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

PODCAST: ep.79 | A Conversation with West Africa Drug Policy Network: After UNGASS 2016, & Way Forward on Global Drug Policy

PODCAST -- Season 4, ep.14 (Ep.79)
Researched & Executive-produced by E.K.Bensah Jr
Technical Production: Selma Graham & Kelvin Asante
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Ahead of World Drugs Day (International Day Against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking) on Sunday, we used episode 79 of "Africa in Focus" to speak to two members of the Ghana Chapter of the West Africa Drug Policy Network (WADPN) on the state of drug policy after the UN General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on drug policy.

Both members were in New York in April attending UNGASS. For WADPN, it was especially important to get a sense of the progress of member States of the UN on the future of drug policy.

The outcome document recommends measures to address demand and supply reduction, and improve access to controlled medecines, while preventing diversion. A lot still needs to be done as far as Ghana, the subregion, and Africa at large is concerned.

The WAdPN, in this respect, is a unique network that has backing from the Dakar-based West Africa Commission on Drugs, which is equally the brainchild of the Kofi Annan Foundation.

The interview is revealing in offering the genesis of the Network; the state of drug policy before UNGASS in 2016; the instrumentality of the Latin American States in the awareness-raising of global drug policy; the challenges of UNGASS ("evolution rather than revolution"); the obdurate member States like Indonesia who want more-of-the-same on drug policy (capital punishment and executions). We also unpacked the bright spots for the advocacy of the Network, including how WADPN has been able to open multiple channels of engagement -- including with Ghana's Narcotics Board (NACOB), and Ghana's legislature.

Both Adamu and Akuamoah-Boateng helped us appreciate the distinction between decriminalization (which Adamu believes should be possible in Ghana and West Africa) and legalization, which the former believes we are not ready for as we do not have resources.

The sixth show in the series seeking to demystify, unpack, and explain regional and global drug policy for listeners, Radio XYZ93.1fm has, through Africa in Focus Show, consistently shed light on why it remains important to reverse the war on drugs, and change the narrative to a public health one, where we support, not punish drug users.

While law enforcement should do its utmost to catch the drug traffickers, the State must consider how cost-effective it would be to pump limited resources towards a public health approach for drug users.

The advocacy on #supportdontpunish continues unabated!

https://www.dropbox.com/s/tt3anin8fxvauds/AFRICA%20IN%20FOCUS%20%2022-06-16-West%20Africa%20Drug%20Policy%20Network.mp3?dl=0

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COMING UP!》Ep.79 | (Season 4; Ep.14): | The World of Drug Policy, post-UNGASS

Episode #79
(Season 4; Ep.14): 
The World of Drug Policy, post-UNGASS

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 12th 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 third edition for the month of June, we are looking into the future.

We want to use the show to explore what the post-UNGASS world will be not just for the West Africa Drug Policy Network, but also for advocacy on #supportdontpunish.

Join us if you can at 14h05 on Wednesday 22 June, 2016

Call us on the following number
+233(302)777.173
Guiding questions
*What is the state of play of drug policy post-UNGASS?
*What does the future look like?

Guest in the studio
Ø   Mohammed Adamu, member of West Africa Drug Policy Network(WADPN)
Juana Akumoah-Boateng, member of WADPN

************************
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.78 (Season 4; Ep.13): A Technical Perspective on Democracy; Technology; & Social Media Shutdown – a Conversation with E-Crime Bureau

Episode #78 
(Season 4; Ep.13):  
A Technical Perspective on Democracy; Technology; & Social Media Shutdown   – a Conversation with E-Crime Bureau

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 12th 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

In the second edition for the month of June, we are yet-again reflecting.

The proposal by the Ghana police a few weeks ago to consider the banning of social media on Election Day prompted immense speculation among the populace that Ghana wanted to go the way of Chad's Deby in the April elections and Uganda's Museveni in the March one.

 With just five months before Ghana's general elections, it's important to help the technical experts help us better-understand the nexus between democracy and technology, which an Aspen Idea Blogger described as having “a chilling effect on democracy in some troubled parts of the world”.

When that blogger wrote that in August 2014, Ghana hardly fit the description of a “troubled” part of the world. Some may argue that in 2016, it still doesn't fit. So it begs the question of why those who are mandated to protect and serve us may feel inclined to over-protect us with a social media ban.

