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ECOWAS Court Holds Republic of Ghana liable for Breach of Citizen’s Right to Information

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ECOWAS Court Holds Republic of Ghana liable for Breach of Citizen’s Right to Information

By: Michael Mike

The ECOWAS Court of Justice on 12 July 2024, held that the Republic of Ghana violated the right to information of Isaac Mensah and ordered the State to provide him with the requested information.

In the judgment delivered by Justice Edward Amoako Asante, Judge Rapporteur, the Court ordered the Republic of Ghana to release to Isaac Mensah, documents relating to the investigations on the enforced disappearance of his father and subsequent actions. The documents include a 2009 UN/ECOWAS Investigation Report, the coroner’s report on bodies evacuated to Ghana and report on the disbursement of the money paid by The Gambia to the affected families, among others.

The Court dismissed all other claims sought by Isaac Mensah and the Registered Trustees of African Network Against Extrajudicial Killings and Enforced Disappearances (ANEKED) against the Republic of Ghana concerning the arrest, detention, and disappearance of some West African migrants in The Gambia in July 2005.

In the application with suit number ECW/CCJ/APP/47/20, filed on 18 November 2020, the Applicants alleged that Peter Mensah, a Ghanaian and father of Isaac Mensah, was among some West African migrants travelling to Europe through The Gambia who were arrested by state security agents of The Gambia and killed or disappeared.

They averred that Ghana violated its human rights obligations under the African Charter and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) by its failure to thoroughly investigate the enforced disappearance of Peter Mensah in The Gambia, provide effective remedy and grant the Applicants access to information relating to the unlawful detention and disappearance of Peter Mensah.

They asked the Court to direct the State to conduct an effective investigation into the disappearance of Peter Mensah, give copies of past fact-finding reports and other requested documents to the Applicants, and pay the sum of 1,500,000 USD as compensation to the first Applicant, Isaac Mensah.

In response, the Republic of Ghana challenged the competence of the Court to hear the matter since the incident occurred in The Gambia, outside the jurisdiction of the Republic of Ghana. It also objected the admissibility of the application on the grounds that the Applicants did not establish their relationship to Peter Mensah, the primary victim of the alleged human rights violations. It therefore asked the Court to dismiss the case for lack of jurisdiction and inadmissibility.

On jurisdiction, the Court declared it had jurisdiction over Isaac Mensah’s claim relating to violation of the right to information but declined jurisdiction over alleged violation of the prohibition against enforced disappearance, right to effective remedy and right to truth. The Court noted that incidents forming the basis of those claims occurred outside the territory of the Republic of Ghana and therefore the Court did not have jurisdiction over them.

On admissibility, the Court declared the first Applicant’s application relating to the violation of the right to information was admissible but that he lacked the capacity to sue on behalf of other 23 individuals claiming to be members of the Mensah family due to lack of authorisation to sue on their behalf. It also struck out the second Applicant, Registered Trustees of African Network Against Extrajudicial Killings and Enforced Disappearances (ANEKED) from the suit for lack of evidence of any mandate to bring the application on behalf of the Applicants.

In its findings, the Court noted that despite getting a waiver of confidentiality from The Gambia on a 2009 UN/ECOWAS Investigation Report on the alleged detention and enforced disappearance of Peter Mensah and others, Ghana had failed to release it to Isaac Mensah. Consequently, the Court held that the Republic of Ghana breached the Applicant, Isaac Mensah’s right to information contrary to Article 9(1) of the African Charter and Article 19(2) of the ICCPR.

The Court ordered the Republic of Ghana to release the Report and other documents requested by the Applicant to him within four months of the service of the judgment.

Also on the bench were Justice Gberi-Bè Ouattara and Justice Ricardo Claúdio Monteiro Gonçalves.

ECOWAS Court Holds Republic of Ghana liable for Breach of Citizen’s Right to Information

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New Solar farm in FUL is ultimate solution to energy crisis in school campus – Prof Akinwumi

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New Solar farm in FUL is ultimate solution to energy crisis in school campus – Prof Akinwumi

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The Vice Chancellor Federal University Lokoja (FUL) Prof Olayemi Akinwumi has described the African Development Bank (ADB) Solar Panel farm project built at the university as a permanent solution to energy crisis in the school campus.

Prof Akinwumi made this known during a project inspection tour which was part of activities lined up for the 9th Convocation of the university scheduled for Saturday this week.

According to the VC, FUL had embarked on a major project constructing a 1.72 Megawatt Solar Hybrid Project worth $200 million as a way of cushioning it’s electricity needs.

“The project, assisted by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and World Bank under the Energising Education programme, is a significant step towards sustainable energy.

“The Solar Panel farm itself is a solution to the energy requirements of the institution that will certainly put an end to energy needs at our campuses and hostels.

The VC who took journalists on tour of project sites after the pre-convocation press conference noted that the landmark project is a testament to the university’s commitment to environmental responsibility and operational self-reliance.

He said, “the 1.72 Megawatt solar power system, will enable the university to generate surplus electricity and achieve energy self-sufficiency, and benefit students and staff for generations to come.

“The solar power project is part of the University’s efforts to promote innovation and sustainability. The project will not only reduce the University’s reliance on public electricity but also provide a clean and renewable source of energy.

Speaking at the site of the multi-millions naira project during a media facility tour, Consultant of the project Engineer Ahmed, said the project which started two years ago is almost completed.

He hinted that the project consists of a workshop and training centre which will be used to train students in renewed energy technology.

Engineer Ahmed assured that the 1.7 megawatts solar farm will diffidently power the entire Felele campus of the University.

“We are training staff of the University who will take over the routine maintenance of the project so that it will serve the institution better” he said.

