Madam Botchway expressed concern about the threat by Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso to break away from ECOWAS and form their own union.

She said this at a high-level public seminar on peace, security and stability in an evolving world and its consideration for Africa. It was organized by the Legon Center for International Affairs and Diplomacy, LECIAD.

Madam Botchway called for unity and cohesion among member states of ECOWAS in order to fight the emerging threat of terrorism and extremist violence.

The AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Bankole Adeoye, bemoaned the growing non respect for international laws and norms.

Mr. Adeoye said it is not fair that Africa made up of 55 countries has no permanent member on the UN Security Council.

On Ghana’s upcoming general election, Mr. Adeoye was hopeful it will be peaceful.

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Two incidents are thought to have occurred on Sunday evening and Monday morning, after heavy rains in a remote mountainous area of the Gofa zone.

The local authority said the search for survivors was “continuing vigorously” but that the “death toll could yet increase”.

Footage showed hundreds of people gathered at the scene and others digging in the dirt in search of people trapped underneath.

In the background, a hillside can be seen partially collapsed and a large patch of red earth has been exposed.

Meskir Mitku, the general administrator of the Gofa zone, said women, children, and police officers were among the casualties.

“There was a heavy rain yesterday [Sunday] night and some people died from a landslide,” government spokesperson for the Gofa district Kassahun Abayneh said.

“In the morning [Monday], locals, including police, gathered at the site to save those who were affected by the first landslide. That is when the second landslide happened around 10:00 [07:00 GMT] today and those who gathered there died,” he said in quotes cited by AFP news agency.

Gofa is part of the state known as Southern Ethiopia, located around 320km (199 miles) south-west of the capital, Addis Ababa.

A statement by Gofa zone’s communication department said the death toll had passed 146, and could rise further, AFP reports.

Southern Ethiopia is among the areas of the country that have been hit by particularly heavy rain and flooding in recent months, according to the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha).

But instances of landslides and floods go back further. In May 2016, at least 50 people were killed in floods and landslides following heavy rain across the south of the country.

Many factors contribute to flooding, but a warming atmosphere caused by climate change makes extreme rainfall more likely.

The world has already warmed by about 1.2C since the industrial era began and temperatures will keep rising unless governments around the world make steep cuts to emissions.

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SOURCE: BBC NEWS

The continent, he said, ought to be committed to breaking barriers for increased trade flows and investment opportunities because that was indispensable as the continent sought to unlock its development potentials. 

“To address our development challenges, we need to strengthen partnership and leverage our collective strength,” the President stated in his address at the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of engagement between Africa and Arab worlds, in Accra. 

Ghana is hosting the event, which is designed to chart the course for further development and cooperation between the two regions. 

It is being organised under the auspices of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa’s (BADEA), the Presidency of Ghana and African Union (AU) Commission. 

“BADEA Prosperity Partnership: 50 Years of Africa-Arab Cooperation”, is the theme for the celebration. 

The Bank was established in 1974 as a means to strengthen economic, financial and technical cooperation between Arab and African countries. 

It has played a pivotal role in fostering development, reducing poverty, and enhancing socio-economic ties across the African continent, envisioning a future where the two regions would build bridges of investment and trade flows. 

“To address our development challenges, we need to strengthen partnership and leverage our collective strength,” the President stated in his address at the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of engagement between Africa and Arab worlds, in Accra. 

Ghana is hosting the event, which is designed to chart the course for further development and cooperation between the two regions. 

It is being organised under the auspices of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa’s (BADEA), the Presidency of Ghana and African Union (AU) Commission. 

“BADEA Prosperity Partnership: 50 Years of Africa-Arab Cooperation”, is the theme for the celebration. 

The Bank was established in 1974 as a means to strengthen economic, financial and technical cooperation between Arab and African countries. 

It has played a pivotal role in fostering development, reducing poverty, and enhancing socio-economic ties across the African continent, envisioning a future where the two regions would build bridges of investment and trade flows. 

Over the years, BADEA’s financial commitment to fostering development projects in Africa is estimated to be over US$13 billion. 

President Nana Akufo-Addo, who is the Champion of AU Financial Institutions (AUFIs), was excited at the gains made through the collaborative efforts of the Bank, citing the numerous projects undertaken in the area of infrastructural development, education, health and agriculture. 

One critical area the leaders should focus on was the need to redouble efforts at ensuring access to quality education, he advocated. 

