Category: AFRICA

  • African Leaders Advocate Global Carbon Taxes to Finance Climate Change Mitigation

    African Leaders Advocate Global Carbon Taxes to Finance Climate Change Mitigation

    African leaders have proposed new global taxes and reforms to international financial institutions to fund climate change action in a declaration following the Africa Climate Summit in Kenya.

    The Nairobi Declaration focuses on mobilizing financing to adapt to extreme weather, conserve natural resources, and develop renewable energy in Africa, which currently receives only 12% of the financing it needs to cope with climate change.

    The declaration calls for major polluters and global financial institutions to commit more resources to help poorer nations and suggests a global carbon taxation regime, including a carbon tax on fossil fuel trade, maritime transport, and aviation.

    It also advocates for reforms to the multilateral financial system and the development of a new Global Climate Finance Charter by 2025. African countries plan to take these proposals to the U.N. climate conference and COP28 summit for further discussion.

    Source:( Reuters )

  • UAE announces $4.5bn initiative to support deployment of clean energy in Africa

    UAE announces $4.5bn initiative to support deployment of clean energy in Africa

    COP28 President-Designate Dr Sultan Al Jaber has announced a UAE finance initiative that will provide $4.5bn to help tap Africa’s clean energy potential.

    The announcement was made during his keynote address at the inaugural African Climate Summit in Nairobi, Kenya.

    The landmark initiative brings together vital public, private, and development capital from UAE institutions, ranging from Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) and Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI) to Masdar and AMEA Power.

    Africa50, which is an investment platform established by African governments and the Africa Development Bank, has also joined the UAE finance initiative.

    Africa50 was founded to help solve the continent’s critical infrastructure challenges and will help identify initial projects and connect to local implementing entities.

    Call to climate action

    The COP28 President Designate has repeatedly called for the global tripling of renewable energy by 2030 and has pushed to make finance more available, accessible and affordable.

    The announcement came with a clear call to action for African leaders to improve policy and regulatory frameworks to attract the long-term investments necessary to accelerate the deployment of clean and renewable energy.

    In order to reduce barriers to investment, the President-Designate highlighted multiple action points that require the coordinated efforts of African leaders and the international community.

    These include restoring the financial sustainability of local utilities and modernising basic energy infrastructures, clarifying development processes and eliminating the red-tape delaying market lead-time, in addition to eliminating restrictions to capital flows and accessing adequate and affordable risk mitigation measures.

    During his address, the COP President Designate said: “This initiative builds on the UAE’s track record of commercially driven, innovative blended finance solutions that can be deployed to promote the adoption of clean energy in emerging and developing nations. This multi-stakeholder partnership approach is designed to accelerate sustainable economic progress, address the challenge of climate change and stimulate low carbon growth.”

    He added: “The initiative will prioritise investments in countries across Africa with clear transition strategies, enhanced regulatory frameworks and a master plan for developing grid infrastructure that integrates supply and demand. In short, this initiative is designed to work with Africa, for Africa. It aims to clearly demonstrate the commercial case for clean investment across this continent. And it will act as a scalable model that can be replicated to help put Africa on a superhighway to low carbon growth.”

    Action agenda

    Fast-tracking the energy transition, fixing climate finance, focusing on people, lives and livelihoods, and underscoring these efforts with full inclusivity are the key pillars of the COP28 Presidency’s ‘Action Agenda’.

    In sub-Saharan Africa alone, 600 million people live without access to electricity. Delivering greater access to clean energy will drive social and economic development but currently investment in African renewables represents only 2 per cent of the global total, and less than a quarter of the $60bn a year the continent needs by 2030.

    The initiative aims to right this imbalance by bringing together key stakeholders to fast track the development and delivery of infrastructure, generation and distribution solutions.

    UAE finance initiative to be part of Etihad 7

    The initiative will be part of Etihad 7, a development platform launched by the UAE at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in 2022, and championed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).

    Etihad 7 aims to provide 100 million people across the African continent with clean electricity by 2035.

    ADFD is supporting with $1bn of financial assistance to address basic infrastructure needs, offer finance solutions and increase mobilisation of private investments. The ECI is providing $500m of credit insurance to de-risk and unlock private capital.

