THE VOLTA RIVER IN GHANA: A PLACE YOU MUST VISIT FOR YOURSELF!

The river Volta is a very important element in the life of Ghanaians. Without it, one may wonder what would have happened in the energy sector of Ghana. Unlike Nigeria, Ghana is able to provide electricity to its major Cities, towns and some villages all by the help of the River Volta although there are some minor sources of energy to support.  What makes Akosombo (where the river is located) unique for tourists is the fact that the world's largest man-made lake which I am describing passes through the town from Burkina Faso, which covers about 8,502 square kilometers (3,283 sq mi), which is 3.6% of Ghana's land area.

The official name of the lake is Lake Volta which was named after Burkina Faso when the country was known as the Upper Volta in colonial days until it gained independence from the French in 1960 and changed from the Upper Volta to Burkina Faso. The reason being that the source of the lake is from Burkina Faso and it was named after the country in colonial days.

This dam provides Hydro-electricity to Ghana and some neighboring countries making it a very strategic point in the country. The basin is characterized by poor soil, generally of Voltaian sandstone. Annual rainfall averages is between 1,000 and 1,140 millimeters. The most widespread vegetation type is savanna, the woodlands of which, depending on local soil and climatic conditions, may contain such trees as Red Ironwood and Shea.

The basin's population, principally farmers, is low in density, especially in the central and northwestern with the plains surrounding it making it a beautiful and exciting scene to watch from any angle.

In contrast with the rest of the region are the Afram Plains, located in the southeastern corner of the basin. Here the terrain is low; averaging 60 to 150 meters in elevation, and annual rainfall is between 1,140 and about 1,400 millimeters. Near the Afram River, much of the surrounding countryside is flooded or swampy during the rainy seasons.

Navigation on the Volta River is most convenient since 1964 when the then Ghanaian president (First president) Dr. Kwame Nkrumah ordered the construction of the dam at Akosombo, for the generation of hydro electric power and serves as a potential source for irrigation in the town and its surrounding villages which is reflected in agricultural mechanization agreement signed in the late 1980s to irrigate the Afram Plains. The lake is navigable from Akosombo through Yeji in the middle of the country; a twenty-four-meter ferry was commissioned in 1989 to link the Afram Plains to the west of the lake with the lower Volta region to the east and to the north of Ghana.  

Major hotels in the town include the Volta Hotel, the Akosombo Continental Hotel and other guest house designed to meet international standards for visitor and tourists.

Do not be worried about your safety since the place is violence free and highly security service available from the Ghana Navy Forces to protect the dam from unscrupulous people and the people living around.

This is a must see scene for you to make your judgement on this spectacular environment in Ghana!

Nigeria: President Jonathan promises his Government will not relent on its effort in fighting terrorism, in the wake of the Kaduna bombing over the weekend.

The Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan has condemned the bombing of a catholic church in the Northern city of Kaduna during a church service on Sunday.

The president said in a statement that his Government will not compromise on the security issues of the country with any group that sort to carry out activities to destabilize the country.

The recent attacks in the country in his opinion are deliberate attempt by unpatriotic citizens who want to draw back the progress the country has made in the fight of terrorism.

He said the motives of this people who do not have respect for the human dignity will not prevail against the collective aim of the people of Nigeria of having a peaceful country to live in forever.

``Our efforts to deal with all acts of terror and violence would only be redoubled even as the security agencies continue to receive all the support they need from government to reverse this unfortunate and unacceptable trend that threatens the peace and stability of our nation," he was quoted in the statement which the National Turk had privy to.

President Jonathan however consoled the families of those who lost their loved ones and those who sustained various injuries and charged them never to give up since the people of Nigeria is with them.

                                                 The attack

At least eight people were killed and dozens injured when a loaded truck of explosive devices detonated in a church service in the Northern city of Kaduna on Sunday.

The attack was seen as a reprisal attacks between the predominantly Muslims and the minority Christians in the north of the country.

The attack happened at St Rita's church in the Malali neighborhood of the city when a truck loaded with explosive devices drove through the main gate of the church. The driver was initially stopped according to eyewitness and later reversed and drove to where the congregation is and detonated the truck.

No group has officially claim responsibility of the attack but many analysts are pointing to the radical Islamist group Boko Haram who are fighting the Government to impose Sharia law in the north of the country.

ORANGE AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS DRAW HELD IN SOUTH AFRICA

The final draw for the 2013 Orange Africa Cup of Nations was conducted amid much excitement at Durban’s Chief Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre on Wednesday night.

South Africans, inside the packed conference venue and elsewhere throughout the country which will host the tournament from January 19 to February 10, cheered as President Jacob Zuma drew the first fixture, which will feature Bafana Bafana against debutants Cape Verde in Group A.

