DDA Chairman Urges Unity Among Dzita Residents

Benjamin Makafui Attipoe
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DDA Chairman Urges Unity Among Dzita Residents

The Chairman of the Dzita Development Association (DDA), Mr. Joseph Yevu Agbenyegah, has commended the citizens of Dzita both at home and in the diaspora for their immense contribution toward the development of Dzita and Dzita Agbledomi. He therefore stressed the need for unity among the citizenry in collective efforts towards putting Dzita on a higher pedestal.

Mr. Agbenyegah made the commendation in an interview with our newsteam at Dzita as part of activities to mark this year’s Homecoming Festival.

Dda

The annual Homecoming programme, which coincided with this year’s Easter festivities, had activities such as clean-up exercises, football and volleyball matches between the residents and members of the diaspora, health walk, river and beach parties, local food bazaar, a beauty pageant (Miss Dzita 2025) as well as a number of youth group engagements and a grand durbar of the chiefs and people of Dzita.

Dda

Dda

This year’s Homecoming celebration was under the theme, ‘Dzita Rising: Honouring Our Legacy, Building a Stronger Future’. It was aimed, among other things, at raising funds to extend potable water to the entire community of Dzita Agbledomi, the Newtown of Dzita.

The DDA Chairman described the successes chalked so far by the Association in collaboration with the citizens of Dzita as very encouraging, attributing it to good leadership amidst honest accountability to the people.

Dda

According to Mr. Agbenyegah, the citizens of Dzita are ever ready and willing to contribute their resources, both in kind and cash, to the town’s development once they are convinced about the proper use of these resources under an efficient accountability regime.

The DDA Chairman disclosed that it was this zeal and enthusiasm that led to the construction of a seven (7) unit classroom block with ancillary facilities in 2024 for the town at the cost of some Three Hundred Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHS300,000.00), all through contributions made by the citizens of Dzita both at home and abroad.

Dda

According to the Chairman, the accountability bar was so high that some citizens in the diaspora even contributed funds towards the Homecoming events and the projects, and subsequently requested that their names remain anonymous. ‘Dzita is an accountability town, so if you don’t account to the people, you will not get their support. The secret behind our success stories is accounting to the people, Mr. Agbenyegah emphasized.

He reiterated the commitment of the DDA to the development of Dzita and Agbledomi and urged the citizens of the two (2) communities to continue to rally behind the Association to put Dzita on the tourism and other maps of the region, in particular, and the country at large.

One Of The Dysfunctional Stand Pipes At Dzita Agbledomi
One Of The Dysfunctional Pipes At Dzita Agbledomi

One of the two youth groups of Dzita, Redemption of Dzita, also shared their thoughts on the 2025 Homecoming events. The group’s spokesperson, Ms. Genevieve Akos Gana, and a Co-Executive Officer, Mr. Raphael Kwashie Blewu, told our news team in an interview that the group is very active on social media to solicit support for the development of Dzita.

According to them, Redemption of Dzita is the virtual community of Dzita, which has become the main forum for the youth of Dzita to interact and share information on Facebook. They stressed the need for the youth not only to be united but also to continue to support their hometown to the best of their abilities.

ECOWAS, UK Defence College Hold Strategic Talks on Regional Security Cooperation

Roger A. Agana
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ECOWAS, UK Defence College Hold Strategic Talks on Regional Security Cooperation

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) engaged in high-level security discussions with a delegation from the United Kingdom’s Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) on May 12, 2025.

The meeting, hosted at ECOWAS headquarters, focused on enhancing peacebuilding initiatives and evaluating existing security frameworks in the region.

The 21-member UK delegation, led by Rear Admiral Steve Dainton, met with ECOWAS officials headed by Bekaye Coulibaly of the Directorate of Peacekeeping and Regional Security. The dialogue centered on strengthening collaborative mechanisms for peacekeeping operations and mediation efforts across West Africa.

During the session, ECOWAS representatives presented the organization’s conflict resolution strategies and regional security interventions. The talks form part of RCDS’s annual strategic study tour, which examines global security architectures and international partnerships.

