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Mobile app for conflict resolution in the offing
Mr Abraham Klutsey
Youth for Peace and Security-Africa, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Ghana with footprints in other African countries, is developing a mobile application called YPS Family to facilitate conflict prevention and resolution in Africa.
When successfully piloted, the mobile app, according to the Executive Director, Mr. Abraham Korbla Klutsey, would effectively and inexpensively facilitate the prevention and resolution of violent and bloody conflicts and wars in Africa.
He said violent conflicts in many parts of Africa were retarding progress and developmental policies such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Silencing the Guns, and ultimately Agenda 2063. “It, therefore, behooves all and sundry to show concern and help find innovative and pragmatic ways to turn the fortunes of the continent around.
Speaking to The Spectator on the innovative ways to curb conflict and how the mobile app would facilitate conflict resolution, Mr. Klutsey said the mobile app which is still in development, would have a multilingual and user-friendly interface to support multiple local languages, making it accessible to a broader range of citizens across Africa, and would also be intuitive and user-friendly to cater for different levels of digital literacy.
Again, the mobile app would allow community members to report potential conflicts or tensions they observe in their localities. This, he said, could be done through text, images, or voice messages, providing real-time data to identify emerging conflicts.
Additionally, the app would be built to use data analytics in order to analyse patterns, trends, and early warning signs of potential conflicts. This would enable the organisations, authorities and relevant stakeholders to proactively address emerging issues before they escalate.
The app, according to Mr. Klutsey, would create a platform for community members, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders to engage in online discussions and dialogues, explaining that “this will foster communication, build relationships, and enable the exchange of ideas and perspectives.”
The mobile app, which would be available for download on Playstore, IOS and other mobile application platforms, includes a mediation module to provide step-by-step guidance on conflict resolution.
Users can access resources, guidelines, and even virtual mediation sessions facilitated by trained mediators to address disputes.
While it offers practical tips and techniques for conflict prevention, such as effective communication, negotiation skills, and peaceful problem-solving strategies, users can access this information through interactive videos, quizzes, or animated guides, he said.
The app would provide legal information and resources, including relevant laws, regulations, and customary practices related to chieftaincy and land disputes, and also allow users to map and document land ownership, boundaries, and disputed areas. This can help in visualising and clarifying land-related issues, reducing ambiguity and potential conflicts.
By Portia Hutton-Mills
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GEXIM deepens relations with US EXIM Bank
A management team of the Ghana Export – Import Bank (GEXIM) led by the Acting Chief Executive, Sylvester Mensah met with the leadership of the Export–Import Bank of the United States (US EXIM) on Wednesday April 23, 2025 in Washington DC, United States of America.
The Acting President and Chairman of US EXIM, Mr. James C. Cruse and Vice President, International Relations, Ms. Isabel Galdiz received the GEXIM delegation, which included Deputy CEO for Banking, Mr. Moses Klu Mensah and Head of International Cooperation, Mr. Jonathan Christopher Koney at the headquarters of US EXIM.
The meeting offered the GEXIM team the opportunity to share the strategic direction of the Bank in line with the resetting agenda of the President of the Republic, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama for the repositioning of the Ghanaian economy into an export-led one by providing the requisite investment to Ghanaian businesses.
Mr. James C. Cruse expressed US EXIM’s eagerness to deepen its existing relations with GEXIM and proposed the signing of a new Cooperative Framework Agreement following the expiration of a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2019 to utilize US EXIM’s medium term loan guarantees to procure machinery by GEXIM for qualified Ghanaian Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).
Mr.Sylvester Mensah thanked the Acting President and Chairman of US EXIM for hosting the GEXIM delegation and reaffirmed the Ghanaian government’s commitment to strengthening trade and investment between Ghana and its global partners for economic transformation of Ghana with GEXIM playing a pivotal role.
The two teams will be meeting on the sidelines of the 2025 US EXIM Annual Conference on 29th and April 30, 2025 to explore possible areas of collaboration and matching Ghanaian businesses to American companies. The meeting ended with an exchange of gifts.
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Many SOEs have been used as mere instruments for personal wealth accumulation –Pres.Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has expressed concern over the misuse of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) for personal financial gain by individuals in leadership positions.
Speaking during a meeting with Chief Executives of specified entities under the State Interest and Governance Authority (SIGA) on Thursday, March 13, the President directly attributed the dire state of SOEs to their leadership, accusing chief executives, management teams, and governing boards of prioritising personal enrichment over organisational efficiency.
He pointed to bloated budgets, unjustified allowances, and unnecessary expenditures as factors draining public funds while SOEs continue to rely on government bailouts.
“Many SOEs have been used as mere instruments for personal wealth accumulation by appointees. The chief executives, management, and boards of these enterprises are responsible for this situation. Some SOEs have become perennial loss-makers, draining public funds with bloated budgets, unjustified allowances, and unnecessary expenditures while relying on government bailouts as if entitled to them. Many of these entities are at their lowest point in the entire history of the Fourth Republic,” he said.
President Mahama further noted that many SOEs have been plagued by inefficiencies, corruption, and mismanagement, leading to consistent financial losses. He cited the 2023 State Ownership Report by the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), which highlighted systemic inefficiencies and wasteful expenditures within these entities.
He therefore reaffirmed his commitment to reforming under-performing SOEs and ensuring they serve national interests.
He warned that loss-making SOEs will no longer be tolerated and will either be merged, privatised, or closed.
“I will assess you based on your performance. If you do not align with the pace of the reset agenda, you may be asked to step aside. If that adds to the horror movie, so be it,” he added.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
