MEDIA BRIEFING ON DISCRIMINATION

Yirenkyi Opare-Akuffo

The Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs (MOWAC) has organized a seminar to brief and sensitize media practitioners on Ghana’s 3rd, 4th and 5th Periodic Reports to the United Nations Committee on the eradication of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and recommended actions.

The seminar which was held at the Coconut Groove Hotel in Accra forms part of Ghana’s obligation to coordinate and ensure implementation of recommended actions by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and other stake holders.

In an opening address delivered by Mr. V. T. Kuzuume, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs on behalf of the Deputy Minister, he said, Ghana has come very far as a country in addressing issues relating to women and children’s survival, protection and development and is still moving forward. A number of giant strides have been taken by Ghana in fulfillment of its national, regional and international communities, he said.

At the international level in particular, Mr Kuuzume said, Ghana demonstrated its commitment and political will by not only signing, ratifying various conventions, treaties, protocols, and resolutions but also through promulgation of laws and implementation of various strategies with the view to creating a society in which women enjoy full equality with men and the full realization of their rights as guaranteed under the Constitution and the laws of Ghana.

Mr.Kuzuune urged media practitioners to assist MOWAC and other stakeholders by actively participating by giving innovative and implementable strategies on how to communicate effectively to move the gender agenda forward to address issues of subtle discrimination against women and girls in the Ghanaian society.

Mrs. Doris Mawuse Aglobitse, The National Professional Officer, Advocacy and Resource Mobilization, representing the United Nations (UN) System said, Ghana ratified the United Nations Conventions on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against women without reservation in July 1986 and consequently submitted its initial and second Periodic reports in 1991, as required. In 2005, she said, Ghana further submitted its 3rd, 4th and 5th Periodic reports to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women and defended these reports in August 2007.

Mrs. Aglobitse said the role of the UN in Ghana has been in the area of providing technical assistance as well as some funding to the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs and other NGOs in implementing programmes that are of benefit to women and girls. Currently, she said, the UN System has a joint programme with MOWAC on the implementation of the Domestic Violence law which was passed last year. Aspects of the programme dowel on awareness creation, capacity building for law enforcers and rehabilitation of abused victims.


Mrs. Aglobitse said, the UN System in Ghana will continue to provide support in these areas based on what the government presents as its area of priority.

Mrs. Marian .A. Tackie, Director of MOWAC in presenting the overview of the United Nations conventions on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women and status of implementation said, CEDAW was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1979 to reinforce the provisions of existing international instruments designed to combat the continuing discrimination against women. She said, CEDAW identifies many specific areas where there has been discrimination against women such as political rights, marriage and family employment. Mrs. Tackie continued that CEDAW spells out specific goals and measures that are to be taken to facilitate the creation of a global society in which women enjoy full equality with men and the full realization of their guaranteed human rights.

On Implementation of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, Mrs. Tackie said, Ghana ratified the CEDAW without reservation in July 1886. Ghana follows a dualistic approach towards the incorporation of treaties into domestic law. This means that international conventions need to be incorporated into domestic laws by legislation to give them full legal effect. She said, other provisions of CEDAW were complied with through review or amendment of existing legislations or promulgation of new legislations. Examples are the Domestic Violence Act and the Human Trafficking Acts which are in incompliance with UN Declaration on Elimination of all Forms of Violence against Women. Ghana has complied with its reporting obligation under the convention and submitted five periodic reports to the UN Committee on CEDAW. She said Ghana’s 6th and 7th reports are due in 2011.

Mrs. Tackie said, further action taken since the submission of its 3rd, 4th and 5th reports include, press reporting on Ghana’s presentation of it’s CEDAW reports to CEDAW Committee, printing of 3rd, 4th and 5th periodic reports and the other related document for dissemination to all stakeholders among many others. Mrs. Tackie further stated that certain measures have been taken in line with CEDAW periodic reports to increase women’s participation in politics and decision-making. She stated some of them as sensitization of and capacity building programmes for women to run for office are organized periodically. Also, a high level of consultative dialogue was organized as part of Ghana’s 50th anniversary under theme: “Enhancing participation of women in decision-making positions”. She added that political parties have also been urged to incorporate gender issues in their political agenda and to ensure that women participate in leadership on equal basis with men.

