News Guide Africa

Category: News

  • NDC Welfare: Julius Debrah assures readiness to massively support directorate 

    Julius Debrah with NDC members

     

     

    Adnan Adams Mohammed 

     

    During a visit to the the Office of Former Chief of Staff by the Welfare Directorate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Honorable Julius Debrah expressed high hope in the team and his readiness to support the team to serve the party members. 

     

    He advised that the welfare of every organization is what sustains it. Hence, they must be prepared to go the extra mile and be accommodating to all. 

     

    Tipped for the Running Mate position to partner the flagbearer, the stalwart figure in NDC added that, welfare of members of an organization is a collective responsibility; therefore, they must reach out to everyone. By doing so, the NDC will have its base organized, which will undoubtedly contribute to His Excellency John Dramani Mahama’s victory in 2024.

     

    “I am always ready to assist the directorate, along with other stakeholders, in making the welfare of the party’s members the topmost priority”, Julius Debrah assured the team in his private office. 

     

    The Welfare Directorate of the NDC, led by Hon. Vida Adae and Mr. William Atamudzi, as part of their quest to build a stronger welfare bond and package for the party’s membership, paid a courtesy call on Chief Julius Debrah. 

     

    The purpose was to formally inform him of their readiness to involve all experienced hands and seek his wise counsel and participation in their activities.

     

     

     

  • 3.2% GDP recorded in 2nd quarter does not mean the economy has recovered – Economist 

     

     

    Adnan Adams Mohammed

     

    A finance expert has shot-down arguments by government actors that the second quarter Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 3.2 percent as recorded shows that the economy of Ghana is recovered from its deteriorated stage.

     

    The expert alluded that, conscientious examination of the macro-economic indicators and targets show that the country has not recovered.

     

    Reacting to some commentaries by government actors and economists, after the Ghana Statistical Service released the second quarter economic figures, who are of the view that, although the 3.2% is slower as compared to the first quarter growth of 3.3% as revised from 4.2 yet it is a sign that the economy is recovering. 

     

    “What we are seeing now is that government’s spending is driving this expansion, for the second quarter of this year and not real economic activities undertaking by businesses,” Professor Lord Mensah, Lecturer at University of Ghana Business School said in an interview last week.  

     

    “A lot more needs to be done. Government’s spending is driving this expansion, and not real economic activities undertaking by business”, he stressed.

     

    Prof. Mensah pointed out that real growth would have positively impacted on government’s revenue.

     

    Figures released by the Ghana Statistical Service highlighted a decline in the growth of the Ghanaian economy, particularly in the industrial sector, which continues to face challenges. During the second quarter of 2023, the economy expanded at a rate of 3.2%, a figure notably smaller than the previous year’s performance (3.5%).

     

    Several key subsectors, including construction, electricity, and manufacturing, all experienced contractions during this period, contributing to the overall economic slowdown. Statistical Service also revised the growth rate for the first quarter of 2023, adjusting it from the earlier reported 4.2% down to 3.3%.

     

    In the second quarter of 2023, the economy displayed a mix of expansion and contraction across various sectors. Notably, the Information & Communication sector experienced remarkable growth, expanding by 26.4%. Fishing also saw a substantial expansion of 12.2% and Social Work expanded by 11.0%.

     

    However, six sub-sectors faced contraction during this period, with construction showing the most significant decline at -11.7%, suggesting potential challenges in the construction industry. Trade, along with repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, contracted by -5.3%.

     

    Electricity, forestry, water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities, and manufacturing also experienced varying degrees of contraction.  

     

     

    Ghana’s government has already revised its economic projections for the year, reducing the growth forecast by approximately 50%. Additionally, the country is now expecting higher inflation and a primary deficit, a significant shift from the previous hope for a surplus.

     

    During the mid-year budget review in parliament, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta disclosed that last year’s budget deficit was 11.8 per cent of GDP, nearly double the initial target of 6.3 per cent. For 2023, the government anticipates the economy to grow by 1.5 per cent, down from the earlier projection of 2.8 per cent.

     

    These adjustments are attributed to fiscal consolidation measures and challenging global economic conditions.

     

    This downward revision in projected growth for 2023 is attributed to a general slowdown in all three sectors of the economy, influenced by factors such as the fiscal consolidation plan under the three-year IMF-supported programme and challenging global conditions.

