African Giant Burna Boy is scheduled to perform at the 2024 GRAMMYs on Sunday, February 4th at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, USA.
The Recording Academy announced on Monday, January 22 that the ‘City Boy’ hitmaker will perform at the Grammys alongside notable musicians such as Luke Combs and Travis Scott.
The Academy shared the exciting news via their official X handle, stating, “Attention: African Giant @BurnaBoy will take the #GRAMMYs stage on Sunday, February 4th at 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT on @CBS.”
Burna Boy has been nominated for three Grammy awards at the 66th edition. His nominations include Best Melodic Rap Performance for ‘Sittin’ On Top Of The World,’ Best Global Music Performance for ‘Alone,’ and Best African Music Performance for ‘City Boys.’
The Central Regional House of Chiefs (CRHC) has given a clean bill of health to the first lithium mining licence the government issued to Barari DV Ltd, a subsidiary of Atlantic Lithium.
The traditional rulers said although the deal was not a perfect one, they were convinced by the explanation given by the Minerals Commission and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources that the agreement would immensely benefit the country.
The President of the CRHC, Odeefo Amoakwa Buadu VIII, said the official position of the House was arrived at after a crunch meeting with a Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, George Mireku Duker, and some officials of the Lands Ministry and the Minerals Commission last Friday.
The delegation included the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Minerals Commission, Martin Ayisi; the Advisor on Mines to the Minister, Benjamin Aryee; the Central Regional Minister, Justina Marigold Assan; the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Prof. Richard Kwasi Amankwah.
The meeting, which lasted for more than four hours, saw Mr Duker make a presentation on the nitty-gritty of the lithium agreement with Barari DV.
Among other things, the deputy minister’s presentation touched on the royalty regime of 10 per cent; 13 per cent free carried interest; 35 per cent corporate tax; requirement for the company to list on the Ghana Stock Exchange; as well as the one per cent development fund for the host communities.
The chiefs took turns to peruse the provisions of the lithium mining agreement and raised concerns, which were subsequently clarified by Mr Duker and the CEO of the Minerals Commission.
Declaration of support
Shortly after the meeting, Odeefo Buadu VIII told the media that the decision by the CRHC to support the agreement was because the house saw the discovery of lithium in the region as a blessing so the resource must be exploited to the benefit of the people.
“We are not going to wait until lithium prices become so low before we take a decision to allow it to be mined.
We have to take a timely decision on it; so we decided that it should be mined to the advantage of our people,” he said.
The CRHC president added that since lithium was a new mineral to the country, it would come with new challenges and that it was not possible to get everything right before it was exploited.
Touching on the call by some civil society organisations (CEOs), think tanks, statesmen and women as well as religious leaders for the agreement to be put on ice and renegotiated, he said that position was not the best because there was evidence that the current lithium agreement was better than existing licences in the mining sector.
“If I say it is perfect, I may not be saying the truth, but as we have it now, there is enough reason to move ahead with the agreement to take advantage of the opportunities in it.
Perfectionists always delay, but we cannot do so; let us move ahead and mine the lithium and if there are challenges, we come together and try to resolve them,” he said.
He added that although the CSOs and other critics of the lithium agreement had varying reasons for disagreeing with the deal, the CRHC believed it was good based on the engagements they had from the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry and the Minerals Commission.
“They have explained everything to us, and we believe that it may not be perfect but it is far better than the mining agreements that we have now.
So, for us as chiefs, we want to take advantage of the opportunity now to ensure that we mine lithium as early as possible so that our people can benefit from it,” he said.
Odeefo Buadu VIII also said the CRHC was in favour of the lithium mining agreement because it had a huge potential to create jobs and boost the local economy.
Major hurdle cleared
Mr Duker described the decision of the CRHC to support the lithium agreement as a major move towards mining lithium in the country.
“The chiefs unanimously agreed that they are in support of the lithium agreement and, for that matter, the production of lithium. If our chiefs, who are the custodians of the land are saying yes, we welcome the agreement and want our people to have jobs, that is the biggest hurdle that has been cleared.