Ghana, Mrs. Tackie said, has taken concrete measures to translate various conventions, treaties and protocols Declarations and Resolutions relating to Gender Equality and Women and Children’s Rights to development into implementation policies, programmes. She said, a major constraint however, is the lack of adequate financial resources to translate all its commitment into desired measurable results. Mrs. Tackie said, with the injection of more financial inflows especially from the UN System funding agencies, Ghana would be able to achieve its development goals targets relating to gender equality and women’s empowerment.

ISHMAEL TAKES OVER

Yirenkyi Opare-Akuffo

Ishmael Tweneboah-Kodua, a student of the University of Education, Kumasi Campus has been sworn-in as the 43^rd President of the National Union of Ghana Students. (NUGS)

The swearing-in took place during the NUGS handing-over ceremony which was held at the Sonat Court Hotel in East Legon here in Accra. The impressive ceremony was well attended by a lot of students across the length and breath of the country who were all eager to witness the solemn occasion.

Ishmael won the Presidency in a fiercely contested elections held at the University of Development Studies, Nyankpala Campus during the 42^nd annual delegates congress a month ago. He took over from Mr. Kweku Tuoho-Bombason. The other national officers sworn-in include Billy Jones Owusu, the General Secretary, Gabriel Adomako-the Financial Controller and Patrick Ayittah- the Coordinating Secretary. Also sworn-in are Daniel Thompson for the position of the Programs and Projects Secretary, Bahiratu Kamal as the Women’s Commissioner and Delali Pearce-Kporha sworn-in as the International Relations Officer. The rest are Banning Ahmed and Malik Abass Daabu sworn-in as Education and Democratization Secretary and Press & Information Secretary respectively. Simon Amanor, Kwaku Mensah John and Abdul Karim were also sworn-in by the new NUGS President to represent NUGS on the National Youth Council, GETFund and the All African Students Union respectively.

Mr. Kweku Tuoho-Bombason the out-gone NUGS President in his farewell speech paid a glowing tribute to the late Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Hon. Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu saying, the late Minister had been very supportive to his administration and NUGS in general.

Mr. Bombason said, the past NUGS year has been eventful, one carrying with it both memorable and regrettable ones. He said, “regrettable as some of those moments may be, they provided us with great learning opportunities that guided us in our resolve to ensure that the interests of our constituents were adequately protected”.

Mr. Bombason enumerated some of the successes chalked by his administration. He said, primary among them was the redefining of NUGS, which meant having a united student front capable of bargaining and lobbying strongly for its needs, a student front which will allow its internal structures to work, and one that will resolve its disputes without having to resort to media war thereby ridiculing its own leaders. He said it was through the hard work of his administration that NUGS now have a seven year strategic development plan that will serve as a blue print for the Union’s development, a new Constitution, and financial procedures manual to regulate the management of the Union’s finance.

Mr. Bombason said, it was under his leadership that NUGS got the international recognition that it deserved. He said, this was evident in the Union’s invitation and participation in a United Nations programme in the United States, a youth leadership programme at the Liverpool University in the United Kingdom, and Global University Network for Innovation –Africa programme in Nigeria. He also touched on the successful organization of the 42^nd National Delegates Congress which was recently held at the University for Development Studies on the theme; “Ensuring Peaceful, Free and Fair Election 2008; the Role of the Student”. He said all these and many more successes could not have been possible if not for teamwork and discipline on the part of national officers against the background that "I and my colleagues inherited a suspicious, image battered union", he said.

The out-gone NUGS President seized the opportunity to advise the in-coming national officers to make teamwork their habit, and to be wholly committed to the struggle for the students of Ghana. He reminded them of the need to leave above partisan politics as that some few years ago was the waterloo of the union but rather place the interest of the students of Ghana as their core business.

Mr. Bombason advised politicians to be more tolerant of each other and dissenting opinions, for he said, these are fundamental elements of a true democracy. He reiterated NUGS call on all well-meaning Ghanaians to put their hands on deck to ensure a successful election come December 7.

Ishmael Tweneboah-Kodua in his acceptance speech said, he and his colleagues are aware of the task ahead of them. He said moving the union forward in historic strides on her progressive path as the champion of students’ unity and freedom shall be a non-negotiable agenda. “Fellow students, he said, to respond is positive but to react is negative and so NUGS under my tutelage will not be a reactionary organization and will not take adhoc decisions.

Mr. Tweneboah-Kodua said, “the unprecedented overwhelming endorsement I received from students across Ghana at Nyankpala during our congress speaks volumes of the level of confidence my colleagues have in me. I cannot betray that trust and confidence reposed in me as well as my colleagues”.

