Africa Prime News

-

08/09/2015

Zimbabwe: Mujuru unveils party manifesto

BY RICHARD CHIDZA
Yesterday, Mujuru all but plunged into the country’s political minefield with a blueprint that forms the foundation of her party.

Mujuru has been long linked to the People First, a movement of axed Zanu PF members, but kept her cards close to the chest.

In a policy document titled Blueprint to Unlock Investment and Leverage for Development (BUILD) to be released today, Mujuru said she has been hard at work since her last message in June and now she is sharing her vision for a better Zimbabwe.

“We are national democrats, guided by the values of the liberation struggle of self-determination, self-dignity, self-pride, expressed through the adoption of market-driven policies under a constitutional democracy, with the State acting as facilitator and regulator to allow for a level playing field and provide equal opportunities for all,” she said.

Mujuru added that under her stewardship, Zimbabwe would commit to upholding human and property rights in an envisaged government committed to the rule of law.

“Our fundamental premise is that all people are created equal under God,” she said.

“The law should, therefore, be applied equally to all citizens and offices in the land.”

The former VP said her policies are informed by “our desire and determination to see our nation move forward as a proud member of the community of nations, to create a just and equitable society and desire and determination to see our nation grow and create equal opportunities for all”.

Mujuru also punched holes into President Robert Mugabe’s most contentious land reform and indigenisation policies.

“A wholesale review of the Indigenisation Act will be effected,” she said.

“We shall emphasise economic empowerment that attracts investment and promotes the broad-based socio-economic infrastructure development objectives of BUILD.

“All persons who call Zimbabwe home shall be entitled to access land and participate in its sustainable utilisation.”

Mujuru said her envisaged government would establish a well-resourced Land Commission, with a mandate to rationalise existing farm sizes.

“We shall give immediate value to agricultural land by promoting a transparent land policy framework that attracts investment, creates, promotes and supports security of tenure and bankable leases,” she said.

Mujuru said unlike Mugabe’s current bloated Executive, her administration would be made up of “a small, but effective government structure” and an apolitical civil service in which the roles of “ministers, deputy ministers and heads of ministries are clearly defined”.

In the wake of a litany of government audits that have reportedly caused consternation and instability in the civil service, Mujuru said her government would “commission a biometric skills audit to inform a manpower planning and development strategy to ensure effective delivery, high morale and also link it to curriculum development in the education sector”.

She said her government would establish a think-tank to be called the “Presidential Economic and Advisory Centre for Excellence (PEACE)” which would be made up of experts from various sectors, to advise, assist, comment on and support government policy formulation, implementation and review.

The former Vice-President said under her leadership, government would repeal draconian legislation such as the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act as well as the Public Order and Security Act.

“We shall ensure that government’s role is to facilitate, promote and regulate a level and sustainably stable economic playing field,” Zimbabwe’s first female Vice-President said.

Mujuru’s blueprint, which is likely to rival Mugabe’s Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (ZimAsset), is extensively detailed and touches on all facets of Zimbabwean life, including water, sanitation, manufacturing, health, mining, tourism and conservation, environment and security as well as international relations.

“We shall enforce, promote and respect property rights and address historical compulsory acquisition through fair and transparent compensation,” she said.

Mugabe’s former deputy also promised a “compassionate, national and spiritual healing programme … addressing trauma emanating from pre and post-independence conflict,” something Zanu PF may find unpalatable.

Mujuru said her government would also amend the Electoral Act and fully fund commissions such as the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to enable them to fully discharge their mandate as prescribed by the Constitution.

PF spokesperson Rugare Gumbo yesterday said all was now set for the launch of the political party, although he would not be drawn into disclosing the dates.

“We do not have a date as yet for the official launch of the party, but it is now very close. Just be patient, a little more,” Gumbo said.

Mujuru was fired from both her government and Zanu PF positions together with more than 140 other ruling party stalwarts last December on allegations of plotting Mugabe’s downfall. Since then, she has kept a low profile and has publicly denied the allegations levelled against her, challenging her detractors, including First Lady Grace Mugabe, to prove their claims in a court of law.

A few weeks ago, she rejected a government pension and retirement package offer, on the grounds that she did not want to be tied to anything linked to the Zanu PF government, which observers said was a telltale sign she was ready for a return to public life.

