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ACCRA, Ghana — Illegal small-scale gold mining in Ghana has been linked with the destruction of the environment and illness. A protest in Accra, Ghana, demanding government action on illegal gold mining. Yaw Amoafo, who owns several small gold mines employing 20 to 30 people each, said public anger at galamsey mining has forced him to cease operations. He added that he feared the government would introduce a short-term ban on small-scale mining, like the one it implemented in 2017. Earlier this year it opened the government-backed Royal Ghana Gold Refinery, with the intent of getting it accredited by the LBMA.

Persons: galamsey, Nana Akufo, Nipah Dennis, Cristina Aldehuela, Addo, Yaw Amoafo, “, ”, Amoafo, Eddie James Richmond, Neil Harby, Harby, Francis Kokoroko, Swissaid Organizations: West, Water Resources Commission, Getty, Ghana’s Ministry of Land, Resources, Ghana Water Ltd, International Institute for Strategic Studies, Watch, Ghana’s Minerals, International Monetary Fund, Sahara Royal Gold Refinery, London Bullion Market Association, Reuters, State Department, Royal, Royal Ghana Gold Refinery Locations: ACCRA, Ghana, Accra, ”, AFP, Cape Coast, Pra, Kibi, London, U.K, South Africa, Africa, Switzerland, Mali, Zimbabwe, Royal Ghana

☆ Ghana: In deciding on anti-gay law, president is caught between a rock and a hard place
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( David Mckenzie | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Sam George, the driving force behind Ghana’s harsh anti-LGBTQ legislation, portrays himself as a guardian of gay Ghanaians. Making inequality legalWhatever its origins, the bill’s passage is terrible news for LGBTQ Ghanaians. “The sentiment and emotion we are expressing right now is sadness,” said Alex Kofi Donkor, the founder of LGBT+ Rights in Ghana, an advocacy group. On one side, you have politicians like George and a broadly conservative citizenry that will publicly goad the president to act. For Ghana’s president, navigating this intricate political landscape looks set to be a daunting – and unenviable – task.

Persons: Sam George, “, ”, It’s, ” George, George, Alex Kofi Donkor, Nana Akufo, it’s, Ghana’s Organizations: CNN, Rights, Ghana’s Ministry, Finance, Bank Financing, Monetary Fund, Bank, US State Department, Ministry of Finance Locations: Accra, Ghana, United States, Uganda, Ghanaian, “ Ghana, State

Ghana’s Parliament on Wednesday passed a bill that imposes jail terms on people who identify as L.G.B.T.Q. or organize gay advocacy groups, measures that Amnesty International called among the harshest on the African continent. issues could get five years, and those who engage in gay sex would receive five years instead of the three years under previous legislation. The bill is the latest in a wave of anti-gay legislation passed in Africa: Tanzania, Niger and Namibia have tightened such laws in recent years, while Uganda has adopted an anti-gay law that includes the death penalty. Many have experienced a surge in homophobic attitudes, behaviors and rhetoric in recent years, the rights group said in a report last year.

Persons: Nana Akufo Organizations: Amnesty Locations: Africa, Tanzania, Niger, Namibia, Uganda

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden promised to visit Africa this year, but 2023 is drawing to a close with no trip in sight yet. “I’m eager to visit your continent,” Biden said at the summit almost a year ago. “We’re hoping that President Biden will also be here to restore that trajectory,” he said. Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan told Harris that her country was excited for a Biden visit. “Tanzanians are now anxiously waiting for President Joe Biden’s visit in Tanzania,” she said to the U.S. vice president.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, “ I’m, ” Biden, “, ”, Jideofor Adibe, John Kirby, Xi Jinping, ramping, Daniel Russel, Inger Andersen, “ Joe Biden, Mohamed Adow, Kamala Harris, Jill Biden, Antony Blinken, Janet Yellen, Lloyd Austin, Harris, Nana Akufo, Donald Trump —, —, Barack Obama, George W, Bush, Bill Clinton, “ We’re, Samia Suluhu Hassan, Joe Biden’s, Seth Borenstein, Chinedu Asadu, Asadu Organizations: WASHINGTON, Africa, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Nigeria’s Nasarawa State University, White House, Administration, Associated Press, Pacific, Hollywood, Asia Society Policy Institute, U.S ., Republican, Biden Locations: Africa, Dubai . U.S, Israel, Vietnam, Ukraine, Washington, U.S, California, Glasgow, Scotland, Egypt, China, Dubai, United States, Ghana, Tanzania, ”, Abuja, Nigeria