This engagement comes as ECOWAS continues to address complex security challenges in the Sahel and coastal West Africa. The discussion explored opportunities for knowledge exchange and capacity building between the UK defence institution and West African security mechanisms. Such diplomatic exchanges underscore the growing importance of international cooperation in tackling transnational security threats while maintaining regional stability.

The meeting reflects ECOWAS’s ongoing efforts to strengthen strategic partnerships with global security stakeholders. As the region faces evolving threats ranging from terrorism to political instability, these dialogues contribute to refining collective security approaches that align with contemporary peacekeeping requirements and regional stability objectives.

ECOWAS Experts Gather in Lagos to Validate Key Infrastructure Development Strategies

Roger A. Agana
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ECOWAS Experts Gather in Lagos to Validate Key Infrastructure Development Strategies

West African infrastructure development took center stage this week as experts from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) convened in Lagos to validate critical planning documents.

The May 13 meeting focused on finalizing a five-year Strategic Business Plan and Communication Strategy for the ECOWAS Project Preparation and Development Unit (PPDU), the specialized agency responsible for preparing regional infrastructure projects.

The new Strategic Business Plan aligns with ECOWAS Vision 2050, which envisions a fully integrated, prosperous region with strong institutions supporting sustainable development. The accompanying Communication Strategy aims to enhance public understanding of PPDU’s work while mobilizing political and financial support from member states, investors, and development partners.

Keba Fye, PPDU’s Acting Director, emphasized the documents’ significance in advancing regional connectivity projects. Speaking on behalf of ECOWAS Infrastructure Commissioner Sediko Douka, Fye noted the unit’s progress since its 2014 establishment and stressed the importance of continued collaboration with technical and financial partners.

The Lagos meeting brought together representatives from key development institutions including the European Union delegation, African Development Bank, and Islamic Development Bank, alongside ECOWAS technical agencies. Discussions centered on finalizing the PPDU’s operational framework, updating the ECOWAS Regional Infrastructure Master Plan, and strengthening partnerships for project implementation.

Adopted in 2021, the $131 billion Regional Infrastructure Master Plan identifies 201 priority projects across energy, transport, ICT, and water sectors through 2045. The parallel Public-Private Partnership policy provides guidelines for attracting investment in these critical infrastructure developments.

These strategic validations come as West Africa faces growing infrastructure demands amid rapid urbanization and economic expansion. The PPDU’s refined approach aims to accelerate project preparation while ensuring transparency and regional coordination, addressing longstanding challenges in cross-border infrastructure development that have historically hindered economic integration. With climate resilience becoming increasingly crucial, the updated frameworks also incorporate sustainability considerations for long-term regional prosperity.

ECOWAS Advocates for Forest Sustainability at UN

Roger A. Agana
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ECOWAS Advocates for Forest Sustainability at UN

Massandjé Touré Litse, ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, represented West Africa at the 20th United Nations Forum on Forests in New York this week.

The high-level session, held from May 5 to 9, brought together global leaders to address sustainable forest management and its role in achieving international development goals.

In her keynote remarks, Touré Litse reaffirmed ECOWAS’s commitment to environmental sustainability, aligning regional efforts with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Agenda. She detailed key initiatives, including the Forest Convergence Plan and a 2023 strategy against illegal wildlife trafficking, which aim to combat deforestation while supporting economic growth. The Commissioner emphasized that these policies are critical to realizing ECOWAS Vision 2050, the bloc’s long-term blueprint for regional stability and prosperity.

During the forum, Touré Litse met with Rosalie Matondo, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Minister for the Forest Economy, to explore joint strategies for preserving vital ecosystems. The discussion highlighted shared challenges, such as illegal logging and habitat loss, and underscored the need for stronger cross-border cooperation.

