Day: January 29, 2024

A study undertaken by the Centre for Extractives and Development, Africa (CEDA) has shown that inadequate legislation in Ghana’s mining sector has been a key hindrance to the promotion of active female participation.

The qualitative study showed that existing legislations were generalised and did not force mining companies to undertake gender-based programmes to promote female participation in the sector.

Mr Samuel Osei Bekoe, the Lead Researcher from the Centre for Extractives and Development, Africa (CEDA), at a validation workshop in Accra, called for enhanced advocacy for the creation of specific female roles, to encourage them to take up jobs and occupy leadership positions within mining industries.

The findings of the case study on ‘Enhancing women’s participation in the extractive sector governance,’ undertaken by CEDA with support from the Ford Foundation, revealed a very low female participation of about nine per cent workforce in the country’s minerals mining industry.

Mr Bekoe called for stren
gthened stakeholder collaboration with government, industries and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), to discuss challenges confronting females in their working environments within the sector, and to consider how existing policies and legislations could positively address their concerns.

Some complaints raised by the women included issues of maternity protection, job security, unfavourable working environment, lack of mentorship and fair leadership opportunities and unfair remuneration.

Mr Bekoe suggested that immediate work commenced with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, to develop an effective guideline to push mining industries into adopting female-based programmes to increase access and greater participation of women in the extractive industry in Ghana.

Presenting some key findings of the study, which was institutionally based, he said the generally low level female participation at global and local levels of the extractive sector, could be attributed to years of historical exclu
sion of women, particularly in underground mining, citing the ‘Underground Mining Ordinance of 1926’.

‘This allowed for less female participation in the mining sector due to socio-cultural and traditional reasons,’ but with the current global transformation of the mining sector from a heavy-laden male dominance, some companies were beginning to demonstrate gender-neutral working environment and support, including designing suitable working gears for women miners.

Others had also developed levels of care for females, especially nursing mothers, and opportunities for those who would want to climb up to the governance ladder, while others were yet to adopt innovative systems, he said.

He stated that in countries like South Africa and Norway which had achieved a higher participatory ratio of women in Mining, they had designed straight quota legislations that ensured female inclusiveness in these sectors.

There were also government incentives for companies to adopt gender-based programmes and suggested these a
s the basis for Ghana to consider similar laws in accordance with global best practices, to shape its own extractive sector.

Dr Georgette Barnes Sakyi-Addo, the President of Women in Mining (WIM) Ghana (WIM, called for the involvement of more young females in the extractive industries, urging them to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) courses.

‘Those who are unable to pursue STEM have opportunities to occupy positions in the various sections including administration, accounts, logistics, and supply chain,’ she said.

She also encouraged female professionals on the field to seek regular upgrades of their skills and knowledge on Artificial Intelligence, improved mining methods, look for safe spaces and protect each other, because it was an economic empowerment issue to help them develop their families and nation.

Dr Sakyi-Addo said the very low retention rate of the already limited number of female workers in the mining sector, was a huge concern for WIM Ghana, which was affecting
its efforts at pushing professionals into governance positions within companies.

She said to prevail, there must be increased dialogue to shape, share knowledge, support and encourage each other to remain in the industry.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has reiterated the government’s commitment to eradicate leprosy in the country and care for those affected by the disease.

Vice President Bawumia gave the assurance in Accra on Sunday when he joined the Ghana Lepers Aid Committee and other stakeholders to mark 2024 World Leprosy Day at the Weija Leprosarium.

The day is observed every year on the last Sunday of January to brainstorm on how to eradicate the disease and provide humanitarian support for affected persons.

While calling for cured lepers to be shown much care and love, the Vice President reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to putting in place measures towards eradicating the disease and caring for those affected.

‘Our interventions, over the past seven years, in this regard, include the redevelopment project at Weija Leprosarium, the renovations at Ankaful Leprosarium and General Hospital, the Laboratory for Leprosy and Skin Conditions at Wa, as well as the Leprosy Clinic at Kokofu,’ Dr Bawumia stat
ed.

The Vice President said, that through the District Assemblies Common Fund, the government had also extended care and support to several people affected by leprosy in the country, by providing them food and medical care in Ankaful, Weija, Nkanchina, Wa, Doremu, Ho and Kokofu Districts.