Curled from: www.newsday.co.zw

IMF: Ghana Public Debt ‘Exceeds Pre-HIPC Levels’

Africaprimenews

-

08/09/2015

0

IMF: Ghana Public Debt ‘Exceeds Pre-HIPC Levels’

The country’s public debt now exceeds pre-HIPC levels, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) report after a review of Ghana’s performance under the bailout deal.

The IMF is projecting that Ghana’s debt levels – which has hit about 90 billion Ghana cedis as at June this year – could increase further in the coming months.

According to a GNA report, Ghana’s debt at the time of joining the Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) initiative in April 2001 was 6,025.6 million dollars (about 24 million Ghana cedis currently). Debt-to-GDP ratio then was about 110 percent.

The Washington-based lender is forecasting that Ghana’s debt could cross the dreaded 70 percent of GDP mark by the end of this year. The IMF projects a 75 percent debt-to-GDP ratio for the country by the end of 2015.
Many economists believe a debt-to-GDP ratio exceeding 70 percent spells doom for an economy.

The IMF says Ghana’s economic growth prospects will depend on how fast the ongoing power crisis will be addressed.
“Economic growth prospects will depend on how fast the ongoing electricity crisis is addressed. A new decline in commodity prices would weigh on the fiscal and external balances”, the IMF said.

According to the Washington-based lender, fall in the prices of gold, cocoa and crude oil on the world market could put the country’s fiscal gains made over the last few months into jeopardy.

The situation, according to IMF, could reduce Ghana reserves and weaken the cedi against major trading currencies even further.

On the central bank, the IMF said the Bank of Ghana should be ready to tighten policy more aggressively if inflationary pressures do not recede.

It gave a thumbs up to a recent decision by the Bank of Ghana to introduce new liquidity management instruments to improve monetary policy transmission and support more effective implementation of the inflation targeting framework.

The IMF says authorities must pursue reforms aimed at deepening the foreign exchange market, which, combined with soothing interventions of BoG backed by increased external reserves, should help reduce the volatility of the exchange rate over time.

Meanwhile, government has always maintained it is working hard to contain the rising public debts.
The Finance Minister Seth Terkper told Joy Business government is currently working towards borrowing cheaper funds to finance expensive debts.

Mr Terkper has also argued that recent loans contracted by government are being spent on self-financing projects – that is the projects will pay for the loans.

The IMF in June this year said Ghana has fallen into the league of high-risk debt distress countries.

IMF’s Communication Director, Gerry Rice, told Joy Business’ George Wiafe that Ghana must be cautious with borrowing through the Eurobonds issue in order not to escalate its indebtedness.

“For countries at high-risk distress like Ghana, reducing the debt burden and associated vulnerability is a priority so the authorities have to be very selective with regards to new non-concessional borrowing since that can escalate,” Rice had explained.

SOURCE: http://www.ghanaweb.com/

Nigeria: St. Christopher Anglican Church Kaduna Celebrates 80th Anniversary

Africaprimenews

-

08/09/2015

0

Nigeria: St. Christopher Anglican Church Kaduna Celebrates 80th Anniversary

Longtong Ibrahim

Kaduna (Nigeria) – St. Christopher Anglican Church Kaduna marked and celebrated its 80th anniversary on 6th September, recounting testimonies of how God saw them through during their trial moments in the past, celebrating God’s faithfulness.

Some of the activities marked during the celebration include communion service, testimonies, health walk, seminars, dinner and award presentations and a thanksgiving service.

Awards were given to some outstanding members of the church, including all Priests alive who were at one time in charge of the church.

Speaking on the topic, ‘Passing on the Baton’, during the thanksgiving service, the Guess speaker Rt Rev. Gabriel Akinbiyi tasked the congregation to remained steadfast in running the race of life irrespective of trials and persecution urging them not to drop the baton which he described as the undiluted word of God/sound doctrine.

He said, “As you received Christ, you have been given the baton for a race which you must run to a finish. Holdfast the baton and be strong and fearless irrespective of the persecution you would encounter, God will deliver you. Your persistence would lead you to reach your goal and pass it over to the next generation.”

Rev. Akinbiyi added that the church has witnessed a lot of revival through prayers; urging them to pray more to overcome the works of the evil ones and also, for the continual growth and glorious future of the church.