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — If you listen to the African leaders addressing the U.N. General Assembly this year, the message is emphatic and unanimous: The continent is done being a victim of a post-World War II order. It is a global power in itself and must be partnered with — not sidelined. There’s also a new boldness that comes with the African Union’s G20 seat. With the largest bloc of countries at the United Nations, it is understandable that African leaders increasingly demand a bigger voice in multilateral institutions, said Murithi Mutiga, program director for Africa at the Crisis Group. As African leaders spoke glowingly about the continent as a force on the global stage, some at home said the leaders must begin by delivering the dividends of democracy to their people.

Persons: —, There’s, William Ruto, Nana Akufo, Addo, Africa’s, Cyril Ramaphosa of, ”, Bola Tinubu, Tinubu, Murithi Mutiga, Rashid Abdi, Horn of, ” Abdi, Felix, Antoine Tshisekedi, Filipe Nyusi, Nyusi, Ibrahim Mayaki, Mayaki, Grace Agbu, Mamadi Doumbouya Organizations: General Assembly, Kenyan, United Nations, Crisis, African Development Bank, Gulf, Slave Trade, SEAT, Economic Cooperation, Development, Democratic, Africa Center, ” Locations: ABUJA, Nigeria, Africa, Russia, Ukraine, Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, Horn of Africa, Nairobi, Europe, United States, Paris, Democratic Republic of, Congo, New York, Nigeria’s, Abuja, “, ”

☆ Notable remarks on Ukraine at UN Security Council
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has his address to the United Nations Security Council laid out on the desk in front of him as he attends a ministerial level meeting of the Security Council on the crisis in Ukraine at U.N. headquarters in New York, September 20, 2023. U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE ANTONY BLINKEN:"It's hard to imagine a country demonstrating more contempt for the United Nations and all that it stands for - this from a country with a permanent seat on this council. "The war is having an increasingly devastating toll on the people in Ukraine and elsewhere in the world. "The only pathway for a comprehensive peace ... is one that must be just and based on the charter of the United Nations, and international law." SWISS PRESIDENT ALAIN BERSET:"With Russia's military aggression against Ukraine, the (U.N.) Charter has been violated on a massive scale.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Brendan McDermid, VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY, BLINKEN, Putin, SERGEI LAVROV, GUILLERMO LASSO, NANA AKUFO, ALAIN BERSET, FUMIO, Gabriela Baczynska, Humeyra Pamuk, Don Durfee Organizations: United Nations Security Council, Security, REUTERS, UNITED NATIONS, Wednesday, Security Council, Russia, OF STATE, United Nations, UN, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, U.N, New York, Russia, Soviet Union, .

☆ Crisis and Bailout: The Tortuous Cycle Stalking Nations in Debt
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Patricia Cohen | More About Patricia Cohen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Before interest, he said, the back payments add up to 50 billion cedis, roughly $4.4 billion. “Most of the contractors are home,” Mr. Cherry said. Like many others in this West African country, the contractors have to wait in line for their money. Teacher trainees complain they are owed two months of back pay. Independent power producers that have warned of major blackouts are owed $1.58 billion.

Persons: Emmanuel Cherry, ” Mr, Cherry, Nana Akufo, Addo Organizations: Independent, International Monetary Fund Locations: Accra Children’s Park

Cocoa beans are pictured next to a warehouse at the village of Atroni, near Sunyani, Ghana April 11, 2019. A weakened cedi currency and a lower farmgate cocoa price in Ghana in the 2022/2023 season, compared with neighbouring Ivory Coast, the world's top cocoa grower, saw beans smuggled to there and to Togo. Fiifi Boafo, head of public affairs at regulator COCOBOD regulator told Reuters on Saturday that Ghana is targeting an output of 820,000 metric tons for the 2023/2024 season after the increased farmgate price. Boafo added that Ghana is planning to borrow $1.2 billion for its annual cocoa purchases. Cameroon, another top West African cocoa producer, and the world's fourth biggest, on Thursday raised its farmgate cocoa price by 25% to around 1,500 ($2.45) CFA franc per kg for the 2023/2024 season.

