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U.S. Ambassador urges protection of shea parklands in northern belt
The United States Ambassador to Ghana, Mrs. Stephanie S. Sullivan, recently joined His Majesty Buipewura Abdoulai Jinapor II and members of the Global Shea Alliance (GSA) to commemorate Shea Day with a tree planting event within the grounds of the Yagbonwura Jakpa’s Palace at Damongo.
The event was part of the Action for Shea Parklands initiative, which was launched in 2020 to preserve and protect the shea parklands across West Africa.
The U.S. Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has supported women’s cooperatives across northern Ghana to plant 15,000 shea trees during the month of July, recognised as “shea month.”
Ambassador Sullivan, who launched the Action for Shea Parklands initiative in 2020, emphasised the critical need to protect shea parklands and take progressive action to reverse the effects of degradation.
“It is imperative that communities lead action at the local level – restoration begins with a clear understanding of your landscape and your needs. Each one of us here must then take action to promote climate resilience, and tree planting is a positive first step.
“The task is more complex than simply planting trees. The restorative process requires our long-term investment in the management and growth of the trees we plant today and into the future,” she stated.
She further expressed the U.S. government’s commitment to contribute to global climate solutions, highlighting the U.S. return to the Paris Climate Agreement. The United States supports the global one trillion tree initiative, which seeks to conserve, restore, and grow one trillion trees by 2030.
Throughout the month of July, USAID is partnering with the GSA to mobilise stakeholders across the globe to act now and preserve the shea parklands.
USAID is supporting GSA members to undertake cross-regional activities such as tree planting, parkland management training, advocacy, and social media campaigns in Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, and Togo under the Sustainable Shea Initiative (SSI).
The Sustainable Shea Initiative is an $18 million, five-year programme that promotes the sustainable expansion of the shea industry in Ghana, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Mali, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso, as well as increases the incomes of hundreds of thousands of rural women.
In Ghana, 20,000 trees will be planted across five northern regions this year alone.
About Global Shea Alliance:The Global Shea Alliance is a non-profit industry association with 560 members from 35 countries including women’s groups, brands and retailers, suppliers and NGOs.
Through public-private partnership, the GSA promotes industry sustainability, quality practices and standards, and demand for shea in food and cosmetics.
The USAID/West Africa mission is to promote social and economic well-being in the region.
Spanning 21 countries, USAID/West Africa designs and implements programmes with West African partners to strengthen systems of non-violent conflict management, support economic growth, and expand quality health services.
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Speaker of Parliament launches capacity building project in collaboration with World Bank and UK FCDO
The Parliament of Ghana took a significant step towards strengthening its legislative core as the Speaker, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin officially launched a US$ 1,600.00 Million capacity-building project.
This initiative, developed through a partnership with the World Bank and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), is designed to enhance the skills of Members of Parliament and their staff in areas of economic and financial governance.
At the launch, the Speaker expressed his gratitude to both organizations, emphasizing that this collaboration would reinforce Ghana’s democracy and support Parliament in fulfilling its constitutional mandate more effectively.
The project, entitled “Building the Capacity of Parliamentarians for Economic and Financial Governance,” was introduced by representatives from the World Bank and FCDO, who highlighted its importance in modernizing the legislative process.
The Speaker noted that the initiative would deepen existing partnerships between Ghana, the UK, and the international development community.
He underscored that a retooled Parliament would not only improve legislative efficiency but also help restore confidence in democratic governance and promote sound economic oversight.
In welcoming the project, the Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror outlined its potential to expand the engagement between Parliament and development partners.
He pointed out that by equipping Parliament with better tools and expertise, the institution would be more capable of discharging its legislative and oversight responsibilities benefiting the entire nation and its citizens.
Representatives from the UK, including Keith McMahon of FCDO and Ms. Michelle Keane of the World Bank, voiced the importance of continuous development in parliamentary procedures.
They emphasized that enhancing MPs’ understanding of legislative processes and financial management would foster greater accountability and transparency.
According to them, this would help combat corruption and ensure that public funds are managed prudently, aligning with Ghana’s sustainable development goals.
Leaders from both sides of the house, Mahama Ayariga and Alexander Afenyo-Markin, highlighted the importance of the initiative, describing it as both timely and impactful.
They called on committee leaders to assume full responsibility for the project and work steadfastly to ensure its successful rollout.
United in purpose, they expressed confidence that this effort would enhance Parliament’s efficiency and contribute significantly to Ghana’s broader development objectives.
News
Court dismisses application by Ken Ofori-Atta to prevent OSP declaring him wanted
The Human Rights Court has dismissed an application by former Finance Minister Kenneth Ofori-Atta, who sought to prevent the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) from declaring him wanted ahead of his scheduled appearance on June 2, 2025.
Mr Ofori-Atta, who is under multiple investigations by the OSP and other state agencies relating to his tenure in office, had asked the court to restrain the OSP from issuing a “wanted” notice and from circulating his image online.
He is currently the subject of an active Interpol Red Notice, and extradition proceedings have begun with the relevant authorities to secure his return to Ghana.
The dismissed application forms part of a series of civil suits he has filed against the OSP and the Republic, either to halt its operations or challenge the issuance of arrest warrants in the ongoing probes.
