Day: April 18, 2024

Chief Dr. Doli-Wura, Chairperson of the Africa Union Interfaith Dialogue Forum Steering Committee (AU-IFDF) has reiterated the pivotal role the play in bridging divides and promoting dialogue in their pursuit of peace and unity.

He said through collaborative efforts, interfaith leaders had made tangible and progressive differences in various areas, including, Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution, Prevention of Electoral Violence, Humanitarian Aid and Development, Environmental Stewardship and Healthcare and Public Health.

Chief Doli-Wura made the remarks when he addressed participants on AFRICA’S 2024 G20 AGENDA, ‘2024 Golden Rule Day: Commemorating World Interfaith Harmony Week: The Role of Interfaith Leaders,’ in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Over 700 organizations in more than 165 countries gathered to observe the Golden Rule Day, despite the challenges of war, strife, and natural disasters that affect various regions.

Participants at the conference reaffirmed their commitment to treating others as they wish
to be treated, a principle, rooted in the teachings of different faith traditions, that underscores the importance of empathy, compassion, and mutual respect in promoting peace and harmony in every community.

He noted that in a world, increasingly marked by division, conflict, and inequality, the Golden rule served as a beacon of hope and compassion and reminded us of shared humanity and the importance of empathy, kindness, and respect in all our interactions.

‘As we reflect on the significance of the Golden Rule Day, let us draw inspiration from the timeless teachings of our revered religious leaders, whose exemplary deeds continue to guide us towards compassion, generosity, and unity.

‘Jesus Christ, through his selfless act of multiplying bread to feed thousands, demonstrated the boundless power of love and compassion, transcending societal divisions and embracing all in need.

Similarly, the Prophet Mohammed (SAW), in his final sermon at Arafat, emphasized the principles of brotherhood, solidarity, and
justice, urging his followers to treat one another with kindness and respect’.

The AU-IFDF Chairperson said across diverse cultures and traditions, the essence of the Golden Rule resonated, and guided people to live in harmony with one another and with the natural world.

‘In Hinduism, the principle of ahimsa (non-violence) taught people to treat all living beings with kindness and compassion, recognizing the interconnectedness of all life.

‘The teachings of Buddhism also emphasizes the importance of loving-kindness and empathy towards all sentient beings, promoting a sense of interconnectedness and mutual respect and in Sikhism, the concept of seva (selfless service) underscores the importance of serving others with humility and compassion, regardless of caste, creed, or background’.

On Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution: Chief Doli-Wura said Interfaith initiatives had played a crucial role in promoting peace and reconciliation in conflict-affected regions, adding that, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, relig
ious leaders from different faiths united and promoted dialogue and reconciliation among communities torn apart by ethnic and religious strife.

He said religious leaders again played crucial roles in Prevention of Electoral Violence by promoting peaceful elections, saying that, in countries like Guyana and Zimbabwe, interfaith initiatives had helped mitigate electoral violence by promoting codes of conduct emphasizing non-violence and promoting dialogue among political stakeholders.

On Humanitarian Aid and Development: the Chief underscored the importance of Faith-based organizations at the forefront of humanitarian and development work, providing essential services to vulnerable populations around the world.

‘From delivering emergency relief in the aftermath of natural disasters and to implementing long-term development projects, which collective efforts had made a significant impact on the lives of millions’.

He said on Environmental Stewardship: religious leaders and faith communities had a unique role
to play in addressing the urgent challenge of climate change, adding that ‘through education, advocacy, and collective action, we can raise awareness about the importance of environmental stewardship and promote sustainable lifestyles that respect the Earth and its resources.’

Chief Doli-Wura said on Healthcare and Public Health: Faith-based organizations, with their extensive grassroots infrastructure, were instrumental in delivering healthcare services and advocating for preventative measures and that their moral foundations provided a compelling rationale for promoting health and well-being within communities.

‘From providing access to essential medicines and vaccinations to promoting maternal and child health, the efforts have saved countless lives and improved the overall well-being of communities’.

He said: ‘As we celebrate the ‘Golden Rule Day,’ let us reflect on how we can embody this principle in our daily lives; through small acts of kindness, listening with an open heart, or standing in solidari
ty with those in need’.