The West African region, home to some of the world’s most biodiverse forests, faces increasing threats from climate change and unsustainable land use. ECOWAS has been actively working to harmonize environmental policies among its member states, but implementation remains uneven due to funding gaps and capacity limitations. The UN forum provided a crucial platform to advocate for greater international support, particularly in financing conservation projects and enforcing anti-trafficking measures.

As global demand for timber and agricultural land grows, the pressure on West Africa’s forests intensifies. Experts argue that without coordinated action, the region risks irreversible ecological damage, with severe consequences for both local livelihoods and global climate goals. Touré Litse’s participation signals ECOWAS’s determination to position forest conservation as a priority in broader development discussions, ensuring it remains central to the fight against climate change.

ECOWAS Recognizes Top Innovators at Benin Research Forum

Roger A. Agana
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ECOWAS Recognizes Top Innovators at Benin Research Forum

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) awarded $50,000 in prizes to three startups during the closing ceremony of its African Forum for Research and Innovation (FARI) in Cotonou, Benin.

The event, held from May 5 to 9, 2025, highlighted youth-driven solutions to regional challenges under the theme “African Youth, Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Building a Sustainable Future.”

Ivorian startup EAZY CHAIN claimed the $25,000 top prize for its maritime transport cost-reduction technology, while Ghana’s CODE CLUB ACADEMY received $15,000 for developing tools to assist visually impaired individuals. Benin’s FESAM secured third place with a $10,000 award for its cervical cancer screening kit. The innovations addressed critical needs in a region where over 60% of the population is under 25, facing high unemployment and migration risks.

ECOWAS Commission President Omar Alieu Touray emphasized the forum’s role in fostering collaboration, stating, “FARI embodies the spirit of knowledge sharing fundamental to our continent’s progress.” Benin’s Minister of Higher Education, Eléonore Yayi Ladekan, urged translating forum recommendations into action, noting that African-developed science can “compete globally while meeting local needs.”

Fari Fin
Fari Fin

A scientific committee led by former Ivorian Education Minister Saliou Touré proposed measures to enhance future forums, including regional innovation platforms and funding mechanisms for startups. Member states were advised to strengthen youth entrepreneurship programs, particularly for women and persons with disabilities.

The event underscored ECOWAS’ broader efforts to support research, exemplified by a $200,000 investment in Benin’s applied microbiology laboratory through its African Research and Innovation Program. As West Africa grapples with leveraging its youthful demographic, initiatives like FARI aim to curb irregular migration by channeling innovation toward sustainable development.

With youth unemployment exceeding 12% in many member states, the forum’s outcomes highlight the potential of localized solutions to drive economic resilience. The awarded startups exemplify how targeted innovation can address infrastructure gaps and healthcare access while creating opportunities for regional collaboration. As ECOWAS marks its 50th anniversary, fostering such ecosystems may prove pivotal in harnessing the demographic dividend across West Africa.

African Filmmaking Talent Takes Center Stage at Durban FilmMart 2025

Roger A. Agana
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African Filmmaking Talent Takes Center Stage at Durban FilmMart 2025

The Durban FilmMart Institute has unveiled the selected participants for its 18th Talents Durban program, showcasing emerging cinematic voices from across Africa.

Running parallel to the continent’s premier film market from July 18-21, this year’s edition features 31 creatives from 18 countries, including filmmakers and critics developing projects spanning features, documentaries, animation, and series.

Selected from over 500 applications, the cohort represents Africa’s growing film industry, with projects like Uganda’s The Most High and Senegal’s The Prophecy demonstrating the thematic ambition of new African cinema. The program will connect participants with established mentors including Joel Karekezi (Rwanda) and Mayye Zayed (Egypt), offering project development sessions, masterclasses, and networking opportunities.

“This selection reflects the exciting evolution of African storytelling,” noted DFMI Director Magdalene Reddy. The hybrid four-day in-person and two-month online program aligns with this year’s “Bridges Not Borders” theme, emphasizing pan-African collaboration in an industry facing distribution challenges.