     

    Nevertheless, the Finance Minister remains hopeful, projecting that the overall GDP growth will rebound to 2.8%, 4.7% and 4.9% in 2024, 2025 and 2026, respectively.

     

  • Ghana’s democracy thrown to the dogs; as innocent protestors assaulted – NDC

     

    By Adnan Adams Mohammed

    National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress has slammed the current government for its insensitivity towards the democratic rights of the citizens of Ghana.

    This follows assault and arrest of innocent citizens who decided to embark on a peaceful protest against the misrule of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government.

    The Communications Officer expressed strong dislike of how the government is pushing the security to mistreat innocent citizens who try to exercise their democratic rights. This was contained in a statement shared on his social media account today.

    “Even more reprehensible is the fact that, some of the unlawfully arrested protestors have had their phones illegally siezed and have been subjected to beatings and all manner of inhumane and degrading treatments by the Ghana Police Service”, Lawyer Sammy Gyamfi said in his post.

    Read Full Statement Below:

    The arrest of innocent citizens who decided to embark on a peaceful protest against the misrule of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government this morning, is not only unlawful but shameful and backward.

    There cannot be any place for this odious abuse of fundamental human rights in any democratic country governed by the rule of law.

    Even more reprehensible is the fact that, some of the unlawfully arrested protestors have had their phones illegally siezed and have been subjected to beatings and all manner of inhumane and degrading treatments by the Ghana Police Service.

    Sadly, this heinous barbarism is happening under the watch and leadership of an IGP, who many thought will be different.

    The NDC condemns this shameful conduct by the Ghana Police Service in no uncertain terms. And demand’s the immediate release of all the unlawfully arrested and detained protestors.

    Mr. IGP; after all the support and goodwill you have enjoyed from Ghanaians since your appointment, we certainly deserve better from you.

    Enough of the institutionalized tyranny!
    Release the protestors NOW!

    SAMMY GYAMFI ESQ.
    National Communications Officer
    National Democratic Congress

  • BoG urges banks to tender capital restoration plan for a progressive recapitalization 

     

     

    Adnan Adams Mohammed

     

    Bank of Ghana (BoG) Governor has asked all commercial banks operating in the country to tender their ‘capital restoration plans’ for a ‘progressive recapitalization’ over a three-year period.

     

    The recapitalization exercise is as a result of a turnaround in banks’ profits and planned equity capital injections. The aim is to rebuild banks’ capital buffers, enhance resilience, and position the sector to support the country’s growth agenda.

     

    In 2022, the industry collectively posted losses of GH¢8.0 billion, compared to a profit of GH¢7.4 billion in 2021. Key profitability indicators such as return-on-assets and return-on-equity turned negative due to these losses.

     

    “The 2022 audited financial statements of banks reflected the challenging operating environment of that year. Most banks reported significant mark-to-market valuation losses on their holdings of government bonds, along with higher impairments on loans and rising operating costs”, Dr. Ernest Addison said while addressing the banking sector’s performance during the 60th-anniversary launch of the Chartered Institute of Bankers Ghana in Accra last week.

     

    However, Dr. Addison shared some positive news, stating that the banking sector’s data for the first half of 2023 showed improved performance, despite declines in some key financial soundness indicators. This improvement came after industry stakeholders reached a consensus on how to address the losses and with the timely introduction of temporary prudential and regulatory reliefs by the Bank of Ghana.

     

    Prudential data revealed that banks had rebalanced their portfolios from medium- and long-term investments to short-term investments, with gradual increases in new loans. As of June 2023, the total assets of the banking industry amounted to GH¢242.4 billion, indicating a 21.2 percent annual growth compared to 22.8 percent growth in June 2022. This asset growth was primarily driven by investments, particularly in short-term investments, while medium to long-term investments declined.

     

    Despite increased income levels, the banking sector saw rising costs, reflecting the challenges of the operating environment. However, the increase in costs did not outweigh earnings, resulting in a strong profit-before-tax for the first half of the year. Profits showed a remarkable 51.2 percent increase in June 2023 compared to the same period in the previous year. Similarly, the industry’s net income or profit-after-tax increased to GH¢4.3 billion from GH¢2.8 billion, representing a 51.4 percent increase in June 2023.

     

    Overall, Dr. Addison indicated that the banking sector’s performance had improved in the first half of 2023.

