Category: General

OSHAKATI: The Namibian Police Force's Oshana Regional Commander, Commissioner Naftal Lungameni Sakaria, has called on residents of Oshakati to avoid keeping aggressive dog breeds following an incident that left a 35-year-old man hospitalised. The man, Mbundje Benjamin Shituku, was attacked by a pit bull in Oshakati's Evululuko residential area on Saturday. Sakaria told Nampa Shituku had gone to a neighbour's house but when he entered the yard, the homeowner told him to leave. The neighbour reportedly has personal issues with Shituku's brother. 'The owner of the house went to the dog's cage, opened it, and the dog bit the victim on his right hand and right foot,' Sakaria said. He added that the victim sustained serious injuries and he was rushed to the Oshakati State Hospital. Sakaria indicated that no case had been opened yet, but urged residents to not keep aggressive dogs and to not use the dogs to attack people. 'The owners must know that they will face the law at the end of the day and such dogs wi ll be put down,' he said. The community has called for action to be taken against the owner of the dog, as this was not the first time such an incident has occurred. Last year, Ruben Abraham, a 44-year-old security guard employed by Rubicon Security, succumbed to his injuries in hospital after being attacked by five dogs while returning home from work. Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia Monday has launched a $55 million Business in a Box (BizBox) Project to equip Ghanaian youth with knowledge and skills in entrepreneurship for sustainable economic growth. The transformative initiative is a partnership between the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) and the Mastercard Foundation, targeting to empower more than 250,000 youth with start-up kits and financial resources to create jobs. The project would be implemented in the next four years, starting this year to provide start-up kits to 125,000 individuals, market access to 50,000 micro, small and medium-scale enterprises (MSMSEs) and regulatory support to 40,000 businesses across the 16 regions. It is targeting the youth between 15 and 35 years, especially young women entrepreneurs, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and vulnerable groups in the 261 metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) The project would focus on agricultural and agribusinesses, tourism and creative arts, youth social networking a nd building and construction sectors of the economy. At the national launch and sensitisation programme held at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) in Accra, the Vice President said, the initiative would rekindle the entrepreneurship spirit of the Ghanaian youth and create a substantial number of jobs across the country. The project, he said, was in tandem with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Government's vision of creating an additional one million jobs, aside from the 2.1 million jobs already created over the past seven years. The Vice President explained that the BizBox Project would build on the successful rolled out of the 'Young Africa Works-Youth Entrepreneurship and Employment programme (YEEP)', which was executed between 2020 and 2022 that empowered approximately 94,000 youth across the country. 'Now, armed with a budget of USD 55 million, the new BizBox Project sets an ambitious goal to empower 250,000 individuals, support 125,000 with start-up kits, provide market access support to 50,000 businesses, and regulatory support to 40,000 businesses Bawumia stated. The BizBox Project would be implemented across the 16 regions and 261 MMDAs, and benefit diverse groups, including youth, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), vulnerable females, majority women-owned businesses, and female youth-led businesses. Underlining the significance of the initiative, Vice President Bawumia indicated that it symbolized hope and opportunity for the Ghanaian youth, encompassing the provision of tools, knowledge, and support necessary to initiate, develop, own, and grow successful businesses in Ghana. The project would be implemented by the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) under five pillars namely; Youth Skills Development, Access to Market, Access to Startup Kits, Youth Social Networks, and Institutional Strengthening, Policy, and Regulatory Support. Mrs Kosi Yankey-Ayeh, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GEA, in her welcome remarks, expressed the Agency's commitment towards the successful implementa tion of the BizBox Project. She noted that the initiative was in alignment with the existing government programmes and policies to create jobs for the teeming youth. 'We recognise the importance of collaboration and partnership, to this end, BizBox will leverage partnerships with private sector BDS providers, industry associations, and various stakeholders to ensure the success and sustainability of this programme. 'We stand committed to supporting the dreams and aspirations of the youth, nurturing a generation of innovative and successful entrepreneurs who will contribute to the growth and prosperity of our nation,' she said. Mr Kobina Tahir Hammond, the Minister of Trade and Industry, lauded the MasterCard Foundation for providing budgetary support for the project and expressed confidence that it would serve as a catalyst for youth entrepreneurship and promote economic growth and productivity. The ceremony was attended by key government functionaries, including Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, Minister of Finance, K ojo Oppong Nkrumah, Minister of Information, Mr Henry Quartey, Greater Accra Regional Minister, Mr Sylvester Tetteh, Member of Parliament for Bortianor-Ngleshie Amanfro and Board Chairperson of the Ghana Enterprise Agency, as well as some officials from the Mastercard Foundation. Source: Ghana News Agency