Bafana’s match against the Islanders will take place at the 94 000-seat Soccer City in Johannesburg at 6pm , followed by another Group A fixture between Morocco and Angola (9pm).

The Group A teams will play all their other matches in Durban, at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

          President Zuma: We will once again make it a historical event.

President Zuma, speaking earlier at the glittering gala evening, restated South Africa’s commitment towards the Cup of Nations, saying the country first hosted the event in 1996 and would once again deliver a world-class event.

“We have hosted many events before and we have proven our ability,” President Zuma told the audience which, among other dignitaries, included His Majesty, the Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini, and Caf President Issa Hayatou.

As it’s often the case, the draw produced what will surely become known as “Group of Death”. That category goes to Group D, which comprise Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Algeria and Togo. Group D will be based in the mining town of Rustenburg.

Defending champions Zambia, who were seeded in Group C, will be based at Mbombela/Nelspruit alongside Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Ethiopia.

Kalusha Bwalya, the president of the Football Association of Zambia, was one of the draw conductors last

Zambia will take on the Super Eagles in their second match at Nelspruit on January 25. The Chipolopolo’s first game is against Ethiopia, who are making a return to the Cup of Nations finals after 31 years, on January 21.

In Group B, the key clash in Ghana vs. Mali, this is a repeat of the third-place playoff match between the sides at Equatorial Guinea/Gabon earlier this year.

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Niger are the other teams in Group B, to be based in the coastal city of Port Elizabeth.

Wednesday night’s draw also saw the unveiling of “Takuma” as the official 2013 Cup of Nations mascot, and the colourful “Katlego” as the official match-ball.

The completed list of the pairing.

Group A: South Africa, Cape Verde, Morocco, Angola.

Group B: Ghana, DR Congo, Niger, Mali.

Group C: Zambia, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Nigeria.

Group D: Ivory Coast, Algeria, Tunisia, Togo.

FRANCE PLANNING TO DEPLOY DRONES TO NORTHERN MALI

France is planning of deploying drones to gather intelligence report in northern Mali as part of helping the Economic Community of West Africa forces yet to be deployed to its former colony Mali.

An anonymous source the Associated Press picked from the French Defence Ministry in Paris has it that France is planning to move some surveillance drones from Afghanistan to the West Africa nation by the end of this year.

It is unclear which country France will be obtaining these drones from as France is believed not to have any armed drones.  

 An unconfirmed report has it that hundreds of Jihadist probably from the Islamic Maghreb are arriving in northern Mali to help fight any possible military intervention from the West Africa bloc and the United Nations.

France, the former colonial power of Mali until 22^ND of September 1960 when the country gained independence, has airpower and hundreds of troops in Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Chad and Gabon, which were all once French colonies in Africa.

This latest development will help strengthen the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) to deploy troops in northern Mali to fight the insurgency in the north of the country.

France succeeded in pushing the United Nations by persuading secretary general Ban Ki-moon, to allow West African countries to organize a direct military intervention in northern Mali, where armed Islamist groups have taken control following Tuareg separatist rebellion early this year

The French president François Hollande has promised not to send French troops but will offer logistical support and training to the West African forces to be deployed.

Mali was hit by a  rebellion to break away as an independent nation by the conservatives Muslim in the north of the country which was followed by a coup d’état led by Captain Amadou Sanogo who ousted the then president  Amadou Toumani Toure 21^st of March this year.

MAURITIUS: VISIT THE SUGAR BEACH RESORT FOR REAL FUN!

Sugar Beach Resort encompasses a magnificent 20-acre tropical park filled with floral fragrance and is located on the west coast of Mauritius, 35 km from the capital city of Port Louis.
 The resort is divided into rooms in the Manor House and the 16 adjacent Creole-styled Beach Villas, some rooms being no more than 30 meters from the beach.
All rooms are fully air-conditioned, have en-suite bathrooms with showers, hair dryer, television with Canal Plus, Sky News and video channels in four languages, IDD telephone, electronic safe, mini-bar and furnished patio or balcony. Security guarantee here is hundred percent since there is a high security network in place just for your safety.
If you really want to experience world class treat as a tourist, never compromise anything that will not satisfy you. The sugar Beach Resort on the Indian Ocean in Mauritius is your ultimate travelling destination. We will be expecting you here! 

Ethiopia: United Nations to open new Camp for Refugees fleeing conflict zones from Somalia

 The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has revealed that it is on the verge of opening a new Refugees camp in Ethiopia to host scores of those fleeing the various conflict zones from Neighboring Somalia.

