A highly respected economist and public servant, Dr. Iddrisu brings more than 27 years of distinguished experience in economic policy management, statistical research, public finance, and institutional reform. His appointment marks a new era of strategic leadership, evidence-based decision-making, and enhanced national development planning.

A Foundation Built on Statistical and Economic Excellence

Dr. Iddrisu began his journey in economics and statistics with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Statistics from the University of Ghana, Legon. He went on to earn an MPhil in Economics from the same institution, followed by a PhD and Master’s in International Development Studies from the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) in Tokyo, Japan.

With a strong academic foundation rooted in both theory and applied research, he has consistently approached public service through the lens of rigorous data analysis and empirical evidence.

Leadership at the Core of National Policy

Over nearly three decades, Dr. Iddrisu has held some of the most critical leadership roles in Ghana’s Ministry of Finance.

As Chief Economics Officer and Director of the Economic Strategy and Research Division (ESRD), he has led strategic policy formulation, macroeconomic forecasting, and fiscal management. His leadership was pivotal in negotiating Ghana’s US$3 billion IMF Extended Credit Facility programme in 2023, ensuring swift disbursements that supported the nation’s economic recovery.

He has also spearheaded the preparation of Ghana’s Fiscal Strategy Documents, Mid-Year Reviews, and Annual Budgets, ensuring that statistical integrity and economic modeling remained at the heart of government planning.

A Champion of Data-Driven Governance

Dr. Iddrisu’s approach to public finance and economic strategy is deeply rooted in statistical rigor. He has overseen the production of essential national reports, including Annual Macroeconomic Performance Reports, Fiscal Risks Statements, and Petroleum Fund Reconciliation Reports. These publications have become cornerstones of fiscal transparency and accountability in Ghana.

He also led the drafting of the 2024 Fiscal Responsibility Amendment Bill, which introduced a national debt rule and established an independent fiscal council—an institutional innovation that aligns perfectly with the mission of the Ghana Statistical Service to provide credible, timely, and relevant statistics for development.

Innovating for Transparency and Public Engagement

Recognizing the need for public engagement in economic discourse, Dr. Iddrisu introduced the Monthly Economic Updates and launched the Quarterly Economic Roundtable in collaboration with the University of Ghana. These initiatives have made complex economic issues more accessible to the public, academic institutions, and the media—fostering trust and broadening the reach of government data.

He also institutionalized the Social Partnership Council, a platform that brings together government, organized labour, and the private sector to align policy with the realities on the ground.

A Global Perspective, A Local Focus

Dr. Iddrisu has represented Ghana at high-level forums around the world, including the IMF, World Bank, African Union, and ECOWAS. His international engagements have shaped bilateral and multilateral negotiations, particularly in areas such as public finance management, climate financing, and economic integration.

In addition to his global presence, Dr. Iddrisu has contributed to capacity building across the region, serving as a consultant and facilitator in Liberia, The Gambia, Nigeria, and for several West African institutions. His deep understanding of both local dynamics and international best practices makes him uniquely equipped to elevate Ghana’s statistical systems to global standards.

A Respected Educator and Mentor

Beyond his public service, Dr. Iddrisu has maintained a strong commitment to education and mentorship. He has taught at GIMPA, the University of Ghana, and served as a resource person in training programs organized by WAIFEM, UNDP, and JICA. His mentorship has helped shape the next generation of economists, statisticians, and policymakers in Ghana and beyond.

Recognized for Excellence

His contributions have not gone unnoticed. Dr. Iddrisu has been awarded Overall Best Director in the Ghana Civil Service four times—in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2022. He has also received commendations from both the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Head of Civil Service for excellence in macroeconomic policy and public service delivery.

The Right Leader for a Data-Driven Era

As Ghana advances its development agenda, the need for a Government Statistician who understands both the science of data and the art of governance has never been more urgent. Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu brings the perfect blend of technical expertise, leadership experience, and a visionary mindset to the role.

He is not only prepared to guide the Ghana Statistical Service into the future—he is poised to redefine how statistics shape the nation’s story.

CURRICULUM VITAE
DR. ALHASSAN IDDRISU

1. BRIEF PROFILE
Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu is a distinguished economist with over 27 years of expertise in economic
policy management, public finance, development economics, climate change financing,
petroleum revenue management, and economic integration. He has
an extensive publication record in these domains and has made
significant contributions to Ghana’s economic development.
Currently, Dr. Iddrisu serves as the Chief Economics Officer and
Director of the Economic Strategy and Research Division (ESRD) at
Ghana’s Ministry of Finance. In this capacity, he leads strategic
economic research, policy analysis, and the formulation and
implementation of policies aimed at advancing the nation’s economic goals.
Over the years, Dr. Iddrisu has held several key leadership roles within the Ministry of Finance.
These include Director of the Economic Planning Division (EPD), the Real Sector Division (RSD),
and the Economic Research and Forecasting Division (ERFD). His leadership and expertise have
been instrumental in shaping Ghana’s economic policies and strategies.
Beyond his work at the Ministry, Dr. Iddrisu has served on numerous governing boards, councils,
and committees, where his extensive knowledge and leadership have significantly influenced
national development initiatives. He has also collaborated with leading global organizations,
including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, African Union (AU), and Economic
Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and has consulted for various international and
local institutions.
Dr. Iddrisu’s outstanding contributions to public service have earned him multiple accolades,
including being named “Best Director” in Ghana’s Civil Service for four years (2018, 2019, 2020,
and 2022). These awards recognize his exceptional performance, commitment, and dedication
to duty.
Dr. Iddrisu’s teaching engagements reflect his commitment to academic excellence, capacitybuilding, and knowledge dissemination in key areas of economics, public policy, and
development contributing to the education and professional development of students and
government staff alike.
Dr. Iddrisu holds a PhD and Master’s degree in International Development Studies from the
National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) in Tokyo, Japan. He also earned an MPhil
in Economics and a BA in Economics and Statistics from the University of Ghana, Legon.
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2. PERSONAL INFORMATION
Name: Alhassan IDDRISU (PhD)
Mailing Address: BD166, Abayateye St. GK-0529-9217, Community 24,
Tema, Ghana
Telephone: +233-24-8326300/ +233-20-203-0280
Email: aiddrisu@mofep.gov.gh /aiddrisu370@gmail.com
Nationality: Ghanaian
3. PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY/OBJECTIVE
Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu is a distinguished economist with over 27 years of expertise in economic
policy management, public finance, development economics, and climate change financing.
Currently serving as the Chief Economics Officer and Director of the Economic Strategy and
Research Division (ESRD) at Ghana’s Ministry of Finance, he has led strategic economic
research and policy analysis, significantly contributing to Ghana’s economic development.
Dr. Iddrisu’s leadership roles and collaborations with global organizations like the IMF and
World Bank highlight his ability to drive impactful economic policies.
His extensive knowledge, commitment to public service, and proven track record make him
an excellent fit for a top management role in Ghana’s public service, where he can continue
to advance the nation’s economic goals.
4. KEY SKILLS & COMPETENCIES
Dr. Iddrisu brings a wealth of skills and competencies that make him an ideal candidate for
a top management role in Ghana’s public service.
Economic & Fiscal Policy Analysis:
• Expertise in conducting macroeconomic policy analysis and forecasting and
providing policy advisory services and economic research to drive national policy
decisions.
• Deep knowledge in designing and implementing fiscal strategies and frameworks,
including the preparation of budgetary documents, fiscal risk analysis, fiscal rules,
fiscal council, and medium-term budget planning.
• Skilled in using data-driven models and tools for economic analysis, forecasting, and
resource allocation.
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Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking:
• Ability to analyze complex economic and fiscal data to develop innovative solutions
to national and regional challenges.
• Demonstrated capability in using critical thinking to influence policy changes and
optimize economic outcomes.
Leadership and Team Management:
• Proven leadership and team management skills, directing and monitoring staff
performance to ensure high-quality outputs.
• Ability to supervise and guide staff in high-pressure, fast-paced environments while
ensuring top-quality outputs.
• Experience in facilitating cross-functional teams for national and international
projects, including those on fiscal policy and economic management.
Global Collaborations and Negotiations:
• Collaborated with global organizations like the IMF and World Bank, driving
impactful economic policies.
• Extensive experience representing national interests in regional and international
fora, such as the IMF, ECOWAS, and the African Union.
• Proven track record in negotiating key agreements related to fiscal management,
including wage negotiations and international development financing.
Research, Capacity Building and Mentorship:
• Committed to public service and capacity-building, reflected in teaching
engagements and mentorship of numerous officers.
• Strong research background, producing key policy documents, reports, and
economic papers.
• Skilled in use of relevant econometrics software such as E-views and Stata and able
to use Ms-Office packages for policy analysis and presentations.
• Skilled in assessing and designing capacity-building strategies for public institutions,
both domestic and international.
Communication and Stakeholder Engagement:
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, capable of producing clear,
concise, and persuasive reports, policy briefs, and presentations.
• Adept at engaging stakeholders at various levels, including government
agencies, international bodies, and civil society organizations.
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5. RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE
5.1 Director, Economic Strategy and Research Division (ESRD)
Ministry of Finance, Ghana (April 2019 to Date)
5.1.1 Duties and Responsibilities
As Chief Economics Officer and Director of the Economic Strategy and Research Division
(ESRD) at Ghana’s Ministry of Finance, Dr. Iddrisu:
i. Macroeconomic Analysis and Policy Development:
• Leads macro-fiscal policy and risk analysis to provide actionable policy
advice.
• Supervises macroeconomic research on global developments, economic
integration, and growth, emphasizing employment and income distribution.
ii. Sector-Specific Policy Advisory:
• Conducts in-depth policy analysis on energy and petroleum activities across
upstream, midstream, and downstream operations.
iii. Fiscal Strategy and Budget Development:
• Coordinates the preparation of key fiscal documents, including the Fiscal
Strategy Document and the Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review.
• Contributes to the annual Budget Statement and Economic Policy
formulation.
iv. Reporting and Communication:
• Oversees the production of comprehensive economic reports and leads the
publication of monthly updates on Ghana’s economy.
• Establishes and sustains platforms for public and academic engagement on
economic issues, such as the Quarterly Economic Round-Table.
v. Public Sector Wage Negotiation:
• Advises on fiscal implications of wage-related issues and leads negotiations
for wage adjustments.
vi. Team Leadership and Supervision:
• Directs and monitors the performance of ESRD staff, ensuring delivery of
high-quality outputs.
5.1.2 Major Achievements
i. Economic Programme Leadership
• Successfully led Ghana’s technical team in negotiating the US$3 billion IMF
Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Programme in 2023.
• Coordinated technical efforts that enabled the approval of multiple program
reviews, resulting in the rapid release of US$1.92 billion in disbursements
between May 2023 and Dec 2024 and contributing to Ghana’s
macroeconomic stability and recovery.
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• Coordinated the division’s efforts in managing Ghana’s 2015–2019 IMF ECF
Programme, securing SDR 664.20 million (US$920.58 million) in funding and
achieving successful program completion
ii. Institutional and Policy Innovations
• Established Monthly Economic Updates: Instituted and published seven
monthly economic media updates since March 2024, enhancing
transparency and stakeholder engagement.
• Launched Quarterly Economic Round-Table (QER): Partnered with the
University of Ghana to foster public and academic discussions on economic
issues, with two successful sessions in 2024.
iii. COVID-19 Economic Impact Analysis
• Played a leading role in analyzing and mitigating the economic effects of
COVID-19 in Ghana, culminating in the preparation of 13 critical reports and
Cabinet papers, including briefs to access IMF and World Bank funds totaling
over US$1.4 billion.
iv. Strategic Division Management
• Developed and disseminated organizational and orientation manuals for
ESRD, setting clear responsibilities and improving operational efficiency.
v. Fiscal Policy Development and Reporting
• Prepared and coordinated the finalization and submission to Parliament of
the draft amendment bill on fiscal responsibility rules which introduced a
debt rule and an independent fiscal council to monitor adherence to the
fiscal rules (Oct 2024)
• Led the preparation of Ghana’s Fiscal Strategy Documents, Mid-Year
Reviews, and annual budgets, integrating robust macroeconomic and fiscal
frameworks for the period 2019 to present.
• Drafted the portion of PFM Regulation, 2019 (LI 2378) that legislated the role
of the Division responsible for macro-fiscal policy at the Ministry of Finance
(2019)
• Led the preparation and publication of the earmarked funds review strategy
aimed at streamlining the 16 earmarked funds in Ghana towards improved
operational efficiency and addressing budget rigidities and fiscal space issues
• Produced flagship reports, including:
o Annual Macroeconomic Performance Reports (2018–2023).
o Annual Reports on Petroleum Funds (2019–2023).
o Reconciliation Reports on Petroleum Holding Fund (2018–2023).
o Annual Reports on African Union Levy (2019–2023).
o Fiscal Risks Statements (2018–2023).
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vi. Public Sector Wage Negotiations
• Facilitated annual negotiations on public sector wage adjustments,
leveraging scenario analysis to guide fiscal decision-making and ensure
equitable outcomes.
vii. Social Partnership Initiative
• Institutionalized the Social Partnership Arrangement in 2019, fostering
dialogue between Organized Labour, the Ghana Employers Association, and
the Government. Coordinated 12 council meetings, producing actionable
policy recommendations.
viii. Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing
• Organized over 60 Brown Bag seminars in collaboration with the
International Growth Centre since 2019, offering a platform for research and
policy discussions.
5.2 Director, Economic Research and Forecasting Division (ERFD)
Ministry of Finance, Ghana (April 2013 to 2019)
5.2.1 Duties and Responsibilities
i. Directed macro-fiscal policy research, reviews, and forecasts to support effective
economic management.
ii. Provided robust fiscal risk analyses to inform proactive risk management
strategies.
iii. Supervised the analysis of global and regional economic trends and their
implications for Ghana’s economy.
iv. Coordinated multilateral surveillance missions with institutions such as the IMF,
ECOWAS, and WAMZ, providing analysis and advice on macroeconomic and
economic integration matters.
v. Produced essential economic reports for informed decision-making and public
dissemination.
vi. Oversaw the preparation of key fiscal documents, including the Fiscal Strategy
Document, Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review, and inputs to the national Budget
Statement and Economic Policy.
vii. Led technical teams during government negotiations with organized labor and
employer associations on wage-related matters.
viii. Supervised, mentored, and evaluated staff performance in the Economic
Research and Forecasting Division.
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5.2.2 Major Achievements
i. Innovations in Policy Documentation and Analysis
• Supervised the preparation of macro-fiscal chapters for key Ministry outputs,
including Budget Statements, Mid-Year Reviews, and the Fiscal Strategy
Document (2013–present).
• Introduced and institutionalized the Annual Macroeconomic Performance
Reports (MPR) since 2014, with consistent publications through 2017.
• Established a comprehensive macroeconomic database (2015) for real-time
updates on fiscal, monetary, and external sector data.
• Initiated the weekly Global Developments Snapshot (2016), providing
concise updates on global economic trends, including commodity prices,
exchange rates, and financial markets.
ii. Leadership in Negotiations and Program Implementation
• Played a pivotal role in negotiating the 2015–2017 IMF Extended Credit
Facility (ECF) Programme, contributing to six successful reviews and program
completion.
• Directed wage negotiations for Base Pay and National Daily Minimum Wage
adjustments (2013–2019), utilizing scenario analyses to inform fiscal
strategies.
iii. Capacity Building and Institutional Development
• Led the development and operationalization of a Financial Programming
Policies (FPP) Model for macroeconomic policy analysis, complemented by a
published textbook and user manual (2018).
• Coordinated the establishment of the Ghana Economic Policy Analysis and
Research Institute (GEPARI) with US$1.5 million funding from ACBF,
enhancing policy research and analysis capacity for state and non-state
actors.
• Created and implemented a comprehensive organizational structure for the
Economic Research and Forecasting Division, defining the vision, mission,
objectives, and staff responsibilities.
iv. Knowledge Sharing and Stakeholder Engagement
• Founded the Brown-Bag Policy Seminar Series (2015) in collaboration with
the International Growth Centre, coordinating 18 seminars on topical
economic issues.
• Represented Ghana’s interests at high-level international forums, including
those of the World Bank, IMF, AU, AfDB, ECOWAS, WAMZ, and WAMA.
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v. Mentorship and Training
• Trained and mentored numerous officers, many of whom have advanced to
leadership roles in various organizations.
• Conducted institutional needs assessments and facilitated the establishment
of research and policy analysis units in Liberia and The Gambia.
5.3 Director (Ag), Real Sector Division (Sept 2010 to April 2013)
Economic Planning Division (Aug 2008 to Sept 2010)
5.3.1 Duties and Responsibilities:
i. Sectoral Policy Analysis and Forecasting
• Conducted in-depth policy analysis and forecasts for key sectors of the
economy, including Agriculture, Industry, and Services, to inform decisionmaking.
• Monitored and evaluated the performance of critical sectors to ensure
alignment with the nation’s desired economic growth trajectory.
ii. Petroleum Revenue Management
• Provided policy advice and conducted forecasts on petroleum revenue,
ensuring effective management and allocation in line with national priorities.
iii. Wage and Wage-Related Negotiations
• Advised on wage and related policy issues, taking a leading role in
negotiations with labor unions and employer associations to ensure fair and
sustainable wage policies.
iv. Budget and Economic Policy Support
• Played an active role in the preparation and implementation of the annual
Budget Statement and Government Economic Policies, providing vital inputs
for macroeconomic planning.
v. Team Leadership and Staff Management
• Supervised and monitored the performance of staff within the Economic
Planning Division, ensuring high productivity and alignment with
departmental goals.
• Led the preparation and timely submission of periodic economic reports to
senior management for informed decision-making.
5.3.2 Major Achievements:
i. Development of Economic Models and Forecasting
• Developed and operationalized a growth model for projecting medium-term
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and its components, with successful
application in the 2009–2012 Budget Statements.
ii. Petroleum Revenue Management Legislation
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• Played a key role in the preparation of the Petroleum Revenue Management
Bill, which culminated in the passing of the Petroleum Revenue Management
Act (Act 815) in 2011.
iii. Petroleum Revenue Forecasting
• Developed and operationalized a petroleum revenue forecasting model in
compliance with Act 815 for projecting Benchmark Revenue (BR). This model
was successfully used to project petroleum revenue for 2011, 2012, and
2013, directly informing the annual Budgets for those years.
iv. Petroleum Revenue Transparency and Accountability
• Supervised the preparation, publication, and gazetting of quarterly reports
on petroleum receipts for 2011 and 2012, in compliance with Section 6 of the
Petroleum Revenue Management Act (PRMA).
v. Annual Report on Petroleum Revenue
• Led the preparation and publication of the inaugural 2012 Annual Report on
Petroleum Revenue Management, ensuring transparency and compliance
with the PRMA.
6. BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIPS
Dr. Iddrisu’s leadership roles across various boards and committees highlight his extensive
involvement in public policy, economic management, and strategic governance, ensuring
his continued influence in shaping Ghana’s economic strategies and initiatives.
1. Board of Public Procurement Authority
Position: Member | Period: 2022 – 2024
2. Board of Vodafone Ghana Mobile Financial Services Limited
Position: Member | Period: February 2021 – 2024
3. Steering Committee on National Unemployment Insurance Scheme (NUIS) &
Training/Retraining Programmes
Position: Member | Period: October 2020 – Present
4. Social Partnership Council
Position: Secretary | Period: 2019 – 2024
5. National Designated Authority for Ghana – Green Climate Fund
Position: Focal Point | Period: 2019 – 2024
6. Fiscal Risks Committee
Position: Member | Period: 2020 – Present
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7. Economic Policy Coordinating Committee (EPCC)
Position: Secretary | Period: 2019 – Present
8. ECOWAS National Coordinating Committee – Ghana
Position: Chairman | Period: 2013 – Present
9. Public Investment Programme Working Committee
Position: Member | Period: May 2021 – Present
10. Technical Committee on National Unemployment Insurance Scheme (NUIS) &
Training/Retraining Programmes
Position: Member | Period: October 2020 – Present
11. Technical Committee on “Bridging Gap between the National Daily Minimum Wage
and the Single Spine Base Pay”
Position: Chairman | Period: July 2016
12. Technical Advisory Team of the 40-Year Long-Term Development Plan
Position: Member | Period: August 2015 – 2020
13. Compensations Committee
Position: Member | Period: January 2014 – 2020
14. National Accounts Committee
Position: Member | Period: 2015 – 2020
15. IMF Programme Negotiation Committee
Position: Member | Period: August 2014 – April 2015
7. CONSULTANCIES AND SHORT-TERM ENGAGEMENTS
1. Facilitator
Course: Regional Course on Medium-Term Budgetary Frameworks, Budget Planning,
Execution & Procurement, Lagos, Nigeria | Dates: 20th – 22nd August 2024
2. Facilitator
Course: WAIFEM Regional Course on Fiscal Frameworks and Sustainability in West
African Countries | Dates: 10th – 21st October 2022
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3. Facilitator
Course: UG-Economics Department Course on Petroleum Revenue Management and
Allocation, University of Ghana, Accra | Date: 8th September 2022
4. Facilitator
Course: WAIFEM Regional Course on Macro-Fiscal Framework for Medium-Term
Budgeting and Planning, Abuja, Nigeria | Dates: 15th – 19th August 2022
5. Facilitator
Course: WAIFEM Regional Course on Macroeconomic and Public Financial
Management: Debt, Budgeting, Planning & Performance | Dates: June 11th – 22nd,
2018
6. Lead Consultant
Engagement: Policy and Capacity Needs Assessment of the Ministry of Finance and
Development Planning in Liberia, Monrovia| Dates: April – May 2018
7. Facilitator
Course: Regional Training Workshop on Principles of Effective Financial Governance in
ECOWAS Monetary Zone, WAIFEM, National Institute for Legislative Studies, ACBF,
Accra Ghana | Dates: 12th – 16th March 2018
8. Consultant
Engagement: Consultancy for UNDP, Liberia to Assess and Identify Needs for Setting
Up a Research & Policy Advisory Unit in Liberia’s Ministry of Finance & Development
Planning, Monrovia, Liberia | Date: August 2017
9. Consultant
Engagement: Capacity Needs Assessment of the Ministry of Finance and Economic
Affairs of The Gambia, Banjul| Date: September 2017
10. Lead Consultant
Project: Preparation of the “Country Profile: Ghana” Report for the United Nations
Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), Accra, Ghana | Date: September 2015
11. Discussant
Event: Discussion on “Standard Chartered Bank’s Socio-Economic Impact Report”
Organizers: Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), Ghana and Standard Chartered Bank
Ghana Ltd, IEA, Accra, Ghana | Date: 3rd March 2014
12. Resource Person
Topic: “The New Macroeconomic Environment in Ghana and Medium-Term Prospects”
Event: Strategic Session of Fidelity Bank Ghana Ltd, Accra, Ghana | Date: 4th February
2016
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13. Resource Person
Topic: “Outlook of the Economy of Ghana 2016-2018 and Key Measures Agreed with
the IMF”
Event: Standard Bank 2015 Board Strategic Session, Accra, Ghana | Date: 13th August
2015
14. Resource Person
Topic: “Petroleum Revenue Management in Ghana”
Event: Monthly Seminar Series of Economic Policy Management (EPM) Programme,
University of Ghana, Accra | Date: April 2013
15. Resource Person
Topic: “Mechanics of Fiscal Budget Preparation: Experiences of Ghana”
Event: Monthly Seminar Series of Economic Policy Management (EPM) Programme,
University of Ghana, Accra | Date: 27th May 2010
8. TEACHING AND ACADEMIC ENGAGEMENTS
1. Part-Time Lecturer
Courses: Economic Policies and Development & Applied Research and Quantitative
Methods
Institution: School of Governance, Leadership, and Public Management, Ghana
Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), February 2007 – 2009
2. Part-Time Lecturer
Course: Econometrics
Organizer: Capacity building exercise organized by JICA, Ghana, and the Ministry of
Finance and Economic Planning, Ghana on Macroeconomic Policy Tools
Venue: Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Ghana, Oct – Dec 2006
3. Part-Time Lecturer
Course: Quantitative Techniques and Economics
Institution: ACCA Study School, Accra, Ghana, Sep 1996 – 2002
4. Teaching and Research Assistant
Duties: Organized tutorials, marked exam scripts, assisted in research activities
including data collection, data analysis, and report writing
Department: Statistics Department, University of Ghana, Legon, Sep 1996 – 1997
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9. INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES, SEMINARS, AND WORKSHOPS
Dr. Iddrisu’s extensive participation in international conferences and seminars highlights his
leadership in key economic forums, steering influential policy decisions and fostering regional
and international collaborations. Key ones in recent times include:
1. 5
th Extraordinary Session of the AU STC, Abuja, Nigeria, Abuja, 26th – 30th Nov 2024
2. 2024 IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings, Washington DC, USA, 21st
-30th Oct 2024
3. 2024 WAMA Mid-Year Meetings, Dakar, Senegal, 25th – 31st Jul 2024
4. Official Creditor Committee (OCC) and Eurobond Negotiations, Paris, France, 2
nd – 8
th
Jul 2024
5. Official Creditor Committee (OCC) Negotiation, Beijing, China, 14th
-21st Jun 2024
6. Launch of ECO- 2nd High Level Cttee Meeting, Lagos, Nigeria, 27th – 31st May 2024
7. Bank Meeting in London – Cocoa Purchases, London, UK, 29th Apr – 3
rd May 2024
8. 2024 IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings, Washington DC, USA, 15th – 26th Apr 2024
9. 51st Meeting of the Convergence Council Meeting: WAMZ 2023 End Year Meetings,
Abuja, Nigeria, 7
th – 8
th Mar 2024
10. Courtesy Visit to France, Paris, France, 2
nd – 5
th Mar 2024
11. ECOWAS Meeting – Guinea Bissau, 23–27 January 2023
12. West Africa Monetary Zone (WAMZ) Meeting, Gambia, 1–10 Feb 2023
13. Management Board of Special Fund Meeting, Côte d’Ivoire, 27 Feb–1 Mar 2023
14. UNECA Meeting, Ethiopia, 15–23 March 2023
15. IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings, USA, 11–21 April 2023
16. Annual Meetings of the AFDB Group, Egypt, 22–26 May 2023
17. ECOWAS Council of Ministers Meeting, Guinea Bissau, 5–7 July 2023
18. Investor Relations Meeting, London, UK, 16–18 October 2023
19. ECOWAS Council of Ministers Meeting, Abuja, Nigeria, 5–9 December 2023
20. IMF World Bank Spring Meetings, USA, 19–29 April 2022
21. UNECA Meeting, Senegal, 11–18 May 2022
22. ECOWAS Meeting on Single Currency, Nigeria, 8–10 June 2022
23. IMF and World Bank Group Annual Meeting, USA, 10–21 October 2022
24. ECOWAS Council of Ministers Meeting, Nigeria, 1–5 December 2022
25. Senior Officials Meeting, Abuja, Nigeria, 6-8
th Apr 2021
26. ECOWAS Meeting, Lome, Togo, 2
nd – 12th Aug 2021
27. ECOWAS Meetings, Abuja, Nigeria (31st Aug-3
rd Sep 2021, 24th Nov -3
rd Dec 2021, and
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th Dec – 13th Dec 2021)
28. AU Specialized Technical Committee (STC) Meeting, Cameroon, 7–8 Mar 2019
29. 2019 Eurobond Deal Roadshow, UK and USA, 13th – 20th Mar 2020
30. UNECA Meeting, Morocco, 25–26 March 2019
31. IMF World Bank Spring Meetings, USA, 8–18 Apr 2019
32. Annual Meetings of the AfDB Boards of Governors – Guinea Bissau, 10–13 June 2019
33. Meeting of the Governing Council of IDEP – Senegal, 17–26 June 2019
34. Green Climate Fund Programming Conference – Republic of Korea, 19–23 August 2019
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35. Annual Meetings of the World Bank and IMF – USA, 14–23 October 2019
36. ECOWAS Council of Ministers Meeting, Nigeria, 17–20 Dec 2019
37. Joint Meeting of Heads of ECOWAS National Offices & Planning Experts on ECOWAS
Post Vision 2020, Saly, Senegal, 13th – 17th Aug 2018
38. Joint Meeting of AU F15 Technical and the PRC Sub-committee on General Supervision
and Coordination of Budgetary, Financial and Administrative Matters, Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia, 7th – 10th Aug2018
39. AU F15 Technical Meeting on AU Scale of Assessment and Contributions, Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia, 10th Aug2018
40. 53rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government
and the 6th Meeting of the Presidential Task Force
Venue: Lome, Togo | Dates: 30th – 31st Jul 2018
41. 53rd Annual Board Meeting of the African Development Bank Group, Busan, South
Korea, 20th – 29th May 2018
42. 2018 Deal Eurobond Roadshow, London, New York, Boston, 2nd – 11th May 2018
43. 2018 IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings, Washington DC, 14th – 27th Apr 2018
44. Non-Deal Roadshow and Investor Relations Meetings in Japan, Tokyo, Japan, 6th – 13th
Apr 2018
10. ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
1. PhD in International Development Studies
National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), Tokyo, Japan (2003 – 2006)
2. Master of Arts in International Development Studies
National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), Tokyo, Japan (2002 – 2003)
3. MPhil in Economics
University of Ghana, Legon (1997 – 1999)
4. Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Economics and Statistics
University of Ghana, Legon (1992 – 1996)
11. SELECTED TRAINING PROGRAMMES
4.1 Leadership and Management
i. Strategic Decision Making for Managers: London School of Economics Executive
Education, London (Nov 2024).
ii. Driving Government Performance: Leadership Strategies that Produce Results:
Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Boston, USA (Sept 2018).
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iii. Making Corporate Boards More Effective: Harvard Business School, Boston, USA
(Nov 2015).
iv. Leadership Development Series:
▪ Coaching & Mentoring for Improved Work Performance (Sept 2021).
▪ Managerial Planning & Goal Setting (May 2021).
▪ The Leader and His Team (Feb 2021).
▪ Communicating Effectively for Business Success (Jan 2021).
▪ Managing Conflict in the Workplace (Aug 2020).
▪ Emotional Intelligence (July 2020).
4.2 Macroeconomics, Forecasting, and Policy
v. Regional Course on Intermediate Modelling and Forecasting for Policy Analysis for
Senior Economists and Directors of Research: WAIFEM, Virtual (Mar 2023).
vi. Macro-Economic Model Training Development Programme: Norway, 17–26 June
2019
vii. Forecasting in Macroeconomics and Finance: IMF Institute, Washington, D.C., USA
(May 2012).
4.3 Oil, Gas, and Energy
viii. Oil & Gas – Business Environment and Finance: LCT International, London (Dec
2024).
ix. Advanced Oil Trading Orientation: Oxford Princeton Programme, Houston, Texas,
USA (Nov 2012).
4.4 Performance Management
x. Performance Management Workshop: Ghana Institute of Management and Public
Administration (GIMPA), Accra, Ghana (Mar 2012).
12. PAPERS, REPORTS, AND ARTICLES
Dr. Iddrisu has authored several papers and reports on wage policy, development economics, and
public finance. His work includes analyses of minimum wage policies, studies on industrial
development in sub-Saharan Africa, and examinations of economic convergence criteria. He has
published in journals like World Development and produced policy reports for government
ministries, covering topics from entrepreneurial skills to public sector pay policy.
16
13. AWARDS
Dr. Iddrisu’s consistent excellence in service and leadership has earned him numerous prestigious
awards, reflecting his commitment to public service, academic achievement, and contribution to
economic development. The awards include:
i. 2024: Recognition award from Minister for Finance for excellence in macroeconomic policy
management
ii. 2023: Recognition and Excellence award from Head of Service, Office of Head of Civil Service
iii. 2022: Overall Best Director in the Ghana Civil Service
iv. 2020: Most Responsive Division in the Ministry of Finance
v. 2020: Overall Best Director in the Ghana Civil Service
vi. 2019: Overall Best Director in the Ghana Civil Service
vii. 2019: Recognition Award from the Minister for Finance for outstanding contribution to the
impact of Covid-19 on Ghana’s economy
viii. 2018: Overall Best Director in the Ghana Civil Service
ix. 2018: Best Division Award – Economic Research and Forecasting Division
x. 2017: Best Director of the Year Award (Responsive, Ethical, Efficient, Professional)
xi. 2016: Recognition Award from WAIFEM for outstanding service as a facilitator
xii. 2009: “Alumnus of the Month” Award from National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies
(GRIPS)
xiii. 2006: PhD dissertation received the highest marks in GRIPS history
xiv. 2003-2006: JICA Scholarship for PhD in International Development Studies, GRIPS
xv. 2002-2003: JICA Scholarship for Master’s in International Development Studies, GRIPS
xvi. 2002: Best Civil Servant in the Ministry of Finance
xvii. 1997-1998: University of Ghana Scholarship for Master’s program
14. RESEARCH INTEREST
• Macroeconomic Policy/Management;
• Empirical Research
• Economic and Statistical Modelling;
• Public Finance Management;
• Real Sector Issues;
• Poverty Issues; and
• Cluster-Based Industrial Development

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Visitors can stay in the South-East Asian nation for up to 60 days under the new scheme that took effect on Monday,

Previously, passport holders from 57 countries were allowed to enter without a visa.

