“One of the most alarming findings of the report […] is how Turkish authorities reportedly detained some 100 women who were pregnant or had just given birth, mostly on the grounds that they were ‘associates’ of their husbands, who are suspected of being connected to terrorist organizations,” said Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, in a news release announcing the findings.

[contextly_sidebar id=”K8CnaZyNmrGnV6Ygj1TMc9AgFxO4HoRH”]“Some were detained with their children and others violently separated from them. This is simply outrageous, utterly cruel, and surely cannot have anything whatsoever to do with making the country safer,” he added.

While taking note of the complex challenges Turkey has faced in addressing the attempted coup in July 2016, as well as a number of terrorist attacks, the report cites that the sheer number, frequency and lack of connection of several emergency decrees to any national threat seem to point to the use of emergency powers to stifle any form of criticism or dissent vis-à-vis the Government.

During the 18-month state of emergency, nearly 160,000 people have been arrested; 152,000 civil servants dismissed, many arbitrarily; and teachers, judges and lawyers dismissed or prosecuted.

The report also documents the use of torture and ill-treatment in custody, including severe beatings, threats of sexual assault and actual sexual assault, electric shocks and waterboarding by police, gendarmerie, military police and security forces.

It also notes that about 300 journalists have been arrested under allegations that their publications contained “apologist sentiments regarding terrorism” or other “verbal act offences” or for “membership” in terrorist organisations.

Over 100,000 websites were reportedly blocked in 2017, including a high number of pro-Kurdish websites and satellite TV channels.

Covering the period January to December last year, the report also states that the April 2017 referendum which extended the President’s executive powers into both the legislature and the judiciary as seriously problematic, resulting in interference with the work of the judiciary and curtailment of parliamentary oversight over the executive branch.

By the end of 2017, 22 emergency decrees were promulgated with a further two more since the cut-off date of the report.

The report further underlines the need ensure independent, individualized reviews and compensation for victims of arbitrary detentions and dismissals and calls on Turkey to promptly end the state of emergency, restore normal functioning of State institutions, as well as revise and release all legislation not compliant with its international human rights obligations, including the emergency decrees.

“I urge the Government of Turkey to ensure that these allegations of serious human rights violations are investigated and the perpetrators are brought to justice,” said Mr. Zeid, also calling on the Government to allow full and unfettered access to his Office (OHCHR) to be able to directly, independently and objectively assess the human rights situation in the southeast of the country.
–
By: news.un.org

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This is according to the latest World Happiness Report.

The report, which was released by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network for the United Nations on March 14, days before World Happiness Day on March 20, placed Nigeria 17 places above Ghana in the 156-country list.

Ghana placed 108th on the ranking while Nigeria was 91st, with Finland, being named the happiest country in the world.

The report ranked the countries on six main variables that sought to assess the well-being of persons in the focus country.

The indicators include income, freedom, trust, healthy life expectancy, social support and generosity.

The top 10 countries named in the list are; Finland, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Switzerland, Netherlands, Canada, New Zealand, Sweden, and Australia.

A co-editor of the report, John Helliwell, a professor emeritus of economics at the University of British Columbia said, “The top five countries all have almost equally high values for the six factors found to support happiness, and four of these countries — Denmark, Switzerland, Norway and now Finland — have been in first place in the six World Happiness Report rankings since the first report.”

The top 5 African countries on the list are Algeria, Morocco, Nigeria, Somalia and Cameroon.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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This revelation comes months after some 127 Ghanaian detainees were rescued from Libya, following reports that Africans there had been subjected to inhumane treatment after giving away their life’s earnings, to make the torturous journeys through the Sahara, hoping to make it big in Europe.

‘Staggering statistics’

The IOM’s report also ranked Ghana as one of the countries with the highest number of illegal migrants in Libya.

Out of the 12 countries ranked, Ghana came 5th with a total of 31, 251 migrants in Libya, followed by Nigeria which had a total of 29,605 migrants, and Mali with 24, 105 migrants.