The African Union Forces in Somalia have stepped up their operations pushing Al Shabab fighters from their strongholds resulting in people fleeing some areas as fighting intensifies between Shabab fighters and the African Union Forces.

"With people still arriving at Dollo Ado in Ethiopia, the Ethiopian Government has authorized the opening of a sixth site and land for this has been designated between the town of Kole and Kobe camp, some 54 kilometers north of Dollo Ado town," a spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Andrej Mahecic, was reported to have told reporters.

Dollo Ado is located at Southeastern part of Ethiopia is the second largest city for Refugees in the World after Dadaab, which is located in Kenya.

"The cost of opening the new camp, setting up basic services and infrastructure including medical, education and warehousing facilities is more than $5 million," Mr. Mahecic stated in addition. "We are seeking support from donors and partners, including resources for non-governmental organization partners who would be working in the camp."

Somalia has faced conflict for more than twenty years and most of the people in the country have fled to neighboring and far away countries for safety which some analyst believe to be in a region of two millions people seeking shelter elsewhere overall.

The commission also complained bitterly about funding saying that most of the refugees arrive with nothing and funding available sometimes falls short and therefore is appealing for charitable organization who may wish to help in the process.

PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN IN MALI FOR CRISIS TALKS

President Goodluck Jonathan arrived in Bamako Senou International Airport in the Malian capital amid cheers from the crowd who were there to welcome him including the Nigeria Ambassador to Mali Ambassador Iliya Nuhu.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after his arrival, President Jonathan said the crisis in Mali as results of the militants’ activities in the north and couple with the military interference in the administration of the country needs to be addressed in a systematic and well defined diplomatic way.

 He said his intervention in the political crisis was to ensure that peace and stability returns to the country. "I am here on one-day visit to see how we can resolve the problem facing the country, and we are indeed committed to ensuring peace in Mali."

President Jonathan during the visit is expected to meet with the country's Prime Minister, the former president, and leaders of the political parties, civil society groups and the Nigerian community in Mali as well.

Mali was rocked by a military takeover this year couple with secessionism agitation by mostly Islamist in the North which many analyst see as a retarding the growth of the West African nation a security threat to neighboring countries.

Those who accompanied the were Minister of State for Foreign Affairs(II), Nurudeen Mohammed and Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada and other government functionaries.

UN TO SANCTION M 23 MOVEMENT IN THE DRC

The United Nations Security Council has stated that it’s intended putting sanctions on the leaders of the M 23 rebel Movement in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Rwanda has been accused by the UN expert group of funding the group in the Central African Bloc to destabilize the Democratic Republic of Congo but Rwanda vehemently denied the report and threatened to sue the world body for lack of evidence to substantiate the claim.

Rwanda has been elected to the UN Security Council as a permanent member which many see as a way to solve the Rebels activities in the DRC

The non-binding Security Council statement condemns the M23 militia for all its attacks on the civilian population, United Nations peacekeepers and humanitarian actors, as well as its abuses of human rights, including summary executions, sexual and gender-based violence and large-scale recruitment and use of child soldiers.

It also expresses deep concern at reports that external support "continues to be provided to the M23 by neighboring countries, and demands that such support "cease immediately.

The March 23 Movement, which is abbreviated as M 23 was part of the Army of the Democratic Republic of Congo but broke away from the Army with about 300 hundred soldiers and became a rebel group as a results of what the leaders of the group describe as ``poor condition of service`` given to them by the DRC Government.

The rebels have been active in the North Kivu province in the DRC, fighting government forces in the area which sometimes scares local residents to flee the area as a result of the heavy fighting.

RWANDA ELECTED TO THE NON-PERMANENT SEAT OF THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL

The Republic of Rwanda has been elected to the United Nations non-permanent membership on the Security Council to serve for two-year term. Rwanda will replace the Republic of South Africa whose mandate expires on 1 January 2013 making way for Rwanda to take the position in the World Governing Body structure.

Rwanda was overwhelmingly endorsed by 148 out of the 193 members of the United Nations who voted in the process, which far exceeded the required two thirds of the votes a country needs to be able to be on the Security Council as a non-permanent member.

This came amid threats from Rwanda to sue the United Nations over report the UN expert group released accusing Rwanda of backing the M 23 Rebel Movement to destabilize neighboring Democratic of Congo. It is unclear whether the Rwandan Government will continue to sue the World Body or will drop the case to see how best the conflict in the region can best be solve now that it is part of the security council.

The Rwanda Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo was reported to have twitted from her twitter account saying “It’s the right thing, a testament to how far we've come and our commitment to international peace." This comment might probably mean that they will no long persue the legal action against the UN but will be looking for a possible strategy to settle the conflict without ill feeling from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

BOB MARLEY'S SON TO PERFORM IN GHANA

The son of the famous reggae legend Bob Nesta Robert Marley is to rock the Ghanaian Capital Accra together with American Hip Hop Star Nas.

