Category: English

Source: APO

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The Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has inaugurated a National Asset Management Working Committee with a mandate to identify, account for, and ensure the proper management of Ghana’s public assets.

Speaking at the ceremony in Accra, Dr. Forson highlighted the absence of a comprehensive State Assets Register as a major gap in public financial management.

He called for urgent steps to reverse years of neglect, misuse, and unlawful occupation of government properties.

He also expressed concern about the deteriorating condition of several state assets and the wanton sale of public lands, urging the committee to bring such practices to an end.

The committee is chaired by Deputy Minister for Finance, Hon. Thomas Ampem Nyarko, who assured that the era of acquiring new public assets without taking stock of existing ones would be brought to an end under his leadership.

The full membership of the committee includes:

1. Hon. Thomas Ampem Nyarko – Deputy Minister, Ministry of Finance (Chairperson)

2. Ms. Abigail Naa Odoi – Deputy Director, Office of the President

3. Mr. Edwin Nkrumah – Assistant Chief Estate Manager, Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources

4. Dr. Sylvia Adusu – Chief State Attorney, Attorney-General’s Department

5. Mrs. Mavis Asare Donkor – Director of General Administration, Ministry of Education

6. Mr. Frank Raji – Director of General Administration, Ministry of Health

7. Mr. Theophilus Okine – Director of Procurement and Supply Chain, Ministry of Defence

8. Dr. Gideon Asamoah Tetteh – Director of Finance and Administration, Ministry of the Interior

9. Mr. Erya Nutsugah – Director of Policy, Planning, Budget, Monitoring and Evaluation, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources

10. Mr. Dela Kemevor – Director of General Administration, Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs

11. Mr. Walter A. Adabere – Acting Director of Administration and Deputy Director, Research, Monitoring and Evaluation, Office of the Administrator-General

12. Dr. Gad Asowoe Akwensivie (Esq.) – Acting Administrator, Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands

13. Mr. Anthony Mallen Ntiador – Acting Deputy Executive Secretary, Lands Commission

14. Mr. James Bondzie – Principal Estate Manager, Public Works Department

15. Mrs. Millicent Atuguba – Acting General Manager, Operations, State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA)

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

Source: APO

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Parliament has raised concerns over the limited publicity as Uganda readies to host the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) which kicks off on Saturday, 02 August 2025.

Legislators raised the concerns during debate on a statement by the Minister of State for Sports, Hon. Peter Ogwang on Wednesday, 30 July 2025.

Members of Parliament praised the infrastructural progress but voiced frustration over the delayed and underwhelming promotion of the tournament.

Speaker Anita Among reminded the House that the successful hosting of CHAN would determine Uganda’s readiness to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
“How we host CHAN will determine how ready we will be to host AFCON,” she said commending the government for its investment in infrastructure.

AUDIO Kayemba 

Hon. Geofrey Kayemba (Bukomansimbi South) questioned the timing and sufficiency of publicity efforts noting that only days remain before Uganda’s first match.
“When was the Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA) given the Shs1 billion? This would have taken like three months back to do activations… the public needs to own it and to feel it,” he said adding that failure to invest in marketing was akin to hiding, ‘a beautiful thing… deep down our beds’.

Minister Ogwang clarified that although publicity is primarily a CAF responsibility, the government allocated Shs1 billion to FUFA to supplement these efforts given the short preparation window.
“This is a football event… we found it prudent that we use FUFA to help us as a government… to carry out this civic duty and popularise the event across the country,” he said adding that the campaign had begun in various towns with radio activations and advertisements.

AUDIO Ogwang

Hon. Asuman Basalirwa (Bugiri Municipality) warned that poor publicity could lead to empty stadiums.
“If we don’t publicise these games, the stadium will be empty. And that will not be very good for the country,” he said.

Hon. Susan Amero (Amuria District Woman Representative) used the occasion to call for balanced funding across all sports.
“We are treating football like it is the only game. I pray that in the subsequent budgeting, we should consider giving enough money to other sports,” she said.

