Category: Africa Press Organisation – English

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English

Zimbabwe authorities have failed to take necessary steps to ensure that the general election slated for August 23, 2023, meets international standards for free and fair elections, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today.

The 44-page report, “‘Crush Them Like Lice’: Repression of Civil and Political Rights Ahead of Zimbabwe’s August 2023 Election,” finds that the seriously flawed electoral process threatens the fundamental rights of Zimbabweans to freely choose their representatives. The electoral process has been undermined by the authorities’ adoption and use of repressive laws, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s (ZEC) lack of impartiality, the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s partisan conduct and use of intimidation and violence against the opposition, the opposition’s lack of access to voter rolls, and impunity for individuals responsible for election-related abuses.

“Zimbabwe’s authorities have yet again demonstrated a lack of respect for the basic freedoms necessary for a credible, free, and fair election,” said Idriss Ali Nassah, senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch and lead author of the report. “The inability of many candidates to campaign freely and openly throughout Zimbabwe raises serious concerns about whether the election results will reflect the political will of Zimbabwe’s people.”

Human Rights Watch interviewed 28 people in April and May, including activists, journalists, opposition members, and victims of human rights abuses. Letters with questions sent to several government agencies and the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union–Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) party received no response.

The pre-election environment in Zimbabwe poses many obstacles for the political opposition, Human Rights Watch said. The authorities have weaponized the criminal justice system against the ruling party’s opponents. Civil society activists and government critics expressed strong fears that the authorities intended to use the Private Voluntary Organizations Act and other laws to criminalize their activities ahead of the election.

The Criminal Law Codification and Reform Amendment Bill 2022, commonly known as the “Patriotic Bill,” which took effect in July, contains overly broad provisions that criminalize the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association.

Politicians from the main opposition party, the Citizens Coalition for Change, have been held in prolonged pre-trial detention or convicted on baseless, seemingly politically motivated charges. The party’s deputy spokesperson, Ostallos Siziba, said: “Right now, we cannot hold meetings in towns and cities, and we cannot go to the rural areas. ZANU-PF declared that rural areas are no-go zones for the opposition, and the ruling party causes violence any time the opposition tries to venture into the rural areas.”

The Zimbabwe police has selectively used the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act of 2019 to deny the opposition permission to hold meetings and campaign rallies, while allowing ZANU-PF to meet without hindrance.

ZANU-PF supporters have engaged in widespread harassment, threats, and acts of violence, preventing opposition parties from staging rallies, mobilizing, campaigning, and associating with supporters across the country.

There are also serious concerns about the independence, composition, and conduct of the ZEC. “The way the commission is constituted is a problem,” said a member of Heal Zimbabwe Trust, a national rights group. “Previously, the main political parties would second people to become commissioners, but the commissioners are now mostly chosen by the president after vetting by parliament. People lost confidence in the process because they think that the process is controlled by the state.”

Zimbabwe authorities should take all steps necessary to ensure that Zimbabwe police acts in a neutral and non-partisan fashion regarding the electoral campaign and all political parties’ activities, Human Rights Watch said. They should also ensure that police and other officials found responsible for human rights violations are held to account.

In April, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said that only election monitors from “friendly nations” will be invited to observe the elections. Since then, the European Union and a joint AU-Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa mission have been granted permission to monitor the elections. Because observers might not be allowed access to all parts of the country, there are concerns that election-related abuses and illegal practices will go unaddressed.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) and African Union (AU) member states should press the government of Zimbabwe to ensure that national and international electoral observers will have access to all election sites, Human Rights Watch said. The government should guarantee that observers will be free to move throughout the country and able to report on any election-related intimidation and violence.

They should also urge the government to implement the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, and ensure that SADC and AU election observers remain in Zimbabwe for a sufficient period beyond the vote count to monitor possible post-election related human rights violations.

“The Zimbabwe government needs to take concrete measures before the election to meet its obligations under national and international law to allow people to vote free of intimidation, fear, and violence,” Nassah said. “So far nothing indicates the authorities are willing to do that.”

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English

, the country continues to recover from the economic and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, with economic growth increasing from 2.4% in 2021 to 5.2% in 2022.