Persons: Ange Aboa, Nana Akufo, Addo, Ghana cedi, , Leticia Adu Yankey, Fiifi Boafo, Maxwell Adombila, Bate Felix, Clelia Oziel, Alexander Smith Organizations: REUTERS, Ghana cedi, Ghana Civil Society Cocoa, Reuters, CFA, Central African CFA, Thomson Locations: Atroni, Sunyani, Ghana, Akufo, West Africa, London, Ivory Coast, Togo, Cameroon

☆ Ghana sanitation minister resigns over alleged stashed cash
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ACCRA, July 22 (Reuters) - Ghana's sanitation minister resigned on Saturday over reports staff found and stole stashes of local and foreign money from her home, she said in a letter to the president in which she denied any wrongdoing. Cecilia Abena Dapaah made headlines on Friday after two former household staff appeared in court accused of stealing cash and personal belongings from the minister and her husband between July and October 2022. Prosecutors told the court that the accused bought houses and a vehicle with the stolen money and gave some of it to relatives. Dapaah was appointed minister of sanitation and water resources when Akufo-Addo took power in 2017 and retained when he was re-elected in 2021. Reporting by Christian Akorlie and Maxwell Akalaare Adombila Editing by Sofia Christensen and Nick MacfieOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Cecilia Abena Dapaah, Nana Akufo, ” Dapaah, Dapaah's, Dapaah, Addo, Christian Akorlie, Maxwell Akalaare, Sofia Christensen, Nick Macfie Organizations: Prosecutors, Thomson Locations: ACCRA

☆ Ghana's main opposition party picks Mahama as 2024 presidential candidate
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

ACCRA, May 14 (Reuters) - Ghana’s main opposition party, the National Democratic Congress, voted overwhelmingly on Saturday to retain former president, John Mahama, as its leader for the 2024 presidential election. This is the third time Mahama will run for the top job in Ghana, one of Africa's most stable democracies. The upcoming presidential vote is expected to be keenly contested. Mahama, 64, secured 297,603 votes, representing 98.9% of votes cast, the electoral commission said early on Sunday. "I am humbled by the overwhelming vote of confidence reposed in me by the party," Mahama said shortly after the declaration.

☆ Kamala Harris wraps up Ghana visit, heads to Tanzania
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris meets with women entrepreneurs during her week-long trip to Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia, in Accra, Ghana March 29, 2023. REUTERS/Francis KokorokoACCRA, March 29 (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris will meet Ghanaian women entrepreneurs on Wednesday to discuss economic empowerment and leadership, her last engagement in Accra before heading to Tanzania to continue her week-long African tour. She is scheduled to leave Ghana after her roundtable with women entrepreneurs and fly to the Tanzanian commercial capital Dar es Salaam, where she will meet President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Thursday and fulfil other engagements. On Friday, she will fly to Zambia, where she will meet President Hakainde Hichilema and participate in other events. Reporting by Francis Kokoroko; Writing by Estelle Shirbon; Editing by William MacleanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Kamala Harris Pledges $100 Million to West Africa Nations to Fight Extremist Threat
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( Annie Linskey | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Vice President Kamala Harris with Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo, in blue tie, in Accra, Ghana, the first stop on her three-country Africa trip. ACCRA, Ghana—Vice President Kamala Harris announced Monday that the U.S. will provide $100 million over 10 years in new security aid to help West African countries fend off threats posed by terrorist and extremist groups, including al Qaeda, that have been expanding in the region. The bulk of the money—at least $86 million—will be provided over the next three years to Ghana, Benin, Ivory Coast, Guinea and Togo, according to the Biden administration. The funds “will address security governance and development issues in the region,” Ms. Harris said in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, her first stop on a three-country Africa trip.

☆ Kamala Harris starts Africa tour in Ghana, announces security aid
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( Francis Kokoroko | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Akufo-Addo reiterated that he was concerned about Wagner's presence in West Africa. Several countries across West Africa and the Sahel region have been struggling to quell Islamist insurgencies that have caused humanitarian disasters and fuelled discontent -- contributing factors to military coups in Mali and Burkina Faso. "We appreciate your leadership in response to recent democratic back-sliding in West Africa," Harris told Akufo-Addo. [1/5] U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris meets with Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo during her week-long trip to Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia, in Accra, Ghana March 27, 2023. REUTERS/Francis Kokoroko 1 2 3 4 5After Ghana, Harris will head to Tanzania and Zambia.