Tourism is a key pillar of the Thai economy, but it has not fully recovered from the pandemic.

Thailand recorded 17.5 million foreign tourists arrivals in the first six months of 2024, up 35% from the same period last year, according to official data. However, the numbers pale in comparison to pre-pandemic levels.

Most of the visitors were from China, Malaysia and India.

Tourism revenue during the same period came in at 858 billion baht ($23.6bn; £18.3bn), less than a quarter of the government’s target.

Millions of tourists flock to Thailand every year for its golden temples, white sand beaches, picturesque mountains and vibrant night life.

The revised visa-free rules are part of a broader plan to boost tourism.

Also on Monday, Thailand introduced a new five-year visa for remote workers, that allows holders to stay for up to 180 days each year.

The country will also allow visiting students, who earn a bachelor’s degree or higher in Thailand, to stay for one year after graduation to find a job or travel.

In June, authorities announced an extension of a waiver on hoteliers’ operating fees for two more years. They also scrapped a proposed tourism fee for visitors flying into the country.

However some stakeholders are concerned that the country’s infrastructure may not be able to keep up with travellers’ demands.

“If more people are coming, it means the country as a whole… has to prepare our resources to welcome them,” said Kantapong Thananuangroj, president of the Thai Tourism Promotion Association.

“If not, [the tourists] may not be impressed with the experience they have in Thailand and we may not get a second chance,” he said.

Chamnan Srisawat, president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, said he foresees a “bottleneck in air traffic as the incoming flights may not increase in time to catch up with the demands of the travellers”.

Some people have also raised safety concerns after rumours that tourists have been kidnapped and sent across the border to work in scam centres in Myanmar or Cambodia.

A fatal shooting in Bangkok’s most famous shopping mall last year has also caused concern among visitors.

Here is the list of the 93 countries and territories exempt from visa entry into Thailand for a period of 60 days:

Albania
Andorra
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Belgium
Bhutan
Brazil
Brunei
Bulgaria
Cambodia
Canada
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cuba
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Estonia
Fiji
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Guatemala
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kosovo
Kuwait
Laos
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macau
Malaysia
Maldives
Malta
Mauritius
Mexico
Monaco
Mongolia
Morocco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Oman
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russia
San Marino
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Turkey
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vietnam

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The book, written by Maximillian Julius Chuhila and James Zotto, both teach at the History department of the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, on the eastern coast of Africa.

It examines the long-standing aspiration for African integration aimed at fostering unity, economic growth, and political stability.

Despite numerous efforts, including the formation of regional blocs and the establishment of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union (AU), seamless integration in Africa remains challenging due to various impediments.

During the book launch, Dr Maximillian Julius Chuhila discussed the complexities and hurdles facing African integration, focusing on the internal and external dynamics that have taken centre stage in the quest for African unity, with a particular emphasis on the Western Sahara crisis.

The book argues that resolving the Western Sahara crisis and similar issues across the continent would benefit more from committed local solutions rather than relying on prescriptions from the global north under the guise of the international community.

Challenged by numerous socio-economic and political issues, the international community has, for the past four decades, failed to provide a lasting solution to the Western Sahara conflict.

This failure underscores the need for internal arrangements that consider the interests of all parties involved to achieve a lasting resolution.

The challenge extends beyond Morocco, affecting neighbouring Algeria and Europe. Thus, resolving this crisis is essential for regional stability and enhanced political and socio-cultural harmony.

The book launch at the Institute of African Studies at the University of Ghana was attended by lecturers, hundreds of students, members of the general public, and representatives of civil society organizations.

Professor Opoku Aidoo, a political scientist and Pan-Africanist, chaired the book launch.

He challenged African leaders to be proactive in addressing and solving the issues confronting African citizens rather than shirking their responsibilities.

He highlighted the complexities of the Western Sahara and Moroccan disputes, which date back to 1975, and urged researchers to further examine the contradictions in the dispute.

Professor Aidoo also called on neighbouring countries to assist in resolving the longstanding crisis.

Also, Dr. Alhassan, who represented the Director of the Institute of African Studies, expressed his happiness about the book launch at the Institute.

He emphasized the importance of cooperation and collaboration among various African institutions to enhance research and publications on critical issues affecting the continent.

Several participants critiqued the African Union, describing it as a toothless organization that has not demonstrated a readiness to solve the continent’s problems.

The launch of Hurdles and Prospects of African Integration: The Question of Western Sahara at the University of Ghana’s Institute of African Studies marks a significant moment in addressing one of Africa’s most enduring conflicts.

The book underscores the necessity of local solutions over external interventions and calls for greater involvement from African leaders and neighbouring countries.

The event highlighted the critical need for proactive leadership and enhanced regional cooperation to achieve lasting peace and stability in Africa.

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This decision ensures that students, who will be on campus studying at the time of the elections, can still participate in the democratic process.

The vote transfer process will take place from Wednesday, July 3 to Friday, July 5, 2024, on school campuses across Ghana.

Meanwhile, Daniel Oppong Kyeremeh, President of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), praised the EC for accommodating the needs of students and setting up transfer centres on campuses.

He encouraged all eligible students to visit these centres with their ID cards to verify and activate their vote transfers.

Kyeremeh emphasized that students can only transfer their votes to constituencies where their schools are located and not to different constituencies.

Supporting Ghanaian Students Abroad

Kyeremeh also highlighted ongoing efforts to support Ghanaian students studying abroad.

He has engaged with the Chief of Staff, the Education Minister, and the Scholarship Secretariat to address issues faced by students, particularly those in Morocco, the United Kingdom, and France, who are struggling with financial and logistical challenges.

Kyeremeh is committed to ensuring these students receive the necessary assistance to continue their studies without undue hardship.

Summary from IPAC Meeting

Vote Transfers: The EC will allow vote transfers for prison inmates, students, and security personnel on special duty from July 3 to July 5, 2024. Students must provide their student ID cards to transfer their votes to their campus constituencies.

Observation by Political Party Agents: Agents can observe the transfer process at EC District offices and the 25 campuses where the recent limited voter registration exercise took place.

Proxy Applications: Security personnel on special duties who will not be available to vote can apply for proxies from July 3 to July 5.

Biometric Verification: The biometrics of both the original voter and their proxy will be captured and observed by political party agents.

Special Voters List Compilation: The EC will compile the Special Voters List from July 6 to July 7, 2024.

Security Personnel Verification: Security personnel on special duties must appear in uniform with their voter ID cards at EC District offices for verification as Special Voters.

Proxy Application Review: The EC will review all proxy applications that did not go through biometric capture and report to the next IPAC meeting.

IT Technical Support: The EC will request IT technical support from the UNDP ahead of the December 7 presidential and parliamentary elections.

The EC’s efforts aim to ensure smooth and inclusive voting processes, accommodating various groups to uphold democratic participation.

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This, the Commission says, would enable them to vote during the upcoming general elections which is slated for December 7.

The EC has scheduled the transfer for Wednesday, July 3 to 5th July, 2024 on school campuses across Ghana.

Speaking to the media, President of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), Daniel Oppong Kyeremeh commended the EC for agreeing to allow for the transfers to be done and setting up voter transfer centres across the various campuses.

Mr. Kyeremeh used the opportunity to urge all Ghanaian students to visit the voter transfer centres on their campuses with their ID cards for verification and activation of the transfer.

The NUGS President stressed that no student would be allowed to transfer their votes to a constituency different from where their school is situated.

Mr Kyeremeh said his administration is also working to address challenges associated with the release of stipends for Ghanaians students studying in schools outside the country.

He noted that he has been in touch with the Office of the Chief of Staff and the Education Minister as well as the Scholarship Secretariat to find a lasting solution to the issue.

Currently, students in Morocco are struggling to fend for themselves due to the delay in the release of their stipends.

Similar situation is being faced by students in Europe.

Mr Kyeremeh said measures are being put in place to ensure that the issues are resolved and the affected students get the assistance they need to make their lives bearable while they study.

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CardPay, an emerginbg  fintech company, is proud to announce its participation in GITEX Africa 2024 (https://GITEXAfrica.com/), the continent’s premier technology and innovation event held in Marrakech, Morocco, from May 29th to 31st.

CardPay showcased its innovative suite of secure and accessible payment solutions designed to empower students with financial wellness across Africa. Attendees had the opportunity to explore CardPay’s offerings, including:

* **Seamless Mobile Payment Solutions:**  CardPay’s mobile payment solutions focus on the use cases of students. As such, they have developed a host of features covering maximum cash touch points to truly provide for cash-lite eductaional campuses.

* **Banking-as-a-platform solution:**  While mantaininbg their own expertise in the payments vertical, CardPay has partnered with fintechs operating in different verticals to allow its student user base access to a complete suite of financial products and services, thus ensuring their true financial well-being.

* **Financial Literacy Objectives:**  CardPay is committed to imparting financial literacy objectives in creative and practicle ways more suited to the Gen Z population.

**[We envision CardPay to be a students’ first and forever mobile wallet account.]** “[Through CardPay, we aim to raise a new generation of students, with a focus in their financial well-being, who understand the fundamentals of personal finance, and are able to make decisions which are in their best longterm interest]”, said [Mr. Shamsi], [Founder and CEO] at CardPay. “[It has been a wonderful event so far, we are excited to see so many players in the Fintech industry trying to make an impact].”

” Innovators, policymakers, consumers, and investors – all stakeholders are present under one roof trying to work on a better sustainable future. Events like these are very important to foster the ecosystem.]”, concluded [Khuzaima Saeed, CTO – CardPay].

“[We really enjoyed the panel talks and discussions with the industry experts. Their insightful conversation has been really beneficial for young aspiring entrepreneurs. We eagerly look forward to the next GITEX!]”, concluded [Mr. Anas Siddiqui].

CardPay’s participation in GITEX Africa 2024 underscores the company’s commitment to driving innovation and financial inclusion across the emerging economies. By providing secure, convenient, and accessible payment solutions, CardPay is empowering businesses and consumers to thrive in the digital age.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of GITEX Africa.

Contact:
[Abdur Rehman Shamsi]
[Founder and CEO]
[ar.shamsi@cardpay.com.pk]

About CardPay:
CardPay is an emerging fintech company that provides secure and innovative payment solutions for youth and studenst based on their unique use cases and cash touch points. The company is committed to driving financial inclusion and empowering growth across emerging markets.

Africa to Silicon Valley (A2SV), is a leading tech academy and incubator, backed by Google,  training African university students, connecting them with career opportunities, and creating tech-driven solutions addressing community challenges.

A2SV proudly participated in GITEX AFRICA 2024, Africa’s premier technology showcase, held from May 29 to 31 in Marrakesh, Morocco. A team of 40 representatives from A2SV attended the event, highlighting the organization’s commitment to advancing technology and innovation in Africa, and playing a key role in the digital transformation of the continent.

The A2SV team featured 6 projects:

Adot (https://www.Adot.life): Combining medical and tech expertise, Adot offers a platform for pregnancy monitoring, localized maternal health information, and community support tailored for African mothers.

AKIL (https://AKILconnect.org):  Akil brings together NGOS and volunteers in a painless and centralized approach, helping NGOs easily connect with volunteers and volunteers with the causes they want to support. AKIL facilitates these meaningful connections to maximize the impact of NGOs and passionate volunteers.

SkillBridge (https://SkillBridge.academy): Skillbridge transforms learning and exam preparation in Africa with an AI-powered, customized learning platform where students gain access to learning resources, personalized learning paths, and gamification.

AfroChat (https://AfroChat.app): AfroChat is a centralized platform providing a much-needed easy access to a wide range of AI services with affordable pricing. Through awareness education and affordable pricing, AfroChat ensures that more businesses and people, including those with low incomes, can benefit from advanced AI technologies.

RateEat (https://RateEat.app): RateEat simplifies the food search process with up-to-date restaurant information and filtering options based on price, location, and rating. The platform offers image and video reviews with ratings for item-specific feedback on individual dishes.

Eskalate (https://www.Eskalate.io): Eskalate empowers businesses by connecting them with Africa’s top engineering talent. By providing access to skilled software developers who have graduated from A2SV’s rigorous software engineering training program, Eskalate powers local and global business with their number one asset — talent. Some examples of its partners include Google, Bloomberg, Databricks, and Amazon.

The expo at GITEX AFRICA provided an excellent opportunity for A2SV to demonstrate its talent, innovation, and impact to industry leaders, investors, and tech enthusiasts from across Africa and beyond. A2SV’s exhibitor projects were highly praised, including reaching semi-finals at the startup pitch competition, and also received valuable constructive feedback.

“I am particularly happy that A2SV is well-represented at GITEX Africa with 40 A2SVians and I believe this is an invaluable opportunity for us to demonstrate our capabilities,” said Emre Varol, A2SV’s founder and CEO. “Events like GITEX Africa help us create visibility and form meaningful partnerships aligned with our mission of democratizing access to opportunity and innovation.”

Since its founding, A2SV has trained over 800 students via its free, rigorous program (in-person and remote), employed 142 of them as it expands its operations to more countries in Africa, and connected 65 students with career opportunities at leading tech companies. Additionally, A2SV has started developing technology projects as early seed ventures, further driving innovation and growth.

“We continue to see that digital transformation will be key to Africa’s future, especially as the continent has the youngest population in the world. For that, we need capital and talent but without the talent capital alone can’t do much,” said Yordanos Asmare, A2SV’s Head of Talent and Partnerships. “At A2SV, we have over 800 students who are ready to tackle Africa’s challenges and solve them better than outsiders. We are showing the world that A2SV has the means to do that.”

For more information about A2SV and its projects, please visit A2SV.org

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of GITEX Africa.

Media contact:
Yordanos Asmare
A2SV
yordanos@a2sv.org

About A2SV:
A2SV is an international nonprofit started in 2019 working to bridge the gap between students across African countries and Big Tech. With the tech industry becoming increasingly competitive, the nonprofit is on a mission to provide opportunities for talented software engineers to grow their careers, learn from industry experts and use this knowledge to better their local communities through digital innovation. A2SV currently partners with universities in Africa to provide students with free training and pathways for internships in leading tech companies including Google and Bloomberg. Their annual continent-wide Hackathon further aims to diversify the industry by encouraging youth to address unique challenges in their communities through tech-led initiatives. To learn more about A2SV, visit our website at A2SV.org.

Consilium Academy, a leader in technology education and training, proudly announces its successful participation in the prestigious GITEX Africa 2024 (www.GITEXAfrica.com) conference, held from May 29-31 in Marrakech. As Africa’s largest tech and startup show, GITEX Africa has been a beacon of innovation and a hub for the world’s tech giants (https://apo-opa.co/45rdBH6)

Consilium Academy stood out with its unique approach to technology education, emphasizing hands-on, experiential learning. Our partnerships with industry giants like Microsoft, SAS, AWS, EC-Council, and IBM ensure that our training is not only credible but also relevant and current with the latest technological advancements (https://apo-opa.co/3RlyPjE).

About Consilium Academy 

Consilium Academy is a premier technology training institution that provides world-class education in various emerging technologies. With a focus on experiential learning and partnerships with leading tech vendors, we prepare students for a successful career in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Our offerings in emerging technologies such as Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and Cybersecurity have set a new standard in tech education. The academy’s commitment to providing students with real-world experience through internships has been instrumental in making them employable and ready to tackle the challenges of the digital world.

As GITEX Africa 2024 unveiled new sectors like Finance, Digital Health, Smart Manufacturing, and Agritech, Consilium Academy’s programs were perfectly aligned to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals in these areas (https://apo-opa.co/4aXPv7G). Technology cuts across various industries and there is an ever-growing gap of technology skills in various technology areas, especially on the African content.

“We are thrilled to have been a part of GITEX Africa 2024. It was an incredible opportunity to showcase our commitment to empowering the next generation of tech leaders in Africa,” said Nandini Dhar, CEO at Consilium Academy. “Our mission is to bridge the gap between education and industry, and GITEX Africa has been an excellent platform to further this goal.”

For more information about Consilium Academy and our programs, please visit our website (www.ConsiliumAcademy.com

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of GITEX Africa.

Contact:
Reshmi Ajay
Event Coordinator, Consilium Academy
reshmi@consiliumglobal.com

Shwetha Philip
Marketing Administrator
shwetha@consiliumglobal.com
Mob # +27-763148820

Acknowledgments: 
Consilium Academy extends its deepest gratitude to the esteemed South African Electrotechnical Council (SAEEC) and the Department of Trade, Industry&Competition for their unwavering support. We are profoundly thankful to His Excellency Mr. Ebrahim Edries, the South African Ambassador to Morocco, for his invaluable contributions.

Our heartfelt appreciation goes to Mrs. Chiboni Evans and Ms. Jane Banda for their dedication and commitment. Above all, we are indebted to the Government of Morocco, the vibrant city of Marrakech, and the diligent organizers of GITEX Africa 2024 for hosting an event of such magnitude and excellence.

On the sidelines of its participation in GITEX AFRICA 2024 (www.GITEXAfrica.com), Epson held a press conference where it unveiled the results of recent research it conducted in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, highlighting the common challenges faced in the Education and Healthcare sectors due to inefficient and unsustainable printing technology.

To meet these challenges, Epson remains committed to providing increasingly innovative, efficient and sustainable printing solutions. The impact of printing on student learning and healthcare staff efficiency is crucial.

Students need printed materials for their learning, but it’s equally important that this printing is both efficient and environmentally friendly. This enables them to access quality educational resources while integrating responsible practices. Similarly, for healthcare staff, having efficient and sustainable printing solutions saves valuable time, which translates into greater efficiency in the delivery of care. This balance between operational efficiency and environmental sustainability in printing is the offering Epson brings to these two vital sectors to support both student learning and quality healthcare.

In the education sector, the vast majority of students (91%) in the MEA region (Turkey, Saudi Arabia, UAE, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Kenya) recognize that printed learning materials help them better understand and retain information. Despite this, they often feel conflicted because they fear that excessive printing is perceived as being harmful to the environment. Nonetheless, the study also showed that 89% of the same respondent students recognize that their learning would be improved if their educational institution had more sustainable printing solutions, such as Heat-Free inkjet printers, which consume less energy and produce less waste than laser printers.

In the health sector, workers in the MEA region lose 5850 hours each year, equating to 731 working days; due to slow or non-functional printers. This loss of time has a negative impact on patient care, leading to delays in updating patient records, booking appointments and sharing information. Healthcare workers are calling for action to improve printing technology and reduce interruptions.

92% of healthcare workers believe their IT department should provide faster, lower-maintenance printers to reduce the difficulties caused by printing interruptions.

Environmental concerns also come into play, with 83% of respondents agreeing that the environmental impact of unsustainable printers is a major concern for them personally.

“In both sectors, the use of Epson’s Heat-Free inkjet printing technology is presented as a sustainable solution. Heat-Free inkjet printers consume less energy than traditional laser printers, and require fewer moving parts and consumables. By switching to this technology, educational establishments and health services could not only improve their operational efficiency, but also help reduce their environmental impact. It would also meet students’ learning needs and improve patient outcomes, while reducing costs and increasing user satisfaction.” says Ilias Azzaoui, Epson General Manager – French-speaking Africa and DomCom.

Visitors can discover Epson solutions at stand 4C-40 in hall 4 of GITEX AFRICA, taking place from May 29 to 31, 2024.

Place Bab Jdid, Boulevard Al Yarmouk – Marrakech (opposite Mamounia Hotel).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of GITEX Africa.

Media Contact: 
Siham Zouggarh
Email: siham.zouggarh@briocommunication.com
Tel. : +212 663552985

Join us to discover our latest innovations, and don’t miss our next exhibition!

Morocco
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/3VqesnV
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/3wZXUKa
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/3VqBqev

Tunisia
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/3VpHBzD

About Epson:
Epson is a global technology leader dedicated to co-creating sustainability and enriching communities by leveraging its efficient, compact, and precision technologies and digital technologies to connect people, things, and information. The company is focused on solving societal issues through innovations in home and office printing, commercial and industrial printing, manufacturing, visual and lifestyle. Epson will become carbon negative and eliminate use of exhaustible underground resources such as oil and metal by 2050.
Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the worldwide Epson Group generates annual sales of around JPY 1 trillion.
global.Epson.com/

The Registrar has said the Ministry of Finance has released GH¢60 million for their stipends, academic user and tuition fees.

According to him, they are on top of issues and will soon disburse funds to resolve the challenges faced by the students.

This comes on the back of grievances by some students in Morocco over the delay in the release of their stipends spanning over 10 months.

They lamented that, the situation has among other things exacerbated existing hardships including the inability to afford food, pay rent and afford other basic needs.

But speaking in an interview with JoyNews, Mr Agyemang admitted that, the challenges are not peculiar to students in Morocco but beneficiaries in about 10 other countries.

“We have to disburse funds to students in about 10 countries including Serbia, Algeria, Morocco, India, Tanzania, Russia, China. Plans are also far advanced to pay students in UK, Canada and Germany.

“I can stick my whole body out because the money has been credited to our account at Bank of Ghana and in a maximum of two weeks, they will get the money,” he assured.

Meanwhile, he attributed the hitches to external factors including COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war among others which have impacted world economies.

“But for a few hitches here and there, we were paying stipends in advance but we have a listening government that has come in quickly. The government has heard their concerns and taken them in good faith,” he added.

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This practice according to the Techiman North District NADMO Director, Samuel Agyei Effah, is dangerous and must cease immediately to avoid disasters.

Mr. Effah stated that, NADMO mounted a checkpoint on the Tuobodom-Techiman Highway to inspect school buses as part of their mandate to prevent disasters in the country.

He warned that some schools were using buckets of pick-ups to transport pupils, while others had buses in terrible conditions, with no insurance or roadworthy documents, and drivers with no licenses.

He also reiterated that, their operations will continue in Techiman North District, with the first phase of the exercise aimed at inspecting, identifying, and warning schools whose buses are not in good shape.

NADMO said it will collaborate with the Police to prosecute offenders who do not make positive changes in their school transport system.

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NUGS has said it is very concerned about the conditions of these students and has expressed readiness to follow the matter.

This comes on the back of grievances by some students in Morocco over the delay in the release of their stipends spanning over 10 months.

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, NUGS President, Daniel Kyeremeh Oppong disclosed the challenges are not peculiar to students in Morocco but in the UK, India, and those relying on the Students Loan Trust Fund.

“We are very perturbed by the current happenings but we are pretty much sure this listening government is going to take a quick step toward solving this particular challenge.

“Our students are suffering in Morocco, our students are suffering in the UK, our students are suffering in India, and most of the students on the Students Loan Trust Fund are also suffering. We need funds to facilitate education. Free senior high school is churning out a lot of numbers who are in our tertiary institutions,” he lamented.

The union has appealed to relevant authorities to ensure prompt action to prevent further hardship.

“The only way to keep them going, for them to also get knowledge to develop our country is to get them proper funding to keep them going. The Students Loan Trust Fund is one key area that should be looked at. We are calling on the government and all agencies to come and rescue students in the country,” he appealed.

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• Final-year Ghanaian students on govt scholarship in Morocco risk repetition [Audio]

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The revelation comes in the wake of delay in the release of their stipends for the past 10 months.

The President of the Students Association, Dr Emmanuel John Ayitey disclosed this on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem Monday as he delved into the numerous challenges they have been facing over the past months.

“We are in an examination week and people are hopeless and crying because about 30 to 40% of the final year students are likely to be repeated because they don’t have money for their project work,” he lamented.

Dr Ayitey added that, students are on the brink of eviction from their apartments due to unpaid rent amidst struggle to afford basic necessities.

He stated some people have already been evicted and have moved in with their friends while others have been rendered homeless.

The students, comprising undergraduates, masters, PhDs and post-doctoral have been in the news the past weeks over the delay in the release of their stipend.

Last Friday, they picketed at the Ghana Embassy in Rabat, Morocco to voice their dissatisfaction about the state of affairs.

However, nothing has still been heard from the Scholarship Secretariat despite the dire consequences of the delay.

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Africa Day, which is marked on May 25 is the anniversary of the formation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the precursor to the Africa Union, in 1963.

A Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Kwaku Ampratum-Sarpong and the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Ghana and the Dean of the African Group of Ambassadors and High Commissioners accredited to Ghana, Imane Ouaadil hoisted the flags of Ghana and the AU at the ceremony.

This year’s celebration, which is under the theme: “Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive, Lifelong, Quality, and Relevant Learning in Africa” is very crucial for the development of the continent.

It seeks to symbolise unity among AU Member States, promote solidarity and reflect on progress made by the Union while acknowledging challenges in the continent’s development and integration efforts.

The AU Day is celebrated to commemorate the efforts of its founding fathers such as Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia; President Gamage Abdul Nasser of Egypt and President Ben Bella of Algeria, who envisioned the attainment of a united

Africa and fought tirelessly for the total liberation of all African Member States.

Mr Ampratum-Sarpong said it was imperative that as Africans celebrated the occasion annually, they imbibed the spirit of oneness and keep burning the flame of emancipation as posited by their forebearers to realise the vision of “An Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa, Driven by its Own Citizens and Representing a Dynamic Force in the International arena”, as also enshrined in Agenda 2063.

He said the commemoration of this day had transcended the era where AU Member States had been preoccupied with the political liberation of the African continent from the shackles of colonialism and imperialism to the current collective goal of the Union, which lies within the remit of the socio-economic emancipation of the African continent.

The Deputy Minister said the AU recognised the cardinal importance of peace, security, stability and economic growth for the prosperity of its people.

He said it was for this reason, that African leaders remained committed to addressing issues of food security, energy crises, upholding democracy, climate change, health issues, internal conflicts, terrorism and violent extremism facing the continent in its march towards the attainment of the African Union Agenda 2063.

He said in this regard, Ghana was delighted to play host to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, a Flagship Project of the AU and a key milestone in the attainment of Africa’s transformational development Agenda.

He urged Member States to strengthen their commitment to the AfCFTA as it had the potential to shape the future of the continent, strengthen its position in the global market, uplift the lives of its people and accelerate the sustainable growth and development of the continent.

He said the AU recognised the significance of empowering the African Child through the provision of quality education, for a better tomorrow; adding that education remained critical to unlocking the potential of every individual in society.

“It is in this regard, that I am proud to note that under the transformative leadership of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the introduction of the Free Senior High School (SHS) Policy has significantly improved education,” Mr Ampratum-Sarpong stated.

“As is evident there has been substantial increment in enrolments recorded under the policy and the programme has further enhanced gender parity.”

He said the government of Ghana would continue to invest more in education to empower every Ghanaian to meet the human resource needs of the country.

He reiterated that the government would also continue to play its leading role by providing access to quality education, which was relevant to the needs of its people.

He said it was focused on creating education systems that were resilient, inclusive and tailored to unlocking the needs of the 21st century.

Mr Ampratum-Sarpong underscored that by so doing, Ghana would be on the way to achieving UN Sustainable Development Goal 4, which calls for inclusive and equitable education, and the promotion of lifelong opportunities for all, as well as attaining the goal of well-educated citizens and a skill revolution underpinned by science, technology and innovation as encapsulated in Agenda 2063.

On her part, Mrs Ouaadil, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Ghana and the Dean of the African Group of Ambassadors and High Commissioners accredited to Ghana, said the AU Year of Education was a unique opportunity to recommit member states to achieving the Continental Strategy for Education in Africa, Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, as well as Agenda 2063.

In attendance at the event were Members of the diplomatic community in Ghana, students from Accra High School, Accra Girls Senior High School and St Thomas Aquinas Senior High School.

Some Ghanaian students on government scholarships in Morocco have embarked on a peaceful demonstration to appeal for the release of their stipend, which is in 10 months’ arrears.

The students made up undergraduates, masters, PhDs and post-doctoral said the delay in the release of their stipend is affecting their studies.

They said they are in a dire situation that calls for urgent attention from the government.

They revealed that, most of the students are depressed as a result, a student almost committed suicide last week.

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Flight attendants were seen in heated exchanges just before the flight which had made a stop in Abidjan could take off, causing delays and a scare for the scores of passengers on board.

The flight from Doha, Qatar, had made a stop in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire, for a number of passengers travelling to that country to disembark.

The suspect in question, without any transit visa for Cote D’Ivoire, had also sought to disembark, ostensibly to go and smoke but was prevailed upon not to.

He subsequently eased into a washroom on the flight, where he is suspected to have smoked. The plane’s smoke alarms failed to sound, however the smell of tobacco was thick in the air.

He returned to his seat soon thereafter, and his co-passenger, with whom he shared seats, warned him against the act as it offended public safety rules.

He ignored the good counsel and headed for the washroom once more, raising suspicion he may have tampered with the smoke alarm.

Flight crew had to conduct extensive investigation before the flight resumed, causing considerable delay for passengers as well.

