IOPG to become sub-regional centre for training packaging expertise

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Mr Ebenezer Mante, Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Packaging Ghana (IOPG) on Tuesday said the vision of his outfit is to become a sub-regional centre for training and development of packaging expertise.

The body, he said also aims at becoming a leading packaging institution in Africa.

He said the IOPG provides world class professional training and packaging service to individuals and organisations operating in the packaging and trade sectors.

Mr Mante made this known when he granted an interview to the Ghana News Agency in Accra.

He said the IOPG is a registered professional body operating in Ghana and the West African sub-region, promoting packaging practice since November 2003.

“The institute provides training, advocacy, business advisory, research and consultancy services to the packaging and trade sectors.”

Mr Mante noted that to ensure high packaging standards, the IOPG had established mutually beneficial partnership with national and international institutions.

He said the IOPG collaborating partners at the national level includes the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Women and Children’s Affairs, Ghana Standards Authority, Food and Drugs Board and Ghana Education Service.

The others are the Ghana Export Promotion Council, Coalition against Counterfeit and Illicit Trade, Universities of Ghana and Science and Technology and the Rural Enterprises Project to provide training to micro entrepreneurs in effective packaging.

Mr Mante said the international collaborating partners also includes Institute of Packaging South Africa, Thai packaging centre, the international trade centre and pro-invest group which was funded by the European Union.

He added that the IOPG organises frequent seminars and workshops for its national collaborating partners to upgrade their knowledge in packaging.

The institute also offer 10 months professional diploma courses in packaging technology, in collaboration with institute of packing, South Africa for individuals and organisations.

Touching on the achievement, he said the IOPG has build the capacity of industry practitioners through the provision of professional, short term and refresher training programmes in packaging for Ghana, Burkina Faso and Niger since 2003.

Mr Mante added that the IOPG hosted the first World Packaging Organisation Board Meeting and Packaging Awards Ceremony (World Star) as well as the First Ghana Packaging Awards in May 2008.

It also started food packaging courses for final year students of the Food Process Engineering Department of the Faculty of Engineering Science of the University of Ghana.

Mr Mante said he arranged a study tour of European Packaging Institutions and participation in packaging fairs for Ghanaian packaging converts with support from the EU Pro-Invest and conducted research and published a Ghana Packing Directory and hand books with assistance from International Trade Centre.

He said the institute benefits to its members are unaccountable, adding “the institute administratively is governed by a seven- member Executive Committee.” GNA

UN Yugoslav tribunal accepts plea agreement in contempt trial

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Jelena Ra?ic. Photo: ICTY

The United Nations war crimes tribunal for the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s today accepted the plea agreement filed in the contempt of court trial of Jelena Ra?ic, who was accused of procuring false statements from witnesses in exchange for money.

Ms. Ra?ic had pleaded guilty to all five counts of contempt of court at her initial appearance before the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), which is based in The Hague, in September 2010.

She had been granted provisional release in November, pending the start of trial, the tribunal noted in a news release. The date of the judgement hearing in Ms. Ra?ic?s case will be confirmed in due course.

Ms. Ra?ic was the case manager on the defence team of Milan Lukic, a Bosnian Serb who was sentenced by the trial chamber to life imprisonment for crimes committed in the eastern Bosnian town of Vi?egrad.

She pleaded guilty to knowingly and willingly interfering with the Tribunal?s administration of justice by procuring a false witness statement from Zuhdija Tabakovic from Vi?egrad in exchange for ?1,000 in cash.

She also pleaded guilty to inciting Mr. Tabakovic to offer bribes and to procure false witness statements from two other individuals. Mr. Tabakovic was convicted of contempt in March 2010 and was sentenced to three months? imprisonment.

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Eighteenth Ordinary Session of the African Union ends with postponement of Commissioners elections to June in Malawi

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Eighteenth Ordinary Session of the African Union ends with postponement of Commissioners elections to June in Malawi

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, February 1, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU), meeting at the 18th Ordinary Session of the AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 29 January 2012, on the theme “Boosting Intra-African Trade”, ended deliberation today 30 January 2012, at the new Conference Center of the AU in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The Heads of States adopted 25 Decisions, one resolution and two Declarations. Amongst the decisions is the suspension of the elections of the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission, alongside that of the eight Commissioners. This came after long debate as none of the candidates for the chairmanship could obtain the 2/3 votes as stipulated in the AU constitution.

The summit resolved that an ad-hoc committee be set up as soon as possible to look into the election matter ahead of the next AU summit scheduled for June 2012 in the Republic of Malawi. The ad-hoc committee is expected to meet in March 2012. To that effect, the mandate of the present Commission was extended until the next AU Summit.

