News
Economist Impact announces speakers for Sustainability Week Africa
Economist Impact has announced speakers for the inaugural Sustainability Week Africa scheduled to take place from Thursday, October 24 to Friday, October 25, 2024.
The two-day conference will bring together Pan-African and global leaders in-person at The Westin, Cape Town, South Africa.
The conference themed ‘‘Africa’s green industrial revolution’ is set to bring more than more than 500 delegates and 100 speakers to explore strategies towards a successful Pan-African sustainability initiative.
The Sustainability week Africa Is part of a successful series of sustainability events by the Economist Impact. The conference will focus on “Africa’s green industrial revolution” plus conversations on changing how businesses operate to achieve their sustainability goals.
In addition, the conference will delve into the areas of business and investment, providing original insights and solutions on how companies can support the continent in driving green growth, while avoiding the worst impacts of climate change.
Vijay Vaitheeswaran, the Global Energy and Climate innovation editor at The Economist will deliver the opening remarks, followed by keynote addresses from Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Tolupe Lewis Tamoka, Chief, Government Relations and Africa at the United Nations Global Compact.
With more than 500 delegates and 100 speakers confirmed, Sustainability Week Africa will welcome many figures from the sustainability community, including governmental officials, global investors and senior executives from key sectors such as retail, transportation, logistics, food and beverages, energy, agriculture, manufacturing, technology, finance, science, and civil society.
There will be other globally renowned speakers who will focus on Africa’s role as a global sustainability leader and explore strategies for enhancing Africa’s appeal to international investors, discussing insights from successful Pan-African sustainability initiatives.
The list of speakers expected at the Sustainability Week Africa include:
Mo Ibrahim, Founder and Chair, Mo Ibrahim Foundation
Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General, United Nations
Nigar Arpadarai, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion, COP29
Carl Hermann Gustav Schlettwein, Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Republic of Namibia
Dan Marokane, Group Chief Executive Officer, Eskom
Stéphanie Mbombo, Presidential Special Envoy for New Climate Economy, Democratic Republic of Congo
Feroz Koor, Group Sustainability Officer, Woolworths Group
Mandisa Mabaso, Country Manager, South Africa, Rio Tinto
Barend Petersen, Executive Chairman, De Beers Group South Africa, Deputy Chair, Mining 2030 and Representative, Archbishop of Cape Town
Noluthando Gosa, Independent Non-Executive Director, MTN Group, Executive Director, Akhona Group, and Adviser, Sustainability Week Africa
Mpho Makwana, Former Chairman, Nedbank, Eskom and ArcelorMittal South Africa, Chairman, Epitome Investment, and Adviser, Sustainability Week Africa
Joseph Nganga, Vice President for Africa, Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), and Adviser, Sustainability Week Africa
Vaughan Pierce, Chief Sustainability Officer, Pick n Pay
The programme will explore a variety of topics, including opportunities for the continent to strengthen its manufacturing capabilities and increase its share of the global value chain.
Discussions will also centre on sustainable growth for small businesses and suppliers across the continent, addressing the compatibility of sustainability with population growth and its implications for food security.
In addition, the event will highlight the potential of green jobs and explore collaborations between companies and the African youth and explore biodiversity’s crucial role in Africa and the benefits of intra-African trade for advancing sustainability.
Sustainability Week Africa will also include a CSO leaders club, curated networking sessions and cross-industry sessions aimed at leveraging synergies.
Sponsors of Sustainability Week Africa include Woolworths, Standard Bank, Nedbank, Boston Consulting Group, Amazon Web Services, Genesis Analytics, United Nations Global Compact, Webber Wentzel and the City of Cape Town.
MR Samuel Yao Atidzah, the Executive Director of GOSANET Foundation, has stated that HIV does not define a person, but “dignity, respect and love do.”
He reminded Ghanaians that no one should face discrimination because of his or her HIV status.
Mr Atidzah said this in a statement in Ho of the Volta Region to commemorate World Zero Discrimination Day.
The Day was initiated by UNAIDS in 2014 and celebrated annually on March 1 by the UN and other Organisations to promote equality, inclusion, and peace for everyone regardless of age, gender, race, or sexual orientation.
It highlights the need to end discrimination laws and actions, particularly regarding HIV/AIDS stigma.
This year’s day is on the theme: ‘People first: Standing united for dignity, equality and inclusion.’
Mr Atidzah urged all to stand together to end stigma and discrimination and promote inclusion, support People Living with AIDS in their communities.
“We have often been quick in judging people just because he or she has contracted the HIV virus; we’re in a haste to brand them as people lacking dignity.”
“We must also not lose sight of the fact that it is not every patient that attract the disease from sexual inter-course. There are those that were born with it and those who were cut by affected by objects,” he explained.
He advised all to know their status through HIV Self-testing kits, adding “it is private, confidential, safe and empowering.”
The Executive Director urged both young and old that taking charge of their health was a sign of strength and not shame.
“I urge all and sundry to get tested now, know your status, protect yourself and protect others,” he noted. –GNA
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
THREE inter-related books chronicling the political history of Ghana’s Heads of State are set to be launched this month.
The books offers readers an in-depth account of the country’s constitutional and military leadership from independence to the Fourth Republic.
Authored by former Presidential Reporter of The Ghanaian Times, F. Baffour Opoku, the books explore the ideologies, leadership styles, achievements, challenges and international engagements of Ghana’s past leaders.
The first book, Constitutional Rule in Ghana’s First, Second and Third Republics, examines the administrations of Kwame Nkrumah, Edward Akufo-Addo, Kofi Abrefa Busia and Hilla Limann, highlighting key political and socio-economic developments during the First, Second and Third Republics.
The second publication, Constitutional Rule in Ghana’s Fourth Republic, provides insight into leadership under the Fourth Republic, covering the era of Jerry John Rawlings, John Agyekum Kufuor, John Evans Atta Mills, John Dramani Mahama, and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
The third book, Military Rule in Ghana between 1966 and 1993, documents significant political events during periods of military governance.
It discusses the leadership of Joseph Arthur Ankrah, first Chairman of the National Liberation Council (NLC); Akwasi Amankwa Afrifa, second Chairman of the NLC; Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, Chairman of the National Redemption Council (NRC) and later the Supreme Military Council (SMC); Frederick William Kwasi Akufo, Chairman of the reconstituted SMC; and Jerry John Rawlings, who led both the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) and the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC).
According to the author, the books provide detailed, one-stop information on the activities and governance records of each Head of State during their respective tenures.
In addition to political analysis, the books feature biographical accounts of the Heads of State, as well as colourful photo albums capturing significant national events during their tenure.
Mr Opoku notes that as Chief Executives of the nation, the leaders profiled in the books served with dedication and commitment, and their contributions to nation-building deserve recognition and documentation for present and future generations.
The launch is expected to attract political figures, academics, members of the media and the general public.
By Spectator Reporter
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
