#PODCAST: Episode 31: Role of Civil Society around Drug Policy in West Africa

EPISODE #31
Research & Co-ordination: E.K.Bensah Jr
Executive Producer: E.K.Bensah Jr

"Dear friends,

In the light of a two-day conference for civil society organisation on Drug Policy in West Africa that was held here in Accra last week, we spoke to two high-level participants who helped us better-understand the concepts; challenges; opportunities around civil society participation in drug policy in West Africa. In many respects, this two-day meeting blazed the trail on this kind of discussion. 

Also on the show, we spoke to Marjorie Abdin of the CAADP National Team to give us an insight into some of the challenges bedeviling that team as it seeks to promote the AU’s CAADP programme on agriculture. What are the challenges, and opportunities that need to be confronted?

Please find below a link to the podcast of the full edition of 10 February edition of "Africa in Focus":

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1e3k7jdvlgqp73p/AFRICA%20IN%20FOCUS%20%2010-02-15.mp3?dl=0


We look forward to comments!

In solidarity!"
Emmanuel""

AFRICA IN FOCUS >> Coming up on 25 November, 2014: 25th Edition SPECIAL: Celebrating the 25th Africa Industrialisation Day; and Unearthing Voices on Africa’s Development (1): “Seeing the Wood for the Trees”

25^th Edition SPECIAL:

Celebrating the 25^th Africa Industrialisation Day; and Unearthing Voices on Africa’s Development (1):

“Seeing the Wood for the Trees”

 Even as AIF is at the cusp of its 7^th month, 25^th November will be the 25^th Edition of the show.

This special edition is dedicating the first part of the show to seeing the wood for the trees around Ghana, and Africa’s industrialization policy. In the light of the furore around chairs in Ghana’s parliament being imported from China, we will be speaking to a member of Ghana’s furniture and wood association who will tell us why they issued a statement only last week about their concerns on aspects of Ghana’s industrial policy.

Still on wood, we will speak to Coordinator of ForestWatch, Samuel Mawutor, who will give us insights into the relationship between the Chinese and Ghana’s Rosewood, and what specific policies the government has adopted on how to save Rosewood from being exploited by the Chinese who import no less than 96% of that wood. What does the attitude around Rosewood tell us about Chinese attitudes over Ghana’s industrial policy, and the country’s fight against climate change?

Finally, in the second part of the show, we will commence what will be a series on unearthing voices on Africa’s development. What this means is that we will be speaking to professionals who hold robust views on aspects of Africa’s development. This can be on any topic, so we are starting off with Araba Arhin, who once worked with the West Africa Commission on Drugs,  and has deep insights into the sub-region’s fight against narcotics and drug trafficking.

We will switch gears to speak to a lady who has dedicated the better part of her career to bringing NGOs together in what is an-otherwise very competitive and territorial sector.  And, as always, we will not only get an update on Ebola from Kobby Blay, but actually be picking his brain on the way forward on Africa’s health.

Guiding Questions to be answered:

·        What is FAWAG, and its message to policymakers, including the government, on the way forward on Ghana’s industrialization?

·        Are the Chinese helping or hindering Ghana’s development?

·        Why is Rosewood important to Ghana, and the fight against climate change?

·        What were major outcomes of the four-day Forest Forum held last week?

·        What is West Africa Commission on Drugs doing to contribute to regional drug policy?

·        Why is the fight against drug trafficking in West Africa especially important?

·        Why do NGOs need to collaborate? And why is there a sense of urgency around working together?

·        How is the EbolaWatch campaigning to sustain the momentum on awareness-raising on Ebola?

Guests in the studio:

Ø  Araba Arhin, translator, and former WACID official

Ø  Kobby Blay, Ebola Watch

On the line:

·        Enoch A Sackey, Office Manager, Furniture & Wood Products Association of Ghana(FAWAG) @13h20

·        Samuel Mawutor, Civic Response/Coordinator, ForestWatch @13h35

·        Nadia Zeine, Director, Wishes Alliance @14h00

PODCASTS>> "AFRICA IN FOCUS: Peace & Security in West Africa (2):Burkina Faso... (11 November, 2014)

Due to unforeseen technical challenges, the live show on Radio XYZ93.1FM was unable to come on. However, we were able to arrange recorded phone interviews with our guests, which are available for download -- as always -- for free!