‘By the tenets of the Golden Rule, let us humbly add our voices to international, regional and state actors calling on our Nation States at War of any form to refrain from violence and reflect on the harm caused by their respective actions and its violation of the Golden Rule adopted by religious faiths that exist all over the globe,’ he added.

The AU-IFDF Chairperson reminded Leaders of the World that, the Golden Rule was important in their dealings with each other; either, trade and commerce, economic, diplomatic and or national security, saying that it represented timeless principles of empathy, kindness and reciprocity that are essential for fostering harmony amongst States and ultimately, her people, and recognizing our diverse socio-eco-cultural backgrounds.

‘I therefore, implore World Leaders to embrace the Golden Rule, which I believe can lead us to more compassionate and just actions towards each other and thereby fostering peaceful existence and the thriving of our inter-l
inked societies, businesses and mutual interests’.

He appealed to the participants to reaffirm their commitment to living the Golden Rule and applying its principles in their roles as interfaith leaders by promoting peace, tolerance, and compassion.

‘As we celebrate the Golden Rule Day, let us remember that we are all interconnected, bound by our shared humanity and our collective responsibility to nurture our planet and promote the common good,’ he added.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Consul General of Cameroon to Dubai and the Northern Emirates, Donacier Mebouogue, has informed Cameroonians living in these areas that the Consulate will be closed on Friday, April 19, 2024, due to heavy storms. A release stated that those with appointments can only be attended to on Monday, April 22.

On April 16, 2024, heavy storms hit several cities in Dubai, causing enormous damage. The Consul advised all Cameroonains to remain indoors as advised by UAE authorities.

Several cities were hit including areas like airports, and seaports among other business areas.

This was UAE’s biggest rainfall in 75 years.

Schools were shut down while several pictures and videos posted online showed how residents struggled to contain the water.

While others were returning from work, got stuck in the waters.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

A woman was allegedly shot dead on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, on her farm at Adaklu Tevikpo in the Adaklu district.

Mr Eli Keti, the Assemblyman of Adaklu Kpetsu Electoral Area, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that the woman only known as Maama was in her late thirties.

He said the son of the deceased (name withheld) confirmed that his mother left for the farm at about 0530 hours on that fateful day after which his father also told him that he would also be leaving for another farm.

Mr Keti said the boy disclosed that he left his father at home to attend classes, but he went to the farm at about 1400 hours after school in search of his mother at the farm where she was burning charcoal but did not find her there.

He said the boy claimed he later found her mother lying supine with blood all over her body and rushed home to inform his uncles and the chief of the community who later reported the incident to the Adaklu Ahunda Police.

The Assemblyman said the Police later inspecting the body of the de
ceased, found gunshot wounds and had since conveyed it to the Ho Teaching Hospital morgue for autopsy.

Mr Keti said since the incident occurred, Kwame Ayew, the husband of the late Maama absconded and was yet to be seen.

He said some neighbours of the couple had testified that there was a misunderstanding between them, which led to a quarrel a day before the incident.

The Police have confirmed the incident and were looking for Kwame Ayew, whom they considered as the prime suspect.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Zenith Global Health is to host the 4th Africa Healthcare Awards and Summit (AHAS 2024) in Accra.

A statement by the Organisation indicated that, the Summit would take place at the Accra International Conference Centre from April 22, 2024 (summit) to April 23, 2024, (Awards Gala).

It will be on the theme: ‘Advances in Population Health – Tackling Inequalities and Access: A One Health Approach’.

AHAS 2024 would bring together healthcare professionals, policymakers, innovators, and stakeholders from across Africa to discuss pressing issues in healthcare and foster collaboration for sustainable solutions.

The Summit would feature engaging panel discussions, keynote presentations, and interactive side sessions focused on addressing the challenges of population health through a holistic approach.

Topics would include healthcare financing, manufacturing and supply chain management, community engagement, and the role of technology in improving healthcare access and delivery.

‘We are excited to host the 4th Afr
ica Healthcare Awards and Summit in Accra, Ghana. This event serves as a platform for stakeholders to come together, share insights, and explore innovative approaches to advancing population health in Africa.