He was handed over to officers from the Ghana Police Service.

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Ex-Sgt Akata Pore said he was persuaded by Rawlings to provide information that helped fuel the uprising.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Upfront, the former soldier highlighted what he saw as Rawlings’ hatred for Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and his resistance to acknowledging Dr Nkrumah’s accomplishments.

“I didn’t know that he hated Dr. Nkrumah. Rawlings fooled everybody. Look, Rawlings gave me three books on the ABC of Socialism. When he met me for the first time, he said, ‘I really respect you because you can see forward. You will have to follow Nkrumah,” he told Raymond Acquah.

Akata Pore also disclosed that Rawlings manipulated certain prominent military figures to rally behind his agenda, ultimately leading to the uprising.

“That’s why I was interested in helping him out. Assisting him in bringing about change was tricky because I was working for military intelligence as well. So, in a way, I betrayed the military, but it was for the greater good in my view, so that’s why I did so.”

He also recounted an instance where they had planned to remove a statue of Dr Kwame Nkrumah and how Rawlings fumed at the idea.

“I regretted it because immediately after we took over, it became clear that Rawlings was not a fan of Nkrumah. We wanted to bring Nkrumah’s statue to the airport, and Rawlings was furious because Nkrumah was a dictator and how he was killed and all that,” he added.

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Africa’s meteoric rise as an emergent international force in digital transformation coupled with the epic AI opportunity sweeping the globe is set to propel a new era of public-private sector investment collaboration when the continent’s largest tech and start-up event opens in Morocco this month.

The 2nd edition of GITEX AFRICA, from 29-31 May 2024 in the vibrant city of Marrakech, shall converge global leaders and experts, governments, businesses, big tech, start-ups, investors, and academia from 130 countries to catalyse partnerships and advance the future ambitions of a continent determined to elevate its entrepreneurial innovation economy.

Under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of the Kingdom of Morocco, May God Assist Him, GITEX AFRICA is held under the authority of the Moroccan Ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform in partnership with the Digital Development Agency (ADD).

Africa’s blockbuster tech showpiece event is organised by KAOUN International, the overseas affiliate of Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), which organises GITEX GLOBAL in the UAE, the world’s largest and most trusted tech and start-up event.

With the final preparations underway for a purpose-built mega venue in the heart of Marrakech, GITEX AFRICA 2024 will span 21 halls featuring 1,400 international exhibiting companies – a 70 percent year-on-year increase over the event’s record-breaking debut 2023. 

This is the year of the AI phenomenon and its tantalising all-purpose capabilities to transform diverse sectors, from cybersecurity, cloud and IoT, to finance, telecoms, agriculture, and education, amplifying hopes of greater prosperity in the world’s second most populous continent.  AI’s impact on health tech has also spurred the launch of World Future Health Africa, accelerating the continent’s ascending digital health revolution.

More than 700 of the most outstanding global start-ups from 45 countries, including 200 Moroccan start-ups, will also feature at GITEX AFRICA’s North Star Africa start-up showcase, turbo-charging a great investment revival in a resilient and vibrant start-up ecosystem that is estimated to raise US$10 billion in VC funds by 2025.

These award-winning game-changers will connect with 350 investors from 35 countries with US$200 billion worth of assets under management. Now the vital barometer of tech’s massive cross-continental advances, GITEX AFRICA 2024 shall unify the global tech community’s commitment to accelerate a responsible future in the world’s burgeoning Silicon Valley. 

Addressing media at the show’s official preview press conference this Wednesday, May 15, was H.E Dr Ghita Mezzour, Minister of the Moroccan Ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform; Sidi Mohammed Drissi Melyani, the General Director of ADD; and Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of organiser KAOUN International.

In attendance were GITEX AFRICA’s official institutional partners: the ANRT (Moroccan National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency), ONDA (National Airports Office), OCP, Royal Air Maroc, ONCF (Moroccan National Railway Office), and the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM).

Ms. Ghita Mezzour, Moroccan Minister of Digital Transition and Administration Reform, said: “The second edition of GITEX AFRICA Morocco falls within the framework of the unwavering efforts made by our country in the field of digital transition, in alignment with the Royal Directives of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, May God Assist Him, who stressed on the importance to optimally leverage the enormous development opportunities digital transition provides for African countries.” Adding: “This edition will further consolidate Morocco’s position as a regional digital hub, thus creating an environment conducive to attracting more investments and stimulating job creation. “

Mr. Sidi Mohammed Drissi Melyani, said: “This 2nd edition of GITEX AFRICA Morocco is even more ambitious and inclusive, as it responds first and foremost to the enthusiasm it has aroused around the world, and in more ways than one has affirmed Morocco’s positioning as a key hub in the world of technological innovation and the attractiveness of foreign investment in the promising digital sector. This year, just as many themes and sector niches will be highlighted, such as AI, reflecting the growing interest in the new global professions of technological innovation”.

Igniting talent development, catalysing a Pan-African tech rush

AI’s existential prospects and ability to leap-frog traditional barriers of economic development in Africa will dominate discussions at GITEX AFRICA 2024, catalysing a trans-continental tech rush across diverse industries, from cloud and IOT, cybersecurity, digital health, and future finance, to consumer tech, digital cities, and telecoms.

Tech leaders estimate the AI boom will add US$1.2 trillion to Africa’s economy by 2030, boosting the continent’s GDP by 5.6 percent, and accelerating the need for urgent digital discourses to deploy the shape shifting tech that is both sustainable and ethical.

Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of KAOUN International, said: “The recent developments in AI have created new opportunities and impetus for Africa in its digital transformation mission.

“Hosted in a continent adept at leapfrogging in critical industries, GITEX AFRICA Morocco presents governments, business leaders and talents with unparalleled access to new information and expert knowledge, and big opportunities in digital convergence. This shall empower them to co-create new strategies and solutions for the betterment of society.”

Government ministers, digital visionaries tackle Africa’s pressing tech challenges   

Africa’s most progressive leadership conference programme will meanwhile gather 450-plus speakers from 70 countries, to debate, scrutinise, and tackle the greatest tech challenges and opportunities in the world’s second largest continent with bold ambitions to co-create and define its own Pan-African digital roadmap.

The GITEX AFRICA Digital Summit returns, leading ten conference stages comprising 280-plus hours of mind-stretching content advancing Africa’s digital movement. Impactful agendas will explore government policy and regulation, connectivity, digital cities and future finance, cybersecurity and health tech’s transformative opportunity, along with fast-tracking the world’s most exciting start-up ecosystem and challenging the realities of AI mania.

GITEX AFRICA 2024 is open from 10:00am to 6:00pm. Admission is for pre-registered trade professionals only with a special invitation for students aged 16 years and older on day three. More information is available at www.GITEXAFRICA.com.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of GITEX Africa.

Media Contact:
KAOUN International
Tayce Marchesi
PR Executive
Tel.: + 971 58 552 3994
Tayce.Marchesi@dwtc.com

PR Media:
Sami Saber
Media Relations Director
Tel.: + 212 66 139 9976
Sami.Saber@dprgroup.ma

On social media:
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/3WI3U4w
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Twitter: https://apo-opa.co/4atsBVE
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Website: www.GITEXAFRICA.com
Hashtag: #GITEXAFRICA

About KAOUN International:
KAOUN International is the independent events company and wholly owned subsidiary of Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) established to organize and manage events internationally. Derived from the Arabic word ‘universe’, KAOUN International’s mission is to ‘Create Limitless Connections’ for the industries and markets in which it operates. Created to leverage the 40-year legacy of DWTC’s events management business and drive future MICE sector opportunity in the MENASA region. KAOUN International delivers game-changing live experiences that build robust business connections, create opportunity, and stimulate economic growth, building on DWTC’s extensive portfolio of business and consumer events spanning multiple sectors, including technology, food and hospitality, sustainability, broadcast and satellite, automotive, talent development and leisure marine.

At the Climate Services for Risk Reduction in Africa (CS4RRA) webinar in Kumasi, Mr. Krull proposed solar and traditional farming integration as a vital research area to boost Africa’s food security.

“The fastest growing source of energy worldwide is renewable energy. Harvesting solar energy must not be exclusive to harvesting traditional agriculture yields. Science needs to come up with a solution on how we can harmonize solar farming and traditional Agricultural farming. I will strongly recommend that this could be a very challenging field of future research which could immediately translate into benefit for the people in Western Africa,” he said.

Climate Services for Risk Reduction in Africa (CS4RRA), is an initiative jointly sponsored by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

CS4RRA seeks to promote climate resilience in Africa and address the challenges that arise from it.

Its overall goal is to identify priorities for concerted action based on knowledge, innovation, and capacity building, through partnerships between countries in the South and between countries in the North and South.

The seminar is part of a series of four webinars, bringing together African and European experts.

The hybrid meetings have already been held in Togo, Senegal, and Cote d’Ivoire.

They are organized by Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD) and the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL).

The objective of this CS4RRA webinar is to shed light on issues, solutions and needs related to climate-smart agriculture and sustainable land use management in West Africa.

It is meant to help all stakeholders develop effective strategies to meet the challenges of climate change and land use change in the region.

KNUST Vice-chancellor, Prof. Mrs. Rita Akosua Dickson supported the need to “harness the power of partnership, collaboration and collective ambition to co-create sustainable solutions that transcend borders and generations”.

Executive director of WASCAL, Prof. Emmanuel Wendsongre Ramde was grateful to stakeholders for making the webinars a success.

“We have engaged in meaningful discussions and knowledge to enhance climate services in West Africa. I would like to extend my appreciation to all our esteemed partners and stakeholders for their dedication. Your expertise, insight, and collaboration have been instrumental in making these webinars a resounding success,” he said.

She added: “The challenges we face are immense, but by working together, we can change these challenges into opportunities for innovation and progress.”

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The latest data from Statistics South Africa showed a remarkable surge in international arrivals, signalling a promising trajectory for the industry.

From January to March 2024, South Africa welcomed 2.4 million international tourists, reflecting a notable 15.4% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Of significance is the substantial rise in arrivals from African nations, constituting 74.5% of all international arrivals.

Ghana stands out with an extraordinary 249.4% surge in tourist arrivals to South Africa from January to March 2024, attributed to the visa waiver scheme implemented in November 2023.

This initiative allows for visa-free travel between Ghana and South Africa for up to 90 days, fostering enhanced business and tourism opportunities.

Similarly, Kenyan travellers have benefited from visa-free access to South Africa since January 2023, resulting in a remarkable 99% increase in arrivals compared to 2022. The impact of visa-free travel, coupled with targeted marketing campaigns, has propelled Kenya into a significant source market for South Africa, with arrivals reaching 42,403 in 2023.

Beyond the African continent, international visitors from the Americas and Europe have also contributed to the tourism surge. Notable increases in arrivals were recorded from North America, the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, and Russia, reflecting the diverse appeal of South Africa as a travel destination.

Asian markets have emerged as key drivers of growth, witnessing a substantial 25.4% increase in arrivals from January to March 2024 compared to the previous year. China notably recorded an impressive 82% increase in arrivals, underscoring the country’s growing interest in South Africa’s offerings. Despite a slight dip compared to 2023, India remains a significant market for South Africa’s tourism sector.

The removal of visa barriers, combined with strategic marketing initiatives, has positioned South Africa as an attractive destination for global travellers. As the tourism industry continues to rebound and evolve, stakeholders remain optimistic about the sector’s resilience and future prospects.

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Some Ghanaian students on government scholarships in Morocco have appealed for the release of their stipend, which is in 10 months’ arrears.

According to the students, comprising undergraduates, masters, PhDs and post-doctoral the delay in the release of their stipend is affecting their studies.

In a statement, the students said they are in a dire situation that calls for urgent awareness from the government and the general public.

“In spite of the fact that students are supposed to receive monthly stipends for basic needs such as food, accommodation, transport, study materials, administrative needs, students are left in a lurch,” portions of the statement read.

The statement added that, the students are faced with security threats as most of them stand the risk of getting arrested.

“This is due to the failure of registration and/or renewal of resident cards »cartes de séjours« which demands financial support. Students have been evicted from their apartments and many more threatened to be evicted since they have not been able to cater for their rent and their essential bills.

“Just recently, some students were reportedly ill and are not able to receive
healthcare due to this dire situation. One student suffering from a peptic ulcer
recently went unconscious and was rushed to the hospital,” the students lamented.

It continued, “However, he is not able to cater for his medications and finds a challenge with dieting. There are other students who stand the same fate due to similar underlying health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and many more.”

Below is the full statement:

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Net revenues of €41.7 billion, down 12% compared to Q1 2023 primarily due to volume, mix and foreign exchange headwinds, partly offset by firm net pricing; Consolidated shipments(1) of 1,335 thousand units, down 10%, reflecting production actions and inventory management to prepare for new product wave in H2 2024 compared with strong shipments in Q1 2023 to build inventory following a prolonged period of supply constraints; Total new vehicle inventory of 1,3U3 thousand units (Company inventory of 423 thousand units) at March 31, 2024, reflecting improving level and structure versus December 2023; Global BEV and LEV sales increased by 8% and 13%, respectively, versus Q1 2023; ongoing global focus with new BEVs launching throughout 2024; Ordinary dividend of €1.55 per share (1G% increase versus prior year) approved at AGM to be paid to shareholders on May 3, 2024; €3.0 billion share buyback on track for 2024 completion.

“While Q1 2024 year-over-year shipments and Net revenues comparisons were difficult due to transitions in our next generation product portfolio manufactured on new platforms, we are delivering clear improvements in key commercial dynamics with customer sales outpacing shipments. We are reducing inventories to reinforce our strong relative pricing ahead of our new or mid-cycle product launches this year in key regions. During Q1 2024, we have introduced four new models out of our full-year launch plan of 25 models, including 18 BEV nameplates, which we believe sets the stage for materially improved growth and profitability in the second half of the year.”

RESULTS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

FY 2024 GUIDANCE – CONFIRMED

Revenue backdrop: Supportive

AOI Margin(2): Double digit minimum commitment Industrial Free Cash Flows(3): Positive

Q1 2024

Q1 2023

Change

Combined shipments (000 units)

1,371

1,538

(11)%

Consolidated shipments (000 units)

1,335

1,47L

(10)%

Net revenues (C billion)

41.7

47.2

(12)%

All reported data is unaudited. Reference should be made to the section “Safe Harbor Statement” included elsewhere within this document.

Stellantis N.V. today reported first quarter 2024 Net revenues and shipments reflecting production actions and inventory management strategies to prepare for the upcoming new product wave. Sales to customers were unchanged from prior year, with growth in Middle East&Africa (up 23% year-over-year) and Enlarged Europe (up L% year-over-year). Global BEV sales were up 8% and North America PHEV sales were up 7U% year-over-year. Jeep® Wrangler, Jeep® Grand Cherokee and Dodge Hornet were the top three most sold PHEVs in the U.S.(4) Stellantis Pro One commercial vehicles achieved market share leadership in the Middle East&Africa region in the quarter with 2L% market share, while maintaining its No. 1 position in both EU30 and South America, on its quest to achieve global market leadership by 2027. In EU30 BEV sales, Pro One also takes the top spot with 33% market share.

The Company’s key achievements toward the Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan include:

CARE

TECH

VALUE

Announced partnership with California Air Resources Board that avoids 10-12 million metric tons of greenhouse gases in the

U.S. and enhances ongoing commitment to strengthen Stellantis’ electrification offensive by promoting electric vehicle awareness, expanding charging infrastructure and driving dealer readiness.

Redistributed C1.U billion to employees in 2024, totaling CL billion since 2021, based on record 2023 Full Year results.
Conducted third global employee survey in February as part of the continuous listening approach to improve overall working experience and well-being. Nearly 1L2,000 employees responded – a 71% participation rate, an 8-point increase compared to prior year.
Engaged young people in career development actions through:

Battery Workforce Challenge, managed by Argonne National Laboratory for the U.S.

Department of Energy, challenging teams to design, build, test and integrate an advanced battery pack for Ram ProMaster EV.

Drive for Design contest, hosted by the Stellantis North America design team, invited

high school students to create their dream vehicle for 2040.

As part of a broader stakeholder engagement plan, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares was joined by four internationally known experts and students from three universities in France, Morocco and the U.S. for the second annual Freedom of Mobility Forum to debate “How will our planet accommodate the mobility needs of eight billion people?”

Introduced three BEVs: Fiat Topolino, Maserati Grecale Folgore, Ram ProMaster EV; launch plan maintained.

Started production of in-house designed and manufactured electric drive modules at Indiana Transmission (U.S.). Class-leading power density 250kw units will be installed in upcoming STLA Large vehicles (Dodge, Jeep, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, etc).
Began cell and module production with battery partner ACC in Europe. LG Energy Solution and Samsung SDI to follow. Battery components will be assembled into high-energy density, Stellantis- designed and manufactured battery packs ranging from 80 to 120 kWh in size.
Expanded in-house production of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles on both mid-size and large vans in Hordain (France) and Gliwice (Poland). Fuel cell van extended lineup and increased in-house, industrial-scale production cements Pro One standing as undisputed commercial vehicles leader in Europe.
Further refining traditional propulsion systems:

Started production of the all-new 2.2L MultiJet 4.0 clean diesel engine (Euro Le and 7 compatible) at Pratola Serra (Italy) plant.
Through the eTransmissions Assembly joint venture launched electrified dual-clutch transmission production in Turin (Italy) to help power next-generation, Stellantis-brand hybrids.

Quickly adopting advancements in generative AI in R&D and customer value-added services. In R&D, deployed AI for simulation, which significantly enhanced accuracy and speed in the simulation and testing phases. With new method, Stellantis can improve aerodynamic assessment by more than 300 times and reduce cost by >85%; dozens of additional AI systems to come in 2024.
First OEM to integrate ChatGPT functionality as standard, starting with deployment of new travel assistant across entire DS brand range, followed by Peugeot in its iconic i-Cockpit® system, with plans to extend across the Stellantis portfolio.
Created the world’s first virtual cockpit platform as part of Stellantis Virtual Engineering Workbench enabling engineering teams to deliver infotainment tech to customers quicker through faster development cycles and feedback loops.
Launched MyTasks, an industry-first tool for fleet managers enabling real-time communication, task assignment and status updates with drivers in the field via the vehicle’s infotainment unit.
Acquired artificial intelligence framework, machine learning models, intellectual property rights and patents of CloudMade, a developer of smart, innovative big data-driven automotive solutions to support mid-term development of STLA SmartCockpit.
Stellantis Ventures strategic investments:

SteerLight: developer of high-performance, low-cost LiDAR tech, which has the potential to improve advanced driver assistance systems.
Tiamat: develops and commercializes sodium-ion battery tech at a lower cost per kilowatt-hour and free of lithium and cobalt.

Announced record investment plan for South America totaling C5.L billion (RT30 billion) from 2025 to 2030 to support the launch of more than 40 new products during the period as well as the development of new Bio- Hybrid technologies, innovative decarbonization technologies across the automotive supply chain, and strategic new business opportunities.
Signed two fleet agreements:

SIXT could buy up to 250,000 vehicles for its rental fleet in its

corporate countries across Europe and North America over the next three years.

Ayvens will encourage affiliates to buy up to 500,000 vehicles for its long-term

leasing fleet across Europe over the next three years.

At the Shareholders’ Annual General Meeting on April 1L, 2024, C4.7 billion annual dividend approved (C1.55 per share), to be paid on May 3, 2024.
On-going execution of C3.0 billion share buyback program.
On track to deliver total capital returns in 2024 over C7.7 billion, representing an 11% yield as a percentage of Stellantis market capitalization on January 1, 2024.

GUIDANCE AND OUTLOOK: The Company is reiterating a minimum commitment of double-digit Adjusted operating income (AOI) margin in 2024, as well as positive Industrial free cash flow, despite macroeconomic uncertainties.

On April 30, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. CEST / 8:00 a.m. EDT, a live webcast and conference call will be held to present Stellantis’ First Quarter 2024 Shipments and Revenues. The webcast and recorded replay will be accessible under the Investors section of the Stellantis corporate website at www.Stellantis.com. The presentation material is expected to be posted under the Investors section of the Stellantis corporate website at approximately 8:00 a.m. CEST / 2:00 a.m. EDT on April 30, 2024.

UPCOMING EVENTS: Investor Day – June 13, 2024; First Half 2024 Results – July 25, 2024; Third Quarter Shipments&Revenues – October 31, 2024

SEGMENT PERFORMANCE

NORTH AMERICA

Q1 2024

Q1 2023

Change    •  Shipments down 20%, due largely to portfolio transitions, including refreshed Ram 1500 and new Dodge Charger, partly offset by growth in Jeep Wagoneer, which more than

doubled

(102)       •  Net revenues down 15%, due to lower volumes and negative FX translation effects; partly offset by positive nameplate mix and net pricing from carryover actions and reduced

(3,481)          incentive spend

Shipments (000s)

407

50U

Net revenues (C million)

1U,2U1

22,772

ENLARGED EUROPE

Q1 2024

Q1 2023

Change    •  Shipments down L%, due to inventory reduction efforts with lower volumes mainly of Peugeot 3008, for which new model will ramp in Q2 2024, Fiat 500 and Opel Mokka, partly

offset by growth in Jeep Avenger, Fiat Ducato&Panda and Citroën C3

(42)        • Net revenues down 13%, due to decreased volumes, higher buyback commitments due to improving rental car business, lower LEV mix and negative net pricing

(2,055)

MIDDLE EAST&AFRICA

Q1 2024

Q1 2023

Change    • Consolidated shipments up 42%, led by ramp up in Algerian market, mostly from Fiat; Citroën shipments also grew substantially, led by C4 X

+23        •  Net revenues up 24%, strong underlying and pricing trends partially offset by negative FX translation effects, mainly from Turkish lira, and lower mix

+35

+521

Combined shipments

(000s)(1)

154

131

Consolidated shipments

(000s)(1)

118

83

Net revenues (C million)

2,L87

2,1LL

SOUTH AMERICA

Q1 2024

Q1 2023

Change    •  Shipments down 7%, mostly from lower Fiat and Peugeot volumes, despite strong growth of Ram volumes

(14)        •  Net revenues down 2%, pricing increases and growth in parts&services revenues due to acquisitions, more than offset by devaluation in FX translation effects from the Argentine

peso and lower volumes

(57)

Shipments (000s)

177

1U1

Net revenues (C million)

3,4LL

3,523

CHINA AND INDIA&ASIA PACIFIC

Q1 2024

Q1 2023

Change    • Consolidated shipments down 4L%, mainly driven by Peugeot, Jeep, Citroën and RAM due to challenging market and economic conditions and increasing competition

(27)        •  Net revenues down 4L%, driven by decreased shipments due to challenging market and economic conditions and negative FX translation effects

(13)

(45L)

Combined shipments

(000s)(1)

15

42

Consolidated shipments

(000s)(1)

15

28

Net revenues (C million)

525

U81

MASERATI

Q1 2024

Q1 2023

Change    •  Shipments down L1%, mostly due to Grecale and Levante volumes in North America, as well as the impact of inventory reduction initiatives

(5.1)       •  Net revenues down 55%, mix improvements more than offset by lower volumes and

(378)            negative FX translation effects

Shipments (000s)

3.3

8.4

Net revenues (C million)

313

LU1

Reconciliations

Net revenues from external customers to Net revenues

2024                 (C million)

NOPTH 6MEPIC6

ENL6PGED EUPOPE

MIDDLE E6ST&6łPIC6

SOUTH 6MEPIC6

CHIN6 6ND INDI6&6SI6 P6CIłIC

M6SEP6TI

OTHEP(*)

STELL6NTIS

Net revenues from external customers

1U,2U0

13,U85

2,L87

3,47L

524

312

1,423

?1,GU7

Net revenues from transactions with other segments

1

LL

—

(10)

1

1

(5U)

—

Nsť rsvsnuss

1U,2U1

1?,051

2,G37

3,?GG

525

313

1,3G?

?1,GU7

(*) Other activities, unallocated items and eliminations

2023                (C million)

NOPTH 6MEPIC6

ENL6PGED EUPOPE

MIDDLE E6ST&6łPIC6

SOUTH 6MEPIC6

CHIN6 6ND INDI6&6SI6 P6CIłIC

M6SEP6TI

OTHEP(*)

STELL6NTIS

Net revenues from external customers

22,772

1L,087

2,1LL

3,547

U7U

LU2

UU2

?7,235

Net revenues from transactions with other segments

—

1U

—

(24)

2

(1)

4

—

Nsť rsvsnuss

22,772

1G,10G

2,1GG

3,523

U31

GU1

UUG

?7,235

(*) Other activities, unallocated items and eliminations

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Stellantis.

NOTES:

Combined shipments include shipments by Company’s consolidated subsidiaries and unconsolidated joint ventures, whereas Consolidated shipments only include shipments by Company’s consolidated subsidiaries. Figures by segments may not add up due to rounding. China shipments from DPCA are no longer included in Combined shipments as of November 2023; prior periods have not been restated.
Adjusted operating income/(loss) excludes from Net profit/(loss) adjustments comprising restructuring and other termination costs, impairments, asset write-offs, disposals of investments and unusual operating income/(expense) that are considered rare or discrete events and are infrequent in nature, as inclusion of such items is not considered to be indicative of the Company’s ongoing operating performance, and also excludes Net financial expenses/(income) and Tax expense/(benefit).

Unusual operating income/(expense) are impacts from strategic decisions, as well as events considered rare or discrete and infrequent in nature, as inclusion of such items is not considered to be indicative of the Company’s ongoing operating performance. Unusual operating income/(expense) includes, but may not be limited to: impacts from strategic decisions to rationalize Stellantis’ core operations; facility-related costs stemming from Stellantis’ plans to match production capacity and cost structure to market demand, and convergence and integration costs directly related to significant acquisitions or mergers.

Industrial free cash flows is our key cash flow metric and is calculated as Cash flows from operating activities less: (i) cash flows from operating activities from discontinued operations; (ii) cash flows from operating activities related to financial services, net of eliminations; (iii) investments in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets for industrial activities; (iv) contributions of equity to joint ventures and minor acquisitions of consolidated subsidiaries and equity method and other investments; and adjusted for: (i) net intercompany payments between continuing operations and discontinued operations; (ii) proceeds from disposal of assets and (iii) contributions to defined benefit pension plans, net of tax. The timing of Industrial free cash flows may be affected by the timing of monetization of receivables, factoring and the payment of accounts payables, as well as changes in other components of working capital, which can vary from period to period due to, among other things, cash management initiatives and other factors, some of which may be outside of the Company’s control.

Per S&P Global February ‘24 year-to-date vehicle registrations (most current data available)

Rankings, market share and other industry information are derived from third-party industry sources (e.g. Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés (ANTS), Associação Nacional dos Fabricantes de Veículos Automotores (ANFAVEA), Ministry of Infrastructure and Sustainable Mobility (MIMS), S&P Global, Ward’s Automotive) and internal information unless otherwise stated.

For purposes of this document, and unless otherwise stated industry and market share information are for passenger cars (PC) plus light commercial vehicles (LCV), except as noted below:

Enlarged Europe excludes Russia and Belarus; Q1 2023 figures have been restated;

Middle East&Africa exclude Iran, Sudan and Syria;

South America excludes Cuba;

India&Asia Pacific reflects aggregate for major markets where Stellantis competes (Japan (PC), India (PC), South Korea (PC + Pickups), Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia);

China represents PC only and includes licensed sales from DPCA; and

Maserati reflects aggregate for 17 major markets where Maserati competes and is derived from S&P Global data, Maserati competitive segment and internal information.

Prior period figures have been updated to reflect current information provided by third-party industry sources. EU30 = EU 27 (excluding Malta), Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and UK.

Low emission vehicles (LEV) = battery electric (BEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), range-extender electric vehicle (REEV) and fuel cell electric (FCEV) vehicles.

All Stellantis reported BEV and LEV sales include Citroën Ami ,Opel Rocks-e and Fiat Topolino; in countries where these vehicles are classified as quadricycles, they are excluded from Stellantis reported combined sales, industry sales and market share figures.

S6łE H6PBOP ST6TEMENT:
This document, in particular references to “FY 2024 Guidance”, contains forward looking statements. Statements regarding future financial performance and the Company’s expectations as to the achievement of certain targeted metrics, including revenues, industrial free cash flows, vehicle shipments, capital investments, research and development costs and other expenses at any future date or for any future period are forward-looking statements. These statements may include terms such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “could”, “should”, “intend”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “remain”, “on track”, “design”, “target”, “objective”, “goal”, “forecast”, “projection”, “outlook”, “prospects”, “plan”, or similar terms. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Rather, they are based on the Company’s current state of knowledge, future expectations and projections about future events and are by their nature, subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. They relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur or exist in the future and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on them.

Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including: the Company’s ability to launch new products successfully and to maintain vehicle shipment volumes; changes in the global financial markets, general economic environment and changes in demand for automotive products, which is subject to cyclicality; the Company’s ability to successfully manage the industry-wide transition from internal combustion engines to full electrification; the Company’s ability to offer innovative, attractive products and to develop, manufacture and sell vehicles with advanced features including enhanced electrification, connectivity and autonomous-driving characteristics; the Company’s ability to produce or procure electric batteries with competitive performance, cost and at required volumes; the Company’s ability to successfully launch new businesses and integrate acquisitions; a significant malfunction, disruption or security breach compromising information technology systems or the electronic control systems contained in the Company’s vehicles; exchange rate fluctuations, interest rate changes, credit risk and other market risks; increases in costs, disruptions of supply or shortages of raw materials, parts, components and systems used in the Company’s vehicles; changes in local economic and political conditions; changes in trade policy, the imposition of global and regional tariffs or tariffs targeted to the automotive industry, the enactment of tax reforms or other changes in tax laws and regulations; the level of governmental economic incentives available to support the adoption of battery electric vehicles; the impact of increasingly stringent regulations regarding fuel efficiency requirements and reduced greenhouse gas and tailpipe emissions; various types of claims, lawsuits, governmental investigations and other contingencies, including product liability and warranty claims and environmental claims, investigations and lawsuits; material operating expenditures in relation to compliance with environmental, health and safety regulations; the level of competition in the automotive industry, which may increase due to consolidation and new entrants; the Company’s ability to attract and retain experienced management and employees; exposure to shortfalls in the funding of the Company’s defined benefit pension plans; the Company’s ability to provide or arrange for access to adequate financing for dealers and retail customers and associated risks related to the operations of financial services companies; the Company’s ability to access funding to execute its business plan; the Company’s ability to realize anticipated benefits from joint venture arrangements; disruptions arising from political, social and economic instability; risks associated with the Company’s relationships with employees, dealers and suppliers; the Company’s ability to maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting; developments in labor and industrial relations and developments in applicable labor laws; earthquakes or other disasters; and other risks and uncertainties.

Any forward-looking statements contained in this document speak only as of the date of this document and the Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise publicly forward-looking statements. Further information concerning the Company and its businesses, including factors that could materially affect the Company’s financial results, is included in the Company’s reports and filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and AFM.

