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South Korea hold Uruguay in entertaining draw

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Luis Suarez struggled to make a meaningful impact

Nothing could separate Uruguay and South Korea in their World Cup opener in Group H despite plenty of attacking quality on show in Qatar.

In front of a vibrant crowd at the Education City Stadium, the South Koreans frustrated Uruguay but did not create many clear-cut opportunities.

Their best fell to Hwang Ui-jo, who fired over the bar in the first half, before Uruguay captain Diego Godin headed a corner against the post.

Hwang stood with his head in hands afterwards, while team-mates fell to their knees in disbelief, all in front of a group of South Korean fans behind the goal, who were in fine voice throughout.

South Korea had controlled most of the first half but Uruguay began to dominate as the game wore on and they almost won it in the final minute of normal time when Federico Valverde’s long-range effort crashed off the post.

There was one last chance for Tottenham striker Son Heung-min – South Korea’s star man – but he dragged his shot wide, much to the relief of the Uruguayan supporters.

The draw leaves Group H wide open, with many seeing it as a three-way battle for qualification to the knockout stages between Uruguay, South Korea and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.

Credit: bbc.com

Black Stars, Portugal in five-goal thriller

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NAABENYIN JOOJO AMISSAH
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Skipper Andre Ayew equalises for Ghana
Penalty or no penalty

Former world best player, Cristiano Ronaldo, led Portugal to a 3-2 victory over the Black Stars of Ghana at the 974 stadium yesterday, to top Group H after Uruguay and South Korea played out a goalless draw earlier in the day.

Ronaldo opened the scores following a controversial penalty awarded to him in the 65th minute, when Mohammed Salisu challenged for the ball in the box.

The Southampton defender was judged to have fouled the Portuguese’s talisman in the process, leading to the award of the penalty, which was excellently converted by Ronaldo.

Ronaldo joined by colleague to celebrate his goal

Ghana responded positively, 8 minutes later, when captain Dede Ayew restored parity for the Stars in the 73rd minute, to set a new record of scoring in his last two consecutive World Cup tournaments.

The Stars lost concentration momentarily after scoring the equalizer and allowed the Portuguese to stun them with another goal.

Athletico Madrid’s forward, Joao Felix, restored the lead for the Portuguese in the 78th minute, when he fired in from a close range, after Bruno Fernandes’ successfully split up the Stars’ defence with a pass.

Ghana supporters druming and dancing

Two minutes later, substitute Rafael Leo extended the Portuguese’s lead when Manchester United’s anchor, Bruno Fernandes, rose to the occasion again with another killer assist.

Ghana’s Osman Bukari, who came on as a substitute, pulled one back for the Stars in the dying stages of the game.

First half

The Portuguese started the game on a bright note and took the fight to the Stars, pushing them deep into their own half, but the defenders remained resolute at the back.

Inaki Williams almost made Keeper Diogo Costa pay when he crept up from behind but slipped

The back five provided a strong shield for shot stopper AtiZigiand  excellently dealt with every ball in their defensive area, to frustrate the opponents, particularly Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portuguese nearly had a breakthrough on the 10th minute mark when a through pass upfront to Ronaldo beat the defence, but AtiZigi rose to the challenge and won the tussle against Ronaldo.

With the Portuguese controlling about 71% of possession in the first half, it was extremely difficult for the Stars to make any significant impact throughout the first half.

Second half

The Stars, however, looked so impressive in the second half and played with a lot of confidence and pushed more men forward to test the Portugal defence.

Poster boy, Mohammed Kudus, engineered a great move with an incredible speed and skills from the midfield to open up the Portuguese in the 55 minute.

The Ajax play maker crowned his impressive effort with a powerful left drive that nearly fetched the Stars an opener, but his shot went wide.

The tempo of the game changed, as the Ghanaians kept making incursions into the opponent’s final third, but goalie Rui Patricio was not properly tested

Buhari Unveils Re-Designed Naira Notes

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Buhari unveiling the new naira note

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday finally unveiled the re-designed Naira Notes as proposed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).The CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele had on Tuesday said that the president will unveil the newly designed N1,000, N500 and N200 notes.