New Solar farm in FUL is ultimate solution to energy crisis in school campus – Prof Akinwumi

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Aisha Babangida, FIRS boss, Shagaya, others to headline WenA’s 5th Annual Conference on Tax Reforms, Cost Reduction for SME Growth

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Aisha Babangida, FIRS boss, Shagaya, others to headline WenA’s 5th Annual Conference on Tax Reforms, Cost Reduction for SME Growth

By: Michael Mike

Top policy influencers, business leaders, development partners, and women entrepreneurs from across Nigeria will gathered in Abuja as the Women Enterprise Alliance (WenA) is set to host its 5th Annual Conference

The conference, with the theme “Translating Policy into Practice: Cost-Reduction and Tax Reforms for Sustainable SME Growth,” is scheduled for Thursday, 16th October 2025, at the Diamond Hall, A-Class Event Centre, Wuse II, Abuja.

This year’s edition underscores WenA’s commitment to empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), particularly women-led businesses, by addressing critical barriers such as high operational costs and complex tax regimes.

The event will feature key policy discussions, expert panels, and collaborative sessions designed to translate government policies into actionable strategies for sustainable business growth.

At the centre of this initiative is Her Excellency Aisha Babangida, Founder of WenA, whose leadership and advocacy for women’s economic empowerment have positioned her as a reference point in Nigeria’s entrepreneurial space.

Speaking ahead of the conference, Ms Babangida stated, “At WenA, we believe that empowering SMEs, especially women-led enterprises, means empowering Nigeria’s future.

“This conference is not just a gathering; it is a call to action for stakeholders across sectors to translate policy into tangible, impactful change.”

Among the confirmed speakers are Ms Chayla Shagaya, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Entrepreneurship, who will deliver a keynote address on scaling SMEs through cost-reduction reforms, and the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), who is expected to present critical fiscal reforms aimed at creating a more supportive tax environment for SMEs.

The conference will also feature a strategic policy roadmap presentation developed by WenA in partnership with UN Women. This document outlines practical recommendations to address the pressing challenges facing SMEs, particularly in taxation and regulatory compliance.

A high-level panel discussion will include insights from Dr Fausat Aleshinloye, Economist and Policy Analyst; Ifeoma Malo, CEO of Clean Tech Hub; Mrs Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo of SheVentures (FCMB); and representatives from Nigeria’s energy sector. The conversation will be moderated by Dr Dahiru Sani.

A dedicated session will focus on simplifying Nigeria’s tax regime, with emphasis on harmonisation, ease of compliance, and improved transparency to reduce the burden on small businesses. Participants will also benefit from extensive networking opportunities, with stakeholders from government, finance, energy, and development sectors expected to attend.

As part of recognising excellence in the SME ecosystem, the conference will celebrate standout entrepreneurs and initiatives. Awards will include the prestigious “Most Scalable Business in North-Central Nigeria” and certificates of excellence for innovation and community impact.

Aisha Babangida, FIRS boss, Shagaya, others to headline WenA’s 5th Annual Conference on Tax Reforms, Cost Reduction for SME Growth

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GIZ Launches Peacecore Project in Taraba,Trains Thirty Journalists on Conflict-Sensitive Reporting

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GIZ Launches Peacecore Project in Taraba,Trains Thirty Journalists on Conflict-Sensitive Reporting

By: Michael Mike

The German Development Cooperation (GIZ) has launched a new initiative, “PeaceCORE,” in Taraba State as part of
strategic effort to foster peacebuilding and strengthen conflict-sensitive journalism in some states in the North.

The programme aims to equip media professionals with the tools and knowledge to promote peaceful coexistence in conflict-prone communities.

The PeaceCORE project, formally titled “Strengthening Capacities for Conflict Transformation and Livelihood for Groups in Vulnerable Situations in Nigeria’s Central Zone,” is being implemented in Taraba, Kaduna, and Plateau states, and focuses on enhancing the capacity of government and civil society actors to manage conflict through sustainable dialogue, accurate information dissemination, and inclusive engagement.

As part of the initiative, GIZ hosted an intensive three-day training from October 6 to October 8, 2025, in Jalingo, bringing together 30 journalists from radio, television, print, and digital media platforms.

The training emphasized responsible and ethical reporting in times of conflict, and provided participants with hands-on experience using fact-checking tools while addressing the growing challenges of misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation in Nigeria’s volatile media landscape.

Facilitators at the workshop include: Silas Jonathan from the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) in Nigeria; Jérôme William Bationo, a conflict media specialist with MiCT in Germany; and Oluwole Oladipo Olurishe, a media development expert with GIZ.

The trio delivered sessions that blended theoretical frameworks with practical tools to enhance journalistic objectivity and sensitivity in reporting conflicts.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Chairman of the Taraba State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Mathew Eliud Jen, commended GIZ for its commitment to sustainable peace through media engagement. He urged participants to apply the knowledge gained to drive narratives that promote unity and discourage incitement.

“This training is a timely intervention. As journalists, we have the power to shape public perception. Let’s use our platforms to build peace, not stoke division,” Jen emphasized.

The PeaceCORE project is expected to roll out a series of media-for-peace initiatives across the state in the coming months, reinforcing GIZ’s broader objective of stabilizing conflict-affected regions through inclusive communication strategies and livelihood support.

With increasing political, ethnic, and resource-based tensions in parts of the country, stakeholders believe empowering thev media with conflict transformation tools is a crucial step toward lasting peace and sustainable development in Nigeria.

GIZ Launches Peacecore Project in Taraba,Trains Thirty Journalists on Conflict-Sensitive Reporting

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