May 17, 2023

Akatsi North NPP youths ask for DCE’s removal

The youth wing of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Akatsi North District are calling for the removal of Mr Simon Peter Kofi Ofosu, the District Chief Executive. ‘He is collapsing the NPP in Akatsi North,’ the disgruntled youth said, adding that his continuous stay in office could erode the gains the party made, especially by the current government. It would also harm the party’s chances of capturing the parliamentary seat from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in 2024, the youth said a press conference organised on Tuesday at the party office. The conference was addressed by Mr Zakari Nasiru, the Constituency Youth Organiser, who accused Mr Ofosu of among others, for orchestrating the rejection of two earlier nominees of the President to make room for his nomination and later, confirmation. He said the DCE was constantly accusing his predecessor of doing nothing. Yet, Mr Ofosu, when he came into office continued to commission projects by his predecessor without involving the party, thus, giving the NDC the chance to claim those projects for their Member of Parliament, who is seeking a re-election. ‘We can recall the huge gains we made as a party in the 2020 parliamentary election which got party stalwarts at the party headquarters hailing Akatsi North for a good job done. ‘This feat by the NPP has caused a lot of uproar in the NDC in the Constituency and they have vowed to dismantle the NPP before the 2024 elections.’ He was further said to be abandoning some of the projects that were completed by his predecessor to rot. The youth cited the cherished Ave Crocodile Resort that once won an award for the district but has been left to be engulfed by weeds. ‘As if that is not enough …, the court complex that was completed before he came to office but has been left to be covered by weeds, while other districts are commissioning their courts. These actions of his continue to make the NPP unpopular by the day.’ The youth said they feared that if Mr Ofosu was allowed to spend more days as DCE, even NPP polling station executives might not vote for the party in the 2024 general elections hence the call for his sack. ‘We are appealing to His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to save the party in the constituency by replacing Simon Peter Kofi Ofosu with a very competent person, who is willing to work for the party to snatch the seat from the NDC come 2024. The earlier the better for us as a party – Simon Peter Kofi Ofosu must go!’ In reaction to the allegations, Mr Ofosu told the Ghana News Agency that the demand for his removal were uncalled for. He said the allegations against him were untrue and mere attempts to discredit his person. He said as DCE, his focus was to deliver development projects to the people, see to the progress of government business and that of the party in Akatsi North, a course he remained committed to. ‘It’s unfortunate some group of people to think otherwise,’ he said.

Source: Ghana News Agency

May 17, 2023

France to fund agribusiness projects in Angola

French Development Agency (AFD) has said it will fund agribusiness projects in Angola through the Angolan Development Bank (BDA), in a partnership between both institutions, as part of the diversification of the national economy, ANGOP learnt Wednesday.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Economy and Planning (MEP), the initiative is part of the global movement called Common Finances and brings together the development banks of the two countries and seeks sustainability in the sector.

The statement adds that the two sides discussed about the projects supported by the AFD in Angola and the possibility of broadening the agency’s participation in the implementation of programmes and projects under the National Development Plan (NDP) 2023/2027.

The MEP’s minister, Mário Caetano João, is in France on a working visit, since May 15 leading a delegation that was received by the AFD’s general director, Rémy Rioux.

The Angolan delegation includes the Secretary of State for Trade and the Secretary of State for Agriculture and Livestock, Amadeu Nunes and João Cunha, respectively, as well as the Angolan Ambassador to France, Guilhermina Prata.

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

May 17, 2023

Angola launches Cubango-Okavango ecosystem project

Angolan government, in partnership with the United States, launched Wednesday in Luanda the Ecosystem, Communities and Climate – Cubango-Okavango (ECCO) project, which is financed by the US government worth 7.5 million dollars.

The ECCO project, which will also receive US$10 million from private sector partners, aims to boost economic development and protect the environment in the country’s Upper Cubango-Okavango region.

Meanwhile, the initiative will support local communities to improve their means of subsistence in a sustainable way, always bearing in mind the conservation of vital natural resources for well-being.

The work will focus on strengthening and managing water resources and water, sanitation and hygiene services in the communities of Cuangar, Cuito Cuanavale and Cuchi.

The empowerment of women and social inclusion are also part of this project, which, by supporting agriculture, fishing and the rational use of forestry products, seeks to tackle climate change in a sustainable way, thus promoting Angola’s contributions to the Paris.

For the national director for Climate and Sustainable Development, Luís Constantino, the province is rich in natural resources, but is already beginning to feel the effects of climate change.

He defended that projects like ECCO come to help the Executive in its efforts with a view to preserving the communities in this region of the country.

The US ambassador to Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe, Tulinabo Mushingi, said all work will be done strictly with Angola in order to support the objectives of the National Development Plan.

This will be through support for fishing, agriculture and forestry cooperatives, as well as creating empowerment opportunities for women, youth and other vulnerable people.

He noted that the project will help the local populations to improve their livelihoods through sustainable fishing, agriculture and tourism.

Tulinabo Mushingi also reiterated the continued support of the US government to the Angolan nation, in its effort focused on improving the living conditions of communities, such as protecting the ecosystem.

In turn, the director of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) for Africa, Ademola Ajagbe, gave a summary of the project, considering the area as extremely important, given the concentration of biodiversity.

The event also marks the week celebrating 30 years of diplomatic relations between Angola and the United States of America.

