Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has officially assumed office as the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Nations, a momentous occasion for both Ghana and the African continent.
As Ghana’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, her election marks a historic first she is the first African woman to lead the 56-member intergovernmental body, which is dedicated to promoting democracy, development, and international cooperation.
She takes over from Baroness Patricia Scotland, whose tenure ended in March 2025.
With a distinguished career in politics and diplomacy, Ayorkor Botchwey served as Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2017 to 2024, during which she played a crucial role in advancing the country’s foreign policy and strengthening international partnerships.
Her leadership saw Ghana assume significant roles within key global organizations, including the United Nations, the African Union, and ECOWAS. In addition to her diplomatic work, she served four consecutive terms as the Member of Parliament for Weija Gbawe.
During her swearing-in ceremony, Ayorkor Botchwey expressed her gratitude for the trust placed in her and emphasized the need for collaboration in addressing global challenges.
“As I take on this role, I do so with profound optimism and unwavering belief in what we can achieve together. With the support of our team at the Secretariat, drawn from all across the Commonwealth, I will work every day to honour and repay the trust and confidence which has been placed in me.
“The challenges we face are real and serious but together, we are more than equal to them. Sustained by the values that bind us, democracy, good governance, peace, human rights, and equal opportunity for all.”
Former President John Dramani Mahama recently paid a nostalgic visit to his old room at the University of Ghana’s Commonwealth Hall, creating a wave of excitement among the students.
Accompanied by John Dumelo, the NDC Parliamentary candidate for Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency in the 2024 elections, and other party executives, Mahama’s visit was part of a working tour of the constituency.
Revisiting Room A32, where he once resided as an undergraduate history student, Mahama’s return to Vandal City—the nickname for Commonwealth Hall—was met with overwhelming enthusiasm.
The atmosphere was charged as students chanted campaign songs in support of the former president.
Videos circulating on social media captured Mahama’s joy as he engaged with the students, joining them in a lively ‘jama’ session, showcasing a strong connection with his alma mater.
NDC flagbearer, John Mahama visits his former room at the Commonwealth Hall at the University of Ghana. #JoyNewspic.twitter.com/K5c2w0SATA
A statement dated February 20 from the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) said, “Per the note, the Government of Bahamas wishes to apprise the relevant competent Ghanaian aviation authorities, airline companies and services of the signed agreement. All OIC’s of entry and points and relevant sections are to take note of the above information and act accordingly.”
The waiver covers all passport categories—Diplomatic, Service and Regular passport types.
According to the Immigration Service, the waiver is intended to prevent difficulties and problems that unsuspecting travelers may encounter while traveling from Ghana to the Bahamas.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has committed to revitalizing the Free-trade Agreement among Commonwealth nations if elected as the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Secretariat.
She emphasized that a successful free-trade agreement would foster integration, global and regional supply chain participation, and enhance engagement in the multilateral trading system for member states.
Speaking in Accra at a lecture titled “A Vision for a New Commonwealth in a Fast-Evolving World,” organized by the Council on Foreign Relations Ghana, Madam Botchwey proposed that the initiative could serve as a model for WTO members, offering a balanced approach to regional and multilateral trade integration.
Nominated by President Akufo-Addo on February 2, 2024, for the post of Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Madam Botchwey outlined the evolving global landscape, citing advanced negotiations between the United Kingdom and India, as well as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as opportunities to consolidate agreements towards a Commonwealth-wide free trade agreement.
“To be transformative, any such trade and development agreement has to respond to the development needs and challenges of the developing countries in the Commonwealth,” she said.
She stressed the importance of any trade and development agreement addressing the needs of developing countries within the Commonwealth.
Madam Botchwey called for increased aid for trade disbursements to boost productive capacity, encouraging developed members to invest in developing states, with specific consideration for the Pacific Island States, the Caribbean, and small states in both service and non-service sectors.
“Developed Commonwealth members and other donor partners should maintain and enhance non-reciprocal preferential market access mechanisms like duty-free, quota-free, flexible rules of origin, and preferential treatment for services and service suppliers from small developing states to facilitate their integration in regional and global value chains,” she said.
Madam Botchwey urged developed Commonwealth members to maintain and enhance preferential market access mechanisms for small developing states.
She emphasized the Commonwealth’s role in supporting the specific needs of small island states in fishery subsidy negotiations at the WTO, highlighting the critical role of ocean sustainability for their development.
“The Commonwealth should support the specific needs and concerns of small island states in fishery subsidy negotiations at the WTO.”
“Ocean sustainability in general and sustainable fishing stocks and practices are critical to the development of the ocean economy in island states and especially to the millions of mostly poor people who make their living by fishing.”
Additionally, she underscored the significance of services like health insurance, medical data, and banking in fostering integration and creating economic prosperity within the Commonwealth.
The Commonwealth, consisting of 56 nations, focuses on shared goals of prosperity, democracy, and peace, with the Commonwealth Secretariat coordinating much of its work.
Objectives include environmental protection, sustainable resource use, economic development, democracy support, and assistance to small states in addressing unique challenges.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has officially announced her candidacy for the position of Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.
This declaration was made public through a press release issued by the Ministry on February 2, 2024.
President Nana Add Dankwa Akufo-Addo nominated Minister Botchwey, citing an agreement among Commonwealth members that the next Secretary-General would be selected from Africa.
The election for the new Secretary-General of the 56-member organization is scheduled for October 22, 2024, during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa.
“On an understanding among members of the Commonwealth that its next Secretary-General would come from Africa.”
“A new Secretary-General of the 56-member organization will be elected on 22nd October 2024 at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa to replace Baroness Patricia Scotland, a dual Dominican-British citizen, whose second and final tenure expires at the end of 2024.”
“I have strong confidence in Foreign Minister Botchwey to lead our aspiration for renewal and for building future-looking resilient and thriving economies, through community cooperation and action, as underscored at Kigali in Rwanda, during the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).”
This election aims to replace Baroness Patricia Scotland, a dual Dominican-British citizen, whose second and final term concludes at the end of 2024.
President Akufo-Addo expressed his confidence in Foreign Minister Botchwey’s ability to lead the Commonwealth towards renewal and the development of resilient and thriving economies, referencing the commitment made at the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali, Rwanda.
Minister Botchwey is optimistic about her candidacy, having received endorsements from the African Union and substantial support from across all regions of the Commonwealth.
The Ghana Chief of Mission for the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, the official trade organization established by 56 Heads of Commonwealth Governments to promote trade and enterprise, has reaffirmed his request for an active engagement between the AfCFTA and his organization.