He called on all other stakeholders to partner his administration because every support extended to us will be applied only to the benefit of the Ghanaian student in particular and Ghanaians in general. He said.

The Chairman for the occasion, Professor Nana Steve Sobotie advised the new executives to live above reproach and let their lives reflect their new responsibilities. He said they should first and foremost remember that they are students, and must therefore combine effectively their new roles as student leaders and their academic work. He said there is the need for them to change a lot of things about them especially the way they talk and relate to people.

Military must take over if……

Yirenkyi Opare-Akuffo

Dr. Vladimir Antwi-Danso, a Research Fellow at the Legon Centre for International Affairs (LECIA) has advocated for a military takeover in Ghana if there is any violence after the December 7 general elections.

He said a military takeover will be necessary to avert any calamity that may befall the nation after the December polls since all the political parties, especially the NPP and the NDC are claiming victory way ahead of the polls. He said if the political parties refuse to accept the results of the elections; the military must intervene for at least two years to restore law and order after which fresh elections will be organized.

Dr. Antwi-Danso was speaking in an exclusive interview with the Accra Daily Mail (ADM) on power sharing in Africa and a possible power sharing arrangement in Ghana, as the country holds crucial elections in three months time.

On the likelihood of electoral crisis erupting in Ghana before, during or after the December polls that could lead to power sharing Dr. Antwi-Danso said, it is possible but not probable for an electoral dispute to arise after the December polls considering the entrenched positions the political parties have taken especially the ruling NPP which is looking for a historic third term and the NDC which has also promised to reject any result that will give victory to the NPP.

He was quite unequivocal. He told ADM that should there be an electoral crisis in Ghana after the December polls which threatens peace and stability, the military must takeover to save lives and property but said it is not a probability for electoral dispute to erupt after the polls because of Ghanaians’ compassion for one another and willingness to let go in the name of peace.

On the issue of why there are so many electoral disputes in Africa, Dr.Antwi-Danso said the Westminster/presidential type of governance where the winner takes all or first-past-the-post is not favourable and proving to be difficult in Africa because of the economic and ethno-political mosaic of the African people. Neo-patrimony, in which an office of power is used for personal use and gain, as opposed to a strict division of the private and public spheres or corruption are contributory factors to electoral crisis in Africa.

The politics of vengeance, said Dr. Antwi-Danso, and vindictiveness are other factors contributing to electoral violence in Africa. He cited Ghana as an example where the NDC will want to win power by all means so as to be able to imprison NPP functionaries because the former claims the latter has imprisoned its members, the latest being Mr. Tsatsu Tsikata.

He said a critical factor is that politics in Africa has become a conduct not for service but for luxury and fame and therefore everybody wants to get there through fair or foul means. Africa therefore must re-look at the type of democracy that it needs to suit Africa’s own specificities. “This is the only sure way Africa and for that matter Africans can enjoy economic and political stability and prosperity” he said.

He advised politicians to always seek the interest of the nation and the people they seek to lead first, instead of putting their own parochial interests ahead of everything.

Power sharing in Ghana?

Yirenkyi Opare-Akuffo

The peace and tranquility that our country has enjoyed over the past years will indeed stand the test of time come December 7 when Ghana goes to the polls.

The world will be waiting to see if Ghana will continue to be the pacesetters and take its democracy a step further or will crumble like many African countries which include Kenya and currently Zimbabwe.

It is indeed significant to note that Ghana had gone through four general elections successfully and peacefully. Indeed one will not be wrong to say that Ghana is a peaceful nation in the troubled Sub-Saharan Africa. If Ghana is peaceful, then the question that readily comes to mind is what is peace?

Peace can be a state of harmony or the absence of hostility. "Peace" can also be a non-violent way of life. "Peace" is used to describe the end of a violent conflict. Peace can mean a state of quiet or tranquility — an absence of disturbance or agitation. Peace can also describe a relationship between any people characterized by respect, justice, and goodwill. Peace can describe calmness, serenity, and silence. This latter understanding of peace can also pertain to an individual's sense of himself or herself, as to be "at peace" with one's own mind. Peace can be also the living of the family calmly together without any quarrels.

