Category: General

The Mandela Center International, an international NGO specialized in consultative status with the United Nations has demanded the immediate resignation of the Chairperson of the Cameroon Human Rights Commission (CHRC) Professor James Mouangue Kobila, from his duties for allegedly breaching of human rights ethics.

According to an official release from the said NGO, Mouangue Kobila is reported to have sexually harassed, threatened, blackmailed and defamed the alleged victim, Mrs. Nkouete Messiah Judith Espérance Epouse Kouobou Tsemo, translator-interpreter, executive at the CHRC and Chief of the President’s cabinet.

As a consequence of his act, the Mandela Center International and its international partners have decided to suspend all collaboration with the national human rights institution until the withdrawal of its current president.

They also reminded the Cameroon government of its obligations to respect, protect and implement the rights of all Cameroonians to dignity, without any restrictions.

Profes
sor James Mouangue Kobila was appointed Chairperson of the CHRC in February 2021 by President Paul Biya.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

The Ghana National Canoe Fishermen Council (GNCFC) has elected new executives to steer affairs in the Volta Region.

The Council, known for its commitment to matters concerning artisanal fishermen in the country and creating the platform to address their concerns and grievances, held the exercise to choose their Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Organizer, Public Relations Officer(PRO), Treasurer and Financial Secretary respectively.

Delegates from all 28 landing beaches in the region exercised their franchise with a total membership of 55 to elect officers.

After a successful election, Mr. Doe Nkekeshie, the Chief Fisherman of Anloga, was elected the Regional Chairman with Mr. Abotsi Agbeko as the Vice Chairman.

Others were Mr Victor Dzokoto as Secretary, Mr John Adjaho as the Organiser, and Mr Vance Kwaku Adedze as the PRO.

Mr. Joshua Agbesudo Kaleawo and Mr. Ekpe Honu Salah who contested the Treasurer and Financial Secretary positions respectively, went unopposed.

Mr. Seth Kedey, the National Publi
c Relations Officer for the Council, charged the new Regional Executives to protect the interest of the fisherfolks in the region.

He also urged them to enforce the laws and policies that regulate the activities of the sector.

Mr. Doe Nkekeshie, on behalf of the newly elected executives, pledged to work unanimously and offer their best support to the fishermen in the Volta Region.

Source: Ghana News Agency

A driver’s mate who allegedly broke into an office and stole office accessories has had his actions exposed after watching recordings of Close Circuit Television (CCTV) Camera of himself.

Appearing before the Achimota Circuit Court, Joseph Ankomah pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit crime, causing unlawful damage, unlawful entry and stealing.

The trial judge Mr Isaac Addo admitted Ankomah to bail in the sum of GHc15,000 with two sureties.

The court ordered prosecution to comply with the rules of disclosure and file their witness statements for case management conference at the next adjourned date.

Meanwhile, an accomplice whose name was given as James is said to be at large.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Stephen Ahiale said the complainant Moses Boadi was an IT expert residing at Ofankor in Accra.

ASP Ahiale said Ankomah also resided at Ofankor barrier.

On February 19, 2024, the complainant closed from work and locked up his office and left for the house.

The prosecution
said on February 20, 2024, the Prosecutor said Ankomah and one suspect known as James, now at large conspired to steal.

It said they went to the complainant’s premises and caused damage to his office door valued at GHC500 and entered the office unlawfully.

The prosecutor said they stole computer monitor, valued at GHC800, Digital Video Recorder (DVR valued GHc3,000, computer system unit valued at GHC2,000, air condition remote valued at GHC6000, and a computer desk top valued at GHC3,000.

ASP Ahiale said the complainant reported for work the next morning and noticed that his office had been broken into and items listed above stolen.

The prosecution said the complainant reported the matter to the Police at Ofankor for investigations.

Fortunately, the prosecutor said there was a CCTV Camera fixed at the premises hence the complainant viewed the footage and saw the images of the accused person.

Ankomah was arrested and handed over to the Police for further investigations.

The prosecution said Ankomah who
was detained initially, denied any knowledge of the theft.

It said Ankomah after watching his image captured by the camera, confirmed committing the act together with one James, who took the stolen items to Kwame Nkrumah Circle to offer them for sale.

The prosecution said the accused person alleged that he did not know the place of abode of his accomplice James.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Minister of public health, Dr Manaouda Malachie, has announced a nationwide polio response vaccination campaign which is aimed at strengthening the collective immunity of children under five (5) years of age. The vaccination campaign will run from the 1st to 3rd of March 2024.