The Chief of Mission, John Apea, stated that although the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement has connected 1.3 billion people across 55 countries with a combined gross domestic product (GDP) valued at US$3.4 trillion, its tangible benefits have yet to be realized. Apea was speaking at the recent India-African conclave organized by the Commonwealth and the Confederation of Indian Industries.
Mr. Apea said that no other organisation has the depth, breadth, connections and ties that the Commonwealth has, “The Commonwealth is home to a growing membership of 56 countries, 21 of which are African countries, with Gabon and Togo being the most recent to join at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2022. With a regional diversity only second to the United Nations, the Commonwealth covers 2.5 billion people (60% under 30), representing approximately a third of the world’s population, with a combined GDP around $13 trillion and which is estimated to reach 19.5 trillion by 2027”.
He added, “The Commonwealth network provides AfCFTA with important rails into other global networks. For example, Singapore, Brunei and Malaysia can link AfCFTA to the ASEAN network which has a GDP of 3.66 trillion dollars, whilst Canada which is the third largest economy in the Commonwealth, can be an important gateway for AfCFTA into the North American market with a GDP of 31.4 trillion USD. Malta can provide an important gateway into the European Union with a GDP of 15.8 trillion Euros”
He added that 44 of the G77 nations are Commonwealth members, along with 21 of the 39 nations that make up the African Union, 12 from the Caribbean Community and the Organization of the Islamic Conference, 10 from the Pacific Island Forum, and 7 from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.
A February 9, 2023 ruling of the High Court presided over by Justice Francis Obiri continues to generate controversy.
This decision granted a request by some students that the University of Ghana puts its residence re-allocation policy on hold.
This new policy among other things seeks to convert the Commonwealth Hall into a Hall of residence for first-year students and graduate students.
The court also in a March 16 ruling declined a request by the University to cross-examine some of the students regarding certain claims they had made in court documents.
These two decisions form a key part of an application by the University asking that Justice Obiri recuses himself from the case because of his connection to the Commonwealth Hall Fraternity while a student.
Copies of these decisions that explain in detail why the judge arrived at these conclusions have popped up.
See full ruling on cross-examination of students;
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF JUDICATURE,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE, COMMERCIAL DIVISION “2”
HELD IN ACCRA ON THURSDAY, THE 9TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2023, BEFORE HIS LORDSHIP FRANCIS OBIRI
RULING
On 16th January 2023, the Plaintiffs/Applicants (hereinafter called the Applicants) filed a motion before this Court. The motion is seeking an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the Defendant by itself, its officers, servants, agents, and whatsoever manner:
From going ahead/taking any steps to implement its new residency policy decided on 26th October 2022 and captured in the minutes of the said meeting signed by Professor Awandare (Chairman) and Pascaline K. Songsore (Secretary) and forwarded to the Vice Chancellor by letter dated 10th November, 2022.
Mandatory order directed at the Defendant to remove from the Commonwealth Hall, all persons newly placed in residence in the Commonwealth Hall, pursuant to the 26th October 2022 new residency policy.
From in any manner interfering with the accrued residency rights of the Applicants and all continuing students of Commonwealth Hall, prior to the new policy.
The motion is supported by affidavit and exhibits. I wish to quote the relevant paragraphs of the affidavit in support in this ruling.
That by a Letter of Admission dated the 20th of December, 2021, the 5th Plaintiff was admitted into the Defendant University to pursue a four (4) year full time study leading to the award of a degree in Bachelor of Arts in Education. (I attach herewith marked as exhibit A, is a copy of the 5th Plaintiff’s letter of Admission in verification)
That Exhibit A is in essence a replica of the admission letters of all the applicants except for the names, the addresses, images of the students and the courses offered to study.
That upon the University’s direction, I applied for and was awarded residence at Commonwealth Hall which is one of the five (5) traditional halls of the university pursuant to which I proceeded to complete registration formalities after which I took residence in the hall. (I attach herewith marked as Exhibit B a copy of the 5th Plaintiff’s Residence Allocation letter in verification.
That allocation of halls of residence is on competitive basis and even if allocated, is time-restricted and in terms of costs, the traditional halls are preferred and the most sought after.
That the alternative to the traditional halls is the University of Ghana Enterprises Limited halls residency which is nearly thrice the cost of the traditional halls. (I attach herewith marked as Exhibit C and C1 copies of the schedule of provisional residential fees for 2022-2023 academic year for traditional halls and the university of Ghana Enterprises Limited schedule of fees for the 2022-2023 academic year in verification.
That had we being allocated residence in the University of Ghana Enterprises Limited Halls; we could not have taken it for the reason that we cannot afford the charges that come with residence of those halls.
That by a long-standing residence arrangement and practice of the University, once a student takes up residence in the traditional halls, the student has a right of residence in that hall for the duration of the course of study, subject to proven breach of an existing regulation of the University, punishable by loss of the right of the residence in the hall.
That documentary evidence of the residency policy and the practice of the University being that residency in halls cover the duration of the course can be seen in the University’s published residency policy notice dated, the 7th of December, 2021 titled “Notice of Student Residency in University Managed Halls; 2021/2022 academic year”. (I attach herewith marked as exhibit D is a copy of the document titled “Notice on Student Residency in University Managed halls; 2021/2022 Academic year in verification).
That by items 1 and 2 of Exhibit D, the residency board of the University underscored its residency policy and practice and its recognition that a deviation of the long-standing policy and practice of residence in halls being for the duration of the course can only be prospectively done on conditions expressly spelt out in the offer of accommodation to new students.
That the other applicants are resident students of Commonwealth Hall who I met upon taking residence in the hall and who I have lived in the hall with for the period of the academic year spanning January 2021 to September 2022 when the academic year came to an end.
That I am advised and verily believe same to be true that with our allocation of residence at Commonwealth Hall, (Hall) a right of residence for the duration of our respective courses accrued to me and the other applicants subject only to the loss of our right of residence on a proven breach of a pre-existing rule of the University’s basic law punishable by loss of the right of residence.
That I and my colleague applicants successfully completed our academic work and went temporarily out of the residence when the University went on Summer Vacation with a reasonable expectation of returning to our residence in early January, 2023 to continue our courses.
That on the 28th of December 2022, I received via WhatsApp messaging a link from some colleagues on one of our group platforms. When I followed the link, it led me to a notice from the University that said the following:” Following the University Council’s approval of new residential arrangements for the 2022/2023 academic year, you have been reallocated a bed in a different hall of residence. Kindly follow the steps below to accept your offer and secure a bed”. The notice then directed that I log in for my newly allocated hall and room number. (I attach herewith marked as Exhibit E an image of the notice that the link led to captioned of the “New Residential Arrangement academic year” in verification.)
