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ECOWAS begins 3-day capacity building workshop for Gender Observatory Centre in Accra
The Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS) Gender and Development Centre yesterday began a three-day workshop in Accra aimed at building the capacity of focal persons to manage and operationalise the Gender Observatory Centre to be established in member countries.
The three-day event is also expected to equip the participants with the necessary skills in digital platform usage,design,generation and development, datacollection, data analysis and reporting as well as methods in gender statistics reporting and E-learning.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Director ofthe ECOWAS Gender Development Centre, Mrs Sandra OulateFattoh indicated that the workshop would go a long way to empower the gender equality aimed at promoting the sustainability and periodization of the Sustainable Development Goals.
According to her,in spite of the gender equality and women’s empowerment, the continent is still faced with widespread disparities and inequalities characterized by the marginalization of women and the absence of adequate opportunities for women to participate effectively in the development processes and to share the equitably in the gains of development.
It was to address these challenges that the Centre was organising this training workshop to have a robust database base system to provide the necessary gender statistics necessary for decision making.
Ms Fattoh commended the United States Agency for InternationalDevelopment (USAID), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), African Union and other stakeholders whose contribution has brought the center to fruition.
The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dakoa Newman said Data analysis and management was vital in the discharge of work as gender experts and advocates in order to effectively help in proper planning towards takinginformed decisions.
The essence of the training she explained,cannot be underestimated as it recognizes the sub-region as a just and secure society in which men and women have equal opportunities to participate, decide, control and benefit from all development initiatives, thus ensuring that no one is left behind in the developmental process in Member States.
In Ghana, the Minister indicated that the Ministry has been mandated to coordinate and ensure gender equality and equity as well as integrate the fulfilment of the rights, empowerment and full participation into national development.
“I am happy to announce that the Parliament of Ghana in July 2024 has passed the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Bill into Law. The passage of this Law will help to effectively and efficiently address gender imbalances in the political, social, economic, educational and cultural spheres of the Ghanaian society,” she added.
The Director, Women, Gender, and Youth Directorate of the AU Commission, Ms Prudence Ngwenya also commended the ECOWAS Centre for the bold steps taken to improve accountability of policies taken by member states and assured of the Commission’s resolve to ensure that decisions taken at the other regional blocks would help promote gender equality on the African continent.
Mrs Cleopatra Orongo on behalf of the Director United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Regional Service Centre for Africa Dr Mathias Naab said the Gender Observatory when fully implemented would link other observatories in order to improve upon the continents commitments to its people.
She assured of the commissions commitment to work with the centre to ensure that the objectives of the centre are achieved.
BY LAWRENCE VOMAFA-AKPALU
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GoldBod Taskforce Cracks Down on 10 Chinese gold smugglers in Western Region
In a bold move against illegal gold trading, the Ghana GoldBod Taskforce has made headlines by executing a significant operation in Asankragua, a town in the Western region of Ghana.
The regulatory body apprehended ten Chinese nationals suspected of smuggling gold, marking a pivotal moment in the fight against illicit trade and resource exploitation in the country.
The operation was a meticulous sting, showcasing the commitment and precision of the GoldBod Taskforce.
In all, authorities seized an impressive 1.3 kilograms of gold, valued at approximately GHC1.4 million along with GHC1.3 million in cash and a selection of casino cards.
The materials recovered suggest a potential linkage to organized crime and money laundering activities, raising alarms about the depth of illegal operations within Ghana’s gold industry.
Addressing the media shortly after the bust, Sammy Gyamfi (Esq.), the Chief Executive Officer of GoldBod, expressed the board’s dedication to enforcing the GoldBod Act 1140.
According to him, this critical legislation explicitly prohibits foreigners from engaging in local gold trading, a measure designed to protect Ghanaian miners and bolster the economy.
The CEO emphasized the importance of upholding the law to safeguard the nation’s resources from exploitation.
“Today marks a significant step in our fight against illegal gold trading,” Gyamfi asserted. We will not tolerate any individual or group that seeks to undermine our laws and exploit our resources. The GoldBod Taskforce is here to protect our gold from illegal exploitation, and we will hold accountable anyone who bypasses our regulations,” he said.
He added that this operation signifies a profound shift in Ghana’s stance on illegal gold trading, which has long threatened the nation’s wealth and the livelihoods of countless local miners and businesses.
“The arrest of the Chinese nationals also sends a clear message: the era of unchecked smuggling is coming to an end,” he concluded.
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Prof. Dodoo named ARSO President Emeritus
The African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) has unanimously conferred Professor Alex Dodoo with the honorary title of President Emeritus following resolutions by both its executive council and general assembly.
The decision, which was taken during the 31st General Assembly of ARSO in Zanzibar, Tanzania, last Friday, recognised Prof. Dodoo’s exceptional leadership in advancing continental standards for trade, safety and sustainable development.
The resolution ensured his continued advisory role in the strategic direction of ARSO while mentoring future standardisation leaders across Africa.
The Secretary-General of ARSO, Dr Hemogene Nsengimana, said the title of President Emeritus was reserved for leaders whose impact transcended their tenure, reflecting lifelong dedication to their field.
Excellence
As immediate past ARSO President and Director-General of the Ghana Standards Authority, Prof. Dodoo spearheaded the creation of critical structures within ARSO and influenced harmonisation initiatives supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Professor Dodoo, an expert in pharmaceuticals, public health, and standards regulation, has played a pivotal role in shaping the standardisation landscape of Africa.
Under his leadership, ARSO saw effective collaboration among member states culminating in the general assembly this year, and bringing together a record 34 countries, the highest in the history of the organisation.
The advocacy of Professor Dodoo for “One Standard, One Test, One Acceptance” across Africa has been instrumental in reducing technical barriers to trade and fostering economic integration.
In his new role, Professor Dodoo would continue to provide strategic guidance to ARSO, mentor emerging leaders in standardisation, and champion the voice of Africa in global standards bodies such as the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Professor Dodoo, in his acceptance remark, said, “This honour is not just a personal milestone but shows the collective efforts of all stakeholders working toward a standardised, competitive, and quality-driven Africa.”
He said, “Our journey is far from over, and I remain committed to the vision of an Africa where standards fuel prosperity.”
As President Emeritus, Professor Dodoo is expected to focus on critical areas such as strengthening Africa’s quality infrastructure, advocating for standards in emerging sectors such as renewable energy and digital economies and bridging the gap between academia, industry, and policymakers in standardisation.
Competence
The Executive Director of the Standards Division at the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), Dr Sadhvir Bissoon, said Prof. Dodoo had contributed towards the leadership of the ARSO Council in driving strategy, governance, “reviewing our laws and statutes and ensuring their implementation”.
“I hope he will still serve the needs and aspirations of ARSO in his new role,” he said in an interview with the Daily Graphic.
Private sector leaders who attended the event also lauded Professor Dodoo’s efforts to align African standards with global best practices.
The Regional Director of COTECNA, a key partner in the continental standards community, Antoine Anne, for his part, said the appointment of Professor Dodoo reaffirmed the commitment of the African continent to excellence.
