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Managing Migration: Global approach based on partnership, cooperation needed – Amb. Simone Giger


Madam Simone Giger, Ambassador of Switzerland to Ghana, says a global approach based on partnership and cooperation is needed to manage migration effectively.

She said given the complexities and global nature of migration, an efficient collaborative approach was essential in addressing the challenges it presented.

The Swiss Ambassador, speaking at the opening of the 2024 Migration Management Course being hosted by the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), said, ‘Migration cannot be tackled by any country alone.’

The two-weeks course, second in a series, with 28 participants from ECOWAS Member States, is being funded by the Swiss Government and the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM).

The Migration Management Course offers a unique platform for participants to enhance their capacities and strengthen their resolve to promote effective practices that are fundamental to managing migration and movement patterns in the sub-region.

Ambassador Giger said it was of utmost import
ance that different countries partnered at the regional and international levels with a shared commitment and understanding of the issues and challenges of migration while finding effective solutions.

She stated that migration was a diverse and complex phenomenon with many different causes with many different consequences.

‘Migration can mean flight and protection from conflict, insecurity, economic hardship or climate change, but it can also mean studies and new work opportunities.

It entails trafficking and smuggling, fraud and crime, human rights abuses and separated families but also family reunions, development, remittances, integration and new beginnings,’ she said.

The Swiss Ambassador said governments and societies were constantly asked to respond and keep up to those complex challenges and opportunities that migration implied which differed from one context to the other.

Therefore, she noted, that the Migration Management Course would deliver a comprehensive picture of the migration phenomenon w
ith special focus on the West African region while aiming at discussing regional solutions and encouraging international and regional cooperation.

Switzerland, she said, was committed to supporting the Migration Management Course and expressed optimism that it would constitute real added value for the region and each participating country.

Air Commodore David Akrong, Deputy Commandant, KAIPTC, who spoke on behalf of the Commandant, Major General Richard Addo Gyane, said the root causes of migration were numerous and complex and that trends and patterns in migration in Africa were shaped by factors, including rapid population and labour force growth, unstable politics, escalating ethnic conflicts, economic decline and environmental deterioration.

Those factors, he said, were usually brought about by a mismatch between the rapid population growth and the available resources, low level of requisite technology to exploit the available natural resources and capacity to create employment and jobs at the countrie
s of origin.

Air Cdre Akrong said over the years, the challenges had driven people to move in search of better or alternative opportunities and that for some communities, migration had become a survival strategy.

‘Properly managed migration can bring benefits both to migrants and societies,’ he noted.

He expressed optimism that the Migration Management Course would equip participants with the knowledge, tools and skills to help reduce the negative effects of migration while maximising the positive aspects.

Mr Chamango Tchagam Blaise Aime, a participant and a Human Rights Advocate from Cameroon, said an issue of grave concern was the armed conflict in the northwest and southwest of Cameroon that had caused many people to move internally and externally.

‘Many Cameroonians have moved from the southwest and the northwest regions to other safer regions and out of the country to neighbouring Nigeria, and the situation is worrying. These internally and externally displaced persons are facing serious humanitaria
n concerns.’

As a human rights defender, Mr Chamango said after the two-week course, he hopes to have a good mastery of the legal and institutional framework governing migration regionally and internationally to help deal with the emerging crisis in Cameroon.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Recovery or Recession? – Three Questions about China’s Economy


For some time, there have been some commentary in the international community that speak ill of China’s economy.

What is the trend of China’s economy?

Recently, the National Bureau of Statistics of China has published the statistics about China’s national economic performance in 2023.

It shows that China’s economy has rebounded and moved upward, with high-quality development solidly advancing, new economic drivers developing faster, market demand recovering steadily, green transformation forging ahead, and foreign trade becoming more resilient.

China’s economy will continue to provide strong impetus for the world.

Is China’s economy stagnating? As shown by the statistics, China’s economy is making steady progress, and remains the biggest engine of global growth.

The International Monetary Fund has stated that China will be the largest driver of global economic growth in the next five years, and one percentage point increase in gross domestic product (GDP) growth in China leads to 0.3 percentage point i
ncrease in growth in other economies.

As the only country encompassing all industrial categories in the United Nations industrial classification, China contributes to around one-third of world economic growth over the years.

The scale of China’s manufacturing industry has ranked first in the world for 13 consecutive years.

In 2023, the Chinese economy has achieved a year-on-year GDP growth of 5.2 per cent, outpacing most major economies.

China is now advancing Chinese modernisation on all fronts through high-quality development, delivering modernisation to more than 1.4 billion people.

It will be a remarkable achievement in human history, one that will provide continuous impetus to the development of China and the wider world.

Will China’s declining population pose economic challenges?

China’s demographic dividend is turning into talent dividend, as innovation is the primary driving force for development.

China now ranks first in the world in terms of the size of talent pool, human resources in scienc
e and technology and the total number of researchers.

China’s industrial optimisation and upgrading has achieved remarkable results and is moving up the mid-to-high-end value chain.

