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Namibians from all walks of life are mourning the death of well-known banker Tomas Koneka Iindji who died on Tuesday, aged 44. The late Iindji who died in Windhoek, played a pivotal role in the banking sector where he served for decades. After many years with First National Bank (FNB) Namibia, he became the Head of Business and Commercial Banking for Standard Bank earlier this year. Iindji was a former Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) northern branch chairperson. Standard Bank Namibia in a message of condolences on Tuesday described Iindji as a great man and that his death is a great loss. 'It is with a heavy heart that we wish to inform the Namibian nation of the passing of their beloved champion lindji. We extend our sincere condolences to his wife, children, family, our colleagues who worked closely with him, and the entire Namibian community,' read the message. On his part, former NCCI Chief Executive Officer Tarah Shaanika remembered the late Iindji as a passionate business leader and banker who inspired so many people. He said Iindji was a gifted leader who exuded so much energy and exhibited amazing natural human relations and networking abilities. 'As we mourn his untimely passing and celebrate his life so well spent, we cherish his great legacy that he is visibly leaving behind. He was a great gift to Namibia and humanity. May he rest well,' Shaanika said. Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Tunis: The Institute of Press and Information Sciences (IPSI) inaugurated on Thursday a research laboratory on "Media, Communication and Transition", which will give impetus to scientific research in this sector in Tunisia and promote its influence nationally and internationally," President of the University of Manouba, Jouhaina Gherib said in a statement to TAP. Gherib added that this research laboratory, which specialises in media, communication and transition, is of great importance in the era of the development of information technologies and artificial intelligence, which require in-depth analysis and a critical approach to phenomena through human sciences and communication. She pointed out that the University of Manouba currently has 15 academic units and 34 research laboratories that have proven their effectiveness in scientific research and innovation in a number of fields, including languages, history, geography, economics and management, information technology and biotechnology. For her part, IPS I Director Hamida El Bour said that the new laboratory is an asset for researchers at the institute, which is the only higher education institution that offers research opportunities in information and communication sciences and welcomes researchers from several Arab countries. El Bour pointed out that the laboratory covers four themes: "organisational communication", "political communication", "media and society", including women and information literacy, and "digital information and media". Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

A market survey conducted in the Cape Coast Metropolis by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Wednesday, has shown a significant rise in the prices of vegetables, and cereals compared to the same period last month. A box of tomatoes which sold at GHC1,500, about a month ago is now going for GHC3,500, while a small paint container of tomatoes has gone up from GHC35.00 to GHC 55.00. Additionally, a mini bag of onion has go up from GHc600.00 to GHC1,450.00 while a tin tomato container which was GHC30.00 now sells at GHC60.00. A one kg of garlic has increased from GHC35.00 to GHC40.00 Also, a basket of cucumber sold for GHC100 is now selling between GHC400.00 and GHC500.00. Many traders blamed the situation on unstable weather conditions and the cost of transportation. The traders indicated that the price hikes have led to low sales as for instance, patrons preferred tin tomatoes to the fresh tomatoes. For cereals, a bag of maize rose from GHC600 to GHC800 and a mini bag of millet rising from GHC600 to GHC700. A n 'olonka', a measuring container of white beans, has gone up from GHC13.00 to GHC14.00 whilst a bag of Bambara beans is GHC1,700 from GHC1,200. Madam Gladys Mensah, a trader at the Kotokuraba Market, said there will soon be further increases I the prices of cereals and legumes due to the high cost of transportation. 'Times are hard, there has been fuel price hikes which has made the cost of transporting goods from producers to the market very exorbitant ,' she added. Source: Ghana News Agency

BEJA: The large amounts of rainfall recorded in the last 72 hours in the governorate of Beja are likely to improve the situation of almost 30% of the sown cereal areas, regional agricultural sources told TAP. According to the same sources, the rains will also help to maintain the good condition of 35% of the cereal area. However, Chokri Djebbi, president of the Regional Union of Agriculture and Fisheries (URAP) in Beja, stressed that the recent rains would have no effect on the 35% of sown cereal areas already affected by the lack of rain since the beginning of March. Significant amounts of rain have been recorded in the region over the last 24 hours, including 16 mm in the Nefza delegation, 9 mm in Amdoun, 6 mm at the Kasseb dam and in Beja (weather station), 7 mm in Thibar and 4 mm in Goubellat. Professional organisations and agricultural management structures estimate that grain production in the governorate of Beja will increase in the 2023-2024 agricultural season compared with the previous season. It should be noted that the area sown with cereals during the current agricultural season in the governorate of Beja reached 151 thousand hectares, including 7100 hectares under irrigation. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

Mr Stephen Asamoah Boateng, Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, has hinted that the government is in the process of establishing the Chieftaincy Development Fund. This Fund, when set up, would ensure sustainable financing for chiefs and traditional rulers, and enable them to play their roles as leaders in communities. It will also help traditional leaders to undertake development projects within their traditional areas without waiting for central government, while facilitating capacity building and training programmes for chiefs and queen mothers. Mr Assamoah Boateng speaking at the 'Ahohoo Durbar' at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, said it was high time the chieftaincy institution was strengthened in its position as the fulcrum around which local development revolved. The durbar, which formed part of activities marking the 25th anniversary of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, as the 16th occupant of the Golden Stool, was reserved for chiefs of various tribes domiciled in the Ashanti region to pay homage to the king. The gathering was one of the rare occasions at the seat of the Asante Kingdom, where traditions of the Asantes gave way to a mixture of cultural displays of other tribes. Notable among the tribes present were Ewes, Fantis, Gas, Moshies, Gonjas, Walas, Nzemas, Dagombas, Frafras, Kusases. Other tribal leaders and their subjects from neighbouring countries such as Igbos, Yurobas and the Songhais also attended the durbar. Mr Asamoah Boateng said the Ministry was also reviewing the Chieftaincy Act, 2008 (Act 759) and the Legislative Instruments 798 to reflect the current trend of events and restore some power to traditional leaders. On commendations of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, he indicated that 'as government, we commend your unwavering commitment to raising the standards of education which has benefitted over one million students in Ghana. For over 22 years, several critical sectors such as health, water and sanitation have benefitted from numerous projects of your Otumfuo Charity Fou ndation, not to mention initiatives towards poverty alleviation', he applauded. Mr Asamoah Boateng echoed that it was evident that Ghana could achieve a lot when visionary traditional leaders such as the Asantehene were actively involved in the implementation of development projects. Ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyebi, President of National House of Chiefs, said the Asantehene's contribution to socio-economic, political, and peaceful co-existence was unmatched and highly commendable. He said his recent move on the 'Heal KATH Project,' was one that could linger and lead the nation to ensuring quality health provision. He used the occasion on behalf of his traditional area (Sefwi Anhwiaso) to donate $5,000.00 to the 'Heal KATH Project'. Ogyeahohoo Gyebi touching on the upcoming general elections, indicated that, as the political campaigns intensified, Ghanaians should remain united and preserve the peace, and work towards peaceful and fair elections. He called on all traditional and community leaders to lead in educati ng the people, especially the youth not to allow themselves for any political grouping to exploit their vulnerabilities to engage in violence or any vice which could undermine the individual and community safety or the integrity of elections. Source: Ghana News Agency