    Masdar, active in 22 countries in Africa, is committing an additional $2bn of equity as part of the new initiative. Masdar will mobilise an additional $8bn in project finance and through its Infinity Power platform.

    Masdar will target the delivery of 10 gigawatts (GW) of clean energy capacity in Africa by 2030.

    AMEA Power is targeting 5GW of renewable energy capacity in the continent by 2030, mobilising $5bn, of which $1bn will come from equity commitment, and $4bn from project finance.

    Additionally, the initiative seeks to create pathways for other multilateral development banks, governments, and philanthropies to enable additional private sector investment. The COP28 Presidency has also called on international financial institutions and foundations to join the effort.

    The announcement comes days before the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is due to release the technical data around the first ‘Global Stocktake’ of climate progress since the 2015 Paris Agreement.

    Credit(Gulf Times)

  • African Sustainable Mining Piques Interest of Global Players

    African Sustainable Mining Piques Interest of Global Players

    CAPE TOWN, South Africa, September 5, 2023/ — In the wake of the global energy transition, mining companies have come under pressure to adopt sustainable business practices and employ low-carbon technologies in order to mitigate adverse environmental impacts.

    Private- and public-sector led mining activities across Africa have begun to prioritize sustainable techniques to promote environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and good business practices. In turn, the sustainable mining industry has become an increasingly attractive investment opportunity for global players seeking to enhance their returns on investment while spearheading climate protection and resilience.

    The Critical Minerals Africa (CMA) summit (https://CriticalMineralsAfrica.com/) – which is organized by Energy Capital & Power and is scheduled for October 17-19 in Cape Town – will connect capital and technology providers to African mineral producers, fostering synergies between the mining and tech industries. Taking place concurrently with Africa’s largest energy event, the African Energy Week conference (https://AECWeek.com/), CMA 2023 facilitates new investment and technology into both the African energy and mining sectors under efforts to forge a sustainable future for all.

    The emergence of advanced technologies such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and robotics is poised to advance process automation within Africa’s mining industry. Automation can enable real-time monitoring of minerals and metals through mines and processing plants and allow mining companies to use simulations during the mining design stage to test multiple solutions before implementation. Automation also enables mines to reduce costs and improve competitiveness during operation, with more efficient sources of energy and improved water quality management set to drive profitability, safety and efficiency. Investing in automation will unlock a fresh wave of productive mineral operations in Africa.

    On the mining technique front, new alternatives to traditional mining strategies such as in-situ leching are enabling African mining projects to reduce their environmental impact. Investments in modern mining and rehabilitation techniques including afforestation will allow miners to reduce soil erosion and vegetation disturbance while the re-use of mining waste present opportunities for mines to ensure effective land and waste management. Sustainable mining techniques will also enable mining operators to more effectively re-process tailings for use as mine back-fill material. As Africa’s mineral sector grows due to rising global interest in critical minerals, the deployment of innovative mining techniques will enhance both productivity and sustainability.

    Meanwhile, Africa’s sustainable mineral investment opportunities transcend mining operations. Extraction and transportation in the mining industry requires immense amounts of energy. As such, alternative forms of energy such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power are poised to reduce mines’ carbon footprint while improving the overall sustainability of the industry.

    While clean-energy mines are still in their infancy in Africa, mining companies including Anglo American, Sibanye-Stillwater, Gold Fields, Harmony Gold, and Impala Platinum have begun to tap into the continent’s renewable energy potential and expand sustainable energy development for their large-scale projects in South Africa. The integration of renewables with mining operations presents a lucrative investment opportunity and will become increasingly more important as the world transitions to a low-carbon future.

    Foreign investment within Africa’s mining industry is poised to increase productivity while ensuring the sector remains up to date with the latest innovations and environmental standards. The implementation of sustainable mining technologies offers the benefit of maximizing exploration and production while creating research and education opportunities for the continent’s local workforce. As such, CMA 2023 will catalyze the development of Africa’s sustainable mining industry, bringing financiers and technology providers to the market.

