₦airaland Forum

ROSSIKE:
I honestly don't see how Ghana is 'freer' than Nigeria. In Naija, people insult the president, ministers and governors on a daily basis. I can't recall the last time I heard anyone was arrested or jailed for it. Must be over a decade ago to be honest.

you should listlen to what goes on outside nigeria then.. nigerians don't even insult governors reach sef. and btw thats not even a yard stick.. check ease of doing business.. ghana is top in west africa.. thats why u see nigerian biz set up easily there..

Ghana came tops on latest Global Freedom ranking 2014 which looked at the freest country in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Published annually since 1972, the survey ratings and narrative reports on 195 countries and 15 related and disputed territories are used by policymakers, the media, international corporations, civic activists, and human rights defenders to monitor trends in democracy and track improvements and setbacks in freedom worldwide.

The report, released by US-based Freedom House indicated that the nation improved in both the political and civil liberty indicators, scoring 1.5 points with the closest contender being Benin which scored 2.0 at a time where more countries were declining in the freedom they guaranteed their citizens.

Each country is assigned two numerical ratings—from 1 to 7—for political rights and civil liberties, with 1 representing the most free and 7 the least free.

Freedom House’s flagship publication is the standard-setting comparative assessment of global political rights and civil liberties.

Sub-Saharan Africa on the whole, again experienced extreme volatility in 2014.

News from the continent was dominated by the Ebola outbreak in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone and a sharp rise in violence by Islamist militants from Boko Haram in Nigeria and Al-Shabaab in Kenya.

However, several other countries particularly in East Africa, suffered democratic declines during the year, by repressive governments.

Excerpts of the report below:

Electoral Process: 12 / 12

Since 1992, Ghana has experienced an uninterrupted period of competitive multiparty elections. The president and vice president are directly elected on the same ticket for up to two four-year terms. Members of the unicameral, 275-seat Parliament are also elected for four-year terms.

In 2012, Mahama was elected with 50.7 percent of the vote, while Akufo-Addo, Presidential candidate for the NPP, took 47.7 percent. In concurrent parliamentary elections, the NDC captured 148 seats and the NPP took 123. Limited technical problems, including the breakdown of new biometric machines used to register and identify voters, led to the extension of voting by a day at many polling places.

Although international and domestic observers praised the elections as free, fair, and peaceful, the NPP disputed the results, questioned the neutrality of the EC, and filed a legal suit before the Supreme Court. The NPP’s suit claimed that violations of electoral law and widespread irregularities should invalidate some 4.6 million votes from more than 11,000 polling stations. In 2013, the Supreme Court dismissed the NPP’s claim and ruled that Mahama had been fairly elected. For many domestic and international observers, the peaceful resolution of the legal challenge underscored the consolidation of democracy and respect for rule of law.

The Supreme Court also recommended a series of administrative and procedural reforms to the EC. In June 2014, the chairman of the EC informed Parliament of the commission’s plan to explore these recommendations, along with reform proposals submitted by political parties and other election stakeholders, through the creation of a committee devoted to electoral reform.

Political Pluralism and Participation: 15 / 16

Ghana’s multiparty system provides ample opportunity for opposition parties to participate meaningfully in the political process. The NPP and the NDC dominate the political system.

The country has experienced two peaceful, democratic transfers of power between presidents from the NPP and NDC, in 2000 and in 2008. The legal framework provides for equal participation in political life for the country’s various cultural, religious, and ethnic minorities.

Functioning of Government: 10 / 12

Political corruption continues to be a problem, despite active media coverage, the existence of robust legal and institutional frameworks to combat it, and the government’s willingness to investigate major scandals. The media, opposition parties, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) continue to criticize the government for its inability to prevent political corruption and prosecute public officials suspected of malfeasance

Investigations into two high-profile corruption scandals that emerged in 2013 were ongoing in 2014. In 2013, high-ranking government officials affiliated with the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA) were under investigation for allegedly granting interest-free loans worth $100 million to several private companies without parliamentary approval. In January 2014, Abuga Pele, an incumbent parliamentarian and the former national coordinator of GYEEDA, was arrested and charged with intentionally causing financial loss to the state. The case continued through the end of the year, and the government continued recovery of the misappropriated funds. A second case involved the Ghana Revenue Authority allegedly paying 144 million cedis ($37 million) over three years to Subah Infosolutions, a private government contractor, for services that were not provided. In March, a committee established by the government to probe the allegations concluded that Subah legitimately incurred costs for services rendered to the government.