That I was to discover well after the fact that the university had sent an email to me and the other applicants on 14th of December 2022 in which they advised that the university council had approved recommendations of the residence board for changes to student residence arrangement in reaction to repeated incidences of violence involving students. (I attach herewith marked as exhibit E is a copy of the print out of the email titled Arrangements for students’ residence from 2022/2023 academic year in verification)
That by bullet point one of, the new arrangement advised by the University, the other Applicants and I were informed that with effect from the start of 2022/2023 academic year, “All continuing students of Commonwealth Hall and continuing male students of Mensah Sarbah Hall will not return to these halls or to any of the traditional halls. They are to be randomly assigned to available rooms in any of the UGEL and private hostels. Continuing female students of Mensah Sarbah Hall and students with special needs in both halls will not be affected by this measure”.
That our enquires carried out sometime in the beginning of the year revealed that the changes in residence policy were decided by a meeting of the Residence Board of the University which took place on the 26th of October 2022. The minutes of which were forwarded to the Vice-Chancellor of the University by the Pro-vice Chancellor (Academic and Students Affairs) by a letter dated the 10th of November 2022. (I attach herewith marked as Exhibit G and G1 the cover letter dated the 10th of November 2022 and the minutes of the meeting of 26th of October 2022 respectfully for ease of reference in verification)
That by the statute of the university of Ghana, the Residence Board of the university is the primary body responsible for student residence matters and by convention, the university has the following representation for each traditional hall of residence:
Head of Hall (Hall Master)
Senior Tutor
President of the Junior Common Room
That in breach of the age long, well established, and hallowed convention of the university. The three representations of Commonwealth Hall were not invited to the Residence Board meeting of the 26th of October, 2022.
That the fact of the failure to invite the statutory and conventional representations of Commonwealth Hall, the hall was unrepresented and was not heard as a principal party adversely affected by the policy decision.
That the decision contained in exhibit G1 which is the basis of the policy to truncate our rights of residence in the Commonwealth Hall for the duration of our courses has created the invidious and unjust situation where I and the other applicants who do not have even the remotest connection to the so-called disturbances are now being punished without as much as even being accused much more heard on alleged wrong-doings that we know nothing about.
That the issues tabled at the meeting on 26th October 2022, the failure to invite our hall representatives and the gleefulness with which the university has trumped due process, good conscience, our right to be heard and the snatching away of our accrued rights of the residence of the hall suggest that the meeting of 26th October 2022 was convened mala fides with a pre-conceived goal to victimize the hall and its residents.
That I am advised and verily believe same to be true that the Defendant did not act in accordance with its own laws when it purportedly made the decision it is seeking to implement as its new residence policy.
That I am also advised and verily believe same to be true that the decision to truncate the right of residence of continuing students of Commonwealth Hall was made in gross disregard of the Defendant’s own statutes and conventions and without due process.
That the avowed intent of the Defendant is to implement the new residency policy and infringe on the accrued rights of the Plaintiffs and their colleagues.
That I am further advised and verily believe same to be true that I can in the circumstances seek an order of interlocutory injunction to restrain the Defendant from implementing the new residency policy and also seek in the same application a mandatory order directed at the Defendants to remove those it has wrongfully placed in the hall in the implementation of the residence policy and for the status quo to be maintained pending the trial of the instant suit.
The motion was served on the Respondent on 17th January 2023 at 12:50 p.m. The return date for the motion was 7th February 2023. On 7th February 2023, when the case came up for hearing, the Defendant/Respondent (hereinafter called the Respondent) had not filed any affidavit in opposition.
The Court granted the Respondent’s counsel leave to file affidavit in opposition if any by 2 pm on 8th February 2023.
The Respondent filed its affidavit in opposition on 8th February 2023 at 2:40 p.m. I wish to quote the relevant paragraphs in this ruling:
I am advised by Counsel and verily believe same to be true that the instant application for interlocutory injunction is frivolous, vexatious, incompetent and without merit and has no basis in law.
That the said application is moot and dead upon arrival as the Respondent complied with and implemented the Respondent council’s policy on residence on December 28, 2022, prior to the filing of the instant application.
I deny that the Respondent has implemented any decision of the University dated October 26th, 2022. The said decisions which were recommendations of the Residency Board forwarded to the Academic Board of the Respondent, subsequently became the Respondent University Councils policy on the residency of all students which policy by the Respondent Council is sanctioned by law to implement amidst other rights and powers.
10. I deny the deposition in paragraph 10 of the Applicants’ affidavit in support that the cost of residence at University of Ghana Enterprises Limited Hall is nearly thrice the cost for the traditional halls.
I deny paragraphs 11 and 12 of the Applicants affidavit in support and say that the residency of students of all the halls including Commonwealth Hall and Mensah Sarbah Hall terminated at the end of the academic year 2021/2022 as has been the policy of the Respondent University. As such, at the commencement of the academic year 2022/2023, and in the absence of an offer of allocation and or re-allocation of rooms to students for the academic year, no student could claim residency in any hall of the Respondent University. No student has a right of residence perse in a hall of residence in the sense that he/she is automatically to a room and a bed.
I deny paragraphs 13 and 14 of the Applicants’ affidavit in support and say that the University reserves and has always reserved the right to amend or change its policies including the residence policy. That the communication referred to in paragraph 13 was itself a change in residence policy at that time. The University reserved the right to change the policy as indicated in exhibit D.
17. I deny paragraphs 18, 19 and 20 of the Applicants’ affidavit in support and says, no such hardships or inconveniences will be visited upon students as nearly all continuing students have accepted re-allocations of halls made to them by the Respondent and have paid for same, in any case, the Respondent has indicated its willingness to support all students who have financial challenges related to taking up the new residency.
18. I deny paragraphs 23, 24 and 25 of the Applicants affidavit in support and say that by their own showing, Exhibit G was a communication requesting the recommendations of the residence board to be brought to the attention of the Academic board for consideration, clearly evidencing that the recommendations of the residency board were not final.
The re-allocation of Commonwealth Hall and Mensah Sarbah halls to freshmen is a lawful residential policy of the Respondent Council made within the boundaries of the law and not a punitive measure meted against a targeted group.
25. In response to paragraph 37 of the affidavit in support, I say that 3rd party rights have already accrued in the halls as per the Applicants own showing, new students have already been allocated to the rooms in Commonwealth and Sarbah Halls and are already in actual occupation of the rooms. A complex web of interest has already been created.
I am advised by counsel and believe same to be true that this Court may not consider the prayer of the Applicants in paragraph 38 of the Affidavit in support unless it has heard and considered the interest of the innocent students who are currently in occupation, who the Applicants pray that they be removed from their current accommodation. That to do so will not only be unfair but it will also be unjust.