About Stellantis:
Stellantis N.V. (NYSE: STLA/ Euronext Milan: STLAM/ Euronext Paris: STLAP) is one of the world’s leading automakers aiming to provide clean, safe and affordable freedom of mobility to all. It’s best known for its unique portfolio of iconic and innovative brands including Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS Automobiles, FIAT, Jeep®, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram, Vauxhall, Free2move and Leasys. Stellantis is executing its Dare Forward 2030, a bold strategic plan that paves the way to achieve the ambitious target of becoming a carbon net zero mobility tech company by 2038, with single-digit percentage compensation of the remaining emissions, while creating added value for all stakeholders. For more information, visit www.Stellantis.com. Contacts: communications@stellantis.com or investor.relations@stellantis.com

The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) (https://IsDBInstitute.org) has released a new book detailing applications of agent-based simulation in Islamic Finance.

Titled “Applications of Agent-Based Simulation in Islamic Finance”, the book is an edited collection of papers authored by students who graduated from the Islamic Financial Engineering Laboratory based in Rabat, Morocco. The Laboratory was established in 2013 by Mohammed V University in Rabat and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). Former heads of the Laboratory, Prof. Rajae Aboulaich and Prof. Mohamed Tkiouat, edited the new book.

The book explores the different aspects of Islamic finance and modeling, highlighting the importance of agent-based modeling and mathematical modeling in the context of Islamic finance. It also examines the growing role of fintech and its impact on financial inclusion within the Islamic framework.

The objective of the book is to provide an in-depth perspective of the theoretical foundations and practical applications of agent-based and mathematical modeling in the field of Islamic finance. By exploring the different models and approaches, the authors highlight the advantages and limitations of these methodologies while emphasizing their relevance for decision-making and risk management in the Islamic context.

Dr. Sami Al Suwailem, Acting Director General of IsDB Institute, said: “The book is a result of close collaboration between the professors and graduate students of the Lab and experts from the IsDBI. The support of the IsDB has helped IFE Lab students in the development of the modeling of complex problems and the structuring of innovative financial products using high-performance simulation approaches such as agent-based modeling, discussed in this book.”

Prof. Rajae Aboulaich, one of the book editors, said: “This book is the fruit of research carried out over the past eight years within the IFE Lab at Mohammed V University in Rabat. It presents selected research carried out as part of the theses produced within the IFE Lab. The book documents also some of the success stories of the IFE Lab, and so, we hope it will serve as a reference for future generations to lead the development of Islamic finance to the next level”.

The book is available for purchase on IsDB Institute’s website here (https://apo-opa.co/3ULvblu).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI).

Media contact:
Habeeb Idris Pindiga
Associate Manager, Knowledge Horizons
Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI)
Email: hpindiga@isdb.org

Social media handles:
Twitter (X): https://apo-opa.co/3G7Y7vR
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/40OTYq0
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/40LPb8T

About the Islamic Development Bank Institute:
The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) is the knowledge beacon of the Islamic Development Bank Group. Guided by the principles of Islamic economics and finance, the IsDB Institute leads the development of innovative knowledge-based solutions to support the sustainable economic advancement of IsDB Member Countries and various Muslim communities worldwide. The IsDB Institute enables economic development through pioneering research, human capital development, and knowledge creation, dissemination, and management. The Institute leads initiatives to enable Islamic finance ecosystems, ultimately helping Member Countries achieve their development objectives. More information about the IsDB Institute is available on https://IsDBInstitute.org

Radisson Hotel Casablanca Gauthier La Citadelle (https://apo-opa.co/3ToAJ36) (www.RadissonHotels.com) opens its doors as the first upscale Radisson-branded hotel in Morocco. Situated in the heart of the vibrant Gauthier district in Casablanca, the thriving port city that fronts the Atlantic Ocean, the opening of Radisson Hotel Casablanca Gauthier La Citadelle marks Radisson Hotel Group’s second hotel in Casablanca and the ninth hotel opening in Morocco.

Offering a delightful blend of comfort and convenience, Radisson Hotel Casablanca Gauthier La Citadelle is located in the central hub of Gauthier, near Villa des Arts and the “White City’s” key cultural attractions, including La Corniche, Parc de la Ligue Arabe, the bustling Medina, and the majestic Hassan II Mosque.

Owned and operated by subsidiaries of Al Hoceinia Holding, the hotel boasts 133 spacious rooms, including nine suites which have been designed to offer guests a generous living space with premium amenities. Each room is equipped with a relaxation area as well as a desk for business travelers. The design of each room has been meticulously planned, using high-quality materials and a modern and clean white and beige aesthetic that strikes the perfect balance between functionality and comfort, offering guests an unrivaled and harmonious travel experience.

Braise Restaurant offers guests an unforgettable culinary experience with its wood-fired cuisine, sophisticated décor, welcoming atmosphere, live music, and vast views. At the stylish Bliss rooftop bar and restaurant, guests can enjoy refined cocktails, delicious bar bites, and ambient tunes from the resident DJ while admiring the panoramic views of the city and the Arab League Park. The Lobby Bar is the perfect spot to unwind with an artisanal cocktail.

“We are thrilled to debut our upscale Radisson brand in Morocco with the opening of Radisson Hotel Casablanca Gauthier La Citadelle, and are grateful to Al Hoceinia Holding for the opportunity to champion Moroccan travel and tourism together. The hotel boasts an idyllic location in the cosmopolitan Gauthier district which perfectly complements our growing portfolio in Casablanca. Our expansion in Morocco over recent years has been remarkable, including this latest addition marking our ninth hotel opening in the country,” said Tim Cordon, Chief Operating Officer, Middle East, Africa, and SEAP, Radisson Hotel Group.

“Our exceptional ‘Yes I Can!’ service, captivating interiors, and delectable cuisine create an unparalleled and seamless experience in the city. We are confident that we will become one of the most sought-after hotels in Casablanca, and can’t wait to offer our guests an unforgettable stay,” said Julian Martin, General Manager of Radisson Hotel Casablanca Gauthier La Citadelle.

Boasting 450 square meters of state-of-the-art meeting and event spaces, including a ballroom and five meeting rooms equipped with the latest audiovisual technology, the hotel is the ideal venue to host an unforgettable event. For guests seeking to maintain their fitness routine, Radisson Hotel Casablanca Gauthier La Citadelle offers an energizing fitness center boasting a wide range of state-of-the-art cardio and strength-training equipment, as well as an outdoor pool and rejuvenating yoga classes.

For more information and to book, visit https://apo-opa.co/3ToAJ36

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Radisson Hotel Group.

Media Contact:
Saadiyah Hendricks
Area PR&Social Media Director|
MEA, Mediterranean and SEAP
Radisson Hotel Group
Saadiyah.hendricks@radissonhotels.com

Connect with Radisson Hotels on:
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/4cYkxi1
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/3UfBI7C
Twitter: https://apo-opa.co/4cYkyT7
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/49EHoMX
YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/3Uf38dE

Connect with Radisson on: 
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/49wpQm0
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/3PZcBTW
Twitter: https://apo-opa.co/3xJgeac
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/3UfBRYI
YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/49Fc7t0

About Radisson Hotel Group:
Radisson Hotel Group is an international hotel group, operating in EMEA and APAC with over 1,320 hotels in operation and under development in +95 countries. The international hotel group is rapidly expanding with a plan to significantly grow the portfolio. The Group’s overarching brand promise is Every Moment Matters with a signature Yes I Can! service ethos. 

The Radisson family of brands portfolio includes Radisson Collection, art’otel, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Radisson Individuals, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson, Country Inn&Suites by Radisson, and prizeotel brought together under one commercial umbrella brand Radisson Hotels.  

Radisson Rewards (https://apo-opa.co/48eby8X) is Radisson Hotel Group’s loyalty program, which delivers an elevated experience that makes Every Moment Matter. As the most streamlined program in the sector, members enjoy exceptional advantages and can access their benefits from day one across a wide range of hotels in Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific.   

Radisson Meetings (https://apo-opa.co/49xBHAD) provides tailored solutions for any event or meeting, including hybrid solutions placing guests and their needs at the heart of its offer. Radisson Meetings is built around three strong service commitments: Personal, Professional and Memorable, while delivering on the brilliant basics and being uniquely 100% Carbon Neutral.  

At Radisson Hotel Group we care for people, communities and planet (https://apo-opa.co/3SC295s) and aim to be Net Zero by 2050 based on the approved near-term Science Based Targets. With unique solutions such as 100% carbon neutral Radisson Meetings, we make sustainable hotel stays easy. To facilitate sustainable travel choices, all our hotels are becoming verified on Hotel Sustainability Basics. 

The health and safety of guests and team members remain a top priority for Radisson Hotel Group. All properties across the Group’s portfolio are subject to health and safety requirements, ensuring we always care for our guests and team members. 

For more information, visit our corporate website (https://apo-opa.co/42k6te0).  

About Radisson:
Radisson is an upscale hotel brand that offers Scandinavian inspired hospitality, which enables guests to find more harmony in their travel experience. With natural surroundings and unexpected delights, Radisson inspires the art of being in the moment. We are committed to helping our guests find the right balance for their stay, removing the discomforts travelling may bring and enabling them to switch off and relax, using our Yes I Can! attitude to ensure satisfaction of every guest. Radisson hotels can be found in suburban and city settings, near airports and leisure destinations. Guests and professional business partners can enhance their experience with Radisson by participating in Radisson Rewards, an international loyalty program offering exceptional benefits and rewards. 

Radisson is part of the Radisson family of brands, which also includes Radisson Collection, art’otel, Radisson Blu, Radisson RED, Radisson Individuals, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson, Country Inn&Suites by Radisson, and prizeotel brought together under one commercial umbrella brand Radisson Hotels. 

For reservations and more information, visit our website (https://apo-opa.co/3SkREDo). 

About Al Hoceinia Hospitality:
Al Hoceinia Hospitality is a subsidiary of Al Hoceinia Holding, a leading holding company in key sectors such as real estate, agriculture, hospitality, and education.

For over 60 years, Al Hoceinia Holding is a leader in the sectors in which it operates, with over 28,000 real estate properties developed in Morocco, a presence in Senegal since 2022 and Côte d’Ivoire. The group is also the owner of several agriculture estates with a total surface of 1,300 hectares of arable land. In the education sector, it has a capacity for 3,700 students..

Al Hoceinia Hospitality is a full-service hospitality management company, driven by excellence and innovation. The company has a development plan to operate 5 branded hotels and resorts in the next 5 years in Morocco’s major cities.

For more information, please visit our website https://AlHoceinia.ma  

Students from three leading universities from three continents will guide debate topics by presenting research on three focus areas: technology, social justice and equity, and business; Scheduled for April 3, the second annual live debate encourages discussion on how the planet will accommodate the mobility needs of eight billion people in the coming decades; To register for the live digital debate, visit: www.FreedomOfMobilityForum.org.

New for the 2024 Freedom of Mobility Forum, students from three leading universities from Africa, Europe and North America will join the debate to offer their research and perspectives to addressing the topic: “How will our planet accommodate the mobility needs of 8 billion people?” As the decisions made now will impact the future environment for the next generations, it was critical to the Advisory Board to add younger people to the discussion.

Conceived by Stellantis as an open forum for the public to hear a broad range of perspectives as society faces the mobility challenges of the future, the Freedom of Mobility Forum’s second annual live debate (https://apo-opa.co/3HZJoUx) promises to bring diverse – and possibly controversial – opinions. The event on April 3 will be facilitated by a neutral third-party and will explore how planetary limits could reshape freedom of mobility from technology, business, and lifestyle perspectives. 

One spokesperson from each school will offer opening remarks for the designated topic area that they have been researching with the guidance of their respective professors:

TECHNOLOGY: Students from ENSA Kenitra (Morocco) (https://apo-opa.co/3IGOhSX) are looking at the environmental, economic, and technological challenges posed by the three major energy sources used and planned for use in transportation. They are studying technical solutions that can be leveraged to avoid resource depletion and those that can enable a more sustainable lifecycle from extraction to disposal. Professor: Dr. Ismaïl Lagrat

SOCIAL JUSTICE and EQUITY: Students from The Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University (United States) (https://apo-opa.co/3VpxJ9t) explore the connection between the decisions being made about mobility due to concerns about climate change, social justice and equity. Their research covers the major factors driving inequities in access to transportation and identifies relevant pathways to fostering greater mobility equity and accessibility for all. Professor: Joel Cutcher-Gershenfeld 

BUSINESS: The students from HEC Paris (France) (https://apo-opa.co/4a3DRZt) are challenging the overreliance on private vehicle ownership in traditional mobility business models and practices. They are exploring alternative and creative solutions that can offer more affordable, scalable, and sustainable mobility options that can better address environmental and social challenges. Professor: François Gemenne

Meet the students in this video: https://apo-opa.co/3TmQFD6

Cecilia R. Edwards, partner at Wavestone, a global consulting firm, will serve again as facilitator, moderating the open discussion among the panelists and students. Viewers of the live event also will have the opportunity to interact directly with the panelists throughout the program via three dedicated Q&A sessions. More details for the two-hour digital debate will be announced later.

Register for the live digital debate here: https://apo-opa.co/4cmHjzN

To follow the Forum, please visit https://apo-opa.co/49LLWBY.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Stellantis.

Media Contact:
media_fom@freedomofmobilityforum.org

About the Freedom of Mobility Forum:
The Freedom of Mobility Forum, initiated by Stellantis and facilitated by a neutral third-party, is an international gathering of passionate problem-solvers committed to fact-based discussions that challenge the status quo, expand perspectives and identify how best to enable safe, affordable and sustainable freedom of mobility for a society facing the implications of global warming. For more information visit: FreedomOfMobilityForum.org.   

For the first time, the Orange Summer Challenge, the flagship event of the Orange Digital Center (ODC) network, pitted eleven national winners against each other to determine the most innovative project in Africa and the Middle East at an international awards ceremony held on February 20 in Casablanca, Morocco.

Originally launched in Tunisia in 2011, the event has gradually expanded, and this edition brought together 11 countries from Africa and the Middle East. The competition has won over the hearts of young talent and has become a firm favorite with students who are passionate about new technologies.

This year, the 3-month summer internship in the form of a competition, which is open to students from a variety of disciplines, focused on an ambitious, topical issue: “Artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things: a winning combination to meet the challenges of tomorrow!“

In total, 253 young people were supported throughout the competition, and 46 innovative technological projects addressed current and future challenges related to the environment, health, education, agriculture, etc.

The Orange Summer Challenge went beyond national borders for the first time this year with an international final. The winning teams from the national phase had the opportunity to present their innovative projects to an international audience to win the prestigious title of Grand Winner of the “Orange Summer Challenge 2023” in Africa and the Middle East. The first prize was awarded to the OptiGuide project, supported by the Orange Digital Center Jordan. OptiGuide is a smart bracelet for visually impaired people.

All the deserving teams managed to turn their ideas into reality in record time thanks to personalized coaching, including training and mentoring provided by our partners AWS (Amazon Web Services) and EY (Ernst&Young), as well as expert coaches from Orange Digital Centers’ Coding Schools and Solidarity FabLabs.

For more than 13 years, Orange Digital Centers have played a crucial role in increasing digital inclusion through free training and coaching programs to support youth employment and promote innovative technology startups in Africa and the Middle East.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Orange Middle East and Africa.

Orange press contacts:
Stella Fumey
stella.fumey@orange.com
+212 770111116

Anita Oyono
anita.oyono@orange.com
+33 6 75 02 03 79

About Orange Africa and Middle East (OMEA):
Orange is present in 18 countries in Africa and the Middle East where it had over 149 million customers on December 31, 2023. With €7.1 billion in turnover in 2023, Orange MEA is the Group’s main growth region. Orange Money, with its money transfer and financial services offer is available in 17 countries and has 90 million customers. Orange, a multi-service operator, benchmark partner of the digital transformation, provides its expertise to support the development of new digital services in Africa and the Middle East.

The State of Qatar’s diplomatic missions and consulates abroad continued to organize various sports activities on the occasion of the country’s 13th National Sport Day under the slogan “The Choice is Yours”.

In Madrid, the Embassy of the State of Qatar in the Kingdom of Spain organized a sports event at the famous El Retiro Park, with the participation of HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Kingdom of Spain Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al Hamar, diplomats, and embassy staff, which included various sports activities.

The Embassy of the State of Qatar in the Republic of Austria and its permanent mission to the United Nations and international organizations organized a sports event in Vienna, with the participation of HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Austria and the Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations and international organizations in Vienna Jassim Yacoub Al Hammadi, diplomats, and embassy staff, featuring various sports activities such as basketball, table tennis, tennis, running, and different track and field events at a sports center in the Austrian capital.

The Embassy of the State of Qatar in the Federative Republic of Brazil organized a sports event in Brasilia, with the participation of HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Brazil Ahmed bin Mohamed Al Shaibani, diplomats, and embassy staff, featuring various sports activities.

In Valletta, the Embassy of the State of Qatar in the Republic of Malta organized a sports event, with the participation of HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Malta Rashid bin Abdulla Al Dehaimi, HE Ambassador of the Republic of Malta to Qatar Simon Pullicino, diplomats, embassy staff, and students from the American University in Malta, featuring activities such as padel and football.

The Embassy of the State of Qatar in the Republic of Kenya organized a sports event in Nairobi, with the participation of HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Kenya Mohammed bin Mutair Al Anzi, diplomats, and embassy staff, featuring various sports activities.

Furthermore, the Embassy of the State of Qatar in the Republic of Peru organized a sports event in Lima, with the participation of HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Peru Jabr bin Abdullah Al Suwaidi, and embassy staff, featuring various sports activities.

In Dubai, the Consulate General of the State of Qatar in Dubai and the Northern Emirates organized a sports event, with the participation of HE Consul-General of the State of Qatar in Dubai and the Northern Emirates Saeed bin Ali Al Hajri, diplomats, and consulate staff, featuring various sports activities such as volleyball and table tennis.

Moreover, the Consulate General of the State of Qatar in Houston, USA, organized a sports event, with the participation of HE Consul-General of the State of Qatar in Houston Sheikha Tamador bint Abdulrahman Al-Thani, diplomats, and consulate staff, featuring various sports activities.

The Consulate General of the State of Qatar in Los Angeles, USA, also organized a sports event, with the participation of diplomats and consulate staff, featuring various sports activities.

In Mumbai, the Consulate General of the State of Qatar organized a sports event, with the participation of Acting Charge d’Affaires at the Consulate General of the State of Qatar in Mumbai Khalid bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, diplomats, consulate staff, employees of Qatar Airways, Qatar National Bank, and Doha Bank in Mumbai, featuring various sports activities such as football and tug-of-war.

Additionally, the Embassy of the State of Qatar in the Republic of Senegal organized a sports event in Dakar, with the participation of diplomats and embassy staff, featuring various sports activities including football and walking.

In Chisinau, the Embassy of the State of Qatar in the Republic of Moldova organized a sports event, with the participation of Acting Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of the State of Qatar in the Republic of Moldova Meshaal bin Mohammed bin Ajaj Al Kubaisi, and embassy staff, featuring a football match.

The Embassy of the State of Qatar in Turkmenistan organized a sports event in Ashgabat, with the participation of Acting Charge d’Affaires at the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Turkmenistan Ghanem bin Abdullah Al Rumaihi, and embassy staff, featuring various sports activities.

Similarly, the Embassy of the State of Qatar in the Kyrgyz Republic organized a sports event in Bishkek, with the participation of Acting Charge d’Affaires at the Embassy of the State of Qatar in the Kyrgyz Republic Jassim Saleh Al Jaber, and embassy staff, featuring skiing in the mountainous region.

In Baghdad, the Embassy of the State of Qatar in the Republic of Iraq organized a sports event, with the participation of diplomats and embassy staff, featuring various sports activities.

Furthermore, the Embassy of the State of Qatar in the Kingdom of Morocco organized a sports event at the Royal Golf Gardens in Rabat, with the participation of diplomats and embassy staff, featuring various sports activities.

The Embassy of the State of Qatar in the Republic of North Macedonia organized a sports event in Skopje, with the participation of diplomats and embassy staff, featuring walking.

In San Jose, the Embassy of the State of Qatar in the Republic of Costa Rica organized a sports event at the Furati Sports Academy, with the participation of diplomats and embassy staff, featuring football and basketball competitions.

In Warsaw, the Embassy of the State of Qatar in the Republic of Poland organized a sporting event attended by HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Poland Abdullah bin Abdulrahman Fakhroo, diplomats and embassy staff.

In The Hague, the Embassy of the State of Qatar in the Kingdom of the Netherlands held a sporting event attended by HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Netherlands Dr. Mutlaq bin Majid Al Qahtani, and a number of ambassadors, diplomats and embassy employees.

The event emphasized the importance of sport and its role in the lives of individuals and societies, and sought to promote exercise as a daily healthy behavior.

In Moscow, the Embassy of the State of Qatar in the Russian Federation organized an event with a range of sports.

In Kuala Lumpur, the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Malaysia organized a group of sporting activities, with the participation of members of the diplomatic mission and employees of the embassy.

In Bogota, the Embassy of the State of Qatar in the Republic of Colombia held an event, in which diplomats and employees of the embassy participated, covering several sporting activities.

In Ottawa, the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Canada organized an event, with the participation of HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Canada Dr. Khalid bin Rashid Al Mansouri, diplomats and the embassy staff.

In Banjul, the Embassy of the State of Qatar in the Republic of The Gambia organized an event attended by HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to The Gambia Mohammed bin Ali Al Kuwari, and the embassy staff, covering a number of different sporting activities.

In Cotonou, the Embassy of the State of Qatar in the Republic of Benin organized sporting events, in which Acting Charge d’Affairs at the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Benin Ali Essa Al Khater, and a number of ambassadors, diplomats and embassy employees participated.

In Mbabane, the Embassy of the State of Qatar in the Kingdom of Eswatini organized a sporting event, with the participation of all employees and workers of the embassy, including running, walking and other sports.

In Abidjan, the Embassy of the State of Qatar in the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire organized an event, in which HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Cote d’Ivoire Mubarak bin Hussein Al Marri, members of the mission and a number of ambassadors participated. The event included a football match and other sport programs.

In Addis Ababa, the Embassy of the State of Qatar in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia organized sport events, with the participation of HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Ethiopia Saad Mubarak Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi, diplomats, the military attaché, and embassy employees. The events included sports exercises to highlight the importance of physical activity and enhancing sportsmanship.

In Kigali, the Embassy of the State of Qatar in the Republic of Rwanda organized an event, with the participation of diplomats and local staff of the mission, including a group of sporting activities.

In Asuncion, the Embassy of the State of Qatar in the Republic of Paraguay organized a group of sporting activities, with the participation of members of the diplomatic mission and employees of the embassy.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The State of Qatar.

In the context of Africa, many countries are putting money where the asphalt is. The primary motivation behind these investments is the understanding that well-developed roads translate to economic growth, job creation, and well-connected communities.

Beyond the physical connectivity, good roads have become emblematic of a nation’s commitment to progress, offering smoother travel for citizens and visitors alike.

According to a report by the International Monetary Fund on road quality and mean speed score, some African countries are doing well with road infrastructure. The evaluation spans over 160 countries.

The IMF developed a novel measure of cross-country road quality based on the mean speed between large cities from Google Maps. This Mean Speed (MS) score serves as an effective proxy for evaluating road quality and accessibility.

The MS score highly correlated with the existing World Bank’s Rural Access Index and the WEF’s Quality of Road Infrastructure score.

Below are 10 African countries with the best road infrastructure

Once again, Shure is pleased to participate in GITEX GLOBAL (https://www.GITEX.com/), the world’s largest and most inclusive tech event held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from 16 October through 20 October 2023. At the event, Shure will demonstrate its latest audio solutions for the professional audio industry and AV conferencing, including the new Microflex® Advance™ MXA902 Integrated Conferencing Ceiling Array and Loudspeaker (https://apo-opa.info/46Mmw5i).

Shure’s presence at GITEX GLOBAL 2023 reinforces the importance of high-quality audio technology for IT managers and AV decision-makers while strengthening connections with key customers, partners, and industry friends.

Shure understands that organizations around the world need scalable, user-friendly audio solutions to facilitate seamless collaboration as they continue to help remote and hybrid workforces ensure long-term success. To address these needs, Shure continues to innovate and enhance its conferencing technology to empower teams with clear, high-quality audio so that, no matter where the workforce is, they communicate efficiently and remain more engaged and productive than ever.

Shure has been a long-time participant of GITEX Global, providing audio solutions for companies throughout the Middle East and Africa for decades. Recently, the UM6P in Morocco turned to Shure to outfit their modular classrooms (https://apo-opa.info/3RYgSc0) with Microflex® Advanced™ Ceiling Array Microphones to provide pristine audio capture for remote learners and teachers, all before remote and hybrid environments were a daily occurrence. The high-quality audio solution enabled teachers to wander around the classroom and be as free as possible while still capturing students’ questions without picking up any ambient noise. The seamless integration of the ceiling array microphones led to an interactive learning experience for everyone involved.

“World over, our customers require scalable audio solutions for meeting spaces and classrooms of all sizes and configurations,” said Angelika Oernfelt, Senior Sales Director at Shure, Middle East and Africa at Shure. “To meet their needs, we are continuously innovating to provide high-quality audio products suitable for these varying environments, including professional audio applications. We’re thrilled to showcase a range of these smart solutions at GITEX GLOBAL.”

For decades, expert engineers and sound techs have relied on Shure Wireless Systems for live broadcasts and in challenging RF environments. Most recently, teams relied on Axient® Digital Wireless Systems for Eurovision, the coronation of King Charles III, and the GRAMMY® Awards to deliver pristine audio for everyone tuning in to watch the live events.

Axient Digital was developed with input from top audio professionals, with every feature being stress-tested and every detail fine-tuned. Designed to maximize stability, quality, control, and scalability, Axient Digital is engineered for the moments that command the highest degree of attention.

Shure will showcase the following innovations, conferencing solutions, and partnerships at GITEX GLOBAL:

Microflex® Ecosystem (https://apo-opa.info/46vlIC6) — Offers the complete portfolio of networked and superior audio solutions, from DSP to loudspeakers, that can be perfectly tailored to meet the needs of any AV infrastructure. For corporations, governments, universities, or larger organizations, Microflex Ecosystem provides a best-in-class experience, ensuring meetings and conferences work as effectively as possible within any space.

Microflex® Advance™ MXA920 Ceiling Array Microphone (https://apo-opa.info/46Mmw5i) —The latest addition to the Microflex ecosystem and new flagship product, MXA920 ensures easy deployment and unmatched voice capture. It seamlessly integrates with other conferencing platforms and passed the Frost&Sullivan Analyst Gauntlet. Unlike soundbar solutions that often put the person at the head of the table in the worst acoustic position, consistent sound and an equitable meeting experience no matter where participants are seated.

Stem Ecosystem (https://apo-opa.info/3M2L8P4) — The enhanced ecosystem, reconfigured with several recent firmware updates, is ideal for situations that require straightforward, deployable audio solutions for daily conferencing needs. Small businesses and smaller meeting rooms within the context of a larger AV project can enjoy a consistent and effective audio experience with Stem Ecosystem devices.

Axient Digital Wireless System (https://apo-opa.info/46Cf8Kg) — Incorporates the most innovative wireless technology to date while providing improved high-performance RF, exceptional audio quality, control, and hardware scalability. Catering to the evolving needs of the television, broadcast, and film industries, Axient Digital provides two lines of transmitters, AD series and ADX series, along with additional accessories and software to give users more control and provide real-time monitoring of network control and products without interrupting the live event.

AD600 (https://apo-opa.info/46wHR2P) — The latest addition to Axient Digital, offers real-time, wide-band spectrum scanning and monitoring from 174 MHz to 2.0 GHz, spectrum analysis, and frequency coordination in a single rack unit. Six antenna connections deliver multiple coverage options while Dante connectivity provides advanced audio monitoring of any network.

Wireless Workbench 7 (WWB7) (https://apo-opa.info/3PVWztg) — The new generation of Shure’s free Wireless Workbench software for audio professionals that puts a full suite of RF spectrum management tools in one place to give you full command of compatible wireless devices. WWB7 is equipped with several enhancements to its previous generation, including the addition of the WWB Scan Library, optimized dark mode, and new customized report options.

IntelliMix® Room integrated into Crestron XiO (https://apo-opa.info/46OfQnk) — IntelliMix Room software now supports remote monitoring and management within the Crestron XiO Cloud® platform, enabling insight into IntelliMix Room and any connected MXA products on the same network, delivering a seamless AV conferencing experience.

Microsoft Teams Compatibility (https://apo-opa.info/3M1w4S0) — With a portfolio that now includes the complete audio signal chain from microphone to DSP to loudspeaker, Shure provides certified audio solutions for Microsoft Teams Rooms environments of all sizes.

Flexible solutions with Barco (https://apo-opa.info/46RatUh) — Connected with USB, the Shure Audio Ecosystem, and Barco ClickShare Conference give users a range of scalable and flexible audio options that adapt to any environment.

From the desk to the meeting room with Zoom (https://apo-opa.info/48RJWrP) — Shure now delivers a complete audio ecosystem certified for Zoom. Seamlessly connect microphones, DSPs, and loudspeakers including MXA920 and MV7 to Zoom’s technology platform to upgrade the participant’s audio experience. 

For more information about Shure’s systems offerings, please visit www.Shure.com or stop by the Shure booth (Hall 7 H7-C40) on the GITEX GLOBAL 2023 show floor.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of GITEX Global.

Contact:
Marwan Nasr
Shure MEA
+971 50 257 5116
nasrm@shure.com

About Shure:
Shure (www.Shure.com) has been making people sound extraordinary for nearly a century. Founded in 1925, the Company is a leading global manufacturer of audio equipment known for quality, performance, and durability. We make microphones, wireless microphone systems, in-ear monitors, earphones and headphones, conferencing systems, and more. For critical listening, or high-stakes moments on stage, in the studio, and from the meeting room, you can always rely on Shure.

Shure Incorporated is headquartered in Niles, Illinois, in the United States. We have nearly 40 manufacturing facilities and regional sales offices throughout the Americas, EMEA, and Asia.

Nesreen Abu ElFadel was in Marrakesh – but the mountain village, which was home to her school and pupils, was closer to the epicentre.

The Arabic- and French-language teacher returned to Adaseel where she went searching for the children.

She discovered that all 32 – ranging from six to 12 years old – had died.

“I went to the village and started asking about my kids: ‘Where is Somaya? Where is Youssef? Where is this girl? Where is that boy?’ The answer came hours later: ‘They are all dead.’

“I imagined holding my class’s attendance sheet and putting a line through one student’s name after another, until I had scratched off 32 names; they are all now dead,” she told the BBC.

They were among the almost-3,000 people killed by the strongest earthquake ever recorded in Morocco, which struck on the evening of 8 September.

The hardest-hit areas were those south of Marrakesh, where many mountain villages were completely destroyed. Adaseel was one of those places.

Ms ElFadel recalled how she heard about what happened to six-year-old Khadija.