He congratulated the church for the celebration of God’s faithfulness and opportunity gained through freedom to worship and sing praises to God. “Now we have the opportunity to sing and praise God which was not like this in those days because the church then was an organization of men but now it’s the leading of the spirit,” he noted.

Vicar of the Church, Joshua Mallam while expressing gratitude to God for the 80th anniversary, appreciated church members for their various contributions which have become source of blessings to all; pointing out that, the church has produced many great men and women who are impacting immensely to the society.

“The mission work is still on the increase, while we pray for more financial and prayer support for God’s mandate to be accomplished,” he added.

Chairman of the organizing committee, Usman Oyowe in a remark said the essence of the celebration was to recall some of the difficulties and crisis the church had in the past in its leadership; stressing that they have witnessed changes which is why they are celebrating. He said, those people who try to stop us from proclaiming the gospel failed at a point in time, those people even try to instigate the appointment of the bishop but they where chase out of the church under cover. The congregation rose up against them but we intervene to stop them.”

“It shows that the attempt to bring the church down or reduce the faith of the church failed. We are celebrating that today because after that time, we have never had a strong attempt to stop us from doing what we are doing in accordance to the gospel,” he explained.

The church started as a military church serving mostly British officers around the 1930s and governors who were British. Most of the Ministers of the church before the ‘70s were expatriate.

Cambodia Night Club Fire Outbreak Kills Five Women

Africaprimenews

-

08/09/2015

1

Cambodia Night Club Fire Outbreak Kills Five Women

At least five Cambodian women died and two men were injured in a fire outbreak that engulfed a popular nightclub in the capital Phnom Penh.

According to an official report on Tuesday, the blaze broke out at the Key Club late Monday night and is believed to have been caused by an electrical fault.

Chief of the Phnom Penh fire department, Neth Vantha, said, “Five women died from suffocation from smoke in the nightclub fire, while two Cambodian men were also injured.

He added that, a preliminary investigation indicated the fire probably started in the sound mixing and control room, presumably from an electrical short circuit about two hours before the Key Club nightclub was to open at 10 p.m, Monday evening; pointing out that, two of the women age 17 and 28 worked at the club and the three others were employed by a local drinking water company and had come to arrange an office party.

It took 23 fire trucks about three hours to put out the fire, he said.

It has also been reported that the same nightclub in 2013 was engulfed by fire killing three people including the owner’s wife who was pregnant.

Kenyan Population To Hit 81 Million As Fertility Rates Soar

Development

Africaprimenews

-

07/09/2015

0

Kenyan Population To Hit 81 Million As Fertility Rates Soar

By Elizabeth Merab

The country’s population is expected to hit 81.4 million by 2050, a report shows.

The increase in population, currently 44.3 million, is attributed to a high fertility rate.

According to the report, a Kenyan woman gives birth to an average of four children, a number higher than the global average of 2.5.

The world population of 7.3 billion is expected to reach 8.5 billion by 2030, 9.7 billion in 2050 and 11.2 billion in 2100.

According to the UN’s Department of Economic and Social Affairs mid 2015 results, about a billion people have been added to the world in 12 years.

The report says more than half of the global population growth up to 2050 will take place in Africa.

“Africa has the highest rate, growing at a 2.55 per cent annually between 2010 and 2015,” the report says.

A rapid population increase in Africa is anticipated despite a substantial reduction of fertility levels in the near future.

“Regardless of the uncertainty surrounding fertility trends in Africa, the large number of young people who will reach adulthood and have children ensures that the region will play a central role in shaping the size and distribution of the world’s population,” the report says.

A similar report published by the Population Reference Bureau shows that there has been a significant progress of women empowerment in Africa, especially in education, governance, employment, fertility and health.

Five years ago, the average number of children per woman in Kenya was five.

The reduction is attributed to the use of contraceptives. The report shows that in every 10 women, five use modern birth control methods.

It also shows that gender parity has been achieved at primary and secondary school levels.

In many parts of the world, secondary school enrolment rates are near parity.

“Being in school helps girls delay early marriage and childbearing, reduces child and maternal deaths, improves child health and boosts women’s earning power. On a larger scale, educating women increases a country’s competitiveness,” the report says.