28. I deny paragraphs 40 and 41 of the affidavit in support and say that the status quo presently is the already allocated residency of Commonwealth and Mensah Sarbah halls to freshmen who have already paid and occupied these halls and the re-allocation of other halls of residence to continuing students including the applicants both done prior to the filing of the instant application.
The grant of the instant application will adversely affect the Respondent as well as all students both freshmen and continuing students who have already been allocated rooms and taken residency in the various halls pursuant to the Residency policy of the Respondent.
The court decided to give its decision based on the documents filed in support and in opposition to this application. Afterall, there is no law which says, a motion can only be decided when it has been moved formally. Once the return date is due which in this case was 7th February, 2023, the court can decide the application as per the documents filed.
See: REPUBLIC v COURT OF APPEAL; EX PARTE EASTERN ALLOY CO. LTD [2007-2008] 1 SCGLR 371
Injunction implies an order of a court directed at a party to do or refrain from doing a specific act which may be continuing or is yet to commence.
The Black’s Law Dictionary, 9th Edition, with Bryan A. Garner as editor in chief defines injunction as follows: “A Court order commanding or preventing an action. It goes further to state that in a general sense, every order of a court which commands or forbids is an injunction; but in its accepted legal sense, an injunction is a judicial process or mandate operating in personam in which upon certain established principles of equity, a party is required to do or refrain from doing a particular thing”.
It further defines preliminary injunction as “a temporary injunction issued before or during trial to prevent an irreparable injury from occurring before the court has the chance to decide the case. It is also called interlocutory injunction”.
The Osborn Concise Law Dictionary, 8th Edition defines Injunction as “an order or decree by which a party to an action is required to do or refrain from doing a particular thing”.
Injunction is a matter of judicial discretion by the court and not as of right. The Black’s Law Dictionary, 9th Edition, defines judicial discretion as “the exercise of judgment by a judge or court based on what is fair under the circumstances and guided by the rules and principles of law. A court’s power to act or not to act when a litigant is not entitled to demand the act as a matter of right”. The same judicial discretion is sometimes described as legal discretion.
In the exercise of judicial discretion, the 1992 Constitution of Ghana gives the parameters within which such powers are to be exercised. Article, 296 (a) and (b) of the 1992 Constitution provide that:
296 “Where in this Constitution or in any other law discretionary power is vested in any person or authority-
that discretionary power shall be deemed to imply a duty to be fair and candid;
the exercise of the discretionary power shall not be arbitrary, capricious or biased either by resentment, prejudice or personal dislike and shall in accordance with due process of law”.
See: DJAN v YEBOAH-AFARI [2013] 62 GMJ 127 CA
Injunction under our civil jurisdiction in cases pending before the High Courts and the Circuit Courts are regulated by Order 25 or C.I.47.
Order 25 rule (1) of the High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2004 (C.I. 47) provides the procedure for dealing with interlocutory injunctions.
The order is as follows:
“25 (1) the Court may grant injunction by an interlocutory order in all cases in which it appears to the Court to be just and convenient to do so, and the order may be made either unconditionally or upon such terms and conditions as the Court considers just”.
Order 25 Rule (1) thus gives discretionary power to the court to grant injunction where it deems it just or convenient to do so.
Further, Order 25 Rule 1 (2) requires a party to an action to apply for the grant of injunction before or after trial of the action whether a claim for injunction was included in the party’s writ, counterclaim or third party notice.
Order 25 Rule 1 (3) requires an applicant or a party seeking an injunction to attach to the motion paper and the supporting affidavit, a Statement of Case containing full arguments and the legal authorities to be relied on.
Order 25 Rule 1 (4) enjoins a respondent who desires to oppose the application to file an affidavit in opposition as well as Statement of Case containing full argument and legal authorities to be relied on.
See: SRAHA v AGBOSU [2013] 63 GMJ 108 CA
The Applicants and the Respondent in this case have complied with all the provisions under Order 25 Rule 1(1), (2), (3) and (4) of C.I. 47.
I have already indicated in this ruling, that the grant or refusal of interlocutory injunction is within the discretion of the court. It is not a matter of right by a party but a discretionary order by the court.
See: AGYEI & ORS. v SIMILAO [2012] 1 SCGLR 127
Again, the law is settled that the court will always be guided by the following principles to determine whether to grant or refuse an application for interlocutory injunction.
Whether the Applicant has a legal or equitable right at law which the court must protect by maintaining the status quo ante until the final determination of the case.
Whether on the balance of convenience, the Applicant will suffer irreparable injury or greater harm which could not be adequately compensated in damages if the application is not granted.
Whether the applicant case is not frivolous nor vexatious.
Whether on the face of the affidavits and the exhibits, there is the need to maintain the status quo ante pending the determination on case.
Whether the application discloses a prima facie case, for the purposes of preserving the status quo or to hold the circumstances surrounding the matter in dispute in the action.
Whether there are serious questions of law to be tried at the hearing.
Whether it will be fair, just and or equitable to grant same.
See: VANDERPUYE v NARTEY [1977] 1 GLR 428 CA
OWUSU v OWUSU-ANSAH & ANOR [2007-2008] 2 SCGLR 870
METTLE v LANDS COMMISSION [2008] 1 GMJ 190 CA
BRAM-LARBI v THE REGISTRAR & 2 ORS [2010] 28 MLRG 148 CA
PETERSON v KUSI [2010] 26 GMJ 83 CA
CENTRACOR RESOURCES LIMITED v BOOHENE [1992-1993] 4 GBR 1512 CA
NANA BONSIE & ORS v AGYENIM BOATENG & 3 ORS [2012] 52 GMJ 206 CA
18TH JULY LIMITED v YEHANS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED [2012] 1 SCGLR 167
Again, injunction can also be granted to prevent a party from not complying with a valid subsisting order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
See: MICHAEL ANKOMAH-NIMFAH v JAMES GYAKYE QUAYSON & OTHERS (NO.2) [2022] 176 GMJ 446 SC
The law recognizes that, there may be situations where an interlocutory application can dispose of the substantive matter where the justice of the case so demands. However, those glaring cases are limited. In those situations, the facts are normally undisputed. It is therefore trite law, that in interlocutory applications, adjudicators must avoid making definitive findings on disputed issues particularly where the facts are not only material but for some reasons obscure or highly contentious.
See: IN RE BOB KWAME & CO. LIMITED; GYINGYI v BERNARD AND ANOTHER [1989-1990] 1 GLR 87 CA
At this stage, I am only seized with the affidavit evidence and the pleadings and not the oral evidence. However, it is both the pleadings and the oral evidence which make up a case.