He added that going forward, the Lands Ministry and the Minerals Commission would deepen engagement with other stakeholders, especially the host communities, and make each aspect of the transition transparent for them.
Regarding the timeline for ratifying the agreement in Parliament, he said following the endorsement of the agreement by the chiefs, the parliamentary processes would be made easy.
For her part, Ms Assan commended the CRHC for throwing its weight behind the government in the matter of the lithium mining agreement and urged the house to be more involved in the management of the country’s natural resources.
She also underscored the need for the chiefs to ensure that the mining of minerals did not destroy their environment.
Domestic gold production is projected to reach a record-breaking 4 million ounces (oz) in 2023, compared to 3.7 million ounces in 2022.
This will mark the highest production in three years, once again solidifying the country’s position as foremost gold producer on the African continent.
The Ghana Chamber of Mines (GCM) revealed that it expects full-year production from its member companies to approach 3.1 million ounces in 2023, which is similar to the output level of 3.07 million ounces achieved in 2022.
Third-quarter data reveal that production attributable to GCM member companies stood at 2.14 million ounces, slightly below the 2.18 million ounces reported during the same period in 2022.
Meanwhile, output from small-scale miners increased by 70.6 percent to 1.12 million ounces in 2023 from 0.66 million ounces in 2022.
The 2023 output is highest in the last three years, signalling a near-full recovery of the small-scale sector from disruptions caused by the withholding tax, he added.
President-GCM, Joshua Mortoti, speaking at a breakfast meeting with the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Jinapor, in Accra said: “The 2 percent reduction in gold output was primarily on the back of a fall in production at Gold Fields’ Damang Mine, Newmont’s Akyem Mine, AngloGold Ashanti’s Iduapriem Mine, Galliano’s Asanko Gold Mine, Adamus Resources’ Nzema Mine and Golden Star’s Wassa Mine, which displaced the growth in output of the Chamber’s other gold producing members”.
On the small-scale sector, he indicated that the increase in gold production was primarily influenced by halving the withholding tax on exports of unprocessed gold to 1.5 percent.
2023 outlook
Mr. Mortoti said output from the Chamber’s producing member companies is projected to increase to 3.5 million ounces by 2024. This increase is mainly due to fresh production from Cardinal Namdini Gold Mine, he added.
“Additional output from the mine, which is earmarked for the fourth quarter of 2024, will partially compensate for the anticipated decline in output of Newmont’s Akyem Mine and Gold Fields’ Damang Mine. The latter mines are approaching their end of life.
“With a projected output range of 1.1 million ounces to 1.3 million ounces in 2024 from the small-scale sector, domestic gold output is expected to exceed 4.5 million ounces in 2024. Regarding manganese production, the planned output for 2024 is 5 million tonnes,” he said.
However, Mr. Mortoti pointed out that several major risks could negatively impact mining production in 2024. These risks include high fiscal and regulatory costs, illegal miners encroaching on concessions of large-scale miners, and uncertainty around implementing the Gold for Oil Programme and how it will affect small-scale miners’ operations.
It emerged that due to the high turnover in mineral production, the value added by the mining sector to the economy increased significantly. As of end third-quarter 2022, the value was GH₵9.34billion, which has now increased to GH₵13.8billion as at end third-quarter 2023.
Furthermore, regarding its contribution to gross domestic product (GDP), the share of mining in GDP improved marginally from 6.5 percent at the end of third-quarter 2022 to 7.01 percent in the equivalent period of 2023.
The mining sector’s contribution to the country’s gross merchandise exports increased significantly from 35.7 percent as of August 2022 to 43.4 percent in the same period of 2023. This means the sector remained the primary source of foreign exchange earnings, surpassing proceeds from exports of crude oil and cocoa during the same period.
The share of crude oil and cocoa exports in merchandise exports stood at 22.1 percent and 14.9 percent respectively in the same period.
Furthermore, Bank of Ghana (BoG) data show the revenue generated from exports of gold was even higher than inward remittances, which is another significant source of foreign exchange for the country.
In remarks at the meeting, the minister noted that gold contributed some US$4.67billion in exports, being 43.4 percent of the country’s total exports as of August 2023, according to BoG.
