He said ensuring the protection of women and children’s right was key to meeting the deadline for the achievement of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Speaking at an AU forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Monday, the President, who is the AU Gender Champion, said gender inequality has an unbearable impact on the development of African nations.

“I invite you all [African leaders] to be champions of women’s rights and agents of change in and out of your borders. Let us remind ourselves that inequality has an unbearable impact and cost on our economy, society, and development of our nations,” he said.

Akufo-Addo is in Ethiopia for the 30th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union.

The theme for the session, which started from 28th to 29th January, 2018, was under the theme, “Winning the Fight against Corruption: A Sustainable path to Africa’s Transformation”.

Akufo-Addo is expected to later today [Tuesday], attend the funeral of the late South African trumpeter, composer and singer, Hugh Ramapolo Masekela, which is taking place in Johannesburg, South Africa.

–

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Champion women and children’s right – Nana to African leaders appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

In January 2017, the information technology unit at the African Union’s headquarters in Addis Ababa noticed something strange, according to a stunning investigation in French newspaper Le Monde.

Every night, between midnight and 2am, there was a strange peak in data usage – even though the building was almost entirely empty. Upon further investigation, the technicians noticed something even stranger. That data – which included confidential information – was being sent to servers based in Shanghai.

The African Union’s shiny new headquarters was built and paid for by the Chinese government, as a gift to its “African friends”. But when the building was officially opened in 2012, China left a backdoor into the African Union’s computer network, allowing it to access the institution’s secrets at will.

“According to several sources within the institution, all sensitive content could be spied on by China,” wrote Le Monde. “It’s a spectacular leak of data, spread from January 2012 to January 2017.”

The Chinese mission to the AU did not respond to Le Monde’s request for comment.

Once the problem was discovered, African Union officials acted quickly to fix it. The organisation acquired its own servers, and began encrypting its communications. In July 2017, a team of experts from Algeria – a country with a notoriously efficient intelligence community – along with cybersecurity experts from Ethiopia combed the building from top to bottom, looking for hidden microphones and other potential weaknesses.

China would not be the first supposedly friendly superpower to spy on the African Union. A separate investigation in December 2016, conducted by Le Monde and The Intercept, revealed that African Union officials were targeted for surveillance by British intelligence.

–

Source: Mail & Guardian

The post How China spied on the African Union’s computers appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The main focus will be on mobilizing support and accelerating implementation of the SDGs.

In attendance will be the president of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, as well as chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki.

Also present will be Jeffrey Sachs of the Earth Institution at Columbia University among other international dignitaries.

Meanwhile, German President Franks Walter Steinmeier is expected to arrive in Accra today for a three-day visit.

–

By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Akufo-Addo to host SDG roundtable in Accra today appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Some 127 Ghanaians were last week rescued from Libya after reports that these Ghanaians and some other black Africans were reported to have been subjected to inhumane treatment after giving away their life’s earnings and making torturous journeys through the Sahara hoping to make it big in Europe.

[contextly_sidebar id=”MWY8UwczLdDzyCUgzuEQwxsgsYfY7nZj”]The reports also suggested that some of the African migrants in Libya were being sold into slavery; although the Ghana government said no Ghanaian was involved.

The group said the reports are “heart wrecking” and are “very serious crimes against humanity” hence AU must take up the issue.

“Slavery and slave trade are very serious crimes against humanity. In light of that, the African Union has enacted many Charters, Protocols, Principles and Treaties to prevent its repeat. Article 5 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights states that, ‘every individual shall have the right to the respect of the dignity inherent in a human being and to the recognition of his legal status.’ This Libyan case will show if the African Union is any organization that must be taken seriously,” the group said in the petition.

Ghanaian detainees in Libya paid for their release

While briefing Parliament on the Libyan issue last week, Foreign Affairs Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, disclosed that some of the Ghanaian detainees in that country were forced to pay various amounts before they were released.

According to her, some of them paid as much as GHc5, 000 before they were discharged.

“Some family members of the Ghanaian detainees have had to pay ransoms, sometimes as much as GHc5, 000 to secure their release. It is possible that those detainees whose families could not mobilize resources to pay the ransom had been sold off,” she added.

Slave trade in Libya a mockery of African unity – Nana Addo

Pictures of slave markets and gross abuse of black Africans are awash on social media after CNN uncovered the disturbing human trade in the once safe country that is now in tatters after the overthrow of Muammar Mohammed Abu Minyar Gaddafi.

The heartbreaking images also showed some migrants being tortured to death by individuals in Libyan military wears.

There has been a wave of condemnations across Africa, especially due to the silence of the continent’s leaders and groups like the AU and ECOWAS over the incident.

In a statement on social media, President Akufo-Addo condemned the slave auctions, saying they make a mockery of African unity.

Click here for the full petition:

–

By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post Group petitions AU to investigate ‘slave trade’ in Libya appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The post Intervene in Togo crisis – Volta CSOs urge Nana Addo appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Treaties are: the Constitution for the African Civil Aviation Commission; Protocol on the establishment of the African Monetary Fund; the African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection; and the Road Safety Charter.

