Ghana solar success shared in pan-African economic initiative
A visit to a solar energy project on a Ghanaian island on Tuesday, June 17, marked the end of the first module of economic inclusivity in an initiative organised by the governments of three African states.
According to the Office of the Premier's spokesperson, George Mthethwa, 45 participants representing government leaders, public servants and academics from South Africa, Kenya and Ghana attended the first module, with a focus on fostering regional trade, innovation in digital technology, good governance and sustainable energy.
'The participants toured a solar power facility installed for the small community of the island. 156 solar panels were installed with the support of World Bank in 2017 to supply power to households,' Mthethwa said.
He said the Ghanaian government emphasised that this has drastically improved the quality of life of the island community, whose survival is dependant on fishing.
The project has prompted the construction of new health and education facilities and is attracting professionals to the island to provide essential services.
ALSO READ: WATCH: Illegal gambling machines destroyed in Mpumalanga
The Mpumalanga MEC for finance, Bonakele Majuba, led the provincial delegation.
The visit to the solar energy facility is said to be key to Mpumalanga's exploration of the energy mix, to meet the high demand for power generation.
ALSO READ: Mangweni youth plead for jobs from provincial government
Since June 16, the participants have engaged in various activities of the first module in pursuit of economic inclusivity.
'The last two modules will take place in South Africa and Kenya before the end of October 2025,' said Mthethwa.
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
8 hours ago
- The Citizen
Support local excellence: Nominate a business for Best of Merafong 2025
Support local excellence: Nominate a business for Best of Merafong 2025 The 2025 Best of Merafong Awards are now open for public nominations—and it's time to give your favourite local businesses the recognition they deserve! Whether it's a top-notch takeout spot, a friendly grocery store, or a professional service provider in Carletonville or Fochville, these awards are your chance to shine a light on excellence in the community. Hosted by the Carletonville and Fochville Herald, this campaign celebrates outstanding service and dedication to quality. Winners are chosen by the people—based on your nominations and votes. Don't miss the opportunity to uplift your favourite business! Nomination window: 17 June – 1 July 2025 Submit your pick here: Together, let's build a stronger local economy—one nomination at a time! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
13 hours ago
- The Citizen
Ghana solar success shared in pan-African economic initiative
A visit to a solar energy project on a Ghanaian island on Tuesday, June 17, marked the end of the first module of economic inclusivity in an initiative organised by the governments of three African states. According to the Office of the Premier's spokesperson, George Mthethwa, 45 participants representing government leaders, public servants and academics from South Africa, Kenya and Ghana attended the first module, with a focus on fostering regional trade, innovation in digital technology, good governance and sustainable energy. 'The participants toured a solar power facility installed for the small community of the island. 156 solar panels were installed with the support of World Bank in 2017 to supply power to households,' Mthethwa said. He said the Ghanaian government emphasised that this has drastically improved the quality of life of the island community, whose survival is dependant on fishing. The project has prompted the construction of new health and education facilities and is attracting professionals to the island to provide essential services. ALSO READ: WATCH: Illegal gambling machines destroyed in Mpumalanga The Mpumalanga MEC for finance, Bonakele Majuba, led the provincial delegation. The visit to the solar energy facility is said to be key to Mpumalanga's exploration of the energy mix, to meet the high demand for power generation. ALSO READ: Mangweni youth plead for jobs from provincial government Since June 16, the participants have engaged in various activities of the first module in pursuit of economic inclusivity. 'The last two modules will take place in South Africa and Kenya before the end of October 2025,' said Mthethwa. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
19 hours ago
- IOL News
How Africa can foster sustainable diplomacy amidst global trade tensions
Ashraf Patel The abrupt exit of Donald Trump from the G7 Summit in Canada, without having side meetings with Global South leaders from South Africa, India et al, and this week's NATO Summit where core nations committed to a 5% of GDP spending on Defence amidst Trump tariffs has cemented 'nationalism as the new normal.' Meanwhile, 9 July is a key date when Trump tariffs kick in and will further erode African nations - who face high costs of capital and many face social conflicts amidst multiple cost of living crises facing the continent. In this context, South Africa should develop a smart agile and sustainable diplomacy rooted in both national interest and continental solidarity. Traditional blocks and alliances are no longer viable for middle powers. It is thus imperative that South Africa needs to craft a more nuanced trade and investment-people partnership to address its sagging economy and deep-seated structural problems such as unemployment, inequality, hunger and digital deficits. The recent announcement by China to accept duty-free access for 53 African nations is a huge boost that can promote exports and preserve jobs - but trade facilitation and meeting product standards will be crucial to leverage these opportunities. Both China and India offer a market of hundreds of millions of consumers that African exporters can tap into. Russia and the St Petersburg Economic Forum In early June Deputy President attended