My duty at this stage is to examine the substantive application in this case, the affidavit in opposition etc., as well as the exhibits attached. I will then consider whether the Applicants have a right at law or in equity and, whether their claim is not frivolous or vexatious, and should be protected until such time that the injunction order may be dissolved by the court.
See: NATIONAL LOTTERY AUTHORITY v AIRTEL GHANA [2011] 36 GMJ 190
The law is also settled, that even a person in possession of a property can be restrained by injunction from disposing such property.
See: IN RE YENDI SKIN AFFAIRS: YAKUBU II v ABDULAI [1984-1986] 2 GLR 231 SC
I have considered the pleadings, the affidavits, the Statement of Case as well as the annexures by both parties. I am satisfied that there are triable issues to be tried in the main case. For example;
Whether the Applicants ought to have appealed against the decision of the Respondent, dated 26th October 2022 to the Appeal’s Board of the University of Ghana or were right in coming to court.
Whether the Applicants were heard before the 26th October 2022 decision was taken by the Respondent’s Residency Board.
Whether the Applicants acquired equitable rights as resident students of Commonwealth Hall, and if so whether that right can be revoked unilaterally by the Respondent.
I am also satisfied, that the Applicants application is neither frivolous nor vexatious and raises serious questions of law for determination.
However, having considered the above factors, the next important factor to consider is balance of convenience. The question to pose is whether damages would be an adequate remedy if the application for injunction is granted or refused?
In the case of NDEBUGRE (NO.1) v THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL, AKER ASA & CHEMU POWER COMPANY LIMITED (NO.1) [2013-2014] 2 SCGLR 1134, the Supreme Court per Akamba JSC held at page 1138 as follows “it is a basic principle of injunction law, that prima facie, a court will not grant an injunction to restrain an actionable wrong for which damages are the proper remedy”.
The Supreme Court, again in the case of WELFORD QUARCOO v ATTORNEY-GENERAL & ANOR [2012] 1 SCGLR 259 per Date-Bah JSC in explaining balance of convenience held at page 260 that “the balance of convenience, of course, means weighing up the disadvantages of granting the relief against the disadvantages of not granting the relief. Where the relief sought relates, to a public law matter, particular care must be taken not to halt action presumptively for the public good, unless there are very cogent reasons to do so, and provided also that any subsequent nullification of the impugned act on omission cannot restore the status quo”.
See also, GHANA INDEPENDENT BROADCASTERS’ ASSOCIATION (NO.1) v ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND NATIONAL MEDIA COMMISSION (NO.1) [2017-2020] 1 SCGLR 498
RANSFORD FRANCE (NO.1) v ELECTORAL COMMISSION AND ATTORNEY-GENERAL [2012] 1 SCGLR 689
HARUNA IDDRISU & 2 ORS v ATTORNEY-GENERAL WRIT NO. J1/19/2022, DATED 4TH MAY, 2022 SC
Coming back to the case before me, from exhibit B, the 5th Applicant, and the other Applicants as they have averred in their affidavit in support were offered residential accommodation in Commonwealth Hall by the Respondent.
There is no indication on exhibit ‘B’ that it was to last for a year. Exhibit ‘B’ is coming from the Respondent. It is on the letter heard of the Respondent. There is no indication that it was forged or procured by the Applicants by recourse to fraud.
Exhibit B is an official record and therefore presumes to be authentic, genuine, and properly done under sections 37, 148 and 162 of the Evidence Act, 1975 (NRCD 323).
See: JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA v NANA ADDO DANKWA AKUFO- ADDO [2021] 171 GMJ 473
BROBBEY & OTHERS v KWAKU [1995-1996] 1GLR 125 SC
DUPAUL WOOD TREATMENT & ANOTHER v ASARE [2005-2006] SCGLR 667
Again, per exhibit D, the Respondent informed the Applicants and others who were in residence that they would not lose their residency before they finish their courses.
It is trite law that when one gives a tacit assurance to another and the innocent party relies on it, the one who gave the promise will be estopped subsequently, by his conduct from denying the existence of the promise or the assurance given earlier to the innocent party. This type of estoppel has received statutory and case law blessings. It is provided under Section 26 of the Evidence Act as follows:
“Except as otherwise provided by law, includes a rule of equity, when a party has, by his own statement, act, omission, intentionally and deliberately caused or permitted another person to believe a thing to be true and to act upon such belief, the truth of that thing shall be conclusively presumed against that party or his successors in interest in any proceedings between that party or his successors in interest in any proceedings between that party or his successors in interest and such relying person or his successors in interest.”
See also,AFRIKANIA MISSION CHURCH v SEBA CONSTRUCTION LTD [2013] 59 GMJ 176 CA
AGO SAI & OTHERS v KPOBI TETTEH TSURU II [2010] SCGLR 762
T.K. SERBEH & CO LTD v MENSAH [2005-2006] SCGLR 341
OBENG & OTHERS v ASSEMBLIES OF GOD CHURCH, GHANA [2010] SCGLR 300
Furthermore, I am of the view that exhibits B and D have created some equitable rights on behalf of the Applicants as to their residential accommodation which was offered to them by the Respondent which must be protected.
Again, granted that the Respondent intends to create any right on behalf of fresh students who are to be at Commonwealth Hall, that right should not override the earlier equitable right obtained by the Applicants by virtue of exhibits B and D.
The law is settled that when two equitable rights are created, the first in time must prevail. And as in this case, the right created or conferred on the Applicants for years must prevail over any right which is yet to be created or was created few weeks or months ago in favour of fresh students.
I am also of the view, that the anxiety, the trauma that will be caused to the Applicants who were in residence at Commonwealth Hall, University of Ghana if their residential status is changed contrary to exhibits B and D will be greater than those who are yet to take up residence or who are fresh students.
As to whether the Respondent’s Residency Board resolution dated 26th October 2022 and the letter referencing it dated 10th November 2022 have any basis in law or not would be considered during the trial.
However, in the meantime, considering all the exhibits or the annexures as well as the pleadings, I am of the humble view, that the inconvenience which would be caused to the Applicants and all continuing students of Commonwealth Hall, University of Ghana if the application is not granted would be greater than the inconvenience which would be caused to fresh students if the application is granted.
Of course, equity and good conscience will even suffice that it would be inconvenient to dispossess one who is already in possession or who has been in possession for months or years than one who is yet to be in possession or who has been in possession for some few days or weeks.
I am of the considered view, that it will be fair and just to grant the application pending the determination of the case.
