First herbal medicine for a clinical trial on COVID-19 treatment by Researchers from the School of Public Health at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology has been approved.

The medicine dubbed Cryptolepis Sanguinolenta, locally known as Nibima was approved by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) on Monday, February 1, 2021.

Mrs Delese A.A. Darko, the Chief Executive Officer of the FDA confirmed the approval in a statement issued in Accra.

The researchers had earlier submitted a clinical application in search of the Covid-19 treatment.

The application was to assess the safety and efficacy of Cryptolepois Sanguinolenta as a potential treatment of COVID-19.

This follows results from lab studies conducted by the KNUST Research team, which points in the direction of possible clinical benefits.

This is, however, not the first time the medicine is being used.

Also Read: Pandemic, AfCFTA wakeup call for Africa’s pharmaceuticals

The roots of …

Benjamin Amenumey is now out after completing his 5-year tenure, and the Universal Merchant Bank (UMB) has a new Chief Executive Officer, Mr Nana Dwemoh Benneh.

But do you really know who Nana is? Well, Nana Dwemoh was on Monday, February 1, 2021 approved by UMB as its CEO following approval from the Bank of Ghana.

Prior to his appointment, Nana Dwemoh had worked briefly with Merchant Bank Limited after his graduate studies.

Board Chairman of UMB, Mr. Ras Boateng said the choice of Nana Dwemoh Benneh as the next CEO of UMB is a step in the right direction in propelling UMB to the next level of success. He also commended the outgoing CEO for his ability to lead and boost staff morale to give off their best.

While accepting the opportunity,  Nana Dwemoh said he was honoured and humbled to have been chosen by the Board to lead …

The Chinese government offered Ghana a grant of $42.62 million for economic and technical projects implementation.

The economic and technical cooperation agreement was signed on Thursday by Chinese Ambassador to Ghana Wang Shiting and Kenneth Ofori-Atta Ghana’s Finance Minister.

This follows Madam Sun Chunlan China’s First Premier visit to Ghana where she had promised to give the grant to finance some economic and technical projects.

The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta commended the Chinese government for its continuous support to Ghana during the signing ceremony in Accra

Also Read: Ghana hosts key African Continental Free Trade Area meetings

“We would like to acknowledge the immense support the government of the People’s Republic of China has provided Ghana over the decades especially in the areas of infrastructure, information communication technology, trade and investment, tourism and education including technical vocation education training,” he said.

Mr Ofori-Atta said the grant would be used …

Etion limited aims to grow its client network and sell high-tech digital solutions during the Outward Trade and Investment Mission (OTIM) to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

The department of Trade and Industry is organizing the OTIM mission whose aim is to profile and market South African expertise and capabilities to an important and strategic Francophone country such as Cote d’Ivoire so as to advance the levels of intra-Africa trade and investment.

Mr Teddy Daka, the Group Chief Executive Officer for Etion, says that the company seeks to identify potential partners that can represent them in the Western African market to achieve their ambitions of growing significantly beyond South African borders.

“As we have never been in Cote d’Ivoire before, this mission will also be a good opportunity to get a view of the economic landscape and to meet with different entities that may be interested in our products and …

Air France is expected to resume flights to Liberia, five years after it took a decision to end its two weekly flights.

On Monday Liberian president, George Weah confirmed the imminent return of Air France flights to the country.

“I am excited to announce the return of Air France to Liberia. This is a testament of the measures we have put in place to promote a conducive business climate – wherein we can attract more businesses and investments to Liberia,” the president said on Twitter.

He also added that the move was an affirmation of deepening relations between the two countries and that “Liberia is open for business.”

Sam Wlue transport Minister also confirmed that Air France notified the Liberian government of its intention to resume its Liberia route after months of negotiations.

Mr Jean Luc Mévellec, the airline’s regional manager informed the minister that the Monrovia’s Roberts International …

Zimbabwe plans to introduce a new currency in a bid to ease shortages of the bond note in one weeks time.

Zimbabwe’s central bank Governor, John Mangudya, said he would introduce a new currency to address biting liquidity shortages in the economy and regain monetary policy control.

The new currency will circulate alongside the bond notes and coins that were introduced in 2016. It will consist of 2 dollar coins and 5 dollar notes the governor said.

In a press briefing, he said the new currency would be introduced in phases to avoid fueling inflation, adding that the new Zimbabwe dollar will trade at par with the bond notes and coins.

“This additional cash injection will be carried out through the non-inflationary exchange of Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) money for physical cash,” he said.

Zimbabwe is currently using electronic money known as RTGS, bond notes and coins after it banned …