Is the proposal for a social media ban a simple case of the Ghana Police Service inhibiting our freedom of speech, or is it, rather, a simple case of the Ghana Police jumping on the bandwagon of regressing freedoms – even if for one day.

The question of precedents – bad ones – cannot be lost over us in this discussion, for the fact that Chad and Uganda (not necessarily known for their democratic dispensations) have set controversial ones does not foreclose the fact that in the event Ghana does go through with it, it will cast a dark shadow on Ghana's enjoyment and entrenchment of democratic freedoms since 1992.

What does E-crime Bureau think about it all?  

Join us if you can at 14h05 on Wednesday 15 June, 2016


Call us on the following number
+233(302)777.173

Guiding questions
Does the proposal to shut down social media on Election Day point to the absence and/or weakness in a Ghana Police Service Social Media Strategy?

Is it less inhibiting to free speech to have a Social Media Shutdown than a law on Social media?

Is the proposed shutdown an indirect attack on the youth – a demographic that actively uses the medium?


Guest in the studio
Ø E-Crime Bureau representative



************************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!>>Episode #77 | Season 4; Ep.12 | Remembering #AccraFloods on 3 June, 2015: A Conversation with AROCHA on Atewa Forest Reserve

Episode #77

(Season 4; Ep.12):  

Remembering #AccraFloods on 3 June, 2015: A Conversation with AROCHA on 

Atewa Forest Reserve

 –

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. Last week’s edition was a reflective one on Africa Day.

In the first edition for the month of June, we are yet-again reflecting.

Almost a year ago, Ghanaians woke up to the horrific news of a twin fire and flood that left 150 people dead.

 Torrential rains displaced many and killed several others. A fuel station (GOIL) blast also led to the death of over 200 people.

On June 5, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) began a desilting  the Odaw drain. On June 20^th, in its bid to desilt the Korle Lagoon, they rendered thousands of residents of Old Fadama homeless.

A year on, we are speaking with environmental NGO AROCHA to help us understand Ghana’s relationship with the environment.

Established in 1999, AROCHA has earned a reputation for providing practical conservation interventions that are aimed at contributing to the sustainable management of important ecological habitats.

A conversation with AROCHA is especially-important because of its expertise on understanding the Atewa Forest Reserve.

Located in the Eastern region of Ghana, the Atewa Range Forest Reserve is internationally-recognized as one of the highest priority ecosystems in West Africa for its high species diversity, and what AROCHA describes as “great hydrological importance.”

Although there remain other NGOs working on the Atewa Forest Reserve, AROCHA is perhaps the one that has been working on it the longest, and has the capacity to offer greatest insights into why all Ghanaians must put their efforts into protecting the environment for the benefit of all Ghanaians and the Atewa Forest for the benefit of…all West Africans!   

Join us if you can at 14h05 on Wednesday 1 June, 2016

Call us on the following number

+233(302)777.173

Guiding questions

Ø  What is state of play of Ghana’s relationship with the environment?

Ø  Have Ghanaians demonstrated improvement in their relationship with the  environment since the twin disaster?

Ø  What is progress so far on gazetting Atewa Forest as a National Park?

Ø  How important is the Atewa Forest Reserve to the sub-region?

Guest in the studio

Ø Daryl Bosu, Operations Manager, AROCHA

***********************
*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

Ethiopia airlines to Sponsor Familiarization Tour for Chinese Tour Operators to Ghana

PRESS RELEASE

Ethiopian Airline Africa's leading Airline will be sponsoring a Familiarization trip by Chinese  Tour Operators to Ghana.

This is in Partnership with some leading Ghanaian Tour Operators Apstar and Sunseekers tours. The Chinese are the biggest Travellers in the world and are increasingly finding Africa appealing. Ghana is positioning itself as the major Destination of choice for them in West Africa.

The Fam Trip will see the Chinese tour Operators visit Kumasi to participate in the Akwasidae Festival. They will be hosted by Ashanti King himself and will enjoy a city tour of Kumasi.

The group will be hosted to a business Forum at Sunlodge Hotel in Accra involving Tourism stakeholders and the Tourism Minister for Ghana.

They will round off the visit to Ghana with an intensive tour of the  Castles including the Unesco Heritage monuments of Elmina  and Cape Coast  and later the  Kakum National park.

