Category: Politics

Accra: Dr Donald Agumenu, a leadership and governance expert , and a former Special Assistant to Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings, has chastised Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia for describing himself as 'just a driver's mate' in the governance of the country. He said President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo had engaged him as his Co-Pilot to stear the affairs of the country and that he ought to take responsibility for the stewardship. Dr Agumenu wss commenting on the Vice President's address to the nation following his election as the Preaidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party, in Accra. Dr Bawumia's address served as a precursor to his official campaign launch, following his election as Falgbearer of the New Patriotic Party in November 2023. In the address, said he was only a driver's mate in the government and that he would become the driver if elected President. Dr Agumenu said Ghana was a serious business, which called for true accountability for stewardship and true service to the nation. 'Mr Mate , do you want to shift blame to the Driver? I don't think that is just. Who is responsible for fuel, maintenance and other strategic roles in making sure the vehicle is safe as well as its passengers and the environment. 'For a number 2 citizen with serious leadership expectations and acclaimed expert power in the maintenance of the health of the vehicle (the economy of Ghana) to speak in that manner is not only unfortunate, but very disappointing. Ghana deserves better leadership to champion the affairs of the State,' he said. The Vice President highlighted the major achievements of the Akufo-Addo-led Government over the past seven years and outlined his vision for Ghana should he be elected as the President on December 7. Since becoming Flagbearer, Dr Bawumia has repeatedly articulated his intention to digitise Ghana's economy, create sustainable jobs, and build an inclusive system that aligns with global demands. 'My vision is to build an inclusive, food self-sufficiency, data-driven and systems-based nation that will fully participate in the global digital revolution,' he told supporters of the Party in his victory address on November 4, 2023. Dr Bawumia pledged to unleash the ingenuity of the youth in various sectors such as information technology, robotics, entrepreneurship, creative arts, and sports, among others, to build a mighty nation. On digitalisation, Dr Agumenu said 'the evolution started with a solid telecommunications infrastructure over time, including the latest investments in the Accra Digital Centre, Rural Fibre Network, Metro Fibre Network and many others championed by President John Dramani Mahama.' Source: Ghana News Agency

A number of Tunisian and Algerian citizens, Thursday, commemorated the 66th Anniversary of the Sakiet Sidi Youssef events. On this day in history, on February 8, 1958, dozens of people were killed during a French air strike against the inhabitants of this small village, falling within the governorate of Kef. The French army retaliated against Tunisian locals for providing support and assistance to the fighters of the Algerian National Liberation Front. For 66 years, the events of Sakiet Sidi Youssef have been regarded as a privileged opportunity to highlight the strong ties between the Tunisian and Algerian people. The commemoration ceremony was attended by Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, Abdelmonem Belati, Minister of Vocational Training and Employment Lotfi Dhiab and Economy and Planning Minister Feriel Ouerghi. From the Algerian side, it was attended by Interior Minister, Ibrahim Mourad, and Minister of Mujahideen and Rights Holders, Laïd Rebigua. The Tunisian-Algerian ministers laid a wr eath at the foot of the martyrs' memorial and recited the Fatiha (the opening Surah of the Quran) in their memory. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad Nabil Ammar, on Thursday, met with Italian Diplomat Alessandro Prunas, who handed him a copy of his credentials as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Italian Republic in Tunis. The meeting highlighted the "excellent bilateral relations and ways to develop them in several areas, through the shared vision of the leaders of the two countries on a number of issues of common interest." Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad Nabil Ammar on Thursday received South Africa's Ambassador in Tunis Siphosezwe Masango, at the end of his tenure. The FM voiced satisfaction at the long-standing and strong relations binding Tunisia and South Africa, underlining Tunisia's willingness to further cement them, according to a Foreign Ministry press release. He recalled that the year 2024 coincides with the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Tunisia and South Africa, underscoring the fruitful and constructive cooperation achieved since 1994 as well as the convergence of views on regional and international issues, first and foremost the just Palestinian cause. For his part, the South African Ambassador expressed gratitude to the Tunisian authorities for the support provided to him during his mission in Tunisia, considering that the long-standing and solid ties forged between the two countries are likely to lay the foundations for f uture fruitful cooperation in service of the two peoples' interests, according to the same source. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad Nabil Ammar said his ministry is currently working on the development of a digital platform to facilitate communication with the Tunisian community abroad. This platform is part of a new vision to improve consular services in a bid to foster cultural ties between Tunisia and Tunisians living abroad and step up the role of Tunisian skills in the implementation of investment projects in Tunisia, reads a Foreign Ministry press release. Ammar chaired on Wednesday a working session with attendance of President of the Tunisian Space Association "TUNSA" Ahmed Fadhel and senior Foreign Ministry officials in charge of monitoring cooperation files with partner countries in the technology and space applications fields. He underlined on the occasion, the importance that Tunisia accords to its skills abroad and to their contribution to development efforts to promote the country's influence on a regional and international scale, particularly in promising techno logical fields. Ammar further pointed out the ministry's role in following-up economic and investment projects implemented thanks to the contribution of Tunisian skills abroad. Ahmed Fadhel made a presentation on the occasion, on TUNSA's composition, goals and and action plan. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse