Major pledges propel African peace efforts at AU Peace Fund Gala
Accra, Ghana’s bustling capital, was the epicenter of commitment and hope as key players in Africa’s political leadership, private sector, multilateral financial institutions, state-owned enterprises, high-net-worth individuals, and billionaires gathered for the African Union (AU) Peace Fund event on Saturday, July 20, 2024.
Held at the prestigious Kempinski Hotel, this highly anticipated event aimed to rally support from crucial stakeholders to enhance the AU Peace Fund’s financial stability and further its mission of fostering sustainable peace across the continent.
The evening’s highlight was Afreximbank’s unprecedented pledge of USD 210 million over the next three years. This commitment, encompassing grants, technical assistance, a project preparation facility, and seed capital for peace and security initiatives, underscores Afreximbank’s unwavering dedication to fostering sustainable peace across Africa.
In his address, Afreximbank President Prof. Benedict Oramah emphasized the critical intersection of peace, humanitarian action, and development. “The peace we seek is not just the absence of conflict, but the presence of conditions that allow our economies to thrive,” he stated. “Our pledge of USD 210 million is a testament to our commitment to building a peaceful and prosperous Africa.”
Prof. Benedict Oramah’s powerful message of commitment set the tone for the evening, inspiring attendees to join the cause of peace and stability. His call to action resonated deeply, underscoring the essential role of the AU Peace Fund in driving Africa towards a future of peace and prosperity.
The event commenced with an inspiring cultural performance by Ghana-based Bambu Centre Productions, led by Playwright, Creative Entrepreneur and creator of Mansa World, Chief Abdul Moomen
In a welcome address, Mrs. Dagmawit Moges, Director of the AU Peace Fund Secretariat noted that it was an opportune time to look at how to involve the private sector in contributing to peace in Africa.
“Tonight, we gather not only to celebrate our collective achievements but to forge new paths towards sustainable peace,” she said. “The revitalization of the AU Peace Fund is a testament to our shared vision of a peaceful Africa, and we are immensely grateful for the support of our partners and stakeholders,” she said.
The AU Peace Fund, established by the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1993, has undergone significant reforms to become a more effective tool for promoting peace and stability. A pivotal decision in June 2015 by the Heads of State in Johannesburg, South Africa, laid the groundwork for the Fund’s revitalization in 2018, transforming it towards self-financing mechanisms.
The African Union Commission, in partnership with Afreximbank, hosted the gala dinner themed: ‘Fostering Partnerships for Sustainable Peace in Africa’. The event marked the official launch of the revitalised Fund, with leaders advocating for innovative peace financing mechanisms to address Africa’s security challenges.
In addition to Afreximbank’s substantial pledge, the Standard Bank Group, Africa’s largest bank by assets, announced a commitment of $1 million to the AU Peace Fund. This includes an annual pledge of $200,000 over the next five years. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) for this pledge was signed by Felicity Osafo Sampong, Chief Risk Officer of Stanbic Bank Ghana, reaffirming the bank’s support for the AU Peace Fund and aligning with their mission: “Africa is our home; we drive her growth.”
Standard Bank Group’s dedication to the AU Peace Fund underscores their ongoing efforts to foster stability and promote sustainable development across the continent. “By promoting peace, we lay the foundation for a more stable and prosperous future for all,” noted Felicity Osafo Sampong.
Many parts of Africa have been adversely affected by conflicts and insecurity, undermining cross-border trade and economic growth. These challenges have been exacerbated by global crises such as COVID-19, the climate crisis, and international conflicts, disproportionately impacting Africa and threatening to undermine the gains achieved over the last two decades.
Understanding the sources and causes of conflicts and insecurity, as well as policies for conflict prevention and management, is critical to ensure a protective shield against future crises. A coordinated approach from all stakeholders is required, and the AU Peace Fund is the conduit to achieve this. The Peace Fund has made remarkable progress in mobilizing almost US$ 400 million, yet the increasing security needs require that this be scaled up significantly. In the context of tightening fiscal space and the reduction in development assistance, the traditional reliance on member states’ assessed contributions needs to be supplemented by other sources of financing.
