Month: May 2023

Categories
Government Politics

Volta Regional Minister, AGI salute African Ambassadors in Ghana

Akatsi (VR), May 27, GNA - The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) and Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, Volta Regional Minister, have extended their solidarity message to all African Ambassadors in Ghana on the 60th Anniversary celebration of the Africa Union (AU). 'Your deep commitment to Pan-African diplomacy, revolutionary economic policies and promotion of strategic trade alliances have reposition the African Continent for inclusive growth and sustainable development.' This was released in a joint statement on Thursday, May 25, and signed by Mr Dela Gadzanku, the Eastern, Volta, and Oti Regional Chairman of the AGI and Dr Letsa in commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which is now the African Union (AU). 'We wish all African Ambassadors in Ghana a happy celebration on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the Africa Union. We are deeply touched by your dependable support of our efforts, over the past two years, to promote industry through the Volta Fair and Visit Volta initiative.' The statement further commended the historic joint participation in the 2021 'Volta Trade and Investment Fair' which has had a profound impact on the regional economies as well as strengthening productive partnerships. 'In a spirit of solidarity, we express our gratitude and tremendous respect for your leadership. We look forward to building stronger partnerships with you as we prepare to host this year's edition of the Volta Fair which will focus on the African Continental Free Trade Area and Local Economic Development,' the statement added. The 60th anniversary is being celebrated under the slogan 'Our Africa Our Future' using the hashtag #OurAfricaOurFuture. Activities to mark the historical moment will be commemorated all over the African continent by the fifty-five (55) member countries of the AU to showcase major successes, milestones, challenges, and the way forward under Agenda 2063.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Categories
Government

Minister meets families over lynching at Zakpalsi

Zakpalsi (N/R), May 27, GNA - Hajia Lariba Zuweira Abudu, Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection has met with the bereaved families of victims in the recent lynching of two persons at Zakpalsi in the Mion District of the Northern Region. The meeting, which brought together opinion leaders in the area, the bereaved families, and the families, who made the witchcraft accusations, was to help the Minister seek firsthand information over the incident, which occurred on May 07, 2023. Hajia Abudu said the visit was to interact with the families and the traditional authorities in the area on the need to institute measures to safeguard the rights of all, and stop barbaric acts meted out to persons accused of witchcraft. She said it was also to assure the bereaved families that the government was working assiduously to ensure justice was served. She advised persons suffering from any health condition to prioritise medical attention instead of accusing innocent women of witchcraft without any evidence to support their claims.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Categories
Government Politics

AU Calls on Sudanese Warring Parties to Resolve Conflict Through Dialogue

The current Chairperson of the African Union(AU) and President of the Union of Comoros, Azali Assoumani, called on Sudanese warring parties to resolve the current conflicts in Sudan through dialogue and reach a ceasefire agreement.

In an exclusive interview with Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) President Assoumani said that the African Union is doing whatever is necessary to resolve the problem of Sudan and move towards peace and expressed his hope that Sudanese parties would reach ceasefire agreement to settle the widespread conflict in Sudan.

“We are currently discussing on how the AU can resolve this problem, because the African problem needs African solution, together with other bilateral or multilateral partners who want to help us. In any case, to have peace, we need to unite," the chairperson said.

The issue is serious because Sudan is a big country that has at least seven bordering countries, he said, adding the problem is not only the problem of Sudan and the neighboring countries but to the whole of Africa.

“Security issues do indeed unite us. For example, we can't close our eyes to what's happening in Europe today, because the consequences are here too, so security is something that must unite us.”

The chairman of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, on his part told ENA that the conflict in Sudan is unfortunate and the military solution is not sustainable, adding the AU is working hard for the parties on both sides to return to negotiations.

“When we talk about Sudan, unfortunately at the same time, we're in an extremely difficult situation, and we're currently fighting to put an end to it and to get the parties back to the negotiating table, because a problem like this has no military solution.”

Expressing his deep concern about the situation, the chairman urged the warring parties to quickly adopt a peaceful solution and an inclusive dialogue to resolve their differences and firmly reject any external interference that could complicate the situation in Sudan.