AUDIO Amero

The Minister’s statement highlighted that Uganda will host 12 matches at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole and that renovations at key training facilities including Kyambogo University, FUFA Kadiba, Mutesa II Stadium and Kampala International School Uganda (KISU) have met CAF standards.

Speaker Among also sought clarity on unaccounted funds previously allocated for sports infrastructure.
“There is the money… meant for Mbarara-Kakyeka Stadium. We want an explanation on what happened to that money. I also know that we gave money to Masaka. We also want an explanation on what happened,” she said.

Uganda is hosting Group C matches featuring Algeria, Guinea, Niger, South Africa and Uganda, as part of a joint East African PAMOJA bid with Kenya and Tanzania.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

Source: APO

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The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) passed the 2025 Appropriation Bill and the Eskom Debt Relief Amendment Bill during its plenary sitting held today.

The Appropriation Bill is a key part of the national budget. It outlines how government funds will be allocated among various departments. Section 27(1) of the Public Finance Management Act requires the Minister of Finance to table the annual budget for a financial year in the National Assembly before the start of that financial year or, in exceptional circumstances, on a date as soon as possible thereafter.

The Minister of Finance tabled the National Budget for the 2025/26 financial year, including the Appropriation Bill and the Eskom Debt Relief Bill, in May this year. Following the passing of the Bill in the National Assembly last week, the Appropriation Bill was subsequently referred to the Select Committee on Appropriations for consideration and reporting back to the NCOP plenary sitting for adoption.

This Bill is the law that authorises government to use public funds for various departments and entities, enabling them to deliver services and develop infrastructure and social programmes such as healthcare, education and social grants, while also supporting economic growth. The Bill also focuses on job creation and addressing unemployment.

On the other hand, the main objective of the Eskom Debt Relief Bill is to amend the Eskom Debt Relief Act of 2023 by reducing the financial requirements for Eskom for the 2025/26 financial year. It proposes that the entire amount for that year be treated as a loan, which can be converted into equity upon the fulfilment of certain conditions.

The Bill also introduces interest into the Eskom debt relief package at a market-related rate. The aim is to balance the interest charge and Eskom’s cash flow, while reflecting a fair market-related rate. This is part of ongoing interventions to stabilise the power utility, which has faced years of operational challenges and financial crisis, and to modify its debt relief plan. Now that the Bill has been passed, there is hope that Eskom will have a more enabling balance sheet to spend more money on improving its capacity to supply electricity.

These two Bills passed by the NCOP will now be sent to the President for assent, as required by the Constitution.

Once Parliament passes the Appropriation Bill and signed into law by the President, government departments are allocated funds and commence implementing their approved spending plans. Parliament then exercises ongoing oversight through its portfolio and select committees to ensure accountability in the use of public funds. The Auditor-General conducts independent audits of departmental spending and reports the findings to Parliament. Where instances of financial mismanagement or underspending are identified, Parliament may recommend corrective action to ensure responsible and effective use of public resources.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Source: APO

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In September 1995, during Rwanda’s fragile recovery following the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, a young woman named Marie Mediatrice Izabiliza boarded a plane to represent her country at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. She wasn’t just carrying luggage; she was carrying hope.

Rebuilding from Ruins: The Power of One Woman’s Resolve

Back home, Marie got to work. She helped establish the National Women’s Council and the National Youth Council, and served as Vice Chairperson of both in their first terms. As mayor of the former Gisozi District, she introduced gender-responsive budgeting, ensuring women’s and youth’s priorities were reflected in local government plans.

In 2005, during the Beijing+10 commemoration, Marie mobilized over 800 community members for a three-day dialogue on gender equality, earning her a UNIFEM Certificate of Excellence.

Her leadership continued to grow from district executive to Member of Parliament (2013–2024), where she held influential roles, including Vice Chairperson of the Rwanda Women Parliamentarians Forum (FFRP) and member of the Public Accounts Committee, tirelessly championing gender-responsive budgeting and accountability across institutions.

