Member of Parliament (MP) for Ahanta West, Ebenezer Kojo Kum, representing the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has denied rumors circulating about his desire to resign.
Addressing these reports for the first time in an interview on Angel TV, on Sunday, July 30, 2023, which was monitored by GhanaWeb, the Ahanta West legislator strongly rejected any claims suggesting that his family is urging the NPP leadership to allow him to step down from his position.
He clarified that he has not submitted any letter to the party, informing them of his intention to resign as an MP.
“I have not written any letter to the party that I want to resign. I have not even written one letter, let alone the two being reported.
“I went to parliament on Friday. I have not sent a letter anywhere. Whom did they say I sent the letter to?” he asked in Twi.
Kojo Kum also dismissed claims that there are no ongoing developmental projects in his constituency.
Background:
News from Kessben TV suggested that Ebenezer Kojo Kum was rumored to be seeking resignation from his position.
According to the report, Kojo Kum has written to the national leadership of the NPP twice, expressing his desire to step down due to health reasons.
Although the party’s leadership is keen on having the Ahanta West legislator continue in his role, his family is adamant that he should resign due to health constraints.
In the Serbia Super Liga on Sunday July 30, the talented forward of the Black Stars, Osman Bukari, showcased his attacking prowess and playmaking abilities, playing a vital role in Red Star Belgrade’s dominant 5-0 triumph over Vojvodina.
In the opening match of the 2023-24 campaign, the 24-year-old Ghana International left an instant impact, contributing significantly to Red Star Belgrade’s impressive victory.
Bukari marked his name on the scoresheet for the Red and Whites, producing a breathtaking goal reminiscent of Messi’s magical style. Demonstrating remarkable skill and agility, he masterfully weaved through multiple defenders before finding the back of the net.
Not content with just scoring himself, Bukari also set up an assist, further displaying his versatility and contribution to the team’s success.
Throughout the game, the Ghanaian attacker’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, mesmerizing fans with his exceptional talents.
The convincing 5-0 win was sealed with two goals from Jean-Philippe Krasso, one from Vladimir Lucic, and an own goal by Radomir Milosaljjevic.
🇬🇭 Osman Bukari might have just scored a Goal of the season contender, and we’re still in July 😳 https://t.co/3QMCfOKKqS
In response to the looting of food stores and warehouses in the state capital, Yola, the governor of Nigeria’s north-eastern Adamawa state, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has declared a 24-hour curfew. Numerous individuals were captured on video breaking into the warehouses and making away with sacks of grain, cartons of pasta, and other household items.
Governor Fintiri has ordered the deployment of security personnel to enforce the curfew.
The situation has been exacerbated by Nigeria’s decision to end a fuel subsidy regime, leading to a significant increase in food and petrol prices. The economy is also facing challenges from recession and the ongoing impacts of the Covid pandemic.
As per the Auditor-General’s findings, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has been involved in procurement breaches amounting to over $145 million. The power distributor’s board and management neglected to adhere to the Public Procurement Act while entering into 50 contracts for the procurement of 862,750 meters and accessories between 2016 and 2021.
The 2022 Performance Audit Report on the Management of Meters by the Electricity Company Limited revealed that ECG did not adequately consider legal procedures to ensure transparency and competitiveness in the tender process, thus failing to achieve value for money.
A graphic.com.gh report on the issue read in part: “Though the meters procured were taken through rigorous testing to ensure that specifications were met, ECG did not take steps to explore the possibility of getting meters of the same specifications at lower prices from other manufacturers other than the ones in its database.”
Why the audit?
The purpose of the audit leading to this revelation was to assess ECG’s planning, budgeting, procurement, and monitoring processes concerning its installed meters to combat power theft effectively.
The audit spanned from August to December 2022, encompassing the period from 2016 to 2021.
During the audit process, crucial documents were thoroughly reviewed, and auditors conducted interviews with key personnel across various departments within the ECG system. These interviews included personnel from the ECG Head Office, Metering and Technical Services (MTS) Division, Materials and Depot in the Greater Accra Region, as well as four selected regional and nine district offices.
A law lecturer, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, has said that in the investigation of the significant amount of cash stolen from the former Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah’s bedroom, it is not necessary for the police to know whether the money came from her deceased relatives or funeral donations.
Their primary duty was to probe the alleged crime of theft and not the origin of the money taken.
Dr. Srem-Sai explained that as the money was found in the possession of the Minister, it was reasonable for the police to infer that she was the owner of the money at that particular time.
He emphasized that the police acted appropriately by disclosing the information about the stolen money without delving into how the Minister might have acquired such a substantial amount.
“Now as to whether what she is saying – that the money has been transferred or transmitted to her – that will not even matter in the job of the police; what they are doing.
“It won’t matter because the police are not investigating the source of the funding. At this point, what the police are doing is to say that, “look someone owns a property and another person takes it. It’s stealing.”
Let’s avoid any confusion. Currently, the police are focused on investigating theft allegations involving several individuals. They are not concerned with the source of the money in question, as their primary objective is to resolve the theft cases.
“So there is nothing wrong with what the police have put on record. As far as they are concerned, the money was lawfully in the possession of her. There she is the owner at the time,” Dr Srem-Sai explained on Joy FM’s Newsfile programme Saturday, July 29, 2023.
The embattled former Minister, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, raised concerns about the police releasing information with “noticeable inconsistencies” regarding the amount of cash involved in the case. However, she has not provided her own account of the exact amount lost. In this situation, Dr. Srem-Sai has asserted that the police cannot be blamed for any discrepancies since they were not provided with an accurate figure from the complainant.
At the recently concluded Russia-Africa summit held in St. Petersburg from 28th to 29th March, an undisclosed member of Ghana’s delegation experienced a loss of money from their hotel room.
The summit saw the gathering of various African leaders and government representatives who engaged with the Russian president and other high-ranking officials.
Ukrainian journalist Igor Suskho reported that several guests at the event had incidents of burglary recorded in their hotel rooms.
“Russia: 3 attendees of the Russia-Africa Summit from Ghana, Burundi, and Argentina found their hotel rooms burglarized in St. Petersburg. $500 and €590 in cash stolen from the hotel room of an executive from Ghana’s gas company,” his tweet read.
Ghana participated in the summit, but GhanaWeb’s verification revealed that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was not present in the family photo taken at the conclusion of the event.
The leader of the Ghanaian delegation remains unidentified, despite GhanaWeb obtaining documents indicating the presence of a substantial delegation consisting of government officials and private sector representatives.
This 2023 edition of the Russia-Africa summit marks the second occurrence following the initial summit in Sochi in 2019.
Russia: 3 attendees of the Russia-Africa Summit from Ghana, Burundi, and Argentina found their hotel rooms burglarized in St. Petersburg. $500 and €590 in cash stolen from the hotel room of an executive from Ghana's gas company. pic.twitter.com/6Rnrxgwa1z
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria is asking the Federal Government to clarify the increased excise taxes on tobacco and alcoholic beverages that are included in the 2023 Finance Act.
Francis Meshioye, the president of MAN, praised President Bola Tinubu for postponing the implementation of several new taxes included in the Finance Act in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH.
According to him, there is still some ambiguity around the government’s stance on the excise tax on alcoholic beverages and tobacco goods.
He said, “About the excise tax increase on alcoholic beverages and tobacco products. It is not clear whether this has been suspended. It was mentioned by Alake that the President was conscious of this, but he did clarify whether this would be suspended. Our prayer has been that this should be totally suspended.”
According to Meshioye, there was a plan for how the increase would be implemented, and the manufacturers had the previous administration’s assurance that they would follow the plan exactly as agreed.
He added, “But all of a sudden, we find that this is not the case, that the Finance Act introduced an increase. This is very astonishing to us. We plead that if this part of what is being suspended by this Executive Order, we want it to be very clear so that our members will not have any problems in compliance and that there would be no threats from any other government agencies, especially Customs.
“If otherwise, I want to use this medium to plead with the President to suspend it totally because the roadmap stipulates a gradual increase in excise duty. What I want the president to do is evaluate the impact of the increase already meted, which has been passed on to the consumers. How are they reacting to it? What does it mean to them? This is our plea to the President. He should engage the stakeholders. We are willing to dialogue with the administration and see how we can support the economy without jeopardising the interest of the manufacturers.”
The Federal Government has been urged by civil society organizations to stop the current rise in fuel prices and move quickly to implement palliative measures.
Additionally, the CSOs urged the government to declare a national emergency on youth unemployment.
These were revealed at a news conference conducted on Friday in Abuja by the CSOs that make up the Nigeria International NGO Forum and the Civil Society Networks in Nigeria, both of which are supported by the Development Research and Projects Centre.
According to The PUNCH, Premium Motor Spirit, often known as gasoline, had its pump price increased on July 18 from N537 to N617 at the nation’s filling stations.
Speaking at the briefing, the Chairman of the North-Wast Civil Society Network, Ahmed Shehu, said “We want the government to declare a state of emergency on youth unemployment and economic resuscitation to enhance skills and create jobs to make them self-reliant. We believe this will reduce their vulnerability to recruitment into criminal activities.
“On subsidy removal, we are urging the government to reverse the recent increase in fuel price and expedite actions in introducing palliative measures and consider measures like rehabilitation of refineries, introducing affordable transportation, exploring other alternative means of energy, review workers salary and include CSOs into the presidential steering committee on palliative to represent the interest of the non-working class.
“We call on government at all levels to improve on its engagement and sensitisation of citizens before taking major decisions, especially on issues of national importance. The government should leverage the presence of the National Orientation Agency and CSOs and its partners in enlightening the citizens to understand its policies and programme, their roles, rights, and responsibilities, this will help in ensuring good governance, inclusiveness, and effective service delivery.
“On security, we call on the government to employ community policing and the use of technology in the fight against banditry, insurgency, and kidnapping. Multi-security coordinated attack should be introduced in wiping away red spots using land and air forces, particularly across all the volatile areas in the Northwest, North Central, and North Eastern parts of the country.”
The networks also urged the government to adopt the National Policy on the protection of civilians, as a mark of deliberate action to reduce the likelihood of harm to civilians and infrastructures during all phases of military operations.
Also speaking, the representative of the Humanitarian Country Team, Peter Egwudah said, there is a need to improve the humanitarian aid for internally displaced persons in the country.
“People are displaced across the country and there is a need to reach them with humanitarian aid,” he said.
Chief Executive Officer of FoodCo Nigeria, Ade Sun-Basorun, has expressed concerns about the negative impact of low purchasing power on the retail space. He observed that consumers are becoming increasingly price-sensitive and are opting for low-priced goods.
In light of this trend, Sun-Basorun emphasized the importance for retail operators to focus on providing cost-effective consumer engagement strategies.
In a statement, Sun-Basorun said, “We are experiencing a tough economic cycle that has contracted consumers’ purchasing power and is consequently having a direct effect on the organised retail space.
“Now, more than ever, we have a consumer class that is particularly price-sensitive, so it is up to operators to innovate around systems and processes to deliver retail services at the lowest prices possible.