KATIMA MULILO: The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare is battling to keep vulnerable youth off the streets, even after rehabilitation efforts, a senior social worker at Katima Mulilo, Elsie Saushini, has said. In an interview with Nampa, Saushini said some youths, despite having homes, appear to prefer to spend time on the streets, engaging in begging and other activities. According to the 2023 statistics, the ministry screened 28 youth, aged between 16 and 14, with 80 per cent of them being male. Saushini said they hail from informal settlements. 'These children come from informal settlements like Macaravani East and West and Dairy with single parents, mostly mothers. The fathers are not in the picture,' Saushini said. She said some of the youths live with their grandparents, who may lack the strength and energy to effectively monitor and guide them. Some attend school in the morning but return to the streets after school to beg for money and food. Some have transitioned from begging to sellin g small items like sweets, eggs, and vegetables for their upkeep, despite being registered for social grants, the social worker said. In an attempt to address the rising number of youth on the streets, Saushini said the ministry investigates each case and explores alternative living arrangements with families before considering foster homes. 'However, the allure of street life, particularly the financial gains, often draws them back to the streets,' she said. Saushini cautioned about the dangers associated with adopting street life as a lifestyle, including potential involvement in drug and alcohol abuse, as well as prostitution. She urged parents to collaborate in monitoring and discouraging street life among their children. Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Avram Grant - Head Coach of Zambia has sent a warning to the Atlas Lions of Morocco ahead of their final group game in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Speaking after their one-all draw with Tanzania Coach Grant said, they would go all out against Morocco to secure the three maximum points. 'We already know that Morocco is a big team but we are not afraid of them. We would play them and I hope we would put up a good performance. 'We would have to show character,' he declared. 'That's what we try to do every day, get better. And on all levels. Since I have been coaching this team, we have progressed in several areas, but we must continue. 'Even when you become champion, you have to continue to improve the team,' he noted. Coach Grant was, however, disappointed with the one-all draw with Tanzania saying 'it was a disappointing results'. 'It's a disappointing result. We knew it wouldn't be an easy match after watching Tanzania's match against Morocco. 'It's true that we started well too but we concede d a goal quickly and that changed our tactics especially after the red card,' he said. 'It's difficult to play with ten players. But I'm happy with the boys' reaction. They gave everything to come back,' he stated. Source: Ghana News Agency

Christian Abor, a 34 -year-old 'Kete' (locally woven cloth) Weaver at Akatsi Deti New Town in the Akatsi South Municipality, has been jailed for eight years in hard labour by a Sogakope Circuit Court for defiling a seven-year-old class one pupil. The convict, during his appearance at the Sogakope Circuit Court, pleaded not guilty to the crime of defiling a child under 16 years and sodomy. Detective Chief Inspector Joseph Ajongbah, prosecuting, told the Court presided over by Mr Joseph Mark Ali, that Crime t the convict, a native of Deti New town, engaged in the act with the victim, a pupil of Akatsi. He said the victim (Boy), who lived with his parents at Deti New Town, was sent on an errand by his mother to buy palm oil around 1700 hours on June 13, last year when he met the convict. Chief Inspector Ajongba narrated that the convict, after meeting the victim and asking him a few questions, parted ways. However, Mr Ajongba said the victim, back on his way home, met the convict again, who emerged from a cassava farm. 'Convict lured the victim to a nearby uncompleted building under the pretence of offering him a gift, where he ordered him to remove his dress and forcibly had anal sex with him.' On June 14, last year, the convict was arrested by the Akatsi Police after the victim had reported the incident to his parents. Mr Mark Joseph Ali, the Sogakope Circuit Court Judge on Thursday, January 18, after a full trial, found the accused guilty, and he was convicted and sentenced to a prison term. He was convicted and sentenced on the charges of Defilement of a Child under 16 years (Sodomy) contrary to section 101(2) of Act 29/60 as amended by Act 554 section 11 of the Criminal Code. Source: Ghana News Agency