Category: English

Source: APO

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The ECOWAS Commission launched on Monday in Abidjan the third edition of its regional information and awareness campaign for small-scale cross-border women traders along the Abidjan–Lagos corridor. This initiative, which will run until 15 July 2025, aims to strengthen women’s economic participation in regional trade by improving their access to information, training, and a safer trading environment.

The Department of Human Development and Social Affairs and the Department of Economic Affairs and Agriculture of the ECOWAS Commission are co-organising the third edition of the Information and Awareness Campaign for small-scale cross-border women traders along the Abidjan–Lagos corridor, from 30 June to 15 July 2025.

The objective of this campaign is to build on the achievements and results of the 2023 and 2024 editions conducted along the Tema–Paga and Dakar–Banjul–Bissau corridors, in order to facilitate cross-border trade and improve operations for small-scale women traders by strengthening their knowledge and understanding of the regulations governing cross-border trade and related regional initiatives.

As part of the implementation of this campaign, an official launch ceremony—co-chaired by the Minister of Trade and Industry and the Minister of Women, Family and Children—was held on 30 June 2025 at the NOOM Hotel in Abidjan. The ceremony was graced by the effective participation of H.E. Mrs. Massandjé TOURE-LITSE, ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture.

The official launch of the information and awareness campaign was preceded by a public Town Hall meeting focused on raising awareness about ECOWAS cross-border trade policies and strategies, capacity building for women traders, the toolkit designed for small-scale cross-border women traders (border transparency and the fight against gender-based violence), and GIZ initiatives to boost intra-regional agri-food trade, improve coordination of regional policies, strengthen economic integration, and ensure food security.

The launch event also saw the participation of the ECOWAS Resident Representative in Côte d’Ivoire, the ECOWAS National Office in Côte d’Ivoire, the Abidjan Chamber of Commerce, representatives of associations of small-scale cross-border women traders, and technical and financial partners.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Source: APO

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The ECOWAS pre-election mission in Côte d’Ivoire, led by Prof. Théodore Holo began its activities on June 30th,  2025 with a series of meetings with the Institutions in charge of the presidential election, the actors and certain stakeholders in the electoral process.

The objective of this ECOWAS pre-election fact-finding mission is to engage with actors and stakeholders in the electoral process on the political atmosphere and the conduct of pre-election activities, to identify any difficulties and to make concrete recommendations for the peaceful and transparent conduct of the presidential election.

Since its arrival in Abidjan, the Mission has met with certain institutions in charge of the presidential election as well as certain actors and stakeholders in the electoral process.

On June 30th, 2025 the mission held consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Ivorians Abroad, the High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA), representatives of media associations and civil society, the Independent Electoral Commission, the ambassadors of ECOWAS member countries accredited to Côte d’Ivoire, and Ms Hélène N’Garnim-Ganga, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System in Côte d’Ivoire.

At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Ivorians Abroad, Prof. Théodore Holo and his delegation were received by Ambassador Yapi Koffi Évariste, Secretary General of H.E. Léon Kacou Adom, Ivorian Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Ivorians Abroad. In his introductory remarks, Prof. Holo reiterated ECOWAS’ commitment to maintaining regional momentum in support of democratic processes, in a context where peace and stability remain crucial issues.

At the High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA), the ECOWAS delegation met with its President, Mr. René BOURGOIN, to inquire about the overall framework for preparing for the elections at the media level, the institutional mechanisms put in place, and the role this body plays in the electoral process. In this regard, the HACA gave a presentation on the operational mechanisms already deployed, the mechanisms for monitoring online media, and the awareness-raising activities carried out with audiovisual actors.

During his meeting with media representatives, the Head of the ECOWAS Pre-Election Mission recalled the crucial role that the media play in the conduct of the electoral process and in the dissemination of accurate and responsible information, all of which promotes social cohesion and peace.

Prof. Holo emphasised the need for equitable access to the media for candidates and stressed the responsibility of regulators and the media in preventing hate speech and disinformation, particularly on digital platforms.

