June 29, 2024 – Senegal Newswire

Bad cocoa harvests, high cost of living making farmers vulnerable in child labour fight – Report

Bad cocoa harvests in West Africa and higher costs of living and production, are exacerbating farmer vulnerabilities in the fight against child labour in the sector, a 2023 Report by the International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) has found.

The Report, which was shared with the Ghana News Agency, said poverty and lack of access to basic social services were among the root causes of child labour.

‘Negative shocks to farmer income, such as those caused by crop failure, a fall in price, or severe weather can put a strain on farming families, who with limited resources or alternative sources of labour, may call on their children to fill the gap.

‘A lack of social safety nets and access to social services makes cocoa farming families even more vulnerable,’ it said.

The ICI said the development in the cocoa sector had made it ‘more critical’ to provide support to cocoa farming families.

The ICI’s 2023 Annual Report highlights the Organisation’s work to tackle child labour and forced labour in the cocoa sector.

The
ICI’s activities throughout the year supported three strategic objectives – responsible cocoa supply chains, a supportive enabling environment and coordinated approaches.

The ICI said by the end of 2023, it covered over 320,000 households through Child Labour Monitoring and Remediation Systems (CLMRS) – systems designed to identify, address and prevent child labour.

The Report said 26 per cent of children in the system were found to be engaging in child labour, out of which 77 per cent of them received support.

The ICI said when well implemented, those systems could be highly effective with 41 per cent of supported children stopping hazardous work.

The Report said additional initiatives such as income-generating activities, community service groups, Village Savings and Loans Associations, or cash transfers, could help farmers to establish alternative sources of income to enhance their resilience.

Mr Matthias Lange, Executive Director, ICI, said challenges in the sector highlighted the need to re-double e
fforts to support cocoa farming families.

‘It is great to see significant scale up by our members across industry and civil society in West Africa. This is a significant achievement, and one on which we are happy to build, as

we continue to collectively strengthen the effectiveness and improve the impact of these systems and advance the way child labour and forced labour are tackled in the cocoa sector,’ he said.

‘While no single system (nor one actor alone) can end child labour, CLMRS have demonstrated their effectiveness. Along with complementary approaches, and an enabling environment, they play an important role in tackling the issue,’ Mr Lange added.

The ICI said responsible supply chains were only a part of the solution to combatting child labour in the cocoa sector.

The Organisation said the creation of an enabling environment of policies, standards, and regulation that helped tackle child labour and forced labour were key to combatting the phenomenon.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Integrate CSR in key functions, operations -Corporates told?

Professor Daniel Frimpong Ofori, Provost of College of Humanities, University of Ghana (UG), has urged organisations to integrate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as part of their key operations and functions.

He said CSR should not be seen as merely a philanthropic gesture by organisations, but as part of the organisational structure and functions .

Professor Ofori said this during his UG inaugural lecture on the topic: ‘Of Indomie, Kalyppo and Condoms: An Intimate Conversation about Corporate Social Responsibility in Ghana’.

The lecture discussed the history, concepts and key drivers of corporate social responsibility and proposed recommendations to organisations, national authorities and policymakers.

Prof Ofori said CSR revolved not only on what companies did with their profits, but how they made them.

He said that went beyond philanthropy and compliance and addressed how companies managed their economic, social and environmental impacts.

‘In effect, it is about managing relationships in all
key spheres of the organisation’s influence, the workplace, the marketplace, the supply chain, the community and the public policy realm,’ he said.

Prof Ofori said CSR had become more important as corporations were expected to contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

He said as organisations worked to outperform each other along traditional measures of competition, CSR had become a competitive tool to derive advantage.

‘Corporate Social Responsibility has come to stay because organisations too have come to stay, leading to the grim realisation by organisations that they are required to do more – across the entire gamut of their operations – to be more economic, efficient and productive.

‘Therefore, organisations have no choice, as it is no longer a matter of ‘whether’ or ‘if’ corporate social responsibility is to be considered,’ he added.

