News Desk || Witchcraft Accusations: 60-year-old woman accused of witchcraft beaten to death
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Transcript
00:00:00 Welcome to Newsdesk with me Mamie Sinia Miche Thompson. In the next hour, 60 year old woman
00:00:06 beaten to death after she was accused of witchcraft at Boubouna in the Yongyo-Nansweni district
00:00:12 of the Northeast region. We have details.
00:00:17 A key government official of deposed Niger president still in denial of current crisis
00:00:25 in his country as he insists the presidential guards who seized power lack recognition in
00:00:31 the international community. We have an exclusive weather chief of staff.
00:00:41 Also electoral commission vows to go after persons who flout rules for the use of the
00:00:45 guarantor system in the upcoming voter registration exercise. We have details. We'll tell you
00:00:56 why in Kranza South and North will not partake in the upcoming district level elections scheduled
00:01:02 for 19th December. I am Mamie Sinia Miche Thompson. Please stay
00:01:08 for details. Now let's dig in. A 60 year old woman, Conjied
00:01:18 Dute, has been beaten to death after she was accused of witchcraft at Boubouna in the Yongyo-Nansweni
00:01:24 district of the Northeast region. According to family, the deceased was summoned by some
00:01:30 of the community members after one of them reported seeing her in his dream trying to
00:01:35 harm him. The family adds that the woman was murdered on her way to report the accusation
00:01:40 against her to her family in the next village. The incident comes as parliament recently
00:01:46 passed a bill seeking to prescribe witchcraft accusations. It also comes on the back of
00:01:51 a similar incident in June this year at Sangmana that nearly sparked tribal violence in the
00:01:58 district. Speaking to Joy News, the brother of the deceased, Jacob Cook, says the family
00:02:04 is demanding the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators. He said family would not
00:02:09 bury the body of the deceased until their demands are met. The police have confirmed
00:02:14 the incident but wouldn't give details. Chief of the community has condemned the attack
00:02:20 and vowed to ensure that the law takes its course. Witchcraft accusations and violence
00:02:25 are common in the Northeast region. There are currently around 70 women separated from
00:02:31 their families and being held as witches in the region. Let's go live now to correspondent
00:02:38 Elias Otanko for more on this. Elias, when exactly did this incident happen and why?
00:02:47 What we understand it happened on Monday. This woman, we understand three years ago,
00:02:55 had been accused in this similar community. And so on Monday, actually, she was summoned
00:03:04 by some members of the community. And then she was told that one person had accused her
00:03:12 of being a witch and that the person said he saw her in his dream trying to haunt him.
00:03:19 So they were asking her to treat this person who we understand is currently ill in the
00:03:28 community. And so we understand the woman was on her way to the next village to report
00:03:35 the accusations against her family. Two men then on a motorbike treat her and she was
00:03:45 beaten to death by these two gentlemen. We understand the police have been informed and
00:03:53 we are also picking a report that one person had already been arrested. But the family
00:03:59 members, the family of the deceased, they are now asking for justice. They are asking
00:04:04 that all the perpetrators involved are shown, arrested and prosecuted.
00:04:11 Well, Eliasu, how is the community reacting to this incident, seeing that there was a
00:04:17 bill passed in Parliament recently to abolish some of these practices?
00:04:21 Well, it appears that the community members are not aware of this particular development
00:04:29 in Parliament. And this is not the first time that actually such an incident has occurred
00:04:37 in this area. Early June this year, there was a similar incident in that area. And then
00:04:45 also in July, another incident happened in the same area, which is the Namon community.
00:04:53 And so this is a very common incident in that particular area. And because of a slow justice
00:05:00 system, or if you like, a lack of justice, in most cases, these things keep occurring.
00:05:09 But has the family taken any steps to, I mean, get some investigations done into the incident?
00:05:18 Maybe the chiefs in the community or even the police?
00:05:21 Yes, I understand the police have been informed. The chief actually said he was the last person
00:05:28 to be informed about the incident. He expressed his unhappiness that the community members
00:05:36 were able to hide this particular information from him until the last moment when he was
00:05:44 informed. And he said he personally reported the incident to the police and encouraged
00:05:52 the police to take action on this particular matter. And so yes, the family have also been
00:05:58 making some demands. They are saying that until the perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted,
00:06:04 they are not going to allow for the burial of their loved woman that has been murdered.
00:06:12 And they are also saying that if the perpetrators or the attackers are not killed, they were
00:06:22 going to take the law into their own hands. I spoke with two sons of the deceased, and
00:06:28 they were very, very angry and insisted that if justice were not served, they were going
00:06:35 to look for the perpetrators themselves and exact revenge on them.
00:06:41 Right, Eliasu, we are so grateful for your time here. Eliasu Tanko is our original correspondent.
00:06:46 But joining us too on this issue is the brother of the deceased, Jacob Jakpe, and he's here
00:06:52 to tell us more about the incident. Jacob, if you can hear me now, can you describe the
00:06:58 circumstances leading to your sister's demise?
00:07:02 Jacob, can you hear me?
00:07:16 Oh yeah, it's true. Yeah, the incident happened at Bukuguru, and the family of that, especially
00:07:30 my daughter, was married. And on Saturday, they accused her of witchcraft.
00:07:44 Eliasu, if you can position yourself well, or reduce the volume of the television set
00:07:56 wherever you are, it's giving us feedback. Unfortunately, that's giving us feedback.
00:08:00 So if you can just put that off and speak to me through the phone so that we can get
00:08:06 a smooth conversation here. Can you hear me now?
00:08:10 I can hear you very well.
00:08:11 Great, great. Wonderful. Please, now tell me, how would you describe your sister? Who
00:08:16 is she? How old is she?
00:08:18 Yes, she's a good country girl. And she's about 60 years old.
00:08:24 Okay. All right. And so when this incident happened, what was the explanation given to
00:08:30 you? Why was she killed?
00:08:32 Yes, she was killed by a... accused of witchcraft. And witch is one of their brothers. For that
00:08:46 matter, she was coming to inform us as a parent in the house. And there were two gentlemen
00:08:53 who chased her and beat her severely up to death.
00:08:56 Okay.
00:08:58 And then later on, they came and then informed us as a parent that our sister had passed
00:09:02 away. And we said, "No, when you were beating our sister, people saw it. And they told people
00:09:08 what you are doing is not good." So four to five hours in cover, you cannot give us this
00:09:14 information. It's better for you to send the body to mortuary, and then we'll see how we
00:09:18 can investigate and see what caused the death.
00:09:21 But do you have any idea who may have perpetrated this crime?
00:09:25 Yes, those who committed the crime here is Nnamka Bama and Kambien Emmanuel. They are
00:09:33 the two gentlemen who beat my sister up to death. And they discreetly arrested one person,
00:09:41 Nnamka Bama, he loves Kambien Emmanuel. And that is why we as a family, we said, "No,
00:09:48 unless they bring Kambien Emmanuel, the law must be taken and the right thing must be done
00:09:56 before we can allow the body to be buried."
00:09:59 Yes.
00:10:02 What has been...
00:10:05 It's a serious issue.
00:10:06 Indeed it is. What has been the communication given to you by either the police or even
00:10:11 the chiefs in the area about what they intend to do about the situation?
00:10:15 Yes, really, indeed. I spoke, even this morning, I spoke with the assemblyman. And yesterday
00:10:22 too, I spoke with the assemblyman again. And he told me that he will work accordingly with
00:10:28 the chief and to make sure that they bring the other guy who is part of the victim, who
00:10:34 is part of the medics case, and we'll see how best we can iron the things. Yes, I spoke
00:10:41 with the assemblyman.
00:10:42 Okay.
00:10:44 And we told them that we don't have any problem, but our plan is they should bring the guy.
00:10:49 And then the right thing must be... the two must be spoken. And then we'll see how we
00:10:53 can process the thing and the body can be buried.
