Category: Africa

Source: APO

.

Vice President Naana Jane Opoku‑Agyemang on Tuesday led a government delegation to pay courtesy calls on the families of five victims of the 6 August military helicopter crash.

The visits, which followed last Friday’s state funeral, were intended to comfort the bereaved and to assure them of the Government’s continued support.

The Vice‑President reiterated the administration’s commitment to work closely with the families to address their welfare needs, particularly those of the widows and children left behind.

The families visited were those of the late Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC); Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director General, National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO); Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, Deputy National Security Coordinator (Human Security); Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, former Defence Minister; and Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, former Minister for Environment, Science and Technology.

Professor Opoku‑Agyemang, who is acting President while President Mahama is on official duties in Japan, held separate private meetings with each family to listen to their concerns and to convey the nation’s sympathy.

The Government delegation included Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff; Dr Valarie Sawyerr, Senior Presidential Advisor on Governmental Affairs; Alex Segbefia, Chief of Staff at the Office of the Vice President; Seth Terkper, Economic Advisor to the President; Nana Oye Bampoe‑Addo, Deputy Chief of Staff (Finance & Administration); Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, General Secretary, NDC; and Hajia Shamima Muslim, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson.

A spokesman for the Limuna family expressed gratitude to the Government, describing the courtesy calls as comforting and saying the visits had strengthened the family following the outpouring of national support.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.

Source: APO

By Jokpeme Joseph Omode, Editor in Chief of Alexa News Nigeria (www.Alexa.ng).

Women empowerment is about building stronger, more resilient, and more prosperous societies. When women are empowered, communities thrive. When women rise, nations rise. Women empowerment strengthens families, which are the bedrock of society. An empowered woman invests not only in herself but also in her children and her household.When we empower women, we empower families. When we empower women, we empower communities. And when we empower women, we empower nations. The liberation of women is not merely a women’s issue — it is the unfinished business of humanity. To deny women rights is to deny half of humanity, women continue to rise with resilience, dignity, and power despite denials. I declare, with unwavering conviction, that a society which silences its women silences its own potential, and that a nation which denies its women equality denies itself prosperity. Until women everywhere can stand tall with equal rights, equal opportunities, and equal dignity, none of us can truly claim to live in a free and just world. When mothers are educated and economically independent, children are healthier and more likely to succeed. Thus, empowering one woman often transforms an entire family and community. Empowering women fuels economic growth. Women make up nearly half of the world’s population, yet their potential remains underutilized in many parts of the world. Closing gender gaps in employment and wages could add trillions of dollars to the global economy. In Africa and Asia, women dominate the agricultural and informal sectors, yet they lack equal access to credit, land, and technology. Providing these opportunities unleashes productivity, reduces poverty, and accelerates national development.

So what do we mean when we speak of women empowerment? It is not merely about giving women positions in politics or opportunities in business, though those are essential. It is not simply about granting rights on paper, though legal reforms are vital. Women empowerment is far more profound: it is about transforming mindsets, dismantling barriers, and creating a world where a girl child is as free as a boy child to dream, to strive, and to succeed. Women empowerment is the process of giving women the ability, resources, opportunities, and freedom to make their own choices, influence change, and contribute fully to society on equal footing with men. It is about recognizing women’s rights, addressing barriers such as discrimination, inequality, and violence, and creating an environment where they can thrive socially, economically, and politically. Women empowerment is not just about women, it is about creating a balanced, fair, and progressive society where everyone can thrive.

The history of women is the history of resilience. From the earliest civilizations, women have been the bearers of culture, the caretakers of families, and the backbone of societies. Yet history, as often told, has relegated them to the footnotes rather than the headlines.

In ancient times, there were moments of glory — queens like Cleopatra of Egypt, Empress Wu Zetian of China, Queen Amina of Zazzau in present-day Nigeria, and countless others who led with courage and wisdom. But for every queen remembered, there were millions of women whose voices were silenced, whose dreams were deferred, and whose labor was unrecognized.

The women’s suffrage movements in Europe and America demanded the right to vote, insisting that democracy without women’s voices was no democracy at all. Across Asia and Africa, women joined in liberation struggles, not only to free their nations from colonial chains but to free themselves from cultural oppression.

In Nigeria, women like Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti led protests against unfair taxes and the marginalization of women in politics. In India, leaders like Sarojini Naidu marched for independence and women’s rights. In Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto broke barriers by becoming the first female Prime Minister of a Muslim-majority country. Each generation carved a path that the next would walk further.