    Are you a tech-expert looking at modernizing Africa’s mining operations? Or are you a financier looking at expanding your portfolio of sustainable investments? CMA 2023 offers both a unique and highly strategic platform to do both. Join the summit now and connect with Africa’s mining industry.

    Critical Minerals Africa takes place on 17-19 October at the CTICC in Cape Town, South Africa.

    Tickets are now available at www.CriticalMineralsAfrica.com

    Contact us if you are interested in speaking: speak@energycapitalpower.com

    Contact us if you wish to promote your organization as a sponsor: sales@energycapitalpower.com

    Contact conference director James Chester by email at james@energycapitalpower.com if you wish to discuss your strategic objectives at the conference.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

    SOURCE
    Energy Capital & Power

  • Tamale Court Drug Trial Related Youth-Police Violence Blues

    Tamale Court Drug Trial Related Youth-Police Violence Blues

    Rising trade in narcotic drugs and it’s abuse in the Tamale metropolis in Gnana’s Northern region has since been a matter of grievous concern to the traditional authorities (chiefs) and all well-meaning people of the region.

    Amidst complaints of lack of satisfactory action on the part of the Narcotic Control  authorities and Northern Regional Police command to stem the tide, a local volunteers Drug Task Force has since been formed to carry out affirmative action against  the worrisome drug abuse menace.

    The Tamale drug abuse menace has since attracted local and international  media headlines albeit,for the wrong reason.  DW TV is on record to have done a documentary on the Tamale substance abuse situation and this has further increased public concerns about the need to combat the problem.

    On-going trial  by the Tamale Circuit Court of a suspected  drug dealer against who  a local Task Force against drugs  in Tamale had taken legal action, tends to be another  major move on their part in the crusade against substance abuse. The alleged open boasting by the suspect that he was going to use monetary influence to thwart any police or court action against him,hasn’t been taken lightly at all.

    Against this background,some youth in Tamale who had cause to believe that,from the look of things during the recent  Court sitting,the suspect was most likely to be granted bail,were said to have started getting  agitated  .This is said to have  lead to a call for  Police reinforcement  resulting sadly,into  three reported injuries.

    For more details, read below the full Press Release of  Dagbon Patriots for Development(DPFD)

    Ladies and Gentlemen of the media
    The Leadership of Dagbon Patriots Calls on The President, Inspector General of Police, and
    Regional Minister to Ensure Citizens’ Safety during Protests

    The Leadership of Dagbon Patriots for Development is deeply concerned about the recent
    events surrounding the protests against the bail of an alleged drug lord in our community. We
    urge the President, the Inspector General of Police, and the Regional Minister to take
    immediate action to ensure the safety and well-being of citizens exercising their democratic
    right to peaceful protest.

    It is our firm belief that peaceful protest is a fundamental pillar of any thriving democracy.
    Citizens have the right to voice their concerns and demand justice without fear of violence or
    harm.

    The recent firing of shots into the crowd that led to several of our people been injured
    during the protests in Tamale has heightened tensions and threatens to undermine the trust
    between citizens and security forces.

    We, call upon the President, the Inspector General of Police, Nanima, Regional Minister who
    is the Chairman of REGSEC and all duty bearers to come on board to:

    Order Restraint: We implore the security services to exercise maximum restraint when
    dealing with protests and demonstrations. The use of live ammunition against peaceful
    protesters is not only unjust but also escalates tensions and poses a significant risk to human
    lives.

    Open Dialogue: We urge the authorities to open a constructive dialogue with the citizens to
    address their concerns and grievances. Engaging in meaningful conversations can help
    prevent further escalation and pave the way for a peaceful resolution.

    Accountability: Those responsible for firing shots into the crowd must be held accountable
    for their actions. This will send a clear message that such behaviour will not be tolerated and
    will help restore faith in the justice system.

    Community-Police Relations: Strengthen community-police relations through transparency,
    accountability, and community engagement. Building trust between citizens and law
    enforcement is essential for maintaining peace and harmony.

    Public Safety: Ensure the safety and security of all citizens participating in protests. The
    primary responsibility of the security forces is to protect the people, and this should be done
    without resorting to violence.

    Stolen motor bikes: We also demand that the officers of the police service who stole the
    three motorcycles should be exposed and prosecuted according to the laws of the country.