The AU Peace Fund Dinner Gala was a resounding success, showcasing the critical need for innovative peace financing mechanisms and the importance of strategic partnerships in fostering sustainable peace across Africa. Afreximbank’s historic pledge and the substantial commitments from other stakeholders are significant steps towards achieving the Fund’s goals. As Africa moves forward, the revitalized AU Peace Fund will play a crucial role in promoting peace, security, and stability, paving the way for a prosperous and peaceful continent.
H.E. Moussa Faki, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, noted that “the operationalization of the African Union Peace Fund and the adoption of the principle of financing African peacekeeping missions from perennial resources are part of significant sectoral progress.
He added “The amplification of these advances could well, in time, usher in a new era of markedly reduced dependence on international partners for the demands of peace and the financing of peace support operations.”
H.E. Faki’s leadership and vision were pivotal in rallying the support and commitment needed to ensure the success of the AU Peace Fund, highlighting the importance of African-led solutions to the continent’s peace and security challenges.
News
NTC staff demonstrate prowess in fire fighting
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) on Tuesday held a sensitisation workshop on fire safety for staff of the New Times Corporation (NTC), publishers of The Ghanaian Times and The Spectator.
It created awareness on fire prevention and safety measures to prevent fire in the home or office.
During the practical session, a section of the staff were taken through fire outbreaks drills steps to take in fire .
tries his hands on
one of the traditional
way to combat fire
Nortey led the demonstration exercise
to staff before the demonstration exercise
of staff Herty Nortey to put off a fire
Can-Tamakloe trying to
extinguish the fire
Led by Assistant Divisional Officer (ADO 1) Isaac Tengfaa, the staff were taught how to use the different types of fire extinguishers to combat fire.
He said it was important for home owners and office workers to put off every electrical gadget at work before leaving for their respective home because more fires in offices occur at closing hours.
He said fire incidence often resulted from carelessness, ignorance or natural occurrence.
Supported by ADO I Richard Mensah, ADO I Eunice Ceasar and Fire woman Anita Amponsah, some of the staff tried their hands on the fire extinguishers and other modes of combatting fire.
By Linda Abrefie Wadie
Sports
Okraku’s rise to CAF ExCo
The rise of Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Kurt Okraku, may come as a sucker punch to many of his critics in Ghana especially.
For those critics, nothing good can be identified with his administration. It has been stretched to the extent that any negative occurrence in the game is quickly attributed to him or his administration.
In fact, Kurt Okraku’s name in some quarters has become the definition of any negative occurrence in the game in Ghana.
However, it beats the imagination of all how such a person, who is often the most criticised, maybe apart from government officials, continue to earn international recognition.
The Black Stars have failed to shine; climaxing that catastrophe with a failure to qualify for the next edition of AFCON. The other national teams have all struggled under him.
For this reason he has been chastised.
But in the face of these failures, Kurt Okraku was elevated to an Executive Member position at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) at its congress held recently.
One would then ask the obvious question whether it is the case of a dislike for him that has shrouded the efforts he is putting in to develop the game in Ghana.
In a rare encounter with him recently, one of the questions I asked was why is he criticised on daily basis for the work he’s doing?
But his response was quite instructive.
Drawing an analogy from good old book – Bible, he practically preached to me about the story of the Lord Jesus Christ who was not accepted in his own home but was accepted outside his jurisdiction.
“My brother, I have no idea why people criticise me that much. They may have their reasons for doing that but I look beyond them. Even our Lord Jesus was despised by his own people. I am focused on doing the best for Ghana football. Maybe, if I don’t get the recognition today, a future generation may recognise my effort,” he said.
He may be true in a certain sense. Many times, people do not treasure the good things they have until they lose it. This is very common in many facets of life.
Irrespective of where one stands, his elevation to the high office of a CAF Executive Member is one Ghanaians cannot intentionally ignore.
Mr Okraku is the sixth Ghanaian to be occupying that office and faces the challenges of keeping the flag of Ghana high and improve the image built for the country by his predecessors.
Perhaps the efforts at the WAFU Zone ‘B’ level were so minute that it escaped the lenses of his critics but obviously, a top post at CAF is too big to be ignored.
He deserves the commendations of every Ghanaian. What he needs is the support of all but that is not to suggest that he has grown about criticism. Ayekoo Mr Okraku!
By Andrew Nortey