“Equally as critical is the need to elevate the bar on the quality and value of products and services on offer.”
He added that, “The proliferation of fake and sub-standard products has been a long-standing concern in the consumer retail space and the modern retail segment must take the lead in ensuring that things are done properly and to approved quality standards in order to retain the attractiveness of the sector.”
He believed that modern retail needs to be more accessible to customers and offer a channel of communication for the manufacturers creating new items.
While the current economic situation would make investments in malls and other large-scale stores less likely, he continued, physical shopping experiences would still play a crucial role in contemporary retail.
The CEO pointed out that modern retail was dependent on government for infrastructure, effective agency coordination, and successful agency taxes.
The Management of Dangote Refinery has refuted a report circulating on various online media platforms claiming that the company favored hiring 11,000 skilled workers from India over youths from Nigeria and other African countries.
Anthony Chiejina, the Group’s Chief Branding & Communications Officer, dismissed the report as malicious and inaccurate, emphasizing that it failed to represent the actual number of skilled Nigerian workers employed by the company.
Chiejina clarified that due to the massive scale of the project, a specialized skilled workforce was required from around the world. He stated that, during the peak of construction at the Refinery complex, over 30,000 Nigerians were engaged among the skilled workforce. Additionally, 6,400 Indians and 3,250 Chinese workers were also part of the skilled workforce.
The Chief Branding & Communications Officer further highlighted that the Nigerian workers on the project demonstrated a high level of technical competence, and many hidden skills were discovered among them.
He urged the public to disregard such misleading and unfounded reports and instead focus on the potential positive impact of the project on the Nigerian economy and the well-being of its citizens.
Chiejina emphasized that Dangote Group continues to be at the forefront of employment generation in the country.
The Corporate Affairs Commission has announced its plan to remove 100,000 registered companies from its database in the near future.
The Registrar-General and Chief Executive Officer of CAC, Alhaji Garba Abubakar, revealed this during a training session on ‘Use of the beneficial ownership register’ in Lagos.
“CAC steps up enforcement of 100,000 companies to go off its register for failure to file an annual return,” Abubakar said.
According to him, 100,000 companies that failed to file annual returns in the last 10 years were due to be struck off by the Corporate Affairs Commission.
Abubakar, however, said the commission would send notice of striking off to the affected companies before embarking on the action as enshrined in section 692 of the CAMA, 2020.
He explained that the companies were entitled to be relisted after payment of their outstanding debts and order of a court, as provided by the law.
Abubakar advised companies to ensure timely payment of their annual returns to avoid being struck off.
Speaking on Africa’s first Beneficial Ownership Register, built by the CAC with the support and assistance of the World Bank, the registrar general said it would go a long way in curbing corruption, money laundering, and terrorism financing.
He urged stakeholders, especially, investigating agencies, legal practitioners, journalists, and civil society organisations, to utilise the BOR in discharging their responsibilities.
In his remark, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law, NBA-SBL, Dr Adeyeye Adefulu, commended the CAC for recording another important milestone in its history.
Adefulu said NBA-SBL would sustain its existing cordial relationship with the commission. He charged members to make good use of the knowledge acquired at the training for the benefit of the Nigerian economy.
Also speaking, the President of the Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria, Aminu Gwadabe, underscored the importance of the BOR in the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing.
Gwadabe, who highlighted some of the dangers associated with money laundering and terrorism financing, advised professionals to apply due diligence while dealing with their clients.
Former US president Donald Trump said Friday he would not end his run for the White House if convicted and sentenced in any of the criminal investigations threatening to derail his tumultuous comeback bid.
The Republican frontrunner was discussing the multiple indictments he faces as he pushes for a second term, a day after prosecutors broadened the charges against him over his handling of classified government documents.
Asked by radio host John Fredericks if being sentenced would stop his campaign, Trump quickly responded: “Not at all. There’s nothing in the constitution to say that it could.
“And even the radical left crazies are saying not at all, that wouldn’t stop (me) – and it wouldn’t stop me, either,” the 77-year-old added. “These people are sick. What they are doing is absolutely horrible.”
The former president, who has been impeached twice, was recently indicted in the classified documents case. He is accused of endangering national security by retaining top-secret nuclear and defense information after leaving the White House.
The Justice Department has now added charges against Trump, bringing the total count to more than three dozen. In May, a judge in a civil trial found him liable for raping a writer in Manhattan during the 1990s.
Apart from the documents probe, Trump is facing numerous felony charges related to hush money payments to a porn star in New York. Additionally, he is anticipating indictment in state and federal investigations into his attempts to overturn the 2020 election.
In a significant development, Special Counsel Jack Smith accused Trump of asking a worker at his Florida estate to delete surveillance footage, obstructing the investigators. Trump is scheduled to go on trial in March and May next year during the height of the campaign.
Despite the mounting legal challenges, Trump remains defiant, denying any wrongdoing. He recently gave a radio interview and is set to appear alongside his rival, Ron DeSantis, in the Iowa party’s annual Lincoln Dinner.
As for DeSantis, he has been facing his own difficulties, with Trump’s lead over him widening from 13 to 34 points. DeSantis has struggled to connect with voters and has been embroiled in controversies, including issues related to Nazi imagery promotion, vaccine conspiracy theories, and overspending in his campaign.
Other Republican presidential candidates, including Mike Pence, Nikki Haley, and Tim Scott, will also speak at the Lincoln Dinner. DeSantis, despite being attacked relentlessly by Trump, expressed that he is against the former president’s prosecution, advocating for a “fresh start” for the country.
On Friday, President William Ruto of Kenya joined global leaders in condemning the coup orchestrated by the Nigerien presidential guards and called for the immediate release of President Mohamed Bazoum.
Speaking from Mombasa State House in a brief video message, the Kenyan leader expressed disapproval of the actions taken by the West African nation’s guards to overthrow a democratically elected government, undermining the will of the people. Notably, the guards have received support from the country’s army while still holding President Bazoum in detention.
President Ruto extended Kenya’s offer of assistance in resolving the conflict. The elite guard has effectively barricaded access to President Bazoum’s residence and offices in the capital city of Niamey. These actions came after negotiations with representatives from the regional bloc Ecowas failed. Additionally, the guards have imposed closures on the country’s airspace and borders.
“The resurgence of military coups and attempts to subvert the will of the people on our beloved continent demands a united and global response to hold those responsible accountable for their actions,” said President Ruto.
“The Republic of Kenya joins the rest of the world to condemn in the strongest terms this unconstitutional act that subverts democracy through a Coup d’etat and calls for the immediate release of President Mohammed Bazoum who is reportedly seized by members of the presidential guard,” demanded Ruto.
He extended an olive branch to help find lasting peace.
“Kenya is willing to assist in resolving the conflict under the auspices of the AU should it be deemed appropriate. Africa continues to shine as a beckon of hope and progress and we shall never waive in our pursuit of a brighter future for all,” he committed.
The coup in Niger is the latest manifestation of a troubling trend in West Africa. Over the past two years, elected presidents in Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso have also been overthrown in separate incidents. In response, the African Union has followed its customary practice of suspending these countries. Sudan has also faced turmoil, with a recent outbreak of war following the overthrow of a transitional civilian government in October 2021. This was followed by a split in security forces regarding the country’s transition.
Kenya’s leader acknowledges that Niger’s incident adds to Africa’s setback in its democratic progress, as the aspirations for democratic governance by its people were undermined by a change of government through unconstitutional means.
Throughout the continent’s history, efforts have been made to uphold democratic principles and align with the African people’s desire for freedom and self-determination, as expressed by Ruto, the Kenyan leader.
The African Union has had a policy since 2007 to denounce unconstitutional changes in government, leading to the immediate suspension of countries where such actions occur, whether by the military or politicians taking control illegally. However, critics argue that the prevalence of coups may also be influenced by external interference from world powers and the failure to establish strong and trustworthy institutions that can safeguard the interests of the people.
As emphasized by Ruto, the African Union’s fundamental norm is enshrined in Article 4 (p) of the Constitutive Act, which unambiguously condemns and rejects any unconstitutional change of government.
In light of these developments, a swift restoration of constitutional rule is called for, prioritizing the protection of the population and the re-establishment of full civilian authority, while also respecting the country’s institutions to the utmost.
On Sunday, voters in the Central African Republic, a country known for its ongoing conflicts and economic struggles, will participate in a crucial election. The election centers around a contentious proposal to amend the constitution, potentially paving the way for President Faustin Archange Touadera to serve a third term.
Having faced a tumultuous period lasting over a decade, the land-locked nation remains one of the poorest and most unstable countries globally. It endured a civil war marked by sectarian divisions following a coup, during which France and the United Nations offered assistance to help stabilize the situation.
Despite some decrease in violence in recent times, pockets of territory are still under the control of rebel groups, and President Touadera continues to hold power with the support of Russian paramilitary forces.
Touadera was initially elected in 2016, amid the country’s post-war recovery. His re-election in 2020, however, was marred by accusations of fraud and a low voter turnout. Many citizens, particularly in rebel-held areas, were discouraged from casting their ballots due to intimidation.
The proposed constitutional amendment aims to extend the presidential term from five to seven years while eliminating the two-term limit. Proponents of the change argue that this would reset Touadera’s tenure, enabling him to run for the presidency once more.
“The will of the people” forms the basis of this constitution, as expressed in a public dialogue held in March 2022, according to Evariste Ngamana, the deputy parliamentary speaker and spokesperson for the pro-Touadera majority in parliament. The aim is to establish institutional stability and create favorable conditions for development.
However, the main opposition parties and civil society groups are calling for a boycott of the upcoming poll, citing an incomplete electoral roll and electoral overseers lacking independence, thereby branding it flawed. Martin Ziguele, the president of the Central African People’s Liberation Movement (MLPC), accuses the government of attempting a constitutional coup d’etat with the goal of allowing unlimited presidential terms, thereby seeking to hold on to power indefinitely.
In Bangui, citizens are voicing concerns that the focus should be on addressing poverty, corruption, and violence rather than pursuing a third term for the president. Some feel that critical issues, such as insurgencies, theft, and loss of lives, are being neglected in favor of extending the president’s tenure.
While there have been some protests against the referendum, they have been relatively muted, with reports of opponents facing threats and harassment. The judiciary also dealt a blow to President Touadera by scrapping the establishment of a committee tasked with drafting the new constitution.
Despite approximately 1.9 million eligible voters, intimidation in rebel-held areas raises questions about their ability to participate in the upcoming vote. President Touadera has stated that both Russia and Rwanda will provide support for the vote’s security.
The revision of constitutions to justify extending presidential terms has become a growing trend in Africa, seen in countries like Guinea and Ivory Coast in 2020. This trend also emerged as a possibility in Senegal, but the incumbent, Macky Sall, announced he would step down at the end of his second term. Mali, with the support of Wagner-linked forces, recently pushed through a new constitution following a controversial referendum, with the promise that it would guide the country’s return to civilian rule next year.