Ethiopian Airlines is the First African Airline to Fly to Ghana since independence and today flies daily into Accra with the most modern Airplane B787  Dreamliner. Last Year ET was chosen as the Best Airline in Ghana by Executive Business magazine.

Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopian) is the fastest growing Airline in Africa. In its seven decades of operations, Ethiopian has become one of the continent's leading carriers, unrivalled in efficiency and operational success.

Ethiopian commands the lion's share of the pan-African passenger and cargo network operating the youngest and most modern fleet to 92 international destinations across five continents. Ethiopian fleet includes ultra-modern and environmentally friendly aircraft such as the Boeing 787, Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 777-200LR,Boeing 777-200 Freighter, Bombardier Q-400 double cabin with an average fleet age of five years. In fact, Ethiopian is the first airline in Africa to own and operate these aircraft.​

Ethiopian is currently implementing a 15-year strategic plan called Vision 2025 that will see it become the leading aviation group in Africa with seven business centers: Ethiopian Domestic and Regional Airline; Ethiopian International Passenger Airline; Ethiopian Cargo; Ethiopian MRO; Ethiopian Aviation Academy; Ethiopian In-flight Catering Services; and Ethiopian Ground Service. Ethiopian is a multi-award winning airline registering an average growth of 25% in the past seven years.

ENDS

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COMING UP!》Ep.76 | Season 4, Ep.11 |Bringing Harmony to Africa Day 2016 – With 2 Conversations with State of The Union Africa; & AU Day Choral Concert: to Celebrate the Music of Africa!

Episode #76
(Season 4; Ep.11):
Bringing Harmony to Africa Day 2016 –
With 2 Conversations with State of The Union Africa; & AU Day Choral Concert: to Celebrate the Music of Africa!

Even as Season 4 is on the theme of making money for Africa, Africa in Focus is celebrating May as Regional Integration month.

It's ECOWAS Day on Saturday 28th May, so we used episode 9 to unpack Model ECOWAS Summit that will take place on that day.

In last week's episode, we travelled from Kigali for a conversation about AU's protocols to Lome for an interview about Africa and its integration projects.

Now for the 25th May edition of Africa in Focus, STILL in the spirit of Regional Integration month, traditionally scheduled for May since 2013, we have still yet-another special edition celebrating Africa's integration at both ECOWAS and African Union levels.

 Although 28 May is the 41st anniversary of ECOWAS' integration efforts, perhaps the climax of May's celebration as Regional Integration Month is 25 May, when Ghana joins five other countries on the continent, including Namibia; Mali; & Zimbabwe to celebrate Africa's integration efforts.

On 25 May 1963, the AU was born when representatives from *twenty-two countries met in Africa's diplomatic capital of Addis*. Fifty-three years later, the growth of regional economic communities (RECs) like ECOWAS, SADC, and COMESA may have reduced interest in the African Union, but the bottom line is this: the RECs are; have been; and will always remain the building blocks of a United Africa by 2034.

At least, so states the Abuja Treaty of 1991.

Even as AU day may be a difficult day to celebrate for some African countries (Nigeria as ECOWAS' largest economy does not celebrate it), *it remains an important and symbolic day for continental citizen reflection and discussion on how far Africa has come in its development efforts*.

If anything, it should be a day of monitoring and assessment – for which reason      we are happy to speak anew to SOTU who have been doing just that on AU Member States' compliance to protocols for a number of years.

Finally, we bring harmony to the discussions by wrapping it all up – as one may do – with music: by speaking to Harmony Attise, of Commec Ghana, who are organizing a musical concert on Africa, with the theme “Awake and Build Africa” right here in Accra.

We all know what love's got to do with Africa, but what's music got to do with it? And why now?

Join us if you can in celebrating a truly unique day on the continental agenda!


Call us on the following number
+233(302)777.173
Guiding questions
Ø Why should Africans care about the Pan-African Parliament?
Ø How is SOTU celebrating Africa Day?
Ø What is the rationale behind the AU Choral Concert?

Guests on the line:
Ø Osai Ojigho, Co-ordinator, State of the Union, Kenya LIVE FROM NAIROBI

Guest in the studio
Ø Harmony Attise, CEO of Commec Ghana


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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