News
CSOs in Agriculture demand resignation of Lands Minister over galamsey crisis
The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Fisheries has called for the immediate resignation or dismissal of the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, along with his deputies.
This demand comes in response to the worsening effects of illegal mining activities, commonly known as galamsey, which continue to devastate the environment and livelihoods across the country.
The CSOs argue that the Ministry’s leadership has failed to effectively address the crisis and safeguard Ghana’s natural resources.
The coalition in a statement released on Thursday by the Chamber of Agribusiness noted that “we the coalition of Civil Society Organizations in Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Fisheries, representing key industry bodies and stakeholders, urgently calls upon Ghana’s president, the executive and parliament to address the critical issue of illegal mining (galamsey) wreaking havoc on the nation’s agricultural and aquatic ecosystems.”
“The coalition demands immediate and decisive actions to combat galamsey:
1) Cease all galamsey operations immediately.
2) Immediate resignation or dismissal of the Minister for Mines and Natural Resources and his deputies.
3) Restore degraded lands and prosecute perpetrators.
4) Implement sustainable mining practices and support affected communities and industries.
5) Set up a National Anti-Galamsey Steering Committee comprising respected non-partisan citizens and key stakeholders.”
“6) Deployment of military and police personnel to affected areas.
7) Urgent implementation of measures to halt galamsey operations and conduct environmental assessments.
8) Provision of alternative livelihoods, development of a National Mining Policy, and setup of a Galamsey Rehabilitation Fund.
9) Promotion of agroforestry and reforestation efforts.”
Source: Citinewsroom.com
News
Ghana-Colombia strengthens ties through diplomatic engagement
In an important diplomatic engagement, the Colombian Ambassador to Ghana H.E. Daniel Garces Carabali paid a courtesy call on the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, at his office in Accra to discuss some key areas of collaboration.
The meeting focused on pressing issues, including security, decongestion of Ghana’s prisons, prison reform programmes, training programmes, improving the welfare of prisoners and enhancing disaster management in the country.
The courtesy call underscores the growing bilateral ties between Ghana and Colombia, building on previous engagements, such as the visit of the Colombian Vice President to Ghana in 2023.
The meeting demonstrates the commitment of both nations to fostering cooperation and addressing shared challenges.
News
Ghana to host African Catholic Journalists from August 10
The Union Catholique Africaine de la Presse (UCAP), also known as the African Catholic Union of the Press, in collaboration with the Catholic Association of Media Practitioners-Ghana (CAMP-G), is set to host its prestigious Triennial Congress from August 10 to 17 August, 2025.
The programme would be held at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Legon, Accra, Ghana.
This landmark event, the most significant gathering of Catholic journalists in Africa, will bring together media professionals, researchers, and experts in digital technology from across the continent and beyond.
The theme for the Congress is: “Balancing Technological Progress and the Preservation of Human Values in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.”
Congress Highlights
The UCAP Congress 2025 will feature discussions and deliberations on critical issues arising from or related to integral human development, particularly within the framework of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Some of the key sub-themes to be addressed include:Corporate Social Responsibility in Managing the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Human Values, Deploying AI in Eco-friendly Business Start-ups in Africa: Opportunities and Challenges, Technology and the Reprogramming of Social Reality, Distortion of Reality in Social and Digital Media, Ecological Education and Action Against Unsustainable Exploitation of Natural Resources, and Media and the Promotion of the Recommendations of the Synod on Synodality in Africa.
Participants will include media professionals from both ecclesiastical and lay organisations, media researchers and academics, representatives from the Vatican, government agencies, NGOs, civil society, and the digital technology sector.
Objectives of the Congress
The primary goal of this Congress is to strengthen the capacities of media professionals and educate the public on the necessity of preserving human values amid rapid technological progress. Specific objectives include; Training 100 media practitioners in Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies, with a focus on balancing innovation and human values.
This will include promoting ethics and bioethics in technical research and technological innovations through media.
Advocating for human values such as respect for life, human dignity, charity, solidarity, and human rights and assessing the impact of technological progress to better understand the challenges, risks, and opportunities presented by AI will be part of the objectives.
UCAP is a continental organisation dedicated to promoting communication within the Catholic Church and its partners in Africa. With a mission to foster spiritual growth, collaboration, and responsible journalism, UCAP works to spread the Gospel, uphold human values, and support developmental initiatives across Africa and beyond.
UCAP is an independent, autonomous, non-political, and non-profit organisation comprising African Catholic journalists, communicators, academics, researchers, and institutions in various media fields.
