Coming up!>>Ep.43: SPECIAL: Talking Points around #ECOWAS@40(4): One-on-one with former ECOWAS Official Frank Ofei

Episode #43:

SPECIAL: Talking Points around #ECOWAS@40(4): One-on-one with former ECOWAS Official Frank Ofei

In ep.43 of #AfricainFocusShow, we will be doing something a little different around the "Talking Points around #Ecowas@40

We will be having a one-on-one with former Ecowas official Frank Ofei on aspects of Ecowas' integration, which is timely as the 47th Ordinary Session of Ecowas is underway here in Accra.

 It is also timely because Ecowas turns 40 on 28 May!

 The difference for 19 May's edition is that, given how some of us have been studying and monitoring Ecowas for a decade-plus, & calling for it to be more accountable to the average ECOWAS Community citizen, it is important to also include a small appreciation of the theory of regional integration so listeners appreciate how powerful this Ecowas bloc is when pitted against the larger global context.

ECOWAS obviously turns 40 on 28 May, but what does ECOWAS need to quickly do over the next ten years to ensure it remains relevant and meaningful for its citizens?

We will also use the show to briefly touch on how ECOWAS sits in the grand scheme of regional integration theories, such as neo-functionalism, which sees member states of a grouping cooperating; collaborating on specific projects (such as Liberian intervention by Nigerian-led ECOMOG in 1989) to such an extent that it spills over to cooperating on other projects in the furtherance of integration.

To speak to these, and many more questions, we will be having a very important discussion with former ECOWAS official Frank Ofei.

Call us on the following numbers when we open the phone lines at 14h30 GMT

+233(0)289.000.931 // +233(0)289.931.000

Join us if you can at 1pm on 19 May, 2015.

Guiding questions

• ·        There’s a crisis brewing in Burundi. In the absence of a Peace & Security Architecture comparable to ECOWAS’ what lessons can that region learn from ECOWAS to inform how they manage the crisis?
• ·        ECOWAS’ free movement has meant that more than 70pct of the migrants have originated from the sub-region. How has ECOWAS been actively seized on the migrant crisis, given its collaboration with Spain since 2008?
• ·        How have #ECOWAS40 celebrations been so far throughout the sub-region, and what is your assessment of how other ECOWAS Day celebrations have been? How, for example, was #ECOWAS30 celebrations?
• ·        What are some of the economic integration-related issues we need to look out for from the ECOWAS Summit underway?
• ·        Is it not time for the revised 1993 ECOWAS Treaty to be revised to reflect realities; structures; and institutions of 2015?
•  

Guests in the studio:

Ø  Frank Ofei, ,former ECOWAS official, & responsible for revision of ECOWAS Treaty (1993)

Guests on the line:

Ø  Official from Forestry Commission on FORESTRY WEEK @13h20

Ø   Daniel Afriyie, IOM Mission, Ghana @ 13h30 (briefing on what IOM is doing concretely to help mitigate #migrantCrisis)

COMING UP!>>Ep.42: Impact of Ghana’s Power Crisis(2)…on Women, & Renewable Energy Alternatives

Episode #42:

Impact of Ghana’s Power Crisis(2)…on Women, & Renewable Energy Alternatives

The Africa in Focus Show turned 1 on 5 May, 2015.

 In the next edition of AIF Show, we will be having a conversation with some strong women about the impact of Ghana's ongoing power crisis on our mothers, wives, daughters, and sisters.

As the critical element in the nuclear family, what alternatives exist to help mitigate the impact effects on them? To that end, we will, in our second conversation with SNV Netherlands Development Organisation, speak to two reps from that organisation, who will also tell us about their affordable solar lanterns, and other options that exist for women.

Furthermore, we will speak to Mrs.Catherine Appiah-Pinkrah of Ministry of Defence who will give insights into the implications of power crisis as a "peace and security" issue at the micro-level in the way it impacts the nuclear family.

With Mother's Day behind us, might it be an opportunity not just to celebrate our mothers, daughters, and sisters but...to reflect on the immense multiple roles they are compelled to assume as they seek to bring harmony to the home in the light of the more-than-usual darkness that has visited the homes of Ghanaians for 3 years.

Call us on the following numbers when we open the phone lines at 14h30 GMT

+233(0)289.000.931 // +233(0)289.931.000

Join us if you can at 1pm on 12 May, 2015.

Guiding questions

1. Everyone is being impacted by the ongoing power crisis, so why should we start segmenting which gender is most affected?

2. Suppose we operate from assumption women are even affected differently, in what specific ways does the crisis affect them, & their productivity that is different from men?

3. As we celebrate 15 years of UNSCR1325, what can the newly-established WPSComms1325 help do to intervene in the discussions on alternatives for women as they help manage the family unit, ensuring it is as harmonious as possible for both children & husbands?

