News
MPEC organises three-day retreat to deepen capacities of CSOs in conflict prevention and resolution
A picture of some participants
A three-day retreat to deepen the capacities of Civil Society Organisations(CSOs) and minority activists to contribute to conflict prevention and resolution has ended in Accra on Wednesday.
It was necessitated to address issues concerning exclusion and discrimination of minoritiesand indigenous communities, migrants, internally displaced persons.
The retreat was organised by the Media Platform on Environment and Climate Change(MPEC) with funding from the European Union(EU) under the implementation of ‘Engaging Media and Minorities to Act for Peacebuilding’ (EMMAP) programme.
The participants included disability right activists, youth activists, gender activists, child rights activists, migrants’ right activists and journalists.
Topics treated were ‘Overview of Conflict in Ghana’, ‘Conflict and Minority Communities and Groups in Ghana’, ‘Policy and Legal Frameworks on Conflicts’, ‘Community Tensions’, ‘Understanding Ethical’ and ‘Privacy Standards’ among others.
In a presentation, Ms. Charity ForiwaDwommoh,a legal practitioner, and Chief Executive Officer of Women Uplifting Women, said the position of minorities across the world was grave and it was getting worse with a rise in hate speech and hate crimes targeting minorities around the world.
She noted that root causes of most violent conflicts were linked to violations of the human rights of minorities and called for mainstreaming of minority issues in conflict prevention efforts.
To address the common root causes of most conflicts, Ms. Dwommoh explained that it was essential to deal with the grievances, real or perceived, before these could be instrumentalised by political forces or created explosive conditions that led to violence.
“Since most contemporary violent conflicts involve aggrieved minorities, strategies to prevent conflicts involving minorities should figure prominently in international, regional and national initiatives and address directly the root causes of exclusion and injustice” she stressed.
Dr Joana Larry-Afutu, Clinical Psychologist and Lecturer,indicated that minority group activists begin advocacy because of the passion they had to see others live a more fulfilling life however, at a point they seemed to break down.
That she explained,could be referred to as compassion fatigue which could be managed by havinga positive outlook, asking for help, making time for routine screening , discourage activities that may be hurtfulor destructive to stress management process, like substance abuse, revenge or isolation among others.
“Advocacy takes a lot from advocates and they is the need for such advocates to take care of themselves so they can be the voice for the voiceless,” Dr Afutu stated.
BY BENEDICTA GYIMAAH FOLLEY
News
MoTCC, GTA advance trade partnerships and promotes Black Star Experience During U.S. Trade Mission
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Creative Arts and Ghana Tourism Authority has concluded a successful trade and investment mission to the United States, with official visits to Memphis, Tennessee, Detroit Michigan and Columbus, Ohio aimed at strengthening economic ties, forging strategic partnerships, showcasing tourism and the Black Star Experience.
The delegation was led by the Deputy Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Yussif Jajah, and included Mrs. Maame Efua Houadjeto, CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Mr. Ben Anane-Nsiah, Deputy CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, and Ms. Annabelle McKenzie, Director of the International Affairs Secretariat of the Ghana Tourism Authority.
At the core of the mission was the goal of establishing and expanding trade and investment relationships across key U.S. cities. The delegation met with a wide range of stakeholders, including government officials, private sector leaders, business chambers, universities, and cultural organizations to position Ghana as a viable hub for international investment, tourism and trade across diverse sectors, including real estate, manufacturing, education, creative industries, and hospitality.
In Memphis, the delegation was hosted by the Mayor’s Office in partnership with GUBA (Grow, Unite, Build Africa).
The visit built on the momentum from the 2022 Memphis in May International Festival, when Ghana was the honored country and a sister-city agreement was signed.
Discussions focused on expanding this partnership, particularly in the areas of trade, tourism promotion, and education. Notably, the University of Memphis, which enrolls over 200 Ghanaian students, was highlighted as a key partner in fostering academic and cultural exchange.
In Detroit, the delegation engaged with both diaspora and non-diaspora stakeholders around investment collaboration. City and business leaders expressed strong interest in working with Ghana on initiatives in real estate development, entertainment and culture.
Plans are underway to organize a Ghana Cultural Fair in Detroit to celebrate Ghana’s heritage while promoting economic opportunities. In Columbus, Ohio, where Ghana remains the only country with a sister-city relationship, the delegation was welcomed by the Mayor of Columbus.
The meetings focused on trade, with stakeholders emphasizing a shared commitment to expanding business and exchanges between Ghana and Columbus-based institutions and investors.
Ghana recognizes the vital role that the global African diaspora plays in national development and continues to champion reconnection efforts. The delegation engaged the diaspora “Ghana is committed to creating meaningful pathways for the diaspora to return, not just for visits, but to invest, to collaborate, and to contribute.
Through the Black Star Experience, we invite our brothers and sisters across the globe to reconnect with their roots while becoming active participants in Ghana’s future.”
The Black Star Experience serves as a unifying platform, welcoming global Africans and partners alike to engage with Ghana through heritage tourism, cultural exchange, and economic opportunity for both diaspora and non-diaspora stakeholders looking to connect with Ghana,” said Mrs. Maame Efua Houadjeto.
Next steps in international outreach include upcoming missions to New Orleans, New York, Washington, D.C., and other key cities across the U.S., as part of ongoing efforts to promote tourism, investment, cultural exchange, and global collaboration under the Black Star Experience.
News
Ghana and Germany Force Strategic Health Alliance
The Ministry of Health has engaged with representatives from INZAG Germany and the German Embassy in a strategic meeting aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation in the health sector.
The delegation, led by the German Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Müller Manuel, and officials from INZAG, met with the Minister for Health,
Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, to discuss key areas of partnership, including infrastructure development and health professional migration pathways.
The meeting highlighted Germany’s growing interest in investing in Ghana’s healthcare infrastructure as part of a broader commitment to strengthening health systems across the African continent.
The discussions also focused significantly on Germany’s interest in engaging qualified Ghanaian healthcare professionals through government-to-government cooperation. Both parties explored the possibility of establishing a formal framework that would allow trained Ghanaian medical personnel to access employment opportunities in Germany under ethical and mutually beneficial terms.
Mr. Akandoh emphasized the importance of ensuring that any such migration programme aligns with Ghana’s national workforce planning strategy and includes safeguards to prevent negative impacts on local healthcare delivery.
“This collaboration must be built on reciprocity, skills development, and long-term benefits for both nations,” he stated.
The Minister expressed optimism about future engagements and extended his appreciation to the German government and INZAG for their continued interest in supporting the development of Ghana’s health sector.
Mr. Diogo Serra, the Commercial Director for INZAG, a leading German firm specializing in healthcare construction and systems engineering, reiterated the firm’s readiness to partner with the Ministry of Health to develop sustainable and modern healthcare facilities across the country.
Further technical meetings have been scheduled to develop a comprehensive roadmap for implementation.