Consequently, I hereby restrain the Respondent, either by itself, or its officers, assigns, privies, agents, workmen or anybody working under the Respondent’s instructions from going ahead to implement the decision of the Respondent per its Residence Board emergency meeting, dated 26th October 2022 against the Applicants and all continuing students of the Commonwealth Hall of the University of Ghana.
The status quo as to the continuing students of Commonwealth Hall, should be maintained as it used to be before the meeting of the Residence Board of the Respondent, dated 26th October 2022.
This order is to be in force until the final determination of the case. The effect is that the residential status of the continuing students of Commonwealth Hall University of Ghana should not be disturbed until the final determination of the case.
All the Applicants are to file one undertaking that if they lose the case, all of them will compensate the Respondent with an amount of GH¢30,000.00. The application therefore succeeds. No order as to cost.
SGD.
FRANCIS OBIRI
JUSTICE OF THE HIGH COURT
See full ruling on the injunction:
THE SUPERIOR COURT OF JUDICATURE
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE COMMERCIAL DIVISION “2”
HELD IN ACCRA ON THURSDAY THE 16TH DAY OF MARCH, 2023
BEFORE HIS LORDSHIP FRANCIS OBIRI
–
RULING
I have read the documents filed in this application by the Respondents/Applicants for leave to cross examine the deponent in the contempt application. I have also heard the submissions for and against the application by the lawyers for the parties.
Under Order 38 rule 2(3) of C.I.47 upon which the application to cross examine the deponent to the contempt application is anchored, the court has discretion whether to grant it or not.
Secondly, it is trite law that a deponent to an affidavit in support of an application under Order 20 of C.I.47 must be able to disclose his source of information. The deponent even need not be a party to the application. The requirements as to the contents of affidavit or the capacity of a deponent to swear to an affidavit under Order 20 of C.I.47 is applicable to all applications.
Order 50 of C.I.47 which is on committal for contempt does not provide a different criterion as to who can depose to an affidavit in contempt proceedings. And if the framers or the makers of C.I.47 wanted an application under Order 50 of C.I.47 to have different criteria, they would have stated so expressly. That is why even a law clerk can depose to an affidavit on behalf of a client his firm represents. The deponent only must disclose his source of information which he believes to be true.
See: 18TH JULY LTD v YEHANS INTERNATIONAL LTD [2012] 1 SCGLR 167
What the law mandates a deponent to do is not to withhold material facts.
See: THE TRUST BANK LTD v G. K. APPIAH AND SONS LTD AND OTHERS [2011] 2 SCGLR 894
In this case, the deponent to the affidavit is one of the applicants and not even someone who is not a party in respect of the application.
Again, it is the law that an application belongs to the applicant and not the deponent to the affidavit. Therefore, the deponent to an affidavit need not be one who has capacity to bring the application.
Consequently, in an application to invoke the jurisdiction of the court, the capacity of the deponent to the affidavit may not be necessary. What is relevant is the capacity of the Applicant.
See: THE REPUBLIC v HIGH COURT (COMMERCIAL DIVISION) ACCRA, EX PARTE NANA OWUSU AFRIYIE AND ANOR (FIRST ATLANTIC BANK – INTERESTED PARTY) [2021] 172 GMJ 424 SC
Even in strict criminal cases, a deponent to an application need not be the party in the case. The deponent must only disclose information based on what he knows to be true. There is no law which says, if a party swears to an affidavit on his behalf and on behalf of another person, he should attach any document as evidence of consent from the other Applicant or person.
I am therefore of the view that the court will not honour the invitation extended to it by the Respondents Applicants to grant their application under Order 38 of C.I.47. The application fails and same is dismissed. The case is adjourned to 3rd April, 2023 at 12:00 noon
A Ranking Member on the Education Committee of Parliament, Dr. Clement Apaak is concerned about what he described as an apparent willful contempt of a court ruling regarding the status of students in one of the institution’s traditional halls.
The court order comes after months of court proceedings which commenced in 2022 as the plaintiff [Some residents of Commonwealth Hall] petitioned an Accra High Court on the University’s new policy. According to the court order, an injunction has been placed on the University’s new policy until a final determination of the case.
However, there has been silence from the Management in the wake of the injunction.
Dr. Apaak, while speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show stipulated that the posturing of the University Management in the wake of the court’s verdict is disrespectful to the law, in that it has still not taken proactive measures to reverse the policy.
“We fail to understand why the University Management has not shown respect and acted accordingly. Because the injunction was granted days, way before what occurred yesterday. So the question then is why did the University Management fail to act on the injunction by putting in place the needed mechanism to ensure that as the court indicated, that the old arrangement should be upheld pending the hearing of the substantive case?
“So it is now clear that the University deliberately chose not to respect the court’s decision. What they’ve done is to go and bring the Police to intentionally harass students,” he said.
The ranking member who had once been a resident of the Commonwealth Hall said that the University authorities are not setting a good example for students by failing to obey the laws.
A former Junior Common Room (JCR) President of Commonwealth Hall, Bernard Oduro Takyi has also argued that, it is worrying for “Professors and Doctors of the academic environment” who are the authorities, to disregard court orders, adding that they’re tainting the excellent image of the University.
Explaining further, Mr. Takyi said that the aggrieved students could have resorted to the use of violence in addressing their issues but chose to seek lawful proceedings. Therefore it is disturbing for professionals themselves to act contrary to laid down procedures.
He added that the University Management should seek redress rather than be silent, if it feels the court erred in its verdict.
Following another clash between Commonwealth Hall and the Mensah Sarbah Hall, the University Management decided to revoke the residential status of all the students and turn Commonwealth Hall, which is a hall for boys only, into a mixed-sex hall.
Some old students of the hall have criticised the policy of the University Management, saying the approach would affect innocent individuals. Other academicians have also expressed disapproval of the policy, saying that the resort to such mechanisms is an indication of Management’s consistent ineptitude in devising robust mechanisms to identify culprits of such incidents.
Meanwhile, in the wake of the injunction which has been met with utter silence from the UG’s Management, students took to picket at the Commonwealth Hall to drum home their request to be given back their rooms. They were met by Police guards who had to use force to repel the crowd.
Dr. Apaak has indicated that he intends to present the issue to the Education Committee of Parliament in order to resolve it.
Ransford Gyampo, a professor at theUniversity of Ghana, has denounced the violent behavior of the university students who engaged in violence on Tuesday, February 14.
Prof Gyampo said on the Ghana Tonight show on TV3 Tuesday, February 14 that the students cannot be allowed to continue their lawless act.
“Some are saying the court has given an injunction so they are going to implement it, it is an act of lawlessness,” he said.
Following the disturbances, the Police said that security has been deepened on the University of Ghana campus for academic activities to continue without any hindrance.