Source: Ghana News Agency

SSNIT Hotels Sale: We will continue to engage stakeholders – DG

The Director-General of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), Mr Kofi Osafo-Marfo, Saturday says the Trust will continue to engage all stakeholders on the proposed sale of 60 per cent of its stake in four hotels.

He said while going by the directive of the National Pension Regulatory Authority (NPRA) to suspend the sale, the Trust would continue to engage stakeholders ‘to let them know we did the right thing in good faith. We want better results and done things transparently’.

Mr Osafo-Marfo said this when he opened the 2024 SSNIT Media Encounter at Aburi in the Eastern Region.

It was on the theme: ‘Sustaining the SSNIT Pension Scheme: Investments and its impact on Benefits payment’.

He said the decision to sell the shares was largely commercial, with the aim of maximising the benefits.

‘Our aims are not different from the Unions. We both want best value. We want to maximise our benefits.’

Mr Osafo-Marfo said the rationale for the investment decision included consistent losses, frequ
ent request for maintenance funding, high capital expenditure and the need for strategic partnership.

The hotels are La Palm Royal Beach, Elmina Beach, Busua Beach, Ridge Royal, Trust Lodge and Labadi Beach.

The Director-General said apart from raising capital and finding experts to manage the hotels, the ultimate goal was to manage investment risks to improve investment returns.

Mr Osafo-Marfo said pension funds were not static and that at some points, losses needed to be cut for gains to be made.

‘It is a portfolio, it changes with time,’ he added.

He said Rock City bid for all the six hotels and was the only bidder for lots two and three.

Mr Osafo-Marfo said it (Rock City) submitted the ‘best and strongest’ technical and financial proposal amongst those received.

He said consequently, Rock City started negotiation with SSNIT to buy a 60 per cent stake in each of the four hotels -Labadi Beach, La Palm Royal Beach, Ridge Royal Beach and Elmina Beach- but that had stalled due to disagreement over payme
nt terms and duration.

The Director -General said given the criteria in the bidding process, bids for Busua and Trust Lodge were considered unsuccessful.

He described the Trust as the best pension scheme in the country because it offered the best value proposition, with benefits exceeding contributions.

He said the Scheme increased pensions every year, stressing, ‘ no other scheme gives you all these…’

The Director -General said the time to process pension had improved over the years and that management was building trust and confidence in the Trust to ‘offer brilliant service’.

‘Things are not perfect, but we improve every time so, let’s fight to sustain the Scheme. Let’s preserve SSNIT and focus on things that matter..,’ he said, assuring that ‘ we will be paying pensions beyond 2036 and for life…’

Mr Kingsley Adjei-Manu, General Manager, Operations, SSNIT, said in the last five years, the Trust recorded improvements in the registration of new establishments, with a total of 88,640 new establishments
registered as of 2023.

He said active members as of December last year stood at1,951,494.

Ms Patience Owusu, General Manager, Investment and Development, said 94.5 per cent of investments by the Trust were doing well.

She said the 5.5 per cent non-performing assets were being restructured for financial stability of the Scheme.

The National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA) yesterday directed SSNIT to suspend all engagements with Rock City Limited as a strategic investor for the four hotels.

‘As you may be aware, Section 67 (2) of the Act requires us to issue a relevant guidelines to guide your investment decisions. In furtherance of this requirement, you are hereby directed by the Board of the Authority to suspend all the processes seeking to engage Rock City Hotel Limited as the Strategic Investor in matter of the sale of the above-mentioned hotels,’ a statement signed by its Chief Executive Officer, John Kwaning Mbroh, said.

Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, North Tongu Member of Parliament, petitioned t
he Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate allegations surrounding the sale of the six hotels, four to the Food and Agriculture Minister, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, who is also the owner of the Rock City Hotel Limited.

He seeks investigations into allegations, including conflict of interest, abuse of power, lack of due process, procurement breaches, cronyism, and graft.

Recently, the MP led a street protest, with support from the Trade Union Congress to put pressure on the Government to stop the sale of the hotels.

