Category: National

The African Union (AU) will from Monday, March 18 to Tuesday, March 19, 2024, convene the Second Reflection Forum on Unconstitutional Changes of Government (Accra II Process on UCGs) in Accra, Ghana.

The forum, under the theme, ‘Robust Response, Deepening Democracy, Sustainable Security’, will be officially opened by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

The forum will bring together African policy and decision-makers, including representatives of the Peace and Security Council, Permanent Representatives Committee, the Armed Forces of AU member states, as well as the AU Commission and relevant AU organs, regional economic communities, and mechanisms.

It will build on the first edition held in March 2022 and on the Declaration on Terrorism and Unconstitutional Changes of Government in Africa , Malabo Declaration, adopted during the 16th Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union on May 28, 2022.

Mr Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, African Union, said
the Forum would assess efforts and initiatives undertaken since the 2022 Accra Reflection Forum and the key achievements and gaps in implementing its recommendations.

‘It will also offer an opportunity to review the latest developments …Provide recommendations on the necessary steps to improve and adapt the AU’s responses to the new challenges posed by UCGs towards consolidating democratic practice and effective governance in Africa.’

Mr Adeoye said the rise in the incidence of unconstitutional government takeovers needed to be collectively addressed to sustain peace and security in the subregion.

He said democracy remained the best form of governance, which must be safeguarded and enhanced to improve the fortunes of peace, security and development in Africa.

Mr Adeoye said the suspension and sanctions on the six countries taken over by military juntas were still in force, adding that the AU would remain resolute in its sanctions until they returned to constitutional rule.

‘The emerging trend posed by mi
litary takeovers is not acceptable. The AU will continue to rally for democracy and declare zero tolerance to unconstitutional change of governments,’ he stressed.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Ghana’s Lawmakers are mourning another former colleague, Mr Modestus Yao Zebu Ahiable, a previous Member of Parliament for Ketu North.

He was also a former Volta Regional Minister and formerly, Ghana’s Ambassador to Benin.

Mr Ahiable, who died on 21st January, is survived by his wife and eight children.

Dr James Klutse Avedzi, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Ketu North, in a statement on the floor of the House in honour of the late Mr Ahiable, said the former MP had indeed fought a great fight, finished the race and kept the faith.

He said Mr Ahiable had served as the MP for Ketu North for three consecutive terms (1993 to 2004).

‘As a representative of his people, he was never quiet on the floor of Parliament. He expressed his views and those of the people he represented openly, without fear until his exit from Parliament in January 2005,’ he said.

Whiles in Parliament, President Jerry John Rawlings, the first President under the Fourth Republic appointed him as Mini
ster of State responsible for the Volta Region.

He said during his time in Parliament, and as Regional Minister, he fought and secured a German Technical Cooperation (GIZ) water project for the people of Dzodze and this helped in alleviating the water crises that had plagued community for many years.

He said as an MP and a Regional Minister, Mr Ahiable facilitated the establishment of a rice mill at Avalavi, a small community in the Ketu North Constituency.

He said Mr Ahiable assisted in the extension of electricity to the people of Dzodze, Penyi and its surrounding towns and villages, as well as other parts of the Volta Region.

‘It was during this period that he ensured that some major town roads were also constructed in Dzodze,’ he said.

Dr Avedzi said Mr Ahiable, who left Parliament in January 2005 and continued to serve as the Regional Chairman of the NDC until 2009, when he was appointed as an Ambassador to the People’s Republic of Benin.

He said this appointment came as an exciting news to him bec
ause it served as an opportunity to showcase Ghana, its culture and traditions as well as living first-hand, the indigenous culture of other Ewes he considered family.

He said in 2014, President Yaye Boni of Benin conferred on him the ‘National Order of Benin’ for his commitment to pan-Africanism and specifically, for protecting a freer Benin in diplomatic circles.

Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the NDC MP for Ketu South, said the late Mr Ahiable’s contributions to the growth of the Party could not be overlooked; saying

‘He served the Party that I belong to the best of his ability and also served this country in all the capacities that he was put in our government.’

Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, the Minority Leader, in his contribution said: ‘Mr Speaker, I never had the opportunity to meet him in this House but honestly Mr Speaker, in my Party, often times his name has featured very prominently anytime major decisions have come to the forefront, particularly because of his principled position that he stood for.
‘

‘He is known as a man of wisdom and someone who will speak his mind regardless, and as result in most times that we have to take decisions his name has featured.’