According to the Minister of public health ‘this campaign is part of a synergy of strategies between the countries of the sub-region. Also, this campaign will provide different countries with an opportunity to strengthen their routine vaccination coverage by catching up with children aged 0 to 23 months who have missed one or more appointments in their usual vaccination schedule.’

Moreover, identifiable vaccination teams will be deployed to households, hospitals, schools, markets, worship places and other gatherings to administer two drops of oral polio vaccine to children aged 0 to 5 years.

It is the first national polio immunization campaign organized in the country this year after five cases of polio were reported in the capi
tal, Yaounde, by health officials.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Nana Ama Serwaa Bonsu, President of the Queen Mothers Foundation of Ghana, has called on women in the agricultural value chain to harness the power of their diversity to propel the agricultural sector to new heights of excellence.

She made the call at the sixth edition of ‘Gathering of the Royals’, an event organised by the Agrihouse Foundation, an Agriculture Advocacy nongovernmental organisation and Queen Mothers Foundation, on the theme: ‘Seeds of change: Cultivating Gender Equality in Agriculture and Honoring Women’s Advancement’.

Nana Ama Bonsu also advised women in agriculture to embrace the spirit of collaboration and unity that defined their collective endeavours.

She explained that the ‘Gathering of the Royals’ was not merely an event, but a proof of the collective dedication of Queen mothers who were the pillars of strength within their communities.

‘It is a platform where wisdom is shared, experiences are exchanged, and innovative solutions are cultivated to address the challenges facing our a
gricultural landscape.

‘This collaboration epitomises our shared commitment to advancing agribusiness and driving sustainable development across our beloved nation,’ she explained.

She lauded the Agrihouse Foundation for its steadfast commitment to empowering communities through agriculture and its unwavering support that had been instrumental in making the gathering possible.

‘Your insights, perspectives, and contributions are invaluable as we chart a course towards a more prosperous and sustainable future,’ she added.

Ms Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, the Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, said it was obvious that the heart of food systems was women, at the spirit of sustainable farming were women, and at the soul of advancing the full cycle participation of women in agribusiness were women.

Mr Yaw Frimpong Addo, the Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, applauded the Foundations for its efforts and good work in improving agriculture on the feminine side.

The Foundations presented a citation to
Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, a former First Lady of Ghana for her unwavering support for the Agricultural sector, especially through the contribution of women.

Madam Agyeman Rawlings, giving a heartwarming appreciation to the Foundation, recapped how her late husband, Flight Lieutenant Jerry-John Rawlings was instrumental in Agriculture.

Present at the event were Nana Akuah Tawiah I, Queen-mother of Sewfi Asempa na Eye – Western North Region, Nana Adwoa Larboh I, Queen-mother Yeji Traditional Area – Bono East Region, Mariama Saaka, Queen-mother of Sadoboora – Wungu Traditional Area – North East Region, and Braimah Azara Kabachewurche Timu Burnyanso I, Queen-mother of Kabache – Kpeme Traditional Council – Savannah Region.

Others were Nana Aba Kyere III, Queen-mother of Abirem Agona – Central Region, Nana Amponsah Antwiwaa, Queen-mother of Adasawase (Atiwa – East) – Eastern Region, Mama Asornawo Sekle II, Queen-mother of Mafi Gidikpi number 1- Volta Region, and Nana Darkowaa Ampem Kyerewaa II, Paramount Que
en-mother of Yamfo Traditional Area, Ahafo Region.

Within the last five years, ‘Gathering of the Royals’ has brought together over 2,973 women farmers, Queen-mothers in agriculture and other agribusiness champions to delve deep into finding common solutions to burning issues affecting women’s advancement in Agribusiness and in the development of sustainable farmers.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The General Agriculture Workers Union (GAWU) has said the reduction of rice imports in Ghana as stated by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo in the State of the Nation’s Address, is due to smuggling.

Mr Edward Kareweh, the General Secretary of GAWU, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), in reaction to the President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), said the reduction did not mean that there was an abundance of local rice being produced in the country.

Mr Kareweh said the reduction was rather due to an influx of smuggled rice into the country, saying in 2023, most of the local farmers could not sell their produce due to the foreign rice that had penetrated the market.

He said, ‘When we say rice importation levels have come down, it’s not suggesting that we have produced enough; there has been so much illegal importation of rice into this country.’

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, during the SONA, said that between 2021 and 2023, rice imports fell by some 45 per cent.

He had stat
ed that in 2021, rice imports amounted to 805, 000 metric tonnes, but reduced to 650,000 in 2022 and a further reduction to 440,000 metric tonnes in 2023.’

The President had assured Ghanaians that this healthy trajectory would continue until the country achieved full self-sufficiency in rice production.

Source: Ghana News Agency