees for their work and
for demanding upfront payments. At
the time, Nigerian film was running on
a shoestring, and with piracy eating into
their profits, studios were willing to take
desperate measures to keep budgets
low.

“It was a silly and needless exercise of
power by them … an exercise in futility,”
reminisces Richard Mofe-Damijo, one of
the eight. “It’s like some people coming
together tomorrow to say visual artists
cannot sell their work beyond a certain
amount. That was how ridiculous it was.”

120 The Business Executive

Show Business

Mr. Richard Mofe-Damijo “The ban didn’t “Silverbird didn’t come up with the
do anything intention of showing Nollywood films,”
“It was a petty move to bring down says Husseini. “Producers didn’t want
some people to size,” agrees Nigerian for the industry to rely on just DVDs for sources of
film critic Wilfred Okiche. “The DVD … maybe revenue, and, at the time, there weren’t
distribution system was broken. [The] any direct-to-home services, so the only
ban was just the last stand of marketers individually it way of making money … was to go to
trying to make it work by keeping costs made [actors] the cinema.” As Nollywood has matured,
low.” the film and DVD business has fallen out
say we may of favor, giving way to an internationally
Scorched-earth strategy not be doing recognized cinema culture.
work for hire As one of the banned actors, Jim Iyke,
But from the ashes of a scorched-earth and we need said in a 2018 interview: “It made me
strategy bloomed what is now one of the to think about begin to look for other opportunities,
world’s most important film industries. producing our do things that I didn’t think were
The G8, after all, had power of their own. own films, but conceivable, meet people that I didn’t
And, unable to keep acting, they turned even in 2004, know knew me and wanted to do
to other things. Some initially turned to business with me, travel the world,
music; others — like Omotola Jalade- 2005 and broaden my horizon. It was the greatest
Ekeinde, named to Time magazine’s 2006, none of blessing of my life.”
100 Most Influential People list in 2013 them produced
— to activism. But most ended up on Mr. Jim Iyke
the other side of the camera, directing any film,”
and producing as they changed their Perhaps being shut out of the Oscars,
broken industry from within. Some disagree: “The ban didn’t do as she was once shut out of the film
anything for the industry … maybe industry, will encourage Nnaji to fly to
Genevieve Nnaji, who rose to stardom individually it made [actors] say we may even greater heights.
as a child actor, continued acting after not be doing work for hire and we need Source: OZY
her ban was ended but also branched to think about producing our own films,
out into music and advertising. But but even in 2004, 2005 and 2006, none Send your showbiz
it is behind the camera of her first of them produced any film,” says Shaibu articles,book, film and
feature, Lionheart, that Nnaji became Husseini, a member of the committee
an international sensation. When that selected Nigeria’s Oscar submission drama reviews to:
Netflix acquired the film, the deal and head of the Africa Movie Academy editor@thebusinessex-
was reportedly worth $3.8 million. Awards jury. “Still, it made other people ecutive.net for review
The cabal, meanwhile, has largely think that the control these producers
gone underground, making way for a had is that they are prolific producers, and publication
Nollywood industry transformation from so why don’t we up our game?”
video to cinema. tBE
First Silverbird Cinema
During the ban, more Nollywood actors
was hired to replace the talent lost, Another thing that happened in 2004:
allowing a new crop of A-listers to arise. The first Silverbird Cinema opened in
But the consensus for those looking Lagos. Today a chain that crisscrosses
back is that the ban was ineffective when Nigeria and Ghana, Silverbird
it came to controlling the superstars who reintroduced a cinema culture that had
were demanding a place at the table — been displaced by Nollywood’s flood
and in fact led to them taking the reins. of home videos and DVDs, by showing
foreign films and, eventually, Nigerian
movies as well.

That outlet encouraged indie filmmakers
to try new distribution channels and
effectively opened the floodgates for
movies like Lionheart.