In preparation for the full operation of flights from the new Tamale Airport Terminal starting on July 31st, 2023, a gradual migration process will take place.
As of Saturday, July 29th, 2023, all flights to and from Tamale Airport will be transferred to the new terminal to facilitate the operationalization of this modern facility.
The primary objective is to effectively manage the potential risks associated with transferring operations from the old terminal to the new one.
Airlines have been duly informed and advised to notify their passengers to arrive at the new airport terminal ahead of their scheduled departure times to avoid any possible delays.
The Phase Two (2) development of the Tamale Airport Project, which commenced in July 2019, encompasses the construction of an Airport Terminal Building designed to accommodate an annual passenger throughput of 400,000. Additionally, a Multi-Purpose Terminal, a 5km road network (located off Tamale-Bolgatanga Road), and other ancillary facilities are part of this significant project.
The remarkable features of the New Terminal Building include a VIP lounge, two (2) Boarding Gates, two (2) Self-Service Check-in Kiosks, eight (8) Check-in Desks, as well as airline offices and commercial retail areas.
To ensure ease of access to the airport, a completely new 5km Road Network has been constructed as part of the Project Design. Moreover, the Multi-Purpose Terminal, completed in 2022, was successfully utilized to facilitate the transportation of Hajj Pilgrims during the Annual Pilgrimage to Mecca in both 2022 and 2023.
The phased development of the Tamale Airport is a crucial step in the comprehensive plan to establish the facility as an alternative Airport to Kotoka International Airport, with the capacity to handle Wide Body Aircraft during emergency situations.
Ghana Airports Company Limited is deeply committed to providing world-class facilities and services, with the ultimate vision of positioning Ghana as the Preferred Aviation Hub and a leader in Airport Business within West Africa.
Residents of the 36 states of Anlo have received a “wake-up” call from the Keta Investment Promotion Centre regarding the interference of some dubious individuals in the Keta Port’s development.
In a statement released on July 28, 2023, the KIPC stated that the relocation of some households and towns is a serious risk and potential worry associated with the Keta Port project since some regions may be needed for container terminals or other related infrastructure.
The center warned that because of these concerns, some people with dubious motivations and substantial political clout are putting together clever plans to subtly influence our chiefs and adolescents or create allies through marriage with some powerful families.
“Their ultimate goal is to dispose clans and families of their lands under the guise of ‘development’. In some instances, they will say the land will be used for estate development, farming among other funny uses;
“As we speak, there are some noticeable activities, such as erecting land demarcation poles, on certain lands at Borlove- Norlofi by some hidden faces, whose modus operandi has alluded to above. I urge the chiefs and people of Borlove-Norlofi, to take the necessary steps to investigate and seek clarifications;
“Some of our chiefs, youth leaders, opinion leaders, local political actors, and media personnel will be earmarked for settlement with houses in plush communities in Accra and Tema, some will be sent abroad, others too will be placed on juicy monthly stipends, etc to remain mute on any issues,” parts of the statement read.
A beach in northern Senegal has a few small sand mounds that mark the resting sites of countless migrants who attempted the perilous voyage from West Africa to Spain.
The 19- and 24-year-old nephews of Mouhamed Niang vanished in late June.
“I’ve been looking for my nephews for three weeks now without any news from them,” he says.
“I heard the government say there are some bodies collected onshore and buried in graves near the beach. That is really awful.”
According to the U.N. International Organization for Migration, at least 2,300 migrants left Senegal in the first half of the year in an attempt to reach Spain’s Canary Islands, but only around 1,100 made it.
The fate of the more than 1,000 individuals who did not travel to Spain is unknown. They might have perished at sea, been saved from sinking boats, or be in custody of the law.
Ibnou Diagne, one of the survivors from a boat that capsized in early July while traveling to Europe, spoke of his ordeal.
“I lost many people when the boat capsized. I lost my friend Abdourahmane. I lost everything. I paid money, the first time 420 dollars and 680 dollars the second time.
“The sea is not good. I lost everything. I lost my clothes. If I were to give advice here it is. If someone wants to travel to Spain, don’t take a pirogue [canoe], you have to take a plane.”
Beach burials, a tradition that has been observed for many years, experienced a significant surge in 2023. In the initial seven months alone, approximately 300 bodies were laid to rest on the shores, surpassing the previous year’s total of just over 100 burials in 2022.
A source from the military the Moroccan navy has saved about 900 illegal migrants in recent days, the majority of whom were from sub-Saharan Africa, 400 of whom were found in Moroccan territorial waters. At the same time, there have been an increasing number of efforts to reach Spain.
One body was pulled from the ocean during the rescue efforts, the Moroccan source reported on Tuesday.
“During the period from 10 to 17 July, Royal Navy units rescued 845 would-be irregular migrants of various nationalities, the majority of whom were Sub-Saharan Africans. Nearly 400 people were rescued in waters under national jurisdiction in the south of the Kingdom,” the source said.
Those who were rescued received assistance on naval vessels before being brought ashore for identification.
Following stricter controls in the Mediterranean, there has been a significant surge in activity along the Canary Islands’ migratory route, which serves as the gateway to Europe in the Atlantic Ocean, with many migrants departing from the coasts of northwest Africa.
Similar perilous crossing attempts are also being made from the coasts of Morocco and the Western Sahara.
NGOs regularly report fatal shipwrecks, estimating that the death toll may reach dozens or even hundreds of people, occurring in Moroccan, Spanish, or international waters.
In a tweet on Tuesday, the Alarmphone aid network reported that 24 individuals lost their lives when their boat, carrying 61 people, capsized off Western Sahara two days prior. However, this information has not been officially confirmed by Moroccan authorities.
According to the Moroccan authorities, they have thwarted 26,000 attempts at illegal emigration during the first five months of 2023. In 2022, approximately 71,000 attempts were foiled, according to the Ministry of the Interior.
In Ghana, kidney patients have to undergo dialysis at least 2 or 3 times every week to remove waste products from their blood when their kidneys fail or are infected.
During each dialysis session, the patient’s blood is drawn from their body through a needle and passed through a special filter that removes harmful substances. The cleaned blood is then returned to the body. However, this essential procedure comes with a high financial burden for individuals.
In Ghana, the cost of each dialysis session amounts to an average of GHC 600, and this is in addition to other required medications that may cost close to GHC 300.
For kidney failure patients aiming for a higher chance of survival, regular visits to the hospital every week are necessary. Depending on the number of sessions required, individuals may end up spending either GHC 7,200 or GHC 10,800 every month on dialysis.
The seriousness of the situation cannot be understated, as failure to continue and be consistent with the dialysis sessions may put the individual’s life at risk.
“As I speak, at my center; Korle Bu cannot take all of us so after admission, they give you a list of centers, and you pick the one that is closer to you. At the moment, at my center, a session is 650 cedis, and that’s just the dialysis.
“And you have to take what is called EPO Iron injection, so that your blood levels do not drop. There are two ways to make sure that your iron levels do not drop. One – your kidney does not produce the iron needed for blood production so sometimes your blood will drop if you have a kidney issue,” he said.
“And two – Because the blood passes through the dialyser or the machine, obviously at the end of every session, there is some amount of blood that is taken by the machine so you always need to be on these medications to give you that optimum level of blood and that’s 230 cedis. So you add 230 cedis to 650 cedis, that’s 900 cedis and that’s what I pay per session and I do 2 sessions a week so we are looking at about 1,800 a week for just 2 sessions of dialysis.
“When the economy challenges also came, it also impacted because all these, the materials we use for dialysis are imported. Especially from the last 3 months, there’s been an increase in price of dialysis. Of course, moving from 320 cedis to 900 cedis in just 2 years should tell you what the exchange rate has done to us,”
Organ transplantation presents a potential solution to alleviate the financial burden on individuals with kidney diseases who require constant dialysis to survive.
In healthcare, organ donation and transplantation play a vital role, saving lives and enhancing the quality of life for many. Ghana recognizes the importance of these medical interventions and is actively working to raise awareness and enact relevant legislation in this domain.
Although organ transplants can be costly, Prof. Matthew Kyei, a Urologist at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, highlights that undergoing a transplant saves individuals from the ongoing expenses of dialysis, which may not guarantee long-term health after 5-10 years.
However, for organ transplants to occur, appropriate legal frameworks are necessary to ensure the legal and ethical harvesting and availability of organs, such as kidneys, for patients in need.
At present, Ghana lacks proper laws governing organ harvesting, donation, and transplantation.
To address this issue, GhanaWeb, the country’s leading digital news platform, is joining forces with the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital to launch an aggressive campaign. The primary goal is to advocate for comprehensive legislation that will regulate and guide organ harvesting, donation, and transplantation in the country through parliamentary approval.
On Thursday, Senegal unveiled a 10-year plan to address the issue of illegalmigration, responding to a recent increase in migrant-related deaths.
The country’s new National Strategy to Combat Irregular Migration (SNLMI), as declared by Interior Minister Antoine Felix Abdoulaye Diome, aims to “drastically reduce the phenomenon by 2033.”
Minister Diome stressed the need to intensify their efforts and set new targets to enhance results, while also acknowledging the progress already achieved in countering this “dangerous phenomenon.”
The SNLMI will concentrate on five key areas: prevention, border management, enforcement measures against traffickers, measures to support and protect migrants, and the return and reintegration of irregular migrants.
The plan will be funded by both the national budget and external partners, although the total cost of the scheme has not been disclosed by the authorities.
The Canary migrant route, an entry port to Europe via the Atlantic Ocean, has experienced an increase in activity in recent weeks, leading to a surge in the number of migrants departing from Africa’s north-western coasts.
As the number of migrants rises, so does the number of deaths.
Over the past two weeks, Senegal has witnessed several tragedies. On Monday, 16 migrants lost their lives when their boat sank off Dakar, and on July 12, another boat capsized near Saint-Louis, resulting in the deaths of at least 14 people.
Morocco’s navy has recently reported rescuing nearly 900 would-be irregular migrants between July 10 and July 17, with the majority of them being from sub-Saharan Africa.
On July 20, President Macky Sall urged the government to intensify controls in potential departure zones and areas while also implementing extensive surveillance, awareness-raising, and support measures for young people. He emphasized the need to strengthen public programs aimed at combating clandestine emigration.
Economic, governance, and agricultural experts are urging the government to formulate a comprehensive plan to support agriculture in order to tackle the soaring food prices in the country.
Such a plan, they argue, would not only address the growing hardships caused by increasing food prices but also help reduce borrowing and tackle the infrastructure deficit hindering the country’s development.
According to data from the Ghana Statistical Service, food inflation reached 54.2 per cent in June 2023, the highest rate in several years.
In light of this situation, Dr. John Kwakye, the Director of Research at the Institute of Economic Affairs, Dr. Kojo Pumpuni Asante, the Director of Advocacy and Policy Engagement at the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), and Dr. Charles Nyaba, the Executive Director of the Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana, have shared their expectations for the 2023 Mid-year budget review.