Key Areas of Women Empowerment:

1. Education: Providing equal access to quality education enables women to gain knowledge, skills, and confidence to pursue careers and leadership roles. Education is the bedrock of empowerment. To educate a woman is to educate a nation. When a girl child is sent to school, we light a torch that will burn for generations. Education equips women with knowledge, confidence, and the ability to shape their own destinies.

2. Economic Empowerment: Ensuring women have access to jobs, financial resources, entrepreneurship opportunities, and equal pay helps break cycles of poverty.

Economic empowerment means women having the same access to jobs, capital, land, and entrepreneurship opportunities as men. It means closing the gender pay gap and dismantling the invisible barriers that keep women’s work undervalued. It is about recognizing that when women prosper economically, families rise out of poverty and nations grow stronger

3. Health and Well-being: Empowering women includes access to healthcare, reproductive rights, and safe environments free from gender-based violence.

4. Political Participation Political Empowerment: Encouraging women’s representation in leadership, governance, and decision-making roles strengthens democracy and inclusiveness. Political empowerment means ensuring women have not just the right to vote but also the right to lead. It means women sitting at the tables where decisions are made — in parliaments, in cabinets, in local councils — not as tokens but as equals. Because policies that exclude women’s perspectives are policies that exclude half the population.

5. Legal Rights: Enforcing laws that protect women’s rights, promote gender equality, and eliminate discrimination.

6. Social Empowerment: Challenging stereotypes, cultural norms, and practices that limit women’s roles and ensuring equal respect in family and society. Social empowerment is about freedom from oppression, discrimination, and harmful traditions. It means women walking freely without fear of harassment. It means dismantling stereotypes that dictate what a woman can or cannot do. It means changing cultures so that respect for women is not optional but fundamental.

7. Psychological Empowerment: This is about the mind. It is about women believing in their worth, refusing to be silenced, and daring to break barriers. Because empowerment is not only external — it is also internal. It is the courage to stand, to speak, and to soar.

Importance of Women Empowerment:

Why is women empowerment so vital? Why do we emphasize it so passionately, so urgently, and so relentlessly? The answer is simple: because women’s empowerment is the foundation upon which the progress of any society is built. A nation that ignores its women is a nation that cripples half of its potential.

1. Empowerment for National Economic Growth: Economists tell us that no nation can achieve sustainable growth if it excludes half of its population from contributing fully. Women represent not just a demographic group but an untapped reservoir of creativity, innovation, and productivity.  Empowered women boost productivity, innovation, and economic development.

2. Poverty Reduction: Educated and economically independent women uplift families and communities.

3. Social Justice: Gender equality is a fundamental human right.Empowerment is a path to social justice and equality. At its core, women empowerment is about justice. It is about recognizing that women are not second-class citizens but equal members of the human family. To empower women is to affirm the dignity of every human being. It is to break the chains of oppression and build a society rooted in fairness, respect, and equality

4. Better Governance: Women leaders bring diverse perspectives and foster inclusive policies.

5. Future Generations: Empowered mothers raise healthier, better-educated children, shaping stronger societies.

6. Empowerment for Family and Community Development: When women are empowered, families thrive. An empowered mother is more likely to send her children to school, to ensure they receive healthcare, and to break the cycle of poverty. Imagine a society where every woman has equal opportunities. Imagine villages where girls are not forced into early marriages but are free to complete their education. Imagine communities where mothers have the financial independence to feed their families without relying on anyone’s mercy. This is not a dream — it is a reality we can achieve through empowerment. Can any nation truly afford to ignore such potential? The answer is clear: empowering women is not only a moral duty; it is an economic necessity.

7. Empowerment and Sustainable Development: The world today speaks of the Sustainable Development Goals, those 17 ambitious targets that seek to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all. Goal Number 5 — Gender Equality — is not a stand-alone goal; it is the thread that weaves through all the others. We cannot end poverty without empowering women. We cannot achieve quality education without educating girls. We cannot ensure good health without safeguarding women’s reproductive rights. We cannot build peace without women’s voices at the table.

In short, the empowerment of women is not one option among many — it is the central key to unlocking a better world for all.

Challenges Facing Women Empowerment

 The journey toward women empowerment is filled with obstacles. The fight is not over. Across the globe, women continue to face challenges that threaten to dim the light of equality.

