Author: Web Desk

China held the Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs in its capital, Beijing, on 27-28, December, 2023. Mr Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), President of the People's Republic of China, delivered an important address. President Xi presented a systematic review of the historic achievements and valuable experience of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era, gave a profound exposition on the international environment and historical mission of China's external work on the new journey. President Xi also made comprehensive plans for China's external work for the present and coming periods. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, historic achievements have been secured and historic changes have taken place in China's external work on the great journey of advancing the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era. First, China has established and developed Xi Jinpin g Thought on Diplomacy, opening up new vistas in the theory and practice of China's diplomacy and providing the fundamental guideline for advancing major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. Second, China has showcased distinct Chinese characteristics, style and ethos in our diplomacy, and established the image of a confident, self-reliant, open and inclusive major country with a global vision. Third, China has advocated the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, pointing the right direction for human society leading to common development, lasting peace and security, and mutual learning between civilizations. Fourth, China has followed the strategic guidance of head-of-state diplomacy, and played an increasingly important and constructive role in international affairs. Fifth, China has taken a holistic approach to our relations with all parties, with a view to fostering major-country dynamics featuring peaceful coexistence, overall stability and balanced development. Sixth, C hina has expanded a comprehensive strategic layout, and formed a wide-ranging, high-quality global network of partnerships. Seventh, China has advanced high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and established the world's most broad-based and largest platform for international cooperation. Eighth, China has worked to both pursue development and safeguard security, and effectively upheld China's sovereignty, security and development interests with a firm will and an indomitable fighting spirit. Ninth, China has taken an active part in global governance, and shown the way in reforming the international system and order. Tenth, China has strengthened the centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, and brought about greater coordination in China's external work. Building a community with a shared future for mankind is the core tenet of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy. It is how China proposes to solve the questions of what kind of world to build and how to build it based on our deepening unde rstanding of the laws governing the development of human society. It reflects the Chinese Communists' worldview, perception of order, and values, accords with the common aspiration of people in all countries, and points the direction for the progress of world civilizations. It is also the noble goal pursued by China in conducting major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics for the new era. Given the series of major issues and challenges facing the world today, China calls for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation. An equal and orderly multipolar world is one in which all countries, regardless of size, are treated as equals, hegemonism and power politics are rejected, democracy is truly promoted in international relations, and true multilateralism must be practiced. A universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation is one that meets the common needs of all countries, especially the developing countries, and properly add resses the development imbalances between and within countries resulting from the global allocation of resources. It is important to resolutely oppose the attempt to roll back globalization and abuse the concept of security, oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, and make economic globalization more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all. In 2024, a new conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will be held in China, and the Belt and Road Initiative is at the beginning of a new decade, which is of great significance to China-Africa friendship and will add fresh dynamism to high-quality cooperation between China and Ghana. Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy in particular, China will continue to uphold the concept of a China-Africa community with a shared future, conduct in-depth discussions on the development of China-Ghana cooperation, focus on key areas, strengthen exchanges and c oordination, and deepen practical cooperation, so as to walk out of a win-win path to address emerging challenges and seize new opportunities. Last but not least, Happy New Year to the Ghanaian people! May the China-Ghana friendship long live forever! Lu Kun, is the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana. A few days ago, he participated in the Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs in Beijing, China. The conference pointed out the direction for China's futural diplomatic work and the development of China-Africa relations. The author thus takes this opportunity to introduce to his Ghanaian friends the guiding principles of the conference and the future prospects of China's diplomacy. Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Bernard Anaba, a Policy Analyst has asked government to ensure a high rate of access of the National Identification Card (Ghana card) by public sector workers to ensure a smooth implementation of the 'no Ghana card, no salary' policy. 'If you want to apply such a measure, then you have to ensure that you have given everybody a fair opportunity to be able to access the Ghana card,' he said in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Thursday. Mr Anaba said it was important for government 'to be about 99 per cent sure that all the stakeholders [public sector workers] that are going to be involved have access to the card.' He noted that over the years, governments had had different forms of identification documents, but they had not been able to help in weeding out 'ghost names' on the payroll. 'This implies that people at the helm of affairs have not been really serious about it,' the Policy Analyst said. 'So, if after the implementation of the Ghana card for some years now, and we think that it's a full proof in terms of data and identifying people as who they are, then it's right to consider it as means to solve the ghost names issue,' he said. He said it was necessary for government to show commitment in the implementation of the policy, saying, 'they must walk the talk, and come out to let the people know what has been achieved through the policy.' 'For citizens, once the policy has been taken on board, it's important to start asking questions after a year or two as to what has happened to the policy and how government has been able to achieve the goals set for it,' he said. Mr Kwasi Kwaning-Bosompem, Controller and Accountant General, Wednesday announced that effective March 2024, any public sector worker without Ghana Card would risk losing his/her salary. This follows the launch of a software solutions that integrates the Mechanised Payroll System of the Controller and Accountant General's Department (CAGD) and the National Identification Authority (NIA) for validation and verification of salaries of government workers. The measure is to help eliminate 'ghost names' from the government payroll, ensure only legitimate government employees are paid, and enhance transparency, efficiency and accountability in the utilisation of public funds. Source: Ghana News Agency