Taking Rwanda’s Voice to Africa and Beyond

Marie didn’t stop at the national level. From 2015 to 2024, she served at the Pan-African Parliament, using her position as Vice Chairperson of the Committee on Gender, Family, Youth, and People with Disabilities to amplify the voices of African women in policymaking spaces. 

Beyond her public duties, Marie established REBEJO (Renforcement du Bien Être de la Jeunesse Ouvrière) to support girls and young women who have survived gender-based violence and unintended pregnancies. In 2025, she launched the Forum des Femmes Catholiques au Rwanda, a pioneering space for faith-based gender education targeting women who didn’t have the opportunity to complete formal schooling. 

She now plans to extend the platform to include men, encouraging more inclusive conversations on gender roles and shared responsibility in families.

The Legacy of Beijing: Still Her Guiding Light

Three decades later, Marie still draws strength from the Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA). The 12 critical areas of concern from Beijing from education and poverty to violence and political participation continue to frame her advocacy. Rwanda’s progress is undeniable: gender equality is enshrined in the Constitution, more than 63.8 per cent of representatives in Parliament are female, and progressive laws have been redefined such as land rights, inheritance, education and protection from violence. Institutions such as MIGEPROF, the Gender Monitoring Office, and FFRP have anchored this progress.

Yet, Marie remains grounded in reality. “The journey is still long,” she says. She calls for more deliberate engagement with men and boys, gender equality education starting in early childhood, and increased support to grassroots civil society and private sector actors to localize global frameworks like the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and BPfA. She advocates for revitalizing national monitoring mechanisms that ensure Rwanda’s reporting and implementation are inclusive, evidence-based, and community-informed.

A Beacon of Hope at CSW69 and Beyond

At the CSW69 National Reflection Event, hosted by MIGEPROF in partnership with UN Women Rwanda, Marie shared her story alongside fellow Beijing alumni. The event served as a space to connect global outcomes, like the CSW69 Political Declaration, with national development strategies.

Hon. Consolee Uwimana, Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, acknowledged the pivotal contributions of women like Marie and reminded stakeholders that the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action remains one of the most ambitious global frameworks for women’s rights. She issued a compelling call to action: to align CSW69 outcomes with national strategies through accelerated action, meaningful inclusion, and responsive solutions to emerging challenges such as digital transformation, climate change, and humanitarian crises. She honoured the contributions of Beijing alumni like Marie and Crescence Mukantabana, and recognized Rwanda’s youth as key drivers of continued progress.

Closing the event, Ms. Jennet Kem, UN Women Rwanda Country Representative, reminded the audience that global frameworks must be localized to truly impact the lives of women and girls. She commended Rwanda’s leadership and its new role as Co-Chair of CSW70, a role that reflects the country’s leadership and responsibility to inspire others in a time of global uncertainty.

“The Journey Is Still Long, But We Continue.”

Marie Mediatrice Izabiliza’s life is a testament to what happens when hope meets purpose. Sparked by the global solidarity of 1995, she has spent the past 30 years ensuring Rwanda doesn’t just rebuild but rises with women at the centre. As the world marks 30 years since Beijing, Marie’s story reminds us that transformation is not an event, it is a commitment.

epresenting civil society under the banner of “Team Karisimbi,” Marie was part of a unified Rwandan delegation of 40 drawn from government, civil society, and the private sector. At the time, Rwanda did not make an official presentation, as it had no achievements to showcase. “All we carried,” Marie recalls, “was a hope and a will to rebuild our country.” The stories she heard in Beijing from women fighting for rights in their corners of the world, transformed her worldview, “It was like a fire lit inside me. I came back knowing I had a role to play in Rwanda’s rebirth.”

The Beijing Conference ignited in Marie a lifelong commitment to gender equality and resilience. That spark became the compass that would guide her life’s work for decades to come.