The Business Executive 121

Sports

Why you must watch
Ghana’s Premier League

Most people talk about the end. Even the number of minutes ending with access to the game. But when a
Premier League of Ghana as on the clock when the time stoppage is young player’s talent is on the screen
a new league season is here enforced is unclear. with scouts searching far and far, the
again. And you wonder why road really starts to open up. Ghanaian
you should join your friends or colleagues Scripts can be written and goals set, Premier League is full of talented young
to watch and follow the league. but you never know what really is going players, making club scouting work easy
to happen until the final whistle is blown. for their respective clubs to find talented
These are reasons why the Ghanaian That made the Ghanaian Premier League players.
Premier League should be watched. a superb league goal scoring and non-
The Ghanaian Premier League is about stop action. The Ghana Premier League The action of the league is excellent
skills and tactics. That is why the is not known for any style of play but every week since all the clubs fight for
league is steadily running. Watching can always be anticipated in some form, promotion and relegation is another
the Ghana Premier League will expand action, and excitement. reason, we should watch the league.
your experience. For starters, selecting What team would be good enough to
players and managing your own team Most matches are swift. Few ads, few stay up? Which one is bad enough to go
for the whole season. You’ll know most time outs, and no running down the back on that step? Many great promoted
players, their positions, and how to clock. One thousand sixty-six goals were and relegated managers and players
handle them inside your squad before the scored over 380 games last season. Do have made and broken their legacies,
League finishes in a season. not be surprised if you saw more scores and that is no joke.
this year.
They set the bits to the crisp. Pass by. Not only that. Because of the inability
The Disposal and Dribbling. Variety of Fans’ celebrations accompany each to perform, teams have been financially
configurations at the pitch. A first strike’s scored goal, but the players’ goal is impacted to the point of comprehensive
wonder and a slide’s challenge tackle even more so. May players have their management, and it is always an exciting
the ball. Offensive and counterattacks. own celebratory style, with some of part of the league’s “promotion and
The jumping ability to make saves and them having supporters, others including relegation.”
the speed that comes with the transition teammates, and those who tend to
on-fly as a goalkeeper. Fixes and retrofits. celebrate in their own environment. All these are part of the reasons why you
And the contentious cards, of course, A football scout’s job is to find the freshest need to watch the Ghanaian Premier
come from the official match. All this and faces to get on stage. Who is the best League. You will never regret watching.
others make the Ghana Premier League great name to come from nowhere to help
one of the best known African leagues. bring their club to championship glory? Source: GHANAsoccernet.com
No doubt, the path to grandeur begins
You’re going to hear it. You will feel it. tBE
Heck, you might even be part of that.
But that is only one facet of a match’s
atmosphere. There are singing and
dancing, shouting, waving flags in the
air. The crowd’s noise as the ball goes
in, and a rush of excitement that comes
from seeing the team you are following
succeed on the pitch. Once you go to
one match, you want to go to another
match and another match.

Each major league stadium in Ghana’s
premier league football is packed with
fans doing anything each weekend for
their club and teams doing the same
thing, no other league in the Africa
continent can compare to the anticipation
in matches and the week leading up to
every Ghana football game each week.

Every game counts. Every match is much
more than just a single game. There is
always the possibility that with a clock
running forward rather than backward,
something will happen right up to the very

122 The Business Executive

Sports

hWahtacht efudtuBraesdkoeetbsaNllBAAf-rica
League hold?