He urged Ghanaians to emulate the late Mr Ahiable way of living by principles.

Mr Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business in Parliament, in his contribution to the statement recounted the plight of former MPs and further urged the House to constitute a committee to investigate the issue.

He noted that in the Constitution of Ghana, it was only the Vice President and the President, who seemed to be recognized that in retirement they should be taken care of; asking that ‘what about the MPs?’

Mr Andrew Amoako Asiamah, the Second Deputy Speaker and Independent MP for Fomena, presiding, referred the issue of the plight of the late former lawmakers to the House Committee to look into and report back to the House for them to take action.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Prof. Carlson Anyangwe, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, Barr. Fru Joseph Awah, Barr. Abdul Oroh and Barr. Mbinkar Ernestine Singeh, have reportedly submitted a petition to the Nigerian federal lawmakers on behalf of Ambazonia Separatist leaders who were picked up from a hotel in Abuja, Nigeria on January 5, 2018, and taken to Cameroon where they are serving life imprisonment sentence.

Ambazonia leader Sisiku Julius Ayuktabe and other Professors say they were legal residents of Nigeria while some were Asylum seekers but consider their arrest, as ‘abduction’ from Abuja to Yaounde.

The detainees also said their detention in Cameroon is unlawful there have been two judgments from Nigeria, asking the federal government to demand the repatriation of the Nera 10 men. At least 6 of them were professors teaching in Nigerian universities.

The content of the petition

‘Cause the government of Nigeria to institute an urgent action to secure the implementation of Communication 59/2022 of 14th October 2022 of the UN-HRC-WGAD call
ing for the release of the Petitioners.

‘Cause the Government of Nigeria to take action and implement the rulings in the 3 judgments of the Federal High Court of Abuja in 2019, ordering the release and compensation of these Petitioners.

‘Cause Nigeria to leverage on the Abuja 2002 ruling in the case of Kelvin Ngwang Ngumne et al Vs the FGN, demanding that Nigeria intervenes to resolve the conflict between Southern Cameroons and La Republique du Cameroun and respect for the particular clause of the Green Tree Agreement which demands that both la Republique du Cameroun and Nigeria retain their boundaries at independence, To pursue the self-determination quest of the Southern Cameroons to its logical conclusion as mandated by the FHC 2002 judgment.

‘Cause the Government of Nigeria to take action and urgently initiate proceedings before the ICJ and other international jurisdictions citing la République du Cameroun to be sanctioned for fraudulent misrepresentation during the Bakassi Peninsula case in the ICJ.

‘Cause the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to take its rightful place as ‘big brother’ in African politics and cause the African Union or the United Nations to intervene in the matter between the Southern Cameroons and La Republique du Cameroun or to proceed as mediator and resolve the ongoing conflict and restore peace and stability in the Gulf of Guinea region.’

Sahara Reporters noted that at the last hearing of the subject before the House Committee on Public Petitions, Mohammed Manu, a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had no record of the petition.

The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Mike Etaba, adjourned the hearing till April 16, 2024, for proper service and hearing.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Volta Region has appointed Dr. Donald Agumenu as Director of Special Duties ahead of this year’s General Election.

Mr. James Gunu, Volta Regional Secretary of NDC said Dr. Agumenu’s nomination and subsequent approval was considered at the Functional Executive Committee meeting held on 25th February 2024.

‘It is a great pleasure to inform you Dr. Donald Cog Senanu Agumenu about your appointment as the Director of Special Duties for the National Democratic Congress, Regional Secretariat,’ the letter stated.

The Regional Secretary said the Party was expecting the former Special Aide to late President Jerry John Rawlings to ‘use your rich experience to help strengthen the Directorate for the Party to win the 2024 General Election.’

Dr. Agumenu said he viewed the appointment as one that carried a special burden of helping to achieve the ‘Ghana We Want for socio-economic development and meaningful livelihoods for our people’.

Ghana goes to the polls later this year
to elect parliamentarians and a new president for the next four years.

The electoral dynamics demand all political parties to maintain a good showing nationwide, especially in their traditional strongholds, Volta for the NDC, and Ashanti for the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Source: Ghana News Agency

A Member of Parliament for the Cameroon Party for National Reconciliation, Hon. Rolande NGO ISSI MBOCK, said the Minister of Interior, Paul Atanga Nji, is not fit to be in that position as Minister because his actions show that he knows nothing about governance.

