Day: January 14, 2024

Demba Dem, the fourth plaintiff in the crimes against humanity trial of Gambia’s former interior minister, Ousman Sonko, has told the court that Sonko sat on an investigative panel that oversaw his interrogation and torture.

Dem was a Gambian lawmaker for ex-President Yahya Jammeh’s Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) party in 2006 when Dem was arrested by security officials over his alleged involvement in a foiled plot to overthrow Jammeh. (Dem has always maintained his innocence and denied being involved in the attempted coup.)

In the aftermath of the attempted coup, close to 70 Gambians-military officers and civilians, including Dem-were allegedly arrested and subjected to horrific torture at the complex of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), on the outskirts of Banjul.

‘The suspects were all tortured at the NIA. Evidence was fabricated and used against them to convict them of treason,’ Gambia’s Truth Commission found. Those tortured also included journalists Madi Ceesay an
d Musa Saidykhan, both of whom are expected to testify against Sonko in the coming days.

Dem is the third plaintiff before the Swiss court to testify on events related to the alleged 2006 attempted coup. Sonko faces allegations that he participated in the panel that oversaw the interrogations and torture of detainees, charges he has denied. If found guilty, Sonko could face up to 20 years in prison and deportation at the end of his sentence.

As the landmark trial enters its second week on Monday the court will hear from six more plaintiffs. A tenth plaintiff, Nogoi Njie died in September while waiting for her day in court, allegedly from injuries inflicted by Sonko and the hit squad under his direction, in 2016.

Sonko’s alleged crimes extended beyond Gambia. Among the crimes attributed to him is the 2005 killings of about 44 Ghanaians, nine Nigerians, two Togolese, and nationals of Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal along with a subsequent effort to cover them up. West African governments have demanded accountabili
ty in this case.

After Jammeh’s election defeat in 2016 the new government established a Truth, Reconciliation and Reparation Commission to examine his alleged crimes. The Commission found at least 600 people were involved in human rights violations and crimes during Jammeh’s 22-year rule.

At least 71 were recommended for prosecution. Just eight have faced prosecution for Jammeh-era crimes inside Gambia.

Sonko is the second Jammeh official to face prosecution in a European jurisdiction, under the legal principle of ‘universal jurisdiction’ which holds that crimes committed against all humanity can be tried anywhere regardless of where they were committed. Sonko is being tried in Switzerland where he sought asylum in 2016. Bai Lowe was convicted in Germany in November 2023. Michael Sang Correa, another alleged member of the hit squad, is scheduled to be tried for torture in the United States in September, 2024.

‘The universal jurisdiction is narrowing the space for perpetrators,’ said Gambian human rights
lawyer Abdoulie Fatty. ‘It also gives hope that slowly but surely the perpetrators cannot escape. That they can run but they cannot hide.’

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Central Region recorded 664 fire incidents in 2023 as against 570 in 2022, the regional office of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has said.

This means that the region experienced 94 more fire cases than it did in 2022, representing an increase of 16.5 per cent.

However, none of the incidents was fatal unlike in 2022 where two people died in the 570 cases recorded.

DOIII Abdul Wasiu Hudu, the Regional Public Relations Officer (PRO), told the Ghana News Agency that although it was normal to see a rise in fire incidents as settlements expanded, the rate of increase was worrying.

Bushfires, he said, jumped significantly from 114 in 2022 to 159 in 2023 with the majority of the cases caused by farmers and hunters.

He said domestic fires also rose to 234 in 2023 from 195 in 2022, most of which were caused by electrical faults as a result of poor wiring, and LPG accidents.

‘Burning of rubbish also caused some commercial fires,’ he added.

On the brighter side, DOIII Hudu said institutional fires suc
h as schools and markets decreased by about 20 per cent from 35 to 25 while vehicular cases also reduced to 60 from 62.

He, however, noted that the majority of the vehicular fires could have been prevented or controlled if the drivers had extinguishers.

‘Every vehicle should have a fire extinguisher because it is more important than any part of the vehicle,’ DOIII Hudu said.

‘By all means you should have one in your car, unless you are irresponsible.’

Detailing other cases attended to, the PRO said the Service made 125 road traffic extrications and handled one flood incident and six incidents of bee attacks in which 10 people were injured.

‘There were four well rescues where two died and two survived, one rescue from a septic tank and one case of electrocution,’ he explained.

The Service, however, received 34 prank calls in 2023.

DOIII Hudu, expressing disquiet over the incident, said fire safety was a shared responsibility and entreated the public to avoid such prank calls and religiously follow all p
rotocols to ensure the safety of all.

