Author: Web Desk

His Majesty King Mohammed VI has conveyed the most sincere thanks of the Kingdom of Morocco to the many brotherly and friendly countries that have expressed their solidarity with the Moroccan people and their readiness to provide aid and assistance in this difficult situation. He was chairing the working session following the earthquake that shook the Al-Haouz region. In this context, and in line with international standards in similar situations, the Moroccan authorities have carried out a careful assessment of aid needs on the ground, aware that uncoordinated aid will be counterproductive. Morocco places coordination and careful needs assessment at the top of its priorities. Based on this assessment, the Moroccan authorities have, at this precise stage, responded favourably to offers of support from friendly countries offering to provide rescue and rescue teams. These are Spain, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. The teams dispatched by these countries have been in operational contact
with their Moroccan counterparts. As relief operations progress, we should expect Morocco’s needs to evolve. The assessment could evolve to include more countries and other forms of support. Morocco’s response to humanitarian crises emphasizes effective coordination and careful needs assessment as key elements. This approach represents a model of successful international cooperation to address humanitarian challenges. This wave of solidarity and mobilization from different regions of the world should be welcomed, which testifies to the respect and recognition by these countries of Morocco’s commitment and its many contributions to humanitarian support and support actions carried out in accordance with the high directives of His Majesty the King of Morocco.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Western Regional office of the Minerals Commission says Omni Quarry, the company at the centre of Saturday’s quarry explosion, has no legal backing for quarrying in the Shama District. It said, at the time of the explosion, the company had not been issued with a lease by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources while, the site of the explosion was the residential facilities for the company. The Anto-Abosso area in the Shama District at about 11.50pm on Saturday, recorded a deadly explosion at the Omni quarry site, in which five lives were lost and many injured, who were sent to various hospitals within Sekondi-Takoradi for treatment. Additionally, all the facilities, including light vehicles and equipment close to the residential structures on site were destroyed. A statement cited by the Ghana News Agency from the Commission, said the company had applied for a Restricted Mining Lease for granite commonly referred to as a quarry and recommendation for the company to be considered for the grant of a fo
rmal lease was granted on 20 March 2023. However, the Commission, after the preliminary investigations could confirm that the site of the explosion was a subject of an application by a company with the name Sta Addsams Enterprise. It said, a routine monitoring visit by the inspectors from the Takoradi Office to the site revealed that the enterprise was engaged in site cleaning and preparatory works and had conducted run of the machines and equipment on site without the approval of the Commission. The statement noted the enterprise was, therefore, notified by the inspectors that such activities were illegal and was directed to cease any activity on the site until the lease was granted and all other permits and approvals for the storage, transportation and use of any substance to undertake operations were obtained. In this regard, pending the completion of a full investigation into the cause of the explosion, the enterprise had no lease, approval or permit to undertake any activity or operation at the site. Alr
eady, a team of Mine Inspectors from the Takoradi Office of the Commission had visited the site of the explosion which was about 1.5 km away from the nearest settlement. The inspectors were joined by officials from other State institutions comprising the National Disaster Management Organisation, Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana Fire Service, Ambulance Service, Ghana Police Service and officials from the Shama District Assembly. The inspectors also found empty drums at the site believed to have contained diesel, other lubricants, cigarette pieces and oxy-acetylene cylinders. The statement said the Commission remained committed to ensuring that all quarry sites were licensed, and all the requisite approvals, including permits were obtained before any operations could be undertaken.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Worldreader, a global non-profit committed to getting children reading in under-resourced communities worldwide, has been recognized as this year’s recipient of the coveted US Library of Congress Literacy Award, International Prize. The award acknowledges organizations that have made significant and measurable contributions to enhancing literacy and promoting reading. A statement issued in Accra by Mr Leslie Tettey, Regional Director, West Africa said since its inception, Worldreader has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to empowering readers, particularly in areas with limited access to reading. It said using digital technology, Worldreader provided access to thousands of digital books, enabling millions of people around the world to enhance their reading skills and digital literacy. It said their innovative approach combined the power of technology with a deep understanding of local needs, making reading an enjoyable habit for all. The statement said the US Library of Congress, the largest library in t
he world, bestows the Literacy Awards’ International Prize annually to commend the exceptional efforts of organizations that made significant and measurable contributions to increasing literacy levels internationally. This year, the choice of Worldreader as the award recipient shines a light on the potential of digital reading solutions in addressing global literacy and reading challenges. Madam Rebecca Chandler Leege, CEO of Worldreader, expressed gratitude on behalf of the organization saying, ‘we are deeply honoured to receive this recognition from the Library of Congress.’ She said the award was a testament to the relentless efforts of its team, partners, and supporters and most importantly, it shone a light on the importance of digital reading in the world. She said its mission had always been to get children reading, and with this recognition, ‘we are further encouraged to expand our impact.’ The award ceremony will take place at the Library of Congress on October 18, 2023, where representatives from Wo
