Day: June 2, 2023

Opposition and rights groups in Zimbabwe are bemoaning this week's passing of a so-called "Patriotic Bill" by the lower house of parliament, which they say curtails several fundamental freedoms enshrined in the country's constitution.

Lawyers say if President Emmerson Mnangagwa signs the Criminal Law Code Amendment Bill into law, it will not stand in court because it is flagrantly unconstitutional.

Among other things, the bill would authorize penalties against people found "willfully damaging the sovereignty and national interest of Zimbabwe."

Kennedy Chokuda, clerk of Zimbabwe's parliament, said after the vote, "It's done in the National Assembly, it's now going to the Senate chamber for further debate."

Members of Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF party support the bill, which sailed through the lower house. The senate chamber is dominated by Zanu-PF members. Fadzayi Mahere, spokeswoman for the main opposition party, the Citizens' Coalition for Change, described the bill as "dangerous and unconstitutional," and said Zanu-PF is trying to gain an advantage in the August 23 general election.

"The bill violates sundry constitutional rights and freedoms including freedom of association, freedom of expression, political rights and others," Mahere said. "Zanu-PF has reduced our great nation into an outpost of tyranny. They are clearly in panic mode as we approach an election and on an unbridled crusade to close the democratic space completely in Zimbabwe."

Mahere said Zanu-PF cannot win a free and fair election in Zimbabwe.

"So what we have seen is Zanu-PF retaliating with repressive legislation, with the weaponization of the law. Frankly, no amount of panic despotism by Zanu-PF will stand in the way of change whose time has come," Mahere said.

ZANU-PF officials could not be reached for comment on the bill Friday.

Introducing the bill in parliament late last year, Ziyambi Ziyambi, Zimbabwe's justice minister, said the bill seeks to prohibit private citizens from making false statements or undermining the country, or acting as self-appointed ambassadors meeting foreign officials to undermine national interests.

Musa Kika, a constitutional lawyer who heads the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, said it will be unfortunate if Mnangagwa signs the bill into law.

"This is an unconstitutional law. It infringes on all sorts of civil and political rights that the constitution gives," Kika said. "In my estimation, this bill is the most draconian law that we have seen in independent Zimbabwe. If this law is [passed and signed], obviously it will be challenged in the court of law. If not all of it, then the significant part of it because the bill is manifestly and patently unconstitutional."

It is not clear when — or if — President Mnangagwa, who is currently in Malawi, will sign the patriotic bill into law.

Source: Voice of America

Zimbabwe’s parliament has passed a bill that seeks to punish citizens for “unpatriotic acts,” drawing criticism for its potential impact on democracy.

The bill, known as the patriot clause, aims to penalize individuals who harm the national interest, including those who meet foreign representatives to encourage sanctions or overthrow the government.

The government blames opposition groups for Western sanctions and wants to curtail meetings between opposition members and foreign officials.

The legislation, which received a 99-17 vote in parliament, faces constitutional concerns regarding freedom of association and free speech.

The bill will proceed to the senate for further approval before becoming law.

Critics argue that upholding human rights, not criminalizing criticism, is the way to address sanctions. The bill was passed alongside amendments that include minimum sentences for rape

Source: Nam News Network

Zimbabwe's parliament approved a controversial law that ostensibly promotes patriotism but has been condemned by the opposition as a "draconian" attempt to stifle dissent ahead of national elections. The bill, passed by the lower house on Wednesday evening, criminalises acts that damage "the sovereignty and national interest" of the southern African country. In the most extreme cases, violators run the risk of up to 20 years in prison.

Source: France24.com

The Managing Director of OHU Farms, Mrs Theresa Poku, has been honoured at the Ghana Export Promotion Authority's Women Icons Regional Exhibition in Koforidua, the Eastern Regional capital.

She received a citation for her outstanding role in strengthening the Ghanaian economy through her company's investment in the export of non-traditional products.

Dr Afua Asabea Asare, the Chief Executive Officer, Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), presented the citation to her during the opening ceremony of a three-day trade exhibition, held on Thursday at the Apenteng Hall of the Koforidua Wesleyan Chapel.

She commended Mrs Poku for her ambitious efforts in encouraging young entrepreneurs to strive for excellence.

OHU Farms cultivate pineapples along the Southern Belt of the Eastern Region's Akuapem Hills, and now produces four varieties of jam for both the local and export markets.

Mr Seth Kwame Acheampong, the Eastern Regional Minister, in an address read on his behalf, urged Ghanaians to support female entrepreneurs to acquire skills, funding, and network opportunities that would enable them to succeed.

The Government, he said, remained committed to providing viable avenues through the formulation of appropriate policies to increase exports and rake in more foreign exchange earnings for Ghana.

He lauded GEPA for instituting the Women Icons Regional Exhibitions and believed that female entrepreneurs deserved to be celebrated as a way of encouraging more women to set up businesses.

'By fostering women's engagement in global trade, we can foster gender equality, enhance social progress, and promote cross-cultural understanding,' he said.

Mrs Poku, in her acceptance address, commended GEPA for the gesture and called for stronger collaboration between the Government and the private sector to encourage more investment in the processing of local goods for export.

The Women's Icons Exhibition is an initiative instituted by GEPA in partnership with Access Bank, to promote women-led businesses while building their capacity to contribute to enhance the export market.

The exhibitors, numbering 39, would also benefit from financial management education and social media marketing during the event.

Other regional capitals would host exhibitions this year where prominent female entrepreneurs would be honoured.

Mrs Theresa Poku, a farmer and businesswoman, started pineapple farming along the Southern Belt of the Eastern Region's Akuapem Hills, and now produces four varieties of jam for both the local and export markets.

She accepted a request to mentor young people under the Youth in Export Programme (YiEP), which was launched by GEPA in 2019 to inspire the youth to venture into exports and consequently increase Ghana's non-traditional export base.

Her company is exploring opportunities within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

She has employed more than 100 workers directly and indirectly, currently exports to Europe and the Middle East.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association has scheduled July 6, 2023, as date for the Ordinary Session of Congress at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

The decision comes after the council on Tuesday, May 30,2023 held a meeting at its secretariat on the way forward towards the congress.

The Ordinary Session of Congress provides a platform for the GFA to engage other stakeholders concerning football related issues in Ghana.

GFA in a statement added that ' Congress shall meet in an ordinary session once every football season, usually before the commencement of the said season.'

It noted that article 31 (3) of the GFA statuses allows the council to make available the formal convocation of congress, which contains the agenda, activity report, financial statement and other relevant documents to the members of GFA at least seven days before the main congress.

Source: Ghana News Agency