During the closing ceremony, Dr. Mohamed Moncef Marzouki, President of the Republic of Tunisia presented the vote of thanks to the Assembly, calling on the need for peace and unity on the continent. To the Chinese Government he extended his gratitude for offering the AU a magnificent conference center which will enable the African Heads of States to meet and discuss about issues of interest to the continent.

Addressing the final press conference that followed the closing ceremony of the 18th AU Summit, the Chairperson of the African Union President Yayi Boni of Benin informed the press that the Assembly discussed among others, peace and security issues. “We were able to agree on certain measures to ensure that peace is restored to the areas affected by conflicts”, he underlined.

The AU Chairperson announced that the AU was pleased to receive the new Libyan authorities into the Union, and that the AU will continue to support the efforts of the Libyans to ensure that peace and stability is restored and development enhanced. President Yayi Boni recalled that the issue of proliferation of arms in the region is of concern to the AU and needs urgent attention. “We want a new and safe Africa”, he said. Referring to the theme of the summit, President Boni commended the free trade area by the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), adding that Africa is looking to establish a continental free trade area by 2017, in order to promote the economic development and integration of the continent.

SOURCE 

African Union Commission (AUC)

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Presidential Proclamation — National African American History Month, 2012

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Presidential Proclamation — National African American History Month, 2012

WASHINGTON, February 1, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The story of African Americans is a story of resilience and perseverance. It traces a people who refused to accept the circumstances under which they arrived on these shores, and it chronicles the generations who fought for an America that truly reflects the ideals enshrined in our founding documents. It is the narrative of slaves who shepherded others along the path to freedom and preachers who organized against the rules of Jim Crow, of young people who sat-in at lunch counters and ordinary men and women who took extraordinary risks to change our Nation for the better. During National African American History Month, we celebrate the rich legacy of African Americans and honor the remarkable contributions they have made to perfecting our Union.

This year’s theme, “Black Women in American Culture and History,” invites us to pay special tribute to the role African American women have played in shaping the character of our Nation — often in the face of both racial and gender discrimination. As courageous visionaries who led the fight to end slavery and tenacious activists who fought to expand basic civil rights to all Americans, African American women have long served as champions of social and political change. And from the literary giants who gave voice to their communities to the artists whose harmonies and brush strokes captured hardships and aspirations, African American women have forever enriched our cultural heritage. Today, we stand on the shoulders of countless African American women who shattered glass ceilings and advanced our common goals. In recognition of their legacy, let us honor their heroic and historic acts for years to come.

The achievements of African American women are not limited to those recorded and retold in our history books. Their impact is felt in communities where they are quiet heroes who care for their families, in boardrooms where they are leaders of industry, in laboratories where they are discovering new technologies, and in classrooms where they are preparing the next generation for the world they will inherit. As we celebrate the successes of African American women, we recall that progress did not come easily, and that our work to widen the circle of opportunity for all Americans is not complete. With eyes cast toward new horizons, we must press on in pursuit of a high-quality education for every child, a job for every American who wants one, and a fair chance at prosperity for every individual and family across our Nation.

During National African American History Month, we pay tribute to the contributions of past generations and reaffirm our commitment to keeping the American dream alive for the next generation. In honor of those women and men who paved the way for us, and with great expectations for those to follow, let us continue the righteous cause of making America what it should be — a Nation that is more just and more equal for all its people.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim February 2012 as National African American History Month. I call upon public officials, educators, librarians, and all the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.

BARACK OBAMA

SOURCE 

The White House

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Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz Take Baby Egypt To Hawaii

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It seems Hawaii is this year’s celeb hot spot and not all celebs are out the for the smokes and to pose pefrectly in front of the camera in suggestive swim suits ( Rihanna). Alicia Keys, real name Alicia Augello Cook was spotted with hubby Swizz Beatz and their 15-month-old son Egypt vacationing in Hawaii. Egypt is a growing into a real cutie!

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NEW MUSIC VIDEO: Busta Rhymes ft Chris Brown ‘Why Stop Now’

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Busta Rhymes knows what sells and has teamed up with C Breezy  for his latest track ‘Why stop now’. Busta has been laying low on the main stream front and will no doubt hit the clubs hard with this one.

Check it…


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Amanful Catholic Boys school teachers threaten strike

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Cape Coast, Jan.31 GNA- Teachers at Cape Coast Amanful Catholic Boys Junior High School (JHS), have threatened to strike if the Metropolitan Assembly fails to stop people from dumping refuse on campus and using the facility as a place of convenience.

Mrs Georgina Nkum, Head teacher of the school issued the threat on behalf of her colleagues, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency after a church service at the Amanful St Joseph Catholic church to climax this year’s Catholic Education week celebration.