Notable projects include Ghana’s documentary Ghana Must Go!, Egypt’s animated Zein, and South Africa’s series Watching Over You. Five film critics from Kenya, South Africa, Ghana and Egypt will also participate, addressing the continent’s growing need for critical engagement with its cinema.

Berlinale Talents Project Manager Nikola Joetze praised the selection’s quality, noting the program’s role in connecting African filmmakers to international opportunities. The Durban FilmMart, now in its 16th edition, continues to serve as a vital marketplace for African cinema, with early bird registration available until May 31 for industry professionals seeking to engage with these emerging voices.

The selected projects demonstrate Africa’s cinematic diversity, from Namibia’s Nuusiku to Madagascar’s Survivors of Tromelin, while highlighting shared continental concerns around identity, history, and social change. As African streaming platforms multiply and international interest grows, programs like Talents Durban play an increasingly crucial role in developing the next generation of filmmakers shaping the continent’s cultural narrative.

Schools in Afram Plains Gain Entrepreneurship Boost Through Youth Clubs

News Ghana
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Schools in Afram Plains Gain Entrepreneurship Boost Through Youth Clubs

Four secondary schools in Ghana’s Kwahu Afram Plains North District will establish Youth Enabling Clubs this academic year to equip students with practical business and digital skills.

The initiative by Africa Street MBA, supported by the KGL Foundation, targets Donkorkrom Agriculture SHS, St Mary’s Vocational Institute, Mem-Chemfre Community Day SHS, and Amankwakrom Fisheries and Technical Institute.

The clubs will focus on three critical areas: entrepreneurship development, financial literacy, and digital competency. This intervention comes as Ghana faces 14.7% youth unemployment, with vocational students in rural communities particularly vulnerable to financial scams and betting addictions. During pilot training sessions from May 8-9, over 500 students learned to transform hobbies into viable micro-businesses through hands-on workshops.

“Early exposure to business principles prevents exploitation and fosters self-reliance,” explained King A. Wellington, Project Lead at Africa Street MBA. The organization has trained 7,000 youth since 2022 through its parent NGO Done By Us, with a special focus on women, persons with disabilities, and TVET students.

School administrators report immediate impact, with Donkorkrom Agriculture SHS’s assistant headmaster noting improved student engagement with financial concepts. The program received endorsement from district education director Victoria Atsufui Yawa Barko, who emphasized its alignment with Ghana’s education reform goals for practical skills development.

Mem Chemfre Community Day Senior High School
Mem Chemfre Community Day Senior High School

As the clubs become operational, they will provide ongoing mentorship and connect students to seed funding opportunities. The model demonstrates how targeted interventions can bridge the gap between vocational training and real-world economic participation, particularly in underserved agricultural communities where 58% of youth engage in informal sector work after graduation.

Algeria to Welcome African Housing Leaders for Key Development Bank Summit

Roger A. Agana
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Algeria to Welcome African Housing Leaders for Key Development Bank Summit

Algiers will host Shelter Afrique Development Bank’s 44th Annual General Meeting from July 15-17, 2025, marking a pivotal gathering for Africa’s affordable housing sector.

The event comes as the continent faces an estimated 50 million housing unit deficit, with urbanization rates outpacing residential construction across most member states.

Under the theme “Housing Sector Financial Sustainability Amid Global Turbulence,” housing and finance ministers from 44 African nations will join private developers and multilateral lenders to address systemic barriers to shelter access. The agenda spotlights innovative financing models, including green housing bonds and public-private partnerships, to bridge Africa’s estimated $1.4 trillion housing investment gap by 2030.

“This convening builds on Algeria’s strategic role in our institutional evolution,” noted Thierno-Habib Hann, CEO of the pan-African development bank. The North African country previously hosted the 2023 session that transformed the organization into a full-fledged development bank with expanded financing capabilities.

Technical sessions will explore climate-resilient construction materials, digital mortgage platforms, and slum upgrading initiatives. A dedicated investment showcase aims to connect viable housing projects with institutional capital, particularly for fast-urbanizing secondary cities where 60% of Africa’s population growth is projected by 2050.

