Category: General

Russia's most significant opposition leader for the past decade, Alexei Navalny, has died in prison inside the Arctic Circle, the prison service has said. Seen as President Vladimir Putin's most vociferous critic, Navalny was serving a 19-year jail term on charges widely considered politically motivated. He was moved to an Arctic penal colony, said to be one of Russia's toughest jails, late last year. The prison service in the Yamalo-Nenets district said Navalny had 'felt unwell' after a walk on Friday. He had 'almost immediately lost consciousness', it said in a statement, adding that an emergency medical team had immediately been called and tried to resuscitate him but without success. 'The emergency doctors declared the prisoner dead. Cause of death is being established.' Navalny's lawyer Leonid Solovyov told Russian media he would not be commenting yet. Source: Ghana News Agency

AfricaFertilizer, premier source of fertilizer statistics and information in Africa, its donor, and technical partners, have announced the commencement of the 2024 Fertilizer Technical Working Group (FTWG) meetings to be held with key national fertilizer supply chain stakeholders across 18 countries in Africa. FTWGs are set up primarily for industry players to collate, analyze, and validate country-level fertilizer statistics to support data-driven decisions that promote food systems across Africa. In each country, fertilizer value chain actors would be brought together to share, collate, analyze, and validate 2023 national fertilizer statistics and other critical information, which will be widely disseminated to guide business and policy decision-making at all levels. That of Ghana, Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, and Togo is slated for March while Burkina Faso, Mali, and Senegal will be held in April, a statement from the International Fertilizer Development Center, the host of AfricaFertilizer copied to the Ghana News Agency has said. It said, Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Zambia would have their turn in May, while Burundi, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda meeting would be held in June with Nigeria's meeting in November. The statement said access to high-quality, accurate, reliable, and timely fertilizer statistics and information was required in policy and business decision-making. 'Many industry actors unfortunately lack adequate fertilizer statistical information in the form, and at the time that meets their needs. This is where AfricaFertilizer's FTWG activities come in to fill the gap,' it said. The statement quoted Mr Sebastian Nduva, the AfricaFertilizer Lead, as saying, 'Through the FTWG meetings and other platforms and tools, AfricaFertilizer has been working collaboratively with partners, including Development Gateway, the International Fertilizer Association, and the West African Fertilizer Association (WAFA), to illuminate fertilizer markets in several African countries.' He noted tha t AfricaFertilizer was poised to cover more geographical areas to provide the tools industry actors need for their strategic planning to drive food systems in Africa. To arrive at unbiased and acceptable fertilizer datasets on imports, exports, and apparent consumption, AfricaFertilizer convenes public sector stakeholders in the value chain to actively participate in reviewing, and validating the country's fertilizer data to ensure that AfricaFertilizer could provide high-quality statistics. With funding support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, AfricaFertilizer has partnered with Development Gateway since 2021, through the Visualizing Insights on Fertilizer for African Agriculture (VIFAA) programme, to develop and deploy dashboards for Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, and Zambia. The eighth dashboard will be launched this year for Mozambique. These dashboards allow industry players to easily visualize the FTWG-validated statistics at no cost. Mr Ousmane Kone, VIFAA Program Ma nager at Development Gateway said, 'Access to trustworthy, important data will revolutionize the fertilizer industry in sub-Saharan Africa, enhancing the quality of business and policy decision-making and promoting the agricultural industry and the food systems on a large scale.' Dr Innocent Okuku, Executive Secretary of WAFA commended the valuable and high-quality data that FTWG meetings generate every year and said without such credible data, it would be difficult for businesses to plan and identify opportunities to import enough products for supply in the marketplace. In 2023, AfricaFertilizer held FTWG meetings for 17 countries across Africa, and successfully validated 2022 fertilizer data with national stakeholders. The results and outcomes were disseminated widely to guide investments, policy direction, and business decision-making. AfricaFertilizer aims to enhance its services by securing more funding and fostering collaborative partnerships. The objective is to offer comprehensive data and real-tim e information on the fertilizer sector throughout Africa. This initiative seeks to address existing data gaps hindering industry efforts and unlock the agricultural potential across the continent. Source: Ghana News Agency

Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo has asked the Judicial Service Staff Association?(JUSAG)?to embrace?competence, diligence, and integrity?to boost?the confidence?of the public in the judiciary. 'If we as an arm?of government, we in the Judicial Service and Judiciary, are to boost the confidence of the public in this institution, we must embrace?competence, diligence and integrity?as our distinguishing?character.' The Chief Justice also tasked JUSAG to imbibe and infuse these ethical values in the work culture of the service?through the holding of symposia, workshops, learning groups and even gaming competitions. Chief Justice Torkornoo said when she launched?JUSAG's 50-year anniversary, logo, and anniversary cloth at the Law Court Complex in Accra. The 50 anniversary is themed '50 Years of Championing Judicial Excellence: Embracing Integrity, digitization, and upholding?Judicial independence and Staff Welfare. JUSAG was formed at Cape Coast in 1973. The launch brought together Justices of the Sup erior and lower courts, former JUSAG presidents and other executives, the Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana, the Ghana Police Service, and the Trades Union Congress, among others. Justice Torkornoo also encouraged every member of staff to read, study and ensure compliance?with the code of ethics, adding as 'champions?in the justice delivery chain, compliance?with every code of conduct is paramount. She told the staff that the coming years would be exciting and urged them to embrace? digitization, legal literacy, professionalism, and ethical conduct?to maintain excellence because that was the only hallmark?of an efficient justice administration. Justice Torkornoo said the judiciary was up-scaling its electronic justice (e-Justice), adding ' We are moving from just having computers for typing?and printing?in most courts in the country. We are going e-filing and e-payment for court services, e-service of court processes, the management of e-dockets, virtual hearings of cases and stocking?and man agement of e-judgements through e-library. We are also working on administrative services that will also be digitized.' She advised the over 7,000 staff of the service to get on board the digitization drive,?adding technology has come to stay. On staff welfare, the Chief Justice said that has been on her radar. This, she said, was the reason the Quality Assurance Unit of the service was critically looking at the data from the courts to rationalize the caseloads?of courts and?the burden of work. Justice Torkornoo said improved service for members must be always supported by law and asked JUSAG to become a thin tank?that would delve deep into intellectual engagement to bring out 'functionally and validated arrangements?to secure the welfare of staff.? She said the Constitutional Instrument which would comprehensively deal?with condition of service was well advanced and the Judicial Council is keeping 'an eagle eye over the process to bring it to fruition.' Chief Justice Torkornoo pledged her unflinching? support to JUSAG and urged the leadership of the service to conscientize staff to live?up to the standards of their work. Justice Gabriel Pwamang, a Supreme Court Judge, who chaired the occasion, urged JUSAG members to accept the challenge to work effectively as the Judicial Service rolled out e-justice across the country. Justice Pwamang lauded the idea of rewarding staff who distinguished themselves?in the various regions. Mr Samuel Afotey Otu, President of JUSAG, noted that JUSAG over the years had evolved?and grown, adding 'We have?embraced?innovation and modernization to better the people of Ghana.' The JUSAG President said the association has planned a series of events and activities?such as lectures, media engagement, sports, and health walks among others in the regions. 'We have planned to work with my Lady to give integrity?awards to at least?one staff from each region?and overall integrity of the service. This will be done at the climax of the anniversary scheduled to take place in August?2024 at Cape Coast, the birthtown of JUSAG.' Dr Yaw Baah, Trades Union Congress Secretary General, commended the JUSAG and the Judiciary for working hard to protect the rights of workers over the years. According to Dr Baah, the establishment of the Labour Court had played a key role in protecting the rights of workers and organised unions when it comes to dispute resolutions in the country.? Source: Ghana News Agency