With bushfires being a major concern, he said the Service would continue sensitising stakeholders on the laws against bush burning and its consequences to mitigate such incidents.

‘It’s illegal to burn bushes and you will be held accountable if your actions lead to bushfires,’ he warned.

The Fire Officer said the major challenge of the Service was the long distances they covered to attend to distress calls.

That, he noted, increased the response time for which reason some of the incidents went out of control.

He, therefore, appealed for more fire stations to save lives and property.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Logba-Tota Health Centre in the Afadzato South District of the Volta Region has appealed for the construction of a Water Closet (WC) facility and security services to enhance work at the Centre.

Ms Grace Kumafo, Staff Midwife and Facility in-charge appealed through the Ghana News Agency (GNA) during a visit to the centre.

She said due to the absence of a WC at the facility, protecting the privacy of pregnant women and lactating mothers who visited the centre for medical attention was a challenge.

The facility serves communities including Logba-Tota, Klikpo, Abayeme, Dzufi and Akpenaxor with a population of about 2,066.

Attendance at the Out Patients Department was an average of 10 clients daily, Maternity was six on average, and Reproductive and Child Health was five visits per day, Ms Kumafo said.

On security, she said management needed the services of a security man to guard the centre and its staff and patients, especially during night duties.

Source: Ghana News Agency

A few days ago, the author participated in the Central Conference on China’s Work Relating to Foreign Affairs, held in Beijing from December 27 -28, 2023.

The conference pointed out the direction for future diplomatic works and the development of China-Africa relations.

The author takes this opportunity to introduce to his Ghanaian friends the guiding principles of the conference and the future prospects of China’s diplomacy.

Mr Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, and the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), presented a systematic review of the historic achievements and valuable experience of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era.

He gave a profound exposition on the international environment and historical mission of China’s external work on the new journey, with comprehensive plans for the country’s external work.

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the country has made histori
c achievements and changes in external work on the great journey of advancing the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.

First, China has established and developed Xi Jinping’s Thoughts on Diplomacy, opening up new vistas in the theory and practice of the country’s diplomacy and providing the fundamental guidelines for advancement.

Second, China has showcased her distinct characteristics, style and ethos in diplomacy, and established the image of a confident, self-reliant, open and inclusive major country with a global vision.

Third, the country has advocated the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, pointing the right direction for human society, leading to common development, lasting peace and security, and mutual learning between civilizations.

Fourth, China has followed the strategic guidance of head-of-state diplomacy and played an increasingly important and constructive role in international affairs.

Fifth, she has taken a holistic approach to her relati
ons with all parties, with a view to fostering major-country dynamics featuring peaceful coexistence, overall stability and balanced development.

Next, China has expanded its comprehensive strategic layout and formed a wide-ranging, high-quality global network of partnerships.

China has advanced high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and established the world’s most broad-based and largest platform for international cooperation.

Also, the country has worked to pursue both development and safeguard security, and effectively upheld China’s sovereignty, security and development interests with a firm will and an indomitable fighting spirit.

China has taken an active part in global governance and shown the way to reforming the international system and order.

She has strengthened the centralised, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, and brought about greater coordination in China’s external work.

Building a community with a shared future for mankind is the core tenet of Xi Jinping’s Thought on Dip
lomacy.

It is how China proposes to solve the questions of what kind of world to build and how to build it based on her deepening understanding of the laws governing the development of human society.

It reflects the Chinese Communists’ worldview, perception of order, and values, accords with the common aspiration of people in all countries, and points the direction for the progress of world civilizations.

It is also the noble goal pursued by China in conducting major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics for the new era.

Given the series of major issues and challenges facing the world today, China calls for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation.

An equal and orderly multipolar world is one in which all countries, regardless of size, are treated as equals, hegemonism and power politics are rejected, democracy is truly promoted in international relations, and true multilateralism is practised.

A universally beneficial and inclusive
economic globalisation is one that meets the common needs of all countries, especially the developing ones, and properly addresses the development imbalances between and within countries resulting from the global allocation of resources.

It is important to resolutely oppose the attempt to roll back globalisation and abuse the concept of security, oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, and make economic globalisation more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all.

In 2024, a new conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will be held in China, and the Belt and Road Initiative, which is at the beginning of a new decade and of great significance to China-Africa friendship, will add fresh dynamism to high-quality cooperation between China and Ghana.

Guided by ‘Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era’ and the ‘Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy’, in particular, China will continue to uphold the concept of a China-Africa community with a shared
future.

It will conduct in-depth discussions on the development of China-Ghana cooperation, focus on key areas, strengthen exchanges and coordination, and deepen practical cooperation, to ensure a win-win path to address emerging challenges and seize new opportunities.