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

May 17, 2023

Lesotho imposes curfew to tackle gun violence

A night curfew will take effect in Lesotho, as authorities hope that curtailing movement will help curb gun violence in the small southern African kingdom.

“A curfew is imposed on all persons throughout the Kingdom of Lesotho with effect from today,” read a government gazette published.

Locals will not be allowed out between 10:00 pm (2000 GMT) and 04:00 am, according to the document signed by police commissioner Holomo Molibeli.

The curfew is to remain in place until further notice, Molibeli said. Those failing to comply face a fine or up to two years in jail.

Police Minister Lebona Lephema said the move was aimed at tackling gun violence across the country.

Gang related shootings are common in Lesotho, a landlocked mountainous country of two million people, where police complain the number of unlicensed firearms in circulation is too high.

Journalist Ralikonelo Joki, host of a current affairs show on a local private radio, was gunned down by unknown assailants as he was leaving his workplace in Maser u on Sunday night.

No arrests have been made in connection with the case, and investigations are ongoing.

The Committee to Protect Journalists, a media advocacy group, has urged authorities to launch “a credible investigation” into the killing, adding Joki was known for his work on corruption.

Source: TRTworld.com

May 17, 2023

CorpsAfrica, Mastercard Foundation announces $59.4m partnership against poverty

CorpsAfrica and Mastercard Foundation have announced a five-year $59.4 million partnership to fight poverty through volunteerism in 11 African countries. The partnership will develop the leadership skills of 1,600 Africans, particularly young women to engage in community-led projects that impact public health, food security, education, gender issues, the digital economy, and the environment. Volunteers are expected to benefit over 800,000 community members through economic development while creating work opportunities for young people across the continent. The volunteers would be in communities to identify, together with community members and provide solutions through projects like building schools, wells and irrigation systems, launching small businesses and agriculture projects, and tutoring in schools and training centres. Nigeria, Uganda, and Ethiopia are the new countries that will this year benefit from the impact projects, while two more African countries, yet to be announced, will start benefiting from the CorpsAfrica-Mastercard partnership in 2024. Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, Malawi, Rwanda, and Kenya are six existing beneficiary countries that would also see projects expanded in various communities under the $59.4m partnership. ‘CorpsAfrica has proven its impact in rural communities and demonstrated the value of deploying a network of service-minded young Africans to solve pressing issues across the continent,’ said Peter Materu, Chief Programs Officer at the Mastercard Foundation. ‘Their vision aligns with our Young Africa Works strategy to enable 30 million young people, particularly young women, to access dignified and fulfilling work. We are pleased to support their growth and expansion throughout the continent,’ he added. Liz Fanning, CorpsAfrica’s Founder and Executive Director stated, ‘This funding could not have come at a more important time.’ ‘Real-world experience and service opportunities are urgently needed to engage young Africans and create sustainable economic opportunities for rural people,’ she added. Ms Fanning indicated that the partnership would provide the resources to advance and expand CorpsAfrica’s mission by ensuring sustainability across the continent. ‘Together, we can create a model for national and Pan-African service and participatory development that is efficient, effective, collaborative, and accountable,’ the CorpsAfrica Executive Director said. During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the work of a CorpsAfrica volunteer helped a displaced community to identify and establish the first sewing and handcrafts skills training centre. In Morocco, a young female CorpsAfrica volunteer also assisted the only women’s cooperative in the Inman Valley specialising in making carpets and pillows to market their products collectively, earning decent incomes to support their families.

Source: Ghana News Agency

May 17, 2023

Ahanta West Municipality celebrates Constitution Week

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) says the 1992 Constitution has helped in sustaining peace and democratic rule in Ghana for the past 31 years and lauded the citizens for observing its tenets, resulting in the achievement of the great feat. Mr Peter Baah, the Programmes Officer of the Ahanta West Municipal Directorate, NCCE, lauded the efforts of the Commission in educating the citizenry on their rights and responsibilities as stipulated in the Constitution. The Commission, in its 30 years of formation, has tirelessly and vigorously enlightened citizens on the Constitution and any new policy formulated by the Government. Mr Baah told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that the Municipality is marking this year’s Constitution Week on the theme: ‘Thirty Years of Consolidating Constitutional Democracy: Building National Cohesion Through Civic Education and Participation in Local Governance’, and had engaged identifiable groups, such as churches, on related issues. This year’s celebration placed greater emphasis on citizens’ participation in local governance, especially in the upcoming District Level Elections. ‘As good citizens of Ghana, one core responsibility is the participation and contribution to the sustainability of democratic rule through the payment of taxes, protecting the environment, protecting public property, and shining an eye on activities of the leaders of the country to enhance accountable governance,’ he said. Mr Baah reminded citizens to take active part in the District Level Elections (DLEs), to be held in October, this year, to elect charismatic, approachable, attentive, competent, selfless and humble persons as assembly and unit committee members. He noted how the interests in the DLEs continued to dwindle, saying: ‘We are continuously taking less and less interests in the elections of our assembly and unit committee members and yet, we are also increasingly complaining about problems in our communities.’ Mr Baah said citizens could solve most of the problems in the communities by being more concerned about the DLEs and who they elected to those positions. He urged all to be mindful of security threats, which included chieftaincy and ethnic conflicts, land disputes and cyber-crimes, that undermined peaceful coexistence and national cohesion.

Source: Ghana News Agency