Source: Ghana News Agency

SALT University College launches African Diplomacy and Business Dialogue 2025

SALT University College has launched its first ever African Diplomacy and Business Dialogue (AfDiB) 2025 to drive trade integration and foster sustainable development across the continent through the power of diplomacy.

Seen as a catalyst for change, the dialogue seeks to inspire innovation and contemporary research on the role of diplomacy in the successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The event will welcome African diplomats, business leaders, and academia to exchange ideas, share best practices, and chart an innovative course towards a more integrated, prosperous, and inclusive Africa.

It is scheduled for May 14, 2025 at the Accra International Conference Centre under the theme: ‘Harmonising African Diplomacy for the Success of AfCFTA,’ and promises to sow and incubate seeds of progress.

Key amongst the strategic objectives of the Dialogue are galvanising the diplomatic community of current and former envoys into a strategic bulwark against the erection of new ba
rriers.

Others are breaking down of existing barriers to intra-African trade while advancing the attainment of AfCFTA’s objectives and addressing cross-border challenges hindering trade across the African continent and propose practical solutions to overcome them.

The rest are networking and forging collaboration among participants from trade and diplomatic institutions, universities, government agencies, businesses and create opportunities to achieve the AfCFTA

Dr Kodzo Alabo, President, SALT University College, in his address, said the significance of AfCFTA to the development of Africa was non- contestable and through diplomacy bridges could be built and partnerships forged.

He said AfCFTA had become the biggest trade and business platform with the potential to generate over $3.4 trillion worth of borderless markets for Africa.

‘The World Bank, in a recent study and in partnership with the AfCFTA Secretariat, has reported that the Agreement, if fully implemented would raise incomes in Africa by 9 p
er cent by 2035and lift 50 million people out of extreme poverty,’ Dr Alabo said.

He called on all Africans to work collectively, engage in cooperation and diplomacy, adding that where politics and power play failed, diplomacy came through as the dependable alternative.

Mr Silver Ojakol, Chief of Staff, AfCFTA International Secretariat, said the vision for creating the African Diplomacy and Business Dialogue was a strong commitment to advancing trade integration on the continent.

‘Diplomacy will be a game changer in moving goods quickly at the borders. The Dialogue is extremely important and it will be groundbreaking for the implementation of AfCFTA.

He urged member-States to develop their regional value chain to scale up trading not only among members but the world, adding that AfCFTA now has a single market for investment with the guidelines.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Information Minister commended by MPs for timely presentation of RTI Report

Members of Parliament (MPs) from both sides of the House, have lauded Madam Fatimatu Abubakar, the Information Minister, for the timely presentation of the Right to Information (RTI) Commission 2023 Report to the House.

In accordance with Section 77(4) of Act 989, the Minister made her maiden appearance before the plenary of the House on Friday, June 28, to present her Report on the activities of public institutions and the RTI Commission for the period January to December 2023.

Contributing to the report, Mr. Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business in Parliament, commended Madam Abubakar for her hard work and timely delivery of the RTI Commission 2023 Report.

He said Madam Abubakar’s elevation from a Deputy Minister of Information to Minister of Information was an assurance that the women of the country were capable and had the capacity to deliver.

‘…So, Honourable Abubakar on behalf of the House I say congratulations, this is your maiden statement on the fl
oor of Parliament, you’ve left no doubt on the minds of MPs that you are able to deliver.’

The Majority Leader reiterated that the Government of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was committed to accountability and transparency in Governance.

On his part, Mr. Kwame Governs Agbodza, the Minority Chief Whip and National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Adaklu, also commended the Minister for complying with the time frame for the submission of the RTI Report to the House; saying ‘indeed, when Ministers comply with the laws that we make, we must commend them for that.’

Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, NDC MP for North Tongu, also praised Madam Abubakar for the timely presentation of the 2023 RTI Report to the House; stating that in compliance with Section 77(4) of Act 989, the RTI Act, the Minister was very much within the stipulated time.