Rescuers found the body of the child lying next to her brother Mohamed and her two sisters, Mena and Hanan. They had all been in their bed – probably asleep – during the quake, and they all went to Ms ElFadel’s school.

“Khadija was my favourite. She was very nice, smart, active and loved to sing. She used to come to my house, and I loved studying and talking to her.”

The language teacher described her students as “angels”, and respectful children who were eager to learn. Despite struggling with poverty and a crushing cost-of-living crisis, the children and their families thought of going to school as “the most important thing in the world”.

“Our last class was on Friday night, exactly five hours before the quake hit,” Ms ElFadel said.

“We were learning Morocco’s national anthem, and planned to sing it in front of the whole school on Monday morning.”

Despite her calm voice, Ms ElFadel has been suffering with trauma. She still cannot process what happened to her students and to her school.

“I don’t sleep; I’m still in shock,” she said.

“People consider me one of the lucky ones, but I don’t know how I can continue living my life.”

Ms ElFadel loved teaching Arabic and French to kids in a village populated by Amazigh – who mainly speak their own language, Tamazight.

“Arabic and French were very hard to learn, but the kids were very bright, and they were almost fluent in both languages,” she recalled.

She plans to continue her career in teaching, and hopes authorities will rebuild Adaseel’s school – which collapsed during the earthquake.

A total of 530 educational institutions have been damaged to varying degrees, including some of which have completely collapsed or suffered severe structural damage, according to official statements.

The Moroccan government has temporarily halted classes in the hardest-hit areas.

“Maybe one day when they rebuild the school and classes are back in session, we can commemorate those 32 kids and tell their story,” Ms ElFadel said.

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It spanned assertions of his inexperience in corporate governance, his incapacity to handle an organization previously managed by military men and technocrats, his lack of experience in lottery and revenue generation, to warnings from a church youth to reject an “indecent and ungodly appointment.”

Perhaps the only empathetic voice in the public space would be that of the appointing Authority, President Akufo-Addo, who believed in the choice he had made and thus urged his appointee with the words, “Sammi, I think you can make a difference. Go out there and show the world what you can do.”  

After twenty-four months of managing the NLA, has Sammi Awuku proven his critics right or wrong?  Has he justified the confidence reposed in him? Is the NLA any better than it used to be, or worse off than he met it?

Let’s put the NLA in perspective, shall we?

GLOBAL PRESENCE

Fortune House, one of the iconic buildings on the high street of Accra, credited with transforming the lives of many Ghanaians, now exemplified an organization with a battered image riddled with deep-seated problems and needed its fortunes turned around. Still, like a man on a mission, Mr. Awuku was determined to rewrite the story of the NLA when he walked onto the premises on 9^th August 2021.  

He hit the ground running by embarking on a trip to one of the most prosperous lottery bodies in the West African sub-region, the Lotterie Nationale De Cote d’Ivoire (LONACI).

His objective? Carry out a fact-finding mission to understudy what the Ivorian lottery body was doing differently to gain so much profit. 

Several trips to Ivory Coast would develop a relationship that would endear NLA to the Ivorians and win their unwavering support. 

This support is seen in a delegation led by the Director-General of LONACI, Mr. Dramane Coulibaly, who also doubles as the President of the African Lotteries Association (ALA) attending the relaunch of NLA’s Caritas Lottery Platform and the launch of the NLA Good Causes Foundation in October 2021 and presenting the Foundation with Sixty thousand Dollars ($ 60,000.00).   

This relationship will also help the NLA get re-accepted into ALA, having been kicked out from the Association a couple of years ago.

At an annual event that celebrates and highlights the importance of horse racing in sports lottery on the African Continent in Morocco, the Grand Prix d’Afrique, Mr. Awuku pitched for NLA to host the next African Lotteries Association Seminar on Responsible Gaming and won the bid. 

NLA, therefore, got to host the Seminar on Responsible Gaming as part of its 60^th Anniversary Celebration in December 2022, drawing over 20 lottery bodies and about 150 people across Africa, Europe, and North America to Ghana.

The President of the World Lottery Association (WLA), Ms. Rebecca Paul, and her General Secretary, Ms. Lynne Roiter, visited Africa for the first time to attend this event.

For the next four days in Accra, they were thrilled to a series of events that culminated in the Grand Durbar of NLA’s 60^th Anniversary Celebration, with H.E President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo as the Special Guest of Honour. 

H.E. President Akufo-Addo repeated history by pressing the knob for the first winning number as Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah did 60 years ago for the first winning number and prize money of Five Thousand Pounds (5,000.00).

Hosting about 150 people in Ghana, most of whom were experiencing the Ghanaian culture, food, music, dance, and hospitality for the first time, not only put NLA on the global lottery map but also contributed to our tourism industry, ultimately generating revenue for our country.

NLA has since attained Level 2 Certification in Responsible Gaming from the World Lottery Association and is working to achieve Level by the end of the year.

While visiting the Ivory Coast on the assumption of office, Mr. Awuku and some Management members also paid working visits to Nigeria to have discussions with the Director-General of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila, on how NLA can receive some royalties for Nigeria’s use of its Draw numbers.

 These visits would, almost two years on, earn NLA Eighteen Million Ghana Cedis. (GHS 18,000.000.000) in royalties, Thirteen Million Ghana Cedis. (GHS 13,000.000.000) from Ivory Coast.  NLA’s 5/90 Game has been exported to Ivory Coast and Nigeria and is now being officially played there via NLA’s online partner, KGL Technology Limited.

Conversations held on the side-lines of a trip to Morocco in March 2023  with the Director Generals of Liberia and Burkina Faso will set the tone for NLA’s 5/90 Game to be exported to both countries for royalties by the end of 2023.

INCREASED REVENUE GENERATION

KGL Technology Limited, one of the leading companies of the KGL Group, online partner, and Third Party Collaborator of the NLA, contributed to Mr. Awuku’s woes on the assumption of office. 

It was professed as one of the banes of the Authority’s dwindling business; thus, cancelling the contract would restore the Authority’s Fortunes.

In examining the state of affairs, Mr. Awuku, with the support of the Governing Board, decided to renegotiate the contract sum from Twenty-Five Million Ghana Cedis (GHS 25,000,000.00) to Fifty-Five Million Ghana Cedis (GHS 55,000,000.00).

A deal that not only doubled the contract sum but also contributed Two Million Ghana Cedis (GHS 2,000,000.00) to the Authority’s Good Causes Foundation and Three Million Ghana Cedis (GHS 3,000,000.00) as a stabilization Fund to the Lotto Marketing Companies (LMCs) to cushion their business.

In 2023, the KGL Sum Contract moved up to Sixty-Five Million Ghana Cedis (GHS 65,000,000.00) and, together with the royalties from Ivory Coast and Nigeria, is paying NLA a total sum ofNinety Six Million Ghana Cedis (GHS 96,000,000.00).

NLA has also signed on new Third-Party Collaborators, including Afri Lotto Systems Limited, operator of the Afriluck 6/57 Mega Jackpot, Zeta Technologies Ltd., operator of the Mega6 Lotto, Game Park Limited, operator of the Pick 4 and Pick 1 Games, Blue Star Hi-Tech Company Ltd and Fortune Synergy Limited, operator of the Mega Fortune. 

Apart from generating revenue for NLA, these wholly owned Ghanaian businesses, operating Games that are not 5/90, have injected some excitement and variety into the lottery space.

NLA’s licensed Private Lotto Operators (PLOs) operating under the frameworks of the National Lotto Act, 2006 (Act 722) and Veterans Administration Act, 2012 (Act 844) pay a current annual renewable license fee of One million, Five Hundred Thousand (GHS 1,500,000.00) Ghana Cedis and Five Hundred Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHS 500,000.00) respectively.

Mr. Awuku has stated on several platforms that the NLA is working in collaboration with the security agencies to clamp down on all unlicensed illegal lottery operators, and no friend or foe will be spared when caught as the NLA will only be fulfilling its obligations of raising revenue for the state.

THE CARITAS LOTTERY PLATFORM & THE GOOD CAUSES FOUNDATION

“This promotion is regulated by the National Lottery Authority on the Caritas Lottery Platform” must be a familiar refrain on most consumer promotions on our airwaves.

The Caritas Lottery Platform, established in 2012 to regulate consumer promotions, suddenly dropped, giving the Gaming Commission the upper hand to regulate the space.

Three months into Office, in October 2021, NLA relaunched the Caritas Lottery Platform and launched the Good Causes Foundation, graciously done by the Chief of Staff, Hon. Akosua Frema Osei-Opare.

NLA also petitioned the Office of the Attorney General to clarify who should regulate the consumer promotion space.  In a piece of advice from the Office of the Attorney General and Minister for Justice in August 2022, NLA was named as the sole statutory body, to the exclusion of all others, to regulate all consumer promotional schemes with elements of chance (raffles, draws, points-based selection criteria, etc.). 

The Caritas Lottery Platform has since bounced back, giving legitimacy and credibility to promotions by Corporate Ghana and assurance to consumers.  Managers of the Platform have gone beyond raising revenue to provide clients with essential feedback from the market regarding what people are thinking about their brands and products.

The Good thing is proceeds from the Caritas Lottery Platform fund the NLA Good Causes Foundation.

The Good Causes Foundation stems from Section 2(3) of the National Lotto Act – stipulates, “NLA conducts, as part of the operation of National Lotto, a lottery to provide care and protection for the physically or mentally afflicted, the needy, the aged, orphans, and destitute children.”

NLA, therefore, operates its Good Causes Foundation under four pillars: Education, Health, Youth and Sports Development, and Arts and Culture.

The Foundation has built recreational centres, sanitary facilities, mechanized boreholes, refurbished schools and hospitals, granted scholarships to brilliant but needy students, and provided educational and medical equipment, amongst many others, for communities, individuals, and institutions nationwide.

NLA says it invests in these projects to fulfill its statutory obligation, give back to the communities in which it operates, and let our patrons know that when patrons do not win, their money supports national development.

Mr Awuku’s critics, however, say the Good Causes Foundation is concentrated in the Eastern Region to help him win the Akuapim-North seat.  He refutes that the records of projects undertaken since 2021 and ongoing projects have been made public in several publications by the Authority and can be easily verified.

As the local slang goes, is it a case of “outside gentility, home cry,” where the Authority, albeit fulfilling its mandate in Section 2 (3) of its National Lotto Act, gives to society at the expense of the welfare of Staff? 

According to the Coordinator of the Good Causes Foundation, Amma Frimpong, over 70 Staff who have applied to the Foundation, primarily for medical aid and scholarships, have all received support with outstanding requests to be granted in the last quarter of the year.

EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENTS AND STAFF DEVELOPMENT

“I am not here to inherit anybody’s enemies; I am here to generate revenue; let us put our hands to the wheel and work together…” This statement by Mr Awuku on his first day at NLA undoubtedly endeared many of the Staff to him, yet some of his worst critics have been the NLA Staff.  In his own words, he is loved and hated in equal measure.

Staff and salary upgrades for Staff who had been on the same grade at NLA for over ten years and more, the Institution of the Cola Scheme, Medical insurance, Team bonding activities, Fuel subsidies, and Training Opportunities both locally and abroad are reasons some Staff appreciate the Director-General. 

Yet, some Staff have alleged the award of contracts to family members of the Director-General and the sole source of such agreements. For instance, the building of a Data Centre, Monitoring System, and ERP have emerged. 

According to Mr. Samuel Awuku, one of the challenges he noticed NLA grappling with on assumption of office in August 2021 was the absence of a Data Centre and an automated platform.

Some of the challenges identified include:

1. Systemic weakness due to lack of real-time transparency regarding transactional data.

2. Revenue generation and cash flow management due to the volume of transactions that the automated platform permits and the opacity that the current system brings, causing huge risks for large pay-outs due to nefarious internal or external actors who take advantage of the disorganized information flow of the system.

3. Different software systems that the NLA depends on, which are owned by its partners and collaborators, put the NLA at a disadvantage during disputes and resolutions—for instance, a shutdown by technical partners, which happened in the past.

After analyzing various alternatives,’ financial and non-financial benefits and risks, Management decided to invest in an NLA-owned custom-built comprehensive Lotto Monitoring Enterprise Resource Planning Solution that will provide direct and easier access to real-time data and transparency of its operations.

In the long run, the solution will save the institution an estimated Four Hundred and Eighty-Eight Million Ghana Cedis (GHS 488,000,000.00) over the next ten years.

After multiple presentations, the NLA Governing Board approved the solution’s procurement.

Owing to the security implications of procuring an IT solution and NLA being a government agency, it was not prudent to open this bid up, a fact PPA acknowledges, thus granting NLA approval, particularly to a service provider who had understudied and identified the systemic challenges the Authority was faced with.

One would wonder if the Staff crying foul belongs to the camp of those who take advantage of the lapses in the system to steal from the company, some of whom have recently been indicted by the National Signals Bureau. 

An audit of the Authority revealed that about Eighteen Million Ghana Cedis (GHS 18,000,000.00) had been lost between 2021 and March 2023 due to these lapses in the system.

The Governing Board directed a complete investigation of all Staff to ensure that others were not involved in the misconduct, inviting the presence of the NSB to the NLA premises, with Staff duly informed of their presence.

Even though the Authority has approval to build the Data Center, the project has been shelved until the Authority is in a great position to do so.

Mr Awuku debunks the assertion that about 90% of contracts awarded are sole-sourced and says, on the contrary, a recent audit pegs the figure to 20%.  Other Contractual Agreements attributed to the Director-General’s family have also proven untrue, and can easily be verified from the Public Procurement Authority, Registrar General and the NLA.

Checks revealed that Sammi Awuku has personally decided not to take salaries over the last two years and has been using his own vehicle as a cost-cutting measure.

Some Staff commend him for instilling a sense of discipline, punctuality, and industrial peace in the NLA and reviving its corporate status.  

While Mr. Awuku acknowledges the challenges, in his words, the tragedies and triumphs of the past two years, he believes with the guidance of the Governing Board, and the support of the Deputy Director-General, Ms. Anna Horma Miezah, Management and   Staff, the NLA has greatly improved its lot and will seek to do more

With the Authority recently modernising its operations with new state-of-the-art draw machines, an ultra-modern draw studio, and a French presenter for its French Community in Ivory Coast, Mr. Awuku believes the NLA can only get better from here and should get ready to partner with investors to improve its operations and generate revenue for the Authority.

So, has Sammi Awuku justified the confidence reposed in him or should the appointing authority not have bothered? As is said in Latin, res ipsa loquitur, meaning “the thing speaks for itself.

This is because the Minister of Finance has released GH¢100,000 for their stipends, academic user and tuition fees.

Registrar of the Scholarship Secretariat, Kingsley Agyemang, disclosed this in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem programme Monday.

Ghanaian students, especially in Morocco and Hungary who spoke on Adom News claimed they have been blocked from lectures due to non-payment of fees.

Others have also received notices of ejection from their hostels and apartments.  Depending on the level of study, which ranges from first degree to doctor of philosophy (PhD), the students receive between $300 and $500 per year for their books, which is normally paid in the last quarter.

They also receive between $250 and $500 monthly as their stipend. The situation, they claim will be dire if government does not intervene.

Based on this background, Mr Agyemang said he is aware of the challenges the students are going through and is working around the clock to get the matter resolved.

As a matter of urgency, he said the money has been released to the Controller and Accountant Generals Department and they will subsequently disburse it to the various Ghanaian missions abroad for the students.

Mr Agyemang appealed to the students to remain calm and expect the monies to hit their accounts in the coming weeks.

According to them, they mostly skip breakfast and eat between the hours of 12 and 7pm.

The situation, they say is to ensure that the food sustains them till the next day to salvage the high cost of living amongst them.

General Secretary for the Ghanaian students in Morocco, Bernice Agyemang, disclosed this while speaking on Beyi W’ano segment on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem programme Wednesday.

She said aside from the fact that they are suffering financially, they are going through emotional trauma as they are being called names because of their colour.

“Things are not easy for us in this country. When we arrived here, they gave us our stipends but for some months now, it has stopped coming from government and life has been very difficult for us. We have to sleep from evening until afternoon the next day because we have been forced to skip breakfast and sometimes lunch,” she said.

To her, the ordeal they are going through in the hands of the Moroccans is nothing to write home.

She said she has been ejected from her room over her inability to pay her rent and is currently staying with a colleague.

The same ordeal, she noted, is being faced by her other Ghanaian counterparts.

The students are, therefore, calling on the government, especially the Scholarship Secretariat to come to their aid as soon as possible to prevent any untold situation.

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The stipend between $250 and $450, according to them, has been in arrears for the past eight months.

Some of the students who shared their ordeal on Beyi W’ano segment on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem programme Monday said they now live in church auditoriums whilst others perch with friends from other countries.

Vice President of the Ghanaian Students Association in Morocco, Nana Kwabena Dankwah, said majority of the students have been evicted from their apartment due to default in payment of rent.

He indicated that, majority of the students have suspended their studies and internships due to delay in payment of the stipend.

Mr Dankwah said though they have reported the matter to Ghana’s Mission in Rabat, they have not received any support.

Also, Isaac Ofori Agyekum, who is done with his studies since June, said he was evicted for defaulting in payment of rent.

The graduate said he now perches with a friend in his tailoring shop as an apprentice just to make ends meet.

Mr Agyekum said the health of some of the students keeps deteriorating due to the poor living conditions. 

He appealed to the government, especially the Scholarship Secretariat to expedite action and come to their aid.

They have been sheltering for days in underground bunkers on campus in bitterly cold temperatures, with no heating or supplies of medicines. They say they are traumatised and desperate to leave the southern city.

One student told the BBC that they could still hear the “terrifying” continuous sound of gunfire, explosions and military aircraft.

This could be the sound of clashes as the Russian forces push north-west towards Mykolaiv. Russian soldiers have also fired shots at people protesting against their occupation.

The Nigerian students among them have appealed to their government to help evacuate them before it is too late. They have told the BBC that they are among the last foreigners left in the city.

“We are begging, we really need to leave this place, things are not easy for us,” one student told the BBC by phone. We’re not naming them for their own safety.

Nigeria’s government says it is working relentlessly to help them get out. Last week, its ambassador to Moscow was told by a Russian official that plans were being put in place to get the students out through Russia.

But that has not happened yet and in any case the students say they are wary of being taken to Russia.

In the meantime, the students, some of whom are from other countries including Cameroon, Ghana, Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco, said there was still some food available at the university but that most supermarkets had run out of supplies.

Those that are open are selling basic food supplies at double or even triple the normal price.

“Those of us who are staying on campus are the lucky ones because there’s still food being offered at the cafeteria,” said one student.

A second student said that Russian troops who control the city had been dropping off basic foods such as vegetables, rice, pasta and water outside government buildings and near train and bus stations around the city. But they said they had been urged not to take them in case they were seen as collaborators by Ukrainians.

“How can we accept Russia’s humanitarian support when Ukrainians are trying to reclaim their country? Anyone who dares to suggest that we take the food is sending us to death,” he said.

Water for cleaning is still available but there has not been enough drinking water. Aid groups have been delivering some water and food but it is not clear how long that will go on for.

Kherson was among the first major cities to be taken over by Russia in the first week of the invasion and in the aftermath residents have been holding regular anti-Russia protests.

“We came to this country for education and now we’re stuck in the middle of a war, at the frontline.”

“Even though we have not seen fighting ourselves, the Ukrainians we have interacted with have told us that they’re not giving up. They want to take back their city and by extension their country.”

The student also said that Russian soldiers had not been allowing food supplies to be brought to Kherson from other parts of the country, in case Ukrainian forces used this as a way of getting back into Kherson to fight.

One student said they were worried about their parents back home.

“My parents have been calling me every day and I’m scared to take some of their calls because I have nothing new or positive to tell them.

“We’re still stranded here and it doesn’t look like help is coming anytime soon.” They said their mother had not stopped crying and praying for their safe return since the war began.

‘Ordered to shoot’

The university has advised them to only venture outside in groups, and to wrap white scarves around the left upper arm so the Russians can see that they are

civilians.

One said they had been told by Russian soldiers that their orders “are to shoot anyone who misbehaves – to shoot them immediately”.

Tens of thousands of students from Africa and South Asia were studying at Ukrainian universities before the Russian invasion began but many have managed to leave. Some are trying to pursue their studies in neighbouring countries, while others have safely returned back home.

But for those in Kherson, it is considered dangerous for them to attempt to make their own way, although some are making their own plans to hire taxi drivers to get them out of the city.

“Those who’ve tried to leave Kherson are risking their lives,” one student said.

“On some days Russian forces are in a good mood and they tell you nicely to go back where you came from.

“Others are aggressive – they fire their guns in the air as a way of telling you to make a U-turn.”

They have been sheltering for days in underground bunkers on campus in bitterly cold temperatures, with no heating or supplies of medicines. They say they are traumatised and desperate to leave the southern city.

One student told the BBC that they could still hear the “terrifying” continuous sound of gunfire, explosions and military aircraft.

This could be the sound of clashes as the Russian forces push north-west towards Mykolaiv. Russian soldiers have also fired shots at people protesting against their occupation.

The Nigerian students among them have appealed to their government to help evacuate them before it is too late. They have told the BBC that they are among the last foreigners left in the city.

“We are begging, we really need to leave this place, things are not easy for us,” one student told the BBC by phone. We’re not naming them for their own safety.

Nigeria’s government says it is working relentlessly to help them get out. Last week, its ambassador to Moscow was told by a Russian official that plans were being put in place to get the students out through Russia.

But that has not happened yet and in any case the students say they are wary of being taken to Russia.

In the meantime, the students, some of whom are from other countries including Cameroon, Ghana, Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco, said there was still some food available at the university but that most supermarkets had run out of supplies.

Those that are open are selling basic food supplies at double or even triple the normal price.

“Those of us who are staying on campus are the lucky ones because there’s still food being offered at the cafeteria,” said one student.

A second student said that Russian troops who control the city had been dropping off basic foods such as vegetables, rice, pasta and water outside government buildings and near train and bus stations around the city. But they said they had been urged not to take them in case they were seen as collaborators by Ukrainians.

“How can we accept Russia’s humanitarian support when Ukrainians are trying to reclaim their country? Anyone who dares to suggest that we take the food is sending us to death,” he said.

Water for cleaning is still available but there has not been enough drinking water. Aid groups have been delivering some water and food but it is not clear how long that will go on for.

Kherson was among the first major cities to be taken over by Russia in the first week of the invasion and in the aftermath residents have been holding regular anti-Russia protests.

“We came to this country for education and now we’re stuck in the middle of a war, at the frontline.”

“Even though we have not seen fighting ourselves, the Ukrainians we have interacted with have told us that they’re not giving up. They want to take back their city and by extension their country.”

The student also said that Russian soldiers had not been allowing food supplies to be brought to Kherson from other parts of the country, in case Ukrainian forces used this as a way of getting back into Kherson to fight.

One student said they were worried about their parents back home.

“My parents have been calling me every day and I’m scared to take some of their calls because I have nothing new or positive to tell them.

“We’re still stranded here and it doesn’t look like help is coming anytime soon.” They said their mother had not stopped crying and praying for their safe return since the war began.

It’s the first verdict in a string of high profile sexual harassment cases at universities in Morocco.

The economics lecturer at Hassan I University, near Casablanca, was found guilty of indecent behaviour among other charges.

Four more academics will appear in court on Thursday as part of the scandal.

The cases were highlighted by Moroccan media last year after journalists picked up messages reported to be between students and lecturers.

Activists say it’s rare for sexual harassment cases to go to trial.

While many do so much to make the day a public holiday, in some countries, it is just like a normal working day.

It is noteworthy that Christmas is an annual festival that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ and is usually observed on December 25 amid celebrations and festivities.

1. China

Daily Express reports that Christmas in China is treated like a normal day – another working day. Infact, schools, offices and workplaces in China remain open on December 25.

Legit.ng gathered that Christianity was once banned in the now non-religious country.

According to The Guardian, Chinese authorities once “cracked down on Christmas” in 2018 and ordered its citizens “to instead focus on promoting traditional Chinese culture.”

2. Egypt

Green Global Travel reports that Christmas is not celebrated in Egypt.

Despite the country having a Christian population of 15%, the annual Jesus birthday celebration is not even celebrated on December 25 but January 7.

The Coptic Orthodox Christians in Egypt use the old Julian calendar for religious celebration days.

3. Morocco

Christmas in Morocco is not accorded a special recognition because the country is primarily a Muslim one. You’d hear a Muslim call to prayer instead of Christmas songs and seeing decorations everywhere on December 25.

4. Tunisia

In North African country of Tunisia, Christmas celebration is an optional thing.

Interestingly, you’d find vendors sell Christmas decorations and accessories but December 25 is not treated generally as a special day.

5. Mongolia

Mongolia being a country whose religion is primarily Buddhism will definitely not care about anything called Christmas.

In the East Asian country, Christmas celebrations is done by those in expat communities or by foreigners in the country.

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The academics have been charged with incitement to debauchery, gender discrimination and violence against women. They have not yet pleaded.

This is the latest sexual harassment scandal to hit a Moroccan higher education institution.

However, it is rare for a case to be brought to court.

The lecturers are from the Hassan I University in the city of Settat, about 80km (50 miles) south of the main city, Casablanca.

A fifth lecturer is facing charges of indecent assault and battery.

The story came to light in September through the leaking on social media of messages that are said to have been between the lecturers and students.

BBC Arab affairs editor, Sebastian Usher says the case has caused anger in Morocco but not surprising – a string of such scandals have tarnished the reputation of Moroccan universities in recent years.

The current case is different in that it has actually been brought to court – most reported incidents have not made it that far, he adds.

Rights groups say this is symptomatic of a society in which sexual violence remains widespread and many women do not feel confident in reporting their experiences through concerns over possible reprisals or the perceived damage to their reputation and that of their family.

For the tenth year in a row, Aliko Dangote of Nigeria is the continent’s richest person, worth $12.1 billion, up by $2 billion from last year’s list thanks to a roughly 30% rise in the share price of Dangote Cement, by far his most valuable asset.

The second richest is Nassef Sawiris of Egypt, whose largest asset is a nearly 6% stake in sportswear maker Adidas. At number three: Nicky Oppenheimer of South Africa, who inherited a stake in diamond firm DeBeers and ran the company until 2012, when he sold his family’s 40% stake in DeBeers to mining giant AngloAmerican for $5.1 billion.

The biggest gainer this year is another Nigerian cement tycoon, Abdulsamad Rabiu. Remarkably, shares of his BUA Cement PLC, which listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange in January 2020, have doubled in value in the past year.

That pushed Rabiu’s fortune up by an extraordinary 77%, to $5.5 billion. One thing to note: Rabiu and his son together own about 97% of the company, giving the company a tiny public float.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange requires that either 20% or more of a company’s shares to be floated to the public, or that the floated shares are worth at least 20 billion naira — about $50 million — a paltry sum, to be sure.

A spokesman for the Nigerian Stock Exchange told Forbes that BUA Cement meets the second requirement. (Forbes discounts the value of stakes when the public float of a company is less than 5%.) 

While some got richer by the billions, two from the 2020 list of Africa’s richest dropped below the $1 billion mark. In fact, the only two women billionaires from Africa have both fallen off the list. 

Forbes calculates that the fortune of Folorunsho Alakija of Nigeria, who owns an oil exploration company, dropped below $1 billion due to lower oil prices.

And Isabel dos Santos, who since 2013 has been the richest woman in Africa, was knocked from her perch by a series of court decisions freezing her assets in both Angola and Portugal. In January 2020, the attorney general of Angola charged Dos Santos with embezzlement and money laundering.

The Angolan court claimed that actions taken by Dos Santos, her husband Sindika Dokolo (who died in October 2020, reportedly in a scuba diving accident) and one other associate caused the Angolan government losses of at least $1.14 billion. 

Forbes has marked Dos Santos’ frozen assets at zero. Through a spokesperson, Dos Santos declined to comment.

The 18 billionaires from Africa hail from seven different countries. South Africa and Egypt each have five billionaires, followed by Nigeria with three and Morocco with two. Altogether they are worth $73.8 billion, slightly more than the $73.4 billion aggregate worth of the 20 billionaires on last year’s list of Africa’s richest people. See the full list of Africa’s billionaires here.

METHODOLOGY

Our list tracks the wealth of African billionaires who reside in Africa or have their primary business there, thus excluding Sudanese-born billionaire Mo Ibrahim, who is a U.K. citizen and billionaire London resident Mohamed Al-Fayed, an Egyptian citizen. Strive Masiyiwa, a citizen of Zimbabwe and a London resident appears on the list due to his telecom holdings in Africa.

We calculated net worths using stock prices and currency exchange rates from the close of business on Friday, January 8, 2021. To value privately held businesses, we start with estimates of revenues or profits and apply prevailing price-to-sale or price-to-earnings ratios for similar public companies. Some list members grow richer or poorer within weeks-or days-of our measurement date.

1. Aliko Dangote

Net worth: $12.1 billion
Rank in 2020: 1
Net worth in 2020: $10.1 billion
Self-made
Origin of wealth: Cement, sugar
Industry: Manufacturing
Age: 63
Country: Nigeria
Residence: Lagos
Education: Al-Azhar University, Bachelor of Arts/Science

Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest person, founded and chairs Dangote Cement, the continent’s largest cement producer. He owns 85% of publicly-traded Dangote Cement through a holding company.

Dangote Cement produces 45.6 million metric tons annually and has operations in 10 countries across Africa. Dangote also owns stakes in publicly-traded salt and sugar manufacturing companies.

Dangote Refinery has been under construction since 2016 and is expected to be one of the world’s largest oil refineries once complete.

Did you know?

Dangote’s grandfather was a successful trader of rice and oats in Kano, Nigeria’s second-largest city. Dangote told Forbes that when he was young, he bought sweets, gave them to others to sell, and he kept the profits.

2. Nassef Sawiris

Net worth: $8.5 billion
Rank in 2020: 2
Net worth in 2020: $8 billion
Origin of wealth: Construction, chemicals
Industry: Construction and engineering
Age: 59
Country: Egypt
Residence: Cairo
Education: University of Chicago, Bachelor of Arts/Science

Nassef Sawiris is a scion of Egypt’s wealthiest family. His brother Naguib is also a billionaire. Sawiris split Orascom Construction Industries into two entities in 2015: OCI and Orascom Construction.

He runs OCI, one of the world’s largest nitrogen fertilizer producers, with plants in Texas and Iowa; it trades on the Euronext Amsterdam exchange. Orascom Construction, an engineering and building firm, trades on the Cairo exchange and Nasdaq Dubai.

His holdings include stakes in cement giant Lafarge Holcim and Adidas; he sits on the supervisory board of Adidas.

Did you know?

A University of Chicago graduate, he donated $24.1 million to the school in 2019 to aid Egyptian students and fund an executive education program. Nassef Sawiris teamed up with Fortress Investment Group’s Wes Edens to purchase Aston Villa Football Club.