The Ghana Statistical Service will, on January 15, 2024, start the Integrated Business Establishment Survey across the country. Phase I of the survey will provide a comprehensive listing of all business units in the country and information on their characteristics. Phase II, which will start in June, will involve a sample survey of selected businesses to obtain detailed data on their activities. All business units in the country would be enumerated both physically and online, with two new modules: data on the environment and digital finance. The exercise is being implemented by the Service in partnership with the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Association of Ghana Industries, the World Bank, and other stakeholders. Professor Samuel Annim, the Government Statistician launching the survey in Accra, said the Service had trained field enumerators to ensure complete national coverage. The goal of the exercise is to produce an updated statistical business register and generate important data for national development. He said data on activities, locations, ownership, ages, and sizes of businesses would be enumerated to inform policy, planning, and monitoring of business growth. The Government Statistician said the exercise would use tablets to elicit information in a timely and efficient manner. The exercise, he stressed, would provide an update on the employment status of workers employed by businesses to help bridge the gap between the labour needs of firms and the available skills. It will also provide data on the informal sector to guide the development of policies aimed at formalising the economy and improving the welfare of workers. The last survey in 2013 produced 638,224 businesses. The 2024 survey is expected to enumerate 2.4 million businesses in the country. Source: Ghana News Agency

Participants at the Annual New Year School and Conference (ANYSC) have urged the government to extend technology and digital infrastructure to all parts of the country. In addition to other concerns, they called for provision of Information Communications Technology (ICT) facilities and reliable internet services nationwide as the State proceeded with the digitalisation agenda. This was part of a 15-point recommendation presented at the end of the 75th ANYSC held at the University of Ghana in Accra. The session, among other subjects, focused on the potential of technology to drive economic growth, foster innovation, and promote e-governance for participation, accountability, and enhance human capital development. This year's conference was on the theme: 'Nurturing Resilience: Adopting Technology and Embracing Humanism for Sustainable Development'. Dr. Simon-Peter Kafui Aheto, Director of the 75th ANYSC, presenting the document, said: 'Just as ballot boxes are able to reach every community in Ghana, the d igitalisation agenda should cover every corner of the country with facilities such as reliable internet connectivity, hotspot comfort zones, and electronic devices.' Delving into other aspects of digitalisation, the School called for a review of social protection programmes such as the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP), and the Free Senior High School policy, 'to improve access, efficiency, and sustainability'. It said the Ghana card should be used as 'a foundational means of status identification' and help implement a payment system to deal with corruption and challenges in the disbursement of funds to LEAP beneficiaries. The Ministries of Education, Science and Technology, Communication and Digitalisation were also encouraged to ensure that 'practical ICT training begins at the basic school level in Ghana. 'To achieve this, the Ministries should build smart and learner-centred classrooms across all levels of education to make education a vehicle for s ustainable development,' Dr Aheto added in the document, which would be presented to the government. Prof Ankomah Asante, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation, University of Ghana, described the session as insightful, and commended participants for their valuable contributions. Prof. Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe, Provost, College of Education, said the College would continue to lead and create an environment for 'discourse and action'. ANYSC has for the past 75 years been a hallmark for fostering intellectual growth, innovation, and collaboration. This year's forum was in partnership with the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation, Ministry of Education, The Republic of Estonia, Tallinn University, Institute of Democratic Governance and Ghana National Association of Teachers. Source: Ghana News Agency

Public Health Officers of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) have arrested three Nigerien nationals for allegedly selling aphrodisiacs and an obscure liquid substance marketed as a 'heart cleanse.' Ibrahim Bashiru, 25, Mohammed Abu Qassim, 27, and Abdul Salam Abass, 27, were arrested for peddling unlicensed medications to the public. The trio are assisting the police with investigations to determine the origin and composition of the substance and after which they would be put before court. Mr. Gilbert Ankrah, Head of Public Affairs, AMA, said the confiscated substances lacked proper labelling, manufacturing details, and expiration dates, adding that the suspects would face the full rigours of the law. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), he said initial examinations carried out by the Head of the Public Health Department of the Assembly, showed that the liquid reportedly melted a plastic takeaway pack when it was poured on it. Mr. Ankrah said the AMA was collaborating with the Food and Drugs Autho rity (FDA) and other relevant agencies to assess the full extent of the public health risk posed by the illicit substance. 'The AMA is committed to ensuring a thorough investigation and taking necessary actions to prevent any further harm to the public. Stringent enforcement and proactive measures to protect the well-being of the city are in place,' he said. The Head of the Public Health Department at the AMA, Madam Florence Kuukyi cautioned the public against consuming such unapproved medications and substances. She said the consumption of such substances could lead to heart, liver and kidney diseases and urged the public to desist from patronising unlicensed drugs. 'When the men drink it, I hear you feel some burning sensation around your heart thinking it's cleansing it but rather causing serious havoc,' Madam Kuukyi said. She said her outfit would launch an operation to eradicate illegal drug peddlers in the city, while also working closely with the Food and Drugs Authority to ensure strict complianc e. 'This year's operation will be actively promoted to foster public awareness,' she said. Source: Ghana News Agency