Category: MIL-OSI

Source: APO

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HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi met on Thursday with HE Presidential Envoy and Senior Advisor for Africa at the US Department of State Massad Boulos, who is currently visiting the country.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the close strategic relations between the State of Qatar and the United States and discussed ways to support and enhance them. They also discussed joint efforts to address the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, along with a number of issues of mutual interest.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The State of Qatar.

Source: APO

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 UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Thursday deplored the killing of dozens of civilians by both parties amid ongoing hostilities in Sudan’s Kordofan region over the past week.

The UN Human Rights Office has verified the killing of least 60 civilians by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in North Kordofan’s Bara locality since 10 July. Civil society groups have reported that up to 300 people were killed.

At least 23 other civilians were reportedly killed and more than 30 others injured when airstrikes by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) hit two villages in West Kordofan from 10 to 14 July. In addition, on 17 July, at least 11 civilians – all members of a single family – were killed in a SAF airstrike in Bara locality.

“It is distressing that more than two years since the conflict began parties to the conflict in Sudan continue to demonstrate callous disregard for civilians’ lives and safety,” said Türk.

The latest civilian deaths come amid worrying reports that the RSF is mobilising for an offensive on El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan state. The UN Human Rights Chief also expressed continued concern for the safety of civilians in El Fasher, North Darfur, following multiple RSF attacks on the besieged city in recent days, including a ground attack on 11 and 12 July, which reportedly resulted in civilian casualties.

“An escalation of hostilities in North Darfur and Kordofan will only further aggravate the already severe risks to civilians and the dire humanitarian situation in a conflict that has already wrought untold suffering on the Sudanese people,” said Türk. “I urge those with influence to act to prevent such an escalation, and to ensure that both parties uphold their obligations under international law, including on the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure.”

The High Commissioner renewed his calls on the warring parties to ensure safe, sustained and unimpeded access to humanitarian aid, including through humanitarian pauses, and to prevent and repress violations of international law. “All alleged violations must be fully and independently investigated and those responsible brought to justice,” he said.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

Source: APO

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President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday reaffirmed Ghana’s firm commitment to international trade and investment, outlining the wide-ranging reforms actively fostering economic transformation and better governance.

He was speaking during a courtesy call from the Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan.

The President stated that these strategic reforms, begun just six months into his administration, are already showing tangible results.

He spoke about the renewed business confidence, the relative appreciation of the Cedi, and a decreasing inflation rate as important signs of economic stability and progress, especially after recent global challenges and inherited public debt burdens.

“We are striving to cultivate a new sense of thinking, a fresh approach to doing things, and to ensure that we effectively serve the people who elected us to lead,” President Mahama stated.

He elaborated on key government initiatives, including the ’24-Hour Economy’ policy, drawing inspiration from London, a city he described as “never sleeping.”

The President explained, “We’ve launched a 24-Hour Economy initiative to harness Ghana’s vibrant youthful population and address the challenges of rapid urbanisation by promoting continuous economic activity and opportunities.”

President Mahama further emphasised Ghana’s burgeoning digital landscape, indicating the country’s readiness to fully integrate into the global FinTech community with numerous digital services and innovative companies emerging across the country.

He also reiterated the government’s strong focus on agriculture and agribusiness as vital sectors for creating more opportunities, particularly for young people.

Discussions between the two leaders also delved into the deep historical and business ties connecting Accra and London.

President Mahama acknowledged Accra’s rapid growth and expressed Ghana’s keen interest in learning from London’s extensive expertise in urban planning, efficient transport systems, modern waste management solutions, and effective flood control strategies.

“For a city like London, the efficiency of your transport system, even with perceived challenges, is truly remarkable,” the President noted, adding, “We aspire to develop similar reliable systems where punctuality is the norm for our citizens.”

In his remarks, Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan congratulated President Mahama on his re-election and commended the positive signals his administration is sending to the international community regarding Ghana’s potential.

He praised the invaluable contributions of Londoners of Ghanaian origin, who are enriching various sectors of the city’s economy and public life, from healthcare and transport to the arts.

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

Source: APO

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The Ministry for the Interior has unveiled groundbreaking initiatives aimed at reforming the Prison Service and strengthening the nation’s security architecture.