the 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Russia's second-largest city. This year's forum, "Shared Values: The Foundation of Growth in a Multipolar World attracted nearly 20,000 representatives from 140 countries and regions and heads of several international organizations. Russia has managed GDP growth and currency reserves despite sanctions and war and is the Gateway to Eurasia. This forum is held when the global economy is facing severe challenges. It is a platform for issues ranging from accelerating digitalization to addressing climate change and formulating specific, practical solutions that can adapt the global economy to new conditions. The forum included more than 150 events, with entrepreneurs from Russia, China, the United States, Türkiye, Brazil, Vietnam, India, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Africa. Southern Africa, SACU and AFCFTA expansion Our Southern African region comprises over 300 million citizens with huge trade and development potential. AFCFTA has been operational for five years but trade is negligible. Trade facilitation capacity and product quality support are needed as well as tech transfer. As the G20 host nation South Africa needs a new trade and investment package rooted in SADC industrialisation and energy plans. Smart tariffs would be needed with SACU nations Lesotho, Swaziland and Botswana. However, South Africa Inc.'s story in Africa has been that of a 'regional hegemon exploiting the rest of Africa', especially in mining and retail. Can a new AFCFTA be possible? One rooted in fair trade, solidarity and the SDG model with smaller nations? Here responsible diplomacy is needed beyond rhetoric. France and its commitments to Multilateralism and SDGs agenda In the current geopolitical situation, France is ensuring multilateralism and UN norms are adhered to. President Macron's stated position on advancing the two-state solution for Palestine will go a long way in ensuring a peaceful settlement. The Paris AI Safety Summit in February with France committing to a progressive vision for AI rooted in sustainability, inclusion and addressing inequality is progressive and aligned to UN and G20 commitments. The annual Paris Peace Conference is a global platform providing the world with a plethora of progressive ideas -and solutions on a range of key global issues for dialogue. At a bilateral level, a visit to France in early June saw Deputy President Paul Mashile deepen partnerships in areas of investment, development infrastructure, energy and technology. Indonesia, Malaysia and the ASEAN bloc ASEAN nations Indonesia and Malaysia nations offer enormous opportunities. With a population of 250 million, this is a major opportunity in trade especially in small business developments, exports, tourism and culture. Canada and Australia - progressive Commonwealth nations with common values Canada and Australia are fellow Commonwealth nations that currently have progressive governments in power with a deep commitment to multilateralism. Australia's Labour leader and Prime Minister Albanese is an example of smart diplomacy and managing a 'strategic autonomy' balance with major powers in the Asia Pacific region, China and the EU. His domestic agenda is rooted in progressive social policies from climate change to social cohesion. For example, the smartphone ban in Australian schools is seen as a game-changer in regulating social media and youth, a policy Africans can learn from. Canada too has a range of commitments to development aid and investments in skills development across Africa. Both nations are major investors in mining in Africa and committed to the sustainable mining agenda, although much more can be done in terms of human rights and mining. Solidarity and Sustainability in Latin America In Colombia President Gustavo Petro has showed the way of solidarity and banned coal exports to Isreal. The city of Bogota is known to be a model city in terms of urban transport and spatial transformation, something South African metros can draw upon. Chile a progressive social democracy and once a poster child of Chicago-style neoliberalism, now has a solid social democracy increasing well-being and wealth social safety nets, and higher education access. Here South Africa can learn much on how to manage the headwinds of neoliberalism and ensure our eroding social agenda is preserved. Bolivia's socialist government is maturing and learning to be in government. South Africa has cordial relations for two decades. With large reserves in lithium and being in the headwinds of large power competition for resource extractions, South Africa and African nations can better engage Bolivia and Latin American nations in the big development ideas on resource governance and the beneficiation of critical minerals for development, trade and the UN SDG sustainable agenda. While Trump 2.0 tariffs have severely disrupted African nations, neighbours Canada and Mexico, we can learn from Cuba, who for decades have endured the illegal US blockade yet managed to maintain their sovereignty and continue to advance their historical mission and revolution. By contrast, our current tariff challenges are merely a 'walk in the park'. Hence, internationalism and solidarity should still be a core feature of foreign policy while also being smart in navigating partnerships with a diverse range of nations across continents regardless of ideological blocs. However, in order to navigate the 'new nationalist normal' in this chaotic trade geopolitics nexus calls for a new generation of smart and agile diplomats. Smart and sustainable diplomacy and outreach are required by our embassies, chambers of commerce as well as academic institutes and civil society towards a more calibrated trade, investment, solidarity and people-to-people partnerships. We may do well to establish Bi-National Commissions with some of these nations. * Ashraf Patel is a Senior Research Associate at the Institute for Global Dialogue, UNISA. ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL, Independent Media or The African.