By Paul Olele, Jnr. basketball fan base on the continent. According to Reuters, the NBA opened
Currently, Africa is well represented in a Basketball academy in Saly, Senegal,
One of the biggest sports the NBA. Reuters reported that there in 2017. NBA PR states that the facility
leagues in the world, the were about 13 African-born players on features two indoor basketball courts, a
National Basketball Association the roster of NBA teams in the 2018/19 multidimensional activity center, a weight
(NBA), recently announced that season. room, a conference room. In addition,
they would be forming a new basketball dormitories and educational facilities are
league on the African continent in the next Some of these famous Africans in the present at this academy and it would be
decade. NBA include Joel Embiid from Cameroon, the main training site for NBA Academy
whose net worth is about $178 million, Africa prospects.
According to Bleacher Report, the according to Forbes; and Luol Deng from
Basketball Africa League (BAL) is South Sudan, whose net worth is about The NBA’s influence in Africa, as well as
expected to commence exactly on $200 million, according to celebrity net the growth of audience interest on the
20th March, 2020 in Senegal. The new worth.com. Reuters further states that the continent, has definitely contributed to
Basketball Africa League by the NBA, number of African players would increase the NBA’s general revenue collection.
in collaboration with the International to 40 if players with African parents are According to Reuters, the NBA generated
Basketball Federation (FIBA), would included in the context. $8 billion in revenue in the past year.
feature a total of 12 teams from Angola,
Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, This has not been the first time the We as humans cannot see the future
Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia. NBA has sought ways to expand its but if we were to make predictions, we
According to the NBA, every nation which popularity in Africa. Recently, the sporting could easily say that the Basketball Africa
participates in the league would have no organization began to live stream games League by the NBA and FIBA would be a
more than one team represented at the on YouTube for viewers in sub-Saharan success, due to previous groundwork the
tournament. Africa in an attempt to generate more NBA has done on the African continent.
interest and build a fan base on the The future of basketball is definitely in
With all the good news surrounding NBA’s continent. Africa and this is positive for our future
interest on the African continent, we African basketball prospects on the
must ask what the benefits would bring The NBA and FIBA would also help continent.
to Africa and what it would mean for the provide financial support, as well as
progression of sports on our continent. resources, that would help further develop The writer is a 2019 graduate of George
First of all, this initiative by the NBA and the game on the continent. As part of the Washington University and currently
FIBA in Africa would help strengthen the assistance, the NBA would also provide works as graduate Media and Research
training for the referees, coaches, and Intern at the Initiative for Global
players. Development.

The Business Executive 123 tBE

Automobile

Silver Star Auto
launches 2020
mMeordceelsdes-Benz

124 The Business Executive

Automobile

Silver Star Auto Ltd (SSAL), the number one dealers Mr. Kalmoni Nouhad, Executive Director of SSAL
in premium luxury cars in Ghana, has launched the
Mercedes-Benz 2020 models. The automobile marketer The new Benz models have received an extensive design
outdoored the Mercedes-Benz GLE, GLC SUV’s, the overhaul in the interior and exterior with cutting edge
GLC Coupé and the A-Class Sedan, and Mercedes AMG GT 4 technology features. They are now more luxurious and
Door Coupé 63S. better equipped with exclusive Mercedes-Benz User
Experience (MBUX) which makes driving more intuitive,
The flagship Accra-based Silver Star Tower showroom of SSAL comfortable, safe and fun to drive.
was turned into an auto display center during the launch and
guests were entertained to titillating music. The new Mercedes-Benz 2020 models usher in a new era
of connectivity at the same time. They have as options
touch screen operation of the media display, navigation
display through smartphone integration, intelligent voice
control and natural speech recognition which is activated
with ‘HEY MERCEDES’.

Some of the other exciting options include 24-inch high-
resolution screen, 64 color ambient lighting, intelligent
headlights with 84 LED lights and parking assist among
a host of many intelligent drive features.

Rabie Agha, the Sales Manager for the Mercedes-Benz
brand, noted that “Customers should expect a more
tailored and swift Customer Service Delivery experience”
from the sales team. Agha described the all-new
Mercedes-Benz GLE and GLC SUVs, GLC Coupé and
A-Class Sedan as the perfect match for contemporary
complex and digital market with the MBUX feature
providing a boost for a safe and connected driving
experience. He boasted that Mercedes-Benz is the best-
selling premium car brand in the world for decades.

Asad Nazir, the CEO of SSAL, said the importance
of introducing these new models of Mercedes-Benz
vehicles unto the Ghanaian market was a way of widening
its customer appeal while providing exceptional value to
its customers through services of the highest standards.

Nouhad Kalmoni, the Executive Director of SSAL,
expressed gratitude to the auto seller’s numerous
customers for patronizing the company’s business
since its inception 23 years ago. Kalmoni assured
clients of quality after-sales service, adding that SSAL
strives to give clients the best vehicle life and ownership
experience by providing genuine spare parts required
to meet the repair, maintenance and efficient delivery of
vehicle manufacturer’s warranty.

tBE

The Business Executive 125

EEvxepreyrieAnzcmeera

is an unforgettable family moment

#TheAzmeraExperience