“By investing in human capital, we can create a more inclusive and prosperous future,” he noted. 

Additionally, it is imperative to strengthen the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agenda with the necessary financial and political backing for the benefit of the continent. 

The President was optimistic the BADEA’s 50th anniversary celebration, focusing on the impact of projects on economic growth and social development in African countries, would enhance discussions on working to achieve the development goals of the two regions.  

Additionally, it will foster new collaborations between Arab and African countries, international organisations, and development agencies. 

The anniversary celebration is providing the platform for sharing knowledge, experiences and best practices in the field of economic development and cooperation. 

It will augment discourse on the future challenges and opportunities and outline strategic priorities for BADEA in the coming decades. 

African-Arab development cooperation is considered critical in this era, particularly at a time when most countries are reeling from the global economic and financial challenges. 

Dr Sidi Ould Tah, the President of BADEA, stated that the anniversary celebration would give prominence to deepening Africa-Arab cooperation, policy reforms, infrastructural development, trade facilitation, financial integration, capacity building, as well as advancing private sector engagement. 

 Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group, underscored the need to explore opportunities for value creation in doing business as that was important for the continent to be more competitive on the global market. 

A key component of the anniversary activities relates to drawing on different perspectives on financial resources between Africa and the Arab regions by forging a new “Arab-Africa Financial Consortium (AAFC)”.  

The AAFC is designed to enhance economic development and cooperation in both regions, taking advantage of their collective financial strength.  

SOURCE: GNA 

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Young Ugandans have been organising the march on social media to demand an end to corruption in government.

They have been partly inspired by their counterparts in neighbouring Kenya, who organised mass demonstrations that forced President William Ruto to drop plans to increase taxes. The protests have since morphed into calls for his resignation.

In a televised address, Mr Museveni warned the Ugandan organisers that their planned protest would not be tolerated.

“We are busy producing wealth… and you here want to disturb us. You are playing with fire because we cannot allow you to disturb us,” he said.

Mr Museveni is accused by his critics of ruling Uganda with an iron hand since taking power in 1986, but his supporters praise him for maintaining stability in the East African state.

The president also accused some of the protest organisers of “always working with foreigners” to cause chaos in Uganda. He did not elaborate.

Police had earlier announced that they had refused to give permission for the march to take place.

One of the main protest leaders told AFP news agency that they would go ahead with it.

“We don’t need police permission to carry out a peaceful demonstration. It is our constitutional right,” Louez Aloikin Opolose was quoted as saying.

The UK and US governments imposed sanctions on Uganda’s parliamentary speaker, Anita Annet Among, earlier this year after she was accused of corruption.

She has denied any wrongdoing.

The sanctions bar her from travelling to the UK and the US. The UK also said that it would impose an asset freeze on her.

The UK has enforced similar sanctions on two government ministers who were sacked by Mr Museveni after they too were accused of corruption.

Mary Goretti Kitutu and Agnes Nandutu have been charged in court over a scandal involving the theft of thousands of metal roofing sheets that were intended for vulnerable communities in the north-eastern Karamoja region.

Both have denied the charges.

In Kenya, President Ruto also called for an end to the protests that have hit his government, saying: “Enough is enough.”

The protests are the biggest in Kenya since Mr Ruto took office after winning elections in 2022.

Activists have planned further demonstrations for Tuesday to demand his resignation and for an end to what they call bad governance.

Addressing a rally in western Bomet County, Mr Ruto said the protest organisers could not remain “anonymous”, and should “step forward and tell us what is this violence going to achieve”.

Some protesters stormed parliament last month setting part of it on fire and stealing the mace, the symbol of the legislature’s authority.

Protest organisers say their demonstrations have largely been peaceful.

They accuse the police and the military of responding with brute force, and killing peaceful protesters.

At least 50 protesters have been killed and 413 injured since the protests started on 18 June, according to the state-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.

Kenya’s main opposition leader Raila Odinga has expressed solidarity with the protesters, saying there had to be justice for victims before any talks with the government could take place.

Mr Odinga’s position could undermine Mr Ruto’s attempt to include members of the opposition in his cabinet – a move which the hopes will help end the youth-led protests.

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The sixth African Union Mid-Year Coordination Meetings has opened in Accra with a call on African governments to invest in STEM education and digital learning platforms. 

The meetings will end on July 21, with the 45th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Unions, where leaders will discuss critical issues affecting the continent, including peace and security, economic development, and social integration.