1. Cultural and Traditional Barriers

In many societies, harmful traditions continue to hold women back. Girls are still forced into early marriages, robbed of their childhood and their education. Women are still expected to stay silent in decision-making spaces, confined to roles defined not by their talents but by patriarchal norms. Practices like female genital mutilation, dowry, and gender preference continue to rob millions of women of their dignity and health.

2. Gender-Based Violence

Violence remains one of the gravest challenges. From domestic abuse to sexual harassment, from trafficking to workplace exploitation, millions of women live under constant threat. According to the United Nations, one in three women worldwide experiences physical or sexual violence in her lifetime. This is not just a statistic — it is a moral outrage, a scar on the conscience of humanity.

3. Lack of Access to Education

Even today,  millions of  girls remain out of school worldwide. Many are forced to drop out because of poverty, conflict, or cultural beliefs that devalue the education of girls. Without education, the cycle of disempowerment continues, generation after generation.

4. Economic Inequalities

Though women work harder in many cases, they are often paid less. The gender pay gap remains stubbornly wide. Women are underrepresented in high-paying jobs, denied access to credit, and marginalized in entrepreneurship. The informal sector, where women dominate, is often the least protected and the most exploited.

5. Political Exclusion

Globally, women occupy less than 27% of parliamentary seats. In many nations, the political arena remains a male-dominated space. Women who dare to step into leadership face discrimination, harassment, and even violence. Yet democracy without women is a democracy that is incomplete.

6. Psychological Barriers and Stereotypes

Beyond external challenges, there are the invisible chains of self-doubt imposed by centuries of discrimination. Girls are taught from childhood that they are “less than.” Women are told they are “too emotional to lead” or “too weak to compete.” These stereotypes become walls that must be torn down — not just by society but also by women themselves, who must reclaim their voices and assert their worth.

Women Empowerment and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

As we look to the future, we cannot ignore the global framework that seeks to guide humanity’s progress: the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Among these 17 goals, one stands out as both a goal in itself and a catalyst for all others: Goal 5 — Gender Equality.

But let us be clear: women empowerment is not limited to Goal 5 alone. It is the golden thread that runs through every goal. Let me illustrate.

1. Ending Poverty (Goal 1)

We cannot eradicate poverty if women, who make up the majority of the world’s poor, remain disempowered. Giving women access to jobs, land, and credit is one of the fastest ways to break the chains of poverty.

2. Quality Education (Goal 4)

Education for all is impossible without girls’ education. When girls are educated, they marry later, earn higher incomes, and raise healthier families. Every additional year of schooling for a girl increases her future earnings by up to 20%.

3. Good Health and Well-being (Goal 3)

Women’s empowerment means access to healthcare, reproductive rights, and freedom from violence. A society that empowers its women is a society where children are healthier, maternal mortality rates are lower, and communities thrive.

4. Decent Work and Economic Growth (Goal 8)

Women are engines of growth. By ensuring equal pay, eliminating workplace discrimination, and supporting female entrepreneurs, nations can unlock new frontiers of economic expansion.

5. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (Goal 16)

Peace is incomplete without women at the table. Studies show that peace agreements are 35% more likely to last when women are involved in negotiations. Women’s voices bring inclusiveness and sustainability to governance and justice.

6. Climate Action (Goal 13)

As the case of Wangari Maathai reminds us, women are critical actors in environmental sustainability. Empowering women farmers, activists, and leaders is essential to protecting our planet from climate change.

In truth, women empowerment is the master key. Unlock it, and every other SDG begins to open. Ignore it, and the entire vision of a sustainable, prosperous, and just world collapses.

Strategies to Promote Women Empowerment

Recognizing the importance of women empowerment is not enough; we must translate recognition into action. Words must become policies. Ideas must become programs. Dreams must become reality. For empowerment to move from aspiration to achievement, deliberate strategies are essential.

1. Government Policies and Legal Reforms

The foundation of empowerment is justice, and justice requires laws that protect women’s rights. Governments must enact and enforce legislation that guarantees equal pay for equal work, criminalizes gender-based violence, outlaws harmful practices like child marriage, and ensures property and inheritance rights for women.

But laws alone are not enough. They must be enforced with courage. Too often, good policies remain only on paper. Empowerment requires not only passing the laws but also building institutions that uphold them and ensuring women can access justice without fear or intimidation.