    Transfer: As a matter of urgency and for us to succeed in the fight of this drug menace, we
    are demanding that, the Regional Commander, the Judge and the Crime Officer to be
    transferred out of Tamale for their bias nature of handling the drug issues in the Tamale
    Metropolis.

    We are calling upon the youth of Tamale to remain calm as we seek to fight and defend
    Tamale against all manners of injustices.

    As the future of our nation, we, the Leadership of Dagbon Patriots for Development in the
    Tamale Metropolis, believe in the power of unity and peaceful coexistence.

    We stand together to call for a peaceful resolution to the current situation and for the protection of the
    democratic rights of all citizens.

    For media inquiries, please contact:
    MUDASIR AHMED HAFIZ
    (0541640200)
    (On behalf of Dagbon Patriots for Development)
    Cc:
    Over Lord of Dagbon
    Chief of Gukpegu,
    Chief of Dakpema
    Chief of Lamashegu
    Chief of Choggu
    Members of Parliament (Tamale South, North and Central)
    All constituency chairpersons of Tamale Metropolis
    All Media houses

    PHOTO(Credit Ghanaweb)

  • Afreximbank signs MOU with UAE Trade Center to promote TRADAR Club

    Afreximbank signs MOU with UAE Trade Center to promote TRADAR Club

    Cairo, 1 Sep. 2023: – The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) signed an MOU with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Trade Center, to promote the TRADAR Club solution in the market.

    The Cooperation Agreement, signed between Afreximbank and the UAE Trade Center on the sidelines of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2023) Press Conference and B2B Meetings in Dubai United Arab Emirates (UAE), provides for the two institutions to commence harmonisation of their efforts in various areas of collaboration to support the TRADAR Club objectives.

    The agreement was signed by Ms. Lizanne Case, Head of Trade Intelligence Solutions on behalf of Afreximbank, while Mr. Walid Hareb AlFalahi, Chief Executive of the UAE Trade Center signed for his organisation.

    The Afreximbank TRADAR Club, launched recently as a prestigious member-driven network, empowers international businesses and executives to transform trade and investments in Africa through trusted trade intelligence and advisory services. It delivers innovative digital tools and networking opportunities, helping its members to discover new markets; grow their businesses; save time; access dedicated expert support; post and respond to new business opportunities; network; meet business/trading partners; and more.

    To propagate the solution in the market, Afreximbank is establishing strong relationships with a wide variety of partners. Under the terms of the cooperation agreement with the UAE Trade Center, the two institutions will collaborate in such areas as inter-institutional cooperation; provision of business-oriented information to facilitate trade and investment; business matchmaking; grants; technical assistance; and capacity building, among others.

    The agreement is expected to facilitate greater interaction by allowing for the sharing of ideas and discussion of common problems for the purpose of improving relationships and cooperation among members.

    TRADAR Club will serve as an information pool assisting the exchange of reliable trade information, trade policies, customer databases, research reports, expert analysis, directories of African investment information, rules and regulations, general updates on statistics, business data and investment incentives, among others. TRADAR Club members will also be invited to trade and investment missions and exhibitions.

    SOURCE

    AFREXIMBANK  WEBSITE

  • Afreximbank and China Development Bank sign US$400-million loan to support Africa SMEs

    Afreximbank and China Development Bank sign US$400-million loan to support Africa SMEs

    Cairo, 28 Aug. 2023: – The China Development Bank (CDB) today in Cairo signed a development-focused agreement to provide the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) with a US$400-million term loan facility to support the financing of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Africa.

    The agreement, signed by Mr. Tan Jiong, President of CDB, and Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, at the Afreximbank Headquarters in Cairo, provides for Afreximbank to deploy the facility to support African SMEs involved in extra- and intra-African trade and those engaged in the productive sectors in Afreximbank Member States. According to the agreement, the facility, which has a seven-year tenor, will be deployed either directly to eligible African SMEs that meet Afreximbank’s requirements or indirectly through local financial intermediaries.

    Speaking after the signing, Prof. Oramah pointed out that African SMEs continue to struggle to access adequate and affordable financing for growing their businesses and said that the CDB facility would help increase the level of financing available to them.