They are calling on Finance Minister, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta, to present measures aimed at improving revenue mobilization, controlling the growing public debt, increasing investment in capital expenditure, and reducing corruption.
Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta is scheduled to present the Mid-year Budget Review to Parliament, as required by Section (28) of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (PFMA) Act 921. This review will be the first one since the government sought a three-year Extended Credit Facility with the IMF for $3 billion in 2022, with the goal of restoring macroeconomic stability and ensuring debt sustainability.
Dr. Kwakye emphasizes the need for concrete strategies to boost revenue mobilization in order to reduce the government’s reliance on borrowing to meet its revenue requirements.
“Plugging the tax loopholes, paying attention to property tax, addressing under declaration by importers and tackling tax evasion, cutting the size of the government can help raise the tax envelope much higher,” he stated, adding that government could also raise much revenue from the extractive sector.
The Director of Research at IEA proposed that in the Mid-year budget, the Finance Minister should present plans to support food processing and preservation to tackle post-harvest losses. Additionally, he recommended offering incentives to aid the transportation of food items from food-producing areas to cities.
Dr. Asante emphasized the need for the Finance Minister to outline specific policies and plans that the government intends to implement to address food inflation. He pointed out that citizens have been expressing general concerns about the rising food prices, but there has been no clear indication of the government’s actions to tackle this challenge.
According to Dr. Charles Nyaba, the surge in food prices is due to the high cost of production, with food production expenses increasing by over 100 percent due to the withdrawal of subsidies on inputs like fertilizers and farm machinery.
The data from the Ghana Statistical Service for June 2023 indicates that food price inflation led the inflation basket at 54 percent, making it one of the highest inflation rates in Ghana in recent times.
Dr. Nyaba recommended that in the Mid-year budget review, the government should consider reintroducing the withdrawn subsidies and providing tax waivers on the importation of farm inputs.
President of the Association of Customs House Agents Ghana (ACHAG), Yaw Kyei, has urged the government to broaden Ghana’s export base as a strategic approach to boost revenue and sustain the economy.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency before the Mid-year Budget Review, Mr. Kyei emphasized that countries overly reliant on imports often face limitations in economic growth.
Despite their involvement in clearing imported goods, ACHAG believes that focusing on expanding the country’s export base would bring significant economic advantages.
“We also expect the government to increase our export base; as freight forwarders, we are very proud that it would be increased. Any country that depends too much on imports than exports already may have a balance of deficit problems,” he noted.
He emphasized that, similar to the situation in China, Dubai, and Western countries, freight forwarders in Ghana would continue to have significant responsibilities. Their role would involve processing the exportation of goods from Ghana to various parts of the world.
“In China, when you go there, a lot of freight forwarders export goods. It is our prayer that we can also position ourselves in the country to export a lot of goods to other countries, especially the African countries and the West.”
On Thursday July 28, Egypt announced a series of measures, including planned power cuts, to address the surging energy consumption caused by the intense heat wave sweeping the country.
During a televised address on 6th August, Prime Minister Mustafa al-Madbouly called on the private sector to implement similar measures. He stated that civil servants who don’t work in public-facing roles would be required to work from home one day a week for a month to alleviate pressure on the electricity grids.
To manage the increasing energy demand nationwide, the planned power cuts are expected to last for one or two hours per day at most, and they will continue until the end of the ongoing heatwave. Some parts of the country have experienced temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius this week.
The government began implementing the power cuts last week and also urged residents not to use elevators at specific times of the day.
This measure, however, sparked discontent on social media, with many people complaining that the power cuts, often during the hottest hours, lasted for more than two hours and occurred only once a week.
Egypt’s economy has been facing challenges due to soaring inflation and repeated currency devaluations, which have impacted purchasing power and the ability to import essential goods.
A similar energy crisis occurred during the presidency of Islamist Mohamed Morsi in 2013, leading to widespread anger and protests before he was ousted by the military.
In 2015, the Egyptian authorities struck a deal with Germany’s Siemens to construct three major power plants, with investments estimated at six billion euros, aimed at doubling the country’s electricity production.
Since then, Egypt has had to grapple with the depletion of its foreign exchange reserves and mounting debt, further exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Fishermen at the Tema Canoe Landing Beach Basin are urging government to reconsider the timing of the closed fishing season, expressing concerns over its impact on their festive period. Ismael Ashitey, one of the fishermen, voiced his dissatisfaction with the current period designated by the government, citing difficulties faced during their celebrations.
The call was made during an interview with the B&FT, following a tragic incident where two fishermen lost their lives at sea.
The unfortunate incident occurred when the fishermen encountered the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority’s (GPHA) Marine Taskforce, and their bodies were later discovered ashore on Thursday morning, having apparently drowned during their return from a fishing expedition.
Tema Awudum Chief Fisherman, Nii Odametey, disclosed that despite the ongoing closed season, which is set to end on July 31, 2023, the Tema Traditional Council had an agreement with the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD) to allow selected fishermen to catch fish for traditional customs related to the celebration of this year’s Homowo Festival.
This customary practice had been in place for the past four years since the implementation of the closed season, with all relevant security agencies being well aware of it. According to Nii Odametey, twelve fishermen ventured out for fishing at around midnight on Thursday.
Tragically, he received a report in the early hours of the morning that the GPHA security had allegedly collided with their canoe, causing it to capsize and resulting in the deaths of two fishermen.
The fishing community is now urging for a prompt and thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the two fishermen. These fishermen had embarked on customary rites fishing, an integral part of the preparations for the annual homowo celebration in Tema.
The Ashaman Woleitse, Nii Adjeirteh Mator, emphasized that the fishing expedition was a customary requirement not only to commence the celebration of the Homowo festival but also to prepare the traditional festive food, kpokpoi. Isaac Tawiah, the Marketing and Public Relations Manager at the Fishing Harbour, confirmed that the GPHA is conducting an investigation into the incident.ChatGPT
Fishermen at the Tema Canoe Landing Beach Basin are appealing to the government to reconsider the timing of the closed fishing season, expressing concerns about its impact on their festive period.
Ismael Ashitey, one of the fishermen, expressed dissatisfaction with the current period designated by the government, highlighting the difficulties they face during their celebrations.
The call came after a tragic incident where two fishermen lost their lives at sea. The unfortunate event occurred when the fishermen encountered the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority’s (GPHA) Marine Taskforce. Their bodies were later found ashore on Thursday morning, indicating that they had apparently drowned during their return from a fishing expedition.
Nii Odametey, the Tema Awudum Chief Fisherman, revealed that despite the ongoing closed season, which is scheduled to end on July 31, 2023, the Tema Traditional Council had an agreement with the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD) to permit selected fishermen to catch fish for traditional customs related to the celebration of this year’s Homowo Festival. This customary practice has been in place for the past four years since the implementation of the closed season, and all relevant security agencies are well aware of it.
According to Nii Odametey, twelve fishermen set out for fishing at around midnight on Thursday. Tragically, he received a report in the early hours of the morning that the GPHA security had allegedly collided with their canoe, causing it to capsize and resulting in the deaths of two fishermen.
The fishing community is now calling for a prompt and thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the two fishermen. The fishing expedition was an essential part of the customary rites for preparing for the annual Homowo celebration in Tema. Nii Adjeirteh Mator, the Ashaman Woleitse, emphasized that this fishing tradition was not only necessary to begin the Homowo festival but also to prepare the traditional festive food, kpokpoi.
Isaac Tawiah, the Marketing and Public Relations Manager at the Fishing Harbour, confirmed that the GPHA is conducting an investigation into the incident.
On Thursday July 27, the army of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) declared that it successfully repelled an incursion by the Rwandan army into the eastern province of North Kivu.
In a press release issued by General Sylvain Ekenge, the spokesperson for the FARDC (Forces armées de RDC) general staff, they asserted their intention to “exercise the right of pursuit.”
The press release did not confirm the reported information from local Congolese sources about a Rwandan soldier being killed in the clash.
According to General Ekenge’s statement, the Rwandan Defence Forces crossed the border north of Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu, on Thursday morning. Their stated purpose was to send reinforcements and continue destabilizing and intentionally violating the territorial integrity of the DRC.
However, the FARDC units responsible for border security effectively repelled the Rwandan soldiers, forcing them to withdraw back to their own country. The press release emphasized that the FARDC would respond vigorously and exercise the right of hot pursuit.
Additional military sources, who preferred to remain anonymous, revealed that one Rwandan soldier was killed during the exchange of fire, according to interviews conducted in the Goma region.
By Thursday evening, there had been no response from the Rwandan army or government when contacted by AFP.
It’s worth noting that relations between the DRC and Rwanda have reached an all-time low, with Kinshasa accusing Kigali of supporting the M23 rebels, who had seized significant portions of territory in North Kivu the previous year. Incidents along the border between the two countries have become relatively frequent.
The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have been accused of idly watching as Ghana borrows to unsustainable levels.
So far, there have been two accusations lodged. First, it was claimed that the World Bank participated actively in power purchasing agreements but only watched as the country negotiated several arrangements that were not in the country’s best interests.
President of the policy think tank IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, claimed that while the World Bank is actively involved in Ghana’s energy sector recovery program, the Bank’s claim that a significant portion of the nation’s debt originates from that sector is unfounded.
In a post on June 5, 2023, he wrote “It is true that some take or pay power contracts signed by the NDC were very expensive. The current government set up committees to review them. However, the terms of these contracts were extended.
“In effect, as ACEP’s Ben Boakye puts it, the same power plants the World Bank director complains about have been extended to long-term agreements without caution from the Bank”.
The World Bank in Ghana has been a very active financial supporter of Ghana’s Energy Sector Recovery Programme for the past four years. So, there you are,” he added.
An Economist Dr. Yamson has also questioned the World Bank for not cautioning Ghana enough on reckless borrowing.
”I have always said that sometimes the Fund and the Bank have to share in the blame because they themselves don’t say it as it should be said. They were aware, long time, that the government was doing things that would push this country into a crisis.”
“When we were borrowing literally every year were they not aware? All that they’ll put in their report is that excessive borrowing will lead you to debt distress, a simple sentence. And beyond that what else did they do? Did they say to government stop? Never,” he said.
An Economist, Dr. Ismael Yamsom, has urged government to exercise caution in its spending, as merely obtaining a loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) may not fully address the crisis it was intended to resolve.
According to Dr. Yamsom, Ghana’s major challenge lies in its expenditures consistently exceeding its revenue, leading to financial difficulties.
He emphasized that the government needs to take intentional measures during the mid-year budget review to demonstrate its commitment to reducing expenses.
Dr. Yamsom expressed his opinion that the IMF should offer support in alignment with the government’s plans rather than imposing solutions and providing excessive assistance.
“That’s why the fund is clever to say this programme is the authority’s programme and we are supporting it. So the IMF programme should only be a support to what our government should do and must do. And for me what is the problem?