The unveiling today, marks the first time in 19 years, Nigeria will be redesigning it’s currency notes.

At a briefing after the ceremony before the Federal Executive Council meeting, the CBN governor debunked insinuations suggesting that the early unveiling of the new notes is a means to target some Nigerians.Mr Emefiele appealed to members of the public, urging them to desist from making such speculation, adding that that there is no need to perpetuate any such information.

According to him, the CBN will intensify the monitoring process and interrogate the process of withdrawals.

Emefiele maintained that there will be heavy restriction on the volume of cash that people can withdraw over the counter, as it works with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to monitor the purpose of any heavy transactions.

The redesigned currency note he asserts can never be counterfeited, adding that to forestall such occurrence, the CBN will redesign the notes after every five to eight years.

During the ceremony which held before the council meeting, President buhari underscored the importance of re-designing the new naira notes. He explained that it will aide the country address the issue of Illicit financial flows, corruption, improve the nation’s economy, as well as ensure and advancement in the value of the naira.

Noting that the currency redesign will also boost the CBN’s Monetary policy initiative, President Buhari stated that the first set of currency which was printed locally by the Nigeria printing and minting company, will fundamentally prevent counterfeiting of the naira notes.

Credit: channelstv.com

Minority Howl! … Say Majority have stabbed them in the back

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AGNES ANSAH
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Osei-Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Majority Leader and Haruna Iddrisu, Minority Leader

The Minority in Parliament say they feel let down by the decision of their colleagues in the Majority not to support them, in their quest to remove the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta from office.

According to the minority, though they believed that the majority caucus would walk the talk with them, the sudden turn of events could be described as a betrayal.

The leader of the NDC MPs, Haruna Iddrisu, addressed the media yesterday and indicated that, the action of their friends on the other side will not deter them from pressing on.

“When we initiated the motion, we firmly and sincerely believed that our friends opposite will walk the talk with us and not just make radio and interview declarations.

“We feel let down and betrayed by the Majority Caucus who have shown no wit in supporting us with our [censure] process, within the letter and spirit of Article 82 of the 1992 Constitution,” Mr Iddrisu said.

He said the Majority action is a stab on parliamentary oversight and it only weakens parliament in exercising its oversight in calling Ministers to order. “It is a failure of parliament to protect Ghanaians and the public purse,” he said.

Mr Iddrisu, however, said that the Minority, despite not getting cooperation from their opponents, will insist that Article 82 is fully respected and the outcome determined by a secret vote, after a debate.

He said President Akufo-Addo will go down in history as the president who most disrespected public opinion.

He said as far as the Minority caucus is concerned, public opinion has not been favourable to the continuous stay in office of Mr Ken Ofori-Atta.

Your posture today will determine how we will react- Minority tells Majority

TODAY IN PARLIAMENT

However, owing to the Majority caucus’ silence on whether or not it will show up in the chamber to support the presentation of the budget, the Minority has indicated that its actions and inactions today will be dependent on the Majority’s posture.

“We will watch the posture and conduct of our colleagues opposite and that will determine our body language. It is early yet to determine what will happen tomorrow,” Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Minority Leader, told the Parliamentary Press Corps yesterday.

The comments stem from a U-turn the Majority caucus seems to be making about its earlier decision of boycotting the budget reading, if the Finance Minister, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, is not removed from office by the President.

Majority reverse boycott of Ken Ofori-Atta

By
MAXWELL OFORI
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Frank Annoh-Dompreh
Ken Ofori-Atta, Finance Minister

The Majority Caucus in Parliament has reversed their threat to recuse themselves from business in the legislative house, if the embattled Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, is the one to present the 2023 budget statement and economic policy of the government.

The Caucus, which had hardened their hearts even after the President had engaged them, have suddenly become sober and heeded to the party’s call, after a crunch meeting on Tuesday.

A statement jointly sign by the Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annor-Dompereh and the General Secretary of the NPP, Justin Kodua Frimpong, it was agreed “by all to refocus and recline to the earlier position requested by the President.”