Vice President Bawumia, on the occasion of the World Leprosy Day, cut the sod for the construction of a kitchen for the residents of the Weija Leprosarium and donated funds towards it.

‘Let us all deal with cured lepers with love and care. Their situation is an affliction, which could have happened to any of us,’ the Vice President stressed.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Eli Hini, Chief Executive Officer MoMo PSB Limited Nigeria, has stressed the need to build confidence in a payment system that works to facilitate intra-Africa trade.

He said, ‘There is no denying, the importance of interoperability to deepen financial inclusion and intra-Africa trade. For this to be efficient, one key thing we need is confidence in a system that works.’

He made this statement at the Africa Prosperity Dialogues hosted at the Peduase Presidential Lodge in Accra, Ghana. 

Mr. Hini participated in a panel discussion on ‘Scaling Up Mobile Interoperability to Deepen Financial Inclusion and Intra-African Trade,’ where he underscored the significance of instilling confidence in a functional system. 

The African Prosperity Dialogue is a three-day event being held on the theme:’ Delivering Prosperity in Africa: Produce, Add Value and Trade.’

The Dialogue brought together government and business leaders from across Africa and beyond to exchange ideas on key issues and solutions needed to build and
harness Africa’s growth.

He said in Ghana, ‘we have built confidence in the ecosystem regarding digital payment options provided by network operators such as MoMo.’ ‘Ghanaians have developed trust in using these digital payment options for seamless money transfers with minimal challenges and that is what we must see on the African continent as well,’ he added.

He said for there to be interoperability for African countries to trade among themselves, there must be confidence in a system that works and the infrastructure and technology were readily available.

He urged leaders of the continent to hold the needed conversations to provide the necessary protocols and frameworks that allow integration and interoperability across borders.

Mr. Hini said Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) were important in the journey toward interoperability in Africa. 

He said, ‘ease of participation is a crucial factor in the discussion of interoperability if we want to deepen financial inclusion and intra-Africa trade.’

He said if the governments were finally able to get the framework and structures that allowed them to trade among ourselves, then ‘we must take into consideration the ease of participation.’

 Mr. Hini said SMEs, often grappling with challenges in cross-border trade, should be a focal point, adding that it would be a waste of time to solve the issue of cross-border trade if these people could not benefit from it. 

He said SMEs must be well integrated into the system and given the needed access to leverage the benefits of the agenda. 

‘We must be careful not to put up roadblocks that hinder their participation,’ he added.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has called for an end to stigmatisation against cured lepers and given assurance of the government’s unwavering commitment to supporting them with their basic needs.

The Vice President made the call when he joined residents of the Weija Leprosarium in Accra, the Ghana Lepers Aid Committee and other stakeholders, to mark the 2024 World Leprosy Day.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Bawumia, who is the Chief Patron of the Ghana Lepers Aid Committee, and a strong supporter of lepers in the country, said treating lepers with love was as important as putting in place measures to end the disease.

He, therefore, underscored the need for cured lepers to be treated with dignity and love, as they posed no risk of transmission to others.

‘Many people don’t understand that when leprosy is treated and cured, there is no risk of transmission,’ Dr. Bawumia said.

He added: ‘This is what we have to understand as Ghanaians and as human beings; that when you meet a cured leper, you have to show
them love by touching and hugging them. There is no risk of transmission.

‘Let us deal with the cured lepers with love and care. It is not their fault that they contracted this disease. It is an affliction, which could have happened to any of us.’

While urging society to embrace cured lepers, the Vice President also outlined measures the government had taken in the fight against the disease, including infrastructure development at various leprosaria across the country and support services.

‘We are committed as a government to facilitating the provisions of national programmes to help these marginalised Ghanaians. They represent the very least and downtrodden in our society and they have hope in us. We, therefore, cannot let them down,’ Dr. Bawumia said.

The Vice President noted that over the past seven years, government had improved the fight against leprosy and made discovery in that area through better collaboration with the National Leprosy Program under the Ghana Health Service. Surveillance.

That, h
e said, had improved case findings, increased treatment and reached more persons with the disease.

Inspite of the gains, Dr. Bawumia observed that the disease, unfortunately, had not left the shores of Ghana and pledged to do more to eradicate it.

‘It is still prevalent. However, it has been under reasonable

control because of collaboration with the Ghana Health Service. We still can do more for the good of our people.’