On July 1st, 2025 the ECOWAS delegation first met with representatives of Ivorian civil society organisations, including the Initiative for Peace, the CNCJI, the AFJCI, WANEP-CI, MIDH, RESPSFECO, POECI, FOSCAO, the Islamic Council, CIED and RAIDH. The mission then visited the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI), where it held discussions with its President, Mr Ibrahim Kuibiert Coulibaly, and members of the CEI Bureau.

Prof. Holo was accompanied by Ambassador Abdel-Fatau MUSAH (PhD), Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the ECOWAS Commission, and H.E. Ms. Adjo-vi Yekpe, Ambassador of Benin to ECOWAS, representing the Committee of Permanent Representatives of ECOWAS Member States, H.E. Fanta Cissé, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Côte d’Ivoire, a representative of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and a team of electoral experts from the sub-region and the Directorate of Political Affairs.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Source: APO

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​Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed a special session of the Parliament of Ghana today, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to do so. The session, convened by the Speaker of Parliament, Hon’ble Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, was attended by Members of Parliament, Government officials and distinguished guests from both the nations. The address marked a significant moment in India-Ghana relations, reflecting the mutual respect and shared democratic values that unite the two countries.

2. ​In his address, Prime Minister highlighted the historical bonds between India and Ghana, forged through shared struggles for independence and a common commitment to democracy and inclusive development. He expressed gratitude to the President of Ghana, H.E. John Dramani Mahama and the Ghanaian people for the National Honour conferred upon him, calling it a symbol of enduring friendship. Drawing on the contributions of the great Ghanaian leader – Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, he emphasized that the ideals of unity, peace, and justice are the foundation of strong and lasting partnerships.

3.​ Quoting Dr. Nkrumah, who once said – “The forces that unite us are intrinsic and greater than the superimposed influences that keep us apart” and who laid great stress on the long-term impact of building democratic institutions, Prime Minister underscored the importance of nurturing democratic values. Noting that India as a Mother of Democracy had embraced democratic ethos as part of its culture, Prime Minister highlighted the deep and vibrant roots of democracy in India. He pointed to India’s diversity and democratic strength as a testament to the power of unity in diversity, a value echoed in Ghana’s own democratic journey. He also highlighted the pressing global challenges such as climate change, terrorism, pandemics, and cyber threats and called for a collective Global South voice in global governance. In this context, he underlined the inclusion of African Union as a permanent member of G20 during India’s presidency.

4.​ Prime Minister lauded Ghana’s vibrant parliamentary system and expressed satisfaction at the growing exchanges between the legislatures of both countries. In this context, he welcomed the establishment of the Ghana-India Parliamentary Friendship Society. Expressing the resolve of the people of India to make the country a developed nation by 2047, Prime Minister noted that India would stand shoulder to shoulder with Ghana in its pursuit of progress and prosperity.

5. ​Full address of Prime Minister may be seen here.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of External Affairs – Government of India.

Source: APO

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On July 3rd, Ms. ERI Arfiya, Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, attended the symposium “Empowering Lesotho: Unlocking Finance to Drive the Energy Transition in a Land-Locked Developing Country”, co-hosted by the United Nations University and the Embassy of Lesotho in Japan, with the presence of the H.M. Letsie III, King of the Kingdom of Lesotho and H.M. Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso, who are in Japan to participate in the National Day events of the Osaka-Kansai Expo. She delivered a speech on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The outline of the speech is as follows.

1. At the outset, Parliamentary Vice-Minister ERI welcomed the visit of H.M. Letsie III and H.M. Queen Masenate Mohato Seeiso to Japan, and stated that, since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1971, Japan and Lesotho have built cordial relations through cooperation in areas such as food security, renewable energy, education, and health.
2. Parliamentary Vice-Minister ERI mentioned Japan’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and expressed her hope to work with Lesotho, which is actively promoting the transition to renewable energy by leveraging its abundant water resources and high-quality renewable energy resources, to lead global efforts for climate change measures and promote economic development.
3. Parliamentary Vice-Minister ERI mentioned that the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) will be held in Yokohama in August this year, and concluded her remarks by expressing her hope to take this opportunity to create innovative solutions that will lead to the prosperity of both Japan and Africa by leveraging Japanese technology and expertise on various topics including the renewable energy sector, which was discussed in this symposium.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

Source: APO

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The Togolese authorities must put an end to unnecessary and excessive use of force against protesters, said Amnesty International, amid the latest violent crackdown on protests in the capital, Lomé, since 26 June.