PRESIDENT’S REQUEST

The President at that meeting had requested for the immediate removal of the finance minister to be stood down until the conclusion of government’s ongoing negotiations with the International Monetary Fund.

He also requested that Ken Ofori-Atta is allowed to present the 2023 budget statement and economic policy on his behalf and subsequently present and see to the passage of the Appropriation Bill.

TUESDAY MEETING

According to the statement issued after the party’s meeting with the MPs, which followed that of the President, it was agreed that President Akufo-Addo would act upon the initial request of the NPP MPs after the conclusion of the matters above.

Meanwhile, the party said it has counselled the Parliamentarians to resort to the Caucus’ communication channels and work together.

Dr. Kwabena Duffuor Vows To Bring Back NDC In 2024

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ISAAC AKWETEY-OKUNOR
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Dr Kwabena Duffuor- NDC presidential aspirant

An aspiring Presidential Candidate of the largest opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Kwabena Duffuor has vowed to bring back the party to political power, when giving the chance to lead it.

The former Minister for Finance and Economic Planning is of the strong conviction that he is not only politically experienced but a unifier, with the ability to galvanise all ranks and file of the party to victory, come 2024.

He is also of the view that the current economic challenges are not enough evidence to wrestle power from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), but rather unity with a common purpose.

To this, he urged those seeking for various positions in the party to do so with decorum, devoid of insults and attacks on opponents, since the party would have to spend more on damage control than it would positively project the party.

The NDC Presidential Candidate hopeful made the remarks in a statement to congratulate the newly elected Eastern Regional executives.

The soft-spoken business mogul assured the newly elected Eastern Regional executives of his commitment and readiness to work closely with them to champion the course of the NDC, not only in the region but to bring the party back to power.

“Congratulations to all winners in the Eastern Regional executives election of the NDC, l appreciate your support for these years, with unity of purpose victory 2024 is possible,” he said.

He called on those who lost in the elections to support the winning candidates to ensure that the party will go into the 2024 election in one piece, united in strength to deliver victory for the party.

He disclosed that the processes leading to the internal elections are critical for the party to win the 2024 election, hence the need for cohesiveness and unity to help the party to recapture power.

He said Ghanaians were suffering and yearning for the NDC to save them from the bad economic policies of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, as he assures Ghanaians of an NDC government of good governance policies, pro-poor policies to alleviate the difficulties and stabilise the economy for businesses to thrive.

In a related development, the newly elected NDC Eastern Regional chairman, Dr. Mark Oliver Kevor, charged all rank and file of the party to put the interest of the party first in achieving victory, come 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections.

The newly elected chairman, who is the immediate past Eastern Regional Secretary of the party, invoked the spirit of party members to direct their “weapon of destruction” towards their greatest political enemy, NPP, and not against each other.

The young man, a lecturer at Abetifi Presbyterian University and a former board member of the National Communications Authority and a member of the UN Group of Government Experts in Cyber-security made the remarks on Saturday, shortly after the party’s regional delegates’ conference in Koforidua.

The relatively intelligent Telecommunications and Information Security lecturer hinted that it was not surprising that delegates voted for him and other executives to lead the party, come 2024, but they (delegates) have strong conviction of their (executives) capabilities.

Quack Nurse dupes govt jobs seekers off GH¢140k

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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Court

A 31-year-old self-acclaimed Nurse and businesswoman, Hawa Seidu, has allegedly acted together with Michael Yankah, 28 and a businessman, to defraud four persons seeking job opportunities at the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Customs, National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) off GH¢140,000 or old ¢1.4 billion.

The interesting aspect of this case is that Hawa, who allegedly posed as a nurse to defraud the complainants, was a surety of Michael in a similar fraud case pending before another court.

The accused persons allegedly succeeded in demanding and collecting the quoted amount above under the pretence that they had connections at Jubilee House, and if they were given the said money they could help the complainants secure jobs at the Central Bank, Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), National Petroleum Authority, and Ghana Immigration Service.