‘We look forward to productive discussions and meaningful collaborations that will drive positive change across the continent,’ Mary Akangbe, President and Founder of Zenith Global Health, said.

The statement said AHAS 2024 would also include the prestigious Africa Healthcare Awards ceremony, recognising excellence and innovation in various sectors of the healthcare industry.

Awards categories would span healthcare delivery, medical research, technology, and community health initiatives, among others.

‘We are honoured to celebrate the achievements of healthcare professionals and organisations making a difference in the lives of people across Africa. The Africa Healthcare Awards showcase the dedication and commitment of individuals and institutions working tirelessly to improve healthcare outcomes and
promote wellness in our communities,’ Dr Imane Kendili, President of Africa Global Health, Morocco, said.

The statement said registration for AHAS 2024 was open, and encouraged interested participants to visit the official website https://zenithglobalhealth.com/ahas-africa-ticket/ for more information and to secure their spot at the event.

Zenith Global Health was founded in 2016 by the President, Mary Akangbe, a British Nigerian Specialist Nurse Practitioner with over 30 years of experience in the United Kingdom (UK) health system and about 15 years of transforming health across Africa.

Her passion for patients and health systems enabled her to attract support from diverse colleagues and partners to bring Zenith Global Health’s vision to life.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The government has assured both local and foreign investors that Ghana has taken ‘a bitter pill’ to put the country’s energy sector in a state that will make them earn more profitable returns on their investments.

Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, Finance Minister, gave this assurance to investors as the government seeks improved public partnerships to close the US$1.9 billion energy sector financing gap.

‘We assure investors that while there are challenges, we’re bold as a government to take the necessary bullet for us to put the sector in a more sustainable manner so as to address the challenges that investors are usually worried about,’ he said.

He said this at a fireside chat event at the ongoing International Monetary Fund (IMF)/World Bank Group (WBG) 2024 Spring Meetings being held at Washington, USA.

The World Bank event on the theme: ‘Energising Africa: What will it take to accelerate access and improve lives,’ was monitored by the Ghana News Agency.

Ghana is currently experiencing some intermittent power o
utages across the country, but the Minister, who is also an Energy Economist, said the government remained steadfast in solving the electricity challenges.

He allayed the fears of investors while indicating that the government had taken steps to close the US$1.9 billion energy sector financing deficit, which represented some two per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He explained that the deficit could not be financed by relying on the national budget due to the commercial nature of the sector, hence, the need to shore up financing through private sector investment.

The Minister outlined some reforms being implemented to ensure financial sustainability and make investors earn decent profit on their investments in Ghana’s energy sector.

The reforms included the implementation of the Energy Sector Recovery Programme, which started in 2019, and the renegotiation of Independent Power Producers (IPPs) agreements to reduce the cost of generation.

There is also the implementation of a quarterly
tariff adjustment review, which accounts for inflation, exchange rate depreciation, and changes in the generation mix, as well as a cash waterfall mechanism.

‘The cash waterfall mechanism is helping collect revenue and disburse to players along the value chain and ensure that players in the value chain have some cash flow to meet operational cost,’ the Finance Minister said.

He also indicated that in the past Ghana had procured energy through unsolicited projects, but that had changed to the country using competitive procurement to acquire more capacity at a lower cost.

‘We’re more intentional about acquiring capacity and planning for a long-term building of infrastructure for transmission and distribution to ensure that every part of the country gets electricity,’ he said.

Dr Amin Adam disclosed that Ghana had achieved 88.85 per cent of universal electricity access [compared with the 90 per cent industry standard], and was working to reach 90 per cent by the end of 2024.

He added that the yet-to-reach w
ere mainly off-grid and Island communities, which the government was connecting through mini-grids and other smaller systems, as well as procuring more standardised metres for distribution.

One of the measures the government had taken in that regard, he said was through a partnership with the World Bank under a Programme-for-Result scheme to soon procure about one million metres into the country.

The Minister stated that the standardised metres would help harmonise existing metering systems and help to improve revenue collection to support effective operation along the energy sector value chain.

Source: Ghana News Agency