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 Let’s give youth, women opportunities …Mahama urges fellow presidents at AU retreat

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• President John Mahama addressing the African Union Heads of States and Governments at the AU

 President John Dramani Ma­hama has underscored the need for member states of the Africa Union (AU) to give the youth and wom­en the opportunity in leadership roles at all levels.

He said it was regrettable that the youth constitute the bulk of the conti­nent’s population, yet underrepresented at the decision-making table.

“Africa’s future lies in its youth. Over 60 per cent of our population is under the age of 25 and yet their voices are largely absent in policy making,” Presi­dent Mahama said at the opening session of the retreat on the Implementation of Institutional Reforms of the AU in Nairobi, Kenya, yesterday.

“We must institutionalise a frame­work that empowers our young people and our women to lead at all levels of governance.

“The energy of our youth, their cre­ativity and vision are the drivers of the Africa we all seek to build,” he added.

The retreat seeks to address key issues confronting the continent including terrorism, financing, and trade among others.

According to President Mahama, the continental body’s over reliance on ex­ternal funding affects its ability to set its own agenda and prosecute same.

In his view, the need for the AU to be financially independent was non-negotia­ble if it were to achieve the vision of its founding fathers.

To this end, President Mahama called for the urgent implementation of the Kigali Decision on Financing the Union, a 2016 resolution adopted by African Union Heads of States and Govern­ments at the AU Summit in Kigali, Rwanda.

“Your excellences, one of the pillars of reforms is AU’s financial autonomy. The over-reliance on external partners for funding compromises the organi­sation’s independence for funding and ability to set its own agenda. The im­plementation of the Kigali decision on financing the union must be expedited,” he stated.

The African Continental Free Trade Area, headquartered in Accra, President Mahama said sets the foundation for a single African market but much work remains to be done.

“We must address the barriers to trade, harmonise regulatory framework and invest in infrastructure to unlock the potential of intra Africa trade,” he encouraged.

The AU, he said, must champion technological innovation and digital transformation as catalyst for econom­ic growth and inclusion.

“The African payment systems that allows us to pay seamlessly for goods traded between our countries must be expedited so that we can have a system of exchange.

“None of these reforms would succeed without commit­ted leadership at all levels of the AU. We as heads of states and governments have a duty to lead by example to prioritise the col­lective good of our people over our parochial interests and to act decisively in the interest of our continent,” he stated.

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National Peace Council pays courtesy call on Minister for Foreign Affairs 

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The Minister for Foreign Affairs,  Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (MP) and the National Peace Council discussed the need to deepen relations when a delegation from the Council paid a courtesy call on the Minister on Tuesday,  May 6,  2025.

The Executive Secretary of the National Peace Council of Ghana, Dr. George Amoh, who led the delegation, congratulated the Minister on his appointment, briefed him on the Council’s undertakings and underscored the need to work together towards sustaining peace in Ghana. 

He also used the opportunity to inform the Minister that the Council has been representing Ghana in the Steering Group of Global Action Against Mass Atrocity Crimes (GAAMAC) since 2020. He mentioned that Ghana’s membership of the Steering Group of the GAAMAC reinforces its dedication to combating mass atrocities and strengthening national prevention processes and policies as evident in its well-preserved peace.

The Honourable Minister assured the Council of the Ministry’s readiness to work closely together in preserving peace.

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Italian delegation pays courtesy call on health minister to advance retooling project for 37 hospitals

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The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has received a delegation from the Government of Italy to deliberate on the ongoing collaboration between Ghana and Italy aimed at retooling 37 selected public health facilities across the country.

The meeting focused on advancing discussions surrounding a concessional loan agreement from the Italian Government to fund the retooling project, which was initiated in 2021.

The project seeks to transform clinical service delivery by equipping the targeted hospitals with modern medical equipment, replacing obsolete tools, and ultimately reducing the all-cause institutional mortality rate.

Speaking during the meeting,  Akandoh highlighted key government priorities in the health sector. 