2. Education and Skill Development Programs

Education remains the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world. To empower women, we must ensure that every girl — whether in the city or the remotest village — has access to free, quality education. Beyond primary and secondary education, women must be encouraged into higher education, vocational training, and digital literacy.

In today’s world, technology is the new frontier of empowerment. Closing the digital gender gap will allow women to access global opportunities, learn new skills, and participate in innovation. A woman with internet access and digital skills is not just educated; she is unstoppable.

3. Economic Inclusion and Entrepreneurship Support

Women must not only be participants in the economy; they must be leaders. This means providing women with access to credit, land, and markets. It means mentoring women entrepreneurs and ensuring that procurement policies include women-owned businesses.

Microfinance programs, cooperative societies, and women’s savings groups have already transformed millions of lives in Africa and beyond. When we give women financial independence, we give them the power to make decisions, to lift families out of poverty, and to shape economies from the grassroots up.

4. Media and Technology as Tools for Empowerment

The media shapes perceptions. It can perpetuate stereotypes, or it can dismantle them. We must encourage media that portrays women not as victims or objects, but as leaders, innovators, and changemakers. Technology, too, must be leveraged: mobile banking, e-learning, and social media platforms can become powerful allies in connecting women to opportunities, resources, and global networks.

5. The Role of Men and Boys in Gender Equality

True empowerment cannot be achieved by women alone. Men and boys must be part of the movement. Fathers must teach their sons to respect women as equals. Husbands must stand by their wives as partners, not masters. Communities must raise boys who see strength in equality, not weakness in domination.

To empower women is not to disempower men. It is to free both genders from the chains of inequality and to build a society where every individual can flourish.

6. Grassroots and Community-Based Approaches

Change must begin not only in parliaments and boardrooms but also in villages, neighborhoods, and homes. Empowerment programs must be rooted in communities, engaging local leaders, traditional rulers, and faith-based organizations. When empowerment resonates with cultural values and community priorities, it becomes sustainable.

The Role of Women in Nation-Building

A nation cannot rise if its women are left behind. Women are not only citizens of nations; they are builders of nations. Their role in shaping the destiny of countries is indispensable.

1. Women in Political Leadership and Governance

Women bring unique perspectives to leadership. They are often more inclusive, more collaborative, and more focused on social welfare. Around the world, women leaders have demonstrated remarkable effectiveness. During the COVID-19 pandemic, female-led countries like New Zealand and Germany were praised for their swift and compassionate responses.

In Nigeria and across Africa, increasing women’s participation in politics will lead to policies that better reflect the needs of families, children, and marginalized groups. When women are represented in governance, corruption declines, transparency improves, and policies become more inclusive.

2. Women in Business and the Economy

Across marketplaces, farms, and corporate boardrooms, women are engines of economic growth. In Africa, women make up nearly 60% of the agricultural labor force. In the informal economy, women dominate, sustaining families with their hard work. But we must go further: women must not only farm; they must own the land. They must not only trade; they must own the companies.

Empowering women economically transforms entire nations, lifting millions out of poverty and spurring innovation across industries.

3. Women in Science, Technology, and Innovation

Too often, history has ignored the contributions of women in science and innovation. Yet women like Marie Curie, Katherine Johnson, and Ada Lovelace shaped the world of discovery. Today, women in STEM fields are driving progress in medicine, engineering, and digital technology.

When we encourage girls to pursue STEM education, we are not just empowering individuals; we are fueling the future of our nations. We are ensuring that tomorrow’s innovators, researchers, and inventors will come from both halves of humanity.

4. Women in Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution

Wherever there is conflict, women are often the first to suffer and the first to heal. From Liberia, where women’s peace movements helped end civil war, to countless grassroots initiatives worldwide, women have proven to be indispensable peacebuilders.

When women sit at negotiation tables, peace agreements last longer. When women lead in post-conflict reconstruction, communities recover faster. Women’s voices bring not only compassion but also pragmatism, ensuring that peace is not just signed but sustained.

5. Women as Guardians of Culture and Values

Beyond politics and economics, women are the custodians of culture, values, and morality. They shape the character of future generations through the way they nurture, teach, and lead at home. A nation that empowers women ensures that its children grow up in environments filled with strength, dignity, and vision.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Alexa News Nigeria.

About Alexa News Nigeria:
Jokpeme Joseph Omode is the Editor-in-Chief of Alexa News Nigeria (www.Alexa.ng), where he leads with vision, integrity, and a passion for impactful storytelling. With years of experience in journalism and media leadership, Joseph has positioned Alexa News Nigeria as a trusted platform for credible and timely reporting.