     

    He further noted that for the remainder of the year, the banking sector is expected to remain broadly stable, supported by regulatory reliefs and sustained growth in profitability.

     

  • February 2023 Exchange reopened… ESLA, Daakye bondholders directly invited 

     

    Adnan Adams Mohammed

     

    Government has reopened the Domestic Debt Exchange Program (DDEP) which was closed in Febuary this year dubbed “February 2023 Exchange” to extend invitation to bondholders not yet on program. 

     

    The reopening offers direct invitation to E.S.L.A. Plc and Daakye Trust Plc bondholders to participate in the Government of Ghana debt restructuring program.

     

    The Ministry of Finance, in a press statement released last week, encouraged holders of domestic notes and bonds to actively consider and accept this invitation. The ministry explained that, this invitation aims to provide an opportunity for holders who were unable to participate in the February 2023 exchange due to various delays or reasons. 

     

    “This reopening invites holders of domestic notes and bonds from the Republic of Ghana, specifically those of E.S.L.A. Plc and Daakye Trust Plc, to exchange their eligible bonds”, the statement said. 

     

    “In return, they will receive a package of new tranches of the same bonds issued by the government, known as the “New Bonds,” which were part of the February 2023 Exchange. This renewed invitation is referred to as the “Invitation.”

     

    The release also emphasized that, this invitation is exclusively available to registered holders of Eligible Bonds who are not Pension Funds.

     

    However, it noted that, if you have previously tendered Eligible Bonds in either of the two prior GHS-denominated invitations for exchange conducted by the Government in 2023, namely the February 2023 Exchange or the Pension Fund Alternative Offer in August 2023, you are no longer eligible to participate in this Invitation and are no longer considered an Eligible Holder.

     

    The Domestic Debt Exchange Program was initiated in December 2022 with the objective of restoring Ghana’s capacity to manage and service its debt.

     

    This new opportunity allows bondholders to reconsider their holdings and participate in the exchange, contributing to the government’s debt management efforts.

     

    Meanwhile, Pensioner Bondholders have swiftly declared their intention not to be part of the government’s fresh Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) for ESLA and Daakye Bondholders.

     

    In a radio interview, last week, the Convener for Pensioner Bondholders, Dr Adu Anane Antwi, explained that no pensioner is available to accept the government’s offer.

     

    He stated that pensioners cannot be part of the newly announced offer, emphasising that they have been exempted.

     

    “No pensioner bondholder can ever be targeted, because we have been exempted totally. We don’t have anything to do with this exchange at all. We are not part of it. There’s no pensioner available now for an offer to be made to, simple as that. There’s nobody in category B who is there for the offer, and says I wanted to go in, but I didn’t have the opportunity to go in so now, I’m going in. So category B shouldn’t be in this document at all.

     

    “The government cannot overturn its own decision to exempt us. It is in the records of parliament, we have a letter, we have been exempted, and it’s not based on any condition, it’s an unconditional exemption. Government cannot go anywhere”.

     

    Dr Adu Anane chastised the Ministry of Finance for lacking an understanding of the new DDEP, adding that they will organise a press conference in the coming days to give a proper explanation on the issue.

     

    “I believe they [government] didn’t get the understanding well, they haven’t analysed things well. If you analyse the situation, the person who was writing the memorandum of exchange should have known that there were no Category B holders available for that offer. They have already accepted. We will have a press conference and explain to the people who are handling this matter that they are wrong. They didn’t understand the concept well,” the Convener of Pensioner Bondholders said.

     

    Also, An economist, Dr John Gatsi, has said bondholders cannot be compelled to be part of ESLA and Daakye Trust.

     

    “If there’s any call for people to surrender for Daakye PLC and ESLA, it should not include those who have already indicated that they will not be part. Nobody can be compelled to go into a debt exchange programme. DDEP is a voluntary offer if people refuse to be part, they have not offended any law,” Prof Gatsi stated.

  • Election 2024: The Magical Pair For NDC’s Resounding Victory

     

    By Adnan Adams Mohammed

     

    Ghana’s Elections 2024 undoubtedly is going to be a tough one to crossover.

     

    Every personality in the front line must add weight and substance to the prospect of the political parties to be participating, especially the NDC and NPP.

     

    The flagbearers and their running mates must be solid politicians who are very charismatic politicians (strong force magnets) who can exert much influence in the voting decisions across the demographics of Ghana’s economy and social life.