China’s expenditure on research and development and investment in high-tech industries have maintained double-digit growth for many years.

The number of China’s patent applications ranks first in the world, and the number of unicorn companies ranks second in the world.

China is pushing ahead green and low-carbon transformation, which will provide impetus for development in green infrastructure, green energy, green transportation and other fields, and generate a market of 10 trillion yuan per year.

Is China’s Door closing?

China remains firmly committed to opening up, sharing development opportunities with the world.

President Xi Jinping’s call for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and the Global Development Initiative have provided the most inclusive and extensive international cooperation platform.

China is the major
trading partner of more than 140 countries and regions.

Our overall tariff level has been cut to 7.3 per cent, relatively at par with the developed members in the World Trade Organisation.

China is the world’s largest source of international development financing.

Since the beginning of this century, China has provided approximately $1.34 trillion in loans and grants to more than 20,000 projects in 165 low- and middle-income countries.

By opening up wider, China aims to develop together with all in the world.

Recently, there are some negative rhetoric against China’s economy.

Some countries want to shut out China in the name of ‘de-risking’, to ‘decouple’ from China, fragment industrial and supply chains, and build ‘small yards with high fences’.

However, facts speak louder than words. In the post-epidemic era, despite challenging international environment, increasing uncertainty of the world economy and insufficient growth momentum, China’s economy can still achieve its growth targets beyond expectati
ons with per capita disposable income continuing to rise, which is a strong demonstration of China’s resilience, vitality and potential.

To shut out China is to throw away opportunities, cooperation, stability and development.

Such a move would only create and spread risks, and no one would benefit from it.

As Premier Li Qiang has stated in the special address at the Opening Ceremony of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2024, the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation, yet the overall direction of human development and progress will not change, the overall dynamics of world history moving forward amid twists and turns will not change, and the overall trend toward a shared future for the international community will not change.

After all the shifts and changes over the years, all should cherish communication the more and exchange, solidarity and cooperation, openness and sharing, peace and stability, forging ahead with a shared aspiration for a better future toward building a
community with a shared future for mankind!

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Ghana’s Fintech Ecosystem takes centre-stage at Fintech Islands in Barbados


The vibrant landscape of Ghana’s FinTech industry has taken center-stage at the esteemed FinTech Islands event in Barbados.

A delegation from Ghana made up of Mr. Martin Kwame Awagah, President Ghana Fintech and Payments Association and Mr. Richard Nunekpeku, Vice President Legal and Strategy, represented Ghana’s digital finance ecosystem in Barbados.

Ghana’s active participation in the FinTech Islands event reinforces its commitment to driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and contributing to the global dialogue on financial technology.

The delegation’s engagements underscored the strides Ghana had made in embracing digital transformation to enhance financial services and promote inclusive economic growth.

The FinTech Islands event offers a platform where nations converge to share insights, collaborate, and shape the future of financial technology in the Caribbean. Ghana’s representation reflected the country’s standing as a key player in the global FinTech ecosystem.

Mr. Awagah, the Association
‘s President, kicked off the proceedings with a thought-provoking panel session on ‘Banking for All of Us: FinTech Innovation Driving Financial Inclusion.’

His insights shed light on Ghana’s commitment to leveraging technology to foster financial inclusion on a broader scale.

He delved into how government policies such as the National Financial Inclusion Development Strategy (NFIDS), Digital Financial Services Policy, and the Cashlite Roadmap have set the stage for the

country’s digital financial evolution.

‘These policies have tremendously transformed the delivery of financial services and we are even witnessing the offering of services in local languages, which is ensuring that financial access is not a barrier to the less educated.

These solutions are reaching millions of citizens across various sectors of the economy, thereby enhancing financial inclusion,’ he said.

The panel also included Mr. Zachary Harding Founding Partner, Delta Capital Partners – Caribbeann, Mr. Juan Zavala Aleman CEO and Co-Fo
under, FinZi – Columbia and Ms. Zia Paton PwC Partner, Digital Services – Caribbean.

Other officials from Ghana who participated in the panel discussion included Mr. Nunekpeku, the Vice President – Legal and Strategy Ghana Fintech and Payment Association.

He made a significant contribution to the discourse on ‘Fintechs Driving Adoption of Digital Money’ as the panel’s moderator.

On this panel were Adam Swartzbaugh, Founder and CEO of Almond Finance and Aldwyn Wayne, Founder and CEO, Colour Bank and WiPay.

Mr. Nunekpeku’s insights underscored the pivotal role that fintech companies played in driving the widespread adoption of digital currencies, such as crypto and stablecoins.

In another panel discussion, Mr. Awagah shared the stage with Mr. Kwame Oppong, Director of Fintech and Innovation at the Bank of Ghana, who joined in virtually, with Ms Carmelle Cadet, Founder and CEO of EMTECH, a renowned suptech platform at the forefront of digitizing regulatory processes,

The panel engaged in a compelling discu
ssion titled ‘CBDC Masterclass: Lessons Learned from the eCedi Hackathon.’