Rebuilding from Ruins: The Power of One Woman’s Resolve

Back home, Marie got to work. She helped establish the National Women’s Council and the National Youth Council, and served as Vice Chairperson of both in their first terms. As mayor of the former Gisozi District, she introduced gender-responsive budgeting, ensuring women’s and youth’s priorities were reflected in local government plans.

In 2005, during the Beijing+10 commemoration, Marie mobilized over 800 community members for a three-day dialogue on gender equality, earning her a UNIFEM Certificate of Excellence.

Her leadership continued to grow from district executive to Member of Parliament (2013–2024), where she held influential roles, including Vice Chairperson of the Rwanda Women Parliamentarians Forum (FFRP) and member of the Public Accounts Committee, tirelessly championing gender-responsive budgeting and accountability across institutions.

Taking Rwanda’s Voice to Africa and Beyond

Marie didn’t stop at the national level. From 2015 to 2024, she served at the Pan-African Parliament, using her position as Vice Chairperson of the Committee on Gender, Family, Youth, and People with Disabilities to amplify the voices of African women in policymaking spaces. 

Beyond her public duties, Marie established REBEJO (Renforcement du Bien Être de la Jeunesse Ouvrière) to support girls and young women who have survived gender-based violence and unintended pregnancies. In 2025, she launched the Forum des Femmes Catholiques au Rwanda, a pioneering space for faith-based gender education targeting women who didn’t have the opportunity to complete formal schooling. 

She now plans to extend the platform to include men, encouraging more inclusive conversations on gender roles and shared responsibility in families.

The Legacy of Beijing: Still Her Guiding Light

Three decades later, Marie still draws strength from the Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA). The 12 critical areas of concern from Beijing from education and poverty to violence and political participation continue to frame her advocacy. Rwanda’s progress is undeniable: gender equality is enshrined in the Constitution, more than 63.8 per cent of representatives in Parliament are female, and progressive laws have been redefined such as land rights, inheritance, education and protection from violence. Institutions such as MIGEPROF, the Gender Monitoring Office, and FFRP have anchored this progress.

Yet, Marie remains grounded in reality. “The journey is still long,” she says. She calls for more deliberate engagement with men and boys, gender equality education starting in early childhood, and increased support to grassroots civil society and private sector actors to localize global frameworks like the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and BPfA. She advocates for revitalizing national monitoring mechanisms that ensure Rwanda’s reporting and implementation are inclusive, evidence-based, and community-informed.

A Beacon of Hope at CSW69 and Beyond

At the CSW69 National Reflection Event, hosted by MIGEPROF in partnership with UN Women Rwanda, Marie shared her story alongside fellow Beijing alumni. The event served as a space to connect global outcomes, like the CSW69 Political Declaration, with national development strategies.

Hon. Consolee Uwimana, Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, acknowledged the pivotal contributions of women like Marie and reminded stakeholders that the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action remains one of the most ambitious global frameworks for women’s rights. She issued a compelling call to action: to align CSW69 outcomes with national strategies through accelerated action, meaningful inclusion, and responsive solutions to emerging challenges such as digital transformation, climate change, and humanitarian crises. She honoured the contributions of Beijing alumni like Marie and Crescence Mukantabana, and recognized Rwanda’s youth as key drivers of continued progress.

Closing the event, Ms. Jennet Kem, UN Women Rwanda Country Representative, reminded the audience that global frameworks must be localized to truly impact the lives of women and girls. She commended Rwanda’s leadership and its new role as Co-Chair of CSW70, a role that reflects the country’s leadership and responsibility to inspire others in a time of global uncertainty.

“The Journey Is Still Long, But We Continue.”

Marie Mediatrice Izabiliza’s life is a testament to what happens when hope meets purpose. Sparked by the global solidarity of 1995, she has spent the past 30 years ensuring Rwanda doesn’t just rebuild but rises with women at the centre. As the world marks 30 years since Beijing, Marie’s story reminds us that transformation is not an event, it is a commitment.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women – Africa.