Please find below the list of guests booked for the 23rd edition of the Show. Simply click on their names to start downloading a podcast of the interviews Emmanuel had with them.


EPISODE #23
Research & Co-ordination: E.K.Bensah Jr
Executive Producer: E.K.Bensah Jr

• Morgan Asiedu, ECOBANK

Executive Director Legal; Human Resource & Compliance Mr.Asiedu explains to Emmanuel why ECOBANK Day was celebrated on 8 November this year. Other questions answered included, what the future is for the Pan-African bank almost 25 years of its existence in Ghana. Mr.Asiedu assured observers uneasy about the recent acquisition of shares by Qatar National Bank, and South Africa's NEDBANK acquisition as in no way diluting the Pan-Africanist aspiration of the bank, but a way of the Bank learning from these non-West African entities. The future for ECOBANK is about consolidation -- not necessarily expansion. Asiedu maintains ECOBANK's two-fold vision includes building a "world-class financial institution", and contributing to "financial integration and development of Africa".

• Alimou Diallo, West Africa Network for Peace-building 

Regional Coordinator of WANEP explained to Emmanuel the outcome of the two-day ECOWAS Summit, and how both the AU and ECOWAS have called upon Burkina Faso to follow the path of civilian rule. He maintains that, given it remains a popular uprising, the West African country has not been suspended from ECOWAS, with the diplomats preferring alternatives, including the appointment of Senegalese President Macky Sall as head of the Regional Contact Group to Burkina. It would not only be Sall who would mediate, but one who would help coordinate a multiplicity of efforts by ECOWAS, the AU, and the UN. 

He disputed Emmanuel's analysis that perhaps it is "time for UEMOA to shut down shop" given that for the past five years, ECOWAS' headache have all included UEMOA countries (Niger in 2008; Cote d'Ivoire in 2011; Mali in 2012; Guinea-Bissau also in 2012; and finally, Burkina Faso in 2014). Diallo believes Liberia and Sierra Leone (anglophone countries) were perhaps the most brutal. However, what can be said is that the crises experienced by UEMOA countries are perhaps a reflection of weak democratic institutions, especially that of electoral commissions. He calls for more of a harmonisation of West Africa's electoral commissions.

• Araba Arhin, former West Africa Commission on Drugs official

Mrs.Arhin proffers the genesis of the West Africa Commission on Drugs, describing it as "a baby of Kofi Annan Foundation and of Mr. Kofi Annan." The project visited countries like Senegal; Nigeria; Guinea-Bissau. A report was prepared, with recommendations made, and advocacy to be made using a report that was prepared. Drugs are affecting our society in ways in which we cannot imagine.

Emmanuel wondered how far WACID's work has been able to complement the efforts of ECOWAS' Intergovernmental Action Group against Money-Laundering (GIABA) and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. Arhin explains that they were not only working independently, but working alongside GIABA and other related agencies. The latest report by WACID believes West Africa is not prepared for legalisation of drug policy, but more of a degree of decriminalization to allow more of the big fish to be caught.

• Dominick Andoh, Head of Aviation desk, Business & Financial Times Paper

In this aviation update, Andoh confirms that regional airlines operating from Kotoka have begun to fly again to Ougadougou. These include ASKY; Air Burkina; Air Cote d;Ivoire. 

On the domestic airline front, it is now possible for Kumasi airport to operate flights at night, which will serve as an important economic boon for the airline industry there. It will help them make more revenue, and enable people move more freely in the evening. It is hoped that this will help airlines break even as more revenue is accrued it.

We also learn that works are ongoing for the Tamale airport, which has plans to become an international airport. 

• Kobby Blay, Ebola Watch 

In this latest update, we learn there is some good news, especially with decline of cases in Sierra Leone. Countries yet to be affected by Ebola include Burkina Faso; Benin; Ghana; Togo.

Kobby will be going to Liberia's Budumburum camp to help spread the message on understanding Ebola. The Ebola Watch team will also be in Cape Coast.


ENDs