However, Africa still lags behind other regions in terms of achieving parity in secondary school enrolment.

“Female enrolment rates in Africa are lower than male rates in 32 of 43 countries where data are available. Girls also struggle with cultural norms that keep them at home, violence on the way to school or lack of money to pay fees,” the report reads.

In terms of governance, women representation in the National Assembly and Senate is at par with the global average.

The number, which has doubled in the last 20 years, is attributed to the use of quota systems.

“Rwanda holds the top spot in women’s share of national parliamentary seats. After the 1994 genocide, which especially targeted males, women took charge of many key government appointments,” the report adds.

Although the increase has been celebrated, the UN says women’s share of parliamentary seats remains relatively low.

“Experts cite 30 per cent as a minimum threshold for women having a meaningful share of national legislative seats, something that even developed countries have not attained,” it adds.

The report says non-agricultural jobs are often seen to be of higher status and more secure.

Curled from Daily Nation

Nigeria: EFCC Returns €10, 540 To Internet Scam Victim

Africaprimenews

-

03/09/2015

0

Nigeria: EFCC Returns €10, 540 To Internet Scam Victim

Kaduna (Nigeria) – Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has recovered and returned the sum of €10, 540 to a polish who fell as a victim of Internet love scam.

The victim, named Jamina, was allegedly duped €40,000 by the suspect, one Gabriel Oseremen Xavi, who runs a fake Facebook account with the name, Collins Page.

The suspect was traced to Benin City, Edo State, where he was arrested by EFCC operatives following a petition by the victim.

Speaking Wednesday in Abuja at the presentation of the sum of €10,540 recovered from the suspected Internet fraudster, Chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Lamorde, tasked diplomats to sensitise their citizens against Internet love scam.

Lamorde, urged them to also focus more on lonely elderly people who have been found to be easy prey, adding that “All the assets acquired by the suspect from the proceeds of the crime will be disposed off at the conclusion of trial, and the money returned to the victim.”

The money was handed over to the Belgian Ambassador, Stephane De Loecker and his Polish counterpart, Andrzej Dycha, by Lamorde

Expressing his gratitude, De Loecker, thanked the Nigerian government as well as the EFCC for what he described as ‘its commitment to curbing Internet scams.’’

He remarked that it was his first time of witnessing the restitution of a victim of scam by any law enforcement agency and urged the EFCC not to rest on her oars.

The envoy assured that the Belgian government would carry out rigorous campaigns to sensitize its citizens on the dangers of love scam.

In a remark, Dycha, who also expressed his gratitude, extended invitation to the EFCC to be part of the meeting of association of EU Consuls to further “advise and sensitise them on Internet scam.”

Africans Tasked On More Economic Options

Economy

Africaprimenews

-

03/09/2015

0

Africans Tasked On More Economic Options

By Longtong Ibrahim

Kaduna (Nigeria) – Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo has called on Africans to make a re-think on some of the time-worn economic ideas and myths that have held its people and policy makers bound to only a few economic options.

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on media and publicity, Laolu Akande, said the Vice President stated this at the inauguration of the new African Development Bank (AFDB) President, Akinwunmi Adesina in Abidjan, Ivory Cost.

Osinbajo who represented Nigerian President, Muhamadu Buhari tasked Africans to develop uncommon creativity, innovation and change in charting the pathway for future growth and development of countries in the continent; noting that western economies particularly the United States of America toed this path to emerge from its recent economic meltdown in 2008.

He added that, “in 2008 western economies faced with what Ben Bernanke (then Chairman of the US Reserve Bank) described as the “deepest financial crisis since the Great Depression” abandoned conventional free-market thinking and embraced State bankrolled stimulus plans to forestall the imminent collapse of their economies.”

Osinbajo pointed out that, the action the US took then proved once and for all that the monster called the economy cannot be allowed to prowl the streets with its free-wheeling, free market struts without the leash of a trainer.

He also opined that, African countries need a new strategy in the face of the daunting challenges; questioning, “Do African economies not require a different paradigm?”
“How can trickle down paradigms work when half our populations are extremely poor? Do we not need some attention to social investment?

The Vice president further posited that, “Conditional Cash Transfers to the poorest segments, universal primary healthcare schemes, school feeding programs, can energise local economies and create important multipliers in the economy.”

