Category: General

The Minister of Security of the Federal Government of Somalia, HE Mohamed Ahmed Sheikh Ali (Dodishe) and the Somali Police Commissioner, Gen. Sulub Ahmed Firin met with the Ambassador of Qatar to Somalia, Dr. Abdullahi Salim Al-nueymi in Mogadishu.

The two sides discussed ways to strengthen the relationship between the two country’s police and cooperate in fighting organized crimes and terrorism.

Source: Somali National News Agency

The Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia, HE Hamza Abdi Barre went on an inspection visit to the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) to be briefed on the preparations for the issued warnings and advisories for floods in the context of El Niño.

The Prime Minister called on the Somali people and urged them to heed the warnings of SoDMA against floods that may result from the autumn rains in the country.

The Operation Center for the National Multi-hazard Warning of SoDMA briefed the Prime Minister on El Nino and gave a detailed report on the fears of autumn floods.

Prime Minister Hamza also praised the efforts of SoDMA to make the Somali people aware of the danger of floods.

Source: Somali National News Agency

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of Somalia is hereby issuing an official advisory concerning the impending and grave threat of hazardous flooding in Southern Somalia, coinciding with the onset of the annual rainy season in October.

This seasonal precipitation, expected to commence in full this month, is anticipated to have a particularly severe impact on regions encompassing the Jubba and Shabelle rivers, including but not limited to Beledweyne, Afgoye, Jowhar, Bardhere, Luuq, Dolow, Kismayo, BeledHaawo, Jalalaqsi, and Balcad District. Recent data received by the Ministry during the initial week of October suggests that the highlands in neighboring Ethiopia are poised to receive heavy rainfall, with estimates ranging from 150mm to 200mm. This substantial precipitation carries the potential to culminate in severe flooding, placing the lives of farmers and livestock at significant risk in these vulnerable riverine areas.

Furthermore, the Ministry envisages considerable rainfall in additional regions, with the Bakool Region projected to receive between 100mm to 200mm of rain, the Bay Region between 50mm to 150mm, Middle Jubba between 25mm to 100mm, Lower Jubba between 25mm to 50mm, Galgaduud expecting between 150mm to 200mm, and Galmudug forecasting 50mm to 150mm of rainfall. The recurring issue of flood-related damage during the rainy season has had severe repercussions in numerous areas, resulting in the tragic loss of life and property, and the displacement of numerous individuals who have been compelled to abandon their homes, often without secure refuge.

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of Somalia is profoundly concerned about this impending crisis and the imminent peril posed by potential floods. Consequently, the Ministry is issuing an urgent directive to all Somali citizens, with an emphatic emphasis on those residing in riverine regions, to exercise utmost vigilance and adopt extraordinary measures to safeguard themselves and their communities from the looming threat of flooding during this rainy season.

For the most current information and updates regarding this critical situation, we urge you to visit the official website of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of Somalia.

Source: Somali National News Agency

Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia is 60 years today.

He was born on October 7, 1963 in Tamale to Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia, former Chairman of the Council of State (1992-2000) and Hajia Mariama Bawumia, both of blessed memory.

He was born into a large family and the 12th of his father’s 18 children and the second of his mother’s five children.

His father was a teacher, lawyer and politician and a Mamprugu Royal and Paramount Chief of Kperiga in the then Northern Region.

Dr Bawumia is married to Samira Ramadan Bawumia, the only daughter of Alhaji Ahmed Ramadan, the former PNC National Chairman with four children.

He mostly celebrates his birthday with the less privileged persons and the vulnerable in society such as the cured lepers, street children and makes donations to children’s wards in some health facilities.

Interestingly, if Dr Bawumia is a civil servant, he should be retiring from active public service per the country’s constitution.

The Civil Service Act 1993 (PNDCL 327) and the Labour Act of 2003 (Act 651) mandate government workers to compulsorily retire at the age of sixty (60).

The irony of the situation is that, Dr Bawumia is now seeking the highest office of the land, the President of the Republic, if he eventually wins the NPP Presidential slot on November 4 and the 2024 general election.

Educational Background

He began his basic education at the Sakasaka Primary School in Tamale, and gained admission to the Tamale Secondary School in 1975.

He was President of the Ghana United Nations Students’ Association (GUNSA) in 1981.

After his second cycle education, he went to the United Kingdom where he studied banking and obtained the Chartered Institute of Bankers Diploma (ACIB).

He obtained a First Class Honours Degree in Economics from Buckingham University in 1987.

He then obtained a master’s degree in Economics at Lincoln College, Oxford, and obtained a Ph.D. in Economics at the Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in 1995.

His areas of specialisation include Macroeconomics, International Economics, Development Economics and Monetary Policy.

Role as head of EMT

Dr Bawumia heads Government’s Economic Management Team (EMT), which oversees the macro economic management of country.

Over the past six years, Dr Bawumia has championed the government’s digitisation agenda leading to the digitisation of the various public institutions.