However, Mauritania still faces multiple challenges and is vulnerable to various shocks, including security risks in the Sahel region, the prolonged conflict in Ukraine and climate risks stemming from recurrent droughts and floods that could cause a slowdown in economic activity and deepen poverty and inequality.

According to the report, the country’s reliance on the extractive sector is a constraint that will hinder the achievement of inclusive growth and poverty reduction. In addition, sharp fluctuations in commodity prices reduce the outlook for stable economic growth, while the high concentration of economic activity in the mining sector hinders inclusion. Furthermore, the human impact from floods and the damage to infrastructure during the last rainy season cost the country’s economy 3% of its GDP.

Against this background, the sixth edition underlines the importance of identifying the main drivers of flooding and outlines a range of solutions considered and proposed. Rapid urbanization caused by population growth and rural exodus is one of the main factors behind the expansion of impervious surface areas and a major cause of the increasing socioeconomic vulnerability of urban areas to floods.

“In order to meet the new challenges of climate change, adaptation measures will need to be implemented and human capital will have to be developed in keeping with efforts to promote resilience and inclusion. As such, the challenges currently facing Mauritania may be seen as key opportunities to be seized,” notes Cristina Isabel Panasco Santos, World Bank Country Manager for Mauritania.

The report also proposes a number of priority reform options designed to mitigate the economic and social impact of climate shocks by strengthening macroeconomic stability and enhancing climate resilience.

Other solutions and reforms proposed in the report include taming inflation and reducing its impact on the most vulnerable, the development of an emergency preparedness and response framework and the preservation of the fiscal space needed for pro-growth investments.

Lastly, one of the priority opportunities put forward in the report involves the adoption of a new town planning and building law as a strategy to promote more resilient urban development.

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English

On July 28, on the margins of the second Russia-Africa summit, a meeting of the expert panel of antimonopoly agencies “Combating Anticompetitive Practices of Large Transnational Corporations, Suppressing Cross-border Cartels and International Cooperation” was held. The panel participants, including heads of antitrust agencies of African countries, discussed a number of important topics related to antitrust regulation. Key issues included the challenge of regulating global digital monopolies, the role of antitrust in ensuring global food and human security, and equitable participation of all countries in the global economy and access to technology transfer tools.

In his foreword Alexey Ivanov, Director of BRICS Competition Law and Policy Centre highlighted that “Antitrust law originally originated under conditions of uncertainty. In post-war Europe, in Russia during the transition to a market economy, in China with the beginning of the policy of reform and opening up, in South Africa after the fall of the apartheid regime and in Brazil with the end of the dictatorship, the adoption of antitrust laws helped the economic system to reach a new level of development. Now, in the context of global uncertainty, the question of the role of antitrust law arises again. Modern global monopolies can only be countered by the same global antitrust initiatives, which can only be realized in the interstate format, which is currently represented by BRICS+, to which the new members from African countries are also gravitating.”

The initiative to establish a Commission on Competition and Consumer Welfare in Africa was further developed. It is the second attempt for regulators from Kenya, Egypt, Mauritius, Nigeria, South Africa, Morocco, Gambia, Mauritius, Nigeria, South Africa, Morocco, Zambia and the Commission (COMESA), which includes 21 other African countries, to agree to proceed with the establishment of a working group for cooperation. The working group will focus on the sectors of e-commerce, aggregation services (online travel agencies and online classifieds), matchmaking services (search services and social platforms – Google and Meta, as well as e-call and delivery services such as Uber and Glovo), digital advertising (search and social media), fintech and cybersecurity.

“To date, we have been working in a coordinated manner to harmonize antitrust regulation through bilateral, regional and international cooperation among 29 African states. Normally, it takes decades from the negotiation of agreements to the adoption of laws and the formation of regulatory institutions to control competition in the market, but we have managed to achieve significant results in just a few years. Today, it is important to continue developing this area, given the global nature of the challenges and the need to further deepen cooperation between competition authorities”, – Hardin Ratshisusu, Deputy Commissioner, Competition Commission of the Republic of South Africa has stated.

Another hot topic of discussion was the merger deal between Bunge and Viterra, an agribusiness giants with a strong presence in the markets of Brazil, South Africa and Egypt. The merger of the two companies may lead to imbalances in the international food market, including due to the establishment, if the deal is approved, of control over logistics in this area by the new player. This case made even more urgent the problem of developing infrastructure to detect and monitor cross-border cartel activity, which threatens not only direct economic costs, but also social and humanitarian risks.