He said most teachers have also threatened to leave the school.

She said numerous complaints to the Metropolitan Assembly had felt on deaf ears, thereby making teaching and learning unbearable.

Mrs Nkum said the school compound is also used as a football park for the surrounding communities, while the walls are defaced with posters.

On the Academic performance of the school, Mrs Nkum said most of the students are performing poorly and attributed the situation to truancy by most of them, who had to engage in child labour to fund their education.

This, she said is affecting their preparation towards the Basic Education Certificate Examination.

She said the school had decided to organise extra classes for the final year students.

An appeal for funds in aid of the celebration of the week yielded GH? 109,000 which was shared among St Michael’s, Amanful Catholic Boys JHS and Amanful Catholic Boys Primary School.

GNA

Two editors given jail terms in Central African Republic

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Two editors given jail terms in Central African Republic

NEW YORK, February 1, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The convictions of two journalists in the Central African Republic over their critical coverage of a top official constitute political censorship, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

On Friday, a judge in the capital, Bangui, convicted Ferdinand Samba, editor of the private weekly Le Démocrate, on charges of defamation, insult, and incitement to hatred over a series of opinion articles dating back to September 2011 that were critical of finance minister Sylvain Ndoutingaï, according to news reports. Only the incitement charge carried a prison sentence under the country’s 2005 press law, the journalist’s defense lawyer, Nicolas Tiangaye, told CPJ.

Samba, who has been imprisoned since mid-January based on a complaint filed by Ndoutingaï, was sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment and a fine of 1 million CFA francs (US$1,976), news reports said. The judge also ordered the journalist to pay 10 million CFA francs (US$19,762) in damages to Ndoutingaï and imposed a one-year suspension on Le Démocrate.Tiangaye told CPJ that although he immediately filed an appeal upon hearing the verdict, authorities had already sealed the newspaper’soffices and returned the journalist to Ngaragba Central Prison in Bangui.

Another newspaper editor, Patrick Agoundou of the pro-government La Plume, was convicted in absentia on similar charges, according to news reports. The journalist had written articles criticizing Ndoutingaï’s management of public finances and had reported on allegations of abuse of power and embezzlement, local journalists told CPJ. Fearing arrest, Agoundou fled the country a few weeks ago, local journalists said.

“The judge’s decision to suspend Le Démocrate for one year and the prison sentences given to Ferdinand Samba and Patrick Agoundou were politically motivated in order to silence critical voices,” said CPJ Africa Advocacy Coordinator Mohamed Keita. “We call on the appeals court to reverse Samba’s jail sentence and urge authorities to free Samba immediately.”

SOURCE 

Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)

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African Union and World Bank Hold High-Level Consultations

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African Union and World Bank Hold High-Level Consultations

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, February 1, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — On the heels of the 18th African Union (AU) Summit, the African Union Commission (AUC) and the World Bank (WB) held High-Level Consultations at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, on the 31st of January 2012.

The meeting was part of regular consultations on the partnership between both organizations and was chaired by the Chairperson of the Commission, H.E. Dr. Jean Ping, who was accompanied by the Deputy Chairperson, H.E. Mr. Erastus Mwencha, while the World Bank Delegation was led by the Vice President for Africa, Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili.

The purpose of the meeting was to follow-up on the theme of the Summit – Boosting Intra-African trade – and review ways and means of enhancing and maximizing the effectiveness of WB support for the AU and Africa, in that respect.

Issues discussed at the meeting included: sub-regional and regional integration and trade; capacity building; agriculture and food security; funding; and mechanisms for the Bank’s support to the Commission.

The Chairperson thanked the World Bank for its support to Africa and emphasized the need for Africa’s Donors and Partners to follow through on their commitments and pledges to the Continent.

Chairperson Ping thanked Vice President Ezekwesili, who will be leaving her post in May, for her fruitful efforts to improve relations between the World Bank and Africa.

“I commend you for the excellent job you have done to improve relations between the World Bank and Africa. We understand the challenges you may have encountered in the process and appreciate your productive focus and tenacity. I wish you success in your professional pursuits and hope that wherever you go, you will not forget Africa,” the Chairperson said.

On her part, Vice President Ezekwesili thanked Chairperson Ping for making time to personally receive her delegation, despite his exhausting Pre-Summit and Summit schedule.

With regard to her tenure at the Bank, Mrs. Ezekwesili said: “Improving relations between the World Bank and the African Union was the most natural thing for me to do. Dealing with Africa as a true partner and not simply dictating policy to the Continent is the right approach. It was not easy but I am proud of what we accomplished by working together and I promise that my successor will continue in the same vein. This is a good time for Africa, as all the key macro-economic indicators suggest. Africa and the African Union must continue to drive the agenda, with more emphasis on economics than politics.”