3. Nicky Oppenheimer & family

Net worth: $8 billion
Rank in 2020: 3
Net worth in 2020: $7.7 billion
Origin of wealth: Diamonds
Industry: metal and mining
Age: 75
Country: South Africa
Residence: Johannesburg
Education: Oxford University Christ Church, Master of Arts/Science, Oxford

Oppenheimer, heir to his family’s fortune, sold his 40% stake in diamond firm De Beers to mining group Anglo American for $5.1 billion in cash in 2012.

He was the third generation of his family to run DeBeers, and took the company private in 2001. For 85 years until 2012, the Oppenheimer family occupied a controlling spot in the world’s diamond trade. In 2014, Oppenheimer started Fireblade Aviation in Johannesburg, which operates chartered flights with its fleet of three planes and two helicopters.

He owns at least 720 square miles of conservation land across South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

Did You Know?

Oppenheimer owns Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, the largest private game reserve in South Africa. Oppenheimer is a sports fan and plays squash, golf and cricket. Notepads in his office read: “Things I must do before cricket.”

4. Johann Rupert & family

Net worth: $7.2 billion
Rank in 2020: 5
Net worth in 2020: $6.5 billion
Origin of wealth: Luxury goods
Industry: Fashion and retail
Age: 70
Country: South Africa
Residence: Cape Town

Johann Rupert is chairman of Swiss luxury goods firm Compagnie Financiere Richemont. The company is best known for the brands Cartier and Montblanc. It was formed in 1998 through a spinoff of assets owned by Rembrandt Group Limited (now Remgro Limited), which his father Anton formed in the 1940s. He owns a 7% stake in diversified investment firm Remgro, which he chairs, as well as 25% of Reinet, an investment holding co. based in Luxembourg. In recent years, Rupert has been a vocal opponent of plans to allow fracking in the Karoo, a region of South Africa where he owns land.

Did You Know?

He also owns part of the Saracens English rugby team and Anthonij Rupert Wines, named after his deceased brother. Rupert says his biggest regret was not buying half of Gucci when he had the opportunity to do so for just $175 million.

4. Mike Adenuga

Net worth: $6.3 billion
Rank in 2020: 3
Net worth in 2020: $7.7 billion
Self-made
Origin of wealth: Telecom, oil
Industry: Diversified
Age: 67
Country: Nigeria
Residence: Lagos
Education: Pace University, Master of Business Administration

Adenuga, Nigeria’s second richest man, built his fortune in telecom and oil production. His mobile phone network, Globacom, is the third largest operator in Nigeria, with 55 million subscribers. His oil exploration outfit, Conoil Producing, operates six oil blocks in the Niger Delta.

Adenuga got an MBA at Pace University in New York, supporting himself as a student by working as a taxi driver. He made his first million at age 26 selling lace and distributing soft drinks.

Adenuga got an MBA at Pace University in New York, supporting himself as a student by working as a taxi driver.

6. Abdulsamad Rabiu

Net worth: $5.5 billion
Rank in 2020: 8
Net worth in 2020: $3.1 billion
Origin of wealth: Cement, sugar
Industry: Diversified
Age: 60
Country: Nigeria
Residence: Lagos

Abdulsamad Rabiu is the founder of BUA Group, a Nigerian conglomerate active in cement production, sugar refining and real estate.

In early January 2020, Rabiu merged his privately-owned Obu Cement company with listed firm Cement Co. of Northern Nigeria, which he controlled.

The combined firm, called BUA Cement Plc, trades on the Nigerian Stock Exchange; Rabiu owns 98.5% of it. Rabiu, the son of a businessman, inherited land from his father.

He set up his own business in 1988 importing iron, steel and chemicals.

7. Issad Rebrab & family

Net worth: $4.8 billion
Rank in 2020: 6
Net worth: $4.4 billion
Self-made
Origin of wealth: Food
Industry: Food and beverage
Age: 77
Country: Algeria
Residence: Algiers

Issad Rebrab is the founder and CEO of Cevital, Algeria’s biggest privately-held company. Cevital owns one of the largest sugar refineries in the world, with the capacity to produce 2 million tons a year.

Cevital owns European companies, including French home appliances maker Groupe Brandt, an Italian steel mill and a German water purification company.

After serving eight months in jail on charges of corruption, Rebrab was released on January 1, 2020. He denies any wrongdoing.

Did You Know?

Rebrab is the son of militants who fought for Algeria’s independence from France. Cevital helped finance a biopic on Algerian resistance hero Larbi Ben M’hidi, who was executed by the French in 1957.

“We [Algerians] have great potential; we can make up for lost time.”

8. Naguib Sawiris

Net worth: $3.2 billion
Rank in 2020: 9
Net worth in 2020: $3 billion
Origin of wealth: Telecom
Industry: Telecom
Age: 66
Country: Egypt
Residence: Cairo
Education: Swiss Federal Polytechnical Institute, Master of Science; Swiss Federal Polytechnical Institute, Bachelor of Arts/Science

Naguib Sawiris is a scion of Egypt’s wealthiest family. His brother Nassef is also a billionaire. He built a fortune in telecom, selling Orascom Telecom in 2011 to Russian telecom firm VimpelCom (now Veon) in a multibillion-dollar transaction.

He is chairman of Orascom TMT Investments, which has stakes in an asset manager in Egypt and Italian internet company Italiaonline, among others. Through his Media Globe Holdings, Sawiris owns 88% of pan-European pay TV and video news network Euronews. He also developed a luxury resort called Silversands on the Caribbean island of Grenada.

Did You Know?

Sawiris helped found The Free Egyptians, a liberal political party, at the onset of Egypt’s uprisings in 2011. In 2015, he offered to buy a Greek or Italian island to house Syrian refugees, but Greece and Italy turned him down.

9. Patrice Motsepe

Net worth: $3 billion
Rank in 2020: 10
Net worth in 2020: $2.6 billion
Self-made
Origin of wealth: Mining
Industry: Metals and mining
Age: 58
Country: South Africa
Residence: Johannesburg

Patrice Motsepe, the founder and chairman of African Rainbow Minerals, became a billionaire in 2008 – the first black African on the Forbes list. In 2016, he launched a new private equity firm, African Rainbow Capital, focused on investing in Africa.

Motsepe also has a stake in Sanlam, a listed financial services firm, and is the president and owner of the Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club.

In 1994, he became the first black partner at law firm Bowman Gilfillan in Johannesburg, and then started a contracting business doing mine scut work. In 1997, he bought low-producing gold mine shafts and later turned them profitable.

Did you know?

In 2013, the mining magnate was the first African to sign Bill Gates’ and Warren Buffett’s Giving Pledge, promising to give at least half his fortune to charity.

Motsepe benefited from South Africa’s Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) laws, mandating that companies be at least 26% black-owned to get a government mining license.

10. Koos Bekker

Networth: $2.8 billion
Rank in 2020: 11
Net worth in 2020: $2.5 billion
Self-made
Origin of wealth: Media, investments
Industry: Media and entertainment
Age: 68
Country: South Africa
Residence: Cape Town
Education: Columbia Business School, Master of Business Administration; University of Witwatersrand, LLB

Koos Bekker is revered for transforming South African newspaper publisher Naspers into an eCommerce investor & cable TV powerhouse. He led Naspers to invest in Chinese Internet and media firm Tencent in 2001 — by far the most profitable of the bets he made on companies elsewhere. In 2019, Naspers put some assets into two publicly-traded companies, the entertainment firm MultiChoice Group and Prosus, which contains the Tencent stake. It sold a 2% stake in Tencent in March 2018, its first time reducing its holding, but stated at the time it would not sell again for three years. Bekker, who retired as the CEO of Naspers in March 2014, returned as chairman in April 2015.

Did You Know?

His Babylonstoren estate, nearly 600 acres in South Africa’s Western Cape region, features architecture dating back to 1690, a farm, orchard and vineyard and more. Over the summer of 2015, he sold more than 70% of his Naspers shares.

11. Mohamed Mansour

Net worth: $2.5 billion
Rank in 2020: 7
Net worth in 2020: $3.3 billion
Self-made
Origin of wealth: Diversified
Industry: Diversified
Age: 72
Country: Egypt
Residence: Cairo
Education: Auburn University, Master of Business Administration

Mohamed Mansour oversees family conglomerate Mansour Group, which was founded by his father Loutfy (D.1976) in 1952 and has 60,000 employees.

Mansour established General Motors dealerships in Egypt in 1975, later becoming one of GM’s biggest distributors worldwide. Mansour Group also has exclusive distribution rights for Caterpillar equipment in Egypt and seven other African countries.

He served as Egypt’s Minister of Transportation from 2006 to 2009 under the Hosni Mubarak regime. His brothers Yasseen and Youssef, who share ownership in the family group, are also billionaires; his son Loutfy heads private equity arm Man Capital.

Did You Know?

Mansour’s father lost his fortune, when Egypt’s then president, Gamal Abdel Nasser, expropriated his cotton trading company in 1964. Mansour worked as a busboy in a pizza parlor while at North Carolina State University to pay for college.

“Empowering best in class management teams is the only way to transform a local player into a diversified conglomerate with multinational exposure.”

12. Aziz Akhannouch & family

Net worth: $2 billion
Rank in 2020: 15
Net worth in 2020: $3.1 billion
Origin of wealth: petroleum, diversified
Industry: Diversified
Age: 60
Country: Morocco
Residence: Casablanca
Education: Universite de Sherbrooke, Master of Business Administration

Aziz Akhannouch is the majority owner of Akwa Group, a multibillion-dollar conglomerate founded by his father and a partner, Ahmed Wakrim, in 1932.

It has interests in petroleum, gas and chemicals through publicly-traded Afriquia Gaz and Maghreb Oxygene. Akhannouch is Morocco’s Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and the president of a royalist political party.

Did You Know?

His wife Salwa Idrissi runs her own company, which has franchises for Gap, Gucci and Ralph Lauren in Morocco.

13. Mohammed Dewji

Net worth: $1.6 billion
Rank in 2020: 16
Net worth in 2020: $1.6 billion
Origin of wealth: Diversified
Industry: Diversified
Age: 45
Country: Tanzania
Residence: Dar es Salaam

Mohammed Dewji is the CEO of MeTL, a Tanzanian conglomerate founded by his father in the 1970s. METL is active in textile manufacturing, flour milling, beverages and edible oils in eastern, southern and central Africa. METL operates in at least six African countries and has ambitions to expand to several more. Dewji, Tanzania’s only billionaire, signed the Giving Pledge in 2016, promising to donate at least half his fortune to philanthropic causes. Dewji was reportedly kidnapped at gunpoint in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in October 2018 and released after nine days.

Did You Know?

Dewji retired from Tanzania’s parliament in early 2015 after completing two terms. Dewji, who is known as Mo (short for Mohammed), launched Mo Cola several years ago to compete with Coca-Cola.

14. Youssef Mansour

Net worth: $1.5 billion
Rank in 2020: 14
Net worth in 2020: $1.9 billion
Self-made
Origin of wealth: Diversified
Industry: Diversified
Age: 75
Country: Egypt
Residence: Cairo
Education: Auburn University, Master of Business Administration; North Carolina State University, Bachelor of Science in Engineering

Youssef Mansour is chairman of family-owned conglomerate Mansour Group, which was founded by his father Loutfy (d.1976) in 1952. Mansour Group is the exclusive distributor of GM vehicles and Caterpillar equipment in Egypt and several other countries. He oversees the consumer goods division, which includes supermarket chain Metro, and sole distribution rights for L’Oreal in Egypt. Younger brothers Mohamed and Yasseen are also billionaires and part owners of Mansour Group.

Did You Know?

Former Egypt President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized his father’s original cotton trading business. Mansour is a founding member of the American Egyptian Chamber of Commerce.

15. Othman Benjelloun & family

Net worth: $1.3 billion
Rank in 2020: 17
Net worth in 2020: $1.4 billion
Origin of wealth: Banking, insurance
Industry: Finance and investments
Age: 88
Education: Ecole Polytechnique de Lausanne, Diploma

Othman Benjelloun is CEO of BMCE Bank of Africa, which has a presence in more than 20 African countries. His father was a shareholder in RMA, a Moroccan insurance company; Benjelloun built it into a leading insurer.

Through his holding company FinanceCom, he has a stake in the Moroccan arm of French telecom firm Orange. He inaugurated in 2014 a $500 million plan to build the 55-story Mohammed VI Tower in Rabat.

It will be one of the tallest buildings in Africa. FinanceCom is part of a project to develop a multibillion-dollar tech city in Tangiers that is expected to host 200 Chinese companies.

Did You Know?

He co-owns Ranch Adarouch, one of the biggest cattle breeders in Africa. Benjelloun and his wife received the David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award for building schools in rural Morocco in 2016.

16. Michiel Le Roux

Net worth: $1.2 billion
Rank in 2020: 18
Net worth in 2020: $1.3 billion
Self-made
Origin of wealth: Banking
Industry: Finance and investments
Age: 71
Country: South Africa
Residence: Stellenbosch

Michiel Le Roux of South Africa founded Capitec Bank in 2001 and owns about an 11% stake. The bank, which trades on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, targets South Africa’s emerging middle class. He served as chairman of the board of Capitec from 2007 to 2016 and has continued on as a board member. Le Roux previously ran Boland Bank, a small regional bank in Cape Town’s hinterland.

Did You Know?

The bank has more than 800 branches and over 13,000 employees. Fellow South African Jannie Mouton’s PSG Group owns a 30% stake in Capitec Bank.

16. Strive Masiyiwa

Net worth: $1.2 billion
Rank in 2020: 19
Net worth in 2020: $1.1 billion
Self-made
Origin of wealth: Telecom
Industry: Telecom
Age: 59
Country: Zimbabwe
Residence: London
Education: University of Wales, Bachelor of Engineering

Strive Masiyiwa overcame protracted government opposition to launch mobile phone network Econet Wireless Zimbabwe in his country of birth in 1998. He owns just over 50% of the publicly-traded Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, which is one part of his larger Econet Group. Masiyiwa also owns just over half of private company Liquid Telecom, which provides fiber optic and satellite services to telecom firms across Africa. His other assets include stakes in mobile phone networks in Burundi and Lesotho, and investments in fintech and power distribution firms in Africa. He and his wife Tsitsi founded the Higherlife Foundation, which supports orphaned and poor children in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Burundi and Lesotho.

Did You Know?

After studying at university in Britain, Masiyiwa worked at ZPTC, Zimbabwe’s phone company. He left ZPTC to start an engineering services firm, then sold it and founded Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, but had to battle the government in court for years.

18. Yasseen Mansour

Net worth: $1.1 billion
Rank in 2020: 12
Net worth in 2020: $2.3 billion
Self-made
Origin of wealth: Diversified
Industry: Diversified
Age: 59
Country: Egypt
Residence: Cairo
Education: George Washington University

Yasseen Mansour is a shareholder in family-owned conglomerate Mansour Group, which was founded by his father Loutfy (d.1976) in 1952. Mansour Group is the exclusive distributor of GM vehicles and Caterpillar equipment in Egypt and several other countries.

His brothers Mohamed and Youssef are also billionaires and part owners of Mansour Group. He’s chairman of Palm Hills Developments, one of Egypt’s biggest real estate developers.

Did You Know?

Mansour Group is the sole franchisee of McDonald’s in Egypt, as well as the distributor of Gauloises cigarettes

The decision, which received unanimous endorsement among 30 African national member organisations, was announced on April 28, 2021, during its Extraordinary Meeting held via a virtual platform.

The core mandate of the Secretariat will be to coordinate activities of the Federation in ensuring the promotion of medical physics in Africa.

FAMPO is a regional federation of the International Organisations for Medical Physics (IOMP) in Africa, established in 2009, to ensure high professional standards among national member organisations, promote collaboration and innovation through partnerships with organisations and academia, and promote talent, information, and ideas that lead to great advances in the medical application of radiation.

National Member organisations of FAMPO include Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon and Cote D’Ivoire.

The others are Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, and Mauritania.

The rest are Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

According to the Vice President of the Executive Committee of FAMPO, Dr Francis Hasford, Ghana got the nod from national member organisations because of its exceptional achievements in education, training, and professional practice of Medical Physics.

“The immense contribution of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission in this regard cannot go unmentioned,” he added.

Dr Hasford, who is also the Head of the Medical Physics Department at the Graduate School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences (SNAS), explained that Ghana as the host of the Medical Physics Secretariat in the African Region was a confirmation of the country becoming a regional hub for Medical Physics. 

“It is highly anticipated that the placement of FAMPO Secretariat in Ghana will further contribute to attracting Medical Physics students from other African countries to study at SNAS and also attract key projects in radiation medicine to the country,” he said.

Dr Hasford disclosed that plans were far advanced to acquire an office space for the Secretariat. He also noted that the Council of FAMPO in its communique described Ghana as a leader in medical physics practice and training within the African region.

“Ghana is one of the few countries within the region with legislative recognition for the profession. It is anticipated that the experiences of Ghana will be put to bare in managing this very important Secretariat,” he added.

The virus has affected all 54 countries on the continent of 1.2 billion people.

More than 21,000 people have so far died across Africa from the COVID-19 disease, while over 700,000 have recovered.

South Africa, which accounts for more than half of the continent’s registered cases, is the worst-affected African nation and the fifth worst-hit globally.

Egypt is in second place with 94,000 confirmed infections, followed by Nigeria, Ghana, Algeria, Morocco and Kenya.

OTHER STORIES:

• Beirut explosion: Anti-government protests break out in city

• Arrest students who assault teachers during WASSCE – GNAT

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently warned of an “acceleration” of the disease in Africa as experts cast doubts about the accuracy of the number of coronavirus infections.

“We haven’t seen the peak in Africa yet,” Mary Stephen, technical officer at the WHO’s regional office for Africa, told Aljazeera.

“Since countries started relaxing lockdown measures, we have seen an increasing number of cases and most of these – more than 80 percent – are coming largely from 10 countries,” she said.

The landmark of one million cases has triggered concerns that Africa’s healthcare systems will be overwhelmed as the novel disease hits populations.

Professor Emmanuel Yaw Benneh said the late Prof Kyari who was a very good friend is “above humility”

“Abba, my dear friend, my brother, the pain of your loss still reverberates in me and my heart grieves because I was not with you in your last moments. I am now only left with the pain of a hard good-bye. As I gauge my words, I pray you look down upon me kindly as you had always done, from the high pedestal of the restful arms of Allah, whilst I seek refuge from the words of Churchill, who you often quoted, to bid you farewell” he bemoaned

READ FULL TRIBUTE BELOW

TRIBUTE TO MALLAM ABBA KYARI, CHIEF OF STAFF TO PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA, MAJOR-GENERAL MUHAMMADU BUHARI

ABBA KYARI: A PERSONAL LOSS

The loss of a close and dear friend is always so painful, but it also gives the opportunity to re-establish a connection to the person of whom the tribute is in behalf.

The first thing to remember now as I ponder over this tribute is a text I sent to Abba on my WhatsApp at 07.01 AM on February 21, 2020. I wrote: “My brother, the former Vice-Chancellor, published 4 years ago his autobiography titled: My Time, My Nation, in which he covered his personal life and development in the public space. I do hope that at the appropriate time you may have the opportunity to write same. I am also thinking of writing your biography to be titled: The Political Odyssey of a Patriot, to examine your political development and contributions in the Nigerian political landscape as articulated in the numerous policies you have initiated and the actions taken as well as the impacts these have had on your country and its destiny and the lives of the ordinary people. The Autobiography or Biography, I believe, will be a rich legacy that will be acknowledged in years to come of a most refreshing and honest person in an otherwise degenerate African landscape. What do you think?” (Unedited)

Abba, as I always called him, did not give a response to the question I asked him. He was perhaps alluding to William Taylor, the British essayist and scholar, who history records was the first in 1797to have used the word “autobiography” “deprecatingly when he suggested the word as a hybrid, but condemned it as ‘pedantic’” in the English periodical, The Monthly Review. It could also be that Abba believed in the apothegm that “all autobiography is vanity” attributed to the great American writer, historian, and philosopher,William James “Will” Durant (1885-1981), best known for his work The Story of Civilization, written in collaboration with his wife, Ariel Durant, in 11 volumes and published between 1935 and 1975.

“Humility”, as defined by the Oxbridge don, C. S. Lewis, is the exact opposite of pride. Abba personified humility and not pride or vanity and it was always my belief that Abba’s Autobiography would have given us a perspective on the subject different from that of William Taylor or Will Durant. That said, this is not the time nor place to discuss the essence or characteristics of an Autobiography or Biography. I am merely to seize the opportunity presented me here to recollect the man on him Divine Providence bestowed the qualities and virtues of integrity, honesty, uprightness, honour, good character, righteousness, decency, sincerity, selflessness, truthfulness, fortitude, and above all humility.

Abba and I first met in 1980 as students at Wolfson College, University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. In 1977, I was privileged to have gained admission to Queens College in same Cambridge to begin my graduate studies under the President of that College, late Sir Derek Bowett, then, also the Whewell Professor of International Law. I had to defer my admission because the University of Leiden in the Netherlands had awarded me a Fellowship to study in that University in the period October 1977 to October 1978. Towards the end of my studies in Leiden, I received a letter from Wolfson College renewing my admission to Cambridge for the 1978/79 academic year. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I could only get to Wolfson in October 1979 to begin my studies, first as a Master of Laws (LL.M) student. Wolfson, in contrast to Queens, admitted mostly postgraduate students, with a sizable number from the developing world. For sure, my going to Wolfson instead of Queens was the twist of fate that brought Abba and I together in an enduring friendship that lasted for forty (40) years.

In October 1980, Abba had come from the University of Warwick where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sociology to Cambridge to study for the two-year undergraduate BA (Tripos) Degree in Law. I had by then finished my Master’s and proceeded to my Doctoral Research under Clive Parry, late Downing Professor of International Law. Abba joined me in Staircase A in Wolfson College and I was struck by Abba’s simplicity, genteel manners and appearance, obviously due to a genteel upbringing, and in no time, we became acquainted as students who had come from West Africa among a few other African students in Wolfson at the time. Since we were in the same staircase, we began to cook, share and eat our meals together. Though I was a postgraduate student, I attended lectures on International Law given at the undergraduate Tripos level by Professors Clive Parry and Derek Bowett. These were particularly stimulating lectures which Abba too attended. Abba completed the BA (Tripos) in 1982 and was awarded the Degree,

I would count the period of two years I spent with Abba at Wolfson as a great learning curve for me through the intellectually stimulating conversations we had. Abba was a treasure trove of ideas and information about most subjects, particularly politics and history. He was always buying books. Heffers, a bookstore in Cambridge, was his favourite hunting ground. So, not surprisingly, it was he who introduced me to the writings of many scholars, notably the British historian A. J. P. Taylor, famous for his work on The Origins of the Second World War, and Isaac Deutscher, the Polish-born Jewish Marxist writer and political activist, also famous as the biographer of Stalin and Trotsky. It is from Deutscher’s The Prophet Armed: Trotsky, 1879-1921, that we derive these two quotes that have stood in my memory: “I do not think that a man’s rise to power is necessarily the climax of his life or that his loss of office should be equated with his fall” and:“Wherever he went he left footprints so firm that nobody could later efface or blur them, not even he himself, when on rare occasions he was tempted to do so.”Another classic of Deutscher that I enjoyed reading was his “The Non-Jewish Jew.”There was also the writings of Amartya Sen, the Indian economist and philosopher. Since Abba had an interest in Journalism, I would recall that he also introduced me to the great literary works of the two British-born—Patrick Seale, author, broadcaster and Middle-East historian, and Paul Foot, investigative journalist, political campaigner, and author. Abba was also a subscriber to the British bi-monthly academic political journal, The New Left Review, covering world politics, economy and culture, which we read voraciously. Clearly, Abba was attracted to the Left of politics and so was I and, this led us to cultivate the belief, and put our faith into, and support social equality and egalitarianism.

By the time Abba completed his BA, I had come to the appreciation of him as a man of tremendous knowledge transcending the narrow confines of the law that he had studied. I believed too that it was his powerful knowledge that would stand him in good stead in his future endeavours. Lest we forget, it was from Imam Ali (599-661) who was recorded in the tenth-century book Nahj Al-Balagha (The Way of Eloquence)to have said: “Knowledge is power and it can command obedience (maʿrifatu al-ʿilmi dīnun yadānu bihi). A man of knowledge during his lifetime can make people obey and follow him and he is praised and venerated after his death. Remember that knowledge is a ruler and wealth is its subject. (Saying 147)”

Away from Cambridge, Abba enrolled at the Nigerian Law School for the Professional Course and he was successfully called to the Nigerian Bar in 1983. But, Abba was to return to Cambridge that same year in October to begin his studies for the LL.M Degree. He completed this in June 1984. Again, I had the fortune to have stayed on in same Staircase A in Wolfson where Abba joined me when he came back. Some of my most exhilarating experiences of life in Cambridge occurred at this time. Abba and I stuck together in friendship and participated in most events together. All in all, Abba became a brother to me and it felt like we grew up as young adults at Wolfson. What was also particularly noticeable about Abba was that not only did he extend his friendship and empathy to all, but he always displayed and conducted his affairs with a conscious regard for the core principles of integrity, probity and transparency.

Now, unlike a sizable portion of students who stay abroad after completion of their studies, Abba readily returned home to Nigeria and embarked on his professional career as a lawyer, journalist banker and public servant.  His professional activities have been chronicled as follows: Upon his return in 1984, he worked for the law firm Fani-Kayode and Sowemimo. From 1988 to 1990, he was Editor with the New Africa Holdings Limited, Kaduna (publishers of Democrat Newspapers). In 1990, he served as Commissioner of Forestry and Animal Resources with the Borno State Executive Council, and from 1990 to 1995, he was Board Secretary of the African International Bank Limited. Abba also held other positions which included Executive Director, Management Services, United Bank for Africa and later, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, United Bank of Africa. In 2002, he was appointed a Director of Unilever Nigeria, Plc, and later served on the Board of Exxon Mobil (Nigeria). Between 2002 and 2005, he served as Honorary Member of the Presidential Advisory Council on Investment in Nigeria. At the time of his passing, Abba was a Member of the Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. He also had the time away from office to attend the International Institute for Management Development in Lausanne, Switzerland and participated in the Program for Management Development at the Harvard Business School in 1992 and 1994 respectively.

By all accounts, Abba had a very rewarding professional life. But at no time did he sacrifice any of the virtues ingrained in him on the altar of personal convenience or aggrandizement, nor did his simplicity and frugality elude him. Tales of selflessness, kindness and gratitude followed him in all the places he worked and from all whom he came into contact with. Above all, he kept to his Islamic faith scrupulously, was happily married and blessed with children.

Interestingly, when we were students in Cambridge, I had come to know that Abba was not only a person of high social status, but was well-connected to some powerful political figures in Nigeria. But, unlike most of the Nigerian students I met in Cambridge whose view of politics was ethnically-based, Abba’s was Pan-Nigerian. Even though from the North and he acknowledged that power was concentrated in the North, he found this unacceptable and considered strongly power-sharing with the South for the stability and development of his country.  The theme of One Nation, One People and One Common Destiny, was the leitmotif that ran through his conversations with me (and later his writings). It was, therefore, not uncommon those days for me to suggest that he should go into politics to take over the leadership of his country after his study-stay in Cambridge to realise the dreams and the good intentions he had for his country. But, Abba was always dismissive of that suggestion. He derided the politics of his country, which, according to him, was “too rough” I even remember bringing up the subject again with him when we met in London in August 2011. His answer was same. He was too genteel to go through the hustle and bustle of political life.

But, by the late 1990s, politics in Nigeria, as in Ghana, had begun to change with the restoration of constitutional rule. Meanwhile, I had returned to Ghana in 1990 to begin a life in academia, and with it, the hope for anonymity and political distancing. I had always encouraged Abba to take over the mantel of political leadership, yet, ironically, I was distancing myself from it! Be that as it might, it was on November 11,2015, that Major- General Muhammadu Buhari assumed office as President of Nigeria in his third bid. He had previously served as military Head of State from 1983 to 1985, after taking power in a military coup. Abba knew General Buhari very well, even from his Cambridge student days. His winning the elections followed a groundswell of support for him as an austere and anti-corruption crusader. Therefore, perhaps, not surprisingly, he was a person Abba could assist in the governance of the country.

Yet, Abba’s appointment as the Chief of Staff in August 2015 to the newly-elected President still came as a bit of a surprise. Not that he was not qualified. He was and had all the qualities, attributes and crucial competences of the office-holder, which included loyalty, trustworthiness, dedication, leadership, judgement and disposition .But the All Progressive Congress (APC), the party which brought General Buhari to power was a merger of the three biggest opposition parties. These were the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP),a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and the new PDP-a faction of then ruling Peoples Democratic Party. The APC as such contained within it deep-seated rivalries and conflicting interests. That, notwithstanding, the critical catalyst for Abba’s involvement was that his long-time ally, General Buhari on his assumption into office had declared war on the ills that plagued Nigerian society, and this, for Abba, was a clarion call to action. As I was told by Abba, in accepting the position given him by General Buhari, he felt he was enlisting in an “army” to do his patriotic duty. I yielded to Abba’s explanation for it was he who after all had diagnosed these ills in his masterpiece written years earlier, Nigeria: Africa’s Leader or Leaden?I must be permitted to quote in some detail:

Why is Nigeria so important?  It is perhaps the only country on the African Continent with all the attributes of a great power:  size, population, arable land, water, oil, forests, hard minerals, tourist potential, in fact everything you require for a major modern economy.  Yet…………here we are.

The “all powerful” centre is weak and confused; the periphery is doing all the running.  Separatists; secessionists, nihilists; anarchists and even bandits are having a field day.  The majority are onlookers, just despairing and even losing hope and faith in our federation and existence as a nation state.  There is great pessimism about the future of the country.

Nigeria’s wider responsibilities for the African Continent.  Just consider: one out of every five Africans is a Nigerian; Nigeria is 20% of Africa and 47% of West Africa.  It is evident that the future prosperity of Africa – the only continent the majority of which is stricken with poverty – is directly linked to the prosperity and stability of Nigeria.

On our shoulders rest the burden of a big responsibility; the responsibility to knock the continent into shape.  If we allow this responsibility and opportunity to go, there is considerable risk of disaster to the West African sub-region with subsequent knock-on effects on the rest of Africa.  We have to think about the wider consequences of not getting our act together.

We therefore must collectively confront and solve our local difficulties and face our wider responsibilities.  We have triple challenges:  to integrate our plural society at the political level (over 99% of our people are socializing, integrating and living in peace); take our entire population out of poverty to relative prosperity and create conditions for true representative and accountable governance.