Source: APO – Report:

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The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) completed an advisory service mission to Zambia focused on assessing the country’s nuclear security regime for nuclear and other radioactive material out of regulatory control, referred to as MORC. The team recognized Zambia’s commitment to nuclear security through its efforts to prevent, detect and respond to unauthorized acts involving MORC, and pointed out capacity building and coordination among stakeholders as areas for further enhancement.

The International Nuclear Security Advisory Service (INSServ) mission was conducted at the request of the Republic of Zambia and took place from 14 to 23 July 2025. Hosted by the Radiation Protection Authority (RPA) of Zambia, the mission was led by Samer Quran, Director of the National Centre for Nuclear and Radiological Security at the Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission in Jordan.

The team comprised of five experts from Argentina, Egypt, Jordan, Norway and the USA, as well as two IAEA staff members.

INSServ missions aim to support States in strengthening their ability to prevent, detect and respond to criminal and intentional unauthorized acts involving nuclear or other MORC, which is lost, missing, stolen, improperly disposed of, or inadequately stored or handled. The scope of the INSServ mission included the foundational elements of nuclear security systems and measures for MORC, as well as detection and response systems and measures.

“Following an International Physical Protection Advisory Service in 2023, the first INSServ mission in Zambia builds on the country’s ongoing efforts to improve its nuclear security regime by leveraging the available IAEA assistance mechanisms,” said Elena Buglova, Director of the IAEA’s Division of Nuclear Security. “We are looking forward to continued cooperation with Zambia’s competent authorities for strengthening nuclear security.”

During the mission to Zambia, the team conducted a series of meetings with officials from the RPA, the Office of the President, the Cabinet Office, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Technology and Science, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Zambia Police Service, National Anti-Terrorism Center, Immigration Department, Zambia Airports Cooperation, Civil Aviation Authority and Zambia Revenue Authority.

The team also conducted site visits to Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, the Kazungula (land) Border, the RPA Inland Office in Livingstone, the Kapiri-Mposhi Railway Station and the National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research.

“The country has made progress in developing and implementing nuclear security measures at its borders and within its territory. The mission confirmed Zambia’s commitment to further improvements concluding that the country should continue to build on its efforts to strengthen multi-agency cooperation and coordination among national competent authorities responsible for nuclear security,” said Samer Quran, the INSServ Team Leader.

To further enhance its nuclear security capabilities, the team recommended that Zambia develop comprehensive training programmes for its personnel, including exercises. The experts identified good practices in the field of information security and in processes aimed at reducing the risk of insider threats.

“The INSServ mission marks a significant milestone in Zambia’s commitment to strengthening nuclear security. The recommendations received will guide our efforts to build a robust and resilient nuclear security regime, protecting our people from the risks posed by nuclear and radioactive material outside regulatory control,” said Boster D. Siwila, Executive Director of the RPA.

The IAEA’s INSServ mission is part of its ongoing efforts to assist Member States in strengthening their nuclear security regimes in relation to MORC. The Agency provides a range of services in this area, including expert advice, training and equipment support, to help Member States protect against criminal or intentional unauthorized acts involving such materials.

The draft findings and recommendations were presented to the Republic of Zambia, and the final report will be presented in about three months.

– on behalf of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Source: APO – Report:

Afrobarometer (www.Afrobarometer.org) has concluded a two-day workshop aimed at equipping staff at the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) with foundational skills in accessing and analysing public attitude data. The training brought together APRM researchers for hands-on sessions on analysing Afrobarometer data and exploring how citizen attitudes can inform national governance reviews and reform priorities.

The workshop, held on 24-25 July in Midrand, forms part of Afrobarometer’s partnership (http://apo-opa.co/4o94BiR) with the APRM to improve collaboration on governance data, monitoring, and evidence-based policy making across Africa. The goal is to boost the availability and use of citizen-centred data by aligning Afrobarometer’s public opinion research with APRM governance monitoring tools such as the Africa Governance Index and National Programmes of Action.