For instance, the rolling out of the National Property and Digital Addressing System, with over five million houses tagged with property addresses so far.

Mobile Money Interoperability System

He was instrumental in implementing the Triangular Mobile Money Interoperability Payment System at a reduced cost of $4.5 million, instead of $1.2 billion the previous government announced as the cost for implementation.

Recovery from COVID-19 pandemic

Dr Bawumia was part of the Akufo-Addo’s Administration that steered the country from the COVID-19 pandemic which struck the entire globe in late 2019, wrecking havoc on all economies of the world.

The pandemic affected global supply chains and the response put a burden on public finances.

In Ghana, for instance, inflation, exchange rate depreciation and debt levels globally hit a 40- year high as countries scrambled to cope with the impact on lives and livelihoods.

Ghana’s inflation increased from 12.9% in December 2021 to 54% by December 2022 with an attendant depreciation of the Ghana cedi by 30% in 2022.

There was also the Russia-Ukraine war that started at a time when the world was yet to recover fully from some major challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘With what we have done and continue doing in the wake of the global challenges, the outcome, thus far, points to an auspicious future’ Vice President Bawumia once said at an economic forum in Accra.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Dr Mrs Beatrice Wiafe-Addai, the Chief Executive Officer of Breast Care International, has asked women to erase the myths surrounding breast cancer from their minds, some of which attribute the cause to evil spirits.

‘The myth that breast cancer is caused by evil spirits, which can only be treated at the prayer camps and shrines are false. This, unfortunately, has contributed to the many unnecessary deaths among patients,’ she said.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in an interview ahead of the 2023 Breast Cancer Awareness Week, Dr Wiafe-Addai said the disease and all associated conditions were treatable if detected early.

‘Your Breast: Your Health’ is the theme for this year’s awareness week, which would help increase sensitisation to enhance regular check-ups and screening for early detection and treatment.

Additionally, it would help reduce the stigma associated with the disease.

Dr Wiafe-Addai said breast cancer caused 685,000 deaths globally in 2020, and in Ghana, over 4000 women are diagnosed annually, accounting for 31. 8 percent all cancer incidents.

‘Once it is advanced, it spreads to the other organs of the body and can cause death. So, women should not allow their lives to be taken by a disease, which could have been treated,’ she said.

‘Every woman’s breast is unique, know your breast, they are your properties.’ .

Dr Wiafe-Addai advised women to live healthy lifestyles by keeping a weight check, being physically active, and limiting alcohol intake.

Also, they must not be afraid to seek medical treatment if they noticed any abnormalities in the breast and encouraged them to regularly check their breasts to detect any unusual growth early.

Madam Vivian Sarfo, the President, Peace and Love Breast Cancer Survivors, advised men not to desert their wives if they developed breast cancer but support them to get treatment.

She said she had survived the disease and called on women with lump in the breasts to seek early treatment.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The chiefs and queens of the Anlo State have sent warm wishes to Miss Selorm Magdalene Gadah, one of the five finalists in the 2023 Ghana’s Most Beautiful (GMB) pageant, wishing her success in the finale on Sunday, October 8.

Miss Gadah, a teacher, who hails from Keta and Abor, is the Volta Regional representative in this year’s reality show.

A statement copied to the Ghana News Agency on Friday, by Agbotadua Kumassah on behalf of Togbi Sri III, the Awoamefia of Anlo, said traditional leaders of Anlo and the entire region were supporting Selorm to bring the crown home.

‘I, Agbotadua Kumassah, the Spokesperson of the Awoamefia, Togbi Sri lll, on behalf of the Awoamefia, the chiefs and queens of Anlo and other traditional areas in the Volta Region, wish to assure you of our unflinching spiritual and physical support and prayers during your final appearance on the show,’ it said.

The region and its people were proud of Selorm’s performances, which had so far showcased the rich culture of the region, the statement said.

‘The whole of Volta and Anlo are proud of your performances so far and have their hope, faith, and confidence in you to bring the crown to the region and Anlo.’

‘Our ardent prayer is that the indomitable spirit of our gallant Mama Yakagbe, the bravery and courage of Jerry John Rawlings, the intelligence and oratory of Prof Kofi Nyidewu Awoonor, the beauty, elegance and winning spirit of Monica Amekuafia, Miss Ghana 1957, all descend heavily and fill you for the final showdown.’

‘We love you and appreciate your representation of the Volta Region. May God the Almighty bless and grant you the winning grace.’

Selorm, through hard work and determination, had won the ‘Star Performer’ of the contest twice.

She is contesting for the crown with four other finalists from the Greater Accra, Bono, Northern and Upper East regions in the grand finale on Sunday at the National Theatre, Accra.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Volta Regional Directorate of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has embarked on a roadshow to create awareness on the ‘ECG Cashless System’ as part of its customer service month celebration.

October, globally, has been declared a customer service month to enable companies to to appreciate and interact with their customers.