00:10:55 Right.
00:10:57 Without that, it will be something else.
00:11:00 Right. Thank you so much for your time here on Newsdex. We've also been joined by the
00:11:06 chief of the area, Bagut Alasun. Mr. Alasun, we're grateful for your time here. But seeing
00:11:12 that this situation has happened in your community, how do you... how are you handling it?
00:11:17 I left for Accra before the incident happened. I'm the chief of the community, but I work
00:11:27 in Accra. So I left... I think I left about two days before it happened. It happened on
00:11:34 the 13th of August. That was a Sunday. I was briefed by my... I followed to them. The woman
00:11:50 was accused of witchcraft. So they invited her to their family house. They are the head
00:11:57 of the family house. They asked her to deny knowledge of the accusation. But they said
00:12:08 they were going to take her to a fetish break in Togo. And they said if that's the case,
00:12:14 they should allow her to go and inform her family members at CAF, a community called
00:12:18 CAF. So she was allowed to go. And on her way, she was almost explaining the community.
00:12:26 When the young guy called Baman, the sick boy's elder brother, with one of his friends,
00:12:34 followed up. And while they were pulling the woman, they were pulling up the woman's...
00:12:39 their spoiled spirit. So they packed their motorbikes and had to run after her. So when
00:12:48 the woman was about entering the community, they just attacked her with their cargo.
00:12:55 Beat her to a pulp. And so it was then that the woman's nephew came out and saw what was
00:13:03 happening to his aunt. So he was able to take one of the cargos from the boy and then asked
00:13:11 them to take their corpse back home. Well, Mr. Alassa, we understand, I mean, the incident
00:13:17 that has happened. But as a chief in the community, this is a grave, grave, grave crime that has
00:13:23 happened. And just recently, a bill was passed in Parliament to abort some of these incidents.
00:13:30 How is it that this is happening under your watch? What are you doing about it?
00:13:35 Yeah, the issue is still with the police. The police came and took the corpse and arrested
00:13:42 one of the boys. So right now, the corpse is in the morgue. But they are insisting that they could
00:13:49 get them the other boy. They were two boys. Who did that? So they could get the other boy before
00:13:54 the corpse can be buried. For them to go and bury. As a chief of the community, I'm waiting for the
00:14:01 corpse to come. I have some certifications, some performances to do before they can bury the corpse.
00:14:09 Then after the burial, I will sit with the family members and know what sort of
00:14:16 measures to take. Right. But before you go as well, another important decision, I mean,
00:14:25 issue is that many of the residents in your community are unaware of the bill that has
00:14:31 been passed against some of these practices. How are you ensuring that this does not repeat?
00:14:37 Well, when I go back to the north, I think I'll have to organize. I have been calling
00:14:44 meetings. I will invite my church chiefs and most of my police team members to attend those meetings.
00:14:50 So when I go back as usual, I will invite them and tell me about the new bill that has been passed.
00:14:58 You know, previously, I used to entertain this witchcraft issue. But at a point, I was advised to
00:15:06 because a witch or witchcraft is a spiritual thing. I don't have the eyes to see.
00:15:15 And so whenever somebody is accused of witchcraft, I don't have to entertain those people.
00:15:21 And so I really started dissuading my people before this incident happened.
00:15:27 So as usual, when I go back home, I will mobilize them and get them educated on what has happened.
00:15:35 Thank you.
00:15:35 For your time, Mr. Alassan, he's chief of that community where a 60-year-old woman has been
00:15:45 lynched, being accused of witchcraft. Well, we've been trying to get a sponsor of the bill,
00:15:51 Francis Zaviasosu, but we've not been able to reach him. As and when we get him,
00:15:56 we will speak to him on this matter. Now, let's turn our attention to the coup in Niger and join
00:16:01 us in the conversation. We're going to have a chat with the chief of staff of Niger's deposed
00:16:07 president, Mohamed Barzouma, who is still in denial that the military has toppled their government.
00:16:12 Chief Odaouda says the presidential guard, which seized power in the French West Country at the end
00:16:19 of last month, lacks recognition in the international community. A group of military
00:16:24 chiefs from West Africa are wrapping up a strategic meeting organized by subregional body ECWAS here
00:16:30 on the deployment of troops to restore constitutional order in Niger. Speaking exclusively to join
00:16:36 News Blessing last night, the belated chief of staff says Mohamed Barzouma is in good spirits,
00:16:42 knowing that he is the legitimate president of Niger. I don't need to ask you how you're doing,
00:16:48 because obviously things are not too well for you and the Nigerian public. But let's start off with
00:16:54 how you made it into Ghana. What was your story? How did you leave Niger, even when the coup happened
00:17:00 when you were in that country? How did you run for your life and to make it right into the Republic?
00:17:05 Thank you for everything. But before answering your question, I want to correct something.
00:17:15 Right. I'm not the former chief of staff. I'm the chief of staff of the president of
00:17:19 the Republic of Niger. You don't accept that you've been deposed? Mohamed Barzouma, who is still
00:17:24 the elected president of Niger, then is not the former president. He is the president of the
00:17:30 Republic of Niger, the elected one. This attempt to depose him is still ongoing and it will finish
00:17:40 in a few days. So you don't even accept that you've been deposed? No. Why so? Barzouma is still the
00:17:48 president of the Republic of Niger, recognized by all the countries in the world, except of course
00:17:56 Mali and Burkina Faso, that are in the same situation. But you can't go back home now
00:18:02 because your president is no more. There's a new prime minister, there's a new cabinet.
00:18:06 There's no prime minister, there's no new cabinet. All of this is null and void.
00:18:14 President Mohamed Barzouma is the president of the Republic of Niger,
00:18:19 and the only president of the Republic of Niger recognized by all.
00:18:24 So basically what he's trying to say, and for those of you who may not understand,
00:18:27 is that he does not accept being the former chief of staff. He does not, first of all,
00:18:31 accept that there's a new cabinet. He does not accept that there's a new president. He does not
00:18:36 accept that there's a new leader of the Nigerian people. All he accepts right now is the fact that
00:18:43 there is only one president in the Republic of Niger, and that is President Mohamed Barzouma,
00:18:47 who was democratically elected. Now I'm going to ask you about President Mohamed Barzouma,
00:18:52 because I need to ask you how he's doing right now, how he's faring. After the coup d'etat
00:18:56 happened, you were there trying to fight back. It didn't work, so you left. But he's being
00:19:00 detained now. How is he feeling now as we speak?
00:19:04 The president of the Republic is doing very well. He has a very high moral. He is ready to fight for
00:19:12 democracy, for freedom, for justice in Niger. So the president of the Republic is doing very well.
00:19:18 He has a very, very high moral. Certainly, the living conditions are deplorable, because
00:19:26 since the events of July 26, the youth have done everything to demoralize him, to bring him
00:19:37 back to a reduced state, but that's not to mention his moral strength. So the president of the Republic
00:19:44 is doing very well. Okay, so basically he's making the point that when you talk about President
00:19:48 Mohamed Barzouma, he's in high spirit, good spirit. In fact, morally, his moral is high.
00:19:55 He's not down or dampened. His spirit is not dampened by the fact that there's a new military
00:20:02 junta that is controlling the country, except to say that he's been detained. And naturally,
00:20:06 when you're detained, your rights are restricted. You do not have the right to move. You do not have
00:20:11 the right to make certain natural adjustments, which he would have done when he was head of
00:20:16 state. So that is the only confinement in which he finds himself, except to say that he still
00:20:22 believes that he's the president of the Republic and is in good spirit. I guess that's the point
00:20:27 that people are watching, the point you're making. Now, you're saying that he's in good health. If
00:20:31 he's in good health and he's in a high morale, he's been deposed by the military junta. And we've seen
00:20:36 the military junta receiving a lot of support. I don't know if it's just my impression, but they
00:20:43 seem to be receiving a lot of support. You take a look at when the coup happened, they staged a rally
00:20:48 at the stadium. And in that stadium, lots of people filling up the stadium to capacity. It does
00:20:56 suggest that there's just something right with this coup d'état and the military regime that is
00:21:01 controlling. People appear to be supporting them. Is that not the case?