Participants were introduced to Afrobarometer’s data-collection methodology and received comprehensive practical training on accessing and interpreting Afrobarometer data using its free online data analysis tool (http://apo-opa.co/3Hazliv). Through interactive exercises and real-world case studies, the training explored how insights into citizens’ experiences and expectations can be applied to enhance policy proposals, strategy development, and review processes.

Dominique Dryding, Afrobarometer capacity building manager (basic track), noted that the workshop aims to promote a culture of evidence-based policy engagement rooted in citizen data and public accountability.

“The collaboration with APRM highlights a growing recognition of the critical role of citizen voices in African governance. By equipping participants with tools to access and apply public attitude data, the training aims to foster stronger, more accountable institutions,” she said.

APRM chief of staff, Damien Thesee, stressed the strong links between APRM’s policy mission and Afrobarometer’s public attitude data.

“This capacity building session on how to read, analyse, and incorporate Afrobarometer data is timely because it aligns with our 2025-2028 strategic plan’s objectives of institutional strengthening and capacity development through the “3 Ps” of professionalism, performance, and probity,” he said. “Our vision is to equip staff with the necessary skills and knowledge to be able to execute our tasks effectively and ensure that there is increased productivity and improved performance, as well as enhanced satisfaction from our AU member states.”

Participants also lauded the practical impact of the workshop.  

“This training has presented us with an opportunity to start using Afrobarometer data, which is helpful because it is current and communicates the perceptions of citizens,” said Peter Katwesige, APRM monitoring and evaluation officer.

– on behalf of Afrobarometer.

For more information, please contact:
Communications coordinator for Southern Africa
Asafika Mpako          
Telephone: +2783 979 8299
Email: ampako@afrobarometer.org

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About Afrobarometer:
Afrobarometer (AB) is a trusted source of high-quality data and analysis on what Africans are thinking. With an unmatched track record of 430,000+ interviews in 43 countries, representing the views of more than 75% of the African population, AB is leading the charge to bridge the continent’s data gap. AB data inform many global indices, such as the Ibrahim Index of African Governance, Transparency International’s Global Corruption Barometer, and the World Bank’s Worldwide Governance Indicators. The data are also used for country risk analyses and by credit rating and forecasting agencies such as the Economist Intelligence Unit. All AB data sets are publicly available on the website (www.Afrobarometer.org) and may be analysed free of charge using AB’s online data analysis tool (https://apo-opa.co/3Hazliv).

Source: APO – Report:

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His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, arrived this morning in Nairobi for an official visit aimed at strengthening the diplomatic and economic ties between Uganda and Kenya.

This visit underscores the commitment of both nations to foster closer cooperation and enhance collaboration on a range of bilateral issues of mutual interest.

Upon his arrival, President Museveni was warmly welcomed at the airport by Hon. Musalia Mudavadi, the Prime Cabinet Secretary, alongside senior government officials from both countries.

This warm reception signifies the longstanding bond and mutual respect between Uganda and Kenya.

During his time in Nairobi, President Museveni will engage in critical bilateral talks with his counterpart, His Excellency President William Ruto, at State House.

The discussions will focus on various areas, including trade, security, infrastructure development, and regional integration. Both leaders aim to identify opportunities for collaboration that will not only benefit their respective nations but also contribute to stability and economic growth in the East African region.

As part of the official visit, both Presidents will also make joint statements to the media, reflecting on the outcomes of their discussions and emphasizing their commitment to fostering unity and cooperation in the region.

On departure at Entebbe International Airport earlier today, President Museveni was seen off by the Vice President, H.E Jessica Alupo, the Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, the commander Airforce, Lt. Gen. Charles Okidi, the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP), James Ochaya and Deputy Commissioner General of Prisons, Mr. Samuel Akena.

– on behalf of State House Uganda.