“The problem has always been that we spend more than we raise in revenue. So let the government demonstrate in its budget on Monday that truly it is going to take steps, clear steps, credible steps, that it will cut expenditure and that it can be quantifiable, verifiable, and that we can all track it.
“Because if we maintain the same expenditure levels then the IMF programme can go sleep. Because you’ll give me one billion a year, how much debt and interest is government paying every year?” he was quoted by myjoyonline.com.
France is accused of disobeying laws preventingtravelers from entering or departing the nation, according to the military commander who led the coup that ousted Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum.
It comes in response to Communiqué Number 3’s directive to close all land and air borders, which was given on July 26.
Colonel-major Amadou Abdramane announced: “It has been noted that the French partner is bypassing this by landing an A401 military aircraft at Niamey international airport [Thursday morning] at 06:30.”
“The CNSP calls once and for all for strict compliance with the provisions of communiqué number 3.”
On Thursday, the army gave its support to the coup leaders who have been holding President Mohamed Bazoum in Niamey.
It comes as supporters of the coup gathered in Niamey to call for the departure of what they called “foreign forces” an military leaders called for calm after incidents during demonstrations by its supporters.
Some protesters waved Russian flags and called for strengthened ties with Mali and Burkina Faso.
One demonstrator, Anas Djibril, said: “The foreign forces that are with us, the foreign bases, the people who are squandering must leave us. Niger alone.
“Our army is an army of reference that made Niger proud in the first Gulf War, that made Niger proud in the first rebellion, the second rebellion and in the sub-region everywhere we are a pride. This army is a source of pride.”
Another protester, Hama Maiga, added: “We want them to improve cooperation ties with Mali and Burkina, with whom we share the same common enemy, to combat the terrorism raging in the Sahel.”
As crowds took to the streets – some people burning French flags – the coup leaders announced “the suspension of political party activities until further notice”.
Earlier, President Bazoum had rejected the coup. “The hard-won gains will be safeguarded. All Nigeriens who love democracy and freedom will see to it,” he declared on Twitter.
In a press release, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said it “demands the immediate release of President Mohamed Bazoum, who remains the legitimate and legal President of Niger recognised by ECOWAS.”
World’s wealthiest Black billionaire and the visionary behind the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has played a pivotal role in shaping Africa’s business landscape and elevating Nigeria as a major industrial force on the continent.
Diversifying his interests across various sectors in Nigeria and beyond, Dangote’s expansive businesses under the Dangote Group have established him as the second-largest employer in Nigeria, coming closely after the country’s Federal Government.
His staggering net worth currently stands at $10.8 billion, making him the richest Black billionaire globally and the second-richest individual in Africa. However, his long-held title as Africa’s wealthiest recently passed to South African billionaire Johann Rupert, who overtook Dangote in June.
At the core of his immense wealth lies his commanding 86.81-percent stake in Dangote Cement, the largest cement company in Africa. This significant investment firmly places him as the richest investor on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX). Moreover, Dangote has stakes in several other prominent Nigerian companies listed on the NGX, including Dangote Sugar, NASCON Allied Industries, Jaiz Bank, and Nigerian magnate Tony Elumelu’s United Bank for Africa.
Beyond the cement industry, Dangote’s business empire expands into sugar, salt, oil, fertilizer, and packaged food sectors. Particularly noteworthy is his significant presence in the global oil market, reinforced by the recent commissioning of his petrochemical complex, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Plant.
Notably, Dangote has further solidified his position with the successful inauguration of the much-anticipated Dangote Fertilizer Plant, commencing operations in March 2022. This state-of-the-art facility boasts an impressive annual production capacity of up to 2.8 million tonnes of urea.
Billionaires.Africa has diligently researched and compiled a comprehensive list of companies and holdings associated with Dangote, highlighting the breadth and magnitude of his business empire. His direct or indirect ownership spans across a multitude of enterprises, showcasing the remarkable scale of his business endeavors.
1. Dangote Cement:
Dangote’s primary source of wealth stems from his substantial 86.6-percent ownership in Dangote Cement Plc, the largest cement producer in Africa. This company boasts an impressive annual cement production of 51.55 million tonnes, operating in ten different countries. At present, Dangote Cement holds the esteemed position of being the most valuable company listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), with a remarkable market capitalization of N6 trillion ($7.6 billion), accounting for approximately 16.9 percent of the entire Nigerian Stock Exchange.
Looking ahead, Aliko Dangote envisions expanding Dangote Cement’s production capacity through the establishment of a new integrated cement plant in Itori, Ogun State. This state-of-the-art plant is projected to have a massive capacity of 6 million metric tonnes, further solidifying the company’s dominance in the cement industry.
2. Dangote Sugar: Dangote Sugar is Sub-Saharan Africa’s biggest sugar refining company. It has been listed on the NGX since March 8, 2007, and presently ranks 18th in value with N352 billion ($442.75 million) market capitalization. Dangote owns 72.7 percent of the company.
3. Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals Plant: Led by Dangote, Dangote Group has expanded into oil and gas with the creation of Dangote Oil Refinery. This petroleum complex can refine 650,000 barrels ofcrude oil, making it the largest single-train facility globally. Inaugurated in May 2023, the refinery is set to meet 100 percent of Nigeria’s refined petroleum demand and generate an annual surplus for export, estimated to yield an impressive $11 billion in revenue.
4. Dangote Fertilizer: In March 2022, the Dangote Fertilizer Plant began operations in Lagos, strategically situated in the Lekki Free Zone. Dangote Fertilizer Limited (DFL) boasts the title of Africa’s largest Urea Plant, with a $2.5-billion investment and a production capacity of 3 million tonnes per annum.
5. Nascon Allied Industries: Nascon Allied Industries Plc, a subsidiary of Dangote Group, produces edible salt for industrial and domestic use in Nigeria. Their product range includes iodine-fortified kitchen salt, fine butter salt, granulated kitchen salt, and industrial salt. The company operates factories in Oregun, Apapa, and Port Harcourt, with a total installed capacity of 400,000 tonnes per year for bags and 100,000 tonnes per year for sachets.
6. United Bank for Africa: Dangote holds 301,971,608 shares in United Bank for Africa (UBA), a prominent pan-African financial services group operating in 20 African countries, France, the UK, and the United States. UBA ranks 14th in value on the NGX, with a market capitalization of N510 billion ($641.36 million).
7. Jaiz Bank Plc: Through his company Dangote Industries Limited, Dangote owns 7.24 percent of Jaiz Bank Plc, equivalent to 2,500,000,000 ordinary shares valued at $6.29 million. Jaiz Bank Plc is a Nigerian non-interest banking company based in Abuja, offering various banking services like savings, current, investment, and term deposit accounts, as well as financing options for auto, household appliances, and school fees.
8. Twister B.V.: In 2016, Dangote Industries Limited purchased Twister B.V. from Shell Technology Ventures Fund. Twister B.V., located in the Netherlands, specializes in gas processing solutions for the oil and gas sectors, including conditioning systems, hydrate separators, engineering design, and consulting services.
9. Dangote Sinotruk: In 2017, Dangote Industries founded a $100-million truck assembly plant in Lagos, in partnership with Chinese company National Heavy Duty Truck Group (SINOTRUK). The plant, situated in Ikeja, can produce 10,000 trucks per year. Dangote Group holds a 60-percent ownership stake, while Sinotruk owns 40 percent.
10. Greenview Development Nigeria Limited (GDNL): Greenview Development Nigeria Limited (GDNL) is Dangote Group’s terminal operating arm, and it operates Terminal E of the Lagos Port Complex (LPC) in Apapa, Lagos.
11. Dangote Agro Sacks Limited: Dangote Agro Sacks Limited makes bags for packaging goods produced by its group companies. It has three factories in Ikeja, Lagos, and one in Obajana, Kogi State. The company produces woven, laminated, and A.D. star cement sacks.
12.Dangote Sinotruk: In 2017, Dangote Industries teamed up with Chinese company SINOTRUK to create a $100-million truck assembly plant in Lagos, called “Dangote-SINOTRUK Plant.” Situated in Ikeja, Lagos, the plant has an annual production capacity of 10,000 trucks. Dangote Group holds a 60-percent ownership stake in the plant, while Sinotruk owns the remaining 40 percent.
13. Saipem Dangote E&C: In 2015, Saipem, a major Italian oilfield services multinational, joined forces with Dangote’s company, Dangote Industries Limited, to establish Saipem Dangote E&C. This firm specializes in handling intricate Engineering & Construction projects in Africa.
14. DIL Power Limited: DIL Power Limited is the owner of the Dangote Oil Fired Power Plant, a 400MW oil-fired power project.
15. Dangote Granite Mines Limited: Dangote Group owns and operates a massive granite mine in Ogun State, Nigeria’s southwest region.
Choosing to invest in numerous channels is a crucial choice. Savings are a good thing, but investments are more effective at helping you build wealth.
Here are five potential investment areas in Ghana. Choose one of the five or invest in all of them to diversify your portfolio.
The concept of saving and investment remains ambiguous in developing countries worldwide, including Ghana. Due to the prevalent high unemployment rates and meager salaries for many workers in the country, investing has become a privilege limited to only a fortunate few.
Nevertheless, there has been a recent surge in efforts to educate people about the advantages of investments, and this has led to a growing number of Ghanaians, particularly the youth, actively participating in investment opportunities.
During an exclusive interview with Pulse Ghana, Desmond Bredu, a Chartered Investment Professional, outlined five effective ways for individuals to invest their money in Ghana.
1. Fixed deposits
Also referred to as term deposits are quite straightforward as they employ the simple interest formula for calculating interest. What is important is a principal(amount you want to invest), a given interest rate, a defined period. Eg. you may walk to bank XYZ to buy a fixed deposit 1000ghs (principal) @ 14% for a year.
For fixed deposits, at the end of the period, you get the 140ghs as interest using the formula [(Principal x Time x Rate)/365]. Thus you’re given 1,140 on maturity ie. Principal plus interest. The actual day counts for fixed deposits are calendar year specific.
2. Mutual Funds
A mutual fund is a kind of investment that uses money from a pool of investors to invest in securities such as fixed deposits, equity, bills, bonds or other types of investment. A fund manager decides how to invest the money, and for this he is paid a fee, which comes from the money in the fund. One great thing about these investments is, it doesn’t matter your contribution, everyone in the fund enjoys the same return percentage-wise. Obviously,the money returns will be different if you have 20k in the fund as compared to someone with 5k but in percentage terms both will earn the same rate.
3. Shares
It is basically a unit ownership in a company. Thus, anyone who purchases becomes a part owner of the company and is entitled to certain rights- all completely public in a document called Prospectus.
4. Treasury Bills
Treasury bills/notes (T-Bills) are short term money market instruments issued by Bank of Ghana (BOG) on its own account or on behalf of the Government of Ghana (GOG). This is a common method used by governments to borrow money from citizens for development purposes.