This insightful session delved into the intricacies of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) implementation, drawing lessons from Ghana’s groundbreaking eCedik.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Akatsi South: Fetish Priest allegedly murders son at Dzuefe-Hamekope


Afealete Dzreke, a fetish priest believed to be in his 50s, has allegedly shot and killed his son at Dzuefe-Hamekpoe, a farming community within the Akatsi South Municipality of the Volta Region.

The deceased, Lawson Agbenyega Dzreke, about 34 years old, was allegedly killed and buried in a nearby bush after the crime by his father, popularly known as ‘Hunor Akpatogui.’

Mr Selorm Bright Gligui, the Assembly member of the area, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the entire community remained in a state of shock after an alarm was raised about the discovery of the buried body.

He said the police at Akatsi were informed after the discovery of the body on Sunday, February 4.

The suspect is in police custody for further interrogations.

Some eyewitnesses also told the GNA that the suspect, on Thursday, February 1, had a misunderstanding with the deceased, which could have led to the crime.

Chief Superintendent Isaac Baah, the Akatsi South Municipal Police Commander, who confirmed the act, however, said de
tails on the crime would be given later.

The body of the deceased is to be exhumed by the police on Monday, February 5, after following all due processes, the GNA learnt.

The deceased was married with three kids.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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NDC will not make promises it can’t deliver-Mahama


Former President John Dramani Mahama, says the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will not make promises to Ghanaians it cannot fulfill.

‘One of the basic principles of leadership is honesty. Don’t tell the people you will do something that you know you do not intend to do.’

The Former President who is the Flagbearer of the NDC, said this when he addressed the Upper East Region House of Chiefs on his two-day tour of the Region dubbed ‘Building Ghana’ tour.

The tour, he said was intended to solicit views of Ghanaians to enable the Party draft its manifesto for this year’s elections.

‘We all must create before we can share. And so our first responsibility will be to stabilize the economy and start growing the economy again. We can only do that if we put our money where our mouths are, and put our investment in the right place,’ he said.

The Former President said the next NDC government would look at the value chain in every part of the country and invest in it, adding that Benin’s leading export was cotto
n and it was revolutionizing the country.

‘And so one of the things we are going to do, is to revive our cotton industry so that our families can earn more. Upper East Region has become important in food production, but we need to provide more irrigation facilities so that we can expand the production of food and other agricultural crops,’ he said.

He said rehabilitation works began on the Vea and Tono Dams under the late former President John Evans Atta Mills, ‘Unfortunately, it has stalled, and we need to bring more land under irrigation. That will be a priority for us.

‘We started the Tamde irrigation dam, and even today, with the little part that they have started producing, I saw a video where they were harvesting so much carrots for sale in the markets, and that is just a fraction of the land we are bringing under cultivation.

‘We will finish that project because we need a pump to lift the water and irrigate another 3500 hectares of land. If we have all that land available, why will our people leave
here and go to the South for menial jobs,’ he quizzed.

Mr Mahama said his next administration would look at the capacity of every Region and put investments at the needed areas to provide meaningful jobs for the citizenry.

Pe Ditundini Adiali Ayagitam III, President of the Region’s House of Chiefs and Paramount Chief of the Chiana Traditional Area, was hopeful that the Flagbearer would engage residents in the

Region for their inputs to enable him and his team to craft a strategy to end the conflict in Bawku if he gets the mandate as President.

‘Ghanaians need peace to go about their normal duties. The Kusaug Traditional Council needs peace in Bawku to restore the area back to its former status,’ he said, and wished the former President well in his activities in the Region.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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Atwima Nwabiagya South NDC elders lead reconciliation efforts


Three elders of the NDC in the Atwima Nwabiagya South constituency are leading a reconciliation effort to bring all members of the party on board to work for the party’s victory in the December general election.

Warrant Officer Class One (WO1) retired, Nana Afoakwa Dua, who is leading the efforts told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that, grass-root reorganization was needed to rekindle members and bring them on board for victory in the December elections.

Other members of the elders are Nana Ntim Gyakari, a retired educationist and Mr Joseph Felix Mensah, a retired civil servant.

Nana Afoakwa Dua, who was a former Municipal Chief Executive, said the elders submitted themselves to lead the reconciliation efforts at the first meeting of the NDC cadres for the year, in the constituency.

The meeting was to evaluate their activities for 2023 and plans for 2024.

He said the three elders had been charged to work to ensure unity and understanding among the parliamentary candidates, constituency executive
s, former DCEs and members of the various party wings in Atwima Nwabiagya, Atwima Mponua and Atwima Kwanwoma constituencies.

Nana Afoakwa Duah thanked the party for the confidence reposed in them and said the three would work tirelessly to bring all party members and supporters together for a resounding victory in this year’s elections.

He said disunity at any level could affect the chances of the party and that every member of the party, whether past or present, needed to be active in the activities of the party.

Source: Ghana News Agency