While expressing optimism on the African Development Bank given its recent achievements under the immediate past President, Donald Kaberuka who served for 10 years, he said, it can greatly assist Africa in addressing some of its socio-economic problems; urging the new leadership of Adesina, to redouble its efforts in addressing the needs of these fragile areas, through institutional support, emergency assistance, and bold pro-poor interventions in health, education and agriculture.

He further advise Adesina, “to focus on how economic policy can produce economic empowerment for women, and all categories of our people who have become disempowered and whose voices are seldom reflected in the rhetoric of policy.”

The new President, Akinwumi Adesina in his remarks unfolded a 5-point agenda which he said would be given utmost priority in the next five years of his tenure.

They include; Light Up and Power Africa; Feed Africa; Integrate Africa; Industrialise Africa; and improving quality of life for the people of Africa.

Adesina also emphasised his commitment towards confronting the numerous challenges faced by the continent and said, “Unlocking the potentials of Africa for Africans will be our goal at AfDB.”

Those present at the event include, the President of Cote D’Ivoire, Allasane Quattara and his Prime Minister, Daniel Kaplan Duncan; from Nigeria includes; the Governor of Kano State, Dr. Umar Ganduje; the Governor of Taraba State, Darius Ishaku; the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi; Governor of Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele; former Minister of Finance, Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Cote D’Ivoire, Mrs Ifeoma J. Akabogu Chinwuba among others.

Akinwunmi Adesina, is Nigeria’s immediate past Minister of Agriculture. He is the 8th President of the AfDB and the first Nigerian to occupy the office since the creation of the Bank in 1963.

Leading Dentistry Experts Exhibit In 2nd Edition Of Dental Africa

Health

Africaprimenews

-

01/09/2015

0

Leading Dentistry Experts Exhibit In 2nd Edition Of Dental Africa

Lagos (Nigeria) — The Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos, Nigeria will once again host the 2nd annual Dental Africa Exhibition & Conference (http://www.dentalafrica.com). The only specialised dental event to benefit from the privilege support of the Nigerian Dental Association. The exhibition will host some of the region and world’s well-known names in dentistry to bring the best practices, technology and innovation together under one roof.

The event will feature hands on workshops and a conference that will highlight the latest technology, procedures and developments in the field of dentistry. Dental Africa Exhibition will showcase the latest products by the frontrunners in the field from Africa and beyond. Attendees will benefit from the opportunity to network with some of the biggest local and international names, including Casa Dente Nigeria LTD, Oral B, S&S Biomat, Trinity Dental Supplies and more.

According to Roland Yammine, Managing Director, Casa Dente Nigeria LTD, “This is our first official presence within the Nigerian dental field, and as a newly established dental company that is specialized in oral implantology, Dental Africa is an excellent opportunity to gain exposure and recognition in the Nigerian dental industry .As for the workshop, we will include an interactive hands on and lecture about MEGAGEN as well as a product introduction on the features and benefits of this exciting system.”

Casa Dente Nigeria LTD will offer dental implantation workshops during the Dental Africa Exhibition & Conference. The event, organised by Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions, will take place from 7-9 October 2015 at the Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos, Nigeria.

“The workshop will demonstrate innovatively inducing Calcium Phosphate nano-particles to the Titanium layer of the implant and the unique implant design that eliminates the loss of crestal bone/biological width. This will lead to a faster loading period and faster treatment and recovery,” highlighted Mr Yammine.

The event will host more than 2000m2 of exhibition space, more than 1500 participants, 25 local and international speakers, and a 3 day CPD accredited conference all dedicated to the dental industry in West Africa and Nigeria.

“We chose to set up in Nigeria because we wanted to be in a growing market in its early stages, where the sector is healthy and developing steadily. We have strategically chosen to be present here after conducting several market studies for over a year. This is a promising opportunity because we can have the chance to operate in a low competitive market and grow simultaneously with our customers, creating strong bonds and customer loyalty, which will pay off on the long run,” says Mr Yammine.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions.

Africa Prime News.

Africa Prime News.

Africa Prime News.

Africa Prime News.

Currency Exchange Rates

Africa Prime News.

About us

Company

The latest

Subscribe

Africa Prime News