00:21:06 [SPEAKING FRENCH]
00:21:18 [SPEAKING FRENCH]
00:21:30 [SPEAKING FRENCH]
00:21:52 [SPEAKING FRENCH]
00:22:20 [SPEAKING FRENCH]
00:22:42 Why are you asking me so? Why so?
00:22:45 [SPEAKING FRENCH]
00:23:13 [SPEAKING FRENCH]
00:23:23 [SPEAKING FRENCH]
00:23:33 [SPEAKING FRENCH]
00:23:43 [SPEAKING FRENCH]
00:23:53 [SPEAKING FRENCH]
00:24:07 So basically the point the formative staff is making is that we should disregard what is happening
00:24:15 on the televisions as we see it. And also making the point that what we have is that the military
00:24:24 is just inviting people to create the impression as though they have legitimacy. But they do not
00:24:32 have legitimacy based on what we're seeing on the screens. And that they are just bringing their
00:24:38 cronies and bringing people who align with them to fill the stadium. So we shouldn't believe what
00:24:43 we're seeing on the television.
00:24:45 Well, the head of the Foreign Affairs and Diplomatic Desk, Blessed Soga, joins me for more on this.
00:24:53 Blessed, so we know today is the second day for the meeting of the chiefs of defense staff from ECOWAS.
00:25:00 What do we know about today's meeting?
00:25:08 Well, Amir, it's a pleasure to be talking to you. But first of all, I must point out that we are
00:25:14 stationed right in front of the embassy of the Republic of Niger. And why we're here is because
00:25:22 we're picking information that some Nigerian citizens may be picketing the embassy in a few
00:25:27 minutes from now. It's the reason for which you're seeing the police vehicles which are stationed
00:25:33 right in front of the mission or the foreign embassy of the People's Republic of Niger. Sorry,
00:25:40 the Republic of Niger, I should say. But just to give you a background to that meeting that
00:25:45 transpired yesterday that we saw amongst the army chiefs. What we witnessed yesterday, actually,
00:25:51 was the day one of a committee meeting. And this committee meeting is simply a meeting amongst the
00:25:58 military chiefs drawn from West African countries. Now, these military chiefs are basically doing
00:26:05 a meeting as part of efforts to reactivate or activate what the sub-regional body ECOWAS is
00:26:12 calling as a standby force. Now, they are calling it a standby force because any moment from now,
00:26:20 the regional body, through the leadership of President Kufuando, President Bolotinubu, and the
00:26:25 other West African leaders, they have resolved to deploy military troops into the Republic of Niger
00:26:32 to restore constitutional order. That's because ECOWAS is arguing that after the democratically
00:26:38 elected President Mohamed Bouzoum was ousted, the military junta in Niger is unwilling to negotiate
00:26:46 and to return the country to constitutional pathways. So that's the reason for which the
00:26:51 military chiefs are meeting. And today happens to be day two where we'll be bringing you some
00:26:55 live updates when that meeting wraps up somewhere around 2 p.m. today. So we're waiting for the
00:27:01 final communique from this security experts who will be briefing us on the technicalities of the
00:27:07 deployment and what the military will be doing once the green light is given. So we'll get a sense
00:27:14 of that at Bema Camp, which is serving as the base for that meeting of the military chiefs.
00:27:19 But what you see now is police presence at the Nigerian embassy. And I must point out at this
00:27:27 moment that in a few minutes from now we will see citizens of Niger who are residents in Accra.
00:27:36 They will be coming right here to the embassy right behind me to make a strong statement, as
00:27:42 they are indicating to us, to the Nigerian junta. The point is that they do not agree with the
00:27:49 military intervention or coup d'etat, if you want to call it, within their own country.
00:27:53 We're uncertain about what their opinion will be on the decision by the Sabre regional body
00:27:59 ECOWAS to deploy military troops. But what we know, speaking to Djibo Douda last night, is that
00:28:07 they support the intervention because they believe that the intervention is simply necessary
00:28:13 to restore constitutional order. It's unclear if the citizens who are resident in Ghana will also
00:28:19 go with that approach by the Sabre regional body ECOWAS. But for now, the Ghana police service
00:28:25 with its men are stationed here trying to keep law and order and to ensure that the picketing that
00:28:30 we are likely to see in the next few minutes will not be chaotic, but would rather be a peaceful
00:28:35 message that will be sent across, all in a view to trample that message that they first of all
00:28:41 want constitutional order in their country and also that the military team in Niger ought to
00:28:49 release the deposed president Mohamed Bassoum. That's the message they'll be sending across.
00:28:54 We can just pan over and give you a sense of some of them arriving right here in Accra, where we
00:29:02 have some of them filing through and coming together just to make that statement that they
00:29:07 would want to make to their military regime and military team in Niger. The message is simple.
00:29:14 They want the democratically elected president Mohamed Bassoum reinstated and right afterwards
00:29:20 they are also asking for a return to constitutional rule. So a bit of a chit-chat amongst some of
00:29:27 the citizens who have started arriving here. We'll be giving you some updates as and when
00:29:33 their activities start and also we'll also be updating you on that meeting which is happening
00:29:39 concurrently amongst the security chiefs of the various West African countries.
00:29:45 Now yesterday when we interacted with ECOWAS the indication we're getting is that all is set
00:29:51 except to say the meeting happening at Bermacom is simply a meeting of dedication, a meeting
00:29:56 that is set to explain and also to get feedback and affirmation or endorsement from all the
00:30:04 military chiefs from the West Africa sub-region who would be making their statement on the
00:30:10 technicalities, how to approach the deployment and some of the issues to be on the lookout
00:30:15 for as the deployment takes off. We also do know that after today's meeting there will be a
00:30:25 clear road map for the military from West African countries who first of all have to contribute
00:30:30 troops, then there will be of course the establishment of structures as to how this exercise
00:30:35 will be carried out and also we'll get to know which of the countries will be leading the command.
00:30:40 These are the three key issues that we'll be learning after today's meeting. But right here at
00:30:44 the Nigerian embassy there's set to be drama obviously because the residents or citizens of
00:30:52 Niger, resident in Ghana, will be amassing in their numbers in a few moments from now just to
00:30:57 register their displeasure at what's happening in the country. There is the issue about the
00:31:03 capacity of the sub-region ECOWAS. Why is that key? Because there's criticism that the sub-region
00:31:09 knowing that it is facing issues of economic challenges does not have the capacity first of all
00:31:15 to go into Niger and to risk spending billions and billions of dollars. At our last count
00:31:21 was 2.3 billion dollars just to sustain a military trip in Niger. That question has come up.
00:31:27 The sub-regional body says it is determined to simply use its own resources because it believes
00:31:34 that constitutional order must come back to Niger. So we were speaking to Ambassador Fatah
00:31:39 Abdel who's the commissioner in charge of political affairs, peace and security, who also pointed
00:31:44 us to us that this is solely an ECOWAS exercise and the fact that the sub-regional body does not
00:31:50 need the express permission from say the United Nations or the African Union. This he has been
00:31:56 reacting to because of the criticisms that have come up. Some sources pointing out to us that
00:32:03 as we speak the African Union is divided about the intervention and the decision by the ECOWAS
00:32:08 body because after the security committee meeting the body was divided with some of the sub-regional
00:32:17 bodies disagreeing with ECOWAS on the decision to use the military. In fact yesterday at the
00:32:23 first meeting of the military chiefs what transpired was that Cape Verde did not turn up.
00:32:30 Cape Verde did not show up for the meeting because Cape Verde is making a strong case and
00:32:35 mounting that case for what they are terming as the need for diplomacy and the need for a
00:32:41 peaceful resolution of the crisis. It's the reason for which we did not see Cape Verde attend.