Niger topped the list of countries with 78,723 migrants followed by Egypt, which had a total of 78,616 migrants in Libya.

[contextly_sidebar id=”xq9uQQnO6aY7HgLwvyM912uqm1s6kgWP”]The trend of illegal migration according to some experts, is increasingly becoming a national security concern in Ghana hence the need for firm acts to address it.

Reports have indicated that, since 2014, more than 400,000 African migrants and refugees have crossed the Mediterranean from Libya to Italy.

The IOM’s report also indicated that, about 15,000 deaths had been recorded globally since 2014 as a result of illegal migration.

However in 2016, the number reduced to 5,143, and further decreased to 3,116 in 2017.

Despite these staggering figures, the IOM has indicated that, the actual number of deaths recorded through illegal migration far exceeds reported figures.

In a bid to address the problem, the Project Manager at IOM’s Indonesia Branch, Paul Dillon, indicated at a media workshop in Accra, that the Organisation has been working in tandem with other stakeholders to roll out policies that will permanently address the problem.

Under its action programme called the “joint response”, the IOM seeks to :

• Evacuate detention centres

• Bring migrants to safety

• Offer alternatives to irregular migration

• Reintegrate returnees back home

• Include communities of origin

‘Reversing illegal migration’

President Nana Akufo-Addo had vowed to reverse the trend of illegal migration by Ghanaians, by building a sound economy with opportunities for all.

In an address at Cambridge University in the United Kingdom, the President stated that it was inappropriate for any Ghanaian to go through the life threatening ordeal of an immigrant.

“There have always been adventurous Ghanaians who would go out and try their luck in other parts of the world but the periods of economic collapse turned our country into places of wholesale emigration,” the President noted.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

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The report, named IMANIFESTO, is released yearly to critically analyse government’s performance by assigning a percentage score.

The launch of the report took place today [Wednesday], at the Tang Palace Hotel in Accra, and was attended by political party representatives and various stakeholders, who had the privilege to assess the report by making contributions and asking questions.

[contextly_sidebar id=”6UNVDra1kAgdbbJxwpM1cbaPqzgn7j2r”]This year’s analysis however took a purely qualitative form with highlights and comments on government’s achievements so far.

It also identified gaps, challenges and offers some suggestions on the active implementation of the promises.

The analysis of the report was undertaken along eight broad themes; Economy, Job creation, Agriculture, Governance, Education, Health, Energy and Infrastructure.

Data sources for the assessment included, the 2016 Manifesto, 2017 and 2018 Budget Statements, the Coordinated Programmes for Economic and Social Development, and project and news reports.

Job creation

The report, among others , revealed that promises relating to job creation was not encouraging.

“Despite the numerous promises targeted at creating massive employment, there is little evidence to suggest the actual number of jobs created in the ­first year,” it said.

Agric sector

On the other hand, performance in the agriculture sector was rated as “fairly good”,  given the successful implementation of a number of programmes such as the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ), and the significant reduction in the prices of selected agricultural inputs.

The report however made mention of what was described as the slow pace in implementing projects relating to irrigation and fisheries.

Governance

On Governance, the report noted that, although the Office of the Special Prosecutor was established to help combat corruption and Public sensitization carried out in 2017, little progress was made on other anti-corruption measures on governance issues in the first year.

Education

Under the education sector, the report highlighted government’s  steps to implement most of its promises which included the implementation of the Free SHS policy among others.

It however said the policy had implementation challenges in the form of infrastructure de­ficit, congestion, inadequate furniture, high preference for boarding status among others.

Click here for IMANI Ghana’s full report on NPP’s 1st year in office

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post IMANI assesses NPP’s 1st year in office [Report] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This was disclosed by the District Chief Executive for Kwabre East, Nana Osei Assibey Bonsu after an emergency meeting with stakeholders.