Speaking at the inaugural “Government Accountability Series” at the Presidency in Accra, Minister for the Interior, Alhaji Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, announced a pivotal shift for the Prison Service, transforming it into a key contributor to national production and inmate rehabilitation.

As part of the government’s strategic efforts to resource state institutions and foster meaningful rehabilitation, the Ministry for the Interior has initiated discussions with the Ministry of Education to sign a Memorandum of Understanding. This landmark agreement will empower the Prison Service to supply:

• 20% of sanitary pads for the nation’s Free Sanitary Initiative.
• 30% of all school furniture procured by the government.
• 30% of all school uniforms distributed nationwide.

Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak, articulating the rationale behind the initiative, stated that the initiative is designed to engender reforms within the nation’s prisons, where inmates are mostly caged.

“We are moving beyond mere incarceration to equip inmates with valuable skills, foster productivity, and prepare them for successful reintegration into society.

The Minister stated that the Ghana Police Service plays a critical role in upholding public order and supporting the government’s economic agenda.

He lauded the Service’s unwavering commitment to public safety, highlighting its sustained efforts against illegal mining operations.

These robust efforts have significantly curbed illicit activities in forest reserves and along water bodies, effectively preventing foreign nationals from engaging in small-scale mining and safeguarding the nation’s natural resources.

In response to the government’s 24-Hour Economy programme, Mohammed-Mubarak announced the establishment of a dedicated 24-Hour Economy Secretariat at the Police Headquarters in Accra. This secretariat is designed to provide round-the-clock security for businesses, ensuring the safe movement of goods and people, and fostering unhindered economic growth across the country.

The Minister further detailed the Ghana Police Service’s impressive successes in crime combat.

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

Source: APO

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The World Bank Board of Directors approved the Second Kenya Social and Economic Inclusion Project (KSEIP2) which will strengthen the country’s social protection systems and scale up safety net support to twelve million citizens, including elderly, women, adolescents, children and other age specific vulnerable groups–while advancing human capital development and economic inclusion.

The KSEIP2, a successor to the recently completed Kenya Social and Economic Inclusion Project (KSEIP), will build on the success and lessons learned from the relevant interventions implemented to enhance delivery systems for inclusive access to social and economic inclusion. It is financed by a $127.5 million investment from the International Development Association (IDA).

“Inclusive growth and poverty reduction are realized when there are more and better jobs as well as more accessible jobs for the poorest and most vulnerable populations,” said Qimiao Fan, World Bank Division Director for Kenya. “The project’s innovative elements will prepare today’s children and adolescents for healthy and productive adulthoods, help poorer families with sustainable livelihood enhancement, and ensure that hard-won gains are not lost to food insecurity during the times of drought or other crises.”

The project will scale up cash-plus programs for targeted age groups, complementing the existing cash transfers provided under the government’s flagship National Safety Net Program (NSNP). KSEIP2 will promote inclusive and sustainable employment through the introduction of climate-resilient income-generating activities and by linking beneficiaries to government social insurance schemes for long-term savings and resilience.

Given Kenya’s vulnerability to recurrent droughts in the North and Northeastern Counties, the project will also strengthen the efficacy of social protection system through investments in modernization and provision of emergency social assistance as temporary support to offset the adverse impact of such crisis.

“The Government of Kenya is committed to supporting opportunities for every Kenyan family to sustainably exit poverty and vulnerability. The KSEIP2 Project supports the government’s ambition on disrupting the vicious cycle of poverty by focusing on investments in children and adolescents, as well as households with productive capacity,” said Shubha Chakravarty, Senior Economist and the Task Team Leader, World Bank. “This objective will be achieved by working in synergy with other relevant government programs.”

The project is consistent with the FY23-FY28 World Bank Group Country Partnership Framework (CPF), particularly with the objectives of increasing household resilience, national preparedness for shocks response, and priorities around human capital development and jobs agenda. It is also in line with Kenya’s vision 2030 while supporting the constitutional commitment to “provide social security for all Kenyans who cannot support themselves”.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The World Bank Group.

Source: APO

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President John Dramani Mahama has announced that, beginning with the next cocoa season, Ghanaian cocoa farmers will receive no less than 70 per cent of the prevailing world market price for their produce.