☆ In Ghana, Kamala Harris 'excited about the future of Africa'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-26 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

U.S. Vice President, Kamala Harris, arrives at the Kotoka International Airport as she begins her trip to Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia, in Accra, Ghana, March 26, 2023. Vice President Kamala Harris was greeted by schoolchildren, dancers and drummers as she arrived Sunday in Ghana for the start of a weeklong visit to Africa intended to deepen U.S. relationships amid global competition over the continent's future. "What an honor it is to be here in Ghana and on the continent of Africa," Harris said. Harris is the highest-profile member of President Joe Biden's administration to visit Africa this year. In the evening, they will attend a state banquet with the Ghanaian president and first lady.

☆ US Vice President Harris promises greater investment for Africa
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/7] U.S. Vice President, Kamala Harris, arrives at the Kotoka International Airport as she begins her trip to Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia, in Accra, Ghana, March 26, 2023. The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has sought to strengthen ties with Africa, in part to offer an alternative to rival powers. Biden is yet to visit Africa as president. On this trip, Harris will also discuss China's engagement in technology and economic issues in Africa that concern the United States, as well as China's involvement in debt restructuring, senior U.S. officials said last week. Harris will meet Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo this week and will visit a former slave castle from which slaves were sent to America during the slave trade era.

☆ Former Newcastle winger Atsu missing after Turkey earthquake
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

ACCRA, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Ghana international winger Christian Atsu is among those missing after the collapse of an apartment building in Hatay, Turkey, following Monday's huge earthquake. Hatayspor vice president Mustafa Ozat told Turkish TV station Play Spor: "Christian Atsu and (club sporting director) Taner Savut are still under the rubble." Atsu, 31, played in the Premier League for Newcastle United and Everton, on loan from Chelsea, but joined Hatayspor in September. Newcastle, who Atsu helped to promotion from the Championship in the 2016/17, tweeted they were "praying for some positive news". "We pray for Ghana International Christian Atsu and victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria," the Ghana Football Association tweeted.

☆ Burkina Faso summons Ghanaian ambassador over Wagner allegations
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

OUAGADOUGOU, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Burkina Faso summoned the Ghanaian ambassador on Friday morning for "explanations" after Ghana's president alleged that Burkina Faso had hired the Russian mercenary group Wagner, Burkina Faso's foreign ministry said. Burkina Faso has now entered into an arrangement to go along with Mali in employing the Wagner forces there," Akufo-Addo said, adding that it was a distressing development for Ghana. Akufo-Addo also alleged that Burkina Faso had offered Wagner a mine as payment. In a statement issued after the meeting with the ambassador, Burkina Faso's foreign ministry said it had "expressed disapproval" about the statements made by the Ghanaian president. Burkina Faso also recalled its ambassador from Ghana for a meeting, the spokesperson said.

☆ Burkina Faso aware of the dangers of Wagner force -France
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( John Irish | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Speaking to reporters alongside U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday, Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo alleged that Burkina Faso had hired the mercenaries. Burkina Faso has now entered into an arrangement to go along with Mali in employing the Wagner forces there," he said. Prime minister of Burkina Faso in the last 10 days has been in Moscow. Officials from Burkina Faso did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Burkina Faso has not said publicly that it would consider hiring Wagner mercenaries.

☆ Fed hikes and a stronger dollar are fueling risks of political instability in Africa
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

ACCRA, GHANA - NOVEMBER 05: Ghanaians march during the 'Ku Me Preko' demonstration on November 5, 2022, in Accra, Ghana. "Exposure to international interest rate changes is exacerbated by the large proportion of African public debt that is held in dollars." watch now"High public debt levels and elevated borrowing costs will constrain public spending, which will likely result in a deteriorating ESG and political risk landscape across the continent," Hunter added. Spotlight on Ghana Hunter pointed to Ghana as among the most affected by this negative feedback loop between a deepening public debt burden, a constrained fiscal position and a deteriorating ESG and political landscape. ACCRA, GHANA - NOVEMBER 05: Ghanaians march during the 'Ku Me Preko' demonstration on November 5, 2022, in Accra, Ghana.

