Africa’s human tragedy reaches cresendo

… Says Togolese Ambassador
… As gov’ts prove incapable of solving poverty equation
By Charles Takyi-Boadu
Posted:Tuesday, July 15, 2008
The Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps, who is also the Togolese Ambassador to Ghana, Jean-Pierre Gbikpi-Benissan, has made one of the most astounding statements in recent years.
He strongly holds the conviction that the African human tragedy, which appears to be characterised by poverty and misery, has reached a crucial juncture.
This, according to him, was evident in the fact that individual governments have simply proven incapable of solving the poverty equation on the continent.
He has thus stressed the urgent need, for collaboration between people from all social strata, to fight poverty and misery in all forms in Africa.
Mr. Gbikpi-Benissan made these comments, at a press soiree organised by the International Action Service (IAS), a Pan-African Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), committed to fighting economic and social misery among the youth, promote tourism and the development of rural areas.
“Recognising that the African youth have been the worst victims of this tragedy, and that they stand in danger of unprecedented pessimism, we do hereby resolve to invite the media, to develop a strategy for collaboration with the IAS, in order to save Africa from this cataclysm,” he emphasised.
Indeed, he said the entire diplomatic corps was struck by the desire of the IAS, to restore confidence in the youth for the future, and helping them to succeed in life, in order for them to contribute to the development of the human race, with particular reference to the people on the African continent.
According to him, the African Diplomatic Corps was further moved to throw their weight behind the activities of the IAS, upon realising that it had the tendency of bringing the youth together, with their counterparts in other continents, in a combined effort to improve human conditions generally.
He identified these as the basic elements associated with any reliable, honest and efficient NGO.
For this reason, the Dean proclaimed the IAS as a Pan-African humanitarian organisation for development.
Meanwhile, the organisation has engaged in an initiative, to construct a youth training and job creation centre, with special focus on the rehabilitation and provision of shelter to underaged head porters, popularly referred to as ‘Kayayei’.
The five-year project, which started in the year 2006, is scheduled for completion somewhere in the year 2010.
The youth training job creation centre, to be built in Accra, inclusive of dormitories, at an estimated cost of US$18 million, will be accompanied by extensive training programmes for unemployed youth, in employable skills.
It is also expected to open workshops, and counselling centres in the three northern regions, to stem the exodus of rural-urban drift.
The project has emanated out of series of studies, sponsored by the IAS, which revealed the deplorable conditions in which these teenage, and under-age girl-porters ‘Kayayei’, unemployed and streetchildren live in.
The study revealed that most of these people, who are largely concentrated in Accra and Kumasi, live under very deplorable conditions.
The entire project, which has three components, principally deals with the ‘Kayayoo’ (the female porter) phenomena.
Phase One seeks to provide training, shelter and jobs for the ‘Kayayei’, with Phase Two geared towards constructing youth training centres, where destitute and unemployed youth, will be taken through training in relevant technical and vocational skills, whilst the Third Phase involves intervention procedures in the three northern regions, to halt the obviously high incidence of rural-urban drift.
Already, studies have been conducted to identify the material, and emotional needs of the ‘Kayayei’, unemployed persons and streetchildren, to provide an appropriate response to those needs, whilst counsellors have been consulted to assist in orienting them.
Meanwhile, a 50-acre land has been acquired for the construction of the youth training and job creation centre in Accra, with accents spent in all regional capitals, to facilitate the mobilisation of funds.
The IAS, which has its headquarters in Accra-Ghan,a was founded in the year 2001, by Professor Anthony Ewoc, who doubles as its Executive President, with nationals from seven African countries, including Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Burkina Faso, Libya, Cote d’ Ivoire and South Africa.
Among its core aims, it also seeks to undertake rescue activities, for victims of natural and social tragedies, and the recognition and rewarding of deserving leaders, individuals, corporate bodies and countries, who play exemplary roles as models for the youth.

IT’S A DONE DEAL FOR NDC- Mills

By Charles Takyi-Boadu
Posted:Tuesday, July 15, 2008
The Presidential Candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress, Professor John Evans Atta Mills is confident of being the first occupant of the yet to be completed seat of government, the Flagstaff house.
Having embarked on an extensive campaign across the length and breadth of the country and listened to the concerns of the people, he believes that the good people of Ghana would give him the opportunity to salvage them from their woes.
He has therefore expressed the hope that Ghanaians would translate their sufferings into votes for the NDC to take over the reigns of this country.
Prof. Mills made these comments when a Ghanaian Resident in the United Kingdom, Horace Nii Ayi Ankrah called on him at his Kuku Hill office, in Osu.
Mr. Ankrah, who was accompanied by the Chairman of the UK and Ireland branch of the NDC, Joe Gans Lartey was there to donate vehicles and computers worth GH¢20,000 (¢200million) to Prof. Mills, to support his campaign.
Whilst admitting that the road to the Flagstaff will be keen, the NDC Presidential Candidate noted that he would emerge victorious at the end of the last count.
According to him, everything points to the fact that Ghanaians are fed up with President Kufuor and his New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, since according to him they have not been able to fulfil the numerous promises they made to the electorate prior to assumption of office. Prof. Mills thanked his benefactor for the kind gesture which could not have come at a better time, than when the party needed to reach out to people with their message.
He called on other individuals and corporate entities to emilate the example of Mr. Ankrah and help the NDC to win power again.
On his part, Mr Ankrah, who has also opted to sponsor the walk of an NDC supporter from the Western region to Accra, expressed optimism that his contribution would go a long way to bring the much-awaited victory to the party.
He therefore urged other supporters of the party to come out of their shells, not only to campaign but also fund the party’s campaign, stressing that this time round the NDC was leaving no stone unturned in their quest to assume the reigns of government.
Considering the work done so far, the Chairman of the UK branch of the party, Mr Gans Lartey noted that there was no way that power could slip through the fingers of the party, indicating that the signs are clearly written on the wall.
Present were party kingpins like Alex Segbefia and Koku Anyidoho, Communications Director of Prof. Mills’ campaign team.