‘Mr. Speaker, the law requires the Minister to appear before us before the 30th of June, to present the annual report and Mr. Speaker, today, the 28t
h (of June), the Honourable Minister has duly complied,’ Mr. Ablakwa said.

‘And when Ministers act commendably, we have to praise them, and we have to laud them for being compliant to the laws this House has passed; so that we are all encouraged to follow that example and then it also helps us to understand exactly what is happening in the RTI space.’

Mr. Ablakwa, who said it took the nation more than 20 years to pass the RTI Bill into law, further commended President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for assenting to the RTI Bill.

Mr. Frank Annoh-Dompreh, the Majority Chief Whip and New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, said as a nation, Ghanaians need to admit that they had traversed a tortuous and a difficult path to be where they were today; adding that he was happy that the RTI Bill had been passed into law.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Support whoever is selected as Party’s Running Mate – Afenyo-Markin

Mr. Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business in Parliament, has urged his colleague New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament (MPs) to support whoever is eventually selected as the Party’s Running Mate for the December 7 general election.

Speaking to the Parliamentary Press Corps at his office in Parliament House in Accra, Mr. Afenyo-Markin appealed to his colleague NPP MPs, the rank and file of the party, that decisions regarding who would be the Running Mate to their Presidential Candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, were decisions for certain organs of the party; saying ‘once such organs of the Party come out with the final decision, we are all to respect it.

‘So, so far we haven’t heard anything officially from the Party. It is true that consultations are ongoing, we’ve all heard. We’ve heard names, all the names we are hearing are respected Party members, who have worked so hard for this great Party.’

The Majority Leader reiterated that it would be inappropria
te for any person to call out an individual.

‘Look, who is perfect? Who is perfect? Who can take all the punches? None of us can. Except God, our Creator. So, I will want to discourage coming out with certain attacks, how we describe people and all,’ he stated.

‘After all, in this game of politics, if destiny chooses you, it is like that. It doesn’t matter your height, age, whether you are a commoner, a royal, or so educated, or whether you are humble or whatever? Whether you are a stammerer or whether you are an orator? Whatever it is, if

God has chosen you, it is so. So, let’s all wait and ensure that the unity of the Party is maintained.’

He urged his colleague NPP MPs to take a cue from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), saying, ‘We have elections, just six months away, we are aware that when Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang was finally selected as the NDC’s running mate,…when the decision was finally announced all the others rallied around the decision and we didn’t hear a single soul in the
NDC coming out publicly to say no. Because none is perfect.’

Mr. Afenyo-Markin underscored that no one was perfect, and that they only had to manage each other and look at what the person could bring onboard.

‘We should look at the strength of the person, so that we will all do it together.

So, again their colleagues, my respected Members of Parliament, let’s be mindful of what we say out there,’ he said.

‘If eventually the decision is made, and we are even against the decision, ours is to support the Party. That is what it is. We should not be seen going out there to be attacking the decision of the Party and for that matter, our flagbearer.’

Source: Ghana News Agency

MP for Atwima Kwanwoma cuts sod for commencement of two projects

Mr. Kofi Amankwa-Manu, Member of Parliament for Atwima Kwanwoma, has cut sod at separate ceremonies for the construction of a disability friendly water closet toilet facility and a modern market at Nwinesi No. 3 and Nwinesi No. 1 respectively.

Whereas the toilet facility is being funded from the MP’s Common Fund, the source of funding for the market is the Local Government Fund, according to the MP.

Speaking at both ceremonies, Mr. Amankwa-Manu highlighted the importance of economic activities and sanitation in the development of communities across the district.

He said the provision of such developmental projects in the area was to improve on the living standards of the people, which formed part of his developmental agenda as an MP.

He commended traditional leaders and the people of Atwima Kwanwoma for the trust reposed in him, and promised to live up to their expectations through accountable leadership.

The legislator called on the traditional leaders and all other relevant stakeholders to create an en
abling environment for the contractors of the projects to complete them as planned.