The various types of bills/bonds listed on the Ghanaian money market are as follows: 91-day Treasury Bill 182-day Treasury Bill 1 and 2-Year Treasury Notes 3 and 5-Year Bonds
5. Bonds
A bond is a fixed-income instrument that represents a loan made by an investor to a borrower (typically corporate or governmental). A bond could be thought of as an I.O.U. between the lender and borrower which includes the details of the loan and its payments. Bonds are used by companies, municipalities, states, and sovereign governments to finance projects and operations.
Approximately 15,000 doctors in Nigeria are persisting with their strike action to protest against inadequate working conditions and low pay, resulting in the complete shutdown of healthcare services in public hospitals.
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has revealed that a significant number of doctors are opting to leave the country for more favorable job opportunities overseas, and unfortunately, they are not being replaced by new medical professionals.
One such doctor, Dr. Adenuga Omogbolahan, has also joined the ranks of medical staff who have walked out in solidarity with the ongoing strike.
“We are not asking for too much, we are saying they should increase the minimum wage because the current minimum wage is a criminal wage, it’s not a living wage, it cannot take us anywhere,” he explains.
“So, that’s why we are saying, ‘let the take home, take us home,’ the take home cannot take us home again. Doctors cannot come to work; they are trekking to work.”
The Association of Resident Doctors at Lagos University Teaching Hospital is led by physician Kemi Abiloye.
She adds: “For somebody like me, I’m really overworked, I will be on call for almost 48 hours, I don’t go home to see my children, I don’t see my husband.
“Government employed me, government is not paying my salary you know, I don’t have that social relationship with my family and here with work I don’t even have money to feed myself.”
Doctors are significantly poorer today than they were 15 years ago in actual terms due to stagnant salaries since 2009 and a decline in the value of the naira.
“We are left with no other options,” adds Abiloye. “We’ve advocated, we’ve lobbied, there’s nothing we have not done. Our national executive practically sleeps on the street of Abuja, entering one offices to another, from finance to budget, to this and that just to ensure that they solve issues, but they are frustrated. They just can’t get any audience.”
The World Health Organisation reports that Nigeria has a ratio of four doctors to 10,000 patients as of 2021.
However, the Nigerian Medical Association says it is closer to a ratio of two doctors to 10,000 patients generally and one to 10,000 in some rural areas. Such staffing levels would make Nigeria’s doctor staffing one of the worst globally.
Former President John Dramani Mahama has opened up about how his wife, Lordina, is affected by the verbal abuse he receives.
During a recent appearance on KSM’s show, he shared an anecdote about how his wife sought advice from the late President John Evans Atta Mills regarding the media’s criticism and abuse directed at him.
“I will tell you something, it’s going to come in my book when I write it eventually. It was an occasion where Lordina went to Prof. Mills and complained about the bashing that I was taking as his vice president. You know I was his vice president and she went complaining about the bashing her husband was receiving and that she is having sleepless nights,” the former president said.
Mr. Mahama claims that President Mills instructed Mrs. Mahama to avoid the media by avoiding radio programs where her husband is the subject of criticism and abuse in favor of watching movies.
The former President hinted that this touching moment would be included in his book, indicating his intention to share more personal insights and experiences in the future.
“Prof Mills asked her; he said where do you hear all this? She said but you don’t you listen to the radio stations? Every morning when you listen to the radio, they are insulting my husband,” he said.
“He said, but why listen to the radio stations? Don’t listen to the radio stations. I Prof. I don’t listen because I don’t want to get hight blood pressure so I don’t listen to the radio stations. Then he asked Lordina, do you have DSTV at home? Lordina said yes, we have. He said you go and tune it, there is a station Africa Magic. He says they show a lot of interesting films. When you go home just tune in to Africa Magic,” the former President added.
From 2009 until the late former president’s death in July 2012, John Dramani Mahama served as Prof. John Evans Atta Mills’ vice president.
Following the passing of his boss, he was elected president and took office in 2012. John Mahama’s 2016 reelection campaign was unsuccessful due to a faltering economy and the battle to resolve a problematic power situation.
He made another unsuccessful attempt to regain power in 2020, although he is still on track after being chosen as the National Democratic Congress’s nominee for president in the 2024 election.
Superstar and Nigerian, Asisat Oshoala, etched her name in the history books as she led the Super Falcons to a thrilling victory against Australia in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Group B encounter.
Coming off the bench, Oshoala scored the decisive goal, propelling Nigeria to a 3-2 triumph over the tournament co-host at Brisbane Stadium on Thursday, July 27, 2023.
Her remarkable feat also makes her the first African player to score in three different World Cups, adding another milestone to her illustrious career. As a result of her goal, Oshoala is now Nigeria’s joint top scorer at the World Cup, sharing the record of three goals with Rita Nwadike and Nkiru Okosieme.
The match saw Australia taking the lead in additional time during the first half, with Van Egmond converting a pass from the left. However, Nigeria swiftly equalized as Uchenna Kanu found the back of the net, ending the first half at 1-1.
In the second half, the Super Falcons surged ahead five minutes after the hour mark when Osinachi Ohale headed in a close-range pass. Oshoala’s entry into the game in the 63rd minute proved to be a game-changer, as she extended Nigeria’s lead just 11 minutes later. Taking advantage of a defensive error, she calmly slotted the ball into the net from a tight angle.
Australia fought back during stoppage time, with Alanna Kennedy scoring, but Nigeria managed to hold on for the crucial victory, securing Africa’s first win at the tournament and claiming the top spot in their group with four points.
The 11-time African champions will face the Republic of Ireland, currently in the bottom place, in their final group game. To advance to the knockout stage, they will need at least a draw in this crucial encounter.
Last week, the Ghana cedi demonstrated strength against the US dollar, benefiting from reduced demand pressure for the American currency.
Despite the Bank of Ghana injecting $1.3 million into the spot market, the local currency managed to gain 0.21% against the dollar, resulting in a year-to-date loss of just above 14%.
However, the cedi experienced marginal losses against the pound and the euro, depreciating by 0.33% and 0.79% week-on-week, respectively.
Looking ahead, there are expectations of an external debt restructuring before the first IMF review in September 2023, along with the Bank of Ghana’s final auction for Bulk Oil Distributors for the second quarter, scheduled for June 27, 2023. These factors are anticipated to influence the cedi’s performance in the near future.
Despite its robust showing last week, analysts predict a mixed performance for the local currency in the current week.
As of now, the cedi is trading at ¢11.70 to one US dollar at forex bureaus, while the Bank of Ghana’s rate stands at ¢10.99 for one dollar.
Liberia’s 147th Independence Day celebrations had President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in attendance and he delivered a message urging West Africans to stand against any form of military coups within the jurisdiction of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
President Akufo-Addo expressed his belief that Africans should not endorse what he refers to as the unconstitutional means of altering administrations within the sub-region. He emphasized that the eradication of insecurity in West Africa is crucial for fostering development and progress in the region.
“It is incumbent that we all stand together in our generation to defeat the menace of coups and guarantee the peace and stability which are essential to the rapid economic development of our areas which is the surest way to banish poverty in our time and the same vain, we must reiterate our commitment to democratic governance in the ECOWAS space and reject all unconstitutional changes of government.”
The President’s call comes just 24 hours aftercoup attempt in which presidential guards in Niger kidnapped President Mohamed Bazoum and blockaded his home as well as important ministries.
The African Union (AU) has denounced the incident in the meantime.
The soldiers’ behavior was labeled “unacceptable” by the AU.
New allegations have surfaced against former US President Donald Trump, accusing him of exerting pressure on an employee to delete security footage at his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, in an attempt to obstruct the investigation into a case involving classified documents.
The new charges levied against Mr. Trump are related to his alleged mishandling of government documents at Mar-a-Lago. He now faces one count of wilful retention of defense information and two counts of obstruction.
According to prosecutors, the security footage captured unauthorized possession of files, which were then seen being moved. In connection with this incident, Mar-a-Lago staff member Carlos de Oliveira has also been indicted. He is alleged to have inquired about potential measures to delete the incriminating footage.
Both Mr. Trump and his close aide, Walt Nauta, have entered pleas of not guilty. Additionally, on Thursday, Walt Nauta received two additional charges of obstruction in relation to the same case.
The revised indictment provides detailed allegations concerning the collaborative efforts between Mr. Nauta and Mr. de Oliveira, the property manager at Mar-a-Lago, in their attempt to obstruct the investigation by the Justice Department.
According to the new court documents, Mr. Nauta and Mr. de Oliveira conspired to erase security camera footage following a subpoena from the Department of Justice, which sought surveillance recordings of the basement where confidential documents were believed to be held.
The court documents claim that Mr. de Oliveira sent a text message to another employee, who served as the director of information technology, stating that “the boss” desired the server to be deleted.
Allegedly, Mr. de Oliveira subsequently met with this IT employee in a secluded IT room and insisted on the confidentiality of their conversation. Under pressure, the IT employee acquiesced to Mr. de Oliveira’s request, despite asserting that he lacked the authority to do so.
The indictment paints a scene where Mr. de Oliveira navigated through bushes and foliage at the periphery of Mar-a-Lago, the renowned leisure resort known as the Winter White House, to reach the IT room and rendezvous with Mr. Nauta.
As per the indictment, Mr. de Oliveira asked his co-worker, “What are we going to do?” The lawyer representing Mr. de Oliveira has declined to offer any comments at this time.
In addition to the updated charges against Mr. Nauta and Mr. de Oliveira, the indictment alleges that Mr. Trump knowingly discussed a top-secret document with biographers during their visit to Mar-a-Lago for an interview.
“Look what I found… Isn’t it amazing? I have a big pile of papers, this thing just came up. Look,” Mr Trump allegedly said to one of his guests.
Image caption,The indictment included images of files allegedly stored in a shower
The documents case is led by special prosecutor Jack Smith, who earlier in the day met with Mr Trump’s lawyers over a separate investigation into alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
Mr Trump’s attorneys John Lauro and Todd Blanche met officials at Mr Smith’s office in Washington DC, US media reported.
The former president said earlier this month that he expected to be indicted in that case, but said on Thursday his lawyers received no indication of timing.
Mr Trump dismissed the fresh charges in the documents case in an emailed statement from his 2024 presidential campaign.
“Deranged Jack Smith knows that they have no case and is casting about for any way to salvage their illegal witch hunt,” the statement read.
The latest charge against Mr Trump adds to a growing list of legal problems for the property and reality TV mogul.
He currently awaits trial for a hush-money case in which he faces 34 felony counts, he faces civil charges in a defamation case against author E Jean Carroll, and Georgia prosecutors are still weighing whether or not to press charges over an alleged effort overturn the election results there.
Former Trump aide Stephen Moore told the BBC the charges against the former president amounted to “attacks” which were serving to solidify his nomination in the Republican presidential primaries.
“The more they indict him, the more his popularity goes up with Republicans”, he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
The Wa High Court jury members in the Upper West region have initiated an indefinite strike due to unpaid sitting and attendance allowances.
According to their statement to the press, they have been carrying out their duties without remuneration for almost two years. Despite several petitions to the government, their pleas for the release of the allowances have gone unanswered, leaving them with no other recourse but to take this drastic action.
The jury members expressed disappointment that their concerns were not addressed when they initially began their strike on Monday.
As a sign of their protest, they refused to participate in criminal hearings at the Wa High Court on that day.
The jurors have made it clear that they will continue their strike until they receive their long-overdue payments.
Adding to their frustration, reports have emerged that some juries in other parts of the country have already been paid, making the situation even more unjust in their eyes. As a result, the members of the Wa High Court jury are determined to stand their ground until their arrears are settled.
Founder of the now-defunct UT Bank, Prince Kofi Amoabeng, has counseled business owners to avoid specific groups of people if they want their enterprise to prosper and endure.
He asserts that it is necessary to keep away from pastors, legislators, traditional leaders, and families since they have the capacity to cause serious issues for the company that could ultimately result in its demise.
Speaking at the 25th-anniversary launch of Fairgreen Limited on July 26 in Accra, the former bank boss described these influencers as “necessary evils” which he believes must be handled with caution to avert business decline.
“Politicians and pastors are necessary evils because they can give you the right connections. However, they also need to milk you, and they can raise your company to a high status if you have the right relationships. But be careful. Don’t accept chieftaincy titles,” he advised.
He continued, “They will drain your finances and time, and you will be responsible for the expenses of durbars. These are the things that have set this country back. Make sure you don’t fall prey to any of them, whether it’s the church, chiefs, politicians, or your own families. You have to navigate carefully.”
In response to a question about the influence of family members on hiring methods, Mr. Amobeng advised business owners not to let that affect them.
“When you start a business, you are under the radar and can be a bit protective. But as you grow, you come under pressure. I call this pressure ‘dealing with the devil.’ You must deal with them. You can’t avoid them. Family, friends, and relatives will ask why you are always employing strangers when your family members are available. They want to kill the company. You need to be strong enough to fire them when they do something wrong. If you don’t have the will to fire them, don’t appoint them,” he urged.
In the meantime, the former head of a bank urged Fairgreen Limited management to keep creating an environment that is supportive of growth and longevity.
“You need to create a culture that is different from the Ghanaian culture. Ghanaian culture is generally one of laziness, pulling people down, disrespect, jealousy, trying to shift blame, and over-dependence on religion to the point that people don’t come to work. When you have a team, you must create a culture that will protect the company against these influences,” Amoabeng advised.
Due to a lack of raw materials needed to keep the business operating, The Ghana Rubber Estates Limited (GREL) is in danger of closing down.
The remaining raw materials would barely last two weeks, according to Samson Boafotey, the production supervisor at Ghana Rubber Estate Limited.
He clarified that a shortage of funding has prevented certain faulty devices from being fixed as well.
He said that the company’s issues could result in job losses because all employees have been told to remain at home until there are sufficient raw materials for processing.
Samson Boafotey said, “Lack of raw materials to feed our factory has brought a lot of hardships on our workers. This is because they receive some allowances in addition to their monthly salary when we are working but since we do not have the raw materials, they cannot get them.”
“The other factor is that the company took loans for the management of the factory and because of the raw material issues, we are unable to produce. Our machines as they are not working is also a cost to the company. We are urging the government to intervene else we do not know what to do next. The raw material we have in our factory now will last for only two weeks,” he said in an interview on Connect FM.
The Ghana Rubber Estate Limited’s production supervisor appealed to the government to support them so that the business could carry on with its activities.
This rubber processing business is a participant in the government’s One District One Factory program.
The company had roughly 7,500 direct and indirect employees when it was launched in 2020.
The NPP has scheduled a Special Delegates Congress on August 26, 2023, with the purpose of selecting top five candidates who will compete in the November 4, 2023, election.
This election will determine the NPP’s flagbearer for the 2024 General Election.
After the closure of nominations last month, ten individuals submitted their nomination forms to vie for the flagbearership position.
The vetting process commenced on Monday, July 3, and is set to conclude on Thursday.
According to the party’s rules, if more than five aspirants qualify to compete, a special electoral college will be convened.
The college’s task will be to select the final five candidates who will proceed to the November 4 presidential primary.
Currently, there is speculation surrounding a list containing the names of over 900 NPP special delegates who will participate in the selection process to determine the top five candidates for the November 4 election.
However, the authenticity of this list is yet to be confirmed, and the aspirants are eagerly waiting to know their fate.
ELECTORAL COLLEGE COMPOSITION
1. All Constituency Chairmen – 275
2. All Regional Executives – 272
3. All NPP Members of Parliament – 137
4. Regional Representatives to the National Council – 60
5. Council of Elders – 30
6. Founding Members / Fathers – 123
7. Reps from the Women’s Wing – 3
8. Rep from the Youth Wing – 3
9. Reps from the Nasara Wing – 3
10. Three (3) reps from each of the 25 international branches – 75
The Bank of Ghana is urging banks and all players in the financial services sector to boost their technological investments to combat the increasing incidents of fraud in the banking industry. This measure aims to bridge the technology gap between bankers and certain customers, thereby addressing the menace effectively.
Head of Financial Stability at the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Joseph France, emphasized that conducting risk assessments is crucial to safeguard the banking sector. He spoke to journalists after participating in the opening of a three-day Enterprise-wide Risk Assessment training organized by the Ghana International Bank.
Furthermore, the Bank of Ghana is committed to strengthening its Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regime and actively engaging in the global fight against cross-border financial crime. The national authorities are creating a conducive environment that promotes sound management of financial crime risk by financial intermediaries.
Over the past decade, efforts at the national level have been directed towards enhancing legal and regulatory frameworks, innovation, domestic and cross-border cooperation, among other measures, to address deficiencies identified during successive national risk assessments and mutual evaluations.
Recent interventions have resulted in the development of a national AML/CFT policy, including the review of the national risk assessment, the enactment of a consolidated anti-money laundering law, and strengthening the Financial Intelligence Center with essential resources.
On the regulatory front, the Bank of Ghana has successfully completed several national-level initiatives. These encompass implementing a risk-based supervision approach, introducing a sanction regime, issuing AML/CFT & P guidelines for accountable institutions to utilize the Ghana Card for due diligence processes, and providing supervisory guidance notes in this regard since the previous year.
In 2022, Kylian Mbappé rose to become the highest-paid footballer thanks to his contract with Paris Saint-Germain. Despite interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid, the French footballer chose to extend his stay with the Ligue 1 champions, signing a three-year contract that would keep him in Paris until 2025.
Reports indicated that Mbappé’s annual salary would be £42.5 million ($51 million), along with a bonus of £153 million for committing to Parc des Princes. Additionally, he gained full control of his image rights, making it a groundbreaking deal in football. Notably, this contract surpassed Lionel Messi’s last season at Barcelona, where he earned £64 million annually, though Messi later agreed to a significant salary reduction when he moved to PSG.
Mbappé is once again making headlines as Saudi Arabian football side Al-Hilal offered a staggering transfer fee of $332 million for his services. Furthermore, the team is willing to pay the player an astronomical salary of $776 million for a year, according to CBS Sports.
This offer from Al-Hilal surpasses the career earnings of NBA star LeBron James, which are estimated to be around $531 million. In response to the reports about Mbappé’s potential deal, LeBron James jokingly mentioned heading to Saudi Arabia himself.
Born in Paris in 1998 and raised in Bondy, Seine-Saint-Denis, Mbappé’s journey to football stardom was shaped by his father’s guidance and his time at various academies. He attracted attention from numerous teams, both in France and abroad, due to his exceptional talent. Ultimately, he joined AS Monaco before later making a high-profile move to PSG in 2017, where he contributed significantly to the team’s successes.
Mbappé made his debut for the French Senior side during the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, and he was honored as the FIFA World Cup Best Young Player that same year. His talent, skill, and achievements continue to make him one of the most sought-after and highest-earning footballers in the world.
The rejection of Rwanda’s nominee for ambassador by Belgium is anticipated to deteriorate relations between Kigali and Brussels on a diplomatic level.
Following his appointment by President Paul Kagame in March to succeed Dieudonné Sebashongore, Karega was anticipated to assume the position. But after four months of suspense, Belgium rejected him, signaling a change in the two countries’ diplomatic ties because of their shared colonial past.
Yolande Makolo, Rwanda government spokesperson, termed the decision “unfortunate,” adding that the Belgian government “seems to have capitulated to pressure from the DRC government as well as propaganda from ‘negationist’ organisations and activists, through whom they decided to leak the decision.”
While Brussels has not made any public statements on the matter, there are allegations that it leaked its decision to Jambo news, a publication run by Rwandan exiles whom Kigali accuses of extremism and genocide negationism.
Mr. Karega previously served as the Rwandan ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) but was recalled in November 2022 during heightened tensions between the two neighboring countries. Kinshasa accused Rwanda of supporting M23 rebels, and Rwanda countered by accusing the DRC government of harboring and supporting the FDLR, a Rwandan rebel group composed of remnants of the genocidal regime.
The blocking of Mr. Karega’s accreditation has sparked differing opinions, with some analysts accusing Belgium of succumbing to pressure from Rwandan exiles and Congolese pressure groups in Europe, who advocated for his rejection.
Following the strained relations between Rwanda and the DRC, Belgium has sought to strengthen its ties with Kinshasa. Recently, Brussels initiated European sanctions against specific Rwandan and Congolese military officers and offered European funds to enhance the capabilities of the 31st Rapid Reaction Brigade in the DRC through the European Peace Fund.
Reports by the state media, says that the Mauritanian government has accused a secondary school student of blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad.
According to the AMI news agency, Maria Cheikh Abdallahi Obed has been charged with a crime that carries a death penalty and is being investigated by the prosecutor’s office in Nouakchott, the country’s capital.
A statement from the prosecution, said a baccalaureate exam paper that was allegedly deemed offensive to Islam had been found in a testing facility in the northwestern town of Atar.
The document also stated that a probe helped identify the culprit and apprehend her.
According to AMI, the prosecutor accused Ms. Obed of “mocking and insulting the prophet” and of “using social media to harm Islamic sanctuaries.”
The country’s religious authorities ruled that those found guilty of insulting the Prophet Muhammad should receive the death penalty, which led to the official announcement of the arrest.
Last week, when President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani demanded that clerics make clear their position on blasphemy, the Mauritanian Council of Islamic Scholars released an edict on the subject.
When someone was found guilty in court of insulting the prophet, the council defended the imposition of the death penalty.
On July 21, the suspect’s family issued a statement through the Al-Quds al-Arabi newspaper in which they claimed their relative had a mental disorder and begged for pardon from the public.
Herbert Mensah, the recently electedPresidentof Rugby Africa, the governing body of rugby in Africa, has a scheduled five-day visit to Kenya. During his stay, he will act as the official representative of World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont at the World Rugby U20 Trophy tournament, where he will have the honor of presenting the highly coveted trophy.
The World Rugby U20 Trophy is an international rugby union competition organized by World Rugby, featuring men’s junior national teams with players under the age of 20 showcasing their skills and passion for the sport.