This statement was made following a warning from the Minister to some political coalition movements which the minister said was illegal.

READ HERE: Atanga Nji issues warning against activities by ‘illicit’ political movements – Cameroon News Agency

‘In all my short years of existence, I have never seen Ministers of the Republic as null and void as those of my country, in this case, the current MINAT. So, Mr. Minister, perhaps you should be reminded that Cameroon is not a country isolated from the rest of the world, that the Constitution is the fundamental norm, the norm of norms, that the laws that are passed in Parliament and made available to you (the government) for their implementation. Escape you in their contexts and their objectives, particu
larly those relating to the activities of political parties. But let me remind you that your role as MINAT is not to dictate to political parties what they should do because they are entities that operate in a specific way and per the law.’ She wrote.

The Interior Minister has frowned at the way some political opposition parties were already preparing for the 2025 presidential elections-especially when it was announced that some Separatist leaders in jail were contacted. Atanga Nji said this was illegal because those in jail were terrorists who were sentenced to life imprisonment.

‘From the above, you should know that your ridiculous ultimatums will take nothing away from the momentum that has already been set in motion. If you are so keen to stay in power, work instead to bring the majority of Cameroonians to trust you more for other terms, Mr MINAT, stop polluting our political environment. Where do you get this mediocrity from?

Cameroon is not your neighborhood or your household. Remember that before is
suing your communiqués which do no honor to the republic given the responsibilities you hold. Reading you is even enough to justify the urgent need for a new ruling class based on alternative institutions.’ Hon. Rolande noted.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

The spokesperson of the Cameroon Football Federation, Ernest Obama, has said the desire to play in Europe is one of the major factors behind age manipulation in Cameroon.

In an interview with French newspaper L’Equipe, Obama said a player who is not detected at a young age, is likely to modify their birthdate.

‘For a player who was not detected early due to the absence of youth championships, he gets to the first division at 24, 25, 26 years, and that’s already too late for him’ the former Vision 4 journalist highlighted.

He further indicated that the current FECAFOOT administration is engaged in an intensive verification of birth certificates of Cameroon footballers. ‘It was noticed after Samuel Eto’o arrived in 2021 that over 60 percent of players in the Elite One and Two had manipulated their ages’ Ernest Obama noted.

Over 60 players were provisionally excluded from the 2024 Elite One playoffs and are awaiting the final verdict before the competition begins on March 16. The FA official indicated that g
uilty players will be automatically suspended for 6 matches and will be obliged to use their real ages.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

A Member of Parliament for the Cameroon Party for National Reconciliation, Hon. Rolande NGO ISSI MBOCK, said the Minister of Interior, Paul Atanga Nji, is not fit to be in that position as Minister because his actions show that he knows nothing about governance.

This statement was made following a warning from the Minister to some political coalition movements which the minister said was illegal.

READ HERE: Atanga Nji issues warning against activities by ‘illicit’ political movements – Cameroon News Agency

‘In all my short years of existence, I have never seen Ministers of the Republic as null and void as those of my country, in this case, the current MINAT. So, Mr. Minister, perhaps you should be reminded that Cameroon is not a country isolated from the rest of the world, that the Constitution is the fundamental norm, the norm of norms, that the laws that are passed in Parliament and made available to you (the government) for their implementation. Escape you in their contexts and their objectives, particu
larly those relating to the activities of political parties. But let me remind you that your role as MINAT is not to dictate to political parties what they should do because they are entities that operate in a specific way and per the law.’ She wrote.

The Interior Minister has frowned at the way some political opposition parties were already preparing for the 2025 presidential elections-especially when it was announced that some Separatist leaders in jail were contacted. Atanga Nji said this was illegal because those in jail were terrorists who were sentenced to life imprisonment.

‘From the above, you should know that your ridiculous ultimatums will take nothing away from the momentum that has already been set in motion. If you are so keen to stay in power, work instead to bring the majority of Cameroonians to trust you more for other terms, Mr MINAT, stop polluting our political environment. Where do you get this mediocrity from?

Cameroon is not your neighborhood or your household. Remember that before is
suing your communiqués which do no honor to the republic given the responsibilities you hold. Reading you is even enough to justify the urgent need for a new ruling class based on alternative institutions.’ Hon. Rolande noted.

Source: Cameroon News Agency