Day: April 19, 2024

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo Thursday commissioned the Permanent Headquarters of the Cote d’Ivoire-Ghana Cocoa Initiative (CIGCI) Secretariat building in Accra.

The historic event represents a key milestone in the two West African countries’ cooperation efforts to improve the cocoa industry’s sustainability and efficiency.

At a ceremony attended by Ivorian Prime Minister Mr Robert Beugre’ Mamber and his delegation, as well as sector stakeholders, President Akufo-Addo called for stronger collaboration among African cocoa-producing countries to deal with emerging challenges posed by the recent increase in global cocoa prices.

He emphasised the pivotal role of cocoa in the economies of both countries and the need for concerted efforts to address shared challenges facing the industry, stating that such coordination was necessary to address those difficulties proactively.

‘In light of recent regulations governing cocoa supply, especially to the European Union, collaborative efforts between Ghana and
Cote d’Ivoire are essential to establish unified positions and safeguard the interests of our farmers.

‘It is imperative for this collaboration to address proactively these challenges, reinforcing the need for cohesive action. We anticipate that this collective initiative will pioneer the way forward for the cocoa industry,’ he emphasised.

The President reaffirmed Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire’s commitment to strengthening their cocoa cooperation.

He said the initiative was a testament to the enduring bond between Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire and the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the African cocoa industry

President Akufo-Addo stated that the siting of the initiative’s headquarters in Accra represented not only what regional unity and cooperation could achieve, but also the two countries’ shared aspiration for a prosperous cocoa economy.

‘This beautiful edifice does not only signify what regional unity and cooperation can achieve. it also represents our shared aspiration for a prosperous cocoa econom
y, one that is modernised and industrialised and delivers wealth to the millions oof hardworking cocoa farmers and producers in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.

‘We are through this cooperation creating the opportunity to revolutionize the cocoa supply chain for the delivery of greater value to our economies,’ he said

The President stated that the current international cocoa market justified the two countries’ course of action, which between them are responsible for 65 percent of global cocoa output and are at the center of the international cocoa trade.

He noted that with the current peak in market prices, a new set of obstacles had emerged, forcing a rethink of previous strategies to sustain or avoid price drops.

President Akufo-Addo remarked that the two countries’ commitment to collective action to achieve prosperity for all in Africa remained unwavering.

He emphasized that growth was dependent on a concerted effort to industrialize and promote fair trade both within and outside of Africa.

The President sai
d that the need for agro-industrialisation was shifting the dynamics of the agricultural sector, and that ‘the cocoa sector in Ghana in particular was witnessing the impact of these changes.’

He said the volume and value of domestic processing had increased, with the overall installed processing capacity jumping to more than 50 per cent of national output, and the total value of exported secondary goods now exceeding $800 million.

‘We are on the trajectory of a modern, prosperous, and a private sector-driven economy anchored on the vision of a Ghana beyond aid. This vision we hope to achieve through a digitalisation to drive efficiency, improve productivity, accelerate access to government services, and improve the ease of doing business,’ he said.

Mr Assanvo, the Executive Secretary of CIGCI, said the initiative had helped to reaffirm the goal of placing the producer back at the heart of the cocoa value chain.

He said the attainment of the Living income differential had survived attacks and the attempts
to seek retribution, and the idea had now become an example for the whole world.

Dr Bryan Acheampong, Minister for Agriculture, said the new office underscored the two countries’ shared objective of advancing cooperation for mutual benefit.

He said that CIGCI was now a well-recognised visible player in the cocoa sector, adding that ‘With acknowledged contributions on a range of topics, which include price traceability, regulations and market outlook.’

Mr. Joseph Boahen Aidoo, Chief Executive of the Ghana Cocoa Board, disclosed that the secretariat building was donated by the Ghanaian government as part of its commitment to the initiative’s success.

Source: Ghana News Agency

By Charity Nginyu

Earlier this month, an elderly couple, identified as Adebola Ezekiel (80) and his wife, Abiodun Ezekiel, were discovered lifeless in their apartment. Reports indicate that the couple

was brutally murdered, with the perpetrator allegedly using daggers to carry out the heinous act.

Jonathan Marcus, the prime suspect in the case, has been apprehended by authorities.

Marcus, reportedly a former driver for the deceased couple, was tracked down and arrested at his hideout in Obajana, Kogi State, as indicated in a report by Sahara Reporters.

The Commissioner of Police for the FCT, Bennett Igweh, disclosed during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Abuja that Marcus confessed to entering the victim’s residence on the day of the incident, slitting their throats, and stealing their mobile phones and ATM cards.

The arrest of Marcus brings a semblance of closure to the gruesome incident, although the motive behind the brutal attack on the elderly couple is yet to be made known.