Damien Marley, will for the first time be playing 2 concerts in Ghana in March 2013. He will be rocking the stage with American Hip-hop superstar, Nas. Both 2 concerts will be happening in Accra on Friday, March 1, 2013 and Saturday, March 2, 2013 respectively.

The exact venues for both shows have not been confirmed yet but rumours making rounds the streets of Accra indicates that the event is likely to come off at the Accra Sports Stadium and the Labadi Beach for both concerts. Both venues will be very conducive for the event especially the Labadi Beach Resort which is one of the finest beaches in Africa with international standard.

Damian Marley’s management in an earlier conversation revealed to the event organizers that the dome of the Accra International Conference Centre would be too small for both Damian and Nas hence they would need a more bigger space that can engage a bigger audience.

This tour is line with a tour project dubbed “Damian Marley-Nas Africa Tour” – which relates to their joint album released in 2010 called “Distant Relatives”. Countries to host Damian Marley and Nas are South Africa, Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Ghana. The team would be playing 2 concerts in each of the mapped countries. Ghana however would be ending the chart as the last country Damian and Nas will bring the much awaited show.

The album “Distant Relatives” currently rates as the highest selling Reggae album on the international market which has sold almost 5 million copies. The album when released in 2010 sold 57,000 copies in USA alone during the first week – higher than any Reggae album sold.

The event organizers therefore stated that they are inviting tourists around the world to come and participate in this life time experience in Ghana since the country has proven beyond all reasonable doubt that it is the best place for visitors in the tourism and hospitality industry.

RWANDA SET TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION AGAINST THE UNITED NATIONS

The Rwandan Government has registered its biggest protest by far in the history of the country to sue the United Nations for accuracy and transparency over report the world body released about the activities of Rwanda in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This was disclosed by the Rwandan Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo to a US based Metro Newspaper in which the Minister protested against the UN Group of Experts who worked on the report accusing the Rwandan Government of fueling troubles in neighboring Democratic of Congo.

The Minister accused the coordinator and chairperson of the Group Mr. Steven Hege as having special political interest in Rwanda and therefore not qualified enough to be part of the expert group panel. She cited him of having in the past wrote an article on the internet criticizing and condemning the Rwandan Government led by Paul Kagame of being promoting sectarian violence in the Region and when the issue of the article came to light, Mr. Hege quickly pulled it out from the internet.

Minister Mushikiwabo also called the entire UN selection process of its committees as "broken" and in need of repair, saying that not only Rwanda but other African countries as well have been hurt by these "miscarriages of justice."

She also added that in order to clarify matters once and for all, the government had retained the services of Washington, D.C., law firm Akin Gump to review Mr. Hege's prior writings on Rwanda, which carried out extensive research into Hege's writings and concluded that his placement as chair of the committee was questionable at the very least. She therefore said she is confident enough that Rwanda will get a fair ruling to vindicate the country of what she describe as “miscarriages of justice."

                                      THE UNTED NATIONS REPORT

The document was a detail report on the activities of Rwanda on its neighboring countries in which Rwanda was alleged by the Expert Group of the UN of funding a rebel group called the M 23 movement in the Democratic Republic of Congo to destabilize the Region. The United Nations has conducted similar exercise in several African countries, but most of the countries challenged the authenticity of the findings. The recent one was in West Africa where Ghana was accused by another expert group of the world body of harboring Mercenaries to overthrow the current Ivorian Government. But the Ghanaian Government has since denied the report saying it is ``unusual and flawn’’. It is unclear what the Ghanaian Government will do next, either it will also toe the line of Rwanda to be vindicated or will just allow the matter to die a natural death.

DO NOT FORGET TO WALK ON THE ROPE WHENEVER YOU VISIT GHANA

The Kakum National Park is made up of mostly undisturbed virgin rainforest and is one of the best and famous national parks in Ghana. The park is situated about 33km north of Cape Coast, the Central Regional capital and about 170km from Accra the capital city of Ghana. It covers an area of 350km2 including Assin Attandanso Resource Reserve. The vegetation type is moist evergreen rainforest with tall hardwood trees up to 65m in height and different shapes and size.

The park is enriched with different species of wildlife including 40 species of mammals (forest elephants, buffalo, leopard, bongo, yellow backed duiker, red river hog, primates), over 200 species of birds, large number of reptiles and amphibians, over 400 species of butterflies.

