Day: July 25, 2023

According to a court charge sheet dated last Thursday relating to those accused of the theft, Cecilia Abena Dapaah had a vast amount of money stolen.

It describes a “cash sum” of $1m (£780,000), as well as 300,000 euros ($333,000) and 350,000 Ghana cedis ($30,000), plus other personal items including handbags valued at $35,000 and $95,000-worth of jewellery.

The 68-year-old disputes the figures given in the court document but the revelations outraged many in Ghana.

The country’s currency has been losing value rapidly in recent months, with those in charge of the troubled economy blaming dollar hoarders for the woes of the cedi.

It was shocking for many to learn that a government minister may have been holding foreign currency herself.

Ms Dapaah resigned as minister of sanitation and water resources, a post she had held for the last five years on Saturday in order, she said, not to distract from the work of government. She added that she was sure that any investigation would show she had acted with integrity.

That did not quell the anger. By Monday she was under arrest.

The Office of the Special Prosecutor, which deals with graft allegations against high-level officials, announced that it had arrested and was questioning Ms Dappah for “suspected corruption and corruption-related offences regarding large amounts of money and other valuable items reportedly stolen from her residence”.

She was released on bail late on Monday evening after her official and private residences in the capital, Accra, were searched.

The saga began with a burglary – or possibly a series of burglaries – at the minister’s private home, which she shares with her husband and daughter.

Two women, who worked as domestic workers for the family, are at the centre of the accusations. One is alleged to have operated as a look-out, while the other allegedly stole the cash and other goods. They – as well as the three others accused – have not commented on the charges.

The “brief facts” of the investigation, which are attached to the charge sheet, say that last October Ms Dapaah’s husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour, returned home and heard “an unusual noise” from his bedroom and then found one of the accused hiding behind the door.

It was afterwards that the couple realised that things were missing but they only went to the police seven months later.

It is not clear why there was such a long delay, but in that time the accused are alleged to have gone on an extravagant spending spree.

One allegedly bought a three-bedroom house on the outskirts of Accra as well as items to go in it: a double-decker fridge, a television, a washing machine, a chest freezer, a gas cooker and a water dispenser. She allegedly gave money to her boyfriend to buy two cars – a Hyundai Elantra and a Honda Civic.

The couple are also accused of renting another three-bedroom house in a different city and a store room.

The other former employee of Ms Dapaah is alleged to have spent some of her share of the stolen money on building her own three-bedroom house.

But for the former minister herself, the source of the money that funded this alleged huge shopping bill was a mystery.

In her resignation letter, Ms Dapaah said the reports that she had “various huge sums of foreign currencies and millions of Ghana cedis… do not represent correctly what my husband and I reported to the police”.

President Nana Akufo-Addo’s response disappointed anti-corruption campaigners as it appeared to prejudge the outcome of the investigations.

“I am confident… that at the end of the day, your integrity, whilst in office, will be established,” he wrote to Ms Dapaah.

She had served as a minister since President Akufo-Addo was first elected in 2017, initially in aviation and a year later she was switched to water and sanitation.

Ms Dapaah was well known as she was one of just three women in the president’s cabinet.

Now her political future hangs in the balance as the special prosecutor investigates whether she really had such huge amounts of cash in her house and if so, where it came from.

Source: BBC

In the wondrous tapestry of technological evolution, Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands as a resplendent jewel, dazzling with transformative brilliance, promising to weave magic into the fabric of government services in Africa. Yet, amidst this awe-inspiring spectacle, a shadowy specter looms – the peril of algorithmic oppression.

To unlock the true enchantment of AI’s potential, Africa must embark on a journey guided by the radiant light of robust and appropriate AI governance structures. In this chronicle of progress, every moment counts, for the missteps in this enthralling expedition could amplify existing challenges, casting

shadows upon the path to prosperity in the region.

The promise of AI in Africa:

AI offers unprecedented opportunities for governments in Africa to enhance service delivery, optimize resource allocation, and improve decision-making. From healthcare and education to transportation and agriculture, AI can create efficiency and effectiveness, unlocking new possibilities for sustainable development.

However, these promises must be realized responsibly, and the potential pitfalls must be addressed proactively.

The perils of weak administrative and regulatory systems:

Africa has grappled with weak administrative and regulatory systems, which have often led to corruption, inefficiencies, and political oppression. If AI-driven government services are deployed without robust governance, they may exacerbate these problems. Unchecked AI algorithms could perpetuate existing biases and discriminate against certain communities, leading to further marginalization and inequality.