    He added that since Afreximbank was receiving the facility as medium to long-term funding at relatively affordable pricing, the Bank would transfer the financial advantage in pricing and tenor to the end beneficiaries.

    “This facility further strengthens the strategic partnership we have developed with the China Development Bank over the last six years, which has seen CDB make three previous interventions in support of our work at Afreximbank,” continued President Oramah. “It will also enable our two institutions achieve our respective mandates and developmental outcomes, which include job creation, increased economic activity and increased extra-African trade with China.”

    – ENDS –

    SOURCE

    Afreximbank Website

    :

  • Hunger Projections in Mauritania, Sahel Region Alarming!!!

    Hunger Projections in Mauritania, Sahel Region Alarming!!!

    DREF Operation Final Report Reveals

    ,,,,,,,As Climate Change Impact Cited

    Story: Mohammed A. Abu

    The International Federation of Red Cross Societies(IRFC) in its sixteen-page Disaster Response Emergency Fund(DREF) Operation-Final Report on Mauritania Food Insecurity, has noted that, the food crisis and hunger projections in the Sahel have become increasingly alarming over the past decade in all Sahelian countries, including Mauritania.

    According to the projected situation for the next lean season (June-July-August 2023): five (5) wilayas(regions) are projected to be classified in the “Pressure” phase (IPC 2), namely Nouakchott, Nouadhibou, Adrar, Assaba and Inchiri the report hinted.

    The six-month Operation which started on July 5, 2022 and ended on December 31, assisted 5,740 people among which were 2,927 males and 2,813 females out of a total 440,765 affected people.

    The Host National Society, the Mauritania Red Crescent Society (MRCS) was supported by Red Cross Red Crescent Movement partners currently actively involved in the operation: Mauritanian Red Crescent, British Red Cross, French Red Cross, ICRC, IFRC, Kuwaiti Red Crescent, and Livelihoods Resource Centre

    Other partner organizations actively involved in the operation: Government of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania through the CSA (Almaouna Programme) and WFP.

    The report also notes the contribution of the Canadian Government to replenish the DREF for this operation. “On behalf of Mauritania Red Crescent Society (MRCS), the IFRC would like to extend gratitude to all for their generous contributions””.

    Like other countries in the region, the report notes, food and nutrition insecurity is persistent in Mauritania despite the good spatial and temporal distribution and excess rainfall in most parts of the country during the 2022 rainy season.

    In the latest period of 2022, it continues, (October-November-December 2022), one (1) wilaya (region) (Dakhlet Nouadhibou) was classified in the “Minimum” food security phase (IPC 1); two (2) wilayas (Gorgol and Guidimakha) were classified in the “Crisis” phase (IPC 3), and the country’s ten (10) other wilayas were classified in the “Pressure” phase (IPC 2).

    “The size of the food insecure population was estimated to be 440,765 people, or 10% of the total population of Mauritania. Of this, 12% are in the “Emergency” phase (IPC 4) and 88% are in the “Crisis” phase (IPC 3).

    “The food insecurity situation is taking a bigger scale with joint factors include economic challenges faced by households and overall market, climate changes, agricultural challenges, scarcity of rainy seasons, the migration challenges in the sub-regions etc. In addition, the rainfall of 2022 during the food security intervention of Mauritania Red Crescent has caused massive flooding that has affected crops and will impact agricultural production in these areas, which are mainly arid, with a higher level of drought compared to other countries in the Sahel.

    “According to the projected situation for the next lean season (June-July-August 2023): five (5) wilayas are projected to be classified in the “Pressure” phase (IPC 2), namely Nouakchott, Nouadhibou, Adrar, Assaba and Inchiri.

    “The eight (8) other wilayas are projected to be classified in “Crisis” phase (IPC 3). During the next lean season, the food insecure population is estimated to be 694,612 people, or 16% of the total population of Mauritania. Of this population, 17% are projected to be in the “Emergency” phase (IPC 4) and 83% are projected to be in the “Crisis” phase (IPC 3).” the report added.