‘Our mission is to end this disease though we faced severe obstacles, but our resilience has made us successful in many areas,’ he said.

The Vice President mentioned government interventions including the redevelopment of project at Weija Leprosarium, the renovations at Ankaful Leprosarium General Hospital, the Laboratory for Leprosy and Skin Conditions at Wa, and the Leprosy Clinic at Kokofu.

‘This year, we are equipping all these facilities through the District Assemblies Common Fund and commissioning them to operate. We have also distributed food to about 500 people

affected by lepro
sy in the country this January, courtesy of the District Assemblies Common Fund.’

‘This year, Ankaful, Weija, Nkanchina, Wa, Doremu, Ho, and

Kokofu districts have all benefited from food and medical supplies. We are grateful to the District Assemblies Common fund,’ he recalled.

Dr. Bawumia cut the sod for the construction of a kitchen for the Weija Leprosarium, which he donated money to support.

World Leprosy Day is observed internationally on the last Sunday of every January to spread awareness about the disease.

Vice President Bawumia, who is a strong advocate against stigmatisation against lepers and often spends the day at leprosaria.

Source: Ghana News Agency

By Eratus Ndueh

The Cameroon Human Rights Commission (CDHC) has issued a press release in response to serious allegations of human rights violations involving a Cameroonian citizen, currently circulating on social media. The allegations include attacks on the right to life, physical and moral integrity, sexual assault, kidnapping and sequestration as well as sexual harassment impacting hundreds of people.

However, as the allegations are anonymous, the CDHC notes that they cannot be dealt with as they should. Typically, the commission would receive the allegations, interview the applicants, examine the evidence and hear from the alleged victims, accused, and witnesses. The CDHC encourages the alleged victims to contact them via their toll-free number, 1523, to enable the commission carry out investigations.

The CDHC also acknowledges a complaint filed by a Cameroon citizen with the Public Prosecutor at the Court of First Instance of Douala-Bonanjo calling for an investigation into individuals for defamatio
n, complicity and death threats.

The CDHC has urged competent authorities to investigate the allegations impartially and take the required legal measures based on the findings and added that they will be closely monitoring developments. As allegations of human rights abuse in Cameroon continue to surface, many are calling for urgent intervention to curb the violation of fundamental human rights of citizens.

The CDHC, which is an independent organization created by law n 2019/014 of 19 July 2019, is responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights in Cameroon. The commission has also established a national mechanism for the prevention of torture in the country.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

The Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) has been awarded a Certificate of Merit on International Customs Day by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

The award is in recognition of the exceptional services provided and commitment to promoting and safeguarding the interests of shippers and stakeholders in the shipping and logistics industry.

It also signifies the critical contribution of the GSA to the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in achieving its revenue target for the year ending 2023.

The GSA received the recognition on the International Customs Day event on the theme: ‘Customs Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose’, which brought together industry players to review their performance and ways to improve the operations of the Customs Division of the GRA.

Mr. Kwesi Baffour Okyere Sarpong, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), GSA, highlighted the importance of partnerships between key State agencies and the private sector for the development of the Shipping Sector.

He reiterated
his commitment to strengthening the existing partnerships between the GSA and the Customs Division of the GRA to serve the interests of shippers.

He said: ‘The collaborative approach signalled by Customs is essential in cultivating an environment that not only supports, but enhances the efficiency, security, and evolving trend of domestic and international trade.’

‘For us at the GSA, any endeavours that facilitate, enable, or enhances the business of the private sector, particularly importers, exporters, and transiters whom we call shippers, is very heartwarming,’ he added.

In a speech read on behalf of Mr. Ian Saunders, World Customs Organization’s (WCO) Secretary-General, the Commissioner of the Customs Division of the GRA, Alhaji Iddrisu Iddisah Seidu, stated that the WCO intended to establish new partnerships with financial and environmental-based institutions, as well as the academia, with the aim of aligning all partnerships with the overarching focus on the value of customs.

Presentations were made
on relevant topics by Mrs. Abena Serwaa Opoku-Fosu, Head of Marketing and Public Affairs at the Tema Port, Mr. Divine Agbeko, Head of Policy and Programmes and Mr. Baffour Yaw Asare, Former Deputy Commissioner of Operations, Customs Division of the GRA.

Source: Ghana News Agency