The organization spoke with 18 victims and witnesses. Thirteen described a pattern of unlawful use of force and mistreatment by police and security forces against protesters and passers-by.

“These cases must be independently and transparently investigated as a matter of urgency.” Marceau Sivieude, Amnesty International’s interim Regional Director for West and Central Africa

These protests, considered illegal by the authorities, are the latest in a series of demonstrations since the beginning of June against the repression of dissent, the high cost of living and changes to the constitution. Last month, Amnesty International documented allegations that protesters had been tortured or subjected to ill-treatment.

“In recent days, we have interviewed people who have alleged that men identified as security forces carried out unlawful killings, arbitrary arrests and detentions, acts of torture and other ill-treatment, and several cases of abduction. These cases must be independently and transparently investigated as a matter of urgency,” said Marceau Sivieude, Amnesty International’s interim Regional Director for West and Central Africa.

Reports of unlawful use of force by security forces

Thirteen people interviewed by Amnesty International said that men in uniform, suspected to be members of security forces and people described as ‘militiamen’ used unnecessary and excessive force and violence.

A man living in Avénou said: “On 30 June, everything was quiet in our neighbourhood. Suddenly three pick-ups and a car came speeding down our street. Everyone started running away. Men forced their way into our house. They made us get out and told us to kneel down. They were all in civilian clothes. They pointed their guns at us and then they beat us. They left, saying they were going to come back.”

A 38-year-old man said: “On 26 June at around 3pm, I was taking part in a protest in Attiégou, when a group of soldiers attacked me. They hit me hard. I ended up losing consciousness and some young people took me for treatment.”

A 17-year-old teenager said he was arrested on 26 June by gendarmes and held for five days, first at the Zorobar gendarmerie station, then at the former national gendarmerie headquarters and the Avepozo gendarmerie camp. “They put us on our knees with our arms raised. If we lowered our arms, they hit us with cords […]. All day long, we only drank one sachet of water”.

The teenager says he is still suffering from back pain. According to him, more than 40 people were detained with him at the gendarmerie on 30 June, including other children.

Two men and a woman have been missing since 27 June. They were allegedly abducted by unidentified men from a house in the Adidogomé neighbourhood. In a video broadcast live on Tik Tok on 27 June by one of the victims, people were seen bursting into the room, and then the video cut. In the preceding days, he had published several videos in support of the protests and denouncing arbitrary arrests.

“All light must be shed on these deaths and the whereabouts of those who have disappeared.” Fabien Offner, researcher at Amnesty International’s regional office for West and Central Africa

At least seven people found dead, including children

The parents of a 16-year-old boy found dead in the Bè lagoon on 27 June told Amnesty International that members of the security forces in black uniforms had entered the neighbourhood the previous day and that tear gas shots had been heard. The boy’s body was found along with that of another child.

In a statement shared on 29 June, Togolese civil society organizations reported the deaths of seven people, whose bodies were found in rivers in Lomé, and mentioned ‘beatings’ and ‘arbitrary arrests of passers-by, youth, and older people’, and ‘chases […] of young people, sometimes children, forced to take refuge in the lagoon’.

The statement also mentioned ‘bullet holes in three bodies found in the Bè lagoon on 27 June […] and testimonies of local residents who reported gunshots’.

“All light must be shed on these deaths and the whereabouts of those who have disappeared. Those detained for exercising their right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly must be released,” said Fabien Offner, researcher at Amnesty International’s regional office for West and Central Africa.

The government announced on 29 June that the bodies found were those of people who had ‘drowned’, citing ‘the results of forensic analyses’.

“We don’t know the exact number of people brought before the court and those still in custody”, lawyer Darius K. Atsoo said to Amnesty International. According to him, as of 30 June, 18 people arrested on 26, 27 and 28 June had been released and 31 were still being held in custody following hearings before the public prosecutor.

On 2 July, at least six people had not been found by their families, according to testimonies.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International.