The rest are: Protocol to the African Charter on Human Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of older persons; Statute of the African Minerals Development Centre Statute of the Pan African Intellectual Property Organisation; and the African Union Convention on Cross-Border Co-operation.

On behalf of the AU Commission, Mrs. Amira ElFadil, the Commissioner for Social Affairs, thanked President Akufo-Addo for the importance accorded to the key policies instruments for advancing the African Union agenda, in the fields and sectors of roads, maritime, transport, as well as ICT and cyber security.

“By personally signing these instruments, you are, as always, giving us great inspiration to accelerate the implementation and I thank you,” she added.

In his remarks, President Akufo-Addo noted that “these are all important building blacks for us all to facilitate the integration of our continent, especially to deal with issues of economic development.”

The President urged his colleague Heads of State to “have an attitude that, once the obligations are made on paper, we sign them and bring them into life.”

–

Credit: Flagstaff House

The post Akufo-Addo signs eight AU treaties appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

President Akufo-Addo was given the award at the opening ceremony of the 29^th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union, which is currently on-going in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

While making the announcement, the President of Guinea, Prof. Alpha Condé, who is also the Chairperson of the African Union, explained that the decision taken by UNECA to confer this award on President Akufo-Addo is “in recognition of your efforts in gender equality at continental level.”

“It was for this reason that UNECA named President Akufo-Addo as the African Union Gender Champion for the year 2017,” he added.

President Akufo-Addo had earlier in 2017 been appointed as Chairperson of the AU’s Committee on Gender and Development, by the AU Chairperson, President Alpha Condé.

29^th AU Summit ongoing

President Akufo-Addo is currently participating in the AU meeting of Heads of State, which is taking place under the theme, “Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through Investment in the Youth.”

Issues being discussed include: institutional reforms of the AU; roadmap of practical steps to silence guns in Africa by 2020; the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA); and the implementation of Agenda 2063 – “The strategic framework for the socio-economic transformation of the continent over the next 50 years”.

It will be recalled that at the 28^th AU Summit, African leaders signed up to the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) agreement, whose purpose is ensure significant growth of Intra-Africa trade, as well as assisting countries on the continent use trade more effectively as an engine of growth and for sustainable development.

The CFTA will, amongst others, reduce the vulnerability of the continent to external shocks, and will also enhance the participation of Africa in global trade as a respectable partner, thereby reducing the continent’s dependence on foreign aid and external borrowing.

That meeting also agreed on new, adequate, predictable and sustainable ways of financing the African Union, so as to be able to achieve its desired objectives.

The African leaders present agreed that the constant resort to external funding means that the AU would be susceptible to external influences. Self-sustaining mechanisms, they said, have to be developed to demonstrate Africa’s commitment to its regional objectives and agenda.

Also, the Heads of State considered proposals from the AU Reforms Committee, headed by President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, aimed at reforming the continental body, so as to make it more relevant to the needs and aspirations of the African peoples.

Akufo-Addo appointed 36 women as MMDCEs, 9 ministers

President Akufo-Addo after taking office on January 7, 2017 appointed 36 women for the position of Metropolitan Municipal and District Chief Executives.

He also appointed nine women for ministerial roles.

Akufo-Addo’s Chief of Staff as well as the newly appointed Chief Justice of Ghana are all women.

–

By: citifmonline.com/Ghana with additional files from Flagstaff House

The post Akufo-Addo receives ‘AU Gender Champion’ award appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to President Akufo-Addo, when his predecessor, former President Mahama, told him about presenting Thomas Kwesi Quartey as Ghana’s candidate for the position, “it was a very easy matter for me, because he was a Ghanaian who had the spirit and competence for the job.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”1f9SBtoCkYGGPKuSRZOGrvnCvxUquXDt”]President Akufo-Addo made this known on Thursday, February 16, 2017, when Thomas Kwesi Quartey, now Deputy AU Commission Chairperson, and Ambassador Victor Gbeho, called on him to thank him for the support offered to the candidature of Kwesi Quartey by the government.

It will be recalled that Thomas Kwesi Quartey served as deputy Foreign Affairs Minister under the Mahama government, and was until recently Secretary to former President, John Dramani Mahama.

Nonetheless, Thomas Quartey received the strongest support and backing from the government of President Akufo-Addo, resulting in him receiving 44 out of 54 votes cast, representing some 82% of votes from the Heads of State gathered.

President Akufo-Addo noted that “it was with a clean and sincere heart that I threw my support, and I am happy that we were successful. I got all the credit for it by my fellow Heads of State, but I believe it was a good day for Ghana.”

The President urged the new Deputy AU Commission Chairperson to help effect the vision of continental integration, and ensure that the proposals adopted at the 28th AU Summit, which included the proposals on continental free trade, and finding sustainable ways of financing the AU, are fully implemented.

He was confident that Kwesi Quartey would do a good job and hold high the flag of Ghana.