“Bunge and Viterra, Bayer and Mansanta. We know what steps should be taken to consider such transactions that do not contradict the antitrust laws of different jurisdictions. But there are certain obstacles on our way to control the cross-border cartels. Their emergence threatens to significantly disrupt the normal operation of international trade. Cases of cross-border cartels and cartel collusions are difficult to both detect and investigate. This is due to the inconsistency and lack of universal norms on anti-corruption actions. One of the important principles of control over cross-border cartels should be the principle of extraterritoriality, allowing claims to be brought against the entire business structure of the offending company, not only against legal entities in a particular country. This will require a higher level of cooperation and trust between the antitrust services of individual countries,” – said Mahmoud Momtaz, Chairman of the Egyptian Competition Authority (ECA).

“Today, market power is determined by control over big data. That is, companies are accumulating information, and a network effect is occurring. And today antitrust regulators can no longer ignore these facts and should actively conduct coordinated work in relation to global digital monopolies, including more active application of the network effect criterion,” – Ivanov added.

According to the expert panel discussion participants, one of the main problems of antitrust compliance control, as well as tools for investigations in this area, is the lack of technology and cooperation based on data exchange. Often such data can be sensitive to the domestic interests of individual countries. Exchanges between members of the global antitrust network can therefore only take place if there is trust. The development of joint initiatives and platforms for meeting and discussing such issues face-to-face should therefore lay the foundations for overcoming this problem.

At this point, the UN’s support for African and Russian antitrust initiatives has been an important factor. Teresa Moreira – Head, Competition and Consumer Policy Unit, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) stated that UNCTAD supports initiatives at the regional and international levels that can further strengthen anti-competitive enforcement tools.

Ms. Moreira made a special mention of Russia’s role in this process. “The foundations of mechanisms and tools for cross-border cartel control and, more broadly, for compliance with international competition law of UNCTAD’s Section “F” were laid back in the 1980s, but for a long time remained recommendatory. Only recently, thanks to the proactive actions of the Russian antimonopoly authorities and the BRICS International Centre, it has been possible to re-launch this discussion and work on transferring these recommendations into the sphere of mandatory norms”.

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English

The second coordination office for UAE foreign aid was inaugurated in the Chadian city of Amdjarass, as part of the UAE’s continuous efforts to provide assistance to the Chadian people and support endeavors to provide humanitarian and relief aid through the UAE’s humanitarian institutions to Sudanese refugees in Chad.

His Excellency Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister for Development and International Organizations Affairs, said: The establishment of the office is a continuation of the successful efforts to facilitate effective relief operations and strengthen the governance of foreign aid. The UAE has implemented Cabinet Resolution No. 5/4 of 2022 to enhance coordination between the UAE’s foreign aid donors, as well as to establish coordination offices in the UAE’s missions abroad to collaborate with foreign aid affairs in countries receiving UAE assistance.”

Furthermore, His Excellency Al Shamsi highlighted the important roles of the coordination offices to enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of aid in accordance with best international standards, such as supervising the UAE’s foreign aid file in beneficiary countries and coordination of UAE donors to ensure effective coordination and continuous follow-up on aid projects and programs.

His Excellency and the accompanying delegation visited the UAE field hospital in Amdjarass for an overview of the health services provided there. Since opening, the hospital has received 2,841 cases.

The opening ceremony of the office was attended by Isaac Maloua Gamous, Governor of Ennedi State in eastern Chad, and Ali Mohamed Al-Breiki, Director of the UAE Aid Coordination Office in Chad, along with representatives from UAE humanitarian institutions and agencies.

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Mr. Leonardo Santos Simão concluded yesterday a two-day visit to Ghana. This visit was part of his regional familiarization tour, following his appointment as Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel.   

During his visit, Mr. Simão was received in audience by the President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo with whom he discussed the strengthening of sub-regional cooperation to address emerging security challenges, especially the fight against terrorism. 

Mr. Simão also met with the Special Adviser to the President on the Accra Initiative, Major General (Rtd) Francis Adu-Amanfoh, and the Executive Secretariat of the Accra Initiative, as well as members of the Diplomatic Corps and the United Nations country team.

The Special Representative commended the important role of Ghana in the sub-region and reaffirmed the continued commitment of the United Nations to support Ghana’s efforts towards consolidating democracy and achieving sustainable development.  

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English

A Qatari airplane carrying 14 tons of food and medical supplies, provided by Qatar Fund for Development and Qatar Red Crescent Society, arrived at Port Sudan Airport, bringing the total Qatari aid via the air bridge to Sudan to 371 tons.

This aid comes within the framework of the State of Qatar’s support for the Sudanese people, and its full support for their steadfastness in the face of the difficult conditions they are currently living through due to the continuation of the fighting.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated Qatar’s keenness to establish security and stability in the Republic of Sudan. 

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English

Bridge Taxi Finance (“Bridge Taxi”), a Mokoro Holdings subsidiary, is a development company offering finance and support products to the minibus taxi industry in South Africa. This includes strategic investments and associations in various industries supporting the developmental finance chain, from taxi finance to logistics, credit solution services, supply of parts, and vehicle servicing.

South Africa’s taxi industry plays a vital role in the country’s economy, accounting for over 70% of all public transport trips, and is the most widely used form of public transport in Africa. The EUR 10 million facility from Triodos Investment Managers is an introduction and a part of a strong pipeline of international development finance and impact investors looking to join hands in financing Bridge Taxi Finance. The recent funding is part of the Common Terms Agreement (CTA) structure created for international impact investors to standardize and simplify security sharing among like-minded investors.

Bridge Taxi’s clients, the drivers, are entrepreneurs running/ owning a taxi business. The company is currently financing over 4 700 entrepreneurs. Over 15 million South Africans make use of minibus taxis to get to and from work every day. Bridge Taxi finances financially excluded individuals and provides them with an opportunity to own income-generating assets, enabling them to contribute positively to the economy. With an estimated 250 000-280 000 minibus taxis operating in the country’s formal routes, there is a significant monthly supply gap of minibus taxis. Bridge Taxi is addressing this supply gap by importing new, safer vehicles, which meet EURO IV and V emissions standards. These new vehicles imported are replacing the old fleet which has higher carbon emissions and is dangerous to public safety and the environment. Bridge Taxi has plans to offer electric vehicles in the coming years, and feasibility studies have already commenced. Bridge Taxi is majority owned by the founders who have more than 20 years of experience in development finance.

The transaction is the first introduction of a simplified and seamless investment structure for international impact investors into the inclusive finance sector in South Africa. Verdant Capital is continuing to work with Bridge Taxi Finance as its sole advisor to bring in longer-term international capital.

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English

The African Energy Chamber (AEC) (www.EnergyChamber.org) is excited to announce the Just Energy Transition Concert. Back by popular demand, the concert promises to be an evening of culture, music and meaningful conversations. As the sun sets over Cape Town on October 15, attendees will gather at the scenic Cabo Beach Club, anticipating an extraordinary experience that bridges the gap between energy dialogue and the rich musical heritage of Africa.

As AEW 2023 emphasizes the importance of an Africa-centric approach to the energy transition, the Just Energy Transition concert complements this vision by fostering investment, development and broader involvement in the energy industry.

The Just Energy Transition Concert is a seamless fit with the theme of AEW 2023 – African Energy Renaissance: Prioritizing Energy Poverty, People, the Planet, Industrialization and Free Markets – emphasizing the priority of tackling energy poverty. By blending the power of music and the energy sector, the concert unites people from diverse industries, celebrating the strides made towards a sustainable planet.

The main stage will showcase talented Afrobeats and Amapiano artists from across the continent, creating an electrifying atmosphere. Afrobeats’ pulsating fusion of African rhythms and contemporary sounds will resonate with unity and collaboration, addressing Africa’s energy challenges. Amapiano’s soulful piano melodies and basslines will symbolize progress and prosperity within the African energy sector.

Throughout the concert, brief intermissions will allow influential energy leaders and experts to take the stage and engage in thought-provoking dialogue. They will share their visions for a just energy transition, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing energy access for all Africans, safeguarding the environment, promoting sustainable industrialization, and fostering free-market principles to drive economic growth.

The AEC has invited prominent figures in the industry, policymakers and representatives from international organizations to be part of these dialogue. They will address the challenges and opportunities in the continent’s energy landscape, exchanging ideas on how to create an enabling environment that attracts investment, encourages technological innovation and enhances regional cooperation.