“The Sudanese need to agree on a process that will enable them to define the transition and conduct elections so that they can choose who will run the country.”

Citing as example the Pretoria peace agreement, Musa Faki also appreciated the strong leadership and the courage for realization of the peace agreement that has been shown by the federal government of Ethiopia under the leadership of Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed.

“I'd like to thank my Ethiopian brothers, the government and the TPLF for listening to the voice of reason to make peace. Because Ethiopia is one of the countries certain of this continent and therefore we are happy with this achievement because it will open better prospects for peace for people of Ethiopia.”

President Azali Assoumani also noted that he had discussed the issue of Sudan with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and expressed his belief that the ceasefire agreement mediated by Saudi Arabia and the United States would be successful.

The president has also thanked and congratulated Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and all Ethiopian leaders for their achievements in implementing the Pretoria peace agreement for lasting peace in Ethiopia.

He added Africa must seek African solutions to African problems, drawing an example from the Pretoria peace agreement signed between the Ethiopian government and the TPLF.

“I would like to congratulate Prime Minister Abiy for the effort he has made to deal with the problems here, and now he has found unity and peace, which is a good example for other countries, and it's a good lesson that we have found, so we must do the same for other places where there are problems, such as in the Sahel.”

African leaders should encourage and learn from Ethiopia, when we have problems, we should adopt this experience and try to seek African solutions to African problems, AU Chairperson and President of the Union of Comoros underlined.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Categories
Government

Angola Wants to Consolidate Cooperation with Ethiopia: Ambassador Bembe

Angola is keen to further strengthen cooperation with Ethiopia and share the latter's experience in agriculture and industrial parks.

In an exclusive interview with ENA, Angola's Ambassador Niguel Cesar Domingos Bembe noted that Ethiopia is doing very well in agriculture and industrial parks development as well as air service.

He said Ethiopia and Angola have been enjoying very good relations since his country got its independence in 1955, and the two countries signed their first agreement in air service after a year.

With regard to air service, “Ethiopia is the heart in Africa. So, Angola would like to learn and strengthen cooperation in this sector. We have a proposal project agreement from Ethiopia, and Angola still working on it. I think we will have news in the next month about this.”

Ambassador Bembe also said that the countries “need to increase cooperation in other sectors like pharmaceuticals and agriculture as Ethiopia has many experiences in this sectors and Angola needs to learn from Ethiopia in the area of agriculture. I also see that you have many industrial parks and we need to learn from this.”

With regard to regional integration, he stressed that African leaders and even the people need to work seriously for the realization of this if we are to build the Africa we want.

According to the ambassador, for a good integration to happen in Africa the counties need to first develop industrially and build infrastructures at the desired level.

“We are still very late, but we have time. For example, in my country, we are developing some projects in the infrastructure sector in order to make sure that we can facilitate the modernization of our people.”

He further stated that Africans have many challenges, but there is no challenge that cannot be overcome. First comes lack of infrastructures.

Next, there is energy problem in Africa. And for development and industrialization to happen we need energy service, Ambassador Bembe said.

“We have also many political challenges. But I think our leaders are willing to overcome the situation. What we need is unity to make sure that our national goals can also align with continental levels.”

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Categories
Government

Arab League Stand on GERD Sows Suspicion, Discord between Ethiopians, Egyptians: Water Expert

The Arab League position on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) creates suspicion and difference between the fraternal people of Ethiopia and Egypt, Water Administration Consultant Fekahmed Negash said.

He further noted that Ethiopia must thwart the false propaganda being disseminated from other directions too by explaining the facts about the dam to the international community.

Ten years have elapsed since Ethiopia commenced the construction of GERD after carrying out a study based on the principle of mutual benefits of the riparian countries.

GERD is a flagship project which demonstrates that Ethiopia has the aim of developing together with the upstream and downstream countries without causing significant harm to the riparian countries, sticking to the principle of fair and reasonable water utilization.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Categories
General

Nat’l Dialogue Commission to Finalize Agenda, Selection of Participants in Weeks

The Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission (ENDC) stated that it will finish the designing of agenda and selection of participants for the national dialogue in the coming weeks.