4. Are we taking it for granted how the power crisis is veritably a peace & security matter at the micro-level?

Guests in the studio:

Ø  Fitnat Boamah, Sales & Marketing, SNV Netherlands Development Organisation

Ø  Akua Okyere-Nyako, SNV Netherlands Development Organisation

On the line:

·         Mrs.Catherine Appiah-Pinkrah, Ministry of Defence @ 14h00

#PODCAST:>>Episode 41:Talking Points around ECOWAS(3):#Migration-so-Compelling!

EPISODE #41
Research & Co-ordination: E.K.Bensah Jr
Executive Producer: E.K.Bensah Jr
Technical  Producer: D.J. Stagger

"Dear friends,

Host, E.K.Bensah Jr

 As "Africa in Focus" turned 1 year old on 5 May, we took the opportunity to use the forty-first edition to further-explore "Talking Points around #ECOWAS@40", with a particular focus on what the twittersphere describes as a #migrantCrisis.

To that end, we felt it important to speak to a representative from the Ghana mission of the International Organisation for Migration, which has been in Ghana since 1987. Although the international organisation was established as far back as 1951 in the aftermath of the Second World War, it remains ever-relevant especially at a time when there have been over 1000 deaths on the Mediterranean.

Kojo Wilmot of IOM offered us a history of IOM, including the reason why IOM decided to set up in Ghana in 1987. That was a period in Ghana's history when the Diasporan community was being encouraged to return to the country to contribute to the country's development. Kojo further gave us an overview of IOM's activities, including what the organisation is doing to help globally on the #migrantCrisis underway in the Mediterranean.

Dr.Akuffo (L); Kojo Wilmot(R)

Dr.Edward Akuffo, assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Fraser Valley, Canada, gave us the important background to the migrant crisis, which has its genesis in the Nato intervention of 2011 that ousted the Libyan leader Qaddafi; including the 2012 Mali coup, which further destabilised the sub-region, and the Sahel to such an extent that it triggered a new wave of migrants. 

Assistant Producer
Juana Akuamoah-Boateng

Qaddafi's deal to contain migrants leaving to Europe evidently all fell to naught, what with his passing, and the cancellation of the Italian-led "Mare Nostrum", which has gone down as arguably one of the EU's most humanitarian-led interventions on migrants in the way in which it offered what the "Guardian" calls "proactive search-and-rescue" assistance for migrants.

Kindly find a link to download the podcast below, and enjoy "Africa in Focus" Show Episode 41:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/0waz6qqc38g44pk/AFRICA%20IN%20FOCUS%20%205-5-15.mp3?dl=0

Just in case you missed it: "Africa in Focus Show" is the ONLY weekly magazine on Ghanaian radio explaining; unpacking; demystifying ECOWAS; AU; and South-South cooperation policies around Africa's integration. We are airborne every Tuesday from 13h00 to 15h00 GMT. All podcasts are available for download on www.africainfocusradioshow.org  Follow the conversation using #AfricainFocus

Kind regards,
Emmanuel


www.africainfocusradioshow.org
www.twitter.com/africainfocus14
www.twitter.com/eastafricarisng

STORIFY Feature: When Dakar celebrated #ECOWAS40!

STORIFY Feature: What you missed from the ANNIVERSARY 2015 edition of "Africa in Focus" Show on Radio XYZ93.1 FM (5 May) on #MigrantCrisis

STORIFY Feature: What you missed from the 3-day Symposium on "The Regional Dynamics of Peace & Security in West Africa" at KAIPTC

STORIFY Feature: What you missed from the 21 April Edition: EXCLUSIVE Interview with Namibian Ambassador to Ghana

Pan-African Parliament :PRESS RELEASE ON THE MIGRANT BOAT CRISIS

PRESS RELEASE ON THE MIGRANT BOAT CRISIS

The Pan African Parliament (PAP) is gravely saddened and concerned about the continued, unfortunate and avoidable death of African migrants while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea into Europe. Current reports indicate that about 1200 migrants have died in the month of April 2015 while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea into Europe.

This unfortunate situation where our young men and women risk their lives in search of greener pastures cannot be allowed to continue. The Pan African Parliament recognizes that migration represents one of the critical issues threatening our continental peace and security and further calls on Members States of the European Union to ease stringent immigration policies and put in place a humane and positive institutional framework that will allow clear support for lawful migration.

 The Pan African Parliament therefore calls on all AU member governments to develop a continental response to the problem of youth unemployment and sensitize our youths on the risk of illegal migration. Our leaders must also develop policies and put in place put in place a humane and tangible institutional framework that allows clear support for lawful migration.