00:32:48 Mali, Burkina Faso have all declared their solidarity for the military regime in Niger and that
00:32:54 is beginning to complicate matters. But obviously Niger would also not be there. So we did not see
00:33:00 of course the Nigerian officials or envoy attending that meeting. But in your shots now you can see
00:33:09 some of the residents or citizens of Niger already amassing and coming closer and of course the
00:33:16 numbers will be growing by the day and we see the police and security chiefs already trying to
00:33:22 restore order as we speak. This is the Joy News Channel and we're bringing this to you live where
00:33:26 the citizens of Niger are beginning to picket if I may call it in front of the Nigerian embassy
00:33:35 here in Accra. It's a busy day as well, busy Friday.
00:33:40 And those are live excerpts from the Nigerian embassy here in Accra. You heard our Foreign
00:33:51 Affairs desk president who has been giving us updates on what's happening at Burma Camp and
00:33:58 also the Nigerian embassy where some Nigerian residents are picketing there to ensure that
00:34:05 the deployment that will be sent to Niger doesn't happen. But as and when we get updates on those
00:34:12 developments we'll be bringing it to you here on Joy News. But let's go back to our first story
00:34:17 where 60-year-old woman, Khonji Dute, has been beaten to death on accusations of witchcraft.
00:34:24 We've been joined by MP for Madina and sponsor for the witchcraft allegation Bill Francis Zaviasosu
00:34:29 on this particular issue. Francis Zaviasosu, you've learned of this incident recently and how
00:34:38 does this come to you, knowing that this bill was passed recently, barely a month ago, in
00:34:43 Parliament to forestall some of these actions?
00:34:48 I think that a very good morning to your cherished viewers. I feel really sad and quite worried
00:34:58 about the turn of events that we still have people being accused of witchcraft accusation,
00:35:06 even though Parliament recently passed a bill to criminalize the said practice of accusing
00:35:14 that person of being a witch. I try to follow the story carefully and exactly what we're trying
00:35:19 to prevent is what happened. Like someone waking up and saying that I saw you in the dream
00:35:24 flying and trying to harm me in my dream and for that reason you are a witch. Unfortunately,
00:35:31 there was a family or a community gathering where the woman was confronted as being a witch
00:35:39 and according to the story on her way to go and report to her own family. That was when
00:35:45 this murder occurred. It's quite unfortunate. I know that since the bill got passed about
00:35:53 a couple of weeks ago, it's still undergoing processes of being assented to by the presidency.
00:35:59 I would just use the platform to actually ask that it would be assented to early enough
00:36:07 so that sensitization can start. I think that this problem has been with us for many, many
00:36:13 years now and it won't stop just because a law has been passed. It will require collective
00:36:19 efforts to do a lot of sensitization within the communities and then also full implementation
00:36:26 of the law. I believe that there is no relationship between the accusation right now and the murder
00:36:33 that occurred. We don't know who actually killed and I'm sure police will definitely
00:36:38 be investigating what led to the murder. We all know that the root cause is the positive
00:36:43 accusation. The one who did that accusation definitely would also have to be picked and
00:36:48 possibly questioned and prosecuted. I'm afraid that could not happen now because I'm sure
00:36:54 that I've been monitoring to see whether we can have news of the presidential assent,
00:36:59 and I'm sure that we're yet to have that one.
00:37:03 Well, Mr. Sosu, in the absence of the president yet to assent to this bill to pass into law,
00:37:09 what then happens in the interim? What measures can be put in place to serve as deterrent
00:37:17 in this circumstance?
00:37:19 Well, I think that depending on the kind of investigation police may want to do into this
00:37:24 case, we could treat the person who did this accusation as having abetted the crime. So
00:37:34 police should swiftly arrest the person doing the accusation as well as the community members
00:37:42 that are actually guided to offensively to confront this woman with this issue, which
00:37:48 is essentially on her way to her family members met on time, I mean, on timely death. And
00:37:57 it's quite unfortunate. We must understand that this whole issue of witchcraft accusation
00:38:02 is buried in religion, culture, myth, and so many things. And until we begin to effectively,
00:38:09 first of all, communicate the law and secondly, implement the law, it will be difficult for
00:38:14 A to Cs. But when people know that by accusing another person, you have actually been arrested,
00:38:20 charged under the act and jailed under the act, I'm sure it will serve as a deterrent
00:38:25 to many people.
00:38:27 Right. We're grateful for your time. But just before you go, another challenge has
00:38:34 been education of these people, you know, residents in these communities getting to
00:38:39 know about the bill and also to ensure that they do not do this to their fellow residents.
00:38:45 How do you need to wait for the law to be passed before you start sensitization? Or
00:38:51 you can start something now?
00:38:53 I think you are very right. I mean, I believe that all CSOs who have been working together
00:39:00 to ensure that this bill get passed. I'm talking about the Sarnia Institute, Action
00:39:05 for the Crashing Aid, Amnesty International, and all other, including even the diplomatic
00:39:12 community, the British High Commission, Australia High Commission, American Embassy, all the
00:39:19 diplomatic community who have been all interested in supporting UKAID, for example, supporting
00:39:26 Asantaba and all the CSOs that were all involved in this, the process to criminalize witchcraft
00:39:34 and witchcraft, and all the other things that are happening in the community.
00:39:38 So, I think that if we can start sensitization, I would use a platform to actually appeal
00:39:45 to all of them that this is a time for us to rechannel funding towards community-based
00:39:53 sensitization so that in these communities we can actually educate the communities to
00:39:58 make sure that they are not being victimized by the police.
00:40:02 It is even criminal now for you to do that, even as you wait for the presidential assent.
00:40:07 I also think that there is also an onus or duty on the Ministry of Gender, Children,
00:40:12 and Social Protection, because they are charged with the responsibility to protect the most
00:40:17 vulnerable in society. So, I think this is an opportunity for the Ministry also, through
00:40:22 education programs in these communities, so that we can bring the communities up to speed
00:40:28 about the new law.
00:40:30 Grateful for your time here, Francis Aweyesosu, who is sponsor of the Witchcraft Allegation
00:40:35 Bill, giving us his thoughts on the latest incident that has seen a 60-year-old woman
00:40:42 beaten to death in Aswano District in the Northeast region.
00:40:47 Now, let's move on. The Electoral Commission has vowed to go after all persons who breach
00:40:52 the rules and regulations for the upcoming voters registration exercise. The EC announced
00:40:57 yesterday that persons who have turned 18 since 2021 can now register to be voters.
00:41:04 But speaking at a news conference to announce modalities for the exercise, Chairperson Jen
00:41:09 Mensa explained that one person can only guarantee for up to 10 persons, warning anyone who goes
00:41:16 beyond the ceiling will be prosecuted.
00:41:19 All applicants are to show proof of eligibility by tendering any of the following identification
00:41:26 documents. One, the National Identification Card, also known as the Ghana Card, and the
00:41:32 Ghana Passport. Applicants who do not have any of the identification documents listed
00:41:39 above are required to present to persons who are already registered voters to vouch for
00:41:46 their citizenship and age. Per law, a guarantor can guarantee for up to 10 applicants. It
00:41:55 is important to emphasize that it is a criminal offense to guarantee for more than 10 applicants,
00:42:02 and a person who guarantees for more than 10 applicants will be prosecuted. It is also
00:42:08 a criminal offense for a guarantor to guarantee for non-citizens and minors. The Commission
00:42:15 will identify such persons and bring them up for prosecution. And here I would like
00:42:21 to call on our media partners to assist us in educating our citizenry on this specific
00:42:29 section of the law.
00:42:31 Meanwhile, the district-level election scheduled for 19th December will be conducted in all
00:42:37 districts across the country except the Nkranza North and South District. Jen Mensah explains
00:42:42 why.