Madam Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, Chief of Staff, has urged the National College of Defence Studies to equip its students with the knowledge and expertise required to ensure the country's peace, security, and prosperity. She challenged the College's Management to find a pathway to the harmonious coexistence of natural resources, human well-being, and national progress. Madam Osei-Opare made the call during the Maiden Matriculation Ceremony of the National College of Defence Studies Course 1, 2023 Academic Year. She stated that the establishment of the College demonstrated the government's unwavering commitment to ensuring that the Armed Forces and Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) were equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the complex challenges of the contemporary security landscape. The College was established to nurture and train future leaders of the Armed Forces and Civil Servants from MDAs in Ghana and other African countries with the knowledge, skills, and values req uired to protect and serve their nations. Course 1 had 19 students, including 17 Senior Officers from the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) and one each from the Ministries of Defence and National Security, who studied for 41 weeks. They conducted research in Military Science, Defence Studies, Strategic Studies, International Relations, and related subjects, leading to their earning of a master's degree in strategic studies. The theme of the Maiden Course 1 was 'Environment, Security, and Development' and will be mentored by GIMPA. She said it would address the complex relationship between the environment, evolving security challenges, and the imperative need for development. She expressed the strong conviction that the intricate interplay between these three pillars was essential in shaping a sustainable and prosperous future for Ghana because it addressed the issues raised in the National Security Strategy document. She said as the country embarked on this journey; it was important to recognize the timeliness of the College's establishment. The Chief of Staff said the threats posed by terrorists and violent extremist groups in the sub-region demand that 'we equip ourselves with the necessary tools and insights to address these challenges head-on.' She said additionally, that the recent National Security Strategy document recognized several security challenges, including climate change, youth unemployment, poverty, illegal mining, and vigilantism among others. 'To tackle these security challenges, Ghana's national security strategy document emphasizes the crucial role of enhanced regional cooperation, intelligence sharing, and capacity building,' she added. It also highlights the significance of strengthening border security, improving governance structures, and promoting social and economic development to address the root causes of these challenges. She said the College's vision and objectives aimed at producing graduates imbued with leadership, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills that were required to address Ghana and Africa's complex security challenges. The Chief of Staff said the knowledge and skills the participant would acquire were paramount to improving the future strategic landscape of the country. She encouraged them to fully engage in the process of knowledge acquisition and seek the face of God and the support of their family as they embark on this journey. She assured the Commandant and his faculty and administrative staff of the government's commitment to ensuring that they have the resources and facilities to turn out the products the nation desires to take us to the next level in the quest to develop a better Ghana. Major-General Irvine Nill-Ayitey Aryeetey, the Commandant of the College commended the government for the pursuit of excellence in professional military education in the country. He encouraged the participants not to only see the programme as an opportunity to enhance their career prospects but also to appreciate the overall objective to imbibe in them the critical think ing to shape their approach to providing advice to leadership and guiding them in their future strategic decision making. Source: Ghana News Agency

The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has urged Ghanaians to go back to wearing nose masks to reduce their exposure to dust because of the intensification of the harmattan weather condition. A statement signed by Dr Frank Serebour, the President of the GMA, sighted by the Ghana News Agency, asked the public to stay hydrated by drinking a lot of water throughout the day. 'The increased dust and general dry weather conditions have seriously affected human health, possibly leading to increased respiratory conditions,' it said. 'People with asthma and other chronic respiratory conditions may suffer acute attacks or worsening conditions.' The statement therefore advised that persons with asthmatic conditions must endeavour to always carry their inhalers and take all prescribed medications. Anyone who experienced signs and symptoms of respiratory conditions such as cough, painful swallowing, runny nose, chest pain or difficulty in breathing should immediately report to the nearest health facility, it advised. It urged drivers to avoid over-speeding, especially on dusty roads and at night and the public must avoid bush burning or engaging in activities that could lead to bushfires. Contractors must ensure that roads under construction are well watered to reduce dust pollution. Source: Ghana News Agency