One of the most outstanding features of the forest is the 40 meter high canopy walkway suspended between trees and from which different species of birds and butterflies can be observed. Also, from the canopy walkway, the structure of the forest canopy can be appreciated in many dimensions. It is a must see place for everybody on this planet if you want to really appreciate what nature has for Mankind. The experience one gets from the park is captivating and fascinating which will give you real value of your travelling experience you will never forget. There is adequate security and flexibility at which you need not to worry about since the Ghanaian environment is very conducive for tourists from any country in the world.

Another equally significant thing about the park is the Government of Ghana commitment and continuous making conscious effort to improve the standard of the park right from when it was built in 1960. The major vision of the Government through the Ghana Tourist Board is to expand the park with building of more hospitality centers around the towns and villages of the park in order to attract more tourists around the world.  

Nigeria: Killings of Worshippers in Kaduna, Reprisal Attack - Defence Headquarters

Against the backdrop of weekend's killing of about 20 Muslim worshippers by unknown gunmen in Dogo Dawa area of Kaduna State and claims by the CNN and Aljazeera network's report alleging that the killings were the handiwork of the military, the Defence Headquarters, last night, clarified that the killings emanated from reprisal attacks.

A statement signed by Director of Defence Information, Col. Mohammed Yerima, reads: "The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to the unsubstantiated claims by CNN and Aljazeera alleging that the Nigerian military carried out an early morning attack on Muslim worshippers in a mosque at Dogo Dawa, a village near Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State, where 20 people were allegedly killed by unknown gunmen.

"This is contrary to reports by other local and international media organizations, who reported that the attack was carried out by unknown gunmen

                                                Reprisal Attack

"Investigation revealed that the killing was a reprisal attack by a gang of armed robbers who lost some of their members after a recent raid of their hideout through the combined effort of the villagers and the vigilante group in that community.

"The Defence Headquarters wishes to state categorically in the interest of the larger society that no member of the Nigerian Armed Forces was involved in the said attack which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, October 14, 2012.

"We wish to reassure the general public of our readiness to offer assistance to the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies whose primary responsibility is the maintenance of law and order in the society.

"We are committed to the defence and protection of our country's hard earned democracy and more importantly, the Nigerian Armed Forces belong to the Nigerian people."

"We urge members of the public to go about their legitimate businesses without any fear of molestation from any quarter, and to also report any breach of peace and security in the society to law enforcement agencies".

40 IVORIANS EX COMBATANT ARRESTED IN GHANA

About 40 people suspected to be Ivorian ex-combatants have been arrested in a swoop by the National Security apparatus of Ghana at the Ampain Refugee Camp in the Western Region of Ghana. The arrest came after series of deadly attacks being recorded on the Ghana-Ivory Coast border which the Ivorian Government blamed it on Ghana.

The suspects are currently being held for screening at the Regional Security Council in the western Region of Ghana. 

The UN report: Ghana is harboring mercenaries to destabilize Ivory Coast

This comes days after a United Nations expert panel report indicted Ghana for harboring allies of former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo, who have established camps in the Western Region and causing occasional incursions into Ivory Coast with fatalities, with the aim of destabilizing the current Ivorian government. But the Ghanaian government has denied the report vehemently saying the report is “unusual and flawed”.

Reports also indicate that some of the Ivorian refugees at the camp have deserted the place following the arrest. 
                    Arrest done to restore the civilian status of the camp
The arrest, according to the Ghana Refugee Board, was to restore the civilian status of the refugee camp. 
Chairman of the Ghana Refugee Board, Kenneth Dzirasah declined to give details of the number of people arrested when contacted by the media but however disclosed that the exercise was informed by intelligence gathered over the past few weeks. He also said the swoop was in the interest of the refugees since the men they arrested wield dangerous weapons which are a threat to the security of the refugees.
                                                                             . 

Mr. Dzirasah said those arrested were believed to be ex-combatants who escaped from the Eagle Camp in the Central Region of Ghana after they made a frantic effort to cause their arrest.

That camp in the Central Region of Ghana has since been closed down he added. 

He further stated that he suspected that those ex-combatants had infiltrated the refugee camp to avoid arrest by the security apparatus of Ghana. 

"The exercise was done to restore the civil character of the camp by trying to identify those we suspect are ex-combatants and are hiding in the camp," he said. 

He noted, "Coordinators on the ground have given them an assurance that this is an exercise done in their own, interest -they are not the target group." 
                        
Some of the refugees on the other hand, believed that some of the people arrested were innocent and had not been involved in any nefarious activity. 

The refugees, mainly supporters of former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo, suspected that the exercise was conducted under the influence of the Ivorian government. 