Established in 1981, Shelter Afrique has financed over 20,000 housing units annually through its four business lines. The Algiers summit is expected to ratify new risk-sharing facilities to mobilize private capital for large-scale affordable housing projects. With African cities adding 40,000 new residents daily, the outcomes could significantly influence urban development trajectories across the continent’s 54 nations.

Economic Hardship Hinders Reintegration for Returning Syrians, IOM Report Finds

Roger A. Agana
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Economic Hardship Hinders Reintegration for Returning Syrians, IOM Report Finds

A new assessment by the International Organization for Migration reveals the daunting challenges facing displaced Syrians attempting to rebuild their lives.

The Communities of Return Index Report, surveying conditions across 1,100 locations, identifies unemployment and infrastructure deficiencies as primary obstacles to sustainable reintegration.

While approximately 1.87 million displaced persons have returned to their communities including 730,000 from abroad since January 2024 many encounter communities ill-equipped to support them. Critical services remain unreliable, with widespread shortages of electricity, clean water and healthcare access. Legal documentation gaps further complicate efforts to reclaim property or access social services, creating additional barriers to stability.

“The resilience of returning Syrians is being tested by systemic challenges,” noted IOM Director General Amy Pope. The organization has reactivated its Damascus operations to address both immediate humanitarian needs and longer-term recovery efforts. Current initiatives focus on shelter rehabilitation, essential supply distribution, and establishing property record systems to facilitate dispute resolution.

The report comes as Syria’s displacement figures show modest improvement, with internally displaced persons decreasing slightly to 6.6 million in April 2025. However, the slow recovery of agricultural sectors and local markets continues to limit livelihood opportunities, raising concerns about sustainable reintegration. IOM emphasizes that international support remains crucial to create conditions for voluntary, dignified returns amid Syria’s protracted crisis.

These findings underscore the complex interplay between physical reconstruction and economic recovery in post-conflict settings. While security improvements have enabled initial returns, the absence of functional economic systems risks creating secondary displacement. The report’s community-level data aims to inform targeted interventions that address both humanitarian needs and the foundational requirements for lasting stability.

AI-Powered Fraud Emerges as Growing Threat to Africa’s Crypto Users

Roger A. Agana
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AI-Powered Fraud Emerges as Growing Threat to Africa’s Crypto Users

A new wave of artificial intelligence-enabled scams is targeting cryptocurrency investors across Africa, with criminals using sophisticated deepfake technology to bypass security measures.

Recent data reveals South African financial institutions face particularly acute challenges, with 60% of organizations reporting AI-facilitated crimes – surpassing the global average of 56%. These attacks have driven compliance costs to $1.4 billion annually as the region scrambles to counter evolving threats.

The scams typically begin with criminals collecting publicly available photos and voice recordings from social media. Using generative adversarial networks, fraudsters create convincing digital replicas that impersonate trusted contacts or exchange representatives. These deepfakes have proven alarmingly effective at tricking users into surrendering sensitive account information.

Cryptocurrency platforms are fighting back with AI-powered defenses. Binance has implemented liveness-detection systems that analyze subtle facial movements and behavioral biometrics that monitor typing patterns. These tools helped recover $88 million in stolen funds last year alone. “We’re engaged in an algorithmic arms race,” noted Samukele Mkhize, Binance’s South Africa compliance head.

The security challenge comes as cryptocurrency adoption grows across Africa, with platforms integrating mobile money services in Ghana, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Binance has trained South African law enforcement on investigating AI-enabled crypto crimes while expanding educational programs that reached 10 million African users last year through personalized learning modules.

Experts emphasize basic precautions can significantly reduce risks: limiting social media exposure of personal images, enabling multi-factor authentication, and verifying suspicious communications through official channels. As AI capabilities advance, maintaining this balance between innovation and security will prove critical for Africa’s developing digital finance ecosystem. The solutions may increasingly rely on the same artificial intelligence driving current threats, creating a complex technological standoff with billions at stake.

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