Some University of Ghana students clash with the police in an attempt to reoccupy their hall of residence after court ruling.#3NewsGH pic.twitter.com/zrUPTh7uEg
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) February 14, 2023
Earlier, an Accra High court injuncted the residential policy decision by the University of after some frustrated students of the Commonwealth Hall on Friday January 6, 2023, filed a lawsuit against the university for directing residing students to seek accommodation outside the campus.
Some students on Tuesday February 14 clashed with the police in an attempt to reoccupy their hall of residence after the court ruling.
The Police arrested 18 of them for the disturbances.
The 18 suspects were together with about 200 others believed to be former members of the Commonwealth Hall of the university.
The Police have been able to contain the situation and calm has since been restored.
All 18 suspects are in Police custody and will be put before the court to face justice.
Security has since been deepened on the campus for academic activities to continue without any hindrance.
“We would like to give the assurance that all other persons involved in the disturbances will be arrested and brought to face justice,” the Police said in a statement.
University of Ghana students who are dissatisfied with several administration decisions have gathered in Accra’s Obra Spot to protest.
Students of the university, especially residents of the Commonwealth and Sarbah Halls have been protesting the decision of the university to allow only level 100 students into those halls and relocate continuing students to other hostels.
The new directive to reassign the continuing students to other halls comes on the back of numerous clashes recorded between students of the respective halls in times past.
Hundreds of students who returned to school in January were prevented from entering those two halls and were asked to go to other halls.
The students are also accusing the university management of increasing fees by more than the 15% approved by Parliament.
Citi News‘ Charles Owusu Kumi who reported from the Obra Spot on Friday said the students who are in their hundreds said some of the decisions of the university are unfair and put a huge financial burden on the students.
The students who were clad in red and black bands called on the government to come to their aid and stop the university management from enforcing the unpopular decision.
A planned press conference by students of the Mensah Sarbarh and the Commonwealth Halls of the University of Ghana has been prevented from happening.
This is after a joint team of police personnel, and UG security prevented the aggrieved group of students from going ahead with their planned presser, GhanaWeb can confirm.
The students were to hold the press conference in protest of the decision of the management of the university to revoke accommodation and residency for continuing male students their respective halls.
The decision, captured in a statement by the school management, follows the recent clashes involving the two halls on the university campus.
In a statement signed by the Registrar of the University, the residents were to be randomly assigned to available rooms in any of the University of Ghana Enterprise Limited Hostel (UGEl) and private hostels.
The statement furthered that, continuing female students of Mensah Sarbah Hall and students with special needs in both halls will not be affected.
According to the University Council, the recommendations were from the residence and Academic Board, regarding changes to student residence arrangements and the changes were requested by the council of the University following the repeated incidences of violence involving students on campus.
“All continuing students of Commonwealth Hall and continuing male students of Mensah Sarbah Hall will not return to these halls, or to any of the traditional halls. They are to be randomly assigned to available rooms in any of the UGEL and private hostels. Continuing female students of Mensah Sarbah Hall and students with special needs in both halls will not be affected by this measure,” the statement said.
Due to recent fights on campus, male occupants of the Mensah Sarbah and Commonwealth halls at the University of Ghana would no longer be allowed to live there for the 2022–2023 academic year.
This was stated in a statement released by university management on December 14, 2022.
According to the statement, the impacted students would have their room assignments in the private dorms on the university campus made at random.
“All continuing students of Commonwealth Hall and continuing male students of Mensa Sarbah Hall will not return to these halls, or to any of the traditional halls.
“They are to be randomly assigned to available rooms in any of the UGEL and private hostels. Continuing female students of Mensah Sarbah Hall and students with special needs in both halls will not be affected by this measure,” the statement said.
Only first-year and graduate students would be assigned rooms in the Commonwealth and Mensah Sarbah halls beginning with the following academic year, the statement continued.
“Beginning from the 2022/2023 academic year, only Level 100 and graduate students (Masters and PhD level) will be assigned to Mensah Sarbah and Commonwealth Halls.
“Subsequently, undergraduate students will vacate the halls at the end of Level 100 and may secure accommodation in the private hostels from Level 200 until completion.
“Level 100 students who opt for traditional halls will be randomly assigned to the halls.”
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has proposed six measures for the transformation of the Commonwealth to enable it to serve rich and poor members equally.
They include policies that will facilitate trade and investment, regulate, yet make the flow of labour within Commonwealth countries easier and lead to greater investment in education, skills training, innovation and entrepreneurship for young people.
Ms Botchwey was speaking on the theme: “The Commonwealth in a Changing World” at the British foreign relations think tank, Chatham House in London, last week.
Measures
She also listed the other measures needed to revitalise the Commonwealth as climate adaptation, paying particular attention to small states and boosting the human and financial resources of the Commonwealth institution itself.
“Our citizens watch as we struggle with policies to raise growth in isolation through austerity and high taxes.
“The pie is simply not capable of feeding everyone, unless consumer-based market expansion considers the potential of our 2.5 billion population, 60 per cent of whom are 30 years or younger,” she said.
The Commonwealth comprises 56 countries from five regions, including some of the world’s largest and wealthiest, such as Australia and Canada, and the smallest, among them Tonga and St Kitts and Nevis.
Ms Botchwey said considering the size of its population, demographic and political profiles, as well as wealth and economic potential, the Commonwealth should be the second most consequential organisation of states globally.
“But the question we must ask ourselves is whether it is,” she said.
Industrialisation
The Foreign Affairs Minister further proposed an industrialisation and economic diversification strategy linked to regional integration agreements and economic partnership agreements within and beyond the Commonwealth.
That, she said, would be “a guarantee against the stagnation that is widespread across our countries”.
She advocated a Commonwealth-wide mobility agreement to help redress labour and skills demand through “safe, orderly and regulated migration”.
Again, Ms Botchwey said what she termed as “a common Commonwealth market” would allow work and services to be exchanged without relocation of workers across borders, as well as have young people trained wherever they lived in the Commonwealth.
The bust was mounted in honour of Mensah Sarbah, a lawyer, for his contribution to education in the country in 1963 at the residence hall of the university.
The President of the Junior Common Room (JCR) of the Mensah Sarbah Hall, Samuel Ofori Frimpong, disclosed in an interview with the Ghanaian Times in Accra yesterday that the missing bust was of concern to members of the hall.
Mr. Frimpong appealed to the management of the University to expedite action to ensure the bust was retrieved and mounted back at its original place.
“We are law-abiding students and believe in intellectual engagement, we appeal to the leadership of the university to collaborate with the security agency to get back our bust which is our pride,†he added.
He said students of the hall were calm about the issue and currently waiting in anticipation of the return of the bust.