Mr. Prince Karikari, the District Chief Executive (DCE), implored the two contractors to hire the services of some of the indigenes to ensure the local economies of the two communities also benefitted from the projects.

The traditional leaders commended the MP and DCE for their relentless efforts to ensure development across the district and pledged their support for the contractors to ensure a successful execution of the projects.

Both communities expressed their sincere gratitude for the MP’s intervention to address some of their pressing needs.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Speaker of Parliament urges Ghanaians to cherish, preserve nation’s democracy

Mr. Alban Sumana Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, has advised Ghanaians to remain steadfast, cherish, support and preserve the gains of the nation’s fledgling democracy, as the December 7, general election gathers momentum.

He said Ghanaians would bear the brunt if the country’s democracy was truncated hence the need for everybody to contribute his or her quota to preserve the prevailing peace.

‘We are all going to lose our freedom and liberties if the nation’s democracy is truncated,’ Speaker Bagbin stated when addressing a mock parliament held at the auditorium of the Sunyani Technical University.

The Parliamentary Service organised the session as part of activities to commemorate the 30 years of uninterrupted parliamentary democracy in the country on the theme:

‘Thirty Years of Parliamentary Democracy Under the Fourth Republic: The Journey So Far.’ Members of Parliament (MPs), Ministers of State, and students, civil society actors and organisations, political parties, youth and women groups and tradi
tional leaders attended the day’s event.

Speaker Bagbin indicated that, ‘you understand why I decided to place a great premium on the celebration of the 30 years parliamentary democracy in Ghana. I myself, I am living evidence of the 30 years of democracy in Ghana.

‘I believe through it, I have experienced it, I have felt it, and he who feels it knows it better, and for us in parliament we don’t take this achievement lightly’, he stated, amid applause from the participants.

Parliament, the Speaker, explained was the evidence that democracy existed in the country, saying, ‘there is no democracy anywhere without parliament.

‘Governments do come and go and they can be in any form, but to have democracy you must have parliament.’

Unfortunately, the Speaker noted with concern that parliament could be performing creditably, however, anytime the people were dissatisfied, they rather blamed the parliament.

Citing the recent internal aggressions and happenings in Kenya as an example, the Speaker noted that, ‘the
imposition of taxation was initiated by the executive. That angered the people. However, they did not go to attack the president, but parliament.

‘That shows the central role of parliament as the spine of our democracy and that is why we should take the institutions of parliament so seriously and the members themselves should not toy with the responsibilities given them.’

Mr. Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, the MP for Sunyani East, expressed worry that Ghana was still grappling with issues of poverty, corruption, unemployment and many other negatives, in the 30 years of the nation’s democracy.

However, he added: ‘We cannot claim that the political leadership of the country has not attempted to address many of these issues over the 30 years of our democratic dispensation under the fourth republic.’

He said through legislations, oversight, deliberative functions, and constituency service ‘we have established institutions, and mechanisms for the delivery of public goals to our people,’ adding that, ‘in the past three
decades, the Republican 1992 Constitution has undoubtedly been beneficial to the country.’

However, we must admit that some of the provisions, assumptions and views have changed or are not supported by current socio-political and economic realities, and that is why a number of stakeholders have called for the review of the 1992 Constitutions.

Mr Ameyaw-Cheremeh underlined the importance for everybody to be ready to be engaged whenever the time comes for the review of the 1992 Constitution so that whatever products come out would stand the test of time.

‘We need a constitution that discourages the winner takes all, and encourages collaboration, cooperation, and collectiveness and the building of consensus during decision making at all levels of government,’ the MP stated.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Sunyani East MP calls for review of 1992 constitution

Mr. Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sunyani East Constituency, has reiterated calls for the review of the 1992 Republican constitution.

Mr Ameyaw-Cheremeh made the call when speaking at a mock parliament held at the auditorium of the Sunyani Technical University, in Sunyani.