He also acknowledged there have been significant investments in the construction of new mines and redevelopment of existing ones, citing the Bibiani Mine as an example.
“We are looking forward to new mines coming on-stream – including Cardinal Namdini, which has committed to pour its first gold this year; and Azumah Resources as well as Newmont Ahafo North. But we are not only concentrating on gold; we are also working to diversify our mineral resources base,” he concluded.
The Ashanti Regional branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has scheduled next Wednesday, January 24, 2024, a procession through the Central Business District of Kumasi to sensitize the public on the expected impact of the 24-hour economy proposal promised by John Dramani Mahama if he wins the next general elections.
The peaceful walk intended to target people within the Central Business District of Kumasi, is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, January 24, 2024.
Ashanti Regional Organizer of the party, Isham Yaw Alhassan, who announced this at a press briefing, said the exercise will start from the Aboabo Post office, through Bantama High Street, KATH Roundabout, Kejetia Roundabout, Adum Pampaso, Prisons Roundabout, Aseda House Street, Asafo Interchange, Labour Roundabout and end at the Jubilee Park, where series of speeches shall be made to bring clarity to what the policy proposal entails.
According to Isham Alhassan, it has become necessary for the party to scale up activities to defuse desperate attempts by the governing New Patriotic Party to mislead the people in its stronghold about the potential for job creation, economic growth and improvement in security.
He noted that though there is no doubt what even the Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress, Dr Yaw Baah describes as a ‘game changer’ but because of the misinformation being spread by the NPP, which has already disappointed its support base, the NDC is compelled to reach out to the masses to explain for the buy in and support for NDC’s 2024 flagbearer.
The NDC Ashanti regional organizer, added that, John Mahama’s track record in Ashanti and by extension, Ghana as a whole, stands tall and assured that he is committed with his resolve to bring all hands-on deck to first restore hope, salvage the economy to create opportunity for jobs for the youth.
The late National Executive Committee (NEC) member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Araba Tagoe, will be laid to rest this weekend.
According to the funeral arrangements, there will be no wake. Her body will be laid in state at the Family Residence, at Kawanupaado in Cape Coast on Friday, 19th January 2024 for filing past.
Burial Service shall take place at the St. Frances De Sales Catholic Church this Saturday after which mourners shall converge at the Cape Coast Sport Stadium for the funeral rites.
Former President, John Dramani Mahama, his 2020 Running Mate, Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, NDC National Executives, MPs former appointees, the Western regional branch of the NDC among other sympathizers are expected to join the mourners.
Araba Tagoe, firebrand and radical party member, well known for her forthrightness, brevity and commitment towards grassroots mobilization of the party, died on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital where she was on admission.
She was a staunch supporter of Sekondi Hassacas, and was twice the NDC Deputy Women’s Organiser for Western Region.
The Thanksgiving Mass is slated for Sunday 21 January 2024 at the St. Frances De Sales Catholic Church, Cape Coast.
President Nana Akufo-Addo is out again with another egregious display of political pettiness and a blatant disregard for the well-being of the citizens of this beautiful country of ours.
It is highly concerning to openly and proudly admit that he denied the people of Ekumfi in the Central Region their much-needed development because they voted against his party’s candidate for parliament.
That is an undemocratic action and dangerous for our country’s progress.
This shocking display of partisanship, which has been one of the hallmarks of Mr Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party, is not only an affront to democracy but also a glaring violation of the principles of good governance and sustainable development.
Sustainable development is a fundamental responsibility of any government. It must, therefore, be the government’s responsibility not to compromise on meeting the needs of the people today and affect future generations
The President’s actions is wrong on many levels. First, development should not be used as a political tool to punish or reward communities based on their voting patterns.
This action sets a dangerous precedent that other leaders may emulate, leading to a divided nation where development only occurs in regions loyal to the ruling party.
Secondly, it violates the fundamental human rights of the people of Ekumfi to be denied development based on their political affiliation.
As a people, we must be deeply concerned that President Akufo-Addo would prioritize political vendeLas over the well-being of his constituents.
Ghanaians will recall that he made similar claims in the wake of the government’s neglect of communities in the Volta Region affected by the very government’s spilling of the Akosombo dam.
