Day: May 1, 2024

President Nangolo Mbumba said that it is crucial that Namibia put in relentless effort to create a society that values, safeguards and provides equitable pay, secure working environments and career development for every worker. Mbumba made these remarks in a media statement on the celebration of the 2024 Workers' Day, saying it is undeniable that social justice and decent work are not mere ideals but rather essential rights that should be granted to every individual. 'Through our commitment to social justice and creating opportunities for decent work, we are building a society that is fair and inclusive, allowing all Namibians to flourish. On this occasion, we celebrate the Namibian labour movement's significant role in shaping our struggle for independence and social justice, and we take a moment to reflect on the progress and challenges that persist in labour rights,' said the president. He said Namibia's commitment to upholding labour rights is a cornerstone of its democratic principles and social just ice, recognising the inherent dignity and value of all workers. 'Namibia has enshrined labour rights protections within its Constitution and the government has taken deliberate steps to safeguard these rights and protect workers' welfare across all sectors by enacting robust laws and policies, he added. Mbumba however recognised that despite the strides made thus far, the country, particularly the labour fraternity, is still confronted by challenges such as unemployment, disproportionately affecting youth, inflation affecting workers' livelihoods, informal employment and job insecurity. 'As the nation continues its journey towards sustainable development and prosperity, I implore all stakeholders to direct their efforts towards ensuring the full realisation of labour rights. We must intensify our efforts to foster an environment that treats every worker with dignity, respect, and fairness, where prosperity is shared by all, together, let us build a brighter, more inclusive future for generations to come,' he said. The 2024 Workers' Day is commemorated under the theme; 'Social Justice and Decent Work for All', with the main celebration taking place at Rundu in the Kavango East Region. Source: Namibia Press Agency

A cadet constable in the Namibian Police Force was arrested for fraud, forgery and uttering on Monday in the Oshana region. This was confirmed by Oshana Head of Community Policing, Chief Inspector Thomas Aiyambo, on Wednesday. Aiyambo indicated that the suspect, identified as Yule Thomas Nashidhiga, is a 28-year-old man, whose arrest comes a few days before he was set to graduate alongside over a thousand other cadets at the Oshakati Independence Stadium on Monday. According to Aiyambo, Nashidhiga was arrested at the Ruben Danger Ashipala Police Training Centre in Ondangwa and has already appeared in the Magistrate's court, where his case was postponed to the 29 August 2024. He was granted bail of N.dollars 1 500. 'It is alleged that Nashidhiga submitted a forged Grade 12 certificate when he successfully applied for a job in the Namibia Police Force in the Oshana Region between March and June 2023,' he said. He added that the job interview took place in June at Oshakati, after which Nashidhiga was appo inted as a Cadet Constable. He attended Basic Police Training at the Pius Joseph Kaundu Police Training Centre in the Omaheke Region. Aiyambo noted that during the screening and verification process of the qualifications for all the recruits by the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, it was discovered that the suspect forged his Grade 12 certificate. Source: Namibia Press Agency

The National African Peer Review Mechanism (NAPRM), in collaboration with the Commission for Civic Education, has engaged the district oversight committees in the Upper East Region, on corporate governance to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The stakeholders, including business associations, community and faith-based organisations, were drawn from 10 municipal and district and assemblies in the region. At the workshop held in Bolgatanga, they were taken through an overview of the NAPRM activities, the role of the district oversight committees (DOCs), and corporate governance in enhancing Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises readiness for the AfCFTA market. It aimed at equipping them with the requisite knowledge and skills to fully utilise the opportunities the AfCFTA offers, while empowering them for a better implementation,?being the local structures the APRM works with through the NCCE. Mr Samuel Asare Akuamoah, a member of the Governing Council, NAPRM, and Deputy Cha irman of NCCE, touched on the necessity of the workshop following a targeted review it undertook in 2023. The review examined key corporate governance and intra-African trade challenges that must be addressed to facilitate the AfCFTA implementation in Ghana. It was carried out on the theme: 'Corporate Governance as a Catalyst for the Implementation of the AfCFTA in the Republic of Ghana'. Findings of the Targeted Review were that most citizens had inadequate knowledge of the United Nations Agenda 2030, the Sustainable Development Goals, and African Union Agenda 2063 aspirations, including the AfCFTA.? Those were likely to affect citizens ownership and participation in the implementation of the global development frameworks at the community level and undermine the private sector's ability to take advantage of the business opportunities, hence the need for the sensitisation, he said. Madam Winnifred Asare, the Acting Executive Secretary, NAPRM-Governing Council, indicated that the district oversight commit tees, having been educated, were expected to sensitise the business community at the local level. That, she said, would also enable them to identify opportunities in the AfCFTA and benefit from it.? 'AfCFTA is a very big market for everybody, and the understanding of the business community at the local level is key to us, so we are hoping that the committees will be a mouthpiece of the African Peer Review Mechanism to build the capacities of the business community at the local level,' she stated. Alhaji Osman Alhassan Suhuyini, Member, Institute of Directors, reiterated that good corporate governance was essential to the success of every business and called on the DOCs to abide by the laid-down rules and regulations in their organisations. Mr Evans Adeba, a participant, said the workshop had been insightful, giving him valuable information to guide him and the business community in utilizing the opportunities of the AFCFTA. 'I will endeavor to sensitise my colleagues back home,' he added. Source: Ghana News Agency