He oversees the editorial strategy, guiding a dynamic team of reporters and content creators to deliver stories that inform, empower, and inspire. His leadership emphasizes accuracy, fairness, and innovation, ensuring that the platform thrives in today’s fast-changing digital landscape.

Under his direction, Alexa News Nigeria has become a strong voice on governance, education, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development. Joseph is deeply committed to using journalism as a tool for accountability and progress, while also mentoring young journalists and nurturing new talent.

Through his work, he continues to strengthen public trust and amplify voices that shape a better future. Joseph Omode is a multifaceted professional with over a decade years of diverse experience spanning media, brand strategy and development, public relations and reputation management, communication and media relations, content creation, design and visual branding.His career spans various industries, including hospitality management, oil and gas, education, and community development, demonstrating his versatility and ability to adapt his skills to different challenges. His career, marked by adaptability, continuous learning, and a dedication to creating meaningful change, positions him as a forward-thinking person equipped to drive innovation and impact across sectors.

Source: APO

.

The Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has inaugurated the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Tribunal.

The ceremony was attended by Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem, GoldBod Chief Executive Officer Sammy Gyamfi, Board Chairman Kojo Fynn, and Board Member Dr. Abdul Basit Bamba.

Administering the oath of office, Dr. Forson said the establishment of the tribunal was in line with Section 55 of the Ghana Gold Board Act, which sets out its composition, qualifications, and mandate.

“The President has appointed the three of you to serve as members of the tribunal in accordance with the law. He considers you competent for this important responsibility, and I congratulate you on your appointment,” he stated.

He further assured them that government would soon appoint a registrar and support staff to facilitate the tribunal’s work, as required by law.

The tribunal’s mandate includes considering appeals regarding decisions made by the Gold Board, matters relating to licensing under the Act, and rulings of the Dispute Resolution Committee.

Chairman of the Tribunal, Lawyer Biadela Mortey Akpadzi, expressed gratitude to the President for the trust reposed in them, pledging that the tribunal would carry out its duties diligently and in the best interest of the nation.

The members of the Ghana Gold Board Tribunal are:

• Biadela Mortey Akpadzi – Chairman
• Hamidu Mariam – Member
• Justin Pwavra Teriwajah – Member

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Finance – Republic of Ghana.

Source: APO

“By prioritizing self-care, women become strong leaders, better listeners and more patient negotiators. Our families and communities draw courage in pursuing peace from our example.”

This was the inspiring message from United Nations Police Officer, Easther Adeke, at an event to engage, empower and elevate the quality of life experienced by women living in the Naivasha camp for displaced families in Wau, Western Bahr El Ghazal.

“Women here are well-organized and have solid foundations,” she says.  “But empowerment and true peace comes with self-care, emotionally, physically, socially and spiritually.”

Around 70 women and 10 men attended the event, hosted by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the South Sudan National Police Service to strengthen relationships between the displaced community and local officers and promote community-led peacebuilding.

Another priority was addressing the significant challenges faced by women, endeavoring to build livelihoods and businesses, in rapidly deteriorating economic and humanitarian conditions.

“Many women in our camp are single mothers who have to support their entire household and need to increase their incomes to survive in these difficult times,” said Christina Eliano Kamilo, deputy chairperson of the Naivasha camp. “We need more assistance to achieve economic independence.”

In a community where women suffer most from persistent conflict and often shoulder sole responsibility for supporting their families, economic empowerment is essential. It is particularly important in combatting harmful practices, like domestic violence and early or forced marriage, which limits the access of girls to education and, ultimately, employment opportunities.

“When women have better incomes, they can ensure their daughters stay in school,” says community member, Elizabeth Akech. “Childcare should be a shared responsibility so that we can exercise our rights and secure our independence.”

The event also prioritized efforts to build trust and confidence in the local police service to effectively prevent and respond to crime.

“This partnership will foster trust and encourage women to report incidents of violence and abuse,” says Patrick Andrea, Naivasha camp chairperson.

Participants left with a powerful message: “You can’t pour from an empty cup. Fill your cup daily with love, rest, and hope to give more to your families and communities.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Source: APO

The organisers of the upcoming Carbon Markets Africa Summit have announced the diamond sponsorship of TASC, the award-winning and pioneering carbon finance project developer with a proven track record of innovative climate mitigating techniques and investing in local communities.