[contextly_sidebar id=”ycxdBymCjA8Wmeu5bVS6ei88Fc9cSDuN”]The students, who vandalized the headmaster’s bungalow and other school properties over what they described as his refusal to allow them to partake in activities such as inter-schools sports and entertainment.

The police were subsequently dispatched to the school to maintain law and order.

Four students were admitted following the protests but two were discharged on Monday. The other two are reported to be responding to treatment.

Mr Assibey Bonsu said the police officers deployed to the school will remain stationed there until there is absolute calm.

He further indicated that either the school or government will bear the cost of damages, depending on recommendations of the Committee.

“Experts will go round and assess the extent of the damages and let us have the cost of the total damages and we are waiting for the report of the committee. If the committee recommends that the schools will pay, fine they will pay. If the committee recommends that government will pay or the schools should pay, that is where we will take it from so we are waiting for the school’s recommendation.”

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By: Hafiz Tijani/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post C’ttee to present report on Gyaama Pensan SHS riot Friday  appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Head of the Political Science Department, Dr. Bossman Asare, who made this revelation while presenting the survey findings, said : “We wanted to find out who the voters think should lead the party [NDC] in 2020, and overwhelmingly 58% of the candidates we interviewed said they believed Mr. Mahama will become the candidate and a number of them generally said they wanted Mr. Mahama to come.

“It means when you look at the graph, some people were getting 2 percent. Prof Alabi, Ricketts Hagan, Spio Grabrah, I think all of them were getting less than 7% so we were all surprised.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”uiYoj4vhCvGqbKCvRbJg1zRQ7z9iaeGb”]Several members of the NDC including, Nadowli-Kaleo MP, Alban Bagbin, Dr. Spio-Garbrah, former NHIA boss, Sylvester Mensah, Joshua Alabi, former MP for La-Dadekotopon, Nii Amasah Namoale among others, have given indications they may contest the flagbearership position.

Dr. Bossman Asare mentioned that, these other aspirants, particularly Spio Garbrah, Ricketts Hagan and Prof. Alabi had less than 7% in the survey.

The former President, John Dramani Mahama, is yet to make a definite decision on his future, although he has given hints suggesting that he may contest.

The survey, which was conducted by the Department focused on democratic governance.

62% of Ghanaians ‘happy’ with NPP’s performance – UG Report

The Political Science Department of the University of Ghana also said the Akufo Addo government’s approval rating in its first year, stands at 62%.

In the research conducted by the Department which focused on democratic governance, 49% of the 5000 voters sampled, endorsed the Free Senior High School [SHS] programme, making it one of popular initiatives of the government.

It was followed by government’s fight against illegal mining, which stood at 37%.

On the Office of the Special Prosecutors Bill, 64% of Ghanaians backed government’s decision.

On the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Dr. Asare noted that “Although the NHIS for example is not so perfect, we heard the voters making it very clear that they thought that it has seen some revival.”

This rating comes days after the Industrial Commercial Workers’ Union (ICU) scored Nana Addo’s government 80% in its assessment, but emphasized the need for government to speed up processes to get the Special Prosecutor Office running effectively.

11 controversies that rocked NPP gov’t in 2017

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) government officially marked the first year of its administration on 7th January, 2017, after wresting power from the then NDC government led by John Dramani Mahama.

The party claimed electoral victory on the back of many campaign promises aimed at boosting social infrastructure and providing a convenient economic environment for private businesses to thrive.

Despite the 62% acceptance rating, the government has had its share of controversies, with several of them being alleged corruption scandals.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

The post 58% of voters expect Mahama to contest in 2020 – Report appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

She said about 20.4 percent of children in primary three read with minimum competency and proficiency in English.

Madam Nicoleau disclosed this during the opening of a two-month Ghanaian language materials development writers’ workshop on learner’s project held in Tamale.

The learner’s project is being funded by USAID and implemented throughout the country aimed at supporting the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service to improve on reading performance in the primary schools.