    The major donors and partners of the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) include the Red Cross Societies and governments of Belgium, Britain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway, Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, as well as DG ECHO and Blizzard Entertainment, Mondelez International Foundation, Fortive Corporation and other corporate and private donors.

    Photo: Credit: Françoise GUICHARD/Laurent KERGOAT/CNRS Photo Library

  • About Military Action as Last Resort in Niger

    About Military Action as Last Resort in Niger

    Expert Cautions Ecowas Leadership on Implications  

    ……. As Webinar On Niger ends with a Unanimous,” No War on Niger”.

    Report: Mohammed A. Abu

    Panelists in a discussion session during an international webinar on the Niger crisis held over the weekend under the auspices of the Diasporan Alliance for Peace, Unity and Progress(DAPUPA), unanimously vied for a diplomatic solution rather than military action arguing that, any such act wasn’t going to be in the collective best interest of the people of the West African sub region and for that matter,Africa as whole.

    Held under the theme, “No War on Niger”, the three-hour long event was well subscribed to and drew about seventy (70) participants from within Africa and various parts of the world.

    Lined up on the panel were Dr. Antumi Toasije, Global History Professor at New York University, in Madrid Spain, who also doubles as the President of the Council for the Elimination of Racial and Ethnic Discrimination, Akyaaba Addai Sebo, Pan African Analyst and Founder of Black History Month in Britain, Chief Solomon Salifu Tampuri,Sub Chief, Bole Traditional Area, Savannah Region,Ghana,Kofi Mawuli Klu,Independent Scholar Activist,Researcher,Community Advocate and Educationist specializing in Pan African Community,London,UK,Emmanuel Kwabla Kpeglah,Journalist and Security Expert, PHD student in International Development Studies, University of Jyvaskila,Finland currently doing his field work.

    Various other high profile personalities also added their voices to the “No war on Niger” call. This included two diasporan Nigeriens Abdoul Mossi and Professor Sahid Bilan whose beef was the trend of keeping mute over the root causes of military takeovers in the Sahel region and rather placing too much emphasis on the coup itself.

    The root causes of the military takeover in the Sahel, they contended, included, autocratic governance rather than true democratic governance, economic impoverishment of the people due to Frances’s modern day colonialism and economic enslavement of her colonial masters.  

    One of the panelists, Emmanuel Kwabla Kpeglah, called on Ecowas leadership to listen to the voice of the people as any military intervention in Niger on the back of already imposed sanctions would have a number of far reaching implications for the Sahel sub region

    Making particular reference to the already existing threat of insecurity due to numerous attacks by religious militant groups in the Sahel region, Mr. Kpeglah cautioned that any Ecowas military intervention in Niger would escalate the already existing security volatility across the Sahel region.

    He disclosed that about 11,000 schools in the Sahel region have so far been affected in the region due to the attacks.

    Terrorism in the Sahel UN figures has it attacks for 2023 is 1,814, and 4,593 deaths, nearly 30 million in food needs which is expected to go up to 42 million by the end of August, while displaced people are 63 million.

    According to a UN Press Release, dated 25th August,2023, Vladimir Voronkov, Under-Secretary-General of the Office of Counter-Terrorism, presenting the Secretary-General’s seventeenth report on the threat posed by Da’esh to international peace and security, warned that the Da’esh affiliate in the Sahel is becoming increasingly autonomous and intensifying attacks in Mali, Burkina Faso and the Niger.  

    “Beyond Africa, the situation in Afghanistan is growing progressively complex, with fears of weapons and ammunition falling into the hands of terrorists now materializing”, the release added. 

  • About Appalling Public Healthcare Quality  in the Tamale Metropolis

    About Appalling Public Healthcare Quality in the Tamale Metropolis

    The Citizens Defense Council(CDC) Cries Foul

    ……As It plans a Citizens Forum due in September

    Story: Mohammed A. Abu

    A local Community Based Organisation(CBO),the Citizens Defense Council(CDC )committed to the  strengthening of public healthcare in the Tamale Metropolis in the Northern Region of Ghana, has embarked on an affirmative action drive regarding unmet patients satisfaction in public healthcare delivery.

    A planned CDC event,the Citizens Forum slated for 21 st September 2023 in Tamale,is aimed at deliberating on the state of public healthcare in the Tamale Metropolis.  

