CMAM and TICDCE ink agreement on digital content development projectKaneshie Court fines drivers for breaking traffic rules

A cooperation agreement was recently signed between the Ennejma Ezzahra Centre of Arab and Mediterranean Music (CMAM) and the Tunis International Centre for Digital Cultural Economy (TICDCE), aimed at developing an immersive experience inside the palace using virtual reality and augmented reality. The initiative seeks to connect young Tunisians with their musical cultural heritage. Through the development of digital content, this project consists of retracing part of the history of Tunisian music through, among other things, the instruments that have enriched the collections and annals of the Ennejma Ezzahra Palace. This initiative, the CMAM points out, is part of the project to preserve the musical instruments at the Ennejma Ezzahra Palace, a three-year project (2022-2025) funded by CMAM, the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) and the US Embassy in Tunis. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse The Kaneshie District Court has ordered eight drivers to pay a fine of 25 penalty units equivalent to GHC300.00 for breaking various traffic rules. John Aggrey, Etu Kyeadze, Kingsley Owusu, Pascal Asomaning, Evans Aidoo, Jonathan Amoah, Samuel Baidoo and Yussif Ibrahim, will serve one week in prison for failing to pay the GHC300.00 each. All the drivers admitted the offences, including unauthorised parking, impeding other vehicular movements, posing danger to other road users and causing road obstruction. Police Chief Inspector Apeweh Achana giving the facts told the Court presided over by Nana Abena Aso Owusu-Omenyo that on January 3, 2024, between 0800 hours and 0900 hours, police patrol team was on routine checks in some suburbs of the Accra Metropolis to ensure safety and free movements of cars and pedestrians on the roads. The team, he said, encountered the drivers at the Cow Lane Rawlings Park breaching traffic regulations. They were arrested for parking their vehicles on unauthorised places, solic iting for passengers at an unapproved area, causing road obstruction as well as posing danger to other motorists and pedestrians. Chief Inspector Achana said they were processed and put before the Court. Source: Ghana News Agency

Be proactive in submitting financial reports – MMDAs staff urged

Dr. Alexander Otopah, Head of Finance at the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council (ERCC), has advised the accounts staff at the various municipal and district assemblies to be proactive in submitting their financial reports for validation. This, he said, would ensure effective financial reporting and consolidation of accounts. Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Dr. Otopah said the ERCC accounts have been integrated into the national one and that the staff needed to go the extra mile to be able to submit timely reports for validation. He said management would support the various account officers by providing them with basic logistics and professional leadership to enhance effective service delivery at the Coordinating Council. He urged the staff to be guided by the code of conduct of the Local Government Service and the Controller and Accountant General Department in their activities. He expressed gratitude to Mr. Seth Kwame Acheampong, Eastern Regional Minister, and Mr. John A. Donkor, Eastern Regional Coordinating Director, for creating a conducive atmosphere that enabled the accounts unit to assist in executing the numerous programme of the ERCC last year. Source: Ghana News Agency

INEC Ghana to restore 240 hectares of degraded land within Mankrang Forest

The Institute of Nature and Environmental Conservation (INEC) Ghana, an NGO that protects critically vulnerable tree species and ecosystems, is working to restore 240 hectares of degraded land within the Mankrang Forest Reserve in 2024. Mr David Kwarteng, the Executive Director of INEC Ghana, explained that this would include the planting of about 210,000 of varied threatened species in the designated enclave. He said the restoration exercise had become necessary due to the high rate of exploitation of trees such as Pericopsis elata (African teak) and rosewoods and their possible extinct in the near future. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi, he said if critical and effective measures were not taken, these species would soon be extinct and the next generation would not get to see them. The African teak, a hardwood timber, was recently listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Mr Kwarteng told the GNA that, INEC Ghana had since 2020 sought to rest ore degraded forests in the Asenanyo Forest and the Afram Headwater Reserves both in the Ashanti Region. At Asenanyo, the organization had planted African teak alongside with other species like, Ofram and Mahogany. In the Afram Headwaters, the organization is restoring about 130 hectares of land using different kinds of threatened trees species such as rosewoods, African teak, Ofram, Wawa, Odum and others. The Executive Director indicated that for the benefits of the communities surrounding the areas of restoration, INEC Ghana had been training inhabitants in sustainable agroforestry and green businesses such as snail rearing, beekeeping and honey making, grass cutter production among others. These activities are meant to give the people alternative sources of livelihood. Again, INEC Ghana had made conscious efforts to hire the youth and women to work on maintaining these tree species in the forest reserves to serve as employment and enhance their livelihoods. Mr Kwarteng said the organization would con tinue to prioritize the health needs of the people in the operational areas by periodically conducting health screenings and providing recommended medication and advice to those who may need them. Source: Ghana News Agency

Toward a New Era of Common Development with China

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

Toward a New Era of Common Development with China

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