If this is what peace is all about then, we can say that Ghana is in the safe zone. It is also refreshing to see and hear all the political parties contesting in this year’s general elections in December 7 preaching peace and the need to tolerate diverging and dissenting views since democracy is all about agreeing to disagree

Proponents of the democratic peace theory argue that strong empirical evidence exists that democracies never or rarely make war against each other. However, recent developments especially on the political arena, give us something to be concerned of.

Just last week, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Presidential Running mate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumiah was in Tamale in the Northern Region to campaign for his party and there was a clash between the supporters of the NPP and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) which left at least seven people dead and several others injured and displaced not forgetting the massive damage to properties worth thousands of Ghana cedis. Not long ago, the Presidential Candidate of the opposition NDC was reported to have said that, he and his party will not accept anything than victory in the forthcoming general elections, since there is every indication that the ruling NPP have failed and Ghanaians will reject them come December 7. He was reported to have said that, if the NDC does not win, “There will be Kenya in Ghana”. Indeed, we are all witnesses to the bitter experiences the Kenyans went through after their disputed Presidential elections in December 27, 2007. The violence that erupted after that disputed elections claimed thousands of precious and innocent lives and caused extensive damage to properties.

Reports from the camp of the ruling NPP also suggests they are not ready to relinquish power, since they claim their government under President Kuffour has done marvelously well economically, politically and socially and therefore looking forward for a historic third term to continue with their good policies. The NPP also claims that they have discovered oil in commercial quantities and must therefore stay in power to manage the oil revenue effectively and efficiently.

Equally disturbing is the rigging scare ex-President Rawlings continues to spread around thereby calling on the supporters of the NDC to reject any result of the election that will declare the NPP as the victors.

This development in our political arena indeed leaves much to be desired. It is these same politicians who go about preaching peace yet again the same politicians are preconditioning the minds of their teaming supporters to reject the results of the polls when it does not go in their favour. What a contradiction!

It is interesting to note that, the two major political parties in Ghana, thus the NPP and the NDC are accusing each other of planning to rig the forthcoming December 7 elections so as to win power. It is equally interesting that both the NPP and NDC are claiming victory ahead of the December polls. This situation indeed threatens the rather young democracy we seek to guide jealously.

Considering the entrenched position taken by the two major players in our political game ahead of the December polls, one begins to wonder if the two major parties are beginning to sing the chorus of power sharing which seems to be the new trend in the African politics.

The questions that readily come to mind are among others, is Ghana prepared for a parliamentary system of government, where we have a President who is the head of state and a Prime Minister who is the head of government? Do we have the resources as a nation to support this type of government? Will the NPP agree to share power with the NDC when they win power and vice-versa? Who then become the President and the Prime Minister? Since Ghana has a peculiar problem where none of the Presidential Hopefuls is a sitting President. Where will the executive powers reside? With the President or the Prime Minster? How many people will have to die before the power sharing agreement is brokered? This is because thousands of people died both in Keyan and Zimbabwe before the power sharing agreement was reached. In the event of power sharing, who will become the Commander-In-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces? The President or the Prime Minster? Who will be the boss?

With all these questions unanswered, our politicians especially the Presidential candidates of the two major political parties should spare us the agony of Keyan and currently Zimbabwe.

As Ghana decides come December 7 , all we can say is God save Ghana.

Student leader decries indiscriminate posting of posters

Yirenkyi Opare-Akuffo

The President of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) of the African University College of Communications (AUCC), Mr. Henry Marbell, has expressed concern about politicians pasting their campaign posters around the country indiscriminately.

He said they are behaving as though there are no rules and regulations covering the pasting of posters, especially in Accra, the national capital. He said the practice “has made the streets an eye sore and does not give a good impression about us to people visiting Ghana for the first time.”

Mr. Marbell said it is disheartening to see politicians, who are seeking the mandate of the people to lead and therefore should know better offending against bylaws. Politicians, he said, violate the bylaws of the district assemblies with impunity, “and yet expect the citizens to be law abiding”.

He called on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to ensure that bylaws are enforced and advised politicians and event organizers to employ other forms of modern communication to drum home their messages.

Mr. Marbell said leadership is by example and so politicians seeking the people’s mandate “should not take us for granted but rather abide by simple rules and regulations”.

NUGS elects new President

Yirenkyi Opare-Akuffo

The National Union of Ghana Student (NUGS) has elected Ishmael Tweneboah-Kodua a student of the University of Education-Kumasi Campus as the president of the union for the 2008-2009 NUGS year.

