AFRICA NEWS

9th NOVEMBER 2024

By Oyenike

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OUTRAGE IN GHANA AS PRESIDENT UNVEILS PERSONAL STATUE

President Nana Akufo-Addo, Ghana’s outgoing president, is receiving criticism on social media following the unveiling of a statue of himself during a visit to the Western Region. The monument is intended to celebrate the development projects he has led during his time in office, according to regional minister Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah. However, many citizens are mocking the statue, which is located outside a hospital in Sekondi, viewing it as an act of “self-glorification.”

Opposition MP Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah stated that the Western Region deserves more than such self-serving gestures. Akufo-Addo, who will step down in January after serving two terms, claims to have fulfilled 80% of his promises to the people. The statue was unveiled during what has been termed a “thank-you tour,” with Darko-Mensah highlighting significant projects initiated under the president’s leadership.

Despite the ceremony’s intended purpose, the statue has ignited a backlash, with some questioning its relevance amid several unfinished projects. One online user commented that it would have been better for the president to let future generations recognise his contributions without such displays.

While a portion of the public is demanding the statue’s removal after Akufo-Addo leaves office, some defend it as a tribute to his contributions to national development. One supporter described him as “the greatest president I’ve ever had” and expressed that he would be missed by Ghanaians.

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SCRAP DEALERS TO ENROL MEMBERS ACROSS NIGERIA TO FIGHT ILLEGAL OPERATIONS

The National Association of Scrap and Waste Dealers Employers of Nigeria, along with other industry participants, has announced plans to register and document their members to enhance the credibility of the scrap sector. This decision was made during the Extraordinary Special Delegates Conference of NASWDEN in Abuja.

The stakeholders highlighted that this initiative is a response to criminal activities linked to unregistered “iron condemn” scavengers, which have negatively impacted the industry’s reputation. The conference, themed “Operation Say No to Vandals and Double Taxation on Our Highways,” addressed the increasing criminal acts, including the destruction of public and private property by individuals masquerading as scrap dealers.

NASWDEN President, Mr. John Obeh, noted that various state governments have begun to prohibit scrap scavenging, resulting in bans on collectors in residential areas and a general unfavourable view of the profession. To counter these challenges, NASWDEN aims to establish a comprehensive registration and documentation process for all scrap dealers across Nigeria.

This initiative will create a nationwide database of registered dealers, including biometric data for easier identification. A task force will also be set up to monitor scrap-laden vehicles at designated checkpoints to check for prohibited items like railway tracks and energy infrastructure. Obeh expressed concerns about illegal ticketing agents on Nigerian highways, urging the Inspector-General of Police to help resolve these issues that inflate transportation costs.

Scavengers after the market fire in Karimo market in Abuja

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RESPONSIBILITY: IGP ISSUES STRONG WARNING ON REPORTED EXTORTIONS, DEMANDS SEVERE PENALTIES FOR DISHONEST OFFICERS

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has denounced claims of extortion involving officers from the Zone 16 Zonal Headquarters in Yenagoa. Specifically, ASP Emmanuel Ubong and Inspectors Nse Okon, Adiewere Collins, and Kuromare Marine are accused of illegally obtaining ten million Naira from a group of young Nigerians. Thanks to the intervention of the new Assistant Inspector-General of Police for Zone 16, the funds have been recovered, and the officers are currently facing an orderly room trial.

Under IGP Egbetokun’s leadership, the Nigeria Police Force has adopted a strict zero-tolerance stance against corruption and misconduct. All allegations of extortion and abuse of authority are taken with utmost seriousness. The IGP has assured the public that thorough investigations will be conducted into all claims against officers who violate the law.

In pursuit of restorative justice, the Inspector-General has mandated harsh penalties for any officer, regardless of rank, found guilty of misconduct. This approach aims to deter others from compromising the integrity of the police force.

The IGP encourages the public to utilise the provided police helplines and contact information to report complaints as necessary.

The Inspector-General of the Nigeria Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun

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NIGERIAN COURT RELEASES 119 DEMONSTRATORS, SOME FACING CAPITAL PUNISHMENT, AFTER GOVERNMENT DISMISSES ACCUSATIONS

A Nigerian court has released 119 individuals, including minors, after authorities dismissed charges related to deadly protests in August over economic difficulties.

The accused faced serious allegations, such as treason and inciting a military coup, with some charges carrying the death penalty. President Bola Tinubu ordered the release of all minors detained during the protests and annulled the charges against them.

Deji Adeyanju, the protesters’ lawyer, confirmed that the case had been dismissed, leading to the release of the 119 individuals. He emphasised the need for their rehabilitation and compensation from state governments. The Attorney-General had taken over the case from the police and decided to drop the charges after advancing the hearing, originally set for January.

Police fire tear gas during a protest in Abuja in August

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AT LEAST 25 FATALITIES REPORTED AFTER VESSEL ‘INTENTIONALLY OVERTURNED BY SMUGGLERS,’ ACCORDING TO UN MIGRATION AGENCY

Tragically, at least 25 individuals, including several children, have died after traffickers deliberately capsized their boat near the Comoros Islands, according to the local branch of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). The IOM expressed its sorrow over the tragedy, which occurred off the coast of Comoros, between Anjouan and Mayotte, on Friday night.

The vessel was carrying approximately 30 passengers from various countries, including seven women and four children, as reported by five survivors who were rescued by fishermen the following morning. This incident follows two similar tragedies in the same region within the past three months.

In September, a boat with 12 individuals on board, including two children and a pregnant woman, departed from Anjouan but never arrived in Mayotte. In August, another incident resulted in the death of eight people, including a 12-year-old boy.

The IOM highlighted that thousands have perished on this migration route while attempting to reach the disputed island of Mayotte, which has been a French département since 2011. The agency underscored the urgent need to create safe and legal migration pathways to avert such disasters in the future.

Traffickers capsize boat off Comoros

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