Algorithmic bias and its impact:

AI algorithms are only as unbiased as the data they are trained on. In Africa, historical biases, deeply rooted in societal structures, can seep into AI datasets, leading to algorithmic bias. This could result in AI-driven government services disproportionately benefiting certain groups while neglecting others. For instance, biased algorithms in criminal justice systems could exacerbate racial profiling or unfairly allocate resources to privileged regions.

AI and corruption:

Corruption has long plagued African countries, hindering growth and development. The introduction of AI must be accompanied by robust checks and balances to prevent its exploitation for corrupt practices. Without appropriate governance, AI systems could be manipulated, enabling fraudulent activities, and perpetuating a cycle of corruption.

Political oppression and AI surveillance:

AI-driven surveillance technologies, if unchecked, could grant unprecedented powers to oppressive governments to monitor and control their citizens. In Africa, where democratic institutions are still evolving, the misuse of AI surveillance could lead to political oppression, stifling freedom of speech, and impeding human rights.

The path forward: Robust AI governance in Africa

To embrace the potential of AI without falling prey to algorithmic oppression, African nations must adopt robust AI governance structures. Here are key strategies to ensure responsible AI implementation:

Ethical AI principles: In light of the Universal Guidelines on Artificial Intelligence, a beacon of ethical illumination shines upon the path of progress. Governments must seize the opportunity to establish profound AI principles, drawing from the essence of fairness, transparency, and accountability.

As AI systems take flight, they must be woven with the threads of justice, unfettered by discrimination, and woven into a tapestry of understanding that embraces and enlightens all users who venture into this realm of enchantment.

Diverse and representative data: In the realm of AI’s unfolding journey, Africa finds itself standing at the threshold of potential, poised to embrace the wonders of this transformative force. Yet, as it sets forth on this epic quest, it faces a critical challenge – the scarcity of quality datasets. To wield AI’s power responsibly, Africa must embark on a noble quest to invest in a treasure trove of diverse and representative datasets, encompassing the essence of its entire population, including the marginalized communities.

In this noble pursuit, the ghosts of historical biases must be exorcised from the data, leaving no room for distortion or bias, ensuring that the very essence of AI algorithms is nourished by unbiased information, and truth prevails in this saga of progress.

Independent audit and review: Regular independent audits and reviews of AI systems are essential to identify and address algorithmic biases and potential risks. Transparency in AI decision-making processes will enhance trust and accountability.

Public consultations: Governments should engage in public consultations when deploying AI-driven government services. Soliciting feedback from citizens and civil society organizations will help identify potential pitfalls and ensure inclusive decision-making.

Cross-border collaboration: In the realm of AI governance in Africa, the African Union and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights stand as regional bedrock inspirations, illuminating the path to a human-centered framework.

Collaboration among African nations is paramount as they join forces in AI governance initiatives, pooling best practices and resources. Regional partnerships forge a collective strength, allowing them to confront shared challenges with unity and determination. By adhering to these guiding principles, Africa can pave the way for responsible AI development that puts humanity at the core of its transformative journey.

Conclusion:

As Africa sets its sights on the transformative potential of AI-driven government services, the region must tread carefully to avoid algorithmic oppression. With weak administrative and regulatory systems in place, the risks of corruption, bias, and political oppression are real and must not be overlooked.

By adopting robust and appropriate AI governance structures, Africa can unleash the true power of AI while ensuring fairness, transparency, and equity in

its implementation. The time to act is now, for responsible AI can drive Africa’s progress toward a brighter and more inclusive future.

Source: Ghana Web

A young lecturer at Ghana’s premier specialised communications school, the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), Phillip Atawura, has recounted the very moment he realised that the medical condition he had been diagnosed with had reached alarming levels.

The lecturer, speaking publicly about his story with Daniel Oduro, host of The Lowdown on GhanaWeb TV, for the first time, said that on the very day, the diagnosis was made to him, he had even walked a long distance from the main entrance of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.

For him, that news did not sound as scary as when he had to be retained at the hospital, although, as he added, he was on his way back to school.

“I walked to the hospital. You know, from the Korle-Bu entrance to the medical ward but I walked from the entrance all by myself and from there, I was going back to school. So, initially, I was surprised. I didn’t believe it; I was in the denial stage until the doctor told me to sit and wait for a nurse to come for me to the ward,” he explained.

Phillip Atawura then explained that things took a rude quick turn on him soon enough when the nurse assigned to him, came to him.

While seated on a bed and waiting for her, he told Daniel Oduro that in his mind, he imagined that he would just have to follow the nurse, on foot, but how she came for him woke him up to the harsh reality of the state of the condition he was in.