Taking place in Johannesburg from 22 to 23 October, Carbon Markets Africa Summit will gather the continent’s entire carbon markets value chain, from successful early carbon market movers, climate-finance-ready projects and regulatory bodies to global institutional development organisations and investors.

High-impact carbon projects at scale

“At its core, TASC is community-driven and we believe in delivering real-world social and environmental impact rooted in rigorous carbon science,” says Shelley Estcourt, TASC’s CEO for Africa.

She adds: “We focus on delivering high-integrity, high-impact carbon projects at scale.

Historically, we have been focused on cookstoves, but our GRASS* project is a testament to our ability to diversify quite significantly. Backed by a dedicated in-house R&D team, we are constantly innovating and exploring new methodologies, platforms, and country partnerships. We have a big focus on projects that deliver impact at scale, combined with sound carbon modelling and science.”

* Grassland Restoration and Stewardship in South Africa

TASC is currently active across sub-Saharan Africa and Australia, with expansion plans into other parts of Africa and the Australasian region. Their focus is on jurisdictions with advanced Article 6 carbon market frameworks, where the enabling environment allows for long-term, scalable impact.

950,000 cookstoves distributed

In 2023, TASC won the Environmental Finance Voluntary Carbon Market Award for its cookstove project. “The award and the associated finance mechanism via Standard Bank were instrumental,” says Estcourt.

“It enabled us to repay early-stage funding and significantly expand the scope of the programme. To date, we’ve distributed clean cookstoves to over 950,000 households across rural South Africa, with benefits for both community health and carbon reductions.”

Reversing effects of climate change

TASC’s GRASS project directly tackles the consequences of climate change by restoring degraded rangelands, boosting carbon sequestration, and building long-term resilience for rural communities.

Escourt: “Climate change has significantly reduced the adaptive capacity of farmers, which sees them to increased drought vulnerability, erosion, bare soils, and more extreme weather impacts. GRASS helps reverse these effects by improving water-holding capacity, stabilising soil temperatures, reducing erosion, and increasing biodiversity across hundreds of thousands of hectares.”

GRASS is also the world’s first project registered under Verra’s VM0042 methodology, enabling robust monitoring and the generation of certified carbon credits.

Important opportunity

As the diamond sponsor of the inaugural Carbon Markets Africa Summit in Johannesburg from 22–23 October, TASC is excited to be part of what Estcourt describes as “an important opportunity to bring thought leaders, developers, policymakers, and buyers into one room. It’s a platform to hopefully accelerate Article 6 readiness, deepen understanding of what high-impact projects look like on the ground, and promote stronger collaboration across the continent.”

She continues: “For buyers, this is your chance to meet developers face-to-face, ask the hard questions, and build real trust in the market. Come and listen to the passion.”

[Read the full interview with TASC’s Shelley Estcourt here: http://apo-opa.co/4p1Hfw3]

Event dates and location:
Dates:
21 October: Pre-summit day
22–23 October: Summit
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

Contact details for TASC:
Commercial Director: Dr Storm Patel
Email: storm@tasc.je

Contact details for Carbon Markets Africa Summit: 
Project Lead: Emmanuelle Nicholls 
Cell: +27 83 447 8410  
Email: emmanuelle.nicholls@wearevuka.com  
Event website: About — Carbon Markets Africa: www.CarbonMarketsAfrica.com/about

About VUKA Group: 
Carbon Markets Africa Summit is organised by VUKA Group, which has more than 20 years’ experience in serving the business community across Africa. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the official host organisation.

Source: APO

.

• The Rwandan-controlled M23 armed group summarily executed over 140 civilians in July 2025, largely ethnic Hutu, in at least 14 villages and small farming communities in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
• The mass killings appear to be part of a military campaign against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a mostly Rwandan Hutu armed group formed by participants in Rwanda’s 1994 genocide, and other opposing armed groups.
• The UN Security Council and governments should impose further sanctions on those responsible for grave abuses, and seek prosecution of commanders implicated in war crimes.

The Rwandan-controlled M23 armed group summarily executed over 140 civilians, largely ethnic Hutu, in at least 14 villages and farming areas in July 2025 near Virunga National Park, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Human Rights Watch said today. Credible reports indicate the number of people killed in Rutshuru territory since July may exceed 300, among the worst atrocities by the M23 since its resurgence in late 2021.