Happy New Year to the Ghanaian people! May the China-Ghana friendship live forever!

Source: Ghana News Agency

Works have begun on a 1.2-kilometre road in the Ho Municipality that connects to the Aflao highway in the Volta Region, under the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Programme.

Mr Divine Bosson, the Ho Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), told the media during a tour of the project, that the road, known as the (Oxygen City Street), would open up many fast-growing communities in the area.

‘The Oxygen City Street will give meaning to the oxygen city concept. It will have a two-sided drain and we will demonstrate the environmental concept with trees etc.’

The project is being undertaken by Messrs First Sky, and, when completed, would enable works on a major bridge across the south-bound highway to progress.

The MCE showed the press some wrongly cited buildings obstructing the road project and said all those buildings would be pulled down.

The team, comprising planners and engineers from the Assembly, inspected works on other roads including a popular alternative route to the market, informally named the ‘scrap road
.’

Work is also expected to be completed on a bridge connecting the Ho Central Market, the neglect of which had seen several demonstrations to draw attention to its completion.

A short strategic road in the heart of town, which had been sealed off with unauthorised buildings, is also being constructed.

The MCE had taken the initiative to open up the road and several others like it in the Municipality, when he assumed office.

Mr Bosson said more than two kilometres of roads would be completed within nine months for GHC6.6 million sourced from the Third Installment of the World Bank’s Urban Development Grant.

Roads in the central market would also be upgraded, he said and reminded traders there to free up the curbs for the works to commence.

The First Sky and Openya Construction Ltd are undertaking the projects.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Nana Kweku Yensu I, the Sanaahen of the Oguaa Traditional Area, has donated 100 pieces of bedspreads to the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH) to aid the delivery of quality health care.

The gesture formed part of the chief’s commitment to helping to ameliorate the plight of the hospital after having a first-hand experience of the challenges it faces.

Handing over the items at his residence, he said providing a decent place for the admission of patients formed a critical part of the healing process.

Nana Yensu expressed disquiet over some of the challenges of the hospital, particularly in the Accident and Emergency (AE) Ward, notably inadequate beds, equipment and issues with medicine, which did not augur well for proper care.

‘We pride ourselves with tourism in Cape Coast but if tourists come and fall sick and don’t find treatment in good health facilities, they will not come back,’ he said.

‘Obviously, that will have a negative impact on our development and progress.’

The donation was only an interi
m intervention, he noted and assured of bigger arrangements to help address some of the challenges.

Mrs Betty Quartson, Chief Nursing Officer, CCTH, who received the items on behalf of the hospital, was full of gratitude for the gesture, saying it would go a long way to support operations.

‘May God bless you abundantly for your love and support,’ she said.

Mrs Quartson appealed to the Chief to adopt at least one of the two wards of the AE or the theatre of the Surgical Department to help it run efficiently.

‘Government brings us some support but that alone is not enough.’

‘We also receive support from some groups and individuals from time to time, but we are appealing for more of such supports to help us serve the public better,’ Mrs Quartson said.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has announced the death of Mumuni Fuseini, a member of his security entourage, on Saturday, January 13.

Fuseini died in a fatal accident involving the convoy of Hajia Samira Bawumia, the Second Lady, on the Accra-Kumasi N6 highway at Ohene-Nkwanta, near Nobewam in the Ashanti Region.

The deceased has since been buried in accordance with Islamic tradition.

In a Facebook post, Dr Bawumia wrote: ‘Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Rajioon.’

‘It is with deep sorrow that I announce the death of Mumuni Fuseini, a staff in my office.’

‘He died yesterday from an accident involving a vehicle in the Convoy of the Second Lady, Hajia Samira.’

Fuseini was a hardworking member of the Closed Protection Unit, Dr Bawumia said and extended his condolences to his family and friends.

‘May Allah forgive Fuseini’s shortcomings and grant him Jannah’.

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) said the crash involved a Toyota Landcruiser with registration number GC-9094-21, another Toyota Landcruiser
registered VR-2105-15, a Mercedes Benz C-180 with registration number NR-1977, and a Benz Sprinter bus registered GE-7256-14.

It said eight persons sustained various degrees of injury and were admitted to a health facility for medical attention.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Ghana Police leadership, led by Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo Dampare paid a courtesy call on Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene at the Manhyia Palace, during a security tour in Kumasi.

The IGP and his team also paid working visits to the Ghana Armed Forces Central Command Headquarters, the Kumasi Central Prison, and the Kumasi Metropolitan Fire Station.

The visits were to strengthen relationships and foster collaboration for the maintenance of peace, law, and order in the Kumasi Metropolis.

Source: Ghana News Agency