The Parliamentary Service organized the session as part of activities to commemorate the 30 years of uninterrupted parliamentary democracy in the country on the theme: ‘Thirty years of Parliamentary Democracy Under the Fourth Republic: The Journey So Far.’

It was attended by MPs, Ministers of State, students, civil society actors and organisations, political parties, youth and women groups and traditional leaders.

Mr. Ameyaw-Cheremeh, also the Board Chairman of the Bui Power Authority (BPA), ma
nagers of the Bui Generating Station, indicated that some of the provisions, assumptions and views in the constitution had changed or were not supported by current socio-political and economic realities.

‘That is why a number of stakeholders have called for the review of the 1992 constitution’, he stated, adding that the country was still grappling with issues of poverty, corruption, unemployment and many other negatives, in the 30 years of the nation’s democracy.

He said through legislations, oversight, deliberative functions, and constituency service ‘we have established institutions, and mechanisms for the delivery of public goals to our people’, saying ‘in the past three decades, the Republican 1992 constitution has undoubtedly been beneficial to country.’

Mr. Ameyaw-Cheremeh underlined the import
ance for everybody to be ready to be engaged whenever the time comes for the review of the 1992 Constitution so that whatever products come out would stand the test of time.

On the impending Election 2024, the MP indicated that elections gave the right to choose representatives, demand accountability and better serve the public interest. As the foundation of parliamentary democracy,

Mr. Ameyaw-Cheremeh advised the youth in particular, and everybody to guard the election processes, so as to make the nation proud again on December 7.

Earlier, Mr. Alban Sumana Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, advised Ghanaians to remain steadfast, support and preserve the gains of the nation’s fledgling democracy, as the general election gathered momentum.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Gomoa Central NPP launches 2024 campaign team

The Gomoa Central Constituency of the Ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has launched its 2024 campaign team with a clarion call on supporters to strongly rally behind the Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to win the presidency on December 7.

Addressing supporters and campaign team members after the launch, Mr Isaac Mensah, the Central Regional Communication Director of NPP, charged the campaign team members to refrain from any behaviour that would deter people from voting for the party.

According to the Director, the campaign message must be issue based and also the truth to enable people, especially floating voters, to vote for the ruling party to win the December 2024 polls.

He said the use of insults and personal attacks on political opponents must not be entertained, but rather they should preach the good works the government under President Nana Akufo Addo and Dr Bawumia had done for the past seven and half years to the people.

Mr Mensah said the NPP administration had done well and the good story must be told to G
hanaians to know why they must vote for Dr Bawumia and Mrs Naana Eyiah Quansah, the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) for Gomoa Central to continue the good policies and programmes it initiated to better the lot of Ghanaians.

The MP reiterated calls on the supporters to unite as one family and eschew negative tendencies that would affect the fortunes of the party in the impending polls.

Mrs Eyiah Quansah, who is also Deputy Minister of Interior, stated that Gomoa Central NPP needed absolute peace to work as a team in order to achieve its objectives.

She said, ” the internal wrangling would not help the party and asked supporters to rally behind the campaign team to win massively on December 7.”

The MP urged Rev Francis Yamoah, who contested with her during the parliamentary primary in January this year, who had been included in the campaign team, to bring his expertise on board for the party to secure victory in December.

Rev Yamoah, on his part, pledged to work hard without malice as campaign team m
ember to ensure that the MP for Gomoa Central and Dr Bawumia won the elections to help continue the good policies to alleviate the suffering of the constituents and Ghanaians as a whole.

Mr Benjamin Kojo Otoo , the Gomoa Central District Chief Executive (DCE), said the NDC could not match the NPP in the elections if supporters of NPP remained united in the upcoming elections.

The DCE said Gomoa Central District had had its fair share of development and urged the campaign team members to preach the good works the government had done since 2017 to 2024.

Mr Otoo reiterated calls on the people of Gomoa Central to retain Naana Eyiah as MP and vote for Dr Bawumia as President because the opposition NDC had nothing good to offer them if they yielded to the propaganda being peddled by them.

Source: Ghana News Agency