As stated by Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations, “Good governance is perhaps the single most important factor in eradicating poverty and promoting development.”
The President’s decision to withhold development from a community based on their political affiliations is unethical and sets a dangerous precedent for governance in Ghana.
This type of behaviour undermines the principles of democratic participation and fair representation. It also perpetuates a cycle of division and polarization within the country, hindering the progress and unity necessary for sustainable development.
Such actions will hold back Ghana’s total development and progress in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The SDGs call for inclusive and sustainable development that leaves no one behind. Denying development to any community undermines the country’s efforts towards achieving these goals
Goal 16, which focuses on peace, Justice, and strong institutions, emphasises the importance of inclusive and accountable governance at all levels. By denying development to a community based on their political choices, President Akufo-Addo is actively working against the spirit of this goal, jeopardising Ghana’s progress towards achieving the SDGs.
This alarming display of political bias and disregard for the principles of sustainable development makes it even more apparent that this country needs an urgent change in leadership.
Sustainable development requires inclusive governance that priorities the needs of all communities. Ghana, therefore, needs a leader who is committed to these principles, and John Mahama has shown that he is the right candidate for this country.
As a former President of Ghana, Mahama has a proven track record of prioritizing the needs of all Ghanaians, regardless of religious and political affiliations. During his tenure, he implemented policies and initiated projects across the country’s length and breadth to improve the lives of all.
This man is demonstrably commiLed to inclusive governance and sustainable development. It makes him a promising candidate to correct the poor governance of the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration and steer Ghana back on course towards progress and prosperity for all its citizens.
Waimānalo, Oʻahu, Hawai’i] — In a historic move towards global collaboration and economic development, the Independent & Sovereign Nation State of Hawai’i has entered into a comprehensive peace and friendship treaty with the Economic Community of States, Nations, Territories, and Realms of the African Diaspora Sixth Region (ECO-6), the Republic of Vanuatu (represented by the Vanuatu Trade Commission – Ghana), and the World Indigenous Bank.
This landmark treaty, signed on Monday, January 15, 2024, positions the Nation of Hawai’i Central Bank as host to the World Indigenous Bank, marking a new era of economic and spiritual cooperation, and the growing capacity for the Nation of Hawai’i to manage banking and assets.
The peace and friendship agreement encompasses various facets, including trade, investment, tourism, culture, peace, and friendship, reflecting a commitment to sustainable development for all Aboriginal, Indigenous, and Native peoples globally.
Nation of Hawai’i President & Head of State, Pu’uhonua D.B.K Kanahele
Nation of Hawai’i President & Head of State, Pu’uhonua D.B.K. Kanahele emphasized the significance of this collaboration, stating, “This treaty marks a turning point for our nation and the world. We are committed to building a future grounded in principles of Aloha and the continued pursuit of Independence for the Native Hawaiian people.”
At its core, the treaty stands as an acknowledgment of Indigenous wisdom, cultural, and ancestral honor. It sets forth an ambitious agenda, aiming to establish a framework that covers trade, commerce, tourism, cultural exchange, and socially responsible investments.
A pivotal feature of the treaty is the introduction of
the World Indigenous Bank (WIB), a financial institution designed to catalyze sustainable
development. At the heart of this financial innovation is the (AKL) LUMI—a global sovereign currency. Underwritten by renewable energy, the LUMI symbolizes a commitment to eco-friendly financial practices, paving the way for sustainable development in Hawai’i and beyond.
The official legal tender of the World Indigenous Bank, the LUMI is underwritten by 100kWh of solar energy and pegged to 0.2592g of gold.
The global issuing authority for the LUMI is the African Diaspora Central Bank and the World Indigenous Bank is a licensed sovereign division of ADCB. This financial instrument represents not only a currency but a symbol of hope and collaboration for a sustainable future.
The multilateral agreement, arranged by Nation of Hawai’i Ambassador for Nepal, H.E. Tejendra Sharma Poudel, was signed by H.E. Amb.