     

    The magnetic pair for NDC should be John Dramani Mahama and Julius Debrah as it is much expected by many NDC faithfuls and the Ghanaian business class.

    Julius Debrah
    Julius Debrah and John Mahama

    Julius Debrah (JD), former Chief of Staff to the former President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, undeniably has been the secret behind the NDC’s flagbearer strength and success.

     

    JD is mostly referred to as the most affable, affectionate, hardworking, strategic and tactical brain, non-discriminative high political personality, very charitable and supportive.

     

    His clout and command of power in Ghana’s political landscape is enviable and undisputably incomparable.

     

    A mention of his name, immediately makes all present think about ‘humility’. It doesn’t matter about your age, class or status, he is always ready to and help out.

     

    JD, born on 24 April 1966 (age 57) is anative of Obomeng Kwahu from the Eastern Region.

     

    Academically, a product of Mpraeso Secondary School, Achimota Secondary School and University of Ghana where he obtained Bachelor of Arts in Archaeology and Sociology.

     

    A great and successful business player and unrelenting politician. A three times Parliamentary Candidate for the NDC in a no go area of the NPP, yet, he held the battle front for the NDC party during the crucial times of the party when the was first witnessing dreadful opposition from the treacherous Akufo-Addo, Atta-Kyea, and the likes.

    Julius Debrah in strategic talks with John Mahama

    Despite, not winning the seat, his hard work, resilience and loyalty to the NDC were noticed and was therefore called to serve the party further in the capacity of Regional minister of Eastern and Greater Accra.

     

    He later served the local government ministry remarkably and later called to be the Chief Servant of the First Gentleman of the land as Chief of Staff.

     

    His leadership restructured and positioned Ghana’s Tourism industry as a key contributor to the economy while the industry players were heavily supported to meet the world class standards when he CEO position of the Ghana Tourism Authority.

     

    His magical calmness, noble servant, strategic and tactical leadership and humility established the most cordial and undying relationship between him and his boss, John Mahama, even throughout this periods of seven years in opposition.

     

    His servantship to John Mahama is above extraordinary.

     

    Such values is what NDC needs now to backup the footsteps and softings the hearts of the undecided middle class, youth, and classless voters to consider the NDC as the ultimate choice.

     

    (Sponsored by Friends of Julius Debrah)

     

     

  • Morocco earthquakes kills over a 1000.. as residents flee affected areas

     

    Adnan Adams Mohammed

     

    Morocco has witnessed a magnitude 6.8 earthquake, killing over a thousand people.

     

    The injured figure is pegged over a 1,200, while damaging buildings including residential, commercial and ancient buildings.

     

    The earthquake sent terrified residents fleeing their homes into the streets for safety.

     

    Morocco’s state television reported the death toll on Saturday, citing the Ministry of Interior. Of those injured, 205 were in a critical condition.

     

    The temblor struck late on Friday with the epicentre 75km west of Marrakesh, Morocco’s fourth-largest city.

     

    Montasir Itri, a resident of the mountain village of Asni near the epicentre, said most houses there were damaged. “Our neighbours are under the rubble and people are working hard to rescue them using available means in the village,” he said.

     

    Residents of Marrakesh, the nearest big city to the epicentre, said some buildings collapsed in the old city, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Local television showed images of a fallen mosque minaret with rubble lying on smashed cars.

     

    The Interior Ministry urged calm saying in a televised statement the quake hit the provinces of Al Haouz, Ouarzazate, Marrakesh, Azilal, Chichaoua and Taroudant.

     

    The temblor hit shortly after 11pm local time (22:00 GMT) on Friday evening, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

     

     

    The USGS estimated the epicentre occurred in the Atlas Mountains, some 75km (44 miles) from Marrakesh, the fourth largest city in the country.

     

    Search teams frantically scoured collapsed buildings for those trapped.

     

    “The Royal Armed Forces, local authorities, security services and civil protection … continue to mobilise and harness all means and capabilities in order to intervene, provide the necessary assistance, and assess the damage,” the interior ministry said.

  • Cocoa price increased by 63.5%… Now selling GHC1,308/bag

     

    Happy Cocoa Farmer

     

    Adnan Adams Mohammed

     

     

    Government has announced a new farm gate cocoa bean price as it predated the 2023/2024 crop season.