They therefore called on the Government of Ghana to resist the pressure being mounted by the Alassane Ouattara government; a government they claimed was currently feeling insecure

15 NATIONS JOIN SOUTH AFRICA TO BATTLE FOR THE ORANGE AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA NEXT YEAR IN JANUARY

The 15 teams to join hosts South Africa in the 29^thedition of Africa Cup of Nations are known after a dramatic final weekend of qualifiers saw tears of joy and pain across the continent.

Cape Verde Islands secured a place at the Africa Cup of Nations for dramatic he first time Sunday and former champions Ethiopia are back in the big time after a 30-year absence.  The much-hyped return of striker and captain Samuel Eto'o helped four-time champions Cameroon to a 2-1 home win over Cape Verde, but a 3-2 aggregate loss means a second consecutive failure to reach the African football showcase.

Alula Girma and Saladin Seid scored within three minutes during the second half in Addis Ababa to earn Ethiopia a 2-0 victory over Sudan and a ticket to South Africa next January on away goals after a 5-5 aggregate deadlock.

An early Antonio Pereira goal was just what Cape Verde needed to settle the nerves in the intimidating cauldron of a packed 60,000-seat Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium in Yaounde. Achille Emana levelled soon after and there was relentless Indomitable Lions second-half pressure, including an Eto'o attempt that rebounded off the woodwork, but all they had to show for it was a late Fabrice Olinga goal. Portuguese-speaking Cape Verde is an archipelago off the coast of Senegal with a population of just 500,000, and the national squad consists mainly of footballers at unfashionable European clubs.

The qualification of the Ethiopian Black Lions confirmed a recent upsurge of fortunes that has seen them lead a 2014 World Cup qualifying group after holding South Africa away and defeating Central African Republic at home.

They also won on away goals against Benin in the first elimination round for the 2013 Cup of Nations and now return to a tournament they won for the only time 50 years ago.  Sudan won a goal-flush first encounter 5-3 thanks to a late Mohamed Al Tahir brace and were barely troubled during the opening half at the national stadium in the heart of the Ethiopian capital. As the hour mark passed without a goal it was looking good for the visitors, and then Girma and Egypt-based Seid turned the match on its head to the delight of a sell-out 30,000 crowd.

Alain Traore struck five minutes into stoppage time to give Burkina Faso a 3-1 home win over giant-killers Central African Republic, who took a one-goal lead into the tie having stunned seven-time champions Egypt in the last round. Former Manchester United signing Manucho Goncalves scored twice in the early minutes in Luanda to secure a 2-0 win for Angola over Zimbabwe, overall victory on away goals after a 3-3 tie, and a fifth consective Africa Cup appearance.  Niger left it much later to upset Guinea 2-0 and squeeze through on aggregate after a solitary-goal first leg loss with Mohammed Chikoto and Issoufou Garba netting in the closing stages.

Emmanuel Adebayor of Tottenham was on target for Togo in a 2-1 win over 2012 co-hosts Gabon, who were held at home in the first leg. Wome Dove was the other Togolese marksman and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang grabbed a late consolation goal. Equatorial Guinea halved a four-goal first-leg deficit against the Democratic Republic of Congo after 35 minutes in Malabo, but Youssouf Mulumbu reduced the arrears before half-time and the home team had to settle for a hollow 2-1 win.

Any hope Libya had of overhauling a one-goal loss first time out against Algeria did not last long in Blida with El Arbi Hilal Soudani and Islam Slimani scoring within seven minutes and the home side cruised to a 2-0 victory. An October 24 draw in Indian Ocean city Durban will divide the 15 survivors plus South Africa automatic qualifiers as hosts  into four groups for the January 19-February 10 flagship tournament.

 THE COPLETE LIST OF QUALIFIED COUNTRIES FOR THE COMPETITION.

Algeria: Angola :Burkina Faso: Cape Verde Islands: Democratic Republic of Congo : Ethiopia: Ghana: Ivory Coast: Mali: Morocco: Niger: Nigeria:  Togo: Tunisia : Zambia (Holders) and South Africa (Host nation)

UNITED NATIONS MOVES CLOSER TO MALI INTERVENTION

The United Nations Security Council has adopted a resolution that moves a step closer to foreign military intervention in Mali.

The country has been in turmoil for months, split in two by an Islamist insurgency in the north, where the UN says militants have been amassing money from ransoms and drug trafficking while trying to imposing Sharia law.

They have also destroyed half of the World Heritage-listed tombs and mausoleums in the town of Timbuktu.

The UN Security Council on Friday 12^th October, 2012 approved a resolution that pushes West African nations to speed up preparations for an international military intervention, aimed at recapturing northern Mali from the Islamist.

The text unanimously approved by the council also urges authorities in Bamako and representatives of Malian rebel groups controlling the north to engage, as soon as possible, in a credible negotiation process.