She said the project policies would improve on teaching and learning materials as well as training and coaching of teachers.

She said stakeholders of the project would be monitoring and evaluating as a means of measuring progress and produce evidence which would also increase support for reading at the district, regional and national levels.

According to Madam Nicoleau, 1,700 circuit supervisors and language experts would be benefiting from the districts, while about 6,700 schools and 22,800 teachers would also benefit.

She mentioned that 1.1 million classroom blocks from Kindergarten one-two to primary two pupils would also benefit from the project.

Mrs Cynthia Bosumtwi-Sam, the Acting Deputy Director of Ghana Education Service, said the project would solve the national challenges of less reading of children in the country.

She urged the Teachers and Directors of the schools to make use of the learning materials provided to them to enhance quality education in the country.

Dr. Paul Opoku-Mensah, the Senior Language Policy Advisor of Party Learning, stated that, Ghanaian languages should be used as a medium of instruction from Kindergarten to primary three to help the children learn how to read both the local and the English languages.

James Dobson, the Director of Education at USAID, encouraged stakeholders and other partners to support the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service to accomplish the goals of the project.

–

Source: GNA

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The report is expected to explain the circumstances surrounding the scandal, and make some recommendations on the way forward on the issue, which many say has dented the image of the House.

[contextly_sidebar id=”5PKPPNq1VIvZyRDCT7kQl893dqnN97ku”]Speaking to Citi News’ Richard Dela Sky ahead of the reading of the report to Parliament Thursday evening, Mr. Ghartey insisted that the report can be trusted, since no one attempted interfering with the work of the committee.

He further revealed that, the committee took the painstaking effort to go through a very transparent process to arrive at its conclusions

“If I didn’t not think that it was credible, I would not have put it out. We have gone through a very transparent process and we have come to conclusions, having debated it thoroughly. I can tell you that two days ago, we met and we worked till morning and we argued each line. We never came to a conclusion that we have to vote. We tried to work with unanimity, where we had different opinions we stated it and we found a way around it. We disagreed on a lot of things.”

“.. I think with the nature of our work, it is important that we have some kind of insulation and I can say that nobody in this legislature tried to influence us in anyway. We have been meeting overnight. Even yesterday we met till 12.o clock. We found a very democratic process and I want to thank the members of my team. In the beginning I said to them that this was a serious matter and we must maintain the integrity of this House.”

Report to be debated

Members of Parliament will be given the opportunity to debate the report, according to Mr. Ghartey.

He was however unable to tell the specific time the debate will take off.

“Whether it will be debated today or tomorrow I don’t know. After we present the report, it is debated and they agree. There is flexibility. We are making recommendations.”

–

By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

The post Bribery scandal report credible – Joe Ghartey appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Chairman of the group , Aaron Abdul Rahman, who made the appeal on Eyewitness News, said the disclosure of details of the report will boost the confidence of Ghanaians and the international community in the country’s institutions.

[contextly_sidebar id=”7T1Zx8ZS3fRNHuM8SKWXrAhmrrc0IqAb”]”We are worried that such an allegation, if not well precipitated and their findings made public, will have some negative repercussions on our country. We are therefore asking that we publish the report for the international community to know the details and for that matter the truth.”

The group in a separate statement issued earlier, explained that the report when published, will also ensure what it called “objective analysis.”

“The final content of the report if made public for all stakeholders to have access to it, will aid us to do an objective analysis as to whether or not, objectivity can be cited in the entire report considering the information we have at hand already.”

“Though the fashion of interrogation vis-à-vis the questioning mode and personality posturing of persons at both the Committee level and some of the witnesses gave a lot of reasons for observers to be worried of what is expected of the report, we still reckon that, the final content of the report if made public for all stakeholders to have access to it, will aid us to do an objective analysis.”

A five-member committee was set up to look into allegations that the Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko, bribed some members of the Appointments Committee to ensure his approval as a minister.

Discussions on the report, which has been laid before Parliament upon the advice of the Committee’s Chairman will take place today ‘

[Thursday].