     

    The new price is pegged at GHC1,308 per bag, a significant jump from previous season price of GHC800. This translate to 63.5 percentage increment.

     

    The price per tonne also increases from GH¢12,800.00 to GH¢ 20,943.00.

     

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announced this at Tepa on Saturday, September 9, 2023.

     

    He said the new price was the highest in the sub region in the last 15 years and was meant to improve the livelihoods of the farmers and for a fair and remunerative price for their efforts.

     

    Although, the increase in price is very significant, it still fall short of the demands by the farmers who expected GHC1,380 as the new price as captured in a press statement of Ghana Civil Society Cocoa Platform (GCCP) last week.

     

    Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) announced the opening of the upcoming cocoa season for 2023/2024 starting last week Friday, September 8, 2023.

     

    The predated announcement was aimed at safeguarding the interests of cocoa farmers against recent disruptions in the internal marketing of cocoa beans, a statement issued by the Chief Executive of COCOBOD, Joseph Boahen Aidoo said.

     

    The initial expected date of starting the season was October 1st, 2023.

     

    Inadvertently, cocoa farmers called for a 72.5% upward adjustment of the farm gate price of cocoa beans from current price of GH¢800 to GH¢1,380 per bag for this crop season.

     

    “Based on the working assumption of the Producer Price Review Committee (PPRC), which aims at ensuring that farm gate price is pegged at a minimum of 70% of the net Free on Board (FoB) price of cocoa beans, GCCP is of the firm opinion that farmers in Ghana should be receiving a minimum of ¢22,080 per tonne, which is equivalent to ¢1,380 per bag (62.5kg) of cocoa beans”, Leticia Yankey of the Ghana Civil Society Cocoa Platform (GCCP) said while addressing the media ahead of COCOBOD announcement.

     

    “This figure was arrived at using the lowest projected values available including an LID of $400 per tonne as agreed.”

     

    Also, Co-Coordinator of the Ghana Civil Society Cocoa Platform, Obed Owusu-Addai, said the Living Income Differential (LID) of $400 is a façade as the amount has dropped to $25.

     

    “Before 2020, Ghana and Cote D’Ivoire, we were enjoying the origin differential/country premium and even after the season had ended, COCOBOD gave bonuses. But in 2019/20 cocoa season when Ghana and Cote D’Ivoire instituted the Living Income Differential of $400 per tonne of cocoa, the market reacted”.

     

    “For 2020/2021 cocoa season, the country premium went into negative to the extent that till date, the premium has reduced to $25,” he bemoaned.

     

    The Ghana Civil-Society Cocoa Platform is an independent campaign and advocacy platform for civil society actors in the cocoa sector.

  • 1st IMF review set for Sept 25,… Ofori-Atta confident of second tranche of $600mn

     

     

    Adnan Adams Mohammed

     

    Ghana’s economy managers are expecting the second visit by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after the approval of a US$3billion Extended Credit Facility in May this year.

    The visit is set to take place from September Monday, 25, 2023, through the first week of October.

    The purpose of the visit is to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the implementation progress of Ghana’s Economic Recovery Programme. The approved programme is part of a USD3-billion three-year extended credit facility aimed at supporting Ghana’s economic recovery efforts.

    “We are ready for the mission that comes at the end of September so that we can try and get the staff level agreement while the mission is here, and then we go to the board in November for the release of the 2nd tranche, which will be $600 million”, Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, said at the 3rd Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) CEO’s Breakfast Meeting held in Accra, last week.

    “In addition to that, there are certain things we need to do with the World Bank so that we can get our DPO, which will be another $300 million. I believe that we are on course to maybe get a billion dollar to support Bank of Ghana’s balance of payment issues”, he mentioned.

    The Minister emphasised that Ghana remains on course to receive the anticipated second tranche of the IMF bailout funds in December, earmarked to support the government’s balance of payments for the years 2023 and 2024.

    Recent data from the Bank of Ghana, as reported in the June 2023 summary of the Economic and Financial Stability Report, indicates that the country’s balance of payments at the end of June 2023 registered a deficit of USD107.8 million, equivalent to approximately 0.1 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Notably, this deficit is significantly lower than the corresponding figure recorded during the same period in the previous year, demonstrating improvements in Ghana’s economic performance.

    Mr Ofori-Atta expressed optimism about concluding discussions with the Paris Club and bilateral creditors by year-end.