The council members warned that the process should be undertaken with a view toward "a sustainable political solution, mindful of the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Mali."

                            THE GENESIS OF THE CRISIS

In March, militants seized power in the capital Bamako, ousting President Amadou Toumani Toure, only to see the north and east fall to Tuareg rebels and militias linked to Al Qaeda.

"There is a feeling that it is a dire situation in northern Mali and we need prompt action," said Guatemala's envoy to the United Nations, Gert Rosenthal, who holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council this month.

The council asked UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon to work with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union in order to submit to the council within 45 days "detailed and actionable recommendations" in preparation for the deployment of an international military force in Mali.

A first draft of the resolution called for a 30-day timetable, but 45 days was later deemed to be more realistic.

The plan should include "means and modalities of the envisaged deployment, in particular the concept of operations," personnel needed and a cost estimate, said the text, which was mainly drafted by France.

              FRANCE RESPONSE

France was a colonial power in Mali and French president Francois Hollande says the situation there is a threat to the entire region.

"The terrorism which is structured and settled, it's not just a menace for West Africa," he said.

"It's already there, the danger's there no doubt about that.

"It's not simply an aggression on a sovereign country, Mali, it's a major question for the security of the African continent and of Europe."

After details for military intervention are submitted, the 15-member council would still have to pass a second resolution to give the green light to the deployment.

That is not expected to happen before the end of the year.

Mr Hollande stressed the resolution was not just about facilitating a military intervention, but had a political component as well, with armed groups urged to halt attacks and join reconciliation efforts.

"The international community as a whole will stand side-by-side with Mali in this effort" to reconquer the north, Mr Hollande said.

"It is now up to the Africans, through the work of ECOWAS and the African Union, to finalise their response to the Malian government's call for help."

PRESIDENT MOHAMMED OULD ABDEL AZIZ OF MAURITANIA ATTACKED BY HIS OWN SOLDIERS.

Mauritania’s soldiers mistakenly attacked the convoy of President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz on Saturday in what the government calls a case of "friendly fire" -- though others believe it may have been something more sinister.

President convoy came under fire as it was heading back toward the capital Nouakchott, the official AMI news agency reported. The gunshots came from a military unit stationed alongside the road in the West African country.

The president was lightly injured, and government spokesman Hamdi Ould Mahjoub described the shooting as "friendly fire," state news reported. Aziz was being treated at Nouakchott's military hospital and is doing well according to reports gathered from the capital.

  But witnesses who saw the shooting believe the incident was an assassination attempt because unknown armed men shot their guns at the president and ran away, according to the independent Mauritania News agency. The witnesses said the armed men "directly" targeted the president as he was returning from his farm in the Inchiri province, near the capital, Mauritania News reported.

Mauritania has a history of political instability, and faces threats from al Qaeda militants.

A former general, Aziz came to power in a bloodless 2008 military coup -- one of many such coups the country of about 3.4 million people has had since it gained independence from France in 1960. He ousted Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi, who had been the nation's first democratically elected leader, according to the U.S. State Department.

Aziz was elected president in 2009. Still, even with that result, the CIA describes the country's leadership as a "military junta."

Security in Mauritania has been ratcheted up in recent weeks amid concerns about "armed terrorist groups" in nearby northern Mali, according to Magharebia, a website sponsored by the U.S. Africa Command -- a part of the U.S. military focused on the continent.

The measures include a bolstered security presence on main streets, near embassies and by government buildings in Nouakchott, as well as stepped-up patrols, Magharebia said.

No official reason has been given for the enhanced security, according to the report. But the publication, quoting terrorism experts and local news reports, said it may be related to threats posed by al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

In May, the U.S. State Department issued a travel warning for Mauritania because of AQIM activities.

"As a result of perceived Western involvement in counterterrorism efforts, AQIM has declared its intention to attack Western targets," the warning said.

The United States engages with Mauritania on a range of issues, including counterterrorism, food security, trade promotion and efforts to strengthen human rights, the State Department said.

ECOWAS OBSERVER MISSION IN GHANA AHEAD OF ELECTIONS IN DECEMBER.

The Economic Commission of West African States (ECOWAS) has put in place a 250 Elections Observation Mission under the leadership of former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo to observe Ghana’s parliamentary and presidential elections which takes place on the 7^th December this year.
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The team has the task of monitoring the December elections with the goal of ascertaining the level of credibility and peacefulness of the elections process, a statement to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Friday signed by Jimm Chick Fomunjong, the assistant director of Communications and information of the West African Block stated.

The statement said a pre-election team is already in Ghana to hold discussion with Civil Society and various interest group and Organizations on roles to consolidate peace and promote free and fair elections.

