COMING UP!>>Ep.80 | The World of Drug Policy, post-UNGASS (2), or a WADPN Perspective of World Drugs Day

Episode #80

(Season 4; Ep.15):  

The World of Drug Policy, post-UNGASS (2), or a WADPN Perspective of World Drugs Day

Season 4 is STILL on the theme of “making money for Africa”.

We commenced the Season unpacking the nitty-gritty of the Creative Economy, and concluded that Film, more than any other cog in the Creative Economy wheel, was probably the most dominant within that Economy.

In episode 2, we appreciated how, if managed properly, Sports could become the biggest employer in Ghana, the sub region, and the Continent.

In episode 3, we started to treat the all-important topic of customer service, concluding that, Ghana can achieve an “insanely customer-centric culture” as seen in the West, but it takes exposure and training of frontline staff to do that.

In episode 4, we concluded that East Africa continues to rise, while episode 5 helped demystify Africa’s agriculture under the AU’s flagship programme of CAADP, concluding that issues around Agribusiness and nutrition will dominate discussions around Agriculture after the 12^th CAADP Partnership Platform meeting that was held in Accra mid-April.

In episode 6, we piggy-backed on the *UNCTAD E-Commerce week* that took place from 18-22 April in Geneva, concluding the show on Cyber-crime with the shocking conclusion that Ghana’s Cyber-awareness is at a shockingly low threshold.

Episode 7 saw us in a conversation with the West Africa Civil Society Institute for updates on latest activities, and publications, concluding that it was necessary to have a conversation about African philanthropy.

Episode 8 shone the spotlight on AfriTourism for the fourth time, concluding that the “Think Ghana, Think Cocoa” venture, which was unveiled at a Marketing competition at the University of Ghana Business School in April, needs immense support as it has put cocoa very significantly into conversations around tourism.

Episode 9 sought to unpack Model ECOWAS Summit that took place on ECOWAS Day – 28 May, 2016. Episode 10 was a reflective one on Africa Day, whereas episodes 11-13 have equally-been reflective.

In the fourth and final edition for the month of June, we continue to look into the future.

          

For the past two weeks, members of the Network have been involved in various activities in the run-up to the celebration of World Drugs Day, which was held last Sunday 26 June.

In this edition of the Show, we want to find out from members of the West Africa Drug Policy Network what activities they were involved in, and how these activities have helped both give visibility to the advocacy of #SupportDontPunish.

Finally, with this work done, what are some of the upcoming activities that members of the Public should watch out for?

Join us if you can at 14h05 on Wednesday 29 June, 2016

Call us on the following number

+233(302)777.173

Guiding questions

Ø   Why is World Drugs Day still an important celebration?

Ø   Where next with WADPN activities?

Ø  How did WADPN celebrate on World Drugs Day?

Guest in the studio

Ø   Timothy Bentum, member of West Africa Drug Policy Network (WADPN)

Ø  Eddie Bentil, member of WADPN

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*more details will be available soon on www.africainfocusradioshow.org ; africainfocusshow.blogspot.com.

*Follow the conversations on #AfricainFocus on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/africainfocus14.

*Tweet Emmanuel ahead of time on www.twitter.com/ekbensah, using #africainfocus.

*Follow 24/7 on https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.radioxyzonline.pc

Call Radio XYZ93.1FM on +233(302)777.173

COMING UP!> Ep.59 of "Africa in Focus" Show on 27 January, 2016: Africa's Preparations Towards UN General Assembly Special Session(UNGASS)

We want to use this edition of "Africa in Focus" to revisit the very important issue of drug policy and Africa's preparations towards the special session of the UN General Assembly that will be held in April.

Known as UNGASS, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for African countries to help craft and shape the agenda on drug policy.

The literature is clear that the war on drugs has caused more casualties than necessary, and the whole semantics of "war" has conjured an image of "Us vs Them" typical in any war.

Kofi Annan believes bad policies on drug policies has caused more harm. But he is not the only one.

An increasing number of civil society activists, starting with the Accra-based West Africa Civil Society Institute, have, since 2015, embarked on a campaign to ensure the debate on drug policy and Africa' s preparation towards it is open, transparent, and clear: as law enforcement does its work to catch drug-traffickers, drug policy should be treated as a public health issue.

Furthermore, drug users who may have found themselves trapped in the spiral of drugs must be equally treated with dignity so as to ensure they are weaned of its deleterious effects. This attempt at harm-reduction, while controversial, will go a long way in framing the future of drug policy.

To this end, I will be speaking on 27 January with Maria-Goretti Ane, who is a consultant for the International Drug Policy Consortium(IDPC). She will brief us on what transpired at last week's Regional Consultation on Drug Policy Reform in West Africa here in Accra.

Apart from unpacking the outcomes of the conference, we want to especially demystify drug policy for listeners and explore what Kofi Annan Foundation's West Africa Commission on Drugs has done so well for which reason even East Africa is interested in establishing a similar Commission.

Join us at 14h05!

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more details will be available soon on http://www.africainfocusradioshow.org ; http://africainfocusshow.blogspot.com. Follow the conversations on #AfricainFocus on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/africainfocus14.

Tweet Emmanuel ahead of time on http://www.twitter.com/ekbensah, using #africainfocus .

Call Radio XYZ93.1FM on 0289.000.931 / 0289.931.000.

Follow 24/7 on https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.radioxyzonline.pc? Look for Radio XYZ on Tune-in and also listen 24/7.

NEW!>>SUPPORT DON'T PUNISH DRUG USERS IN GHANA-CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED

Accept greetings from the members of the Ghana Chapter of the West Africa Drug Policy Network.

 

We are pleased to share with you the attached statement for your perusal and endorsement. To endorse, kindly send your name, organization (if affiliated to an organization) and country to Maria-Goretti Ane. If you are endorsing in your personal capacity, please simply state ‘Independent’.

 

As a network, our goal is to ensure that drug policies are developed and implemented in a manner that promotes the rights, and dignity of drug users. This must therefore support them to be able to overcome the situation. We seek to ensure that laws enacted do not condemn victims of drug use.

 

Our foremost priority is to ensure that the draft bill by the Narcotics Commission is one that supports drug users rather than punish them. The current bill provides clauses that will rather enforce harsh sanctions on drug users. A situation we do not want to happen.

 

Network members have taken a thorough analysis of the bill and highlighted some critical areas that require immediate revision.

 

With your support, we want to push for these revisions to be made before the bill is passed into law.

 

We therefore call on you to read through the attached statement and endorse it on or before March 20, 2015 by 4pm GMT.

 

We kindly request that you should share this widely across your staff, colleagues, family members and friends to ensure that we have many signatories and more support in this process.

 

We look forward to your kind cooperation

 

Regards

Maria-Goretti Ane

International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) , Africa Consultant.

**Visit the document here. Follow us on twitter here: www.twitter.com/wadrupone_gh