☆ Ghana president sacks junior finance minister over alleged impropriety
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Bernd Lauter/Pool via REUTERSACCRA, Nov 14 (Reuters) - Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo has sacked Charles Adu Boahen, the minister of state for finance, the presidency said on Monday after allegations of impropriety were circulated by a well-known Ghanaian investigative journalist. Adu Boahen did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters. read moreThe allegations against Adu Boahen did not appear to be related to those previously raised against Ofori-Atta. Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia said in a statement the video showed Adu Boahen "apparently using my name, inter alia, to peddle influence and collect money from supposed investors". "I would like to state that if what the minister (Adu Boahen) is alleged to have said is accurately captured in the video, then his position as a minister of state is untenable.

ACCRA, Oct 30 (Reuters) - Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo on Sunday said talks with the International Monetary Fund were going well and sought to reassure investors that the negotiations would not lead to a reduction in the face value of government bonds. The talks are "are at advanced stages, and are going well," Akufo-Addo said. "No individual or institutional investor ... will lose their money as a result of our ongoing IMF negotiations. Ghana launched talks with the IMF in July as foreign investors dumped its debt and street protests broke out over economic turmoil that has seen inflation and currency depreciation hit record levels despite repeated and severe lending rate hikes. "I cannot find an example in history when so many malevolent forces have come together at the same time," Akufo-Addo said.

☆ Fact Check-BBC Africa did not say Ghana’s universities will shut down in honour of Queen Elizabeth
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-15 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Some social media users have been sharing a fake screenshot that appears to show BBC Africa reporting that Ghana’s universities will close for a week in honour of Queen Elizabeth II. The screenshot uses an image of Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo with an overlaid text strap which reads: “Universities in Ghana to be closed down for one week in honour of Queen Elizabeth.”A second strap credits: “Reporting from BBC Africa” (here ), (here ). The screenshot does not use the BBC logo, formatting or font for a broadcast report (see here) . Queen Elizabeth, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch and the nation’s figurehead for seven decades, died on Sept. 8 aged 96. He also shared a condolence message on Twitter (here ) and directed all official flags to fly at half-mast for seven days from Sept. 9 (here ).

☆ Factbox: World leaders to attend Queen Elizabeth's funeral
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Canadian Prime minister Justin Trudeau and Sophie Gregoire Trudeau attend the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Abbey. Jack Hill/Pool via REUTERSRegister now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterLONDON, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Queen Elizabeth's state funeral will take place in London on Monday and a host of world leaders, royalty and other dignitaries will attend. Countries that have not been invited include Syria and Venezuela because London does not have normal diplomatic relations with those states. Britain has also not invited representatives from Russia, Belarus or Myanmar after it imposed economic sanctions on those countries. Related ContentFactbox: Plans for Queen Elizabeth's state funeral on MondayFactbox: Comments from crowds in London on Queen ElizabethFactbox: World leaders to attend Queen Elizabeth's funeralFactbox: Order of service for Queen Elizabeth's state funeralWindsor Castle, Queen Elizabeth's home and now final resting placeWestminster Abbey - traditional church for royals in life and death(This story was refiled to correct spelling of first name of Belize governor general)Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterCompiled by Farouq Suleiman and Kate Holton Editing by Deepa Babington and Frances KerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Ghana to sign $3.2 billion railway project deal with Thelo DB consortium
▼ + stars: | 2022-07-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

ACCRA, July 19 (Reuters) - Ghana's government will sign an agreement next week with Thelo DB consortium for a $3.2 billion project to develop and make operational its Western Railway Line, the company said in a statement on Tuesday. Thelo DB is a South African railway entity incorporated between Thelo Ventures, an African industrial company, and Germany's Deutsche Bahn Engineering & Consulting (DB). The Thelo DB consortium also includes Ghanaian partner Transtech Consult. Transportation of cement, mining equipment and petroleum will also benefit from construction of the rail line, the ministry added. "The Western Railway Line Project will transform Ghana's existing railway infrastructure base into a modern, robust and integrated railway system," Thelo DB said in its statement.

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