Another article written by Abba earlier in 2010 titled: Black Wednesday, had surveyed the Nigerian state following the publication of the Transparency International’s global corruption index for 2010. He wrote:

That day was about corruption, corruption, corruption!
The Transparency International Index ranked Nigeria at No.134 out of 178 countries.  Our score is 2.4 out of 10.  In the 134th position, we are joined with eight other countries – Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Honduras, Philippines, Sierra Leone, Togo, Ukraine and Zimbabwe.  None of the countries we are tied with nor the thirty six states we are ahead of has a 2020-20 ambitions or contending to be the next BRIC.  Nor do any of them aspire to lead their continents. None is a candidate for a seat on the Security Council.  Our score of 2.4; puts us a mere 1.3 “better” than the most corrupt country – Somalia with a score of 1.1; that is if Somalia is the competition and if Somalia is a country…..

The Nigerian state has all but breached its duty to society; it has failed in its primary responsibility of protecting its citizens and providing basic services.  Yet, it does not seem to care.  The general assumption is that people are too hungry and weak to be angry and revolt.  As AmartyaSen put it:  “a starring wretch can be too frail and dejected to fight a battle, and even to protest and holler.  It is thus not surprising that often intense and widespread suffering and misery have been accompanied by unusual peace and silence”.

That was the stuff Abba was made of. He knew the Nigerian landscape or terrain very well and, though he had never sought a position in politics, he viewed his appointment as a call to duty which carried enormous responsibilities. He, therefore, devised the three cardinal principles he would operate on. Firstly, that he would not allow anyone to mislead the President through misrepresentation. Secondly, that he will not allow the President’s integrity to be violated, and, thirdly, that he will not allow Nigeria’s interests to be subordinated to any other consideration.

In this context, I would also recall that during our time in Cambridge, Abba and I had become fascinated with Military History and, thus, we immersed ourselves in the literature of both classical and modern warfare. We learnt lessons on the significance and importance of strategy, tactics, maneuver and willpower in warfare. We read the exploits of Hannibal, the Punic military commander from Carthage, generally considered one of the greatest military commanders in history; Alexander the Great, who never lost a battle, and also widely considered one of history’s most successful military commanders creating one of the largest empires of the ancient world stretching from Greece to north-western India; Sun Tzu, the Chinese general, military strategist and philosopher who authored the Art of War, a widely influential work on military strategy; Napoleon, another one of the greatest military commanders in history who won the vast majority of his battles and succeeded in building a large empire that ruled over continental Europe; and Shaka Zulu, said to be the greatest commander to come out of Africa. Of modern military supremoes, we also read of the tactics and strategies of the German Generals in the Wehrmacht in World War 11, namely, Erich von Manstein, Heinz Guderian, Friedrich Paulus, Gothard Hemrici, Walter Model, Herman Hoth, Albert Kesserling, Gerd von Rundstedt, Alfred Jodl and Erwin Rommel (the “Desert Fox”, said to be an “exemplar of military leadership”, also nicknamed “the People’s Marshal”), among others. So also did we read the strategies and tactics of George Patton (America’s greatest combat general who led the U.S. Third Army in France and Germany following the Allied invasion of Normandy in France in June 1944, and who was credited by Rommel for executing “the most astonishing achievement in mobile warfare”), Montgomery of Alamein (“The Spartan General”, incidentally, my World War 11 hero, my admiration for him abated in large measure by his support for the apartheid regime in South Africa in his later life), Omar Bradley (the “GI’s General”, America’s last Five Star General, described as “a common man with an uncommon destiny” and also assessed by Montgomery to be “dull, conscientious, dependable and loyal”), Eisenhower (the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces in Europe during World War 11), Zhukov (“The Victory Marshal”, another hero for his steely will, courage and organisational talent and of him Eisenhower said: “The war in Europe has been won and to no man does the United Nations owe a greater debt than to Marshal Zhukov”), and Vo Nguyen Giap, one of the greatest military strategists of the 20^th Century, whose core philosophy of “revolutionary war”, enabled him to win the war against France and the US in the Vietnam War.

Certainly, as Chief of Staff, Abba was presented the greatest challenge of how to strategize a plan to defeat “the enemy”. He applied himself well to the lessons learnt; he strategized very well, knowing fully well that good Generals have lost battles because they took the wrong decision in fighting on hostile terrain. Generalship, we had learnt, must occur within the boundaries set by strategy and the great General is one who strategizes a plan and believes it will work; in effect, the one who chooses a favourable terrain.

Abba stayed in Office from August 2015 to April 17, 2020. Not only was he the “crucial gatekeeper to the Presidency”, as he was often described, but he set himself the task of the overall development of Nigeria and never wavered in his commitment to the Administration’s pledge to raising 100 million people out of poverty. During the first term, and under the direction of the President, Abba initiated measures on security, agriculture and infrastructure, which sectors had suffered under what he called “the legacy of corruption” brought upon the country by the political elite. For example, he pivoted the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative, which according to the Fertiliser Producers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN) “helped millions of farmers to have access to fertilizer at a pocket friendly price.” Further, as said by FEPSAN, “today many farmers have prospered under the scheme and we have seen good progress in the agricultural sector of the economy, thereby creating many Agro millionaires.” Abba’s imprint was real as testified by a WhatsApp message he sent to me: “We are fighting to stop importation because we have developed local blending capacity,, the only raw materials we import are phosphate from Morocco and potash from Russia, all done at government-to-government, no middle men, no Commission agents. Today, fertilizer is available and affordable. Not a popular move!!!” Certainly, this was not a popular move for the agents who profited through distribution rackets, but it was for the farmers! As a matter of fact, the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative happens to be one of the long-term strategies devised for sustainable agricultural and livestock development in Nigeria and which also seeks to promote security by containing the tensions between farmers and herdsmen. Similarly, infrastructural projects like the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydroelectric damsto increase the power generation capacity, the Second Niger Bridge, the Lagos-Ibadan and Abuja-Kano highways, took off under the direction of the man said to be “the engine room of the administration.”

But, in carrying out his duties and responsibilities during the first term of the Buhari Administration, at no stage did Abba underestimate the negative forces arrayed against him. True, he had neutralized them, but there was no room for complacency. In the article Nigeria Is Changing For The Better—And Our Failed Elite Has Every Reason To Be Terrified, published in 2018, he wrote:

There are no quick fixes to our condition. Effecting real change is unglamorous, painstaking and difficult. It does not immediately grab headlines or always yield instant results. It does not help that vested interests, looking to hang on to undeserved privileges, throw road block in the way.  There is a minority that does not want change. Of course, they cannot openly say so, and instead claim to be critics of the very progress we are making that they have tried to thwart, and concoct crude fantasies of communal violence for which they blame government. Or complain about the slow pace of government when they have fought tooth and nail to delay, distort of dilute change.

Transition is unsettling. It is in the nature of the journey that we do not fully appreciate the destination until we reach it. But the deliverables are already there, and stacking up. Just because we have every right to be cautious of what our governments tell us does not mean we need to believe all the disingenuous or ill-informed messages we receive on our phones, often from anonymous forces with an agenda.

Nigeria has reached a defining moment. We have come a long way. The old order is terrified and will employ all the old tricks and new to pretend that this is not the case, and that instead it is they who have the solutions, when all too often they have been the problem. The current buzz in the communications industry is that elections are won on emotions, not policies or track record. But let us look at the facts, and the alternative – of a return to tried, tested, failed. Let’s not be fooled by the packaging, no matter how slick the meme, the post, the advert, and instead look closely at what is inside.

Like Nigeria, government is not easy. But if we are to have better, more stable and prosperous future, we have no choice but to move forward.

Abba’s extraordinary achievements during the first period of the Buhari Administration were carried into the second term which began in 2019 but not before Abba had to go through a gauntlet of attacks by forces from both the opposition PDP party and even the governing APC. Not only were mobs rented to kick against Abba’s re-appointment, but the by-now familiar personal attacks, insults, vituperations, vilification and defamatory statements using the most vitriolic and vile language were used against him. He was demonized; even the term “cabal” was used loosely and derisorily to try to diminish his perfectibility, this rare gem of the human species. But Abba was a man of mettle and his unflinching intrepidity and fearlessness always propelled him to ignore these attacks with the contempt they deserved.  Yet, on a different level, the four years he worked—seven days each and every week—had taken a toll on his health and family life. For that reason, Abba did not want to be re-appointed to the position he had occupied. I encouraged him to accept re-appointment in the belief that his boss needed him especially when he was in the very front line of service in a wartime situation he himself had described. I told him, using military metaphor, perhaps inappropriate since he was not the President, that the captain was always the last one to leave the ship. He had got to make sure that the President’s policy objectives and development agenda were achieved and that was his job, and the reason why he had to stay on. My conscience compelled me in the circumstances to write an article titled: The Abba Kyari I Know and the Unfolding Empty Political Brouhaha(June 28, 2019).In that context did I also recollect to him the words of General Montgomery in his personal message to troops of the 21^st Army Group—the powerful Allied Force in the European Theatre operating in Northern France, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany—on the eve of D-Day(June 6, 1944) in the Second World War:

“To us is given the honour of striking a blow for freedom which will live in history; and in the better days that lie ahead men will speak with pride of our doings. We have a great and a righteous cause”.

Abba indeed had a “righteous cause” and he soldiered on. Of course, critical to Nigeria’s overall economic development is oil but over the years that development had been stunted by massive corruption alleged to have been perpetrated by the Nigerian political class with their foreign cronies. Abba portrayed this in 2010 in his article: Black Wednesday. He wrote:

Nobody is better placed to talk about corruption in Nigeria than oil executives and oil merchants; and Nigeria’s big business is oil.  In his memoir, Lord Browne, the former Chief Executive of British Petroleum, contrasted two Countries afflicted with Resource Curse – Angola and Nigeria; his verdict:  “I pushed things in the right direction in Angola.  However, in one country I found it was not possible to make any headway.  That country was Nigeria…… I felt we just could not operate in Nigeria.  We sold our Nigerian licences and I never wanted to go back”.  But Lord Browne is reportedly heading a private equity firm that is making a $4b bid for Shell’s assets in Nigeria.  Never say Never John Browne!  His putting Angola ahead of Nigeria is not supported by either the T.I. or Mo-Ibrahim Index.  Nigeria is ahead of Angola in both.  His U-turn on doing business in Nigeria, call into question the integrity of his judgment.  But his indictment of Nigeria is on record and some people will be guided by it. 

The second book is the biography of the acclaimed King of Oil – Marc Rich.  It was he who broke the monopoly of the majors in the oil trade.  At one time only about 5% of oil traded out of the circle of the majors, March Rich invented the spot market and broke the monopoly.  He knows the oil business and has had a long experience of Nigeria and knows a lot about Nigeria’s oil business.  His verdict on Nigeria is simple.  It is “the global capital of corruption”.

Abba knew the oil or petroleum industry very well. I recollect that when we were students in Cambridge Abba took me in the company of some other students to watch the award-winning film by Francesco Rosititled: The Mattei Affair. The film delved deeper into the death on 27 October 1962, of an Italianpublic administrator, Enrico Mattei, in a plane crash likely caused by a bomb which was put in the plane. During the Fascistera in Italy, the leader, Benito Mussolini, established the Italian Petroleum Agency Agip, as a state enterprise With the end of the Second World War, the task fell on Mattei to dismantle Agip. He instead restructured it into the National Fuel Trust, Ente Nazionale Idrocarburi (ENI). To many Italians, Mattei was a national hero for the reforms he undertook in the oil industry but, he had the oligopoly of the ‘Seven Sisters‘ to contend with. In fact it was Mattei who coined the term “Seven Sisters” referring to Anglo-Iranian Oil Company(originally Anglo-Persian; now BP), Royal Dutch Shell, Standard Oil Company of California (SoCal, later Chevron), Gulf Oil(now merged into Chevron), Texaco (now merged into Chevron),Standard Oil Company of New Jersey (Esso, later Exxon, now part of ExxonMobil), Standard Oil Company of New York (Socony, later Mobil, now part of ExxonMobil) which dominated the petroleum industry. The strategy adopted by Mattei to break the power of these powerful transnational corporations included the direct negotiation by ENIof oil concessions with some Middle Eastern countries. According to published information, Mattei, for example, offered Tunisia and Morocco “a 50-50 partnership for extracting their oil, very different from the sort of concessions normally offered by the major oil companies,” and to Iran and Egypt “he additionally offered that the risk involved in prospecting was entirely ENI’s: if there was no petrol, the countries would not have to pay one cent.” And, equally important, “he introduced the principle whereby the country that owned exploited oil reserves received 75% of the profits.”

The lessons learnt from the Mattei episode were never lost on Abba.  It is true that when he returned home from Cambridge, he worked with one of the oil giants, ExxonMobil, but he never subordinated the interest of his country to any of the transnational oil companies. In the past year or so, Abba would forward to me on my WhatsApp any information he had on the bad practices and malfeasance of these oil companies. One such was a Financial Times Report on the Oil and Gas Industry,which Abba forwarded to me on December 17, 2019,revealing that Shell paid no corporate income tax in 2018. As quoted in the Report: “The fact that Shell and other major oil companies are regularly getting huge tax rebates, despite making vast profits, is a feature that is now baked into the U K oil and gas tax system.” Abba’s comment on this sent simultaneously simply read: “This is what I am fighting against now!”

In thetrue sense, Abba was very much like Enrico Mattei, the nationalist. Abba confronted the oil companies with a passion, strategic vision, deep knowledge of the industry and a result-oriented mind to use Nigerian oil for national transformation. Some success was achieved by Abba when, under the direction of President Buhari, he worked hard to see the passage of the amendment to the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Act, Cap D3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN), 2004. It was in 1993 that the Nigerian Government began to execute

deep offshore production sharing contracts (PSCs) with the transnational oil companies. This became necessary due to changes in the oil industry brought about by deep offshore exploration which was expensive and required huge outlays of capital and technology. Consequently, very attractive incentives,which included a lower rate of petroleum profit tax, profit oil split, investment allowance and cost recovery limits, were offered to the companies to encourage them to invest in the fields. The companies were only to pay royalty in various percentages for oil explored between 100 meters and before 1000 meters.

On March 23, 1999, the then Military Government promulgated the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Decree (No 9, 1999), with January 1, 1993, as commencement date. By the terms of the Decree, the contracts were to be reviewed after 10 years and every five years thereafterwhen crude oil prices went as high as $20 per barrel. The insertion of a review clause in the Decree looked progressive since transnational companies usually oppose some such arrangements. That notwithstanding, on May 10, 1999, less than two months after  Decree No.9 came into force, it was amended to become Decree No. 29 of 1999 to extend the years of review of the terms from 10 years to 15 years and after oil prices exceeded $20 per barrel. It was Decree 29 which “metamorphosed into the Deep Offshore Act, 2004.

Significantly, no review of the terms took place in 2008; that is 15 years from the specified commencement date of January 1, 1993, This was despite the fact that the price of crude oil had since 1999 been on the rise. As sourced from a writer: “At a point, the “contractors” were taking 80% of the deep offshore oil and while the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) got just 20%. We were not bothered: those who should defend the national interest were more interested in what-have-you.” Another writer also put it pointedly when assessing the Deep Offshore Act: “This law was ignored by every government for whatever reason. Nigeria lost billions of dollars as a result: an estimate puts the short payment at $62 billion in the last 11 years, but a moderate figure would be between $1.6 billion and $2.8 billion per year.”

In effect this was the state of affairs affecting the oil industry in Nigeria which Abba fought so hard against culminating in the amendment to the Act which the President formally signed into law on November 4, 2019. The oil companies had maximized their profits while exporting those profits beyond the shores of Nigeria, but that was no longer going to be the case under the amended bill which according to estimates would generate $500m in additional revenues for the Federal Government in 2020, and over $1bn yearly after 2021.

Abba was so ecstatic about this drive to increase public revenue away from the old payment regime. He wrote as a Guest Columnist in the THIS DAY newspaper on November 1, 2019:

The decision by the National Assembly to amend the Deep Offshore (and inland basin production sharing contract) Act is a huge victory for Nigeria. The articles and clauses of complex legislation may not appear to be the stuff to set pulses racing. But there should be nodoubt: this is a watershed moment for our economy, our institutions and our people. As a result of this amendment, Nigeria could earn an extra billion dollars a year from our oil. These are funds that will help restore our schools and hospitals, repair our roads and infrastructure and give our armed forces the support they need to keep us safe. That is a big win…

But it should not be seen in isolation, or as a ‘one off’. President Muhammadu Buhari pushed for the amendment as part of an ambitious programme to overhaul a corruption-saddled and under-performing oil and gas sector. This is the key to the delivery of a more diverse and productive economy that will provide the jobs and sustainable growth we need in the coming decades to end poverty and raise living standards. Headline increases in our GDP will be matched by policies that ensure growth is inclusive and evenly shared, and provide protection and opportunity for the most vulnerable.The President has worked with the 9^thNational Assembly, its leadership and members, to deliver this amendment. This is the kind of partnership that we have seen all too rarely since the restoration of democracy in 1999. We have shown how national institutions, the executive and legislature, can come together to work for the common good and the National Interest. A sense of patriotism and the drive to deliver reform is replacing the sterile self-interest that has for too long dominated public administration. The passage of the amendment shows that the 9th National Assembly has the ambition and commitment to help make the real changes Nigeria needs if we are to move forward. The Senate and House of Representatives have shown that we can replace exploitation of the system by the few for the benefit of the few with a new spirit of co-operation – to build a fairer, more efficient system for the benefit of rich and poor alike. Our vision is for an oil and gas industry that is attractive to investors and competitive in a crowded international market. Operations should be driven by commercial principles, transparent and free from political interference. We will deliver a new deal for host communities and proper guarantees for environmental standards.

Characteristically, Abba ended the article by quoting from Winston Churchill. Churchillian rhetoric is something that Abba and I always loved! He wrote:

As Britain’s wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill once said, ‘This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. ’We have a lot of work to do. But this amendment shows where we are going- and that now, within our grasp, is a Nigeria that works for us all.

Again like Enrico Mattei, “everything” was thrown at Abba by the oil companies and their local henchmen. The personal attacks were incessant; the lobbyists stretched their tentacles and foreign governments resorted to pressures and threats even after the passage of the amendment. To his eternal glory, Abba did not yield, but in fact he outwitted them by forging a strategic close link between the Executive and the Legislature which ensured the passage of the amendment. He even hurriedly had to go all the way to the United Kingdom, for which he received a lot of flack from his political opponents, to have the President who was then in that country affix his hand and seal to the bill. This episode also reminded me of what Abba had written on the eve of the general elections that took place in March 2019 in an article titled: “No Matter What, Tomorrow Never Dies”

Our transition has been difficult because Nigeria needs radical change, which we have been delivering, despite ingenious and often disingenuous resistance from vested interests and the business-as-usual brigade. Which begs the question: is there a difference between what suits Nigeria’s real national interest and what suits the interests of the Great Powers? The years of failure were characterised by hypocrisy and betrayal by our leaders, who were in turn easy targets for manipulation – much easier for foreign powers to manage than a government genuinely looking to repair and revive today so that we can build tomorrow. And tomorrow never dies.

I always knew that business-as-usual had a powerful self-interest in resisting CHANGE. I had hoped their tentacles did not stretch so far or so easily beyond our borders, that a good case, well made, would receive a fair hearing. In three and a half years in government, I have learned that decent argument and hard facts face stiff competition from vested interests that seem so easily to sway people who should know better. A convenient lie is not better than an uncomfortable truth.

Abba did not rest on his oars. There was more work to be done. Equally joyous was Abba when for the first time in umpteenth years, Christmas 2019 was celebrated without the proverbial queuing, and true to form this was organized by Abba, There was even humour about it when cartoons emerged in the papers in his country with people wondering if they lived in their own country or another world. Meanwhile, through his efforts, millions of dollars stashed abroad during the period of General Abacha’s rule in Nigeria were being returned. For example over $300 million was returned by the United States Government, and in a tribute paid him by that Government after his passing, it was stated that Abba “envisioned the funds going to three geographically disparate infrastructure projects as a way to unite Nigeria economically.” 

Considering the importance of the power sector to the overall development of Nigeria’s economy, it was not surprising that on assumption of office, President Buhari made this his priority. Consequently, following a meeting which took place on August 31, 2018, between the President and the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, an Electricity Roadmap Agreement was signed by the Nigerian Government with the German energy company, Siemens, on July 22, 2019, for the generation and distribution of 11,000MW of electricity by 2023.This was an opportunity to fix the country’s perennial power problem that previous governments had struggled with. But, in fact, the strategic framework was what was important in achieving a solution. President Buhari put it squarely: “Our intention is to ensure that our cooperation is structured under a Government-to-Government framework. No middlemen will be involved so that we can achieve value-for-money for Nigerians. We also insist that all products be manufactured to high quality German and European standards and competitively priced.”

Here again, it was Abba who the President appointed to lead the project execution process on the Nigerian side. By now it was clear that Abba’s blueprint for executing the President’s projects was his “government-to-government, no middle men, no Commission agents,” which had his boss’s imprimatur. That blueprint or model was even an article of faith for Abba. He derided the role that the political elites across Africa had played as the agents, contractors, and the compradors of foreign business interest groups and organisationsin perpetuating poverty, He challenged the orthodoxy of Western liberal capitalism model which had produced and reproduced these negative elements in society. Above all, he believed in the central role of the state in rapid economic transformation, and was in search of this alternative development model that could gain some traction in the so-called “Third World” African countries. I sided with him and he won the admiration of many of my Ghanaian compatriots!

Abba and I last met in Cambridge on December 31, 2019, when together we had a “great reunion” (as later described by Abba) with some friends of old from our Wolfson days. Prior to that, we had met a couple of times during that same week in London. Since Abba joined the Government in 2015, he had never taken a holiday or leave so this was his first opportunity. Even so Abba during this period fulfilled some official engagements while spending some time doing the usual rounds of buying books. Upon our return to our respective countries, we continued to be actively engaged on WhatsApp. It was on March 7, 2020, that Abba travelled to Germany as the head of the Nigerian delegation to hold follow-up meetings with Siemens. Upon returning home from the trip, which also took him to Egypt, and at the time of the outbreak worldwide of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19),he posted to me on my WhatsApp on March 13: “I have passed through Frankfurt, Munich and Heathrow airports in the last seven days. None has the protocols we have here. Here you fill a form giving your details and contacts and temperature tested and therefore stand a better chance to contact passengers if the need arises. If these basic precautionary measures are followed it will mitigate a major outbreak and the bonus of our population being largely young we may avoid large number of deaths but no room for complacency.”(Unedited)From that date, I would recollect that Abba and I actively engaged on WhatsApp about the threat posed by the disease and the efforts our respective Governments were taking to tackle it. Then on, March 24, following media reports, Abba confirmed to me that he had contracted the disease and that a formal statement was going to be made later. I kept in constant touch with Abba from that day. He always thanked me for my concern and prayers whilst assuring me that his general health was as good as it had been.

Abba’s last chat with me on WhatsApp was March.28The next day he issued the now famous statement on his health status announcing to the whole world that he was infected with the disease and hence, his decision to move to Lagos for “further testing and observation.” He also in the Statement hoped to be back at his “desk very soon” and exhorted the “team of young, professional, knowledgeable and patriotic colleagues, whose dedication has been beyond the call of duty, who continue to work seven days a week, with no time of the day spared [to] continue to serve the President and people of Nigeria, as we have for the past five years.” Sadly, on April 17, 2020, Abba, the man who was given the honour of striking a blow for a better Nigeria, was taken to eternity.

A great man of courage, Abba joined his friend, long-time ally and boss, President Buhari, to prosecute a war. He fell in battle and no greater tribute could have been paid him than what the President said:  “Abba’s true focus was always the development of infrastructure and the assurance of security for the people of this nation he served so faithfully. For he knew that without both in tandem there can never be the development of the respectful society and vibrant economy that all Nigerian citizens deserve.”

Still, there was more to Abba that needs to be told. True, the position that Abba occupied in Government made him extremely powerful, but, Abba, the man I came to know so well, derived his power primarily from the virtues he was blessed with and the knowledge he acquired from books. Abba was always buying books and like Prospero, the enigmatic character that Shakespeare created in The Tempest, and whose source of power was books, so also was Abba’s, the essential difference here being that Abba used his matchless power for the good of man.

Abba, my dear friend, my brother, the pain of your loss still reverberates in me and my heart grieves because I was not with you in your last moments. I am now only left with the pain of a hard good-bye. As I gauge my words, I pray you look down upon me kindly as you had always done, from the high pedestal of the restful arms of Allah, whilst I seek refuge from the words of Churchill, who you often quoted, to bid you farewell:

“History with its flickering lamp stumbles along the trail of the past, trying to reconstruct its scenes, to revive its echoes, and kindle with pale gleams the passion of former days. What is the worth of all this? The only guide to a man is his conscience; the only shield to his memory is the rectitude and sincerity of his actions. It is very imprudent to walk through life without this shield, because we are so often mocked by the failure of our hopes and the upsetting ofour calculations; but with this shield, however the fates may play, we march always in the ranks of honour.”

     FAREWELL ABBA, THE MOST HONOURABLE MAN I EVER MET!!!!!

WRITTEN BY:

PROFESSOR EMMANUEL YAW BENNEH

SCHOOL OF LAW

UNIVERSITY OF GHANA

“No matter what happens I don’t want to take the sickness back to Africa,” he said from his university dormitory, where he is now under a 14-day quarantine.

He was suffering from a fever, a dry cough, and flu-like symptoms.

When he became ill he thought of his time as a child in Cameroon when he contracted malaria. He feared the worse.

“When I was going to the hospital for the first time I was thinking about my death and how I thought it was going to happen,” he said.

For 13 days he remained in isolation in a local Chinese hospital. He was treated with antibiotics and drugs typically used to treat HIV patients. After two weeks of care he began to show signs of recovery.

The CT scan showed no trace of the illness. He became the first African person known to be infected with the deadly coronavirus and the first to recover. His medical care was covered by the Chinese state.

Mr Senoua says he did not want to take the disease to Africa

Egypt has become the first country in Africa to confirm a case of the coronavirus. Health professionals warn that countries with weaker health systems may struggle to cope with a potential outbreak of the illness, which has led to more than 1,770 deaths and infected more than 72,000 people, mostly in China.

“I don’t want to go home before finishing studying. I think there is no need to return home because all hospital fees were taken care of by the Chinese government,” says Mr Senoua.

To evacuate or not?

Since late January governments around the world, led by the US, began evacuating their citizens out of Wuhan and neighbouring cities.

But thousands of African students, workers and families, remain in lockdown across the central Hubei province – the outbreak began in the provincial capital Wuhan – and some think their governments should do more to help them.

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“We are sons and daughters of Africa but Africa is not willing to come to our rescue when we need it the most,” says Tisiliyani Salima, a medical student at Tongji Medical University and president of the Zambian Wuhan student association.

For close to a month Ms Salima has been living in self-quarantine.

Time has begun to lose meaning for the 24-year old student. She spends her days sleeping and checking updates on Chinese social media apps.

She acts as the liaison between her embassy and the 186 Zambian students living under quarantine in Wuhan. Many worry about food safety, supplies, and lack information in a city that this week has seen an average of 100 deaths a day.

She watched other international classmates evacuated from the city while her countrymen and women were left behind.

“South of the Sahara most African countries have had a similar response,” says one student who agreed to talk under the condition of anonymity.

“Publicly or privately African countries say that China can handle the situation. But the situation is not under control. When you listen to the official response it tells you that the African countries do not want to offend China. We don’t have the bargaining power,” the student says.

Flight crew from China Southern Airlines have their temperatures checked at Kenya’s main airport in Nairobi

China is currently Africa’s largest trading partner and the ties between the two have blossomed in recent years.

In the process China has become home to 80,000 African students, many attracted to the middle kingdom by scholarship programmes. But community leaders say families, young and old are stranded in Hubei province with little aid or assistance from their governments.

“People are saying: ‘Don’t bring us back because Nigeria can’t handle us.’ I feel conflicted but at the end of the day I am also human,” says Angela, a recent graduate from Nigeria, who only gave her first name.

“I would appreciate if they would recognise that there are Nigerians here but we don’t seem to be a priority. We didn’t get any response from our government,” she says.

Last week, for the first time in 22 days in lockdown, dwindling supplies forced Angela to venture out of her apartment to buy some essentials.

“The city is like a ghost town. When I left my complex I didn’t know if I would even be allowed back in. People are checking temperatures outside the gate,” she says in a phone interview from her apartment.

The Institut Pasteur de Dakar, in Senegal, is one of the laboratories that has the reagents needed to test samples

On 30 January the Cameroonian community penned an open letter to the president urging their government to evacuate citizens stuck in the epicentre of the outbreak.

Weeks on Dr Pisso Scott Nseke, a community leader in Wuhan, says Cameroonians are still waiting for a response.

He accepts that the community is not united in the desire to be evacuated but says they are disappointed by the lack of assistance from the government.

As of mid-February, Egypt, Algeria, Mauritius, Morocco and Seychelles had moved their citizens out of Hubei province.

Other nations such as Ghana and Kenya are reportedly considering evacuating.

‘We feel abandoned’

Some nations have sent financial support to their citizens.

According to the head of the Ivory Coast student association in Wuhan $490 ($380) was given to the 77 Ivoirians in the city following weeks of discussions with their government. But many are growing increasingly frustrated by their government’s stance.

Ghana has reportedly sent financial assistance to its nationals as well.

“Staying here doesn’t guarantee our safety. We are just in a country that has better medical facilities,” says Ms Salima.

“We feel abandoned. The Chinese clearly were angered by the Americans pulling their people out as they felt it caused panic,” said one student who agreed to talk on the condition of anonymity. “There is a lot of distrust here of the authorities,” he added.

Some are calling for a continent-wide strategy to help African nationals in China.

“The decision to evacuate is not a question of ‘solidarity’ with China or the lack of it. It is the responsibility of every country to ultimately look after the health of their citizens wherever they are, including in China,” says Hannah Ryder from Development Reimagined, a Beijing-based international development consultancy.

As for Mr Senoua, he says has no plans to return to Cameroon.

“It would be a bad and dangerous idea. The biggest fear I had from the virus was psychological and emotional. Going back home is not an option now.”

When the students arrived in North Africa, they sought help from Morocco’s ruler, T’hami el-Glaoui, to find a suitably remote village for their research and protection as they travelled. Before becoming the Pasha of Marrakesh in 1912, el-Glaoui had been dubbed the ‘Lord of the Atlas’ and ruled over the caravan route cutting through the mountains in southern Morocco. His palace had been the fabled Kasbah in Telouet in central Morocco, and at the time of his death in 1956 he was one of the richest men in the world.

After ferrying and driving to the High Atlas mountains from Oxford, the students spent the night at the el-Glaoui’s kasbah. This was the end of the road, so a local sheikh arranged for a caravan of mules to carry their luggage while the students walked some 35km from Telouet to Idihr.

In 1955, five students from Oxford University travelled to Idihr in hopes of studying the region’s geography, wildlife and customs (Credit: Liza Foreman)

Like the students, I had come to Morocco for an adventure of my own. After living in the US for a decade, I travelled to the country in hopes of writing a novel. One day while rummaging through a library in Casablanca, I discovered a copy of Berber Village. As I read, I became enthralled by the trials and tribulations these five young adventurers faced – among them a Moroccan interpreter and an aspiring zoologist, ethnologist, geographer and botanist.