These include the construction of six additional regional hospitals in the newly created regions, the upgrading of existing regional hospitals, and the establishment of a 500-bed Children’s and Fertility Centre of Excellence, among other initiatives.

Mr. Akandoh expressed appreciation for Italy’s commitment to Ghana’s health sector, describing the initiative as both timely and critical to enhancing health service delivery across the country. He assured that personnel would be trained to operate and maintain the equipment once procured.

The Italian delegation led by Stefano Gatti, Director General for development cooperation revealed that the Project’s Concept Notes, Pre-feasibility, and Feasibility Studies have all been completed and approved by the Ministry of Finance. 

He reaffirmed his government’s readiness to support the initiative through a concessional loan and expressed optimism that the partnership would bring lasting benefits to Ghana’s healthcare infrastructure.

The Ministry remains confident that with continued bilateral cooperation, the project will advance to its implementation phase, ensuring that beneficiary health facilities receive the full complement of equipment required to meet the clinical needs of their patients.

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Ghana Tourism Authority pays courtesy call on Ga Mantse, strengthens ties to boost Tourism

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The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), led by its CEO, Mrs. Maame Efua Houadjeto, paid a significant courtesy call on the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, at the Ga Mantse Palace today, May 7, 2025. 

The visit marked the Authority’s first official engagement with the traditional leadership since Houadjeto’s appointment and underscored GTA’s commitment to deepening partnerships that drive tourism development in the Greater Accra Region.

Accompanied by her team of directors, the CEO expressed the Authority’s intent to foster closer collaboration with traditional authorities—describing them as “landlords” whose role is vital in safeguarding and promoting local tourist attractions.

“Greater Accra is home to several key tourist sites—forts, castles, the Jamestown Lighthouse area, and even the monkey sanctuary. These are not just national treasures but also important cultural landmarks that require local collaboration for effective promotion,” Houadjeto noted.

The engagement also highlighted the President’s flagship initiative, the ‘Black Star Experience’, which is designed to position Ghana—particularly Greater Accra—as a vibrant, must-visit destination for heritage, history, and cultural immersion. 

As part of the Experience, key cultural sites and festivals are being enhanced to provide visitors with authentic and memorable interactions with Ghana’s rich traditions.

During the meeting, discussions focused on how to strengthen cooperation ahead of the upcoming Homowo Festival. 

The Ga Mantse emphasized the importance of tourism in amplifying the significance of traditional festivals, and the CEO pledged GTA’s full support in elevating Homowo into a key cultural tourism highlight on the national calendar.

“Our goal is to work hand-in-hand with the Ga State to ensure this year’s Homowo is not only grand but also strategically positioned to attract both local and international tourists,” she said.

Challenges were also raised around tourism infrastructure and community engagement—particularly in the Jamestown area.

Mrs. Houadjeto acknowledged that although GTA had established a tourist centre near the lighthouse to organize guided tours, local oversight had waned following the passing of the centre’s original manager. In the absence of structured management, community youth had taken over operations informally.

“We’ve visited the site and identified the need for reorientation and training. We want to help the youth understand the importance of proper tourism management and equip them with the knowledge to enhance the visitor experience,” she explained. 

She said, plans are also underway to support local efforts in cleaning and beautifying the area to meet tourist expectations.

Additionally, the visit touched on Ghana’s upcoming role in hosting the AU-backed FESTAC Africa Renaissance Festival , the 6th World’s Black and Africans Festival of Arts and Culture which celebrates the heritage, food, fashion, and customs of African countries.

 Ghana is set to host this prestigious cultural exchange, and GTA is preparing to launch a comprehensive public announcement on the festival’s events and impact.

“FESTAC offers Ghana a unique opportunity to showcase our rich cultural heritage on a continental stage and attract greater international recognition,” Houadjeto added.

The visit concluded with assurances of continued collaboration between the Ghana Tourism Authority and traditional leaders in advancing tourism as a tool for cultural pride and economic development through the Black Star Experience.

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