00:42:44 The district-level elections refer to the Assembly and Unit Committee elections. They
00:42:52 are also known as the DLE for short, and that's what most of us call them. The DLE will be
00:42:58 conducted to elect people to the lower local government structures. It is a non-partisan
00:43:05 election, and it is held every four years. The 2023 district-level election will take
00:43:13 place on Tuesday, 19th December, 2023. The DLE will be conducted in all 6,272 electoral
00:43:24 areas in all districts, with the exception of Nkranza North and Nkranza South in the
00:43:30 Bono East region. The DLE for the two districts was not held in 2019 for security reasons.
00:43:42 They were both conducted in April 2021. As such, the elections will not be held in both
00:43:50 districts until 2025.
00:43:54 The Commission has developed a comprehensive program of activities for the 2023 district-level
00:44:01 elections, and this will be made available to the public shortly. As a Commission, we
00:44:08 encourage voters to take advantage of the voters' registration exercise and register
00:44:14 to vote. We also entreat the citizenry to participate actively in the district-level
00:44:22 elections, which will be held on the 19th of December, 2023.
00:44:28 You're still listening to JOYNEE's Desk. I am Amisinyamiche Thompson. We'll be right
00:44:33 back with Business.
00:44:34 Hi, good morning. Welcome to Business. My name is Darrell Quow. The Office of the 2022
00:44:44 National Best Farmer has launched the Rethink initiative to inspire the youth to embrace
00:44:49 agribusiness as a profit-making venture. According to the 2022 National Best Farmer, Nanaia Osapu
00:44:55 Nsirubo I, the initiative will urge the youth to leverage the many opportunities provided
00:45:00 by AGRIK to contribute to development. Here's more.
00:45:04 The Rethink initiative is aimed at encouraging the youth to see agriculture as a dynamic
00:45:10 business opportunity and also build the capacity of existing farmers on adopting sustainable
00:45:17 farming practices to reduce post-harvest losses. Speaking at the launch of the initiative,
00:45:23 the 2022 National Best Farmer, Nanaia Osapu Nsirubo I, said his outfit is committed to
00:45:31 advocating for policies that will drive the interests of the youth in their sector.
00:45:36 The Rethink initiative will seek to, one, sensitize youth to agriculture as a business.
00:45:44 The Rethink program is a clarion call urging our youth to perceive agriculture and the
00:45:51 opportunities along its value chain as more than a traditional vocation but an avenue
00:45:58 of boundless opportunities that is fulfilling and economically rewarding.
00:46:03 Advocacy is the heartbeat of change. And through Rethink, we seek to amplify the voice of the
00:46:11 youth in agriculture. We engage with policy makers, collaborate with industrial leaders
00:46:18 and catalyze a movement that secures the resources, infrastructure and support necessary for
00:46:26 our young agri-warriors to flourish.
00:46:29 The Director of AGRIK Extension at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Paul Siamé, added
00:46:36 that government has incurred a huge debt as a result of the Planting for Food and Jobs
00:46:42 program, hence the need for more youth to venture into agriculture to help achieve the
00:46:48 aims of the program.
00:46:49 You agree with me that Planting for Food and Jobs is one that registers some modest achievements
00:46:57 but not without challenges which were highlighted through data collection, analysis and reporting
00:47:04 by a major one including high debt-bedding on government due to the fertilizer and seed
00:47:11 subsidy program, weak marketing component among others.
00:47:17 The PFJ 2.0 approach is that of a smart input credit in which the government facilitates
00:47:25 access to inputs by aggregators who then advance this to the farmers within a payment-in-kind
00:47:35 approach. This model is expected to improve production and productivity whilst reducing
00:47:44 the debt-bedding on government.
00:47:47 The Rethink initiative will conclude sensitization programs for the youth in various parts of
00:47:52 the country on the need to venture into agriculture.
00:47:56 Now, Deputy Director General in charge of technical operations at the National Communications
00:48:02 Authority, Professor Eza Osei-Obuabuateng has called on the youth to embrace digitalization
00:48:09 and the opportunities it presents. Speaking at a technology fair in Sunyane, Professor
00:48:14 Obuabuateng stressed the need for the youth to work together with their skill sets to
00:48:19 unleash the potential of digitalization to ensure sustainable development. Professor
00:48:24 Semerville has more.
00:48:26 The diversity of energy and natural resources saw students exhibit some developed applications
00:48:33 including Campus Connect, smart irrigation system and smart dust bin for waste management
00:48:38 among others.
00:48:39 The week's celebration is on the theme, unleashing the potential of digitalization
00:48:56 for national development, the role of the youth. Speaking at the launch of the fair,
00:49:01 the head of the Computer Science and Informatics Department, Dr. Peter Ipiahene said despite
00:49:06 the many achievements of the department, logistical support is required to realize the full potential
00:49:13 of the youth.
00:49:15 As a young and growing university with more than 13,000 students who are being trained
00:49:19 in science and technology using ICT as a tool, we can only boast of only 30 computers with
00:49:25 less than 50 in good working conditions. As an educationalist and an IT expert, I consider
00:49:31 this is a serious problem that needs urgent attention by government and all stakeholders
00:49:36 in the tech industry.
00:49:37 We have also led the students' innovation through hackathons and post-doc presentations.
00:49:42 Firstly, an environment where students can showcase their skills and creativity. These
00:49:47 events are more than just academic excellence, they also platform that ignited spirit of
00:49:53 innovation and collaboration among the youth.
00:49:56 The Deputy Director General of the National Communications Authority, Professor Eze Osei
00:50:01 Yebua-Buatin said the NCA through the Rural Telephony Project has improved internet connectivity
00:50:07 and empowered the youth to assess information and opportunities. He called on the youth
00:50:12 to embrace the development opportunities digitalization presents.
00:50:16 Your expertise, creativity and enthusiasm will be vital in driving the digital transformation
00:50:25 that Ghana needs to thrive in the 21st century. I urge each of you to embrace the opportunities
00:50:33 that digitalization presents. Your skills, talents, aspirations are crucial in shaping
00:50:43 a prosperous and digitally empowered Ghana. Let us work together to unleash the potential
00:50:50 of digitalization for national development and build a future that is inclusive, sustainable
00:50:59 and driven by the dynamism of our youth.
00:51:02 Bono Regional Minister, Justyna Osubanahene, on her part, appealed to stakeholders to formulate
00:51:07 policies to foster innovations.
00:51:09 We must work hand in hand to formulate policies to foster innovation and for that matter supply
00:51:15 digital infrastructure and promote digital literacy. Mentorship programs and skill development
00:51:23 initiatives can empower the youth to harness digital technology effectively and responsibly.
00:51:31 Precious sema for joy business, Sumyane.
00:51:34 And that's it for this segment. Mamie, we're back to wrap up. Stay tuned.
00:51:39 Welcome back to Newsdesk. We'll be going back to the Nigerian Embassy where Blessed Suga,
00:51:51 our Head of Foreign Affairs and Diplomatic Affairs, is to give us an update of the picketing
00:51:57 of Nigerians at the Embassy who are calling for the restatement of President Bazoum as
00:52:03 well as the prevention of a military deployment in Niger. Blessed Suga is there for us and
00:52:10 we'll take it from here.
00:52:12 They want the restatement of President Mohamed Bazoum and they are also making further pronouncements
00:52:23 that the political situation in their country ought to be reversed. It's the reason for
00:52:29 which they are picketing right in front of the Nigerian Embassy here in Accra and their
00:52:36 message is simple. They want President Mohamed Bazoum reinstated after he was deposed by
00:52:43 the military regime or military junta in the Republic of Niger. So what you see now are
00:52:50 citizens of Niger. They are citizens who have amassed right here in front of the Nigerian
00:52:57 Embassy and their point is simple that they do not support the military takeover of the
00:53:03 democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum and it's the reason for which you find women
00:53:10 and so many of them yelling...