Prof. Hugh Keku Aryee, Vanuatu Trade Commissioner to Ghana, H.E. John Kealoha Garcia, 2nd Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Commerce for Nation of Hawai’i, and H.R.M. Rex Semako I & VI King Timothy Elisha McPherson, Chairman of ECO-6 and President of the African Diaspora Central Bank (ADCB).
2nd Vice President, Minister of Foreign Affairs, John Kealoha Garcia said “The Nation of Hawai’i is strengthening our expanding network within the global aboriginal, indigenous, native communities and is strategically positioned to facilitate commercial trade and sustainable development that is aligned with the restoration of aboriginal culture and climate action.”
Garcia says, “At the local level, the World Indigenous Bank, licensed under the Nation of Hawai’i Central Bank will help the people of Hawai’i achieve our immediate reconciliation goals and strengthen our community in the spirit of Aloha.”
“The Nation of Hawai’i Bank Act, signed and enacted by President Kanahele in 2021, authorizes the establishment of a central bank within the Sovereign Nation of Hawai’i. The integration of partner institutions are essential to the modernizing and growing capacity of our Hawaiian economy.” says Garcia.
Island states are greatly exposed to natural disaster and climate change, making this agreement equally important for the Republic of Vanuatu. Trade in goods and knowledge are at the core of climate action, and small islands must work together in their sustainable efforts.
The Vanuatu Trade Commission – Ghana represents a sovereign trading partner of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and is able to leverage resources in ECOWAS to the value-added proposition of development in between Vanuatu and Hawai’i, as well as trade within the Pacific Island region.
Observers from other indigenous nations applauded the signing of the agreement as a landmark achievement. Chief Chasing Horse (Sr.) from the Lakota Nation said, “the Lakota Nation is excited about working with our cousins in Hawai’i. I look forward to trading with them through the World Indigenous Bank. We have already signed a Treaty with ECO-6 and the World Indigenous Bank to bring greater structure to how we work together healing the earth and in honoring our ancestors and the Tree of Life.”
Within Article 66 of the COP 26 Glasgow Climate Pact, the international community emphasizes the important role of indigenous peoples’ culture and knowledge for the achievement of effective action
on climate change, and it urges the international community to actively involve indigenous peoples and local communities in
designing and implementing climate action.
His Royal Majesty Rex Semako I & VI, Chairman of ECO-6, described the multilateral agreement with ECO-6, Vanuatu and the Nation of Hawai’i as being essential to the fulfillment of the aspirations of global community as it relates to climate action and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
His Royal Majesty stated that “the Global Climate Finance Framework as articulated in Dubai calls for an investment value of $5 – $7 trillion per year in order to green the global economy by 2030. The LUMI is the only financial instrument in the world today that structured and positioned to achieve such ambitious targets, while simultaneously financing sustainable development and supporting the eradication of global poverty. The African Diaspora Central Bank is positioned to eradicate poverty and facilitate development within Africa and throughout the Diaspora, while the World Indigenous Bank is positioned to transform and develop indigenous communities around the world.”
His Royal Majesty further stated that “during the past 500 years of foreign captivity and affliction the aboriginal community sheltered and adopted the African Diaspora for which we are eternally grateful.
Now in the 21st century, we can work together in a free global economy, mixing modern solutions with ancient traditions, to heal our planet and move beyond the miseries of the past. In this spirit, the World Indigenous Bank in Hawai’i will be an important game changer for everyone.”
The Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD), scheduled to take place in Ghana on the Akuapim Hills from Thursday, 25 to Saturday 27 January 2024, will have as its overarching focus, the need to propose concrete measures which will lead to realizing the prosperity of the African continent.
The APD, organized in close collaboration with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat
situated in the capital city of Ghana, Accra, will also seek to emphasize the unique opportunity the AfCFTA offers the continent and her people, to break free from the widespread poverty, unemployment, and underdevelopment the continent is associated with.
These objectives together with several others, came to the fore when officials of the Africa Prosperity Network (APN), organizers of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD), and those of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, briefed the Press in Ghana, today, (15 January 2024) ahead of the 2024 Dialogues at the AfCFTA Conference Room, Africa Trade House.
