The first witness in the crimes against humanity trial of 55-year-old Ousman Sonko—Gambia’s former interior minister—told a Swiss Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona that Sonko treated her like a sex slave….
New Narratives
Air pollution causing major health burden, but given little attention
Diseases caused or exacerbated by air pollution including heart disease, stroke, asthma, lung cancer and dementia are increasingly straining health systems, says a Former World Health Organization (WHO) official. Dr Soumya Swaminathan, a Former Chief Scientist at WHO, in her foreword captured in the State of Global Air Quality Fund 2023, a Clean Air Fund latest report said…
Environment Nuclear Emission: Nuclear plant to cut-back eight million tonnes of fossil fuel emission
The introduction of the country’s first nuclear power plant into the generation mix has the potential to significantly reduce emissions by several million tonnes – a source of air pollution that negatively impact human health and ecology. Close to two-thirds of Ghana’s electricity is generated with either natural gas and light crude oil – which…
Eco tax ‘good’ but, must be progressive to achieve targets – Experts
The government’s quest to levy petrol and diesel vehicles owners GHS 100 annually is a good initiative but must be progressive to encourage timely maintenance and reducing emissions. Mr Desmond Appiah, Ghana Lead for Clean a Fund told the Ghana News Agency, “By progressive I mean there should be an emission standard where vehicles in…
Innovative new businesses tackle Ghana’s growing plastic menace
This time of year has always been a nightmare for Mavis Adjare. Seasonal floods have been disruptive for the 45-year-old who makes her living collecting plastic waste and selling it to recyclers. This year that has changed. Mavis picks 100 kilogramme bags of plastic waste easily here at the confluence of the Kpeshie River and the…
Ghana takes steps to reduce methane pollution in agriculture, waste management
Ghana is working to reduce methane pollution in agriculture and waste management. This is in line with the country’s mitigation actions of its climate plan to ensure air quality and public health, unlock carbon finance and create jobs. This is being done through Alternative Wet and Drying (AWD) strategy – a rice farming technology that…
Health crisis in Ghana’s fishing industry: Women face dangers from smoking fish
Ghana’s fishing industry serves as the lifeblood of its economy, offering livelihoods to two million people, equivalent to one in every 16 Ghanaians. Artisanal fishers, spanning from Aflao to Cape Three Points, contribute significantly by supplying eighty percent of the nation’s consumed fish. However, within this vital industry, experts highlight a particularly perilous aspect: the…
Sacrificing vision for income: women pay a high price for smoking fish
Esi Ashun knew a time would surely come that she would have severe vision problems. She had seen it happen to her mother, who is now bedridden and blind, and her late neighbour. Both women had made their livings from fish smoking here on Ghana’s coast. But Esi didn’t expect to lose her sight so…
Breathing to death
Stephen (not his real name) is a security officer with one of the utility companies in Accra. He grieves that his days are certainly numbered. Understandably, a robber can terminate his life any day. But that is not the source of his anguish, it is the very air he breathes to keep his job. …
Air Quality: Makola, Agbogbloshie among five polluted hotspots in Accra
Results from improved air quality monitoring in Accra have revealed that Nima, Makola, Agbogbloshie, Chorkor and Madina Zongo Junction are the five most polluted hotspots in Accra. These areas have recorded the most consistently poor-quality air standards over the period, with their sources mainly being soot from open waste burning and emissions from vehicles. Professor Kofi Amegah, the Breathe…
Clean Air: Ghanaian MPs spearhead legislation to tackle rising pollution
Three MPs are leading an ambitious charge to address the escalating air pollution affecting the nation. With a private members bill in the works, they aim to elevate clean air as a fundamental human right amid Accra’s rapid urbanisation and the surge of pollution from various sectors including transport, industry, and agriculture. While government has…
Liberia: Logging Company EJ&J Shipped US$3 million in Lumber Despite Telling Community Exports were Halted; FDA Fails to Act
Water dictates the lives of people in this part of central River Cess. With just three hand pumps to supply a town of 7,000, women and children here wake as early as 3 am to fetch water from distant creeks. But the creek water carries dangers….
Liberia: French Authorities Charge Alleged Liberian Warlord
French authorities have charged Saturday Tuah, an alleged Liberian warlord with crimes against humanity….
Victims of alleged Jammeh henchman Ousman Sonko welcome Swiss trial
In the 22-year rule of Gambia’s former dictator Yahya Jammeh, protests were rare.The few who attempted them were brutally crushed by the military. In one of the earliest examples at least 14 students were killed at a demonstration in April 2000….
Victims express ‘relief’ in seeing ex-Jammeh lieutenant face justice as trial for crimes against humanity begins in Switzerland
Ousman Sonko, a 54-year-old former Gambian police chief and interior minister, appeared in court today for the opening of a trial in the Swiss city of Bellinzona. …
Liberia: Jungle Energy Power: A Local Power Company Bringing Comfort to Rural Communities
Samuel G. Youhn, 62, has lived almost his entire life without electricity. His native Nimba County, like every part of Liberia, felt the pinch of the country’s brutal civil wars that destroyed electricity and other infrastructure, in addition to the estimated 250,000 lives they claimed. …
Liberians Turn to Facebook to Find “Good Samaritans” to Fill In Gaps As Healthcare System Fails Them
Like too many people across Liberia Fatu Washington spent much of her youth “living with rejection from friends and neighbors”, as she put it, in her home village of ‘Joseph Town’ in Bomi County….
Tema Residents Battle For Clean Air In One Of The Most Polluted Cities In Ghana
At 55, Richard Acquah’s lungs are damaged from long exposure to dust, factory smoke and vehicular fumes from his lifetime profession as a taxi cab driver at Tema Community One taxi station. Doctors have advised him to change jobs if he wants to live….
Sacrificing Vision for Income: Women Pay a High Price for Smoking Fish
Esi Ashun knew a time would surely come that she would have severe vision problems. She had seen it happen to her mother, who is now bedridden and blind, and her late neighbour. Both women had made their livings from fish smoking here on Ghana’s coast. But Esi didn’t expect to lose her sight so…
Blind Women Defy Disabilities to Become Entrepreneurs
Blindness is one of the many tragedies that Liberians suffer at higher rates than people in other countries because of limited medical care. As many 22,000 Liberians suffer from impaired vision….
Presidential Candidate Tiawan Gongloe Promises to Sweep Corruption from Liberia, But Can He Win Over Voters?
Counsellor Tiawan Saye Gongloe, a veteran statesman and human rights lawyer, is one of few of the 20 presidential candidates in next week’s election with a detailed plan to fix Liberia’s problems….