Throughout the evening, attendees will not only enjoy the music but also be inspired by the dedication and commitment of those working towards a better energy future for Africa, creating a unique and memorable experience that leaves a lasting impact. By uniting the energy sector with Africa’s vibrant music, the concert emphasizes the significance of collaboration in addressing the continent’s energy challenges, leaving attendees with a renewed sense of purpose and enthusiasm to contribute to Africa’s energy renaissance as they leave the Cabo Beach Club.

“The Just Energy Transition Concert represents more than just music; it is a vibrant celebration of Africa’s potential to lead the world in sustainable energy solutions and drive positive change for the continent. By uniting two industries, African energy and music can drive a powerful narrative of progress, fostering cooperation, innovation, and the collective determination needed to build a greener, more prosperous future for Africa,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC.

With the concert’s resounding success, AEW 2023 is poised to be a groundbreaking event, where participants from all corners of the energy industry come together to forge partnerships, share knowledge, and work towards a brighter, more sustainable energy future for Africa.

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English

Radisson Hotel Group (https://www.RadissonHotels.com) is expanding its presence in Morocco with the opening of Radisson Blu Residences, Saidia, its eighth hotel in the country. Nestled in the heart of one of the most popular seaside destinations in northern Morocco, the new hotel bolsters the Group’s portfolio to three hotels in Saidia.

The hotel comprises 13 contemporary units made up of suites, studios, and apartments with breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea and the region’s renowned landscapes. Fully equipped with modern appliances and amenities, expansive living areas and kitchens, the residences provide unparalleled comfort whether traveling alone or with a family.

Guests can enjoy the two large pools to cool off from the sun, take a stroll along the pristine beach known as the “Blue Pearl” for its crystal blue waters, or explore the beautiful Mediterranean flora. For the ultimate relaxation, guests have access to the spa and traditional Moroccan hammam at the adjacent Radisson Blu Resort, Saidia Beach for an authentic Moroccan experience.

Boasting two “à la carte” restaurants, Le Perle Bleue, with live show kitchens from breakfast to dinner and La Table, serving exquisite dishes for the most discerning palates with creative menus featuring a fusion of international and Mediterranean flavors, with fresh and locally sourced fish and produce. From Moroccan mint tea in the afternoon to cocktails and tapas in the evening accompanied by live music, Bar Azure will keep you entertained, while Afternoon Tea Lounge offers an ideal haven for those seeking a serene atmosphere. Offering infinite views of the Mediterranean Sea is the Wet Bar, located along the poolside.

For sports enthusiasts, Radisson Blu Residences Saidia offers a selection of sports and leisure activities for adults and children, along with entertainment programs such as parties, live music, and golf sessions at the nearby golf course. Close proximity to the residences is the Aquaparks Alpamare Saidia water park for children and adults and the Marina where a range of water activities awaits.

“We are delighted to open the doors to our eighth hotel in Morocco and continue our steady growth in the country which remains one of our key focus markets in Africa. Radisson Blu Residences Saidia perfectly complements our two existing Radisson Blu resorts in Saidia, and provided the ideal accommodation for travelers such as long stay guests and families seeking additional space and facilities ,” says Tim Cordon, Chief Operating Officer, Middle East & Africa at Radisson Hotel Group.

“Radisson Blu Residences Saidia offers an exceptional experience, combining comfort and our renowned Yes I Can! service. We remain committed to offering high quality stays that allow our guests to create memorable moments in the ‘Blue Pearl’ of Morocco,” concludes Karim Sayegh, Cluster General Manager of Radisson Blu Resort Saidia Beach, Radisson Blu Resort Saïdia, Radisson Blu Residences Saïdia.

Find out more about what makes Morocco magnificent on our blog (https://apo-opa.info/43UOKZR).

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English

“The history of the NPP tells us that no President can foist a candidate on the Party against its wishes. The NPP is not that kind of Party. We have never subscribed to a cult of personality. Indeed, our highly-respected former President, the 1st NPP President, His Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor, in the aftermath of my election as NPP Presidential Candidate, by the 2007 National Congress, told the Congress that ‘the Party has its spirit’, a spirit that cannot be ignored.”