Big push
Addressing members of the media at the briefing, Gabby Otchere-Darko, Founder and Executive Chairman of APN said the APD is an instrument that is to be used to push the implementation of the AfCFTA to achieve the unnegotiable need for Africa’s economic integration which will lead to the shared prosperity of the African continent.
“If the AfCFTA is going to work, there must be a big push within the first 10 years (first decade) of the agreement coming into force, that is between 2021 and 2031 because if we can’t get it right now, we will never get it right,” Mr Otchere-Darko said.
He observed that AfCFTA is the biggest project since the formation of the Organization of African Union (now African Union, AU) and the idea of a single market is about the economy and the drivers of the economy are the private sector.
To this end, he pointed out that it was important to find a way to let the private sector on the continent own AfCFTA and to drive it. For this to happen, Mr Otchere-Darko noted that it ought to be done in partnership with the political leadership on the continent, which is what the APD aims to achieve.
He further stressed the important role the media is expected to play for the private sector and political leaders’ partnership as envisaged by the APD to materialize. He urged the media to take a keen interest in the APD and use their various platforms to promote the agenda of the AfCFTA and the outcomes of the 2024 APD.
AfCFTA – APD partnership
Chief of Staff at the AfCFTA Secretariat, Silver Ojakol, speaking on behalf of the Secretary-General, Wamkele Mene, noted that the AfCFTA Secretariat considers the APD, a vital component, and source of generating policy implementation initiatives that will help drive the objectives of the AfCFTA area.
He described the AfCFTA as a highway through which countries on the African continent can connect effectively with each other to unravel the full potential of the continent. He indicated that AfCFTA is looking forward to the rich proposals that will be made at the APD 2024, which will be fully embraced by the Secretariat for implementation.
Transforming Africa’s fortunes
Dr Eugene Owusu, a member of the board of the Africa Prosperity Network (APN), in his remarks, identified four important areas that the African continent will have to focus on to transform its fortunes.
The first he said, is the quest to define a new positive narrative owned by the continent and its people. He explained that for far too long, Africans have been defined by what others see in them and not by what they see in themselves.
“As a people, sometimes we get too bogged down and are defined by the challenges that confront us. This is not right, and certainly, this is not progressive.
“Poverty and under-development cannot be our narrative. Although we may have a lot of poor people on this continent, Africa is not a poor continent,” Dr Eugene Owusu asserted.
“We are too rich to be poor! So, we must define our narrative – one that inspires hope and self-confidence and one that speaks to our human dignity,” Dr Eugene Owusu added.
Africa, according to Mr Owusu, must also be deliberate, and work with Pentecostal conviction to transform its development misfortunes, focus on the cardinal importance of deepening intra-African trade, scale up its production of goods and services, add value to what is produced, and frontally address the obstacles to deeper intra-African trade.
APD 2024 thematic areas
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Africa Prosperity Network, Njack Kane, shared the major thematic areas that will form the main subjects that will be discussed by the multiple panels participating in the 2024 dialogues.
The thematic areas he said, will be agriculture and food sovereignty, natural resources and value addition, infrastructure and Information Communication Technology (ICT), and finance and investments.
Motivation for APD 2024
Gayheart Mensah, a member of the Board of Directors of the APN, in his overview on why the APD 2024 is themed; “Delivering Prosperity in Africa: Produce, Add Value, Trade,” said Africa is a continent rich in natural resources and human capital and has large deposits of diamonds, iron, oil, natural gas, gold, uranium, copper and cobalt, about 30% of the world’s mineral reserves.
The continent he says also has 12% oil and 8% of natural gas reserves and an immense potential for hydroelectric power, solar energy, and geothermal energy. It has a vast amount of arable land, water, minerals, forests, and wildlife 2, over 1.4 billion people, making it the second most populous continent after Asia.
West, East, Central, and Southern Africa will reach a $29 trillion combined GDP by 2050 and the continent is expected to reach nearly 2.5 billion inhabitants by 2050.
Despite these vast resources in Africa, there is widespread poverty, unemployment, and under-development. Over 40% of the population live below the international poverty line, and yet the continent’s potential for growth and development is immense.
“There is much to be optimistic about. The irony of a continent deprived and poor amid richness and potential is what birthed the Africa Prosperity Network (APN) and its flagship programme, the Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD).