In an exclusive interview with ENA, National Dialogue Commission Chairperson Professor Mesfin Araya said the commission has been in the process of selection of participants and designing agenda by gathering ideas from the grass roots across the country.

Selected participants from over 1,300 woredas will select their representatives at zonal level and agendas for the national dialogue will be collected at the capital city of the respective regional states, he added.

Collecting agendas, which is the vital task of the commission, will also be finalized before the conclusion of this Ethiopian budget year and submitted to the National Dialogue Commission, it was learned.

According to the chairperson, the inclusive national dialogue, which is the first of its kind to the country, starts at the grass roots and moves upwards.

The professor finally noted that "we use this chance (the national dialogue) properly and carefully."

He believes that the national dialogue will also play a role in enhancing the culture of democracy and inclusiveness.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Categories
General

AU Peace, Security Council Due to Convene De-escalation plan in Sudan

African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC) will convene the head of states and government to consider for a call to an African Union de-escalation plan for Sudan, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the African Union Commission, Bankole Adeoye told ENA.

The PSC is the standing decision-making organ of the AU for the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts.

“We are committed to continue to work with partners in coordination role based on an expanded mechanism as well as promoting the overriding factors that silence the guns now in Sudan so that there can be resumption of fully representative inclusive political dialogue process,” Bankole elaborated.

According to IGAD, the session will be chaired by President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda today.

On the other hand, reflecting on successes being made by the Organization of the African Unity (OAU) and its successor the AU as we celebrate the 60th anniversary, the commissioner said that Africa continues to make steady progress, despite many challenges facing the continent.

“Africa continues to make steady progress, particularly 60 years after the founding of the Organization of African Unity and now the African Union is seized with these issues of promoting peace, stability and security,” he stated.

Noting the continent remains united, yes he said, mentioning the challenges facing the continent such as terrorism, violent extremism and the insurgency we currently have in Sudan and in many parts of the region.

The commissioner noted the determination and will of our leaders are based on the premises of the founding leaders for unity, harmony and the common agenda that will transform the continent.

Bankole stressed that “peace remains the overriding factor for all our endeavors in different fields including in social-economic and science and technology innovation, education and all remain firmly rooted in a peaceful and secure environment.”

The department of political affairs is working under the leadership of the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat to change the narrative and move towards concrete deliverables in a holistic approach to peace and stability, the commissioner noted.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Categories
General

New Book: Protecting Minority Language Rights- George Ngwane

In this succinct, well-framed work, noted activist and scholar George Ngwane tackles the issue of minority language rights with alacrity.

The book will offer those interested in linguistic rights insights into the dilemmas facing African countries, set against the backdrop of developments in the international framework for the promotion of linguistic rights.

Buy here: Protecting Minority Language Rights – Spears Books (spearsmedia.com)

In drawing on Cameroonian policies of which he remains a key influencer, George Ngwane offers practical insights and bold solutions that should prove insightful for those tasked with determining the intricacies by which African development potential can be realised through measures that promote both the identities and the future socio-economic and development trajectories of their countries.

About the Author

George NGWANE is a Senior Chevening Fellow in Conflict Prevention from the University of York (UK) (2010); a Rotary Peace Fellow from the University of Chulalongkorn, Bangkok, Thailand; (2015) a Commonwealth Professional Fellow tenable at the Minority Rights Group International, London (2016); a Bilingual Commission scholar at the Welsh Language Commission, Cardiff Wales (2016); a United Nations Minority Rights Fellow from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Geneva, Switzerland (2016). OHCHR Senior Fellow, tenable at the United Nations Center for Human Rights and Democracy, Central Africa sub-region, Yaounde (2021-2022). He is since 2017, a Member of the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism (Cameroon). He is since 2019, a member of the Board of Minority Rights Group, International, London as well as Member of the Board of Minority Rights Group Africa (Uganda). He is since 2021, a Member of Rotary Peace Fellowship Alumni Association, New York (USA).

Source: Cameroon News Agency