The statement from the group is below

The Manager,
Tamale Branch,

March 29, 2017.

JOE GHARTEY COMMITTEE REPORT ON ALLEGED BRIBERY SCANDAL SHOULD BE MADE PUBLIC

Quite skeletal information gathered from the media points to the readiness of the Joe Ghartey Committee to release the final report on the bribery scandal as alleged against parliament house of Ghana’s Republic today, March 29, 2017 which coincidentally falls on the birthday and exact day (Wednesday) of President of Republic of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Ado Danquah Akuffo-Addo; we take this opportunity to wish our President a Happy Birthday.

It important to recall that, the Committee was caused to investigate the alleged bribery scandal that hit the august house during the vetting of Mr. Boakye Agyarko, now known as the Hon. Minister of Energy by no mean a person, but a member of the august house in the person of Hon. Mahama Ayariga.

Some Civil Society Organisations in the likes of African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA) have already mounted doubts over the possible objectivity expected of the Joe Ghartey Committee’s Report but we of Public Interest Advocacy Group (PIAG) hold a different view. PIAG believes that, it is too early yet to begin to cast doubts over the possible objectivity of the expected report. As honuourable as the Committee members are, we anticipate with the greatest respect that, they will do a good job that will indemnify the august house of its lost notional image in the eyes observers in Ghana’s public gallery and other stakeholders including the international community.

Though the fashion of interrogation vis-à-vis the questioning mode and personality posturing of persons at both the Committee level and some of the witnesses gave a lot of reasons for observers to be worried of what is expected of the report, but we still reckon that, the final content of the report if made public for all stakeholders to have access to it, will aid us to do an objective analysis as to whether or not, objectivity can be cited in the entire report considering the information we have at hand already.

With the greatest respect once again, we of the Public Interest Advocacy Group (PIAG) call on the leadership of our august house to facilitate with adequate speed, all processes leading to making the Joe Ghartey Committee Report on the bribery scandal that was alleged to have hit Ghana’s Parliamentary House. We will continue to believe that, on the practice of accountable democracy, Ghana will continue to be the beacon of hope of Africa and for that under no circumstance should her image be dented through her parliament house with such a serious alleged scandal.

We will continue to collaborate with Government, other Civil Society Organisations, Stakeholders and the international community to ensure that, Ghana’s image in the face of the practice of accountable democracy is not tampered with in favour of any personal or parochial interest or gains.

Abdul-Rahaman A.
(EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR)

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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This follows the swearing-in of the President on Saturday, January 7, 2017.

Presenting the final report to the President, the Head of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) side of the team, Mr. Osafo Marfo, said “We are privileged to engage you in your first day of office. I have with me the transition team and the heads of the various sectors of the economy to present the interim report of the transition team. On behalf of the transition team I have 24 sector reports, which covers all the sectors of the economy. And this is the interim report. I want to hand over the number one on the list, symbolic of the rest which is the economy; finance…On behalf of the transition team and on behalf of the sector leaders, your excellency may I please hand over to you.”

NDC members fail to show up

But President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo  was not unhappy that only his side of the transition team, did the representation.

“First of all, thank you very much indeed because this is my first day here, the sooner I get briefed on the important matters that confront the government the better. But the transition team by my understanding consists of two groups, both us and members of the former government; but the faces I see here are all faces of the New Patriotic Party people. I don’t understand because my understanding is that the transition teams incorporate two groups,”  the President complained.

Former President Mahama inaugurated the transition team on December 11, 2016, to facilitate the change of government after the Electoral Commission declared Nana Addo as winner of the keenly contested general election on December 7, 2016.

The team is to officially complete its work on the 3^rd of February 2017, and will present its final report around the 10^th of February.

Mr. Osafo Marfo explained that, the team is “still on the work because there are few matters to be sorted out.”

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Transition team presents interim report to Prez. Akufo-Addo appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.