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UNCTAD XII: EXPECTATIONS!!!
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As a Ghanaian witnessing the ongoing UNCTAD XII with Ghana as a host, I cannot let this historic and historical event pass without serious comments.

I expect that UNCTAD XII will evolve

1. A clear approach to addressing the global imbalance of trade between the industralised nations and the developing ones.
2. A detailed framework to combat climate change and to guarantee food security
3.A paradigm shifting approach to doing business in Africa, one that ensures the full participation of Africans in the exploitation and enjoyment of their resources.

UNCTAD XII must show the new way that promotes countries as partners in development, not as competitors.

April 24, 2008 | 7:28 AM Comments  0 comments

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INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN YOUTH SUMMIT ON THE MDGs
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I wish to invite members of your noble organization as well as its liaison officers in the Tertiary Institutions to participate in an international Youth Summit on the Millennium Development Goals organized by Africa Global Sister Cities Foundation.

The summit which is on the theme “The Roles of Sister Cities Youth in Achieving the Millennium Development Goals for Change” is schedule to take place at the Accra International Conference Centre from 18th – 24th May, 2008.

Through this Summit, we hope to increase the awareness of the MDGs among young people, showcase some ongoing youth projects on the MDGs in Africa and elsewhere, and explore novel ways of actively involving young people at the community level in the attainment of the MDGs for a global change.

We also wish to use this occasion to introduce young people to participate in the upcoming Sister Cities Youth Conference, Kansas City, USA, in July 2008.

At the end of the Summit, participants will create an international Sister Cities Network for an Action Plan on the MDGs.

Invited distinguished personalities and keynote speakers include:
H.E. John Agyekum Kufuor, (President of the Republic of Ghana); H.E. Kofi Annan, (7th Secretary-General of UN); H.E. Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, (President, ECOWAS Commission); H.E. Mae Ferguson, (President, Sister Cities International);
H.E. Mary Jean Eisenhower, (CEO, People To People Inc.); His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu,(King of Asante, Ghana); Celia Churchill Sandys, (Founder of Churchill Leadership, UK); Emmanuel Dei-Tumi, (CEO of Foundation for Future Leaders International); Rev. Daniel Ogbamey Tetteh, (Director of Research, Databank Ghana) and Ms Matilda Asante, (Joy FM, Ghana).

Youth focus on the MDGs will be, in some cases, facilitated by representatives from the UNDP. Other experts have also been invited to guide the youth in panel discussions and plenary sessions.

Please find attached a brief on the Youth Summit for your attention and circulation to student members of these groups. Please do visit our website www.africaglobal-sistercities.org for information regarding registration and participation.

We look forward to welcoming you to this eventful summit in May.

Sincerely,

………………………….
Charles-Chess
Youth Coordinator, AGSCF
chesseles@hotmail.com

April 10, 2008 | 3:42 PM Comments  1 comments

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GREAT OPPORTUNITY!
Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

The garthering of the galaxy of global leaders is happening live in Ghana from the 18th to 25th April.
UN delegates, Mayors from US and Africa. ECOWAS, AU, and many more represented.

An initiative of Sister Cities International and People-to-People International.

Take a look at www.africaglobal-sistercities.org for info.

Viva!!
Selorm Kofi Dake,
+233-22-404012

April 3, 2008 | 1:26 PM Comments  0 comments

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PRESS SATEMENT ON THE EPA DEBATE
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TOMORROW LEADERS GHANA
Developing Tomorrow Leaders Today


26th November 2007

PRESS RELEASE
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION’S PROPOSED ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT (EPA): AN UNFAIR IMPOSITION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF ACP COUNTRIES

After a careful study and critical analysis of The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which the European Commission (EC) is currently negotiating with 76 counties of the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP), Tomorrow Leaders Ghana (TLG), a youth organization in Ghana deems it expedient and highly imperative to state that the pressure the EC is exerting on these poor countries to sign the document latest by December 31st 2007 is unfair and unnecessary.

The approach of the EC negotiators is in clear contradiction to the conclusions of the EU Council of Ministers which states that Europe “fully respects the right of all ACP states and regions to determine the best policies for their development”

Unfortunately Europe is undermining the fundamental principle of partnership and misusing its unequal bargaining power in the negotiation room to push what it considers the best development vision for these poor countries

Apart from its unacceptable threats, the use of increased development aid or assistance as lobbying and a bargaining tool in the negotiations severely undermines the sincerity of Europe’s claim to be working in partnership with developing countries.

Why is the EC forcing ACP countries to choose between sudden trade disruptions and Free Trade Agreement (FTA) provisions which could jeopardize their future developments. To us this is highly unjust and unacceptable in a civilized and democratic world

Giving the short time period remaining and the deep problems with the EPA, it is impossible to reach an agreement that adequately addresses the needs of developing countries by 31st December 2007.

It is evident enough that EC has clear interim measures that could be put in place by Europe to remove the pressure from the negotiators and guarantee continued access of ACP exports beyond December 31st 2007

TLG’s concerns are that:

• Proposals by the EC to cut tariffs would undermine food security and local manufacturing

• The proposed new intellectual property rules would limit the ACP countries for that matter Ghana to educational materials, technology and seed for farmers



• The proposed competition rules by the EC will favour only large corporations and investors from Europe instead of facilitating partnership in development

• The proposed new rules on government procurement would hinder the government of ACP countries from using its expenditure to stimulate local development

• The proposed rules on services could reduce poor people’s access to critical services such as banking and telecom and make ACP countries more vulnerable to financial crises.

• The proposed trade liberalization is detrimental to our political and social health and consequently has negative effects on the youth of today

• The deliberate attempt to raise tariffs and cut down aid to ACP countries as bait to get the agreement signed is against fundamental principle of justice and a such the pressure mounted on ACP countries be avoided.

In conclusion we wish to state that:

• EC as a matter of urgency should consider options of safeguarding the current levels of access to European market for ACP countries whiles negotiations still progresses in a calm atmosphere until an agreement is reached that adequately addresses development.

To provide certainty, Europe should provide all ACP states guaranteed access to the European market in 2008 by adapting Generalised System of Preferences( GSP) Plus and Every thing But Arms (EBA) schemes

• We also call on ACP countries and for that matter Ghana government not to sign the EPA until their interest and the concerns raised by TLG are appropriately addressed

• Europe must act urgently to change the approach of its negotiation. European importers and ACP exporters need legal certainty to continue their business operations into 2008 without threat to livelihoods.


Signed: Signed:
Raymond Ablorh Richard Abbey Jnr
Director, Communications Projects Coordinator
+233 245 761 509 +233 244 469 369



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