Dr. Sam Ankrah, an Independent Presidential Candidate and Leader of Alternative Force for Action (AFA) says he will prioritise the welfare and well-being of workers if elected as the President of Ghana in December. 'As we celebrate this day, I want to emphasise the urgent need for fair labour practices, improved working conditions, and a commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of all workers. 'As the leader of Alternative Force for Action (AFA) and a presidential candidate in the upcoming 2024 elections, I pledge to prioritise the welfare, and well-being of workers if elected President of Ghana.' Dr Ankrah said this in a message to commemorate this year's Workers' Day celebrations. He said his administration would ensure compulsory pension schemes for all workers and abolish compulsory retirement age, allowing workers to choose when to retire with dignity. Dr Ankrah stated his commitment to decent earnings and a dignified life for all workers, and the promotion of safety by 'banning the carrying of heavy loads on human heads…' He promised to provide tricycles for 'Kayayo' workers to alleviate their burden and improve their working conditions. 'Introduction of apprenticeship programmes to develop skills, enhance employability, and foster innovation,' he said would be key in his government. Dr Ankra also said he would invest in human capital development through training, capacity building, and education. He called for concerted efforts towards building a more equitable, just, and prosperous Ghana for all, promising to foster patriotism, ethical standards, and national unity among workers. Source: Ghana News Agency

The Human Rights Court 1 has dismissed the interlocutory injunction application filed by Food Sovereignty Ghana (FSG) and others against the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) over the approval given for the registration of 14 GMO crops for food, feed, and processing in Ghana. The court presided over by Her Ladyship, Justice Barbara Tetteh-Charway in dismissing the application on Tuesday April 30, 2024, acknowledged the NBA's diligence in executing its statutory mandate in ensuring the safety and regulatory compliance of GMOs crops within Ghana's agricultural sector. Food Sovereignty Ghana and others on April 10, 2024, filed the motion for interlocutory injunction to restrain the National Biosafety Committee and 4 others from 'releasing into the Ghanaian ecosystem any GM product'. This was contained in a press statement issued by the by the Public Relations Unit of NBA and copied to the Ghana News Agency. The statement said the court also claimed that seeking information from the NBA would have averted t he filing of the present application. The landmark ruling marks a significant milestone for actors in the biotechnology and agricultural innovation space and affirms that science-based functional biosafety systems are important to expand producer choice, inspire consumer confidence, facilitate trade, and promote agricultural research and development. The ruling of the substantive matter is scheduled for Friday May 24, 2024. 'The NBA wishes to assure Ghanaians that it remains committed to ensuring the safety of modern biotechnology in Ghana as well as continuous engagement with stakeholders in a transparent manner,' the statement said. The NBA is a government agency established by the Biosafety Act, 2011 (Act 831) to promote sustainable socio-economic development through the efficient and transparent regulation of modern biotechnology particularly Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). The Authority has the mandate to ensure the safe use, handling, and transportation of GMOs in the country and also provide an adequate level of protection in the field of safe development transfer, handling and use of genetically modified organism resulting from biotechnology that may have an adverse effect on health and environment. Source: Ghana News Agency