“I thought the nurse was just coming to say, ‘Phillip, let’s go,’ but when the nurse came, she came with a wheelchair and I was like, is this how pathetic my situation has become? I told the nurse I can walk but she said, no, that my condition is such that she can’t guarantee what would happen next if I should walk. And that was the turning point for me,” he explained.

Until he publicly announced his condition, the young lecturer had been silently dealing with the condition for over 2 years, he told the host of the Lowdown on GhanaWeb TV.

Phillip Atawura also shared several other interesting details about his journey with kidney failure, plus calls he is making to the government on how it can help patients like him.

Source: Ghana Web

UBA Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has once again taken a remarkable step towards promoting sustainability and fostering Africa’s green revolution.

Following the footsteps of the Chairman of UBA Plc, the foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to environmental preservation in line with global efforts to mitigate climate change and advance ecological conservation.

As part of activities to ensure the safety of the environment and in line with its environmental mandate, the Foundation on Thursday, flagged off its 2023 Tree Planting Campaign in partnership with the Lagos State Parks and Garden Agency (LASPARK), at the UBA Foundation Garden, Marina Lagos and the International Airport Setback Garden, Ikeja Lagos; and across all its locations in the 20 African countries with the theme: Shades of Hope: One Tree at a Time.

UBA’s Group Managing Director, Oliver Alawuba, who flagged off the campaign with a symbolic tree planting at the UBA Foundation Garden, Marina Lagos, said that the bank, through its Foundation actively engages in environmental conservation to safeguard the natural ecosystems that Africa depends on.

He explained that by partnering with stakeholders and government agencies, UBA Foundation supports programs that enhance biodiversity and ecosystem health and also serves as an inspiration for sustainable practices.

Alawuba said, “With the ongoing heatwave that has been reported across the United States, United Kingdom, and China, we know that the issue of climate change has to be taken seriously now more than ever. We, therefore, have to act fast to save our planet for future generations. There is a need to conserve our environment, and planting trees is one of the ways we can achieve this.

“To us as a bank, this is very symbolic as we are committed to saving our host communities. We are very strong on our Corporate Social Responsibilities, in fact, as a bank, UBA devotes one percent of its annual profit to improve education, and the environment, and to generally give back to the society where we operate.”

Earlier this month in London, the Group Chairman, of UBA, Tony Elumelu, who is also the Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation joined King Charles III of the United Kingdom and US President Joe Biden at the Climate Finance Mobilisation Forum to help attract a new generation of capital to combat climate change

Elumelu, who has been at the forefront of sustainability efforts in Africa, and also one of Africa’s most prominent advocates for equitable climate finance, has been working with top world leaders towards creating sustainable climate solutions. According to Tony Elumelu, the world needs bold actions and innovative new partnerships between public, private, and philanthropic actors.

One of the key partners with UBA Foundation on its sustainability efforts is LASPARK. General Manager, Mrs. Adetoun Popoola, who was at the tree planting effort in Lagos, commended UBA for its efforts at planting over 1,000 trees, across all its branches in Africa, as she added that initiatives such as these complement government efforts.

She said, “Collaborations such as these are important, and we do not fail to let people know that planting trees is very crucial to build a safer and sustainable environment which is important for us. So, we advise that people should learn to plant trees for special events, such as weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and others, you can plant on your balconies, gardens, rooftops galleries, and anywhere.

UBA Foundation, the CSR arm of the UBA Group, is committed to the socio-economic betterment of the communities in which the bank operates, focusing on development in the areas of Education, Environment, Economic Empowerment, and Special Projects.

Source: Ghana Web

Two of the four suspected armed robbers who allegedly robbed a mobile phone business in Kwame Danso, Sene West District, have been apprehended by Boni Region police.

The suspects were among two others accused of robbing the shop over the weekend.

The robbery incident on the phone business murdered two people.

Rainbowradioonline.com has learned that three more people have been injured.

The attack occurred at 7:40 p.m. on Saturday, July 22, 2023.

The armed individuals, numbering around four, assaulted the phone business and stole phones and other accessories worth thousands of Ghana Cedis.

According to information received, the suspected armed robbers entered the shop a few minutes after a power outage in the Kwame Danso neighbourhood at around 7:40 p.m. and fled the scene a few minutes before the lights turned back on.

Adamu Ibrahim, 40, and Abubakar Karim, 19, were killed.

The injured patients were transported to Yeji for further treatment.

Our correspondent, Daniel Adu Gyamfi, provided an update, revealing that the suspects were apprehended on Sunday, July 23, 2023, around 4:00 p.m.

They were apprehended based on information acquired by the Sene East Police Command.

The culprits were reportedly fleeing the area when they were apprehended by police.

They are currently in the custody of the police and are collaborating with investigations.

Source: Ghana Web