    This comes on the back of a study undertaken by Kofi Gyasi( Adjei of the Garden City University College),et al, and published as an article by Research Gate in July 2023 titled,”Public Perception of Hospital Based Nursing Care in the Tamale Metropolis in Ghana”.

    The study was conducted at the Tamale Central Hospital employing a qualitative approach with an in-depth interview guide in collecting primary data from thirty(30) participants. In an abstract, the researchers noted that, a key contributor of patients health outcomes and their holistic well-being after hospital stay is the quality of nursing care received in hospitals of which may also be influenced by the perceptions of public precisely, patients have about nursing care. Bad nurses attitude and behaviour towards patients in the discharge of their duty at the hospital was identified as one of the major issues.

    The study revealed that the public have negative perception towards nursing care resulting from unmet expectations and therefore recommended that policies should be formulated to ensure effective communication between nurses and patients, empathy and respect which will help ensure patients satisfaction with healthcare delivery at the hospitals.

    Now for full details of the CDC official statement on its part,read on:

    Patients and healthcare workers in our public hospitals in Tamale, have described these health centres as Death Traps riddled with Corruption, Leadership Ineptitude, Discrimination, Negligence, and Dysfunctional, especially the premier Tamale Teaching Hospital since this appears to be best predictors of patients’ satisfaction

    Whilst the CDC wouldn’t want to accept this gloomy picture of public healthcare in Tamale, we can however not deny the fact that there is serious crisis in the Public Health Services Sector in the Metropolis.

    We have received reports of patients dying out of negligence in the hands of public health professionals, NHIS patients being charged for services covered under the health insurance scheme, Healthcare professional (especially Doctors) using hospitals hours to do locum in private hospitals, Health professionals deliberately rendering essential hospital equipment and laboratories dysfunctional, services in our hospital being rendered on the basis of class, networks and relations rather than on first come basis, etc. FORUM PURPOSE

    The CDC is calling this forum to provide a deliberative platform for critical discourse on the state of public healthcare in Tamale, the challenges, causes, experiences and the way forward in addressing these challenges.

    The forum, will among others, serve the following purposes;

    • Establish Citizens Oversight Committee with a mandate to receive reports, conduct investigations & monitor Public Health Facilities;

    • Invite management of all public hospitals in Tamale to explain and answer questions related to observed experiences with public healthcare in Tamale

    • Invite Regional Directors of Ministry of Health(MoH) and Ghana Health Service( GHS) to explain the structure of public healthcare in Tamale, stressing on the differences between MoH and GHS managed public hospitals as well as the contractual obligations between healthcare workers (Doctors and nurses) and the government or public healthcare facilities; FORUM STAKEHOLDERS

     The forum is open to all interested parties who share in our vision of improved, efficient, effective, accountable and responsive healthcare delivery in Tamale. Special invitation letter will be sent to the regional directors of Ghana Health Service and Ministry of Health, management of all public hospitals, active youth groups in Tamale, Media houses, traditional leaders and clergy, civil society organizations working on health/rights issues, etc. INCIDENTS DATABASE

    The CDC is building a database of all incidents happening in our hospitals that are contributing to the current crisis. These happenings include. Extortions and payments of unapproved charges, double charges for NHIS patients, worker negligence, discriminations and absence from duty post, dysfunctional hospital equipment, deaths of patients due to negligence, etc. CALL TO ACTION We are therefore, calling on patients and patient relatives who have had any experiences to come forward and report.

    Those willing to report and share their experiences can either call or WhatsApp the Executive Director on 0508889412. Healthcare workers have equally died in our hospitals simply because Doctors who were supposed to sign referral papers or preform certain surgeries were not at post. Healthcare workers willing to provide anonymous information can call or WhatsApp the Deputy Executive Director on 0246832847.

    No personal information about the caller or affected patient will be taken beyond the specific incident. The general public who want to share any information or take part in the organization of the forum can also WhatsApp or call 0508889412 to be added to a group platform for discussions.