These were the words of the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, when he met with communicators of the New Patriotic Party, who called on him at Jubilee House, the seat of the nation’s presidency, on Wednesday, 2nd August 2023.

In a response to an appeal by the NPP Director of Communications, Mr. Richard Ahiagbah, in relation to the Party’s conduct in next year’s election, President Akufo-Addo stated that the Party cannot afford to allow what happened to it in 2008 to reoccur in 2024.

“We are all witnesses to the derailing of the achievements chalked by President John Agyekum Kufuor by the successor NDC Government, from 2009 to 2017, in which John Dramani Mahama featured so prominently,” the President noted.

According to him “under 8-years of the successor NDC Government, we became famous for all the wrong reasons. Four successive years of dumsor, the mismanagement of the economy, wrong and dangerous energy contracts, and wanton corruption dissipated any hope the Ghanaian had for sustained economic development. Never again should we allow this to happen.”

With the start of the final leg of internal contests of the NPP, President Akufo-Addo noted that some actions by a few members of the party are making the front pages for the wrong reasons.

“We are expending some of our energies hurling invectives at each other, instead of at our opponents, and, in the process, taking digs at our own Government. It has been an anxious time for all who love our party, and who see us as the party that can bring progress and prosperity to our nation,” he said.

President Akufo-Addo continued, “It is for this reason that, as President of the Republic and de-facto leader of the Party, I want to ensure that certain actions of yesteryear, which contributed to our loss in 2008, are not repeated. We cannot afford an internal campaign based on ethnic or religious considerations.”

Describing the NPP as “the Party of Ghana’s unity”, the President rejected forcefully the assertions “being made by a few in our party who, because of internal party politicking, are accusing my government of allegedly “intimidating” and “coercing” party faithful to throw their support behind one of the presidential aspirants, that is the Vice President. It is a false and malicious narrative.”
He told the Communicators of the Party that he beat my chest and say, without any fear of contradiction, that there is no one in the Party who can say that he, President Akufo-Addo, has asked him or her to support this or that aspirant.

“I have not set out to dismiss any MMDCE or political appointee from office for supporting any particular aspirant; no Minister or Deputy Minister has lost their job or been threatened for openly campaigning for their preferred presidential aspirant; neither has any caveat emanated from Jubilee House to the Party across the length and breadth of the country demanding that Candidate A be supported over Candidate B. I, better than anyone in the Party, know that this is not the way to go,” he stated.

Whoever becomes Presidential Candidate, according to the President, “will be chosen freely and transparently by an Electoral College of some two hundred and fifty thousand (250,000) people, and not by President Akufo-Addo. I have just one vote, the same as any polling station executive anywhere in the country.”

He indicated, however, that he would “cast that vote for an aspirant who, I believe, can best unite the Party, and, above all, who can win the presidential election of 7th December 2024, and inflict a third successive defeat on the perennial NDC Presidential Candidate, John Dramani Mahama.”

President Akufo-Addo reassured the gathering that victory for the NPP in election 2024, and handing over to an NPP Presidential Candidate so elected as President by the Ghanaian people, are what he is working for, and he expects all members of the NPP to share the same goals.

“I assume that we all want our party to win the 2024 elections decisively, our parliamentary candidates to win, again, the majority of seats in Parliament, and our flagbearer to become the President of the Republic. I expect and accept arguments on how we prosecute this agenda. But I do not expect and do not accept that party members would do anything to jeopardise the goal we have set ourselves of winning the 2024 elections, and I will work with all who seek this objective,” he added.

Touching on the economy, President Akufo-Addo stressed that, but for the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with the effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ghana would have witnessed an economic boom, following three (3) successive years when the country was one of the fastest growing economies in the world, recording an annual GDP growth rate of seven percent (7%), up from three-point four percent (3.4%), the lowest in a generation, the NPP inherited from the Mahama-led NDC Government at a time when there was no global turbulence.

“By the Grace of Almighty God, together with appropriate policy and hard work, we are seeing a turnaround in our fortunes, and this turnaround will be sustained. We are not about to throw this away, and no machinations are going to weaken us. We will work hard the next sixteen (16) months to finish strongly our current mandate, and merit again the trust and confidence of the Ghanaian people, Break the Eight, and make history together,” he added.