Category: General

Mr Joachim Elbazar, the Nabdam District Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Upper East Region, has advised students at the Kongo Senior High School to be vigilant and desist from indulging in mob justice. He said various crimes were punishable by law under the 1992 constitution and until a court of competent jurisdiction found one guilty of a crime, no one had the right to subject a suspect to undue suffering. According to him, such acts could open the floodgate for violent extremism and give rise to rebels that had the tendency of causing instability in the country and called on the students to be guided and act according to the laws of the country. Mr Elbazar said this when he addressed the students on the sidelines of a video show on the activities of violent extremists as experienced in neighbouring countries. He said, 'being vigilant entailed saying something when you see something suspicious in your community by reporting to the rightful authorities, including the securi ty agencies, Assembly members and the chiefs'. The event formed part of the Preventing and Containing Violent Extremism (PCVE) project with funding support from the European Union (EU) and being implemented by the NCCE across eight border regions of the country. The regions include Upper East, Upper West, North-East, Northern, Savannah, Bono, Bono East and the Oti Regions. The project aimed at creating awareness about violent extremism, facilitating activities to engender, among the citizens of Ghana, Security consciousness, social inclusiveness, community cohesion, and situational awareness. It also aimed at engaging citizens on the threat of violent extremism, to prevent the invasion of extremists in Ghana as has been reported in other neighbouring countries. Master Abaa Joseph, a student who spoke on behalf of his colleagues thanked the NCCE for the education and said, 'it will shape our behaviour as we have seen the negative impact of war in the other countries, and we don`t want that to happen in ou r country'. He urged his fellow students to desist from all acts of violence and appealed to the NCCE to continue to have such engagements with them periodically to keep them alert. Source: Ghana News Agency

Adama West Africa Limited, manufacturers of pesticides, insecticides, and fungicides, has engaged stakeholders in the cocoa industry for feedback on use of their products. The engagement was to afford management of Adama West Africa the opportunity to elicit concerns and recommendations from managers, chief farmers, and Produce Buying Companies (PBCs) in the cocoa value chain on the efficacy and potency of applying their products on cocoa farms as part of a Cocoa Enhancement Programme. Mr Joshua Banana Awutey, Marketing and Development Manager of Adama West Africa, speaking at the event said the engagement was part of measures to provide a robust cost-effective supply network to enhance productivity of cocoa farmers. He said with an extensive global presence and direct reach to farmers, his outfit was committed to addressing problems cocoa farmers faced through innovative technology and digital solutions. Mr Awutey mentioned that their products such as Banjo Forte 400 SC, EMA STAR 112 EC, Nicogold 400 OD and Maizine 30 OD among others, were effective and incident-free chemicals which dealt with the blackpod and other diseases on cocoa farms. He encouraged farmers to always read instructions or seek advice from extension officers before spraying chemicals on their farms to avoid complications. Mr Samuel Osei, the Western-South Regional Manager of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), said the news from the Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD that Ghana had lost over 500,000 hectares of cocoa farms to swollen shoot viral disease was a source of concern to the cocoa sector especially, the Cocoa Health and Extension Division. He said cocoa production had declined in the last three years thereby affecting the local economy, adding; 'COCOBOD, therefore, welcomes the collaboration with the Adama West Africa company for crop protection and streamline activities in the sector to increase productivity.' He said as part of the Cocoa Enhancement Programme, COCOBOD had earmarked 900,000 hectares of cocoa farms for pruning throu ghout the country this year, with 222,708 hectares of the total figure being in the Western-South Region. Mr Osei said: 'As part of an agenda Restoration, COCOBOD will assist massive cooperative-led pruning exercise and application of organic fertilisers on cocoa farms to help boost our chances of meeting our target of producing 300,000 metric tonnes of cocoa Western-South Region this year'. Source: Ghana News Agency

WINDHOEK: The funeral of the late President Hage Geingob has been set for 24 February 2024. Source: Namibia Press Agency

GOBABIS: Faith-based organisations and churches at Gobabis on Thursday evening held a candlelight vigil in remembrance of the late President Hage Geingob at the Epako Community Hall. Speakers from different churches and organisations remembered Geingob as a Christian of note and a 'people's president' who advocated for a Namibian house where everyone was welcomed. Speaking at the special night, Bishop GJP Katuuo from Fill the Gap ministries indicated that Geingob's death has united people more than before, so much so that even his critics are saying positive things about him. He further indicated that this is a time to reflect and pray for God's protection for Namibia and its people. 'Maybe our president was given this time to lead our country for nine years. There was no president in the history of Namibia who went through a lot of challenges like our late president,' he said. 'I want us to be strong because now a new president is among us and a new nation is born. We believe by the grace of God that wil l encourage us and comfort us in this difficult time.' Another clergyman, Pastor Benny Anton, said it is time for the nation to thank the president for the service he rendered to the Namibian people. 'We can mourn his death but we know for sure that he has done his part in this country, and we can also be happy while we are busy as we are enjoying the fruits of his work in Namibia. There was always criticism against the president. In this world if you are a leader, you will be criticized. But you must know that even Jesus was criticised by those who were close to him,' Anton said. Source: Namibia Press Agency

The Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD) has called on political parties to introduce measures to support families of persons with disabilities in their various manifestoes. The GFD specifically called on political parties and policy makers to support those who act as informal carers, to support and empower them to manage their caring responsibilities, to remain active in employment, to maintain good health, and to have a life outside of caring. Such measures, the GFD said, should also seek to prevent situations where family members with caring responsibilities are disadvantaged or discriminated against. The Advocacy Committee of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations (GFD) has spearheaded the development of a Disability Manifesto for the 2024 elections. Mr Auberon Jeleel Odoom, Chairman of the Manifesto Committee told the Ghana News Agency that the manifesto will serve as a roadmap to guide policymakers and political leaders in formulating inclusive policies and implementing effe ctive measures to ensure the full participation and empowerment of persons with disabilities in all aspects of Ghanaian society. The manifesto also advocates for the establishment of comprehensive social protection programmes that provide financial support, healthcare, and other essential services to persons with disabilities, families affected by disability, and caregivers of persons with disabilities. Mr Odoom said over the years, political parties have often not involved organizations of persons with disabilities in the development of their manifestoes, which mostly resulted in limited consideration for disability issues in their manifestoes. 'With the 2024 elections approaching, political parties must give due attention to the concerns and aspirations of this marginalized segment of society.' The GFD's Disability Manifesto represents a collective effort to address the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in Ghana and to chart a path toward greater inclusion and empowerment. The Manifesto was arrived at through a nationwide process of consultation within the Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations and its members, as well as its regional branches. The Manifesto represents a collective effort to address the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in Ghana and to chart a path toward greater inclusion and empowerment, Mr Odoom Said. Source: Ghana News Agency