Addressing a grand durbar of chiefs and residents in Juaboso on Tuesday, the President declared: “Let me be clear: we will honour our promise to pay our hardworking farmers 70 per cent of the world market price of cocoa. The sweat of our cocoa farmers deserves dignity and a fair reward.”

Key highlights

1. 70 % price guarantee: The new pricing formula will be reflected in the producer price set by the Producer Price Review Committee ahead of the upcoming 2025/26 crop year.

2. President Mahama announced that construction works will commence this quarter on the Juaboso–Asawinso trunk road, along with 120 km of feeder roads that link farming communities to key buying centres.

3. Government will distribute five million hybrid seedlings and scale up fertiliser subsidies to increase yields and maintain Ghana’s position as the world’s leading cocoa producer.

An additional 10,000 young people are being enrolled in the Cocoa Rehabilitation & Youth Entrepreneurship Programme to rejuvenate aged farms and create decent jobs in the sector.

President Mahama described cocoa as “the lifeblood of our rural economy” and emphasised that sustaining farmers’ livelihoods is central to Ghana’s growth agenda. The chiefs commended the President for honouring his pledges and called for continued collaboration to improve health, education, and market access in cocoa-growing areas.

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

Source: APO

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has reinforced its support to Tanzania’s post-Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) recovery by handing over essential medical equipment worth over TZS 112 million to health authorities in Biharamulo District, one of the areas most affected by the outbreak.

The equipment package includes personal protective equipment (PPE), diagnostic tools, hospital beds, and emergency medical kits, critical to restoring routine health services and enhancing outbreak preparedness at the district level.

Speaking during the official handover ceremony, Dr. Galbert Fedjo, acting WHO Representative in Tanzania, reaffirmed WHO’s long-term support: “This handover is part of a broader commitment to strengthen outbreak preparedness and response capacities in Tanzania. We are proud to stand with the Government and the people of Tanzania on the road from recovery to resilience.”

The donation is part of a larger post-Marburg support package made possible through funding from the Government of the United Kingdom via the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Beyond medical supplies, the support has also contributed to risk communication, psychosocial recovery, and training of health workers across affected regions.

Receiving the equipment on behalf of the Government, The Director of Emergency at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Erasto Sylvanus, expressed appreciation to WHO and partners: “This support comes at a critical time as we continue to strengthen our health systems and ensure our frontline workers are equipped to handle future health emergencies. We thank WHO and the UK Government for standing with us.”

The Marburg Virus Disease outbreak was officially declared in March and successfully contained through rapid response efforts led by the Ministry of Health with support from WHO and partners. Today’s handover marks a significant step in the recovery phase and in enhancing Tanzania’s long-term public health emergency preparedness.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization – United Republic of Tanzania.

Source: APO

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On July 16, the first Invest Zambia International Conference was held at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre. The three-day event, themed “Driving Generational Transformative Investments through Joint Ventures and Partnerships”, attracted participation from government departments, enterprises, financial institutions, industry organizations and diplomats from over 20 countries, totaling more than 1,500 attendees.

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech. He stated that Zambia has created a stable, predictable, and investor-friendly environment with immense development potential in sectors such as mining, agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and processing. Investors from various countries, including China, have made significant contributions to Zambia’s economic and social development. The Zambian government will strive to foster a better business environment and welcomes global investors to establish joint ventures in Zambia, boosting economic growth, job creation, value addition and technological innovation.

Ambassador Han Jing was present and delivered remarks. He noted that the practical cooperation between China and Zambia has flourished dynamically under the strategic guidance of the two head of state. China is Zambia’s largest source of investment, second-largest trading partner and the largest sponsor of this conference. Chinese enterprises, active across all sectors of Zambia’s economy and society, are vital participants and contributors to the nation’s development. The Chinese government consistently requires all Chinese enterprises to operate in compliance with laws and regulations and actively fulfill social responsibilities. Simultaneously, Ambassador Han stated China’s expectation that the Zambian government and all sectors of society will create a more favorable environment for Chinese enterprises investing and operating in Zambia.

Prior to the opening ceremony, Ambassador Han Jing accompanied President Hichilema on a tour of the Chinese enterprises exhibition. During the opening ceremony, they jointly witnessed the signing of multiple investment cooperation agreements between Chinese enterprises and Zambian counterparts in fields including power construction and new energy vehicles.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Zambia.