The JCR president said the university was calm and students were going about their duties without fear.
Additionally, he stated that police personnel were stationed at vantage points on campus to maintain law and order.
Students of the two halls clashed last weekend, a vehicle was set ablaze and the bust of John Mensah Sarbah at the University of Ghana (UG), Legon, vandalised and taken away.
It was unclear what sparked the inter-hall scuffle, which reportedly occurred on Friday and the early hours of Saturday, resulting in setting ablaze a vehicle, injuries to students, and damage to properties running into several cedis.
The virtual convocation of the first graduates of the Commonwealth of Learning (CoL) and Coursera Workforce Recovery Programme has been held.
Of the over 2,000 Africans who graduated from their respective selected online courses, Ghana topped the list, producing a total of 1,200 of the graduates.
Commonwealth of Learning and Coursera entered into a partnership with the Ghana Library Authority (GhLA) to rollout an initiative to support Ghanaians to enroll on over 3,800 carefully curated courses online delivered by top universities and companies.
The initiative The initiative seeks to offer 50,000 Commonwealth citizens an opportunity to attain new skills to enhance job prospects in this COVID-19 period.
The project, launched in May 2020 by the CoL and Coursera, already has 12,227 Ghanaians enrolled.
In a speech delivered for him, the Minister of Education, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh said government was committed to continuing its efforts to make public libraries lively and connected spaces for life-long learning.
He indicated “Our public libraries across the country will continue to be supported as we have done over the past few years and make them connected and lively spaces for life-long learning.
“We are currently equipping public libraries with computers and connecting them to internet to enable them offer more opportunities for our citizens who do not have their own devices and computers to also benefit,†Dr. Prempeh said.
Take advantage Dr Prempeh advised the selected Ghanaians to make use of the opportunity, saying “I wish to encourage all Ghanaians who have been selected to commit to completing their course modules, assignments and most importantly, acquire new skills to make you relevant for the job market or start your own enterprises.â€
Speaking on the convocation, the Executive Director of the Ghana Library Authority Mr. Hayford Siaw said, “The GhLA will continuously ensure that Ghanaians have access to opportunities for self-development to enable them become attractive on the job market, especially during this pandemic period.â€
He stated that he was excited Ghana had the highest number of beneficiaries on the programme and looked forward to working with CoL and other development partners to offer more of such opportunities.
Participants Joining in the convocation were the President and CEO of CoL, Professor Asha Kanwar; the Coursera CEO Jeff Maggioncalda; the Botswana Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology, Dr. Douglas Letsholathebe; and the Namibia Minister of Art, Education and Culture, Ms. Esther Anna Nghipondoka.
AÂ COVID-19Â dashboard has been launched by the Commonwealth Secretariat to help member countries make vital decisions during the ongoing crisis.
The Commonwealth COVID-19 Dashboard is now live and offering crucial data and analysis to help equip governments and health workers with the information they need to tackle the pandemic and its devastating impacts.
Powered by cutting-edge technology and algorithms, the dashboard analyses and compares the latest data on national, regional and pan-Commonwealth levels using information from a range of internationally respected sources such as the World Health Organisation.
To ensure that the data can be used as effectively as possible it presents all of this information using seven-day rolling averages, doubling times and daily percentage changes in cases and fatalities, for each of the 54 Commonwealth countries. According to the Commonwealth COVID-19 Dashboard, the total number of people across the Commonwealth who have tested positive so far stands at 2,601,364 with 98,046 deaths.
The dashboard also reveals the number of confirmed cases and deaths is rising most sharply in Commonwealth countries in the Asia region.
Commenting on the dashboard, Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland said: “This innovative tool will help health workers, governments and officials make the right decisions at the right time using the right information.
“We all must recognize that this crisis is far from over, while the virus is subsiding in some countries it is unfortunately increasing in others. Its impact on people’s health, livelihoods and general well being and on the economies of countries and regions around the world continues to be devastating.
“Having access to robust, reliable and up-to-date information, presented using clear and easy to understand graphics, make the dashboard a valuable tool for those seeking to limit these impacts.”
Other dashboard features include a Trend Analysis Tool comparing current and historic data for multiple countries.
Meanwhile, a Commonwealth COVID-19 Analysis page illustrates the pandemic’s ongoing effects on key social, economic and environmental indicators.
This includes data from a recent United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) report the impact of the virus on the tourism sector a key slice of many Commonwealth economies.
The Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) is set to open its office in Accra, as part of efforts to help promote trade and investment between Ghana and other Commonwealth countries.
Lord Jonathan Marland, Chairman, CWEIC, made this known in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra.
He said if things were to go on as planned, the organisation’s Accra Office would be opened within the next three months.
He said the opening of the CWEIC Office in Accra, would create great opportunities for the great people of Ghana.
He said CWEIC’s mandate is to promote trade and investment across the Commonwealth; stating that the organisation was set up to build a network across the Commonwealth to enable business and investment and to lift up aspirations of member countries.
The CWEIC was established in July 2014 with the support of the Commonwealth Secretariat and member governments.
It is a not-for-profit membership organisation with a remit from Commonwealth Heads of Government to promote trade, investment and the role of the private sector across the 53 member countries.
The CWEIC has a small secretariat based within the Commonwealth Secretariat offices in London.
Lord Marland said CWEIC had been leading trade delegations to Commonwealth countries, as well as countries outside the Commonwealth.
He announced that in June 2020, ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, CWEIC would be holding a very big trade and business forum.
He said the forum, which was slated from June 23rd to 25th, 2020, would jointly be co-chair by him together with President Paul Kagame of Rwanda.
He said the forum would provide a great opportunity for people to discuss investment and business opportunities; which was what that business forum creates.
“So, our job is to bring people together, from across a very discrete group of countries and to present to them the opportunities that exist in those countries,” he said.
“I have no doubt that currently, Ghana is an excellent opportunity for international investors.”
With regards to the impact of Brexit (the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union) on Ghana and other African countries, Lord Marland said Brexit would inevitably have consequences; some very good and some not good.
He said the UK as a strong partner of Ghana, would like to see that partnership grow from strength to strength after Brexit.
Touching on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Lord Marland said it was very appropriate that the AfCFTA’s Secretariat was going to be located in Ghana.
This, he said, was because Ghana is a nation, which believes largely in free trade.
On whether AfCFTA would impact positively on the Continent’s socioeconomic development, Lord Marland said: “I think it is very clear that free trade helps countries come out of poverty. And if you have a nation that sees that they have poverty and that they are not growing as an economy, free trade has been demonstrated throughout the world as a way of lifting countries out of poverty.”
While in Ghana, Lord Marland held discussions with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, the Finance Minister.