All 16 matches of the World Rugby U20 Trophy are currently being held at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya, after the tournament’s commencement on July 15.
This marks the second time Kenya is hosting the U20 Trophy, having previously done so in 2009 when the tournament was known as the Junior World Rugby Trophy.
Beyond the prestige of the trophy, the eight competing teams will be vying for a spot in the World Rugby U20 Championship next year in South Africa. The winners will be promoted to the U20 Championship, replacing Japan, as the team that finished at the bottom of that competition (held from June 24 to July 14 in South Africa) will drop down to the U20 Trophy in 2024.
The participating teams have been divided into two challenging pools. Pool A includes Scotland, Uruguay, USA, and Zimbabwe, while hosts Kenya join Hong Kong China, Samoa, and Spain in Pool B. This lineup promises an intense and captivating display of rugby talent and teamwork.
“The World Rugby U20 Trophy not only showcases Kenya’s capability as a world-class sporting destination but also represents the collective spirit and passion for rugby that resonates across Africa. Together, we stand united in celebrating Africa’s presence on the global rugby stage,” said Herbert Mensah, President of Rugby Africa.
Herbert Mensah‘s presence during the World Rugby U20 Trophy reflects the significance of this event and his representation of World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont symbolizes the strong collaboration between Rugby Africa and the global rugby community.
“Africa hosting two World Rugby U20 tournaments consecutively will be exciting to witness and serves as the perfect build-up to Rugby World Cup 2023 which is just under three months away. Both South Africa and Kenya have proven their ability to host global age-grade competitions in the past and I have no doubt that these editions will be successful with great interest from local crowds”, said World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont.
As Kenya continues to welcome the world for the World Rugby U20 Trophy. Follow the journey, witness remarkable athleticism, and celebrate the passion for rugby in one of Africa’s most vibrant nations.
The newly elected President of Rugby Africa will embark on a five-day visit to Kenya where he will officially represent World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont
About Rugby Africa:
Rugby Africa (www.RugbyAfrique.com) is the governing body of rugby in Africa and one of the regional associations under World Rugby. It unites all African countries that play rugby union, rugby sevens, and women’s rugby. Rugby Africa organizes various competitions, including the qualifying tournaments for the Rugby World Cup and the Africa Sevens, a qualifying competition for the Olympic Games. With 39 member unions, Rugby Africa is dedicated to promoting and developing rugby across the continent.
The Ghana Incentive-Based Risk-Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (GIRSAL) has successfully exported its first commercial quantity of chili. The company conducted a pilot production of the vegetable in a controlled greenhouse environment in Accra as part of their initiative to attract commercial financing into the country’s fruit and vegetable production.
Planting activities commenced at the Agri Impact Greenhouse Enclave in Dawhenya on May 17 of this year, with harvesting and export starting on July 24. This commercial trial aims to assess the costs associated with required infrastructure and inputs, providing valuable data for a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of commercial production and financing.
Samuel Yeboah, the Director of Agribusiness at GIRSAL, revealed that the first consignment target of 80 boxes, each weighing 400 kilograms of chili, has been surpassed. GIRSAL anticipates generating approximately US$25,000 per acre of production annually from this project.
“We have identified an off-taker in the UK to absorb all the produce, as the market demand there is high. The chili are exported within 24 hours after harvest to mitigate the risk of post-harvest losses during export,” Mr. Yeboah said.
GIRSAL expects to develop and pilot other exportable vegetables in the future, with the aim of encouraging both private producers and banks to have an interest in financing the sector.
The program is a part of GIRSAL’s five-year strategic strategy to boost exports and lower imports by using its credit risk guarantee instrument to encourage investment in the agricultural sector, according to Takyi Sraha, the company’s chief operating officer.
GIRSAL’s partnership with Vegpro Group
GIRSAL currently partners Vegpro – one of Kenya’s largest horticulture businesses, which produces over 30 commodities in greenhouse and net house conditions with a workforce of over 12,000.
Mr. Sraha said the decision to pilot chili cultivation was conceived after a study tour of Vegpro Group’s operations in Kenya by GIRSAL.
“The team came back with some useful lessons, which included the decision to pilot production of chilies in net houses – thereafter using results to encourage farmers to adopt the same practice,” he noted.
He disclosed that GIRSAL and its partners in collaboration with MoFA PPRSD, Yara fertiliser and GhanaVeg in October last year launched the programme to conduct commercial trials of chilies in four hectares of net houses as part of measures to meet requirements for EU vegetable export standards.
GIRSAL expects that the production of chilies under the net house will be one of the means to address sanitary and phytosanitary concerns of the EU and help get the industry back to the export market.
The partners selected four locations for the commercial trial production: including the Dawhenya irrigation site in Accra, which has begun production.
Other locations expected to begin cultivation soon include Tsatoe Woadze and Ziope in the Volta Region, and Kyekyewere in the Eastern Region.
Previous export ban on vegetables
In 2014, the EU issued an export ban on several high value vegetables based on phytosanitary and food safety compliance issues.
Since the EU ban was removed in 2015, the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD) has been working to ensure strict adherence to phytosanitary standards for the few exporters in Ghana.
Indeed, in 2014 Ghana exported US$5.4million worth of chili to the EU; but since the ban was lifted in 2015, chili exports have declined from US$1.3million in 2015 to US$87,000 in 2021, according to TradeMap data.
Tunisian authoritieshave reported a devastating number of migrant drownings off its coast in the first half of the year.
The exact figures differ slightly, with Reuters stating that 901 bodies were recovered from January to July 20, while a separate source informed AFP that the number stands at 789.
Tunisia has emerged as the primary departure point for migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean in search of a route to Europe. By July 14, approximately 75,065 boat migrants had arrived in Italy, as reported by Reuters citing official data.
This figure is more than double the 31,920 migrants who reached Italy during the same period last year, and over half of them set sail from Tunisia.
Amid the escalating migration crisis, Tunisia and the European Union have recently signed a deal to address and combat illegal migration.
An Accra High Court has ordered Blessed Godsbrain Smart (aka Captain Smart), the host and presenter of Maakye on Onua TV and Onua FM, to pay a cost of GHC 5,000 for failing to file a defense within the stipulated time in the defamation suit filed against him by Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.
On Thursday, July 27, 2023, lawyers representing Ofori-Atta appeared in court to pursue their motion for judgment in default of defense. However, they were informed that Captain Smart’s defense team had filed their statement of defense at 8:54 am on the same day.
As a result, Ofori-Atta’s lawyers withdrew their motion for judgment in default of defense and requested a cost. The court awarded a cost of GHC 5,000.00 against Captain Smart and ruled that the GHC 10 million defamation suit should proceed as usual.
In his statement of defense, Captain Smart denies the accusation of defamation made against him by Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta. He also asserts that Mr. Ofori-Atta is not entitled to the reliefs he is seeking from the court.
On June 2, 2023, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Attafiled a GHC 10 million defamation lawsuit against Blessed Godsbrain Smart (aka Captain Smart), the host and presenter of Maakye with Captain Smart on Onua TV and Onua FM. The lawsuit was in response to defamatory claims made by Captain Smart concerning the recently approved International Monetary Fund $3 billion extended credit facility secured by Ghana for a three-year period.
In the writ submitted by Bright Okyere Adjekum, the lawyer representing Ken Ofori-Atta, it is stated that on May 22, 2023, during the course of the Maakye with Captain Smart program, the defendant, Blessed Godsbrain Smart, broadcasted and published the following defamatory words about the plaintiff on Onua TV and Onua FM, as well as on the internet: “Are you aware that Ken Ofori Atta has taken his 10% of the IMF money? Every loan we take, he takes 10%.”
“The above statements are not only palpably false [and] absolutely fabricated, but were also deliberately calculated to disparage the plaintiff. Those words are malicious and were clearly further intended to convey and would be understood to convey meanings that diminish the plaintiff in the minds of right-thinking members of society,” the statement of case filed by Ofori-Atta’s lawyer read.
“The said words, set out in their natural and ordinary meaning, meant and were understood to mean, inter alia, that the plaintiff is corrupt, that the plaintiff has diverted public funds and that the plaintiff has abused his office.
“By reason of the foregoing, Plaintiff has been greatly injured in his credit, character and reputation, and has been brought into public scandal, ridicule, distress and embarrassment and has thereby suffered damage,” the statement of case further read.
Ofori-Atta’s lawyer also said that by a letter dated 29 May 2023, they wrote to Blessed Godsbrain Smart (also known as Captain Smart) demanding an apology and retraction of the defamatory statements, but the defendant failed as well as refused to do so.
Reliefs sought
The plaintiff is praying the court for five reliefs. First, Ken Ofori-Atta is praying for “a declaration that the words uttered by the defendant, ‘Are you aware that Ken Ofori Atta has taken his 10% of the IMF money? Every loan we take he [Ken Ofori-Atta] takes 10%’ are defamatory of the plaintiff” (Ofori-Atta).
Second, “recovery of the sum of ten million Ghana cedis (GHC10,000,000) as general damages, including aggravated and/or exemplary damages for defamation, for the libel uttered by defendant”.
Third, Ofori-Atta is demanding “an apology for and retraction of the words complained of and particularized” and, fourth, a “perpetual injunction restraining the defendant, whether by himself, his servants, agents or assigns, from repeating similar or other defamatory words against the plaintiff”. Ofori-Atta’s last prayer is for the court to award costs against Captain Smart.
IMF support
On 1 July 2022 the government made known to Ghanaians its decision to engage the IMF for support to mitigate the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine on Ghana’s economy.
From the date of the decision to go to the IMF, the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has been at the forefront of Ghana’s negotiations with the Fund.
The Ofori-Atta-led negotiating team secured a staff-level agreement with the IMF on 12 December 2022 and obtained board-level approval on 17 May 2023.
Twelve members of Zimbabwe’s main opposition party have been disqualified from contesting the upcoming August parliamentary elections by a high court ruling.
The judge stated that their membership applications, submitted under the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), were received after the cut-off time of 16:00 on June 21. This was the day when nomination courts were in session to receive applications.
As a consequence of this ruling, candidates from the ruling Zanu-PF party will be elected unopposed in three seats within Bulawayo, the country’s second-largest city, which was previously considered an opposition stronghold.
The disqualifications came about after the obscure opposition party, the Elected Early Democrats (EED), challenged the nominations of the 12 candidates, arguing that the electoral body had unlawfully accepted their papers. The registration process on June 21 was fraught with chaos, leading to the rejection of numerous applications, primarily from opposition candidates, due to challenges in the payment system.
One positive outcome was United Zimbabwe Alliance’s Elisabeth Valerio successfully challenging the rejection of her papers, making her the sole woman on the presidential ballot.
In response to the high court ruling, the CCC spokesperson, Fadzayi Mahere, stated that the 12 disqualified candidates would challenge the decision.
Zimbabweans are scheduled to vote on August 23 to elect councillors, members of parliament, and a president.