The complainants – Paul Kwaku Mayebi, Isaac Kojo Asare and Nana Bright Tuffour – paid the amount, somewhere in August 2021, after which the accused persons went into hiding.

The accused persons were arraigned before an Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Samuel Bright Acquah, on one count of conspiracy to commit a crime, and three counts of defrauding by false pretence.

Hawa and Michael pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail. Michael was granted bail in the sum of GH¢150,000 with two sureties, one of whom is to be justified by landed property, while the other should be a civil servant earning not less than GH¢2,000.00 a month.

Hawa was also granted bail with the same conditions as Michael.

Michael was ordered to report to the police station once a week.

The brief facts

The facts of the case, as presented by the Prosecuting Officer, Inspector Sheila Tetteh, were that the complainants – Paul Kwaku Mayebi, Peter Keyerewurah, Isaac Asare Kojo and Nana Bright Tuffour – are businessmen.

She said Hawa Seidu claim she is a nurse and lives at Oduman near Abeka-Lapaz, Accra, while Emmanuel Yankah is a businessman who also resides at Kotobabi, all suburbs of Accra.

The prosecutor narrated to the court that during the month of August 2021, one Bernice introduced the accused persons to the complainants.

After this meeting and introduction, the accused persons then told the complainants that they had a protocol connection at Jubilee House, and if the complainants gave them the sum of GH¢140,000.00, they could secure them jobs at the Bank of Ghana, National Petroleum Authority, Customs Division and Immigration Service within the same month.

The complainants became convinced and in the same month paid the GH¢140,000.00 to the accused.

Paul paid GH¢95,000 for himself and his son, Peter, for BoG job; Asare, GH¢45,000 to work with Customs, and Toffour, GH¢10,000 for a GIS job.

Regrettably, the accused persons, after they received the said amounts, started playing hide and seek with the complainants.

On September 29, 2022, the complainants reported the matter to the police and Hawa was arrested.

Hawa admitted the offence in her caution statement to the police – that she received cash in the sum of GH¢140,000.00 from the complainants to secure them jobs, but failed.

She, however, told the police that the money was in the custody of Emmanuel Yankah, her business partner.

The prosecutor further informed the court that investigations revealed that Hawa was not a Nurse and she was Emmanuel’s surety in a similar case.

On October 15, 2022, Emmanuel Yankah was arrested and admitted the offence in his caution statement, with the explanation that he received the sum of GH¢120,000.00 from Hawa, which the same was handed to one Dorcas to assist the complainants to get the jobs, but she couldn’t.

Counsel to witness: Have you met Aisha before?

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BERNICE BESSEY
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Aisha Huang

Chinese national being tried for engaging in illegal mining, En Huang aka Aisha Huang has questioned the credibility of Attorney-General’s third witness, Nana Sarfo Prempeh to testify against her in the trial that has a potential to send her to not more than five years imprisonment or to a minimum fine of 3,000 penalty units.

Aisha Huang wanted Nana Sarfo Prempeh to tell the court, presided over Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, yesterday whether he has ever met her before.

The Nana Sarfo did not provide yes or no answer required by counsel of Aisha Huang, Miracle Attachey who was cross-examining him, but explained that “I have met the accused person through her illegal mining activities on the concession of Volta Resources limited.”

The third prosecution witness (PW3) further explains that whenever earthmoving machines are seized by the local authorities, it was Ms Aisha who makes an appearance to claim those machines and on each of those occasions Volta Resources encouraged her.

Since the counsel was not satisfied with the answer, he reframed the question “have you met the accused in person before?” and just as Mr Miracle landed, Aisha removed her noise mask, looking straight into the witness’ face before he answers.

However, the witness, this time round, gave a more lengthy answer than Aisha and her counsel had bargained for that he met her in somewhere in October 2015, when four of her excavators were seized by the law enforcement authority on his company, Volta Resource Limited’s concession, and the same were deposited at the 4th Battalion Infantry in Kumasi.

Nana Sarfo added that he has met the accused subsequently in 2016 and 2017, when the Ashanti region security council undertook operation and seized her machines, and in particularly, two of her machines were seized his concession.

