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Global push for inquiry into COVID-19 response
Global health leaders are pushing for an independent review of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic at the United Nation (UN)’s World Health Assembly.
Monday’s virtual meeting brings together envoys from 194 member states of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The WHO is facing questions on how it has dealt with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, who has defended his country’s actions during the outbreak, spoke during Monday’s opening ceremony.
He said China had acted “with openness and transparency” and insisted that any investigation should happen after the pandemic was brought under control.
In other opening remarks, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus welcomed a proposed resolution calling for a review of the WHO’s handling of the pandemic and said it would initiate it “at the earliest opportunity”.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in said the WHO must be given more legal powers to ensure that countries report outbreaks and share data.
“A novel infectious disease could emerge at any time and we must be able to respond more quickly and effectively,” he said.
The two-day assembly – an annual meeting that reviews the work of the UN’s health agency – comes amid recriminations between the US and China over the virus.
The US has already stopped its funding for the agency and is promoting its own vaccine programme.
More than 4.5 million people have been infected and more than 300,000 have died since the virus emerged in China in December.
The European Union, alongside countries including the UK, Australia and New Zealand, is pushing for an inquiry into how the pandemic has been handled and what lessons can be learned.
EU spokeswoman Virginie Battu-Henriksson said several key questions needed to be answered as part of any review.
“How did this pandemic spread? What is the epidemiology behind it? All this is absolutely crucial for us going forward to avoid another pandemic of this kind,” she said.
However, she added that now was not the time for “any sort of blame game”.
A draft resolution calling for a review, to be put to a vote on Tuesday, requires a two-thirds majority to pass and already has support from 116 of the 194 member states, according to Reuters.
Last month, an European Union (EU) report accused China of spreading disinformation about the crisis. -BBC
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Vote for women- Founder and CEO of Queen of Ghana Pageant
The Queen of Ghana Pageant is making a clarion call on all Ghanaians to put their weight behind all women vying for political appointments and leadership positions in this upcoming general elections.
“The onus is on us as a people to ensure that there is more women inclusion within our body politic; further ensuring an inclusive future for our girls, for our women,” she said.
According to the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Araba Biesema Crentsil, “this will be in keeping with four cardinal goals of women empowerment and women inclusion; which are namely: economic empowerment, social empowerment, political empowerment, as well as psychological empowerment.”
She believes that “all these and more are fundamental to the growth of our women as a nation.”
“Our political empowerment schemes, of which we are currently touching on in our clarion call, involve encouraging women’s participation in decision making processes, leadership positions and political representation. Studies show higher numbers of women in parliament generally contribute to stronger attention to women’s issues. Women’s political participation is a fundamental prerequisite for gender equality and genuine democracy. It facilitates women’s direct engagement in public decision-making and is a means of ensuring better accountability to women,” she said.
Araba Biesema Crentsil further added that, “Political accountability to women begins with increasing the number of women in decision-making positions, but it cannot stop there. What is required are gender-sensitive governance reforms that will make all elected officials more effective at promoting gender equality in public policy and ensuring their implementation. And that is the reason for our Women For Leadership and Governance Campaign.
“We know that when women are excluded in decision-making, policy outcomes are likely to be ineffective. Better inclusion and representation lead to stronger and more resilient democracies. Gender equality in politics is not only about numbers, and equal parliamentary representation is only one step in true gender-sensitive policy making. The positions that women occupy in parliaments are also indicative of their influence in decision-making and their ability to set the direction of parliamentary work,” she emphasized.
The Queen of Ghana Pageant is a ground-breaking initiative dedicated to empowering women to step into positions of leadership and influence across the world, founded by trailblazing Ghanaian beauty queen and model Araba Biesema Crentsil.
This pageant is more than just a celebration of beauty – it’s a clarion call for women to claim their rightful place in the realms of politics, governance, and beyond.
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Empowering Communities: Yagaba Kubori Benefits from Educational and Hygiene Support
The Yagaba Kubori constituency came alive with hope and transformation as Empower Africa Alliance and Derby’s Foundation carried out a monumental Community and Schools Engagement Tour.
The tour, held in collaboration with the Honorable Minister for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Yussif, left an indelible mark by addressing critical educational and hygiene needs in the area.
At the heart of the initiative was the distribution of 2,000 exercise books to schoolchildren and 1,000 sanitary pads to both students and women in the community.
Beyond donations, the initiative focused on empowering young minds with education on the importance of schooling, menstrual hygiene, and reproductive health.
The highlight of the event was the heartfelt interaction between Christabel Derby, founder of Derby’s Foundation, and the young girls, encouraging them to overcome challenges and chase their academic dreams. “Every book donated here represents a brighter future, and every pad symbolizes dignity and empowerment for our girls and women,” she remarked.
The support of the MP for the constituency underscored the government’s dedication to youth and gender empowerment.
The Minister expressed gratitude to the organizations, stating, “This initiative aligns perfectly with our vision of creating an inclusive and progressive constituency. Together, we are empowering our youth to lead tomorrow.”
The tour extended its reach beyond schools, touching the lives of women in the community who benefited from the hygiene supplies and awareness sessions.
The initiative not only broke barriers around menstruation but also planted seeds of self-confidence and ambition in the minds of many.
This impactful project showcases how grassroots efforts can catalyze transformation in underserved communities.
Empower Africa Alliance and Derby’s Foundation have set the stage for lasting change, proving once again that collective action can uplift entire generations.
