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

Post-Show video clip of ABANTU's Ellen Dzah

E.K. shared a video with you! “""Dear friends, To mark the 20th edition of the Africa in Focus show, we have commenced post-show video interviews that seek to both promote the work of the guests we invite, and some of their ideas on the themes we cover for the show. In this post-show clip, Ellen Dzah, Programmes Manager at gender NGO ABANTU, encourages the government to accommodate the views of women at the decision-making table -- irrespective of the sector"” View video

© 2014 Dropbox

E.K. Bensah Jr shared a video with you!

E.K. shared a video with you! ""Dear friends, To mark the 20th edition of the Africa in Focus show, we have commenced post-show video interviews that seek to both promote the work of the guests we invite, and some of their ideas on the themes we cover for the show. In this post-show clip, Robert Bamfo, Head of the Climate Change Unit, at the Forestry Commission, talks about the need for everyone to be involved in the REDD+ movement that seeks to help combat deforestation. ( 2 of 2)"" View video

© 2014 Dropbox

Post-show Video Clip of Forestry Commission's Robert Bamfo

E.K. shared a video with you! “Dear friends, To mark the 20th edition of the Africa in Focus show, we have commenced post-show video interviews that seek to both promote the work of the guests we invite, and some of their ideas on the themes we cover for the show. In this post-show clip, Robert Bamfo, Head of the Climate Change Unit, at the Forestry Commission, talks about the need for everyone to be involved in the REDD+ movement that seeks to help combat deforestation. ( 1 of 2)” View video

© 2014 Dropbox

AFRICA IN FOCUS >> Coming up on 18 November, 2014: Deforestation, Climate Change; and Matters Arising(3)

Climate Change; Deforestation; and Matters Arising(3)

 

There is now what some might consider compelling evidence of the planet warming up.  Evidence recently released by scientists from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has shown that climate change is occurring at a faster rate than the world could ever have imagined.

Statistics from Ghana’s inventory of forestry stock indicate that Ghana has lost a chunk of its forest cover since 1994, despite the inevitable warming of the planet. It is believed that if sufficient attention is not given to redress this imbalance of loss of forest cover, the country will be all the worse for it. This is because lack of forest cover allows direct exposure of sunlight and the sun’s rays to dry up the already-polluted and fast-dwindling water –bodies.

Research indicates that developing countries are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change as their livelihoods are highly-dependent on climate-sensitive sectors, such as agriculture. Given that Ghanaian peasant farmers practice rain-fed agriculture, depending on weather patterns for their farming, and tend to include slash-and-burn methods that prove to be unsustainable and harmful to the Earth’s atmosphere, this significantly-contributes to global warming. Consequently, Ghana has witnessed higher temperatures than normal, as well as inconsistent rainfall patterns.

One way in which Ghana has been trying to deal with this has been through the use of the REDD+ mechanism, which is being coordinated by the National REDD+ Secretariat of the Forestry Commission.

On 29 July, AIF commenced what would be a series of editions examining and understanding Ghana, and Africa's forestry sector.

Having established from that programme, and from the 23^rd September edition that reprised the issue of deforestation and climate change, that deforestation is a major issue in understanding the sector, we want to dedicate the 24th edition of Africa in Focus from the premise that apart from the fact that deforestation is an acknowledged challenge for the country, what is it that civil society groups like ABANTU are doing to sensitise Ghanaians about its impact on women.

Finally, in looking at the way forward, we will find out why Civil society organisation Civic Response is convening a National Forest Forum, and why it is important in facilitating governance on natural resources, and most importantly, helping nip deforestation in the bud!

Guiding Questions to be answered:

·        What do we still need to know about deforestation, and climate change, and some of the challenges associated with it in Ghana? (Forestry Commission/Forestwatch/ABANTU)

·        What were some of the outcomes of the Forestry Commission’s National Roadshow on REDD, and what is the way forward for the Forestry Commission?

·        What is the National Forest Forum, and how does it help facilitate governance on forests?

Guests in the studio:

Ø  Robert Bamfo, Head of Climate Change Unit, Forestry Commission, Ghana

Ø  Ellen Eyison Dzah, Programmes Manager, ABANTU

On the line

Ø  Samuel Mawutor, Civic Response/ForestWatch @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

Ebola Watch, October,28th,2014

Ebola Watch, October,28^th,2014

• USA: Surprisingly fear has gripped more citizens in the US than cases recorded.
• On October 23, the New York reported a case of Ebola in a medical aid worker who had returned to New York City from Guinea, where the medical aid worker had served with Doctors Without Borders. The diagnosis was confirmed by CDC on October 24.
• Texas: On October 10, a healthcare worker at Texas Presbyterian Hospital who provided care for the index patient tested positive for Ebola. The patient has since recovered and was discharged from the NIH Clinical Center on October 24
• On October 15, a second healthcare worker at Texas Presbyterian Hospital who provided care for the index patient tested positive for Ebola. The patient is receiving care at a hospital in Atlanta, Georgia.
• A nurse, who had previously been working with Doctors Without Borders, became the first public test case for a mandatory quarantine. She has won the case, though it is reported she tested negative on investigation. She is presently out of quarantine.
• CDC is implementing enhanced entry screening at five U.S. airports that receive over 94% of travelers from Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.

• WHO convened a high-level emergency meeting on 23 October to look at the many complex policy issues that surround access to Ebola vaccines Ways to ensure the fair distribution and financing of these vaccines were discussed, as well as plans for the different phases of clinical trials to be performed concurrently rather than consecutively, partnerships for expediting clinical trials, and proposals for getting all development partners moving in tandem and at the same accelerated pace. Summary of report here

• Nigeria & Senegal: WHO officially declared Senegal and Nigeria free of Ebola virus transmission on October 17 and 20,respectively.
• Mali: On October 23, Mali reported its first confirmed case of Ebola in a child who had traveled there from Guinea. The child passed away on October 24.
• New cases continue to be reported from Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
• Liberia: It is unclear whether the outbreak is getting under control in Liberia or about to explode again. Need coverage more than ever
• Ghana: No Case YET. Healthcare workers received Trainer of Trainers program which ended last Friday. Operations of the UNMEER still ongoing as it operates from its hdqrs in Accra
• The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reported cases of Ebola. These cases are not related to the ongoing outbreak of Ebola in West Africa.
• TOTAL: Total Cases: 10141 Laboratory-Confirmed Cases: 5692 Total Deaths: 4922
• MESSAGE: The language over avoiding bats to avoid getting infected is should not be the central, what remains evidenced is having direct physical contacts with persons infected.

Report courtesy Ebola Watch Ghana via AIF Radio XYZ edition

Sources: CDC, WHO, New York Times, Reuters