In the weeks before setting off, the students had stockpiled huge numbers of ready-made meals, penicillin and toilet paper in their boarding rooms. Clarke was eventually waved off by the elderly landlady he was staying with, who gave him a sack of homemade sandwiches for his trip.

The students had chosen Idihr because of its remote location high in the folds of the Atlas mountain range. They wanted to find somewhere untouched by modernity to study the beliefs and agricultural practices of a remote Maghreb society. The students pitched their tents by a stream that flowed near a large walnut tree below the village.

As the weeks passed, Clarke writes, a gradual friendship formed between the two disparate groups. The students invited the djellaba-robed villagers into their tents for tea, and the villagers hosted them in their simple brick houses, where they offered the university students slow-cooked tagines. The villagers soon revealed a communal belief in animism and genies and began to see the students, who shared their penicillin, as magic healers.

During their stay in Idihr, the Oxford students learned that the village residents shared a communal belief in animism and genies (Credit: Liza Foreman)

The more I read of Clarke’s account, the more curious I became to find out what had happened to Idihr. Did it still exist? I looked on Google Maps and asked locals in Marrakech in Arabic, but no-one could find any trace of it. I even contacted Clarke’s widow and asked if any of the team had ever gone back. Clarke had not and she wasn’t sure about the others, or if they were still alive.

The tiny dot of a village seemed to have disappeared from modern maps, and the only evidence of its former location was a hand-sketched outline in Clarke’s book, which placed it roughly 16km from the town of Zerkten and between the villages of Taddert and Telouet in the Al Haouz province. I wasn’t sure if it had changed names or vanished altogether, but I was determined to find out if it still existed.

Taddert appeared to be the closest village on modern maps to where Clark had placed Idihr, so I drove three hours to the settlement from Marrakech with a driver who served as my interpreter to ask about Idihr’s fate.

A group of men gathered around us and stared at Clarke’s book, as my driver and I repeated the village’s name. They studied the hand-sketched map and, finally, someone pointed to the mountains in the distance. Then, a kind-hearted car mechanic, Karim, who had been hovering nearby, came to my rescue. Idihr existed, and he was going to get me there.

The only evidence of Idihr’s location is a hand-sketched outline in a book written by one of the Oxford students, Bryan Clarke (Credit: Liza Foreman)

I waited in a roadside cafe in Taddert with Clarke’s book open on the table while Karim made a call to a friend. Our impromptu expedition was to consist of myself, my driver, Karim and his friend, who had the biggest car around: a 4×4 capable of climbing up the mountains.

But an hour into our treacherous ascent, as we climbed higher and higher and the wheels of the car turned too close the mountain’s ledge, I couldn’t take it any longer. Too scared to continue, I begged the driver to stop, slammed the door shut and began marching back down the mountain in a trail of dust before the car turned around to pick me up.

I was disappointed with myself, but I had discovered that Idihr existed. Now, I just needed to find a different way to get there. Karim, my driver and I drove back from Taddert towards Marrakech that evening. Karim assured me he would try to find a less dangerous route to the village and insisted I owed him nothing in return.

A few days later, I received a call from him. He had decided we would take the 4×4 but try a different road. As much as I would have liked to recreate the students’ 35km trek from Telouet, it was too treacherous, so I put myself in Karim’s hands to find another way there.

Today, Idihr looks almost identical to the Oxford students’ images from the book (Credit: Liza Foreman)

We set off seven days later. As Karim, myself and our driver left Marrakesh behind and travelled along mountain roads, the old caravan route paved our way towards the snow-capped mountains. Women washed clothing in ditches, carpets blew in the wind at roadside stalls and donkeys trotted freely by half-built houses.

After three hours, we turned off the caravan route and approached Taddert from the opposite side of the mountains as we had on our previous trip. Although Idihr was less than 20km away, the ride took several hours, as we clambered up switchbacks and crossed rivers at a snail’s pace. We were alone on a dirt track as the peaks of the High Atlas rose and fell around us. Finally, the tiny village came into view: a cluster of simple brick homes nestled just up the bank from a mountain-fed stream.

Karim greeted the locals in both Arabic and an Amazigh (also known as Berber) dialect. Djellaba-robed men emerged from their homes, and women in bright skirts and headscarves hid from me. It seemed they were not used to foreign visitors. I stumbled through gardens and past goats. A trail of children followed me to the stream below the village as I found the walnut tree Clarke described. The village was made up of short, sandy-coloured houses arranged around a square. A row of these brick homes was still perched on a ledge above the stream and looked identical to the students’ images from the book.

The villagers brought out black-and-white photographs from a foreigner who had stopped here years earlier. I asked to photograph the women and they stared at the images on my iPad’s screen in wonder; there were no mobile phones or cameras here. I showed them a copy of Berber Village and asked if anyone remembered the students, but no-one had ever seen the book before. A few residents recognised pictures of deceased villagers inside.

Life in Idihr is similar to what it was when the Oxford students visited, with residents working the land as they had always done (Credit: Liza Foreman)

Nothing much seemed to have changed in Idihr from the book’s account, except that now a van sporadically drove villagers to Taddert. People worked the land, just as they had always done. They still feasted on slow-cooked meat and vegetable dishes in tagine pots. One was laid out for me that afternoon. There was one unplugged old TV in a communal space, and aside from a roof over their heads and clothes on their backs, the villagers didn’t seem to have much. And according to Karim and the driver, they still bought goods from wandering taleb ‘magic men’ in hopes that they would bring them good fortune.

I spent an afternoon in the village, leaving before dusk fell. Idihr was not en route to anywhere – it was so hard to reach and so small that unless you got lost looking for the now-crumbling Kasbah of Telouet, you’d never find it. But now that I had, I dreamed of one day returning to the village to camp, just as the students had done.

I didn’t have the funding of a university or a magazine, but I had proven that a traveller with a healthy dose of determination could still be an explorer in today’s world. I might not have been the first to discover Idihr, but thanks to the kindness of strangers, I felt as if I had rediscovered a tiny secret hidden from sight and frozen by the slow march of time in the mountains.

Our game is on the wane, they complain, and the very officials in charge are the bane. No matter how you train, however much you strain, you labour in vain, for the main actors have a stain on their brain, and no blood of honour in their vein.

Here I am on a long journey up-country, to Bolga, to be precise. In spite of my best effort to ensure that the car has a clean bill of Formula One health, we have had to park and attend to some creaking noise under the shaft. My driver shows clear signs of not having yet gained full mastery of the complex chemistry and engineering witchery that make up this car.

Some five metres away from where we are parked, up a small hill, a newsvendor is hanging his wares with a grin on his cheek. A colourful picture on the back page of the January 8, 2018 edition of the Daily Graphic catches my attention. It is the picture of Isaac Dogboe, Ghana’s new boxing sensation, with hands raised in triumph by the American referee, Tony Weeks. The hard-hitting Dogboe had two days earlier recorded an emphatic fifth round technical knockout victory over Cesar Juarez of Mexico to win the Interim WBO Super Bantamweight title in Accra.

LISTEN: AUDIO: Football legend threatens ‘demo’ over Anas expose

“If every sport offered the possibility of the competitors being their own referees as Dogboe has done, and as Azumah Nelson did repeatedly during his heyday,” I muse.

After a little tinkering down the vehicle, the driver signals that the irritant has been fixed and restarts the engine. We are now approaching Konongo as Accra recedes into history. From the observatory of the side screen, I watched bemused, as the gentry and nobility of Konongo strut about their morning chores. A steep climb and we come upon half a dozen adolescent students. Not quite sure of the youngsters’ trajectory, the driver slows to a near stop to let them pass. The boys grim and peremptory, the girls full of coquetry, they are trudging to school; very likely one of Nana Addo’s free SHSs. Presently, I resume my mental commentary from the momentary distraction.

Now Accra-based Joy FM’s signal has weakened to a whimpering noise, so I decide to switch the radio to Luv FM, its Kumasi sister station but my dial picks another Kumasi station. A strident, youthful voice is blaring away the sports news with the volcanic ardour of a pastor who is aglow with the Holy Ghost fire. Not surprisingly, Dogboe’s Saturday night victory is on the menu.

“We have another Azumah in the offing,” the presenter declares with relish.

I mentioned Azumah in my contemplation of Isaac Dogboe’s emphatic victory a while ago. Barely ten minutes later, a radio presenter has done same. The retired champion now captures my thoughts for the next few minutes. It soon strikes me that the legend turns 60 this year. And I think that it is just the time to treat the retired sporting titan to a truly terrific testimonial.

Ghana owes the “professor” this huge moral debt; not the eyesore and insult of a “sports stadium” sited somewhere in suburban Kaneshie. Thankfully, two months after this silent protest at the sorry state of the so-called sports complex, the government has moved to rehabilitate the facility. Did someone in or close to government wire my thoughts and beat me to my spy game? I suspect Egbert Faibille Jr.

In any case, the rehabilitation of that sporting facility is a welcome initiative. Ghana must not wait to organise a national birthday bash for the brawny but bashful super boxer at 90. Even if he lives that long (which I pray he does), his powerful reflexes would have slowed and his joie de vivre so diminished that he might not reasonably be expected to dance as enthusiastically and savour the moment as much as he should. Too often, Ghana neglects its heroes. Then when they fall to eternal, fateful fatality, come and see festivities and fanfare, fanciful fashion and flowery tributes – all futile.

When beggars die, there are no comets seen

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The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes. (Julius Caesar – Act 2 Scene 2)

RELATED: Nyantakyi is still at post – GFA

Who am I to disagree with William Shakespeare? God forbid such sacrilegious conceit and arrogance that I utter the slightest grumble against the literary giant’s wisdom. But I beg to ask: “If the heavens flare up with artificial fireworks, if the atmosphere echoes to gun salutes, to the popping of champagne and the blowing of trumpets, what purpose will that serve for the poor prince if he was not accorded proper princely privileges and pampering while alive?”

This question brings me to the recent loss of a pantheon of national coaching icons; C.K Gyamfi, E.K. Afranie, Osam Duodu, Jones Attuquayefio and Sam Arday. May their souls rest in perfect peace!

The sporting media fraternity has also shed a few not-too-old leaves in the past couple of years; Sammy Okaitey, broadcaster-turned politician Nii Nortey Dua, Tony Owusu Amofa and the veteran at prime age, the baritone-voiced, placid-tempered Christopher Opoku. These gentlemen died before retirement age and threw us into premature bereavement.

I am not making the macabre suggestion that our older sports journalists are being stalked by death. The fact remains, nonetheless, that we are mortals. So regardless of whether they have half a century more years to abide with us, I think the time is now to induct the cream of our veterans into the sports journalism Hall of Fame. As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, sports is not my domain. Apart from a short article criticising some discriminatory recommendations in the Government’s White Paper on the Justice Sule Nasr Gbadegbe Committee report, I have not bothered to do sports reporting. I have always considered it a pastime for Ghanaians with no bearing on the bread-and-butter issues and with no big bucks for any big boss to blow.

However, after the infamous “co-efficient” payouts to officials of the Black Stars Brazil 2014 World Cup contingent amounting to $577,500, I have begun to look at football especially differently. This is why I am so sporty today. But again, although I have followed the game a little, in terms of football reporting, I am a novice.

Moreover, this is the product of my reflection intended to beguile slumber and the tedium of the bumpy journey to Bolga, and so it will not be exactly scrummy. I therefore crave the indulgence of the maestros to forgive the inevitable gaps that this pioneer sports report will contain.

This certainly is not a piece to earn me a place in the Hall of Fame. But what are we waiting for to immortalise the yeoman contributions to Ghana football of Kwabena “Scintillating” Yeboah; should we not splash “encomiums” on this journalistic colossus without any further “polemics”? Affectionately called “The Writer”, the current SWAG President is irresistible both on paper and behind the microphone. He will always spice up his football commentary with the delightful exclamations “holoaaa”, “hundabaaa”, “and holalaaa”! It is an understatement to say that at the height of his craft, Mr. Holoaaa’s commentary and analyses, his eloquence and his competent presentation of GTV’s Sports Highlight programme made him the most popular sports journalist.

When are we going to truly recognise Moses Foh Amoaning, the “sports search engine” and “ako te brofo” of Ghana’s sports journalism? The sports journalist cum lawyer taught yours truly Law of Banking at the law school. I salute you, sir. Ken Bediako, the “Sportsclopedia” certainly deserves to be celebrated.

He may have practised sports broadcasting as a pastime and long retired from the field, but Kwabena “Argentina” Agyapong has paid his due to sports journalism and must be given a reverential salute. I was barely a teenager then when Kwabena Agyapong pulled off one of the most unlikely predictions during the 1990 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal encounter between archrivals Argentina and Brazil. The Brazilian juggernaut had crushed every opponent like a roller over mere weeds, while the Argentines had hobbled their way to that stage. Kwabena Yeboah, Kwaku Ofosu-Asare, Willie Alassane, and I believe 95% of all neutrals across the world put as Brazil odds-on favourites. Kwabena was not only convinced Argentina would upset the form guide; he also had the courage of his conviction. The engineer-turned-soccer pundit said something to the effect that by every objective criterion, Brazil were the overwhelming favourites. He insisted nonetheless that given Maradona’s sheer guile, talent and experience; given the sheer inspiration the captain’s presence offered his team mates and the terror he inspired in opponents, which, moreover, was the reason Argentina had survived the previous rounds, he (Agyepong) would stick out his neck for the underdogs.

The result? Total dominance by Brazil, but the game ended 1-0 in favour of Argentina with Maradona as the architect.

Marked out of the game for large spells, the wily fox cheated his markers’ vigilance for just one moment and peeled away, his cultured left foot caressing the ball past the Brazilian opponents with consummate ease before picking out with laser precision, the unerring right foot of Claudio Caniggia.

The Argentines then massed up in midfield and defense to defend Cannigia’s goal with stoic determination and see out the remaining ten minutes of regulation time. Kwabena Agyepong had been vindicated in a most unlikely way!

How can I forget this man who put the most accomplished soccer pundits in the world to shame?

My driver appears to have joined in my reverie and bumps the car over a steep speed rump, jerking me into full wakefulness. I hope you have not forgotten, dear reader, that I am on a journey to perform some important assignment in Bolga? Of course, it is not a “diabolical mission” so let no one panic to hear this.

We are half way between Ejisu and Kumasi so I have to wrap up. But not before I have mentioned Joe Aggrey, the headmaster of sports editors who made Graphic Sports and the back page of The Mirror a must-read for any sports enthusiast who lived his teenage years in the 1990’s. I must also mention Oheneba Charles, Ebo Quansah, Nii Lantei Vanderpuie, Karl Tuffour and good old Felix Abayateye.

I am making my quiet entry into the heart of Ashanti territory still engrossed in this mental inventory. The Garden City, as Kumasi is famously called, is, as you may know, the repository and sentry of the rich tapestry of Ghana’s culture and history.

I just went past the KNUST Junction footbridge and the hospital. The traffic light at Top High has turned red. As I wait, the Luv/Nhyira FM building about 50 metres away to the right catches my attention. “This is the fiefdom of Bright Kankam Boadu and Richard Osei Oware,” I tell myself.

The duo in a sense represent Kumasi’s version of Dan Kwaku Yaboah, Patrick “Countryman Songo” Osei Agyemeng, Saddick “Sports Obama” Adams, Kofi “Abatey” Asare Brako and Kofi Appiah – I hope you have got the link? Tireless and inveterate critics of the Kwesi Nyantakyi-led GFA characterised, according to Songo, by “sikadie, sikadie basa basa!” (Embezzlement of funds).

To some extent, Kwadwo Mensah Moshosho belongs to this group, although his focus is less on “chop chop” and more on the GFA’s seeming lack of policy direction for club football.

It does appear to me also that Odiasempa Kwame Oware, Moses Antwi Benefo, Papa Maestro, and Otuo Acheampong “Sometimer” and Ridwan Ibrahim Asante do not exactly share the view that the Nyantakyi administration has been a failure. And you, Charles Osei Asibey, what is your stand; are you hot or cold on this issue?

My stomach is beginning to churn as hunger begins to gnaw at my ribs. It’s been a pretty long while since it received any succour. But then that reminds me that the annual Ramadan ritual of abstinence is slowly coming our way, and resistance thereof there is no way. The scholars say it will be in May – about 4 few months away (at that time of mentally writing this piece), so let me eat while I may. I must stop to eat something.

But let me first pay tribute to Mavis Akoto, the … ? Wrong! She is not the restaurant operator. Mavis is the doyenne of female sports broadcasting, a delight to listen to on Joy FM in the late 90’s. Like an accomplished craftsman, the Multimedia Group has cast another Mavis (Amanor) in the Akoto mould as well as Baaba Tandoh. Their prolific conveyor belt has also delivered the brilliant Eva Okyere (who I pray becomes the first female President of the GFA, Insha Allah!). Eva; very unassuming, but sharp and incisive in thought. I salute you, Abokyi. Rosalind Amoh (Graphic Communications Group), Veronica Commey (GNA) together with Beatrice Laryea (Graphic Sports), Rosemary Gaisie as well as Zelda Adjei-Darko formerly of GBC and Citi FM respectively, have ably represented womenfolk in sports journalism.

And since I am in Kumasi, let me seize the occasion to pay my respects to the memories of Jacky Owusu Sekyere and Nana Yaw Owusu who, at OTEC FM, were among the pioneer FM radio presenters in Kumasi. Another first-generation radio presenter is Koo Antwi Barima George and Aloola of Garden City Radio. I will be honoured if these gentlemen accept my humble salute. Then come Hayford Nyarnor-Kodua and Listowel Yesu Bukarson, who made Kapital Radio a towering sports station. But the jewel in the crown of the Nhyiaeso-based station was the Monday evening sports programme hosted either by Yaw Boafo or Kwame Ofori-Kuragu with Dr. Asafo Adjei, Javier Clemente, Muheeb Saeed, etc. as guests. The versatile, progressive Listowel rose to become the general manager of the station and host of one of its hottest political programmes.

“Sports is life and life is sports, so with Sometimer and Joe Laka. You are sportingly sumpticacious!” So goes the jingle promoting the two gentlemen, arguably Kumasi’s most famous sports presenters. The “self-exiled” Awal Mohammed, Frederick Acheampong, Ebenezer “King Eben” Kyere, Sylvester “the Rumour Man” Anane, Kwaku “Amanone” Ahenkorah, Michael “Summer” Darko, Collins “Sports Bishop” Atta Poku, Collins “Acorstic” Asante, Henry Amankwaa Ashebwei, Patrick Apreku and Sammy Bee (the Dzamefe Committee’s ‘amicus curiae’), my warmest regards!

I will return anon to finish my reminiscing about the journalists who have made sports a staple on Ghana’s media menu over the years. Pray I don’t choke on my food.

The local delicacy I have been served has failed to take my mind off this endless musing on Ghana’s sports and some of its non-playing heroes. For the depth of their knowledge and professionalism, I have always had great admiration for the likes of Jeffrey Asare, Maurice Quansah, Gary Al-Smith, Nathan Quao, Godfred Akoto Boafo, Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, Nathaniel Attoh, Elloeny Amande, Henry Asante Twum, Erasmus Kwaw, Fiifi Banson, Ernest Koranteng, and seasoned retirees in other spheres such as Andy Quao, Dr Kwaku Ofosu Asare, Ibrahim Sannie Daara, Paul Adom Otchere, Kojo Addae Mensah, Randy Abbey and Kwame Baah Nuako. I am glad that my GIJ seniors Michael Oti Adjei and Samuel Yirenkyi belong to this group on merit, which saves me the trouble of showing “alma mater” partiality. There’s also the intrepid investigative reporter John Vigah of the Ghanaian Times. Regards to Kurt Okraku: I am proud of your achievement in the sport – from sports presentation to club ownership. My little regret is that my mates Kuuku Yankah and Cecil Adom left the trade too early for foreign adventure, after a promising start at Joy FM and GNA respectively.

Not less worthy are the Fiifi Anamans, George Addo Juniors, Juliet Bawuahs, Jerome Otcheres, Sammie Frimpongs, Anim Addos, Prince Annans, Joe Larteys, Ernest Bruce Smiths, Fiifi Tackies, Thomas “Tom Krugger” Boakye Agyemangs, Nana Darkwas, Umar Farouq Atipagas, Thomas Freeman Yeboahs, Yaw Osagyefo Anamans, Enoch Worlanyor Wallaces, Yakubu Zambangas, (Northern Region), Richard Ntows, (Brong Ahafo) as well as the Tony Nkrumah Boatengs, George Kuntu Blanksons (Western Region) and so many other talented and industrious sports media professionals across Ghana.

I hope I will be forgiven for not mentioning any sports journalist practising outside the five regions mentioned here. My dial does not go beyond these five.

I am past Kintampo, with Tamale beckoning and slumber sneaking over my brow. But I cannot pass through Gonjaland without observing custom. I will not yield to slumber until I have done justice to Alhaji MND Jawula, one of the proud sons of Gonjaland to have ventured into football administration. A longstanding director of Real Tamale Football Club, Alhaji Jawula rose to become one of the Ghana Football Association’s most respected presidents. Even after his exit as head of Ghana football some two decades ago, Lepowura has continued to put his rich experience at the service of the game.

Alhaji Abdul Karim Grusah, the man who famously sold his acclaimed goal poacher, Eric Gawu, to Accra Hearts of Oak without selling his goals. A fiery figure, famous for his fierce and forthright frankness, Alhaji Grusah reportedly told his fellow club owners and administrators who were grumbling about biased officiating to shut up, since they are the very people who corrupt the referees.

Grusah, fondly called “Heavy Heavy” in Kumasi, has one of the keenest eyes for talent. Among his products are current Black Stars assistant coach, Ibrahim Tanko, the world renowned Samuel Osei Kufour, Joe Debrah, Ali Ibrahim, Baba Musah and Casola Dacosta, all of whom played for one national team or the other. Alhaji, Tiger Eye salutes you.

The rigours of the Savannah environment are on full display; an endless expanse of parched land, of dry wind whistling by and a miasma of dust and heat drifting across the horizon, curtaining off the scarlet sunset sky.

I should not let the sun set on my mental journey before I say a word of acknowledgement to GFA President, Kwesi Nyantakyi, also Northern-born. One of the youngest to become head of Ghana football, Nyantakyi has had an impressive meteoric rise up the echelons to become Vice President of the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) and a FIFA Executive Council member. He is also the GFA head to have broken Ghana’s World Cup qualification jinx by taking us to three straight FIFA World Cup tournaments. On the flip side, the “Co-efficient Man”, “Countryman Songo’s Pet Opponent” and “Dan Kwaku Yaboah’s Friendly Foe”, has often been criticised for his administration’s fixation with the more lucrative Black Stars at the expense of domestic football.

The sun has now well and truly set. Let me end the Northern leg of my contemplation here and return with the Southern version when I return to Accra and manage to cull some time from my water-tight calendar, Insha Allah!

I am back to Accra, Alhamdulillah! (All thanks to God). Unfortunately, as I write this piece, one of the key architects of Accra Hearts of Oak’s golden era, Alhaji Hearts, has just departed to the other world. My condolences go to his family, the Hearts of Oak family and Ghana football fraternity. Alhaji had a reputation for being a pacifist and unifier, who would untie every knot of contention with his elderly wisdom and disarming negotiation skill. And talking about Alhaji Hearts reminds me of Alhaji Sly Tetteh and Alhaji Bimbo, two promising sports administrators who died so early, and, lest I forget, Alhaji Nje, ex-Kotoko Chairman and Nii Ordartey Lamptey’s godfather. May Allah have mercy on their souls.

Let me go back to the camp of Accra Hearts of Oak and salute all who played a role in the club’s charmed eight seasons in which it won the league seven times, together with the CAF Champions League, Super Cup and Confederation Cup. I refer here to Champion Chairman, Harry Zakkour, Ato Ahwoi, the most successful club Board Chairman in Ghanaian football history, Nii Ayibonte II, Steven Akwetey, Commodore-Mensah, Professor John Evans Atta-Mills of blessed memory, Ernest Bediako, Isaac Tetteh, Nii Sabahn Quaye, Nana Wireko Ampem of blessed memory, Alhaji I.A Issaka, Alhaji Fawaz Zowk, Ernest Thompson, Ernest Quarshie, Kojo Twum-Boafo, Randy Abbey, Ashford Tetteh Oku, etc, etc, etc.

If the above gentlemen were the brains behind Hearts of Oak’s recent past success, Herbert Mensah of Asante Kotoko was the man who lit the fire of competitive rivalry that spurred the rainbow club on. Indeed, two years after Hearts’ Champions League triumph, Herbert also took Kotoko to the final of the erstwhile CAF Cup Winners Cup, missing the trophy on the away goal rule to WAC of Morocco. Herbert’s marketing and branding prowess saw Kotoko emerge under his leadership as arguably the most advertised institution in Ghana. George Amoako and the late Amoah Bosompem also played commendable roles in Herbert’s administration, together with Jarvis Peprah who later led the club.

One cannot pay tribute to the stalwarts of Ghana football administration without mentioning Oduro Nyarko. The Wa All Stars C.E.O is probably the most experienced and longest-serving football club administrator in Ghana, having started with Okwahu United some three decades ago. Let me salute Ofosu Bamfo Sikkens, one of the courageous and dedicated businessmen who threw their monies into the thankless enterprise of managing traditional football clubs. Kwame Ntow Fianko, former Division One League Board Chair, I doff my hat for you! You are one of the most decent and respectable figures of the game.

From the days of Gamba All Blacks, through Liberty Professionals and Okyeman Planners to GFA Vice President, George Afriyie has come a long way. Unfortunately, he has become embroiled in a dirty political power play in the corridors of the GFA.

Nana Brew Butler (Ebusua Dwarfs/GFA), Dr. Nyaho Tamakloe, Amarkai Amateifio, Oluboi Commodore, Joseph Ade Coker, (Great Olympics), Nana Benyin Eyison (Hasaacas), Welbeck Abrah-Appiah and Owoahene Acheampong are some of the worthy old guards who have paid their due to Ghana football.

Time and space will not allow elaboration.

Fortunately, their contributions and their merits are self-evident. Alhaji Yakubu of Berekum Arsenal, Oduro Sarfo, George Gyawu, Alhaji Lamin and Kudjo Fianoo, Osei Kwaku Palmer and Abdussalam Yakubu deserve no fewer plaudits for their commitment to the game, and so is Helena Cobbina, one of the most devoted female club administrators. A longstanding Board member of Kumasi Asante Kotoko, Madam Cobbina was also instrumental in the organisation of the Kotoko Ladies Club. Also deserving of plaudits for their contributions to women’s football are Linear Addy and Abiba Atta.

Moses Parker and Albert Commey have demonstrated through the consistent performances of Medeama and Aduana respectively, that they have learnt the ropes very well and rather fast. And now, the man Bright Oblitey Akwetey! I have met him only on a few brief occasions. Yet I always went away with legal knowledge worth 12 hours of reading one of the most erudite scholars in the field. l always got the sense that this man, like a few others I know, would have invented the legal profession if he had not come to meet it.

Let me cite one instance when Bright’s interpretation of the football rules might have baffled even the framers themselves. After losing the 1990 FA Cup final 2-4 to arch-rivals Asante Kotoko, the Hearts management protested that Joe Debrah, arguably one of the greatest talents to grace the local football pitches, was unqualified to feature in the game for Kotoko, having accumulated three yellow cards in previous matches. Kotoko’s arguments sounded solid and unassailable: they had withdrawn from the OGLCA (now GHALCA) competition in which Joe Debrah received one of the three yellow cards. Now, the GFA rules say that when a club withdraws from a competition midstream, its records are expunged. By virtue of their withdrawal from the OGLCA therefore, their records in that competition including Joe Debrah’s yellow card, had been expunged, thus rendering him eligible for the FA Cup final.

Bright Akwetey, leading the Hearts legal team, was however to cause heads to spin with one of the most learned and innovative interpretations of football rules. To him, what the framers of the rules intended by expunging of records is the denial of all benefits due the withdrawing club to ensure that it is excluded from the roll of honour at the end of the competition; best player, best goalkeeper, top scoring club, golden boot etc. Mr. Akwetey maintained that the records that are expunged do no extend to liabilities incurred by the withdrawing club during its participation; yellow cards, red cards, fines and other sanctions for crowd violence etc. In other words, if a player or fan of Team A violently assaults, even stabs a referee, should he or his club escape punishment by withdrawing from the competition? That was how Hearts were declared 1990 FA Cup champions.

Bright Akwetey’s love for the law is matched perhaps only by his passion for Accra Hearts of Oak. Hearts owe their consistent team building that resulted in the 64 Battalion to Bright’s litigation against the then leadership. The ex-Board Secretary had won a judgment against the Ato Awhoi-led Board, and an application by the club for a stay of execution was granted on condition that they could not dispose of any of the club’s assets including the players. That is how Bright helped Hearts to preserve its brilliant players by default to go on to conquer Africa in the year 2000. Does he not deserve some applause?

Football is the passion of the nation, it is often said. The life-long devotion to the sport in diverse capacities by so many people across the country lends perhaps the most solid credence to that claim.

Unfortunately, the Alhaji Grusahs, Nanabenyin Eyisons, Abdus Salam Yakubus, Abbey Pobees – humble people with modest means who put their all into the sport – have been betrayed by a few imposters and mercenaries.

It is for these poor folks, the duped, long suffering fans and the numerous sports journalists some of whom I have mentioned here – journalists who get to work at the crack of dawn and stay late to bring up-to-date news to the public – that I have undertaken this “Number 12” assignment.

It is for the sake of more sanity and transparency that I have decided to scrape clean this tainted football system for a fresh start.

The very foundation of Ghana football will collapse in a heap, to be rebuilt by the concerned sports journalists and the honest football people who will remain standing.

Hold your breath for the explosive exposé in the coming days.

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Other special medals were presented in recognition of various achievements. Tunisia won the international excellence award, Mali won the engineering design award, South Sudan won the courageous achievement award, and Nigeria won the international journey award.
Below are the ranks of the participating African countries at the end of the competition.
Benin – 7
Liberia – 12
Nigeria – 25
Mozambique – 29
Mali – 30
Zambia – 32
Sierra Leone – 37
Cameroon – 43
Equatorial Guinea – 50
Namibia – 52
Senegal – 55
Zimbabwe – 56
DR Congo – 58
Ghana – 66
Rwanda – 68
Cabo Verde – 69
Burundi – 73
South Africa – 77
Malawi – 81
Tunisia – 83
Niger – 89
Burkina Faso – 93
Gabon – 96
Morocco – 100
Seychelles – 105
Gambia – 106
Tanzania – 109
South Sudan – 117
Uganda – 128
Sudan – 135
Ethiopia – 136
Egypt – 142
Ivory Coast – 143
Botswana – 145
Kenya – 148
Lesotho – 150
Algeria – 154
Togo – 155
Madagascar – 157
Libya – 159