Category: National

"We are very satisfied with the joint declaration of the European Union (EU) with Tunisia adopted today. This is an important first step towards creating a true partnership with the EU that can address the migration crisis but also development for both sides of the Mediterranean in an integrated way," said Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the end of the joint meeting held on Sunday in Carthage, with President Kais Saied, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Netherlands' Prime Minister Mark Rutte. "We have an important opportunity to seize until the European Council's meeting at the end of this month. We must all continue to work hard to achieve a memorandum between Europe and Tunisia that can lay the foundation of a new page in the history between Europe and Tunisia," she pointed out. "We are ready to host an international conference on migration and development in Rome that we talked about with President Saied, as a further step in this journey that we have undertaken together and of course we consider this work useful also to help Tunisia in its negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the framework agreement that remains a priority for the stability and the growth for the country," she indicated.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

Ghana's Parliament will this year, 2023, mark thirty years of uninterrupted parliamentary democracy. To commemorate the milestone, series of activities have been earmarked throughout the year under the auspices of the Speaker of the Eighth Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin. This is contained in a press release issued by Mr Mr Ebenezer Ahumah, Director, Coordinator, 30 Anniversary Celebrations Committee and copied the Ghana News Agency. 'These activities will be celebrated in four regional zones, beginning with the Northern Zone namely Wa,Tamale and Bolgatanga, and will include Mock Parliament, Public Forum and Peace Walk,' it said. The activities, it said would foster civic engagement and enhance public awareness of parliamentary democracy. The commemoration, themed: 'Thirty years of parliamentary democracy under the Fourth Republic: The Journey thus far', will provide an opportunity for Parliament and Ghanaians to reflect on Parliament's achievements, acknowledge challenges and recommit to the principles of democracy, justice and equality that have guided the nation over the years. It said to kick start the celebrations, three key programmes would be held in the Northern Zone; a Mock Parliament in Wa in the Upper West Region on Thursday, June 15, 2023 at the Regional Library Complex. The Mock Parliament, it said, would bring together five selected tertiary education institutions in the northern zone. A public forum would also be held at Tamale in the Northern Region at the University of Development Studies (UDS) campus on Friday June 16, 2023. That, it said would be followed by a peace walk and sporting activities would also take place at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region the next day to climax the activities. The converging point for the event would be the Regional Coordinating Council in Bolgatanga, it added. Ghana's 30th anniversary of parliamentary democracy is a significant milestone for the country and testament to its commitment to democratic governance. It also serves as a reminder of the progress made in the past three decades and the need to continue to strengthen democratic institutions and processes. A television broadcast will showcase the parliamentary journey thus far, with particular emphasis on the pivotal role and significant contributions of women in the history of Parliament. 'Parliament encourages all Ghanaians to actively participate in the 30th anniversary as we reflect on the past and forge ahead, let us strengthen our resolve to preserve and enhance Ghana's parliamentary democracy, safeguarding it for generations to come,' the release said.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad Nabil Ammar met with Speaker of the Zambian Parliament Nelly Butete Kashumba Mutti, as part of his participation in the 22nd Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), held in the Zambian capital, Lusaka, June 6-8. The two officials reviewed the state of bilateral relations, and the challenges facing the two countries, particularly at the economic level. Ammar pointed out on the occasion, the Tunisian approach to manage the migration phenomenon. The meeting offered the occasion to discuss ways to boost bilateral cooperation, considering the possibility to establish a relationship between the two countries' parliaments and form a friendship group between MPs, especially as they are both members of the Pan-African Parliament. The two sides agreed on the importance of exchanging visits between the two countries' officials and businessmen to explore new opportunities for fruitful cooperation.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad, Nabil Ammar, met with his Rwandan counterpart Vincent Biruta in Lusaka. Nabil Ammar was leading the Tunisian delegation to the 22nd Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), hosted by the Zambian capital, from June 6 to 8.

The meeting discussed the bilateral relations and means to strengthen and develop them in a way that achieves the common interest, the Foreign Ministry said in a press release Friday.

The two Ministers highlighted the privileged relations of bilateral cooperation, particularly on the economic front, referring to the development projects implemented by Tunisian companies in Rwanda, such as the rural electrification project undertaken by the Tunisian Electricity and Gas International Company (STEG International Services), worth around 150 million dollars.

On the other hand, the ministers agreed on the need to organise the first meeting of the Joint Commission in order to establish a legal framework to regulate bilateral relations and thus facilitate the exploration of new avenues of cooperation in various areas of common interest.

In this regard, they discussed the possibility of convening joint sector-based committees that would accelerate the pace of trade and economic exchange, particularly in the fields of energy, agriculture, tourism, health and banking.

Finally, the two ministers exchanged invitations for work visits to the two countries and agreed to intensify meetings between businesspersons and organise business forums.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament has sworn-in Mr Ernest Yaw Anim, the newly elected New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Kumawu.

Mr Anim won the Kumawu by-election on the ticket of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), which was conducted by the Electoral Commission (EC) on Tuesday, May 23, following the demise of Mr Philip Basoah.

His swearing-in took place on day one of the Second Meeting of the Third Session of Ghana's Eighth Parliament.

The Leadership of the House congratulated Mr Anim and welcomed him to the House.

Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the NPP Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business in Parliament, commended the people of Kumawu for exhibiting patriotism during the Kumawu by-election.

He prayed that the pending Assin North by-election might be conducted on the same path as the Kumawu one.

He urged Mr Anim to distinguish himself within this limited time, so that his people would see his good works and vote again for him in the 2024 general election.

Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, the Minority Leader, urged Mr Anim to emulate the good works of his predecessor, who was reaching out to both sides of the House.

He urged him to quickly settle down as a Member of Parliament and obviously perform the task that he had to perform according to the Constitution of Ghana.

Source: Ghana News Agency