The African leaders are among other things discussing how the continent can build resilient educational systems, that prioritize inclusion, quality and lifelong learning, fit for 21st century education.

The Executive will also discuss the Continental Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy” and “African Digital Compact” which was unanimously endorsed by the African ICT and Communications Ministers last month.

In an address, Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway called for a review of educational curriculum across the continent that fits the current world and promotes inclusion, creativity and critical thinking. She said the Government of Ghana has shown commitment to building an educational system that prepares children for the future.

The asked leaders to harness their strengths to reform the educational sector.

Madam Ayorkor Botchway said ‘certain endearing lessons have emerged from our experiences with STEM education which we hope to share for you kind consideration. By investing in our educators, we have been able to improve their skills and knowledge thereby enhancing their ability to build the capacity of the next generation of citizens’.

“The nature of our educational curriculum must be reviewed. An outdated curriculum cannot meet the needs of today’s generation. It is essential to undertake thorough reviews and where necessary redesign educational curriculum across all levels, “she noted.

The Foreign Affairs Minister noted that the goal should be to foster critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration and creativity as these are skills are essential for thriving in the 21st century.  She added that inclusivity, must be at the height of Africa’s educational policies.

Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Claver Gatete, raised the issue with the continent’s financial challenges which are a result of high indebtedness and dwindling foreign direct investments, worsened by climate change and rising food and energy costs.

He explained that Climate change is costing Africa, about 5 percent of GDP and it is also increasing adding that the global level playing field also remains uneven, especially for Africa. Despite these obstacles, Africa has enormous potential which includes significant arable land, coveted natural and critical mineral resources, major energy renewable potential, a youthful population and a sizable market.

To change the narrative, Mr. Gatete said leaders must build a robust educational system which ensures that three-quarters of African youth have digital skills.

“We must translate this potential into actions, starting with transforming our educational system. Education must be integrated into our industrial policy. We must make deliberate effort to ensure that three-quarters of Africa’s youth without digital skills are equipped to meaningfully participate in the workforce of the future”, he noted.

Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, among other things, pleaded with leaders to redeem their financial pledges for the establishment of the African Humanitarian Agency.

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The two events will respectively take place at the Accra International Conference Center from July 18 to July 21, 2024.

The African Union Mid-Year Coordination Meeting will assess the progress of the Continental Integration Agenda and evaluate the efficiency of the harmonisation of policies between the African Union and the regional economic communities.

“The meeting is also crucial in enhancing the coordination of the implementation of a clear division of labour and effective collaboration between the African Union, regional economic communities, regional mechanisms and member states to rally on the principle of subsidiarity, complementarity and cooperative advantage,” said Mr Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration at a press briefing in Accra.

Ghana was approved to host the African Union media meetings in July 2024 at the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of States and Government of the AU held in Addis on February 17 and February 18, this year.

As part of preparations, a National Planning Committee which became operational in April 2024 was constituted to oversee the preparations of the necessary logistics arrangements for the meetings.

The Deputy Minister noted that the meetings provided an opportunity for Ghana to demonstrate its commitment to the acceleration of the integration agenda of the continent and also help to promote continental unity.

“It may be further recalled that it has been 17 long years since the Republic of Ghana had the privilege to host the African Union Summit in Accra under the able leadership of Ghana’s former President John Agyekum Kufour. And that was in 2007.”

The theme for the event is “Educate an African fit for the 21st century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality and relevant learning in Africa”.

SOURCE: GNA

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It comes after a month of anti-government protests in which scores of people have been killed. More protests are planned for Thursday.

Nairobi city centre has been the heart of the youth-led protests, which have also taken place across the country.

The protests began against unpopular tax rises but after they were withdrawn have broadened out, including demands for President William Ruto to resign.

Online posters calling for people to gather on Thursday at Uhuru Park in the city centre, before matching to State House, the president’s official residence.

Late on Wednesday, the police said “no demonstrations will be permitted in the Nairobi Central Business District and its surroundings until further notice to ensure public safety”.

The ban has sparked outrage online with some arguing that the police do not have such powers, as Kenyan law gives citizens the right to hold demonstrations.

There is already a heavy police presence in the capital in anticipation of the protests.

Acting head of police Douglas Kanja said in a statement that the decision was taken after receiving “credible intelligence that organised criminal groups are planning to take advantage of the ongoing protests”.

“Criminals have continued to infiltrate the protesting groups, resulting in a troubling trend of disorderly and destructive conduct,” it said.