The team, led by Dr. Abdel-Fatau Musah, Director of Political Affairs at ECOWAS, seeks to understand the views, expectations and challenges of stakeholders of Ghana’s 2012 Presidential Election.

“This will enable the team to draw recommendations from their findings which will inform the ECOWAS president’s decision on the specific role of the Commission during the upcoming elections,” the statement stated.

Dr. Musah pointed out that his team seeks to get the perspectives of political parties, journalists, National Media Commission, National Peace Council, Ghana Police Service, development partners and civil society.

The encounter with these stakeholders will give them an opportunity to collect information on the state of preparedness for the elections.

It will also inform ECOWAS on the role it would play during the election process added to its observatory role, the statement added.

GHANA CHALLENGES UNITED NATIONS REPORT

The Government of Ghana is to say the least peeved by a damning UN report indicting the country of harboring mercenaries allegedly plotting to oust the Ivorian government. It says, not only is the report flawed; it is also pregnant with mischief. The UN released the report highlighting a secret of meeting that took place in Takoradi, the western city of Ghana on the 12th of July, 2012, where various exiled groups supporting Laurent Gbagbo uniting their efforts and devising a course of action with a view of returning to power in Ivory Coast. This according to the UN report includes the development of a political and military strategy to identify possible bases of operations which they will then move to overthrow the current Ivorian Government.

But Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Alhaji Mohammad Mumuni in an interview with the press said the report is unfounded and baseless, accusing the authors of prematurely making public the findings.

Though he said the government is studying the report and would consider the appropriate official response to the report, the methodology adopted by the committee of experts “is fundamentally flawed” and the procedure “unusual”.

He explained: “They were unable to prompt us about their findings or observations before incorporating it in a system to enable us react and perhaps explain or even verify certain positions that they held.”

Secondly, he pointed out: “It is flawed also to the extent that this report has prematurely been made public even before, according to they themselves, tabling it at the UN Security Council.”

Without mincing words, Alhaji Mumuni stressed, “There is some mischief in this kind of procedure and we take serious exception to it and we will register our protest accordingly.”

The Foreign Affairs Minister further questioned the rationale in making public, the report before following the “important procedure” of formally laying it before the Security Council.

Moreover, Alhaji Mumuni has contested the contents of the committee’s findings.

“We believe that substantively, there is no foundation whatsoever to the alleged findings that have been made. To the best of our knowledge and believe, there is no strategic command of this stature anywhere on Ghana’s territory.”

He however conceded that if there was any, the unfortunate activity might have happened on the blind side of the country’s security.

He said even thought he is yet to establish any contact with his counterpart in Ivory Coast, he affirmed that Ghana still maintain an excellent relation with Ivory Coast.

ISOFOTON S.A WINS COURT CASE AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT OF GHANA.

An Appeals Court in Accra Ghana, on Wednesday threw out an application filed by the Attorney General of Ghana against a High Court ruling ordering the payment of 1.3 million Ghana Cedis as judgement debt to Isofoton S.A.
The Attorney General has been engaged in a protracted legal battle with the Spanish Company since the high court awarded it a judgement debt in July, 2012.
Isofoton is a global company, which operates in over 60 countries including Ghana. They are involved in designing, manufacturing, and supplying Solar Energy products. Its activities are centered in three technology categories: Photovoltaic, Thermal and concentration.
 It must be recalled that the former government of Ghana led by John Kuffour (who ruled from 2001 to 2008) contracted Isofoton S.A through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and also the Ministry of Energy to supply and install solar powered water pumping irrigation systems and solar electrification project in remote areas in Ghana, under the second Ghana-Spanish Financial Protocol. But unfortunately, the then government terminated the contract without following due process which the company saw as unlawful termination of a legal binding document and therefore sued the government of Ghana of which the high court ruled in favour of the company to be paid an amount of 1.3 million Ghana Cedis by the government of Ghana. This compelled the government of Ghana through the Attorney General to appeal against the decision at the appeal court which the government has lost again. There was no immediate response from the government as to whether they will further battle the case at the Supreme Court which is the highest court of Ghana or will just throw in the towel by paying the money as ruled by the court.                                                                                           

Speaking to the press after the ruling of the court, the Country Representative of Isofoton S.A, Mr.Anane Agyei Forson said “the Isofoton matter came to court of appeal on Wednesday and government has lost the matter.”

According to him “the High court ordered that the judgment debt should be paid to us and they filed a stay of execution, and that stay of execution was also dismissed. So they went to court of appeal and today the Court of appeal says they have no case.”

“It means that they have no case and that the judgment stands and that government have to pay us.” He concluded.