00:53:12 We want Bazoum back. We want him back. We want Bazoum. We want him. He's a good president.
00:53:19 And we don't want the milking of the soldier. We want Bazoum back so they should bring him
00:53:23 back for us.
00:53:24 Are you against the soldier?
00:53:25 No, we don't like the soldier because we will not see improvement in our country because
00:53:30 of the youth. So we want Bazoum back in our country. He's a good father. He's a father
00:53:35 of all. So we want him back.
00:53:37 And that's the message that's resonating all across today as you see so many of the, you
00:53:43 know, citizens of Niger registering their displeasure. So let's listen to their leadership.
00:53:48 Please, they should try for us, the people in Niger, the soldier should drop down. They
00:53:55 should give the president of the Niger people vote to him to power. They should bring the
00:53:59 president back. So what we are saying apart of Bazoum, we don't have any president in
00:54:05 Niger because we need democracy. Africa is democracy. They give us democracy, freedom
00:54:12 and justice. Everybody to talk but we know this soldier law. So that's why we come to
00:54:16 here. We are discussing the ambassador here. The people, they are giving noise. They should
00:54:21 drop the soldier. We need the president back. The soldier, we don't like soldier law because
00:54:26 they don't vote give the soldier. They vote for the president. The president is working
00:54:30 for Niger. The president is working. He like the Niger people. What happened every place
00:54:35 that you go see the president go say that my people, my people. So that's why we come
00:54:39 to here to give a noise in the ambassador. But we've seen you people in the stadium supporting
00:54:44 the military. Is that not an indication? We know the people they are supporting the military.
00:54:48 I think that is not that. They are opposition. But we in democracy, we need democracy. Nobody
00:54:54 that is going to follow the ban that they don't vote give the president. So far as they
00:54:59 vote give the president. So that one that is the president for Niger. So even now, if
00:55:03 they say the soldier is president, who vote to the soldier? Nobody vote to him. That they
00:55:08 could not make is wrong. You are here. For how long will you be here? For how long do
00:55:14 you intend to stay? I born in Ghana here. I live in Ghana. I born in Ghana about good
00:55:20 47 years. I mean the age of 47 years. But since I know that they bring democracy for
00:55:25 us, Niger is working in democracy. Even the all Africa, they can't give us democracy.
00:55:30 So we follow democracy law. So that's why we came here. What happened in Niger, we that
00:55:36 we here in Nigerian, we don't like it at all. How long will you stay? How long? I think
00:55:40 that someone's day here all by birth, more people by birth in Niger. But they are citizen
00:55:45 in Ghana because of far as they born here. But someone's to came in Ghana. I'm talking
00:55:50 about the demonstration today. Will you stay here? Will you stay here? Stay here about
00:55:54 three days or four days. You'll be here three days or four days or one week. We can do in
00:55:59 demonstration anytime. So that means you are behind what? Yeah. We are here about what
00:56:03 Ekoa is doing. It's right. Ekoa was supposed to follow the right to drop the soldiers because
00:56:08 they don't have any right to come to bring the countries coming back. Now the countries
00:56:12 come to zero. You know, the reason is that people were already suffering in Niger under
00:56:16 Muhammad Basu. Yeah. So far as Niger to someone's come out inside, if you take Niger is eight
00:56:21 region, five region or six region, all the country give me that they should bring the
00:56:26 president back. Only the capital that you see some four people, they come to support
00:56:30 the soldiers. They don't have any right to support the soldiers. We don't need soldier
00:56:34 law to be present for us. What message do you have to the cool leaders? The cool leaders,
00:56:39 the message that you have to them, they should go back. They should come to see them because
00:56:45 they think that we know every country soldier supposed to follow the law of the country.
00:56:51 So far as them to Basu Muhammad is their president. The cool that they make is not cool. It's
00:56:56 kidnapping. It's not cool. Cool is not coming like this. The president is not doing any
00:57:01 bad. The president is doing only good. So we are giving the soldiers, please, please,
00:57:06 they should not hang over their people in Niger because now people they are suffering.
00:57:10 So far as they give us what is calling a nobody is coming out. Now people are hungry. So far
00:57:20 as what they are doing. Yeah, we are sleeping because of what happened. Yeah, yeah. We called
00:57:29 it. Okay. What I today we are doing tomorrow to come back. We did it from now tonight.
00:57:35 Just come along with me and let's get to know much more about what's happening. But if you're
00:57:39 joining us now, this is the joining us channel. So for today, what petition do you have? Because
00:57:44 I see that you have a paper that you'll be presenting to the commission. What will you
00:57:48 be presenting to the commission? The commission that they think that we will present to them.
00:57:53 The ambassador team is under democracy. That's why we follow to come to the ambassador. They
00:57:59 should know that the soldiers that they make the cool, they didn't bring any ambassador
00:58:03 in Ghana here. Basu Muhammad is the president is giving the commission to ambassador. So
00:58:08 we are supporting. We are not talking about the ambassador. We are talking for the right
00:58:13 of the Nigerian. What is your name by the way? And my name is a lot just to the Haruna.
00:58:17 I just said, you're leading this group now. I do have a for them for the point is, are
00:58:22 you aware of what's happening in your own country? The fact that people say you are
00:58:26 not developed, you need development. That's why they're all the aligned today. Everybody
00:58:31 know, say the government for president. Good. 12 years, 12 years. Everybody know the, the
00:58:38 development of Niger. First like this. If you go to Nigeria, you will see more things
00:58:43 that you don't have. But today, Niger is changed because we are civilized on Niger. Now this
00:58:49 is opening. This is doing right. Everything's moving. The president, he like him. Country
00:58:54 people is like everybody. So we can't allow the soldier people to come to see today for
00:58:59 the seat. They said that their president will not like them today. We're not like some say
00:59:03 that you are in Accra, you're in Ghana. So why, why are you concerned? I mean, you are
00:59:07 safe. Nothing is happening to you. Ghana here. Ghana is freedom and justice. Ghana democracy
00:59:12 is working because Ghana, everybody, whether you're a citizen, we are not, you are not
00:59:17 citizen. Ghana, they like everybody. They're lacking democracy. So that's why Ghana peace,
00:59:22 freedom and justice in Ghana here. So Ghana, that's why Ghana go forward. Ghana is moving.
00:59:27 It's motherland. It's fatherland. Ghana is for everybody. That's what you want in your
00:59:31 country. Yeah, that's what we are country too. Because who like, who likes soldier law?
00:59:36 Because you all want democracy.
00:59:38 [crowd shouting]
00:59:41 That's why we come here. If apart of no democracy, you can't come here because it's not soldier
00:59:45 law. So that's why we are here. So please, they should try for us.
00:59:49 But some say that what is happening is not making people safe. Are you not aware of that?
00:59:54 All that is, they are lying. Who that going to spread the country? The soldier people,
00:59:59 they're supposed to spread the people of the country. So far as the president buy everything
01:00:03 for them, they buy bombs, they buy army cars, they buy everything for them. They should
01:00:07 wake up. They spread their country for us. But now, I'm exactly not going to say something
01:00:11 to you. Since that these soldier people come, about seven times, they are killing the soldiers.
01:00:16 You that you say that you drop the president, you that you say, you that you say you drop
01:00:23 the president because of things that is point. But now that this is making love, this is
01:00:28 making love in Niger. I think that since they come is two weeks, get that to three weeks,
01:00:33 they kill soldiers, almost 150 soldiers in Niger. But why you the soldier? Wake up to
01:00:38 go fight the terrorists. Wake up to go fight the Bukhara.
01:00:41 Let's have more people join us. There are some women also here.
01:00:44 Please, this is my woman. You going to split my house up?
01:00:47 I mean, looking at your age, you should have been at home. Why are you here? Why did you
01:00:52 leave home to come and join the people?
01:00:54 I mean, thank you. How's that?