It added that its decision had also been informed by “the lack of designated leadership in previous demonstrations” that had “made it difficult to enforce safety protocols”.

Since the protests began, the president has caved in to some of the protester’s demands, including dropping the contentious finance bill and firing his entire cabinet.

The head of the police also resigned.

But people have been calling for more action against bad governance and corruption and for police to account for the deaths of dozens of demonstrators at recent rallies.

At least 50 protesters have been killed and 413 injured since the protests started on 18 June, according to the state-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.

SOURCE: BBC NEWS

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After making a great success in Tanzania as well as in Kenya and South Africa, namely at the Universities of Irringa, Kenyatta and Johannesburg, the book of the two tanzanian historians, “Hurdles and Prospects of African Integration: The Question of Western Sahara,” edited and published by APE, African Proper Education Network, was launched on Tuesday, 16 July 2024, at the Institute of African Studies at the University of Ghana in Legon, the Republic of Ghana. 

Its launch has seen the participation of a huge number of the Institute’s academicians and historians, especially the experts relevant from the Departments of History and Social Sciences. This event has been marked by the presence of different media stations due to the nature of the topics that concern West Africans in particular and world communities at large.

During his presentation, the Tanzanian historian, Mr. Chuhila Maxmillian, gave the attendants a historical background on the question of sahara, pointing out that there is a historical link between the Moroccan sultans and the saharaoui tribes according to the historical archives on which he depended during his visit to the Saharan provinces of Layoune and Dakhala, two cities situated in the south part of Morocco.

He called during this meeting for a collective African integration in the region in particular and in Africa in general, arguing that Moroccans themselves are able to find a solution to their internal issues since separtatism and separation do not defend the interests of Africa as a unified content in terms of culture and customs, in spite of its ethnic and linguistic diversity.

According to his point of view, unity and integration are the soft arms needed to face any outside threat. In fact, his presentation demonstrated that the Sahara region has seen socio-economic development due to the efforts made by the Moroccan government, especially due to the good intentions of the Moroccan King, who keeps deploying boundless material and moral efforts to make the Sahara a hub for development and investments. It is a region that rejoices in all the good living conditions. 

At the end, the historian called for an effective and constructive dialogue between Moroccans themselves based on common interests in order to put an end to this long-term conflict, taking into consideration the efforts made by the United Nations and the African Union to end this historical dispute.

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They urged Kenyan youth to welcome inclusive conversations in order to appreciate perspectives that may not be obvious to them. The Catholic Bishops at a news conference, commended the youth for articulating many issues in the past weeks, which have led to driving change and highlighting social ills in the country.

They however asked the Gen Z to give room for issues they raised to be dealt with, insisting this can only happen if Kenyans agree to engage each other without apportioning blame. President William Ruto, was commended for declining to sign the controversial Finance Bill and dissolving his Cabinet.

The Catholic Bishops further expressed dismay over an increasing number of abductions and kidnappings in the country.

Source: KBC

Speaker of Parliament Fabakary Tombong Jatta said a majority of MPs had voted against the bill even before its third and final reading, due later this month.

Human rights groups and the UN had urged MPs to block the bill, which was introduced in March after pressure from some Muslim clerics.

The Gambia is among the 10 countries with the highest rates of FGM, with 73% of women and girls aged 15 to 49 having undergone the procedure.

The draft law, tabled by Almameh Gibba, was rejected after MPs voted against all of its proposed clauses.

Ms Jatta said the bill had been “rejected and the legislative process exhausted”, and therefore it could not move to the third reading.

When it was introduced in March, the bill was approved by a majority of MPs, raising the prospect of The Gambia becoming the first country the overturn a ban on the practice.

In the procedure’s most severe form, after removing the sensitive clitoris, the genitals are cut and stitched closed so that the woman cannot have or enjoy sex.

The 2015 ban introduced fines and jail terms of up to three years for perpetrators, and life sentences if a girl died as a result.

FGM is banned in more than 70 countries globally but continues to be practised particularly in Muslim-majority countries, such as The Gambia.

Rights lobby ActionAid had warned that any step to lift the ban would jeopardise The Gambia’s progress in tackling violence against women and girls.

“We as campaigners fought tooth and nail to bring about a ban and an end to FGM/C,” said ActionAid Gambia women rights manager Binta Ceesay.

According to the UN, more than 230 million girls and women around the world have had FGM.

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