H.E. HON BETHEL NNAEMEKA AMADI PRESIDENT: PAN AFRICAN PARLIAMENT

COMING UP!>>#AFRICAINFOCUS@1>>Ep.41: SPECIAL: Talking Points around #ECOWAS@40(3): Migration-so-compelling!

Episode #41:

IOM Ghana Mission

SPECIAL: Talking Points around #ECOWAS@40(3): Migration-so-compelling!

The Africa in Focus Show turns 1 on 5 May, 2015.

In July 2008, ECOWAS and the Government of Spain signed in Barcelona, Spain, a technical document for the administration and management of 10 million euros: the ECOWAS-Spain Fund on Migration and Development. Spain granted the amount to ECOWAS in support of immigration and development, small arms control as well as energy development and access. The contribution made Spain the single largest donor country to the regional organization. The signing ceremony took place in consolidation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two parties in December 2005. The Fund, which was to be managed by a 10-member Steering Committee, is specifically dedicated to the ECOWAS Commission and Member States in the development and implementation of the ECOWAS Common Approach on Migration. It is also aimed at supporting activities on migration and development in order to maximize the positive effects and limit the negative consequences of migration on countries, migrants and their families.

A Memorandum of Understanding between Spain and the-then ECOWAS Executive Secretariat was signed in December 2005, which institutionalizes the cooperation between both entities, setting up a number of prioritized sectors and reaching an agreement on different commitments. The Spain-ECOWAS Fund for Migration and Development was created in 2008, with a contribution of 10 million Euros (which arguably shows the importance given to migration issues) and a satellite office of the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and Development opened at Spain’s Embassy in Abuja, in order to facilitate cooperation relations with the ECOWAS

In 2012, the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) initiated the process of rolling out the second phase of a funding scheme that supports Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in member states to carry out projects that promote migration and development.

A press statement signed by Mr. Sanoh N’Faly, Director of Free Movement of Persons and Tourism, said the funding mechanism was being implemented under the ECOWAS/Spain Fund for Migration and Development (ESFMD), established between the Commission and the government of Spain in 2009.

“The objective of the ESFMD is to contribute to poverty reduction in the ECOWAS region through effective, sustainable regional integration and capacity building interventions. The first phase of the project, which was rolled out in 2011, had as many as 24 CSOs from member states receiving grants for various projects for promoting migration and development,” the statement noted.
In preparation for the commencement of the second phase of the grant under the ESFMD, the statement further noted that the Commission had started engaging CSOs in member states to sensitise them about the project and grant-making processes. This process would subsequently be followed by a call for grant proposals from CSOs.

 In our view, in the light of what was arguably the worst month for migrants attempting to cross Europe (reported death of 1300 migrants in three incidents in less than two weeks), we want to begin asking important questions about the flip-side of free movement, which is an important cornerstone of any regional integration project. How far has ECOWAS itself delivered on its 2008 “ECOWAS Common Approach on Migration”, and what are international organisations like the IOM doing to help migrants.

Call us on the following numbers when we open the phone lines at 14h30 GMT

+233(0)289.000.931 // +233(0)289.931.000

Join us if you can at 1pm on 5 May, 2015.

Guiding questions

·         What is the compelling impetus, and IR dynamics compelling migrants to leave the shores of Africa?

·         Did the passing of former Libyan leader Qaddafi help or hinder the efforts of migrants?

·         What was Libya’s policy on migration?

·         What is the mission of IOM, and why has it dedicated itself to fighting their cause?

·         What has caused the upsurge of irregular migration through the Mediterranean to Europe?

·         Can we have a discussion on migrants in West Africa without referring to the Mali uprising of 2012?

·         What percentages of Ghanaians are migrating towards Europe, and why are Ghanaians adopting other nationalities?

·         What are some of the international and regional responses to migration IOM is a part of? {EU; US-GCC(May 2015); AU; Pan-African Parliament)

Guests in the studio:

Ø  Edward Akuffo, PhD ,Assistant Professor, Political Science, University of the Fraser Valley; Director, Global Development Institute,

Ø  Kojo Wilmot, International Organisation for Migration(IOM) Representative, IOM Mission Ghana

Ø  Juana Akuamoah-Boateng, Queens Impact Foundation/Assistant Producer, “Africa in Focus” Show

Just in case you missed it:

"Africa in Focus Show" is the ONLY weekly magazine on Ghanaian radio explaining; unpacking; demystifying ECOWAS; AU; and South-South cooperation policies around Africa's integration. We are airborne every Tuesday from 13h00 to 15h00 GMT. All podcasts are available for download on www.africainfocusradioshow.org  Follow the conversation using #AfricainFocus

www.africainfocusradioshow.org
www.twitter.com/africainfocus14
www.twitter.com/eastafricarisng