01:00:56 Maybe you can help with the translation.
01:00:58 I'm just asking.
01:00:59 My name is Hadiza Twissame Fada. I am Nigerian, but I'm born in Ghana. We don't like soldiers.
01:01:09 We don't like soldier. We would like soldier to go bush. Soldier, we know them bush and
01:01:15 camp. The soldier will not take present. We don't like soldier present.
01:01:20 So the message is clear. The message is that they don't want the military intervention.
01:01:24 They want the military back in the barracks for democracy to be reinstated in their country.
01:01:30 There are some leading figures.
01:01:32 [inaudible]
01:01:40 So what is he saying?
01:01:41 He said that the soldier people should go back to the bush and we don't want it in the country.
01:01:46 They should go back. We want peace in our country.
01:01:49 I see. So that's the resounding message that we have here.
01:01:52 Lots of people asking for democracy and asking people, of course, especially the military regime in Niger to hand over power.
01:02:01 That's the message that, you know, all of the citizens of Niger who are gathered here, right opposite the Nigerian embassy,
01:02:09 have been calling for, asking that they want the reinstatement of President Mohamed Bassem.
01:02:15 So you can see that's a picture of the deposed president, Mohamed Bassem, who is in your shot there.
01:02:21 And the point is they want the reinstatement of Mohamed Bassem as the president of the country.
01:02:28 Let's engage some more persons who are here with us.
01:02:31 Hello, sir. Good morning.
01:02:32 I see that you are supposed to be in the office by now, but you've decided to come out.
01:02:37 We don't need soldier. Soldier, we know we are in democracy. We need democracy.
01:02:44 Africa, the whole Africa, we need democracy.
01:02:47 Soldiers, we need this soldier. We don't want this time. No, no, no, no.
01:02:51 But we saw them in the stadium. Lots of people came out to support them.
01:02:54 Is that not an indication that they are working?
01:02:56 No, no, no. This one is a Caliburi. It's not right.
01:03:00 So now we need our president to come back to his seat because what these soldiers did is kidnapping. It's not cool.
01:03:07 So we need our president. We need Bassem. We need Bassem.
01:03:11 See, that's the message. They need President Bassem back in power.
01:03:15 And that's the message you find from the leadership of the group.
01:03:18 And the message is one, that they want the reinstatement of President Mohamed.
01:03:25 Well, so they are about to make a declaration. Let's just take that and then we'll take that from them.
01:03:31 [inaudible]
01:03:47 I'm the one with the talk, the declaration.
01:03:50 [inaudible]
01:04:06 [speaking in foreign language]
01:04:34 [speaking in foreign language]
01:04:44 [speaking in foreign language]
01:05:12 [speaking in foreign language]
01:05:23 [speaking in foreign language]
01:05:52 [speaking in foreign language]
01:05:59 [speaking in foreign language]
01:06:21 [speaking in foreign language]
01:06:47 [speaking in foreign language]
01:06:54 All right, so there you have it. Just trying to make sense of some of the issues that he's pointing out to.
01:07:00 Making the point, first of all, and asking that the preservation of the dignity of human people must be upheld.
01:07:09 It's part of the message that was sent by the Nigerian community here in Ghana.
01:07:15 And I just want to quote portions of what has been said.
01:07:18 And we can just engage the president of the community here in Ghana.
01:07:22 Good morning to you, sir.
01:07:24 Good morning.
01:07:25 Why are you not happy about what's happening?
01:07:27 [inaudible]
01:07:28 So you do the translation for us.
01:07:29 Yeah.
01:07:30 Why are you not happy about what's happening today?
01:07:32 As well, we're not happy.
01:07:34 You see, President Mohamed Bassem is an emblem man.
01:07:39 He's a good man.
01:07:41 We don't get a president like Mohamed Bassem.
01:07:45 If Mohamed Bassem stayed in Niger like 10 years, all of Niger would have developed.
01:07:51 But how the soldiers come and destroy Niger, we don't like.
01:07:55 You don't like it?
01:07:56 I don't like. My people do not like. Nigerian people do not like.
01:08:00 Is that affecting your business? Onion business and all that?
01:08:03 You know, but it affects everything.
01:08:05 Because now, say, if you go take a goose for Niger, it won't come.
01:08:09 Now the goose is there for border. You know, they come.
01:08:12 Plenty of people lost money. Plenty of people lost in business.
01:08:17 Then the person come, their hand empty.
01:08:20 He come poor man because of the cruise of the border.
01:08:23 Who bring that in? Only be the soldier we bring.
01:08:26 Niger we don't enjoy. Everything is cheap. Food is cheap.
01:08:30 But the soldier come, now food is cost.
01:08:33 Electricity, no electricity.
01:08:35 The cruise border. Nothing no go inside.
01:08:39 Nothing no they move for Niger now.
01:08:41 What's your message to your people in Niger?
01:08:44 My people for Niger, make them support Bassem Mohamed.
01:08:49 Make him come back.
01:08:51 Make them, I talk to the soldiers to make them to listen.
01:08:56 To hand over the power give to Mohamed Bassem.
01:08:59 Only Bassem go solve Niger people problem.
01:09:02 But no be soldier. Soldier no go solve Niger problem.
01:09:06 People say Bassem is not good.
01:09:08 Bassem is very good. My qualities.
01:09:11 Bassem is very good. Me tell you Bassem is good.
01:09:14 Bassem no have any problem. He like any everybody.
01:09:17 He no have racism. He like only Nigerian.
01:09:21 He is good, very good.
01:09:24 If Bassem no good, me no go come stay here and talk to make Bassem come back.
01:09:28 What's your name sir?
01:09:29 My name Alhaji Ali Dumbai.
01:09:31 Alhaji Ali.
01:09:32 I'm a man of Pender's Taria for here Ghana.
01:09:35 I'm grateful Alhaji. Thank you so much for talking to us.
01:09:37 So many of them are still here.
01:09:39 Gentleman, there's a young gentleman with us here. Let's also engage him.
01:09:42 Good morning to you sir.
01:09:43 So I see you are not happy about the coup.
01:09:45 Yes, we gather here that we are not happy what is going in Niger.
01:09:49 Because of the soldier making the coup.
01:09:52 What is going is not fair. It's not right.
01:09:55 Because people make voting to bring Bassem to be their president.
01:10:00 Now he take the gun and bring Bassem down.
01:10:03 He want to be president. That is not right.
01:10:05 If gun will bring president, everybody will be president.
01:10:08 But they say that you the young people, you don't have job in Niger.
01:10:13 So the military want to create a better economy for you.
01:10:17 That one I have question for you on that matter.
01:10:21 For only this year that the young boys they don't have working in Niger or for long.
01:10:28 Because for him, he working with Yusuf Mohammed. He is the bodyguard for him.
01:10:33 So at that time, the young people they have working or they don't have.
01:10:37 That's what I'm asking.
01:10:40 So it's not true that...
01:10:42 It's not true. It's not true.
01:10:44 Everybody know you, you are Ghanaian.
01:10:46 How many Niger people, young people you see here for long?
01:10:50 Even 10 years back.
01:10:51 You don't see them. You see them here.
01:10:54 He is the one cause problem more than all the president in Niger.
01:10:59 Because no president come in Niger, they close the borders.
01:11:02 No president come in Niger, they close the airport.
01:11:05 No food is going. No medicine is going.
01:11:08 People are dying for anger.
01:11:11 Yesterday, I asked some man in Niger, he said he is selling food.
01:11:16 I asked him how much is the millet, the bag.
01:11:18 Millet, one bag.
01:11:20 That is 33,000 sefa.
01:11:24 33,000 sefa. So the goods are not coming back?
01:11:27 They are not coming. They are not coming. They are not coming. They are not going.
01:11:31 So how can you say you love people, that's why you come?
01:11:34 If I say I love you, but I will keep you, you will not have food. Can you agree with that?