rldreader will receive the award and share insights on their groundbreaking initiatives.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Sir Nigel Boardman, a retired Senior Partner at Slaughter and May, a leading London law firm, has called on multinational companies investing in Africa to adjust culturally to the norms and traditions of the people. He said multinational companies need to learn the history and culture of their host country and its people to enable them to adapt better. Sir Boardman made the call when he delivered the 2nd Kojo Bentsi-Enchill Annual Memorial Lecture themed: ‘Investment in African Natural and Other Resources: What Should Governments and Investors Do to Ensure Success? in Accra. The lecture hosted by Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa and Ankomah was in honour of its late founding partner, Kojo Bentsi-Enchill. Kojo Bentsi-Enchill was a well-known legal practitioner and pioneer of the digitization of law reports, journals, and other legal materials in Ghana. He founded Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa and Ankomah in 1988 with his law faculty colleague, Mr Divine Letsa, and led the firm to local and global prominence and recognition
before he retired in 2020. Sir Boardman said multinational companies should treat their workforce well, which would serve as the best advocate for its presence in the community. Multinational companies should behave as good citizens and perform the social function expected of them in their investing countries, he added. The Retired Senior Partner at Slaughter and May encouraged companies to recognise the legitimate interest of governments because governments have the responsibility to oversee natural resources on behalf of their citizens. Investors should not be corrupt or be involved in corrupt activities while trying to invest in the natural resources of any country, he said. He said governments also needed to provide stability and certainty for multinational companies to invest, grow and develop their businesses. He said an investment of a multinational company in a country was a collaboration between the investor and the local communities. Sir Boardman said governments needed to balance long and short-ter
m objectives as part of their decision-making and encouraged growth and expansion of business and markets. ‘The government needs to have a team that looks at the legislative aspect of ease of doing business in future and this will make the country attractive to investors,’ he added. On the issue of the procurement power of the government, Sir Boardman called on the authorities to encourage the use of AI technology in procurement processes for bidding contracts. He said governments should consider more procurement legislative development for the future and they also must provide infrastructure development to encourage foreign investment. Dr Sulemanu Koney, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, and a panelist at the lecture, said there was a need to look further than procurement in considering government policy. He said value enhancement, value addition and value creation should be considered in partnership with the mining industry. Mr Benjamin Aryee, an advisor on Mining to the Minister fo
r Lands and Natural Resources, and a panellist as well, said the government and industry players must understand that the sector needed partnerships and balancing of competing interests to grow and develop. He said the mining sector could be a critical sector that could link other sectors of the economy for growth. ‘Unfortunately, we have not been able to link the mining sector to other crucial sectors of the economy,’ Mr Aryee said.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Yendi Child and Vulnerable Protection Centre, under the Yendi Diocese of the Catholic Church, has sensitised residents of Sangbana in the Chereponi District of the North East Region on child marriage. Various stakeholders in the area including traditional authorities, Ghana Police Service, Department of Social Welfare, Department of Children, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice among others were the participants. It formed part of the Yendi Child and Vulnerable Protection Project implemented early last year to create awareness on the negative implications of child abuse within the Diocese. The project, funded by Kindermissionwerk, a German Catholic funding agency, was aimed at ensuring that children within the area were protected against any form of abuse to help them maximise their potentials. Reverend Father Gregory Dery, Director of the Yendi Child and Vulnerable Protection Centre, speaking at the event, underscored the importance of community support towards the growth and developme
nt of children. He called on community members and other stakeholders in the area to prioritise safeguarding children against child marriage, teenage pregnancy and forced marriages. He noted that child abuse was against the laws of the country and advised parents to desist from abusing their children. He said, ‘You could be punished by law if you continue abusing your children by forcing them into early marriages and denying them access to education.’ The Reverend Father Emmanuel Ujunwa, Parish Priest of Saint Brigid’s Catholic Church at Chereponi, said children were precious gifts from God and required special attention and nurturing to grow into adulthood. He said most of the violence meted against children was often done by relatives, parents, caregivers, and called for collective support to protect them. Mrs Akuffu Gifty, Girl-Child Education Officer at the Chereponi District Education Office, lamented over parental neglect in the area and said it had contributed to the rising cases of child marriages, sc
hool drop-out and teenage pregnancies in the area. He urged parents to discharge their responsibilities effectively to ensure that the children stayed in school to complete their education. Nanyame Kofi Malba VIII, Paramount Chief of the Chereponi Traditional Area, who was represented at the event, commended the Catholic Church for showing interest in the welfare and protection of children in the area. He expressed the willingness of the traditional authorities in the area to support advocacy efforts to safeguard children and other vulnerable groups.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Somali National Army with the support of the local forces on Monday captured El Garas town about 70 kilometers east of Galgudud region under Galmudug State in Somalia.

Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Abdirahman Yusuf Al-adala told Somali National News Agency that Al-Shabaab militants fled the town after the joint forces surrounded the area, saying the army is currently conducting clearance operation aimed at ensuring the safety and security of the town after the terrorists.

“Removing Al-Shabaab from El-Garas is big significance reached on the offensive operation against the group”, Adala added.

The operation comes as the Somali National Army and local forces intensified onslaught operations against Al-Shabaab in the south and central Somalia. It also came a day after over 60 Al-Shabaab fighters including misled children killed in Awdhegle town in lower Shabelle region after the group militants attempted attacks at SNA bases there.

Source: Somali National News Agency