The Vice President assured the Chairperson of the sustained interest and determination of the World Bank to continue assisting Africa’s agricultural sector to help achieve food security for the people of the Continent.

Vice President Ezekwesili was accompanied by the Bank’s Africa Director of Strategy and Operations, Mr. Colin Bruce, the Director for Regional Integration, Mr. Yussupha Crookes, the Trade Practice Leader, Mr. Paul Brenton, the Trade Programme Coordinator, Mr. Dominique Njinkeu, as well as the Special Assistant to the Vice President, Mr. Ikechi Okorie and three Senior Specialists: Mr. Waleed Malik, Mr. Andrew Roberts and Ms. Aileen Marshall.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson were flanked by the Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff in the Bureau of the Chairperson, the Chairperson’s Political and Diplomatic Advisor, the Economic Affairs Advisor, as well as the Director of Strategic Planning, Monitoring and Resource Mobilization, the Director of Information and Communication and the Special Assistant and Coordinating Officer in the Bureau of the Deputy Chairperson.

SOURCE 

African Union Commission (AUC)

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HIV – AIDS at the center of discussions of the general assembly of the Organisation of African First Ladies (OAFLA)

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HIV – AIDS at the center of discussions of the general assembly of the Organisation of African First Ladies (OAFLA)

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, February 1, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Organization of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) held its General Assembly, today 30 January 2012, at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, under the theme: “An HIV/AIDS free tomorrow needs caring men and women today”.

The OAFLA General Assembly was chaired by Advocate Bience Gawanas, Commissioner for Social Affairs of the African Union.

The First Lady of Ethiopia, Mrs Azeb Mesfin was the first to address the audience in her capacity of hostess and former President of OAFLA. She stated that her three years as president of OAFLA gave her a lot of pride, OAFLA being a real step up for the role of First Ladies. According to First Lady Mesfin, the association not only fights against AIDS but also promotes values such as peace, good governance and women empowerment. She explained that, First Ladies have the capacity to influence change through their collective voices, “they have become the voice of the most vulnerable”, she noted. Mrs. Mesfin underlined the necessity to empower women, as empowerment is the key to protect them from HIV/AIDS.

Mrs Penehupifo Pohamba, First Lady of the Republic of Namibia and President of the OAFLA welcomed newcomers. They are: the First Ladies of Cape Verde, Comoros, Southern Sudan, and Zambia. She commended the establishment of a permanent Secretariat for the association in 2009 in Addis Ababa Ethiopia and the record attendance during a meeting of the technical advisers which took place last week in Addis Ababa. The meeting grouped 21 advisers sent by the First Ladies. The President of OAFLA then summarized the main achievements during her mandate including: the reduction of Mother to Child Transmission, the promotion of effective communication, advocacy, networking and mobilization of resources and the revitalization of the OAFLA membership. When concluding her speech, she recalled the importance of having an inclusive, comprehensive and flexible agenda in order to include other issues such as Tuberculosis, Malaria, gender-based violence and poverty. “OAFLA can no longer only be about HIV/AIDS”, she said.

Mrs Ban Soon-Taek, wife of the United Nations Secretary General, was the guest of honor at the AOFLA General Assembly. in her speech, Mrs. Ban stated that, the momentum is building and the support for this project is increasing, therefore an AIDS free generation can be reality in a few years. She said saving the lives of children and their mothers is the main goal. “The improvement of reproductive health services” she said, was also a means to decrease vulnerability factors while highlighting the advantages of couple oriented solutions and the need to have high profile champions in all countries to lead the process in the sensitization campaign.

Addressing the African First Ladies, Commissioner Gawanas underlined men involvement in the fight against AIDS. She said men are often blamed and left out when they also have sexual and reproductive health needs that have to be addressed. She recalled the campaign against HIV-AIDS and the effort of the Department of Social Affairs of the African Union to eradicate mother to child transmission to zero.

Mr. Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS, on his part, assured the OAFLA members of his support. He congratulated the First Ladies for their efforts aimed at bringing a change in the way people perceived the pandemic and how this has improved the lives of many. He underscored the importance for African countries to look for its own source of financing. “We are now going through a “Make it or Break it” phase and we need to find ways to produce our own drugs and look into ways to transfer technologies”, he reiterated.

Other key speakers at the General Assembly of OAFLA include: the UNFPA Country Representative and Representative to AU and ECA, Mr. Benoît Kalasa, RAND Cooperation Representative with OAFLA Dr. Gery Ryan and African AIDS Vaccine Partnership Executive Director Dr. Chidi Victor Nweneka.

SOURCE 

African Union Commission (AUC)

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