Ambassador Victor Gbeho, on his part, thanked the President for the immense support given to Thomas Kwesi Quartey’s candidature, and assured him that he will work diligently to justify the confidence reposed in him, as well as enhance Ghana’s image in the comity of nations.

–

By: Sammi Wiafie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post I fully support Kwesi Quartey as Deputy AU Chair – Nana Addo appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

After an emotional and tense debate, member states decided by consensus to leave the question of the disputed territory of Western Sahara for another day, and resolve it with Morocco “back in the family”.

“Morocco has been admitted to join the AU with a view that it will become the 55th member of the continental body. That’s made with the understanding that Western Sahara will remain a member of the AU,” said Lamine Baali, ambassador of Western Sahara to Ethiopia and the AU.

“All the debates were focused on [the issue] that Morocco should respect the internationally recognised border of Western Sahara.”

The only African country not to belong to the AU, Morocco left its predecessor, the Organisation of African Unity, in 1984 after the body recognised the independence of Moroccan-occupied Western Sahara.

Morocco submitted its bid to rejoin last year, reportedly in the hope that being inside the AU would bring it diplomatic gains against Western Sahara’s independence movement  – the Polisario Front – and allow it to lobby against Western Sahara’s membership in the AU.

But Baali said Morocco had been re-admitted “with the understanding that Western Sahara will remain a member of the AU”.

The membership of relatively wealthy Morocco was welcomed by many members of the AU, which has been criticised for being overly dependent on non-African donor funding.

There was also some opposition from countries supporting the Polisario, observers said.

An African Union source, who followed the debate for Morocco to return to the continental body, said that 39 countries supported Morocco’s bid but nine voted against it.

Polisario leader and member of the Sawhrawi delegation Minister Mohamed Beiset told Al Jazeera that while there was a lengthy debate, “the wisdom of the African leaders made it possible to reach a consensus that was acceptable to everyone”.

The delegation decided, said Beiset, that “it was better to have Morocco inside the house, inside the family, and to try to reach African solutions to African problems”.

He congratulated Morocco for joining the AU, and said it was “a new opportunity that we should all seize in starting a … genuine dialogue between us to reach a solution to the long-standing conflict that has separated us”.

–

Source: Aljazeera

The post Morocco rejoins the African Union after 33 years appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The CFTA will, amongst others, reduce the vulnerability of the continent to external shocks, and will also enhance the participation of Africa in global trade as a respectable partner, thereby reducing the continent’s dependence on foreign aid and external borrowing.

This was made known at the closing ceremony of the 28th AU Summit on Tuesday, January 31, 2017, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This agreement is in furtherance of the commitment made by African leaders in Addis Ababa in 2012 towards the establishment of the CFTA

It will be recalled that at the 18th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the AU held in January, 2012, in the Ethiopian capital, the Assembly endorsed an Action plan to boost intra-Africa trade through the operationalisation of the CFTA by 2017.

The Action Plan was specifically aimed at deepening Africa’s market integration, and significantly increasing the volume of trade that African countries undertake among themselves. The plan also outlined a programme of activities required to remove all bottlenecks and obstacles to intra-African trade.

A key feature of African trade is its low level of intra-African trade, insignificant share of global trade and high external orientation. Intra-Africa trade accounts for some 10% of Africa’s total trade compared to about 60%, 40% and 30% intra-regional trade achieved by Europe, North America and ASEAN respectively.

At around 3%, the share of Africa in global trade is insignificant. In terms of the direction of Africa’s trade, exports are mainly to Europe and USA (57%) and in recent times to China.

Again, with the numerous free trade areas existing across the globe such as Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA), Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), Africa has no choice but to reduce its vulnerabilities with the creation of a CFTA.

The CFTA, therefore, will create a single continental market for goods and services, with free movement of business persons and investments, and thus pave the way for accelerating the establishment of the Continental Customs Union and the African customs union.

Additionally, the CFTA aims to expand intra African trade through better harmonization and coordination of trade liberalization and facilitation regimes, as well resolving resolve the challenges of multiple and overlapping memberships and expedite the regional and continental integration processes.

THE NATURE OF TRADE IN AFRICA
Trade is widely accepted as an important engine of economic growth and development. There are many regions and countries of the world that have been able to lift their people from poverty to prosperity through trade. In Africa, however, trade has not served as a potent instrument for the achievement of rapid and sustainable economic growth and development due mainly to its size and structure (composition) and the direction of trade.

The bulk of Africa’s trade with the outside world is heavily concentrated on primary commodities. This has ensured that the continent has been particularly vulnerable to external macroeconomic shocks and protectionist trade policies. This is evident from the recent global economic and financial crisis which had adverse impact on the continent’s economic performance.

Africa, meanwhile, Africa has the potential to supply its imports needs from its own sources in areas such as fuels, beverages, ores, metals and precious stones, and basic foods, amongst others.

The CFTA, thus, provides the opportunity for Africa to maintain food security and boost trade in agricultural products.

–

Source: Flagstaff House

The post African leaders agree deal on continental free trade appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.