    In May 2023, Ghana received the first tranche of $600 million of a $3-billion three-year extended credit facility from the IMF, aimed at revitalising the country’s economy.

    In August 2023, the IMF emphasised the importance of the Bank of Ghana maintaining its policy mandates, despite financial setbacks experienced in the preceding fiscal year.

    The IMF underscored the need for the central bank to take decisive actions to steer inflation back toward its target of 8 percent.

    While acknowledging the Bank of Ghana’s GHS 60 billion loss due to the government’s Domestic Debt Exchange, the IMF deemed this impairment necessary to restore macroeconomic stability and public sustainability.

  • Africa to pursue a common agenda for climate action

     

    COP28

     

    African Environment Ministers have adopted a common position highlighting the continent’s priorities for the upcoming 28th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP28) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

     

    The 19th ordinary session of the African Ministerial Conference on Environment (AMCEN) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, discussed and strengthened environmental governance under the theme: “Seizing opportunities and enhancing collaboration to address environmental challenges in Africa”.

     

    Key priorities for Africa contained in the adopted common position include; climate finance to meet the needs of the vulnerable, Global Stocktake of the implementation of the Paris Agreement, strengthening adaptation actions, operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund, Just Transition Pathways and Africa’s special needs and special circumstances.

     

    Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Demeke Mekonnen, in his keynote address, highlighted the important contribution of AMCEN in promoting collective environmental and climate action across the continent and allowing African countries to speak with one voice on the global diplomatic arena.

     

    Over the years, a key agenda of AMCEN is the African common position on climate change negotiations—a Addis Ababa Declaration containing key priorities and demands in the various themes of the climate negotiation process. 

     

    The need to unlock climate finance has, for years, dominated the discussions for Africa, a continent that is especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and yet contributes less than 4% to global climate causing emissions.

     

    According to available statistics, Africa only has a fraction of the money it needs to contend with climate change. And in the years to come, the climate change tab is set to grow. According to UNEP, by 2030, Africa will require nearly $US3 trillion in climate financing. 

     

    Elizabeth Mrema, Deputy Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) made this clear in her remarks to the Ministers during the conference, saying:

     

    “Surface temperatures here are climbing faster than the global average. Sea levels are rising more rapidly. And the continent has been hammered by disasters, from the three-year drought in the Horn of Africa, to Cyclone Freddy, one of the most powerful storms ever recorded in the southern hemisphere…It is a great injustice that Africa, which has contributed the least to climate change, is poised to suffer the most. The global community has a duty to lighten Africa’s debt load, which is vital if this continent is to finance the transition to a climate-resilient future.”

     

    Alongside the need for climate finance, climate change discussions at the AMCEN 19 also revolved around the Global Stocktake (GST), enshrined in Article 14 of the Paris Agreement, whose objective is take stock of the implementation of the Paris Agreement and assess the global community’s collective progress towards achieving the purpose of the agreement and its long-term goals. The first stocktake got underway at the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in 2021 and is expected to conclude at COP28 scheduled for Dubai, United Arab Emirates later this year. 

     

    Chair of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN) on Climate Change, Ephraim Mwepya Shitima, while presenting to both the Technical and Ministerial segments of AMCEN 19, pledged the AGN’s commitment to safeguarding Africa’s interests in the climate negotiation processes and emphasized on Africa’s expectations. 

     

    “We remain steadfast in our quest for fair and just outcomes from these processes,” said Shitima. “Our call is that COP 28 should deliver ambitious, balanced, fair and just outcomes that should set the world on course to effectively address climate change on several fronts including; adaptation, loss and damage, finance and mitigation. COP28 is also about the Global Stocktake; we expect the outcome of the GST to reflect and take into consideration Africa’s special development circumstances and provide the policy space necessary for Africa to achieve sustainable development and just transition to low emission and resilient development pathways.”

     

    Meanwhile, AMCEN 19 also endorsed the development of the AGN Governance instrument—a flagship and top priority programme of Zambia’s Chairmanship of the AGN. The governance document, which is aimed at documenting and formalising core governance and operational procedures for the management and administration of the group, is expected to be adopted at COP28. 

     

    It is worth noting that the Africa Climate Summit, scheduled for Nairobi from 4-6 September 2023 was also a key highlight at AMCEN 19 as it is envisaged to discuss the continent’s development aspirations in relation to climate change and the green growth agenda.