“Delivering Prosperity in Africa: Produce, Add Value, Trade will require investment in infrastructure, injection of capital into production, innovation, removal of trade barriers, and a pan-continental legal and regulatory regime that will enhance intra-African trade. Africa’s political leaders and the private sector have no choice but to sit and dialogue, if this aspiration is to become a reality,” Mr Mensah said.
“A lot more production and value-addition within the continent would generate jobs, create wealth, stimulate economic growth in Africa, and deliver prosperity dividends. It will improve the competitiveness of Africa in global trade, expand our markets, and increase in-flows. This is the reason why Africa must learn to work together, particularly our politicians and businessmen.
“We must collaborate across borders and sectors and create the environment that allows us to produce, add value, and trade among ourselves. We must invest in our people and our infrastructure for sustainable economic growth and development. Above all, we must embrace dialogue, innovation, and creativity to unlock the full potential of the African economy and create prosperity for the people of Africa,” Gayheart Mensah added.
The National Democratic Congress has condemned the physical attack on the Northern Regional Treasurer Hajia Shamima Yakubu, by one of the party executives in the region over the weekend.
It has since referred the party executive involved in the assault to the Functional Executive Committee for investigations and sanctions.
According to a statement issued by General Secretary, Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey, the victim who was hospitalized has been treated and discharged.
“The NDC takes a very serious view of the conduct of the party officer responsible for the assault, and at the next meeting of its Functional Executive Committee meeting, measures would be taken to address the matter thoroughly to leave no doubt in everyone’s mind that the party does not approve of unlawful acts of assault and battery” – the statement emphasized
The statement also denied media reports claiming the incident happened in the presence of a national executive member of the party.
“There was not a single national executive member present at the meeting at which the Regional Treasurer was assaulted” – it emphasized.
It assured the rank and file of the party of the party’s determination to ensure that all its members adhere strictly to the long-cherished practices that have made NDC internal politics as it put it, “the enviable attraction of teeming millions of the people of Ghana, and from which we draw the confidence of being the next government in waiting”
Tension is mounting at Gomoa Fetteh Kakraba, suburb of Gomoa East District in the Central region following assault by land guards terrorizing residents and developers in the area. .
According to reports, they have become so emboldened that, Chiefs in the area have been chased away after they forcibly halted an ongoing clinic project.
TV XYZ’s Central regional correspondent, Alex Donkoh who visited the area reports that, the Odikro and Omankrado of Fetteh Kakraba had demarcated a parcel of land for the construction of the health post by the District Assembly. Though the District Chief Executive is fully aware and backs the initiative, the land guards seem fearless and are bent on stopping the project.
According to witnesses, a group of land guards fully armed with guns stormed the site, threatening mayhem to scare workers and succeeded in filling the foundation dug for the project, with bulldozer.
Nana Kudum Manu recounting his predicament to journalists alleged that, he was in his Palace when a distress call from the youth came in, alerting him about the assault by the land guards.
He told the press gathered that as he proceeded to the scene together with the Odikro of Fetteh Kakraba, the suspects called their bluff threatening to deal with anyone who dares them.
Nana Kudum Manu said to prevent bloodshed, they lodged a complaint at the Breku Police station.
The suspects, sensing danger, absconded before the Police contingent arrived at the scene.
The Odikro and Omankrado of Fetteh Kakraba however said they surfaced after the Police left, raising eyebrows.
He has since made a passionate appeal to the Inspector General of Police, COP Dr George Akuffo Dampare, the Central East Regional Commander to intervene and clampdown on land guards in the area.
Meanwhile, Queen mother of Fetteh Kakraba, Nana Abena Adobi who has been accused of masterminding the attack has also been speaking.
Nana Abena Adobi claims she is preparing the land for traders who will be affected by the expansion of Kasoa-Winneba highway, when work begins.
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has developed the first-ever Guidelines for the Operation of Parent Associations (PAs), formerly known as Parent-Teacher Association (PTAs), in pre-tertiary schools in the country.
Among other things, it said no student should be held responsible for the actions and inaction of any member of the PA or the PA as a body.