01:11:38 I don't think that will make sense.
01:11:40 So what message do you want to send out here?
01:11:42 What the message that I want to send them to that, truly they should let Bassem come back.
01:11:47 Because Bassem is the president that everybody make voting to bring him.
01:11:52 Okay? Okay. But the military, if you get the UGA, go and fight with the jihadists.
01:11:59 We get the jihadists plenty.
01:12:02 Even you say Niger is not peaceful, you come, they kill more than 200 people.
01:12:06 So that, what is more than that?
01:12:09 And that's a message from the young man there, but let's speak to a lady who is also president.
01:12:13 Peace be upon you.
01:12:17 [Speaking in foreign language]
01:12:43 We don't want the soldiers in our country, but we want president Bassem back.
01:12:49 We want peace in our country.
01:12:52 People say that president Bassem did not rule well, that's why the military...
01:12:55 [Speaking in foreign language]
01:13:23 He said what Bassem did in our country, he did well.
01:13:27 With the youth and everybody in the country.
01:13:30 So we don't want the soldier. We want peace in our country.
01:13:33 And the soldier cannot rule us.
01:13:35 Because what Bassem did for two years, the soldier cannot do even three years or four years.
01:13:40 But the soldiers, they've set up their new government. They have a new prime minister.
01:13:43 Don't you want to...
01:13:44 [Speaking in foreign language]
01:14:13 He said what Bassem is doing, we want Bassem because the Ekoras wanted Bassem.
01:14:19 So we want him back.
01:14:20 And now, even now, as of now, you are in Niger, you are not safe.
01:14:23 You can't even go out. You can't do anything. You can't even go to work.
01:14:27 So we want Bassem back.
01:14:29 Ajay, thank you so much for speaking to us.
01:14:32 And there are lots of people here.
01:14:34 We're just giving you a sense of what's happening right here at the Nigerian embassy.
01:14:39 Right in front we have some residents, citizens I should say, of Niger,
01:14:44 who have decided to amass here in front of the Nigerian embassy.
01:14:50 It's just right opposite where we are.
01:14:53 You can see that the military and also the Ghana police service is stationed there.
01:14:57 It's actually men from the Ghana police service, no military men as of now.
01:15:00 We'll definitely get to have more reactions for you.
01:15:04 But you're watching us on the Join News channel.
01:15:06 What we have now is a group of citizens of Niger who are protesting the deposition of President Mohamed Bassem.
01:15:15 The message is that they want him reinstated.
01:15:18 Let's speak to one man who is also with us here.
01:15:21 Sir, you could come this way. Let's engage you briefly.
01:15:23 Yes, exactly. What's your name, sir?
01:15:25 I'm Adam.
01:15:27 Are you a citizen of Niger?
01:15:30 Yeah, yeah, for sure.
01:15:31 Are you concerned about what's happening?
01:15:33 For me, my side and our community, based on our tribe, Buzu community,
01:15:40 what we are talking about is about peace.
01:15:43 First of all, you look for peace.
01:15:46 We are calling for President Kufadu, even though they are making an arrangement of a meeting,
01:15:53 we are calling for a peaceful resolution to make sure everything comes together with the both parties.
01:16:00 So that is maybe my view based on that.
01:16:03 Some say that the military did what they did because democracy was not at its best in your country.
01:16:09 There is suffering of people, people are dying, people are hungry, people don't have jobs.
01:16:13 Well, that all depends because maybe there are two parties in the country.
01:16:19 So maybe the other side may like regimes like that, other two may like the old party.
01:16:25 So we are living in Ghana. What we are calling is about peaceful resolution.
01:16:31 So whatever they will discuss today, we wish they should give time, frame, at least to discuss the peaceful way.
01:16:39 We are calling on our president in Ghana, Ghana Kufadu, to make sure...
01:16:42 You want the president to do something?
01:16:44 Yes, at least we want the president to do something.
01:16:46 Why would you want the president to come in? Some say, well, he's a Ghanaian president, he leads the people of Ghana.
01:16:50 Why should he come in?
01:16:51 Yeah, because of Equal Rights is big within the African Union.
01:16:55 So at least if some problem comes within the other side, because we have other families at the end.
01:17:01 So we are also here in Ghana. So at least, first of all, since there are meetings taking place today,
01:17:07 so all we are wishing, we wish the government also to take part, to give extended time, at least to discuss,
01:17:14 based on the peaceful, or maybe, I don't know...
01:17:18 So let's talk about that meeting, because that meeting will see the deployment of the military.
01:17:22 Are you not scared that if the military goes into Niger, there will be war?
01:17:25 Well, we are scared. That's why we are trying our best to make sure, maybe, that soldier will cooperate,
01:17:32 based on what the union will say.
01:17:35 So maybe if without the cooperation, maybe there will be a kind of, some way, which we don't like.
01:17:42 And maybe escalation, you don't know how it will end.
01:17:44 So all you call peace, we are calling for imams and all prayers together within our both communities,
01:17:52 to bring peace. That is what we are looking for.
01:17:54 Thank you so much, sir.
01:17:55 That's my own advice.
01:17:56 I'm grateful. How about business? Please come this way. How about business?
01:18:00 You know, the fear is that even the border itself, you know, the borders are being closed now.
01:18:05 So, are you a businessman yourself?
01:18:07 Yes, I'm a businessman.
01:18:08 You are suffering?
01:18:09 Yes, we are suffering because we are dealing only on production and only on businesses based on other side.
01:18:15 And there are goods that are going in and out.
01:18:18 So as I'm talking to you now, a lot of cars have been parked, holding up.
01:18:22 Your cars have been parked?
01:18:23 Yes, most.
01:18:24 Let's look at that. How much, for instance, have you lost in just this few days?
01:18:28 Well, for now, I can say, I've probably got now...
01:18:30 More than a million cities?
01:18:31 Yes.
01:18:32 More than one million?
01:18:33 Yes. Some of the goods are parked now.
01:18:35 Even me with my other partners.
01:18:37 Lost more than one million cities?
01:18:39 We do that, but we can't say it's... because for now it's parked.
01:18:43 Most of the goods are parked.
01:18:45 So the more it stays, it can cause more damage, which we are pleading to see if there's a way of communication.
01:18:53 That piece will come or maybe understanding...
01:18:56 But that's serious because that's what affects you.
01:18:58 Yes, it will affect not even me.
01:19:00 Most of the people that you see, some of them are top business people.
01:19:03 We didn't trade and stuff like that. Only our materials, other goods that are exchanged.
01:19:09 So for now, goods are parked, which we have no say.
01:19:14 So at least we are calling to see if there's a resolution or if the soldier can cooperate based on what the union will say.
01:19:23 So we are also calling on the peaceful and prayers to make sure everything comes to an end.
01:19:29 Aladji, thank you for spending some time with us. And we're still here, we're still waiting for the resolution.
01:19:34 Just a minute, sir. We'll come to... Aladji, what do you want to say?
01:19:39 [Unintelligible]
01:19:57 Thank you, thank you so much. We're grateful. Aladji, we'll see you again. God bless you.
01:20:01 And so that's it. Thank you too.
01:20:03 And well, what the elderly man was saying, I believe, is the same message.
01:20:08 The message they've been making, calling for the reinstatement of President Mohamed Bassem,
01:20:12 who was toppled by the military in the Republic of Niger.
01:20:15 They're making a passionate appeal, asking that, you know, the government of Ghana,
01:20:20 not just the government of Ghana, but also their own military regime restore power in the Democratic Republic of Niger.
01:20:29 That's been the message being...
01:20:33 And that was blessed, Soga, bringing us updates from the Nigerian embassy here in Accra,
01:20:39 where many Nigerians are picketing, demanding that President Bassem is reinstated as president of Niger.
01:20:49 Well, that brings us to the end of Newsdesk. We'll be back at midday with News Today. Thanks for watching.
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