He told the court that he knows Aisha Huang as woman who through her has destroyed farmlands and water bodies in communities where she operates her illegal mining activities.

The counsel persisted: “I put it to you that the Accused person does not own any excavator or mining equipment as alleged by you?”

Witness: The accused has always made the appearance to claim the equipment whenever they were seized in illegal mining…. unless the accused can show a receipt of those she was renting the machines to. In every instance that Volta Resources Ltd caused machines or excavator being used in illegal mining to be seized,it is the accused that show up.

Q. As we are in court today there is no evidence of the accused person having possession of excavators ormaking appearance before law enforcement agency to claim ownership of same?

A. I disagree. It is the accused that had always showed up at the police station…There is no doubt that it is the accused that make those appearance to claim those machines. I have a pen drive containing media reports of residents demonstrating at Gyaaman and Bepotenten, whereby Ms Aisha Huang is being accused of mining at Gyaaman and Bepotenten and destroying farming and water …

Q. Have you been present in all incidents you have narrated to this court regarding the alleged seizure of equipment and appearance of the accused?

A. In some instances, I have been there and in some instances no. May the court note that Volta Resources is a company so the director need not to be always there but in the same instances.
Covering up

Mr.Attachey told the court that the witness optioned to testify against the accused because he and his company were under investigation for mining without license, abetment of crime and tax evasion, and as a result, he was recently arrested.

“I further put it you that it is because of this investigation against you and your company that is why you are eager to give evidence in a case, which has no connection to your company.”
He added that the witness license covering his 7.89sqm Mebreso concession had since expired.

The witness denied ever being arrested but said he was invited by the law enforcement agency for questioning, adding:“I state categorically that I’m here to give evidence to ensure that justice done to the people who illegal mine from the period of 2015 to 2019.

Whereby she rot wholesale damage to the concession inclusive of the livelihoods of farmers whose farms and the residents who could not have access to clean water all because of the mining activities of Aisha…”
The case was a adjourned to November 29, 2022.

 

Editorial: Gallant Black Stars must make us proud today!

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THE CHRONICLE
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Editorial

The Black Stars of Ghana would this evening open their campaign at the 2022 FIFA World Cup against Portugal in Group H at the Stadium 974 (Rass Abou Aboud), Qatar. Already, the stakes are high as the group opener will be fiercely contested.

This would be the second time Ghana would be playing against Portugal at the Mundial, after the two countries clashed in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Ghana, unfortunately, lost the maiden encounter against Portugal by 1-2 score line, which kicked the Stars out of the competition that year.

The last group match defeat to Portugal at the 2014 World Cup was significant, because it denied the Stars the opportunity to qualify from their group stage for the first time.

It would be recalled that, though the Black Stars were regarded as the underdogs in their maiden appearance in 2006, they progressed to the next stage of the competition, after shocking both the USA and Czech Republic.

The same fate was achieved in South Africa in 2010, but the Stars’ hope to replicate a similar performance at the 2014 World Cup, which was truncated by the Portuguese.

Ghana needed a resounding victory over Portugal in the last group game to progress to the round of 16, but the Portuguese, who had not won a game in the group, prior to meeting Ghana, emerged victorious.

This has heightened theh tension in today’s group opener, despite the fact that Portugal seems to be the better side on paper. It will be a game of revenge or repeat.

For us, at The Chronicle, as well as many Ghanaians, we are not the least perturbed about the fact that the odds in today’s game are tilted towards the Portuguese.

This is because, since the maiden appearance of the Black Stars at the Mundial in 2006, we have always been seen as underdogs, because our groups have continuously been dominated by tougher opponents.

However, we made progress to the round of 16 in our first two consecutive appearances, being the 2006 and 2010 competitions respectively.

At least, our poor outing and painful exit at the group stage in the 2014 competition has served as a learning curve, from which better and bitter lessons have been learned.

Additionally, the wonderful display of great football understanding among our players in our last trial game against Switzerland has adequately bolstered the morale of the team.

Notwithstanding the fact that the Portuguese also had a very good game against Nigeria by scoring four unanswered goals, it is important to note that Nigeria could also not beat Ghana.