The Regional Directorate, therefore, organised the roadshow to sensitised the public on the company’s groundbreaking technology, which allows customers to transact business without physical presence at the offices.

It took place on Friday across all the eleven districts in the region, namely Ho, Sogakope, Akatsi, Keta, Dambai, Kpeve, Kpando, Hohoe, Jasikan, Nkwanta and Dambai, as the staff distributed educational materials and provided critical information to customers on the ECG PowerApp.

Addressing the media, Ms Christina Jatoe-Kaleo, the Volta Regional Manager, ECG, commended all customers for their support during the recent revenue mobilisation exercise.

‘We would like to thank all customers in the Volta and Oti regions for supporting the Company during the recent exercise through the prompt payment of bills via the ECG PowerApp and the shortcode *226#.’

‘We urge our customers to prioritise the prompt payment of bills since it is a patriotic act to pay for power consumed.’

Ms Jatoe- Kaleo outlined some benefits of using the app, saying: ‘The ECG PowerApp provides convenience for customers as customers can pay or view their bills and purchase prepaid credit anywhere and anytime.’

‘There is no Momo charge or E-Levy when you use the app to transact business,’ she said, and urged customers to visit the AppStore or Google playstore to download the PowerApp for easy access.

The ECG, apart from the roadshow, had held town hall meetings, radio education, stakeholder engagement with the assemblies, traditional authorities, markets, students, churches and mosques among others to equip them with the relevant information to easily access the app.

‘Since we went cashless, there has been an improvement in our operations and the feedback from our customers has been very positive. We will continue to provide convenience for our customers to ensure they are satisfied with our services,’ she said.

Ms Jatoe-Kele said the region, known to be the hub of excellent customer service in the October service month, would continue to delight its customers with improved and stable power supply and prompt resolution of complaints.

‘We have a series of activities lined up to enable us appreciate and get closer to our customers.’

She appealed to them to avoid going through third parties or middlemen to procure meters or for service delivery and deal directly with the company.

Mr Israel Bossman, the Assembly member for Denu Electoral Area, noted that though he stayed at Ho, the app had enabled him to pay and view his bills at Denu and purchase prepaid remotely.

‘We hope that the company will continue to introduce time-tested technology in its engagement with the public,’ he said.

On May 11, 2023, ECG announced its intention to go cashless following the enhancement of the PowerApp to provide convenience to customers and enhance operational efficiency.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Abduljelil Odunlami, a Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC), Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), says 1,100 inmates from the Agodi Correctional Centre in Ibadan are currently awaiting trial for various offences.

Odunlami, while visiting the Ibadan Branch of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), said the facility currently housed a total of 1,244 inmates.

He added that the inmates comprise 24 female and 1,220 male, with 144 of the total number of inmates already convicted of various offences.

Odunlami disclosed that the aim of the visit was to seek for cooperation and support of members of the Ibadan Branch of NBA in helping inmates.

”We want you to assist inmates without financial means to get legal assistance, as our Agodi facility is housing many inmates who do not have financial capacity to get legal aid,” he said.

He added that the Agodi Correctional Centre was supposed to house inmates in the Ibadan axis by virtue of regulations.

“But some inmates are now being taken to the Oyo axis, and this is an aberration to the NCoS.”

Odunlami said the awaiting trial inmates needed NBA’s support for a quick dispensation of justice, especially those who do not have the financial capacity to get lawyers and are with critical sickness.

“If an offender within Ibadan is being remanded in the Oyo town correctional facility, there may be delay in justice.

“There may be an attack on the road, as well as the problem of safety on the road. Time must also be considered.

“So, I want us to join hands and work together to ensure that inmates within Ibadan are retained in the Agodi correctional facility for a quick administration of justice.

“Government is doing its best, but corporate organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) like NBA also need to complement government’s efforts in the provision of welfare packages for inmates,” he said.

In her response, the Chairperson of Ibadan Branch of NBA, Folashade Aladeniyi, said the awaiting trial inmates have constitutional rights to be visited.

She said this would be within a specified timeframe and by their relations and lawyers without any financial obligation.

The chairperson, who was represented by the branch’s Secretary, Olakunle Akintola, urged correctional facility officers to ensure easy protocol for relations’ attention without intimidation or extortion.

Aladeniyi also urged correctional officers to always ensure proper evaluation of inmates to be presented for pardon or release during facility decongestion exercise, especially inmates with critical and life-threatening sickness.

“We are still finding it difficult to get medical certificates from medical facilities within correctional centres to apply for bail applications in courts.

“Something must be done about this because the medical facilities within the correctional facilities can not handle some inmates’ sickness,” the chairperson said.

Speaking also, Olakunle Faokunla, Chairman of the Advocacy Committee of Ibadan Branch of NBA, assured of continued partnership between the NBA and correctional centres in the state.

He said this would be in the areas of administration of justice and welfare support.

“Our branch has been visiting correctional facilities in the state and will continue to engage with the inmates to provide necessary support when needed.”

Source: News Agency of Nigeria