The government took important steps to address the problem of corruption in 2014. In July, Parliament approved the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan (NACAP), which aims to improve the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of corruption by strengthening a number of state agencies. However, NGOs, trade unions, and private-sector interests continue to question the administration’s commitment to government accountability and transparency. Although the revenue management legislation introduced within the oil and gas industry in 2012 earned international praise, NGOs have voiced concerns about government compliance with it. In September 2014, a parliamentary committee revised sections of the Right to Information Bill following consultations with NGOs; it had not yet been passed at year’s end.

Freedom of Expression and Belief: 14 / 16

Freedom of expression is constitutionally guaranteed and generally respected in practice. Ghana has a diverse and vibrant media landscape that includes state and privately owned television and radio stations, and several independent newspapers and magazines. However, government agencies occasionally restrict press freedom through harassment and arrests of journalists, especially those reporting on politically sensitive issues.

In January 2014, police in the Western Region arrested the host of the radio talk program Sungmaale FM, along with two panelists, for on-air comments about police strategies toward criminal activity. The detainees were released the same day, and the acting commissioner of police of the Upper Western Region apologized for the officers’ unlawful conduct. There were also several attacks against journalists by non-state actors.

In March, a group attacked the office of Radio Justice in the North Region, burning cars and motorcycles at the site, because of allegedly insensitive comments made by an NPP panelist during a radio talk show. Local police arrested three individuals for their alleged involvement in the attack.

Although criminal libel and sedition laws were repealed in 2001, an Accra court fined two privately owned newspapers, The Informer ($104,000) and Daily Guide ($86,000), for publishing defamatory articles against a private timber processing company and the general secretary of the NDC, respectively. The Media Foundation for West Africa questioned the severity of the fines and pointed out their ability to discourage freedom of speech. The government does not generally restrict access to the internet.

Religious freedom is constitutionally and legally protected and largely respected in practice by the government. However, Muslim families have complained that the compulsory Christian prayer sessions and church services that are widespread in Ghana’s public schools seek to promote Christianity and violate their children’s religious freedom. Academic freedom is legally guaranteed and upheld in practice, and private discussion is both free and vibrant.

Associational and Organizational Rights: 11 / 12

The rights to peaceful assembly and association are constitutionally guaranteed and generally respected. Permits are not required for meetings or demonstrations. NGOs are generally able to operate freely, and they play an important role in ensuring government accountability and transparency. Throughout 2014, leading NGOs and trade unions organized a series of public protests to criticize the government’s mismanagement of the economy and inability to combat political corruption.

Under the constitution and 2003 labor laws, workers have the right to form and join trade unions. However, the government forbids or restricts labor action in a number of industries, including fuel distribution, public transportation, and the prison system.

Rule of Law: 12 / 16

Judicial independence in Ghana is constitutionally and legally enshrined. While the judiciary has demonstrated greater levels of impartiality in recent years, corruption remains a challenge, courts lack necessary resources, and judges are poorly paid. Generally, the government and private interests comply with judicial decisions, and recent initiatives to improve the judicial process have reaped positive results. The Accra Fast Track High Court and automated commercial courts have enhanced the speed and efficiency of the judicial process, while a judicial complaints unit actively investigates cases of judicial impropriety.

Police in Ghana have a history of using excessive force, making arbitrary arrests, prolonging detention of suspects, and taking bribes. In March 2014, the country’s police service launched a series of initiatives to improve its image and effectiveness, including more stringent disciplinary procedures and the creation of a new training institute. For the first quarter of 2014, the Police Intelligence and Professional Standards Unit fired 21 officers and demoted a further 9 for various offenses, including brutality and fraud.

Ghana’s prisons are overcrowded, and conditions are often life-threatening. In August, Interior Minster Mark Woyongo announced initiatives to reduce congestion in prisons and improve the treatment of inmates. The Ghana Prison Service