In any case, Saudi Arabia proved beyond all reasonable understanding that this year’s World Cup is not about big names or the calibre of players a nation could boast of.

Rather, their stunning of Argentina has demonstrated that unlike the past where the names of certain nations placed them on high pedestals, the situation has changed drastically.

Like Saudi Arabia, Japan also came from a goal down in the first half to beat Germany by 2-1 to lend more credence to the fact that in spite of Portugal’s huge advantage, we can equally defeat them.

What is important for the gallant Stars to understand at this point is that they should device a good strategy, stick to their work rate, energy levels and be tactically disciplined.

More importantly, we have quality in the midfield, with skilful wingers who also have incredible speed and quality to take on opponents of any pedigree.

The Portuguese could be a force to reckon with, especially with their talisman Christiano Ronaldo being available for selection in the all-important duel today.

In our observation, however, we have realised that nations which have won their first games or secured points do so through discipline and taking of chances.

The Stars must, therefore, make good use of every chance that would come their way and also defend gallantly, devoid of giving dangerous set pieces to the opponents in advantageous areas.

The reigning champions of Africa, Senegal, lost their opening game but they were not humiliated, while Morocco and Tunisia have secured respectable draws.

The Black Stars must learn lessons from Saudi Arabia and Japan and stun Portugal to set a good pace for their campaign and demonstrate that we are the shining Stars of the game.

Go for the goal, Gallant Black Stars, the entire country is behind you.

Accountability institutions don’t need money, but independence – Kan Dapaah

By
BERNICE BESSEY
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Albert Kan Dapaah, Minister for National Security

Minister for National Security, Albert Kan Dapaah says accountability institutions in the country are not independent enough to hold the government responsible, despite the importance the 1992 Constitution attached to their establishments.

Hitherto, he said these institutions are assigned with the duty to hold the government accountable on behalf of the larger society.

He made the comment while contributing to discussion at the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) 17th Public Lecture, ‘Kronti ne Akwamu’, an Akan symbol for concepts or aphorisms, in Accra Tuesday, November 22, 2022.

The lecture was held under the banner: “The evolution of the civic space in modern Africa democracy.”

Sharing his thoughts on the theme, the Minister said while the constitution acknowledges the important role played by Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to hold the government accountable, not much can be said about the anti-corruption bodies established by the state.

“Indeed, our constitution realised the need for accountability and setup a number of institutions. Our laws had also established a number of accountability institutions to hold the government accountable.

“But what you will realize in practice is that most of these institutions that have been setup either by the Constitution or by Acts of Parliament really do not have the independence that is needed for them to hold [the] government accountable in the interest of the society. What they really need is not money, it is independence. You really need to be independent of governmental institutions…”

It was his assertion that governments must be held accountable and for good governance to thrive “we need a group of people who will hold government accountable.”

He noted that in democracies that do not have space for CSOs is doomed, therefore, the CSOs and non-state actors should not leave governance to political actors alone but see themselves as part of the governance system.

Respect for the Government

The minister also admonished CSOs to have respect for the government and avoid the perception the government officials have the tendency to be corrupt, lack expertise and are worthless: “The problem is most that most Civil Society Organisations have no respect for government; they think we are corrupt, we don’t have brains [and] we are just useless. I think that is not good. Obviously that is not true. I think we can help our country better if the two of us work together.”

The Lecture

The 17th annual ‘Kronti ne Akwamu’ democracy and good governance lecture was delivered by the CDD-Nigeria Director, Idayat Hassan.

According to her, while the civic space continues to evolve, so as governments are placing barriers to restrict CSOs operations across the globe, due to growing insecurity and other factors deemed threats to statehood.

She added that at a time democracy have seen some stability in the West African region, history at the other end was repeating itself with six successful coups and two failed ones and it is coupled with uptick of militarized non-state actors in the sub-region.

Ms Hassan indicated that while the region is sail against these strong winds of challenges, CSOs have managed to chalk some successes to their credit and these include constitutional and electoral reforms.

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