Sour
ce: Cameroon News Agency

By Charity Nginyu

Earlier this month, an elderly couple, identified as Adebola Ezekiel (80) and his wife, Abiodun Ezekiel, were discovered lifeless in their apartment. Reports indicate that the couple

was brutally murdered, with the perpetrator allegedly using daggers to carry out the heinous act.

Jonathan Marcus, the prime suspect in the case, has been apprehended by authorities.

Marcus, reportedly a former driver for the deceased couple, was tracked down and arrested at his hideout in Obajana, Kogi State, as indicated in a report by Sahara Reporters.

The Commissioner of Police for the FCT, Bennett Igweh, disclosed during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Abuja that Marcus confessed to entering the victim’s residence on the day of the incident, slitting their throats, and stealing their mobile phones and ATM cards.

The arrest of Marcus brings a semblance of closure to the gruesome incident, although the motive behind the brutal attack on the elderly couple is yet to be made known.

Sour
ce: Cameroon News Agency

Mr Awiti Boateng, a-54-year-old victim, who was allegedly attacked by some traditional warriors of the Sunyani Traditional Council has appealed to human rights activists and organisations to support him to seek justice.

According to Mr Boateng some traditional warriors of the Council allegedly attacked, shot, and subjected him to severe beatings during the pre-burial and funeral rites (Dotoyie) of the late ‘Sunyanimanhene,’ Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawiri II in Sunyani.

The victim said he lost one of his fingers and had bruises on his chest area because of the gunshot, however, he was rushed to the Sunyani Teaching Hospital where he was admitted for some time.

Mr Boateng made the appeal through the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview in Sunyani and added that he reported the incident to the Sunyani Police Command.

Narrating his ordeal to the GNA, the victim whose left arm was bandaged and had multiple bruises on his face, chest, and back area, said the sad incident happened around 2300 hours when he was re
turning from work.

Together with his wife, and upon reaching Sunyani Rex Area, he sighted the traditional warriors who signaled him to stop his car, Mr Boateng explained, saying, because he sensed danger he failed to stop the car.

However, one of the warriors who was wielding a pump action gun, allegedly fired through his windscreen, the victim stated, alleging, that they apprehended him and his wife and subjected them to severe beatings in the full glare of some bystanders.

Mr Boateng said he was unhappy about the way and manner the Police CID was handling the matter, saying, though he knew and had provided the name of one of his attackers who fired the gunshot, no arrest had since been made.

When contacted, the Police Officer Richard Opoku, the CID in-charge of the case confirmed the story but told the GNA he had no right to comment or speak to the media on the matter.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Addis Ababa: The Government of Ethiopia is committed to implementing the Transitional Justice Policy which is essential to ensure lasting peace in the country, House of People’s Representatives (HPR) Chief Government Whip Tesfaye Beljige said.

The chief government whip gave the assurance at a consultative meeting held for parliamentarians and high government officials to discuss the Transitional Justice Policy approved this week by the Council of Ministers.

Addressing the meeting, Tesfaye Beljige said the experience of various countries show that appropriately implementing transitional justice is crucial to sustainable resolution of complex crises.

The government has, therefore, shown unwavering commitment for the realization of transitional justice starting from taking the initiative in preparing the document, he added.

Tesfaye elaborated that transitional justice is an important tool to solve deep rooted problems and the government has a clear position to bring lasting peace and stability in Ethiopia by
resolving disputes arising from the past through forgiveness.

For him, the role of all stakeholders is essential to realize the historic national dialogue and the Transitional Justice Policy.

House of People’s Representatives Speaker, Tagesse Chaffo said on the occasion that implementing the policy is essential for a better Ethiopia.

Designing and implementing a participatory transitional justice based on the nation’s political and social circumstances with a clear policy framework is vital, he underscored.

The speaker, who noted that the Ministry of Justice has a huge role for monitoring and coordinating the implementation of the policy and law documents, affirmed that the HPR will continue its unwavering support to the implementation of transitional justice.

Recall that Ethiopia has been making various attempts to resolve human rights violations, civil conflicts, unwarranted narratives and abuses that had occurred and continue in different eras with a wide range of victims and perpetrators.

Source: E
thiopian News Agency

Nyanfeku Ekroful hometown of Prof Nana Ama Browne Klutse was thrown into ecstatic jubilation amidst drumming and dancing in the streets, over her announcement as the first female physics professor in the 75 years of the University of Ghana’s establishment.

The residents said as an indigene of the town in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese (AAK) District, her contribution to the development of the community had been remarkable and she needed to be celebrated.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mrs Esi Acquah, a teacher said her elevation to a full fledged Professor of Physics was not a surprise as she mostly advised girls in the Area to pursue education to the highest level.

She said the soft spoken Prof. Browne Klutse had been offering deep advises that had encouraged more girls who otherwise will have dropped out of school to further their education to the senior high, especially in STEM schools.