The implication, it said was that no student should be linked to the activities of the PA either through the school or his/her parent/guardian.
“By extension, no student/learner, in both basic and second cycle schools, shall be held responsible for non-payment of any PA-related dues and other contribution by students.
“They shall therefore not be prevented from attending or participating in any school-based activities,” it said.
Guidelines
The guidelines document recognises the PAs as a useful platform for parents/guardians to collaborate with management of the various educational institutions for the primary purpose of supporting enhanced education and growth of schools.
Under the guidelines, management of the service acknowledged and appreciated the significant contributions of PAs overtime in areas such as the provision of infrastructure, supply of furniture, provision of teaching and learning materials, supply of vehicles and provision of water and sanitation systems.
The others, it said were maintenance of school facilities, motivation of staff, school beautification and environmental cleanliness, among others.
The heads of PTAs had always collaborated in the past in the prioritisation of projects and activities for executive in schools.
The guidelines said the PA should elect its own executive officers independent of the school management and should operate purely as an association opened to all parents/guardians whose wards were in the school without any interference from the school management.
They said no member should use the constitutional mandate (tenure of office) of an executive position to remain on the PA when the child/ward of that member ceased to be a student/pupil of the school and that “Executive Members without children or wards in their respective schools must be relieved of their positions”.
In addition, the document said the school should not be responsible for the activities of any staff who, by virtue of being a parent, became a member of the association or an executive member and that such a member or executive member should not use his/her official relation with the school to engage in any activity on behalf of the PA.
That, however, it said did not preclude the school authorities from providing any administrative support the association might require in promoting the interest of the school.
Projects
The PAs, it said could undertake projects to support the development and growth of the schools to which they were related.
On handing over of such projects to the school, it said management of the school should have full authority over such projects without interference from PAs as to how those projects should be managed and administered.
The PA might undertake income generating projects, but not on the premises of the school,” it said.
Delegates of the governing New Patriotic Party will go to the polls on January 27, 2024, to select parliamentary candidates to represent the party in various constituencies ahead of the general elections in December.
The party has already selected parliamentary candidates in constituencies where it does not have sitting MPs, known in political parlance as orphan constituencies.
It has subsequently scheduled January 27 as the date for organizing primaries in constituencies it won during the 2020 polls.
While 326 candidates have been cleared for the primaries, a number of sitting MPs are contesting the polls unopposed.
Below is the regional breakdown of the MPs not being contested:
GREATER ACCRA REGION:
Patrick Yaw Boamah – Okaikoi Central MP
Lydia Seyram Alhassan – Ayawaso West Wuogon MP
SAVANNAH REGION
Samuel Abu Jinapor – Damongo MP
UPPER WEST REGION
Dr Bright Yelviedong Baligi – Lambussie MP
Ambrose Dery – Nandom MP
NORTHERN REGION
Alhassan Sulemana Tampuli – Gushegu MP
Alhaji Iddrisu Habib – Tolon MP
Mohammed Amin Adam – Karaga MP
Thomas Mbomba – Tatale/Sanguli MP
CENTRAL REGION
Rev. John Ntim Fordjour – Assin South MP
Dr Festus Awuah Kwofie – Upper Denkyira East MP
ASHANTI REGION
Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum – Bosomtwe MP
Dr John Ampontuah Kumah – Ejisu MP
Dr Nana Ayew Afriyie – Effiduase MP
Isaac Yaw Opoku – Offinso South MP
Alex Blankson – Akrofuom MP
EASTERN REGION
Dr Bryan Yaw Acheampong – Abetifi MP
Michael Okyere Baafi – New Juaben South MP
Frederick Obeng Adom – Upper West Akyem MP
WESTERN NORTH
Alex Tetteh Djornobuah – Akontombra MP
BONO EAST
Martin Kwaku Adjei-Mensah Korsah – Techiman South MP
BONO REGION
Paul Apreku Twum-Barimah – Dormaa East MP
AHAFO REGION
Dr Benjamin Yeboah Sekyere – Tano South MP
Source: Citinews
Ghana HomePage, Your Source of Breaking News in Ghana, Sports, Showbiz, Opinions.
