The Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs have commended NPP Flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for his immense contributions to a number of the transformational initiatives as Vice President.

The traditional leaders also welcomed Dr. Bawumia’s vision for Ghana and his policies, throwing their royal weight behind the Vice President.

At a meeting in Goaso, between Dr. Bawumia and the Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, Dr. Bawumia stated his vision for Ghana  and also explained policies in various sectors, which he said his government will implement to address challenges the country face and also propel the country forward.

After Dr. Bawumia’s rallying address, a number of traditional rulers spoke in support of his policies and Presidential bid.

First to speak was President of the Ahafo Regional House Chiefs, Nana Ansah Adu Baah, who commended Dr. Bawumia’s humility and also expressed confidence in his policies and ability to transform the country as President.

“Dr. Bawumia’s humility and policies are good for the country and the next generation. I have no doubt in my mind Bawumia means well for Ghana,”  said Nana Ansah Adu Baah, who is also the Omanhene of Yamfo Traditional Area.

“The way he is humble is so admirable. I believe if he continues as our next President, it will be good for this country and the next generation. Let us  help him and vote for him massively because he has good policies for this country. And his humility is really good for this country because it promotes peace and unity.”

The Omanhene of Hwediem, Traditional Area, Osuodumgya Barima Appiah Dwaah Boafo II, also commended Dr. Bawumia for his work and policies, and so was the Omanhene of Kukuom, Traditional Area, Osahene Kweku Aterkyi II, who was full of praise for Dr. Bawumia for leading what he called a transformative digitalisation drive.

“I commend Vice President Bawumia for what he has been able to do with the digitalisation of our country. It is remarkable and very transformative- someting which is helping the country, particulalry the youth.”

The Omanhemaa of Bechem Traditional Area, Nana Adwoapo Dwamena Serwaa II, was also full of praise for Dr. Bawumia, declaring that he is “ordained to be the next President,” and that they will support him to realise his vision.

The Omanhene of Goaso, Nana Akwasi Bosompra I also commended the NPP Government for many developmental projects springing up in the Ahafo Region, especially Goaso, which he attributed to the creation of the new Ahafo Region, by the NPP Government.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.

Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) provided machinery and equipment support to the Sahel Cooperative which produces neem oil in Maroua, Cameroon. 

The equipment was delivered to cooperative officials with a ceremony attended by Türkiye’s Ambassador to Yaoundé, Volkan Işıkçı; TİKA’s officials; the Manager of Education Programs in Maroua, Haoua Diddi, members of the cooperative and many other guests.

Within the scope of the project, large-capacity oil production and grain drying machines, as well as other necessary production equipment were provided.

TİKA aims to create new employment opportunities for women by increasing their participation by 10 percent in the cooperative, which has 150 women members working in production and delivery, and which has recently increased its production capacity. With the income from the sale of products of neem seed (oil, soap, etc.), TİKA also aims to finance the planting of new saplings, especially to create canopies in schools, in the region with a desert climate.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA).

The World Food Programme (WFP), with the support of the European Union (EU), has been able to provide emergency food assistance to nearly 6.4 million people, of which around 550,000 people received cash, since the conflict erupted in Sudan just over one year ago. This was in part made possible with a EUR €28 million contribution from the EU Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) in 2023. The aid agency also used this funding to help treat and prevent malnutrition for 260,000 children and pregnant or nursing women.

“Amid escalating conflict and rising hunger, sufficient funding is critical to meet increasing humanitarian needs. We are extremely grateful to the European Union for their contribution, which helped us save lives during this crisis,” said Eddie Rowe, WFP Sudan Country Director and Representative.

WFP has been warning that Sudan could become the world’s largest hunger crisis during the upcoming lean season, which starts in May and lasts through October. Currently, during the harvest season, a record 17.7 million people already face acute food insecurity, while almost 5 million people are just one step away from starvation (IPC 4). The food security situation is expected to worsen even further in the coming months unless urgent action is taken to support those facing the highest levels of hunger.

In 2024, the EU has mobilized an initial amount of EUR €117 million for the humanitarian response in Sudan, as well as an additional EUR €185 million to respond to the impact of the crisis in neighbouring countries. This new amount comes on top of the European Commission’s humanitarian funding for Sudan in 2023, which totaled EUR €128 million. As WFP works to scale up its operations to avert the risk of a humanitarian catastrophe, the support of partners such as the EU — one of our most generous partners in Sudan — remains critical to WFP’s efforts.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Food Programme (WFP).

The Somali Stock Exchange, in partnership with UN Women Somalia, hosted the ‘Ring the Bell for Gender Equality’ event on 7th March 2024 to raise awareness of the importance of economic empowerment for women in business growth and development, as well as to highlight the role the private sector can play in creating opportunities for women in the workplace, marketplace, and community, with the focus on investing in women.

The event also encouraged financial institutions to finance female-led enterprises and motivated Somali corporations to continue to enhance the capacity and knowledge of their female clients by partaking in the National Financial Literacy Initiative.

“Ring the Bell” is an initiative of the UN and the Empowerment of Women, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative (SSE), the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), and the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE). It is held annually to commemorate International Women’s Day and to raise awareness among enterprises and the private sector about increasing women’s economic empowerment towards accelerating gender equality and sustainable development.

The event keynote speakers included Dr. Sadiq Sayed, Head of UN Women Somalia. Zahra Mohamed Ahmed, Chairwoman of the African Woman Leadership Network, Somalia and Asha Abdulle Siyad, Executive Director of the Somali Women in Leadership Initiative and the civil society reference group chairperson. The participants included representatives from the Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development, Government officials, private sector such as bank executives, university students and academicians.

Dr. Syed Sadiq, Head of UN Women Somalia, who joined the event elaborated the importance of raising awareness on gender equality and said, “It has been a proud moment for us to launch the Ring the Bell for Gender Equality, witness Somalia participating in such a great global effort, and show our support and commitment for promoting gender equality and women’s economic empowerment in peace, preventing crises, enabling recovery and building resilience.”

A panel discussion was held during the event, around the International Women’s Day 2024 theme, “Invest in women: Accelerate Progress.” Among the topics discussed were: Investing in women: A human rights issue, ending poverty, implementing gender-responsive financing, shifting to a green economy and caring society, and supporting feminist change-makers.

Mr. Hassan Dudde, CEO of the Somali Stock Exchange, highlighted some of the challenges that are facing women, such as the lack of a saving culture and poor financial literacy and use of technology among women, resulting in women entrepreneurs missing out on opportunities in the growing digital economy.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women – Africa.