Between July 10 and 30, M23 fighters summarily executed local residents and farmers, including women and children, in their villages, fields, and near the Rutshuru River across the Binza administrative subdivision (groupement) in Rutshuru territory, North Kivu province. Witness accounts, the UN, and military sources indicate that the Rwandan military, the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), were also involved in the M23 operations.

“The M23 armed group, which has Rwandan government backing, attacked over a dozen villages and farming areas in July and committed dozens of summary executions of primarily Hutu civilians,” said Clémentine de Montjoye, senior Great Lakes researcher at Human Rights Watch. “Unless those responsible for these war crimes, including at the highest levels, are appropriately investigated and punished, these atrocities will only intensify.”

From mid-July to mid-August, Human Rights Watch interviewed 36 people by telephone, including 25 witnesses, as well as local activists, medical workers, military and United Nations personnel, and other informed sources. Human Rights Watch analyzed relevant videos and photographs, consulted with forensic pathologists, and corroborated accounts using maps and satellite imagery.

Human Rights Watch compiled a list of 141 people who were either killed or are missing and feared dead. On August 6, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights reported that “at least 319 civilians were killed by the M23, backed by members of the Rwanda Defence Force, between 9 and 21 July in four villages in […] Rutshuru.” This figure corroborates information Human Rights Watch received from other sources. Human Rights Watch also received information that the M23 executed another 41 civilians between July 30 and August 8 in the Binza groupement, but this could not be independently confirmed.

Human Rights Watch wrote to Rwandan authorities on August 7 and Bertrand Bisimwa, the M23’s leader, on August 8 to request information about the killings, but received no responses. The Alliance Fleuve Congo (Congo River Alliance, or AFC), the politico-military coalition that includes the M23, on August 7 rejected the UN’s allegations. On August 11, the Rwandan government rejected the UN’s allegations that the Rwandan military was involved in the operations, and claimed that an armed group opposed to the M23 carried out the killings.

Human Rights Watch documented or obtained credible information about killings in July in the localities of Busesa, Kakoro, Kafuru, Kasave, Katanga, Katemba, Katwiguru, Kihito, Kiseguru, Kongo, Lubumbashi, Nyamilima, Nyabanira, and Rubare. These areas were then under M23 control, and several M23 commanders were identified at some locations.

Witnesses to attacks said that M23 fighters told them to immediately bury the bodies in the fields or leave them unburied, preventing families from organizing funerals. M23 fighters also threw bodies, including of women and children, into the Rutshuru River.

The mass killings appear to be part of a military campaign against opposing armed groups, especially the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, or FDLR), a largely Rwandan Hutu armed group created by participants in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.

In the killings reported to Human Rights Watch, most victims were ethnic Hutu and, to a lesser degree, ethnic Nande. The M23’s targeting of Hutu civilians living near FDLR strongholds raises grave concerns of ethnic cleansing in Rutshuru territory, Human Rights Watch said.

Human Rights Watch’s research indicates the M23’s military operations were carried out by the 1st Battalion of the 1st Brigade, commanded by Col. Samuel Mushagara and Brig. Gen. Baudoin Ngaruye, respectively. General Ngaruye is under UN sanctions for his role in M23 war crimes. Residents also described the participation of Rwandan military forces in the M23 operation, identifying Rwandan soldiers by their uniforms and their accents. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and military sources confirmed the Rwandan military’s involvement in the operations.

The Rwandan government, which effectively controls the territory the M23 occupies, should allow UN and independent international forensic experts, including the UN Fact-Finding Mission on Congo, to preserve and analyze evidence of war crimes.

The UN Security Council, the European Union, and governments should condemn these grave abuses, impose further sanctions on those responsible for abuses, and press for the arrest and appropriate prosecution of commanders implicated in war crimes. Donor governments providing military assistance to Rwanda should urgently review their programs to ensure they are not fueling violations.

The killings in Rutshuru territory come weeks after a preliminary agreement in a United States-brokered peace deal signed on June 27 between Congo and Rwanda, which requires Congo to implement a plan to “neutralize” the FDLR as Rwanda withdraws from Congolese territory. It also requires the parties to protect civilians, including by facilitating the freedom of movement of the UN peacekeeping mission, known as MONUSCO. The agreement’s Joint Security Coordination Mechanism should ensure that crimes committed in the context of any anti-FDLR operations are credibly investigated, Human Rights Watch said.