    The public healthcare crisis in Tamale does not only affect people of a particular party, religion, ethnicity or profession, except the rich. Therefore, let the intellectuals, lecturers, teachers, professionals, traditional leaders and youth groups all join hands with the CDC to bring back to the QUALITY, AFFORDABILITY & ACCESSIBILITY to our public hospitals in Tamale

  • SGI Dubai 2023 set to bolster African printing industry to experience unprecedented growth

    SGI Dubai 2023 set to bolster African printing industry to experience unprecedented growth

    Printing and signage industry in Africa set to flourish as the largest B2B show in Middle East & Africa, SGI Dubai 2023, unveils ground-breaking innovations
    DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, August 25, 2023/ — SGI Dubai (www.SignMiddleEast.com), the leading global showcase for cutting-edge printing and signage solutions, is gearing up to revolutionize the African industry landscape. Set to be held at the prestigious Dubai World Trade Centre from 18th to 20th September, the 26th edition of SGI Dubai (https://apo-opa.info/3OTZ6n8) promises to be a game-changer for African stakeholders. Industry experts, visionaries, and trendsetters from around the world will converge to unveil the latest innovations that will propel the African printing industry into an era of unrivaled growth and prosperity. Register now to witness the transformation of the African printing industry at SGI Dubai 2023: https://apo-opa.info/3OTZ6n8

     Download document: https://apo-opa.info/44qMJog

    Abdul Rahman Falaknaz, Chairman of IEC, expressed his anticipation, “African economies are poised to become a powerhouse of opportunities on the global stage. The demand for cutting-edge printing and signage products and services is destined to soar across the continent, fueled by the remarkable growth of its commercial printing industry. The innovations unveiled at SGI Dubai 2023 will be the catalyst that ignites an extraordinary transformation in the African printing sector. This exhibition is not just a platform for business-to-business interactions; it is an ecosystem of innovation and knowledge, connecting brilliant minds from diverse vertical sectors.”

    With the African printing industry projected to reach a staggering value of US$235.3 million by the end of 2031, the timing couldn’t be more perfect. The continent boasts approximately 2,000 commercial printing companies, with a majority comprising small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs). An additional 1,000 companies cater to pre-press and post-press services, showcasing the rapid expansion of this thriving sector.

    SGI Dubai 2023 (https://apo-opa.info/3E9GESy) will showcase an array of industries, with special emphasis on digital display technologies, labeling, metal cutting & engraving, spare parts & consumables, software, paper, and ground-breaking technologies such as 3D printing and artificial intelligence. The show will serve as an unparalleled opportunity for African sign-makers, print and production manufacturers, media agencies, car wrapping industry, real-estate developers, hospitality and tourism industries, architects, and brand consultants to explore limitless possibilities and elevate their businesses to new heights.

    Mr. Falaknaz emphasized the show’s significance for the African continent, “The growth strategy for African stakeholders must begin now. SGI Dubai (https://apo-opa.info/3E9GESy) presents not only an exceptional platform for sourcing top-of-the-line machines with the latest technology but also fosters meaningful connections among industry professionals. We’ve witnessed a steady surge in the number of African trade visitors year after year, representing key nations such as Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Cameroon, South Africa, Sudan, Ghana, Namibia, Tanzania, Egypt, and Libya, among others. The proximity of our show to Africa makes it highly accessible for business owners to engage directly with exhibitors and manufacturers of top brands, securing the most competitive rates.”

    During the previous edition, SGI Dubai (https://apo-opa.info/3E9GESy) welcomed over 300 global exhibitors from 30+ countries and registered thousands of trade visitors from 100+ countries worldwide. The influence of SGI Dubai extends beyond the Middle East, making it a pivotal event for Africa’s growth trajectory.

    Mr. Falaknaz concluded, “SGI Dubai (https://apo-opa.info/3E9GESy) is more than just a trade show; it is an invaluable opportunity for African visitors to conduct market research and make well-informed business decisions. As the show’s influence continues to expand across the African continent, the growing number of visitors is a testament to the benefits it offers all stakeholders involved. SGI Dubai 2023 is set to redefine the future of the African printing and signage sector, unlocking unprecedented opportunities for growth and prosperity.”
    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of SGI Dubai.
    SOURCE
    SGI Dubai