In addition, she had supported brilliant but needy students in the area to continue their education to bene
fit the community and the nation as a whole

Mr Nicholas Amoah, a trader said her remarkable performance had made her a beacon of hope and empowerment for the girl child in the community and the district.

He said this will motivate girls to also pursue science subjects and not be deterred because with determination, hope and attitude of learning, it could be achieved.

Prof. Klutse was born on May 1981, at Nyanfeku Ekroful in the AAK District, started her education at Anomabo Methodist Primary and Junior High School.

She continued to Mfantsiman Girls Senior High School and later to the University of Cape Coast to study Bsc. Physics.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Addis Ababa: Mayor of Addis Ababa Adanech Abiebe launched today a 6 months environmental protection campaign that is expected to engage 2.7 million residents of the city.

The campaign organized under the theme ‘Stop Pollution, Beauty Awakes’ will have significant role in the metropolitan city’s thrive towards reducing the adverse impact of climate change.

The projects such as riverside development spearheaded by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed beautifying the capital, Addis Ababa have immense potential to making the city global tourist destination, she elaborated.

Addis Ababa is endowed with various natural resources including 1,300 hectares of land restricted forest and numerous rivers, Mayor Adanech said, and urged residents to discharge due responsibility in keeping the city clean.

The City Administration has planted about 60 million trees over the last couple of years through the national campaign of Green Legacy initiated by Premier Abiy, it was indicated.

Addis Ababa City Environmental Protection Authori
ty CEO, Dida Diriba said on his part that the campaign through broad community base mobilization will create awareness in environmental protection of the city.

The forest coverage of Addis Ababa has increased from 2.8 percent to 15 percent through Green Legacy Initiative following the massive tree planting carried out over the past years, he said, and added that this campaign will likewise have paramount impact.

Furthermore, Dida said that the personal plastic bottle usage of the country has risen from 0.6 kg in 2007 to 2.6 kg in 2022.

The authority is encouraging the use of electric vehicles towards ensuring the reduction of adverse climate change impacts.

Every month is allotted to specific environmental protection including plastic bottles, weather, water, soil, and sound pollutions.

Addis Ababa City Administration Council Speaker, Buzena Al-Kader and over 2,000 residents of the capital attended the launching ceremony.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Dr Francis Baah, a former Executive Director of Cocoa Health, and Extension Division (CHED) of COCOBOD, says he was not aware of any directive to shorten the testing period for chemicals?and fertilizers.

He said he did not recall being in any meeting where Dr Stephen Opuni, a former Chief Executive of COCOBOD, gave any such directives for the testing period to be shortened.?

Dr Baah, who was a subpoenaed witness for Mr Seidu Agongo, a Businessman, was answering questions in a cross-examination in a trial involving Dr Opuni, led by Samuel Codjoe, Counsel for Dr Opuni.

Dr Opuni and Mr Agongo, a Businessman are facing 27charges, including defrauding by false pretences, wilfully causing financial loss to the State, money laundering, and corruption by a public officer in contravention of the Public Procurement Act.

They have both pleaded not guilty to the charges and are on a GHS300,000.00 self-recognizance bail each.

Mr Codjoe told the witness that Dr Franklin Amoah, a former Executive Director of Cocoa Res
earch Institute of Ghana (CRIG) informed the Court in his evidence that Dr Opuni upon resumption of Office issued a directive for the testing period for chemical and fertilizer to be shortened in a meeting.

The Counsel said according to Dr Amoah, in attendance at the said meeting where the directives were given were Dr Baah and Mr James Kofi Kutsoati, the Deputy Chief Executive in Charge of Operations, COCOBOD.

The witness disagreed, saying he did not recall being in that meeting.??

Dr Baah said he could not recall Dr Amoah having any private meetings with Dr Opuni being the Office manager for Dr Opuni.

He said the only meeting he could recall was when Dr Opuni invited Dr Amoah for a discussion regarding bad press about CRIG and his person.

‘Any other private meeting between the two individuals l am not aware of,’ he added.

The witness told the Court presided over by Justice Aboagye Tandoh that when Dr Opuni visited CRIG as part of his working visit, there was an exhibition organised in his honour and h
e met all staff at the recreation centre, where he was introduced to the entire staff.

He said he could not confirm whether there were any separate meetings for the staff and senior managers and scientists as claimed by Dr Amoah.

Dr Baah said, ‘What l can confirm is that the event was held in the open, in front of all scientists and senior managers.’

He said during the Dubar, Dr Opuni did not address any issue with the testing of fertilizer, which would have been unusual.

‘Dr Opuni only addressed the entire staff to work hard and sustain the industry,’ he added. ?The case has been adjourned to Thursday, April 18, 2024

Source: Ghana News Agency