“The Rwanda-backed M23’s mass killings throw into sharp focus the gaps that exist between rhetoric on the international stage and the reality for civilians in eastern Congo,” de Montjoye said. “Governments seeking peace agreements remain bound by the laws of war, and those individuals responsible for war crimes still need to be fully investigated and brought to justice.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Human Rights Watch (HRW).

Source: APO

.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) showcased its Hand-in-Hand Initiative at the start of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), underscoring how stronger Africa–Japan partnerships can drive agrifood systems transformation. The session brought together representatives from government and the private sector, as well as FAO experts, to examine how data-driven, country-led approaches under the Initiative are helping countries accelerate progress in tackling hunger, poverty, and inequalities.

Launched in 2019, the Hand-in-Hand Initiative now supports nearly 80 countries worldwide, with around half being from Africa.

Opening the session, Alue Dohong, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific, reminded participants of the urgency of the challenge: “Ending hunger and ending poverty requires nothing less than a transformation of agrifood systems, and financing and investment plays a key role.”

FAO’s Chief Economist, Maximo Torero, outlined how the Initiative uses advanced geospatial data and territorial approaches to identify areas within a country with the highest potential to reduce hunger and poverty, and then supports that country to design evidence-based, investment-ready plans to unleash the potential of the identified area via private and public financing. He presented successful cases already seen in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, and urged other African countries to join the Initiative.

Country perspectives followed, with Angola’s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, H.E. Isaac Francisco Maria dos Anjos, presenting Angola’s investment priorities along the Lobito Economic Corridor and highlighting lessons learned in using data, innovation, and partnerships to attract agrifood financing.

“Our message to investors and partners here today is straightforward: Angola is ready. Africa is ready. We have the land, the water, the people, and a clear, data-driven investment plan,” he said.

Evelyn Heyi, Director of Agriculture of Kenya represented Dr. Paul Kipronoh Ronoh, CBS, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Agriculture of Kenya, and outlined Kenya’s efforts to harness technology, innovation, and partnerships to scale up agrifood investments and strengthen food security under the Hand-in-Hand Initiative.

“Through the Hand-in-Hand Initiative, Kenya has been able to build partnerships that strengthen our livestock value chain. By lowering the cost of animal feeds and attracting investment in technology and innovation, we are creating opportunities for farmers while securing food for our country,” she said.

Hand-in-hand with the private sector

The Hand-in-Hand Initiative, launched in 2019, now supports dozens of countries in transforming agrifood systems. It brings together governments, donors, the private sector, producer organizations, and civil society, using data-driven approaches to design evidence-based investment plans. The Initiative focuses particularly on countries where poverty and hunger remain highest, ensuring that no one is left behind. Both public and private investments are vital.

Akiko Shinoda, Executive Officer and Addis Ababa General Manager of Japan’s ITOCHU Corporation which has operated in Africe for over 60 years, underlined the opportunities for Japanese companies to engage in Africa’s growing agribusiness sector.  ITOCHU’s activities include trading in sesame, cocoa and coffee and investing in processing and community development initiatives.

“Africa is a continent of many outstanding quality products, but they are not yet well known in Japan. We believe it is important to promote African products such as coffee and cotton, and to build partnerships that benefit not only the seller and buyer, but also society as a whole,” she said.

Teruo Yoshii of Yanmar, a Japanese company with expertise in agricultural and industrial machinery and systems, highlighted the role of mechanization and innovation in strengthening Africa’s agrifood sector.

“Mechanisation can transform African agriculture. With our machines, we’ve seen that farmers can raise yields from three tonnes to more than four tonnes per hectare, increase their income, and improve their standard of living. Our goal is not only to sell equipment, but to help farmers build a more sustainable future,” he said.  

FAO at TICAD9

In addition to the Hand-in-Hand session, FAO is co-organizing two other events at TICAD9. On 21 August from 17:00, FAO will join the Forestry Agency of Japan, ITTO and partners to showcase innovative solutions for halting deforestation and forest degradation in Africa, highlighting links between sustainable agriculture, biodiversity and climate resilience.

On the final day, FAO is collaborating on an event looking at the role of nuclear science and technology in enhancing health and food security in Africa. Dongxin Feng, Director of the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, will present the Centre’s work on the Atoms4Food initiative.

TICAD9 is co-hosted by Japan, the United Nations, UNDP, the World Bank, and the African Union Commission and provides a platform to deepen partnerships between Africa and Japan. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.