At elections held during the 42^nd annual residential delegates’ congress of the NUGS at the University for Development Studies-Nyankpala Campus, Tweneboah-Kodua polled an overwhelming 252 votes representing 53.96% to clinch the presidency, thus becoming the 43^rd NUGS President.

The congress was themed: “Ensuring Peaceful, Free and Fair Elections 2008: The Role of the Student”.

Kofi Boateng, a former treasurer of NUGS in the 2006-2007 academic year and currently a student of the Ghana Institute of Journalism, managed a disappointing 156 votes representing 33.4% of total votes of 467, placing second to Tweneboah-Kodua.

Edward Awunnore, Hakeem. H. Hamisu and Malik Cheno, the other contenders of the presidency only secured 37, 14 and 6 votes respectively. Two votes were however rejected.

Meanwhile, Billy Jones Owusu from the University for Development Studies-Nyankpala Campus has been elected General Secretary of NUGS. Owusu secured 317 votes out of a total of 467 representing 67.88% to beat his contender Maxwell. Z. Agbambilla a student of the University of Ghana-Legon, City Campus who managed 145 votes representing 31.05%.

With the Financial Controller portfolio, Gabriel Adomako beat his two other contenders with 214 votes as against 151 and 99 votes for Ernest Asare and Zimblim Saaka respectively. Two votes were rejected from total votes of 466.

Patrick Ayittah, a former student of Jayee Institute and the out-going President of the Ghana Union of Professional Students (GUPS) was elected the Coordinating Secretary with 215 votes from total votes of 466. His contenders, Daniel Dotse Yao from the University of Ghana-Legon and Samuel Afriyie from GIJ secured 140 and 106 votes respectively.

Daniel Thompson of the University of Ghana, Legon, secured the mandate of the Programs and Projects Secretary with 268 votes.

Ophelia Akosua Brantuo of the University of Education, Kumasi Campus, could not stand the heat from her contender, as she succumbed to Bahiratu Kamal by losing with 167 votes as against Bashiratu’s 296 votes from a total of 467 votes cast.

Delali Pearce-Kporha outpaced his contenders with 247 votes to clinch the position of the International Relations Officer of NUGS.

The Education and Democratization Secretary and the Press & Information Secretary which were contested unopposed went to Banning Ahmed and Malik Abass Daabu respectively.

Simon Amanor, Kwaku Mensah John and Abdul Karim all secured the mandate to represent NUGS on the National Youth Council, GETFund and the All African Students Union respectively.

Meanwhile, James Hamilton who lost the position of treasurer by a single vote has filed a petition challenging the results as to why total votes cast summed up to 470 instead of 467.

Zenith College holds matriculation

“Be the change you want to see”

Zenith College holds matriculation

Yirenkyi Opare-Akuffo

The President of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) of Zenith College, Mr. Faisal Ibrahim has advised the youth of the country to use dialogue and non-violence in addressing their grievances for that, he said, is the only way of reaching a consensus and finding amicable solutions to disagreements.

He was speaking at the Sixth Matriculation and “Akwaaba” Week Celebration of Zenith College in Accra on the theme of “Be the change you want to see”.

The SRC President said gone are the days when students used radical and violent means in addressing their grievances which let to mayhem and in the extreme cases loss of precious lives and damage to properties.

He urged the youth to reject any politician who will preach violence in the forthcoming December elections. This he said “is the only way we can be the change that we want to see”.

Mr. Lawrence Nyarko, the Dean of Students said, the theme for the occasion could not have been more appropriate. He said “If the freshmen and women want to be the change that they want to see, they should be serious with their academic work, and go beyond classroom work to acquire more knowledge in order to cause the change that they want to see”.

Mr. Davis Nii Armah, a guest speaker at the celebration, advised the youth to change their attitude and believe in themselves. “If nobody believes in you, you will surely succeed but if you do not believe in yourself, then you are bound to fail, so believe in your capabilities and abilities” he said.

Kwabena Osei Kuffour a musician known popularly as ‘Obour’ said life did not begin at forty of said but life begins now. He said anybody who believes life begins at forty is a failure. “The youth hold the key to our national development”

He encouraged the students to take active part in school activites especially student politics so as to be politically mature to take up higher political responsibilities after school.

He advised the students to be law abiding especially as Ghana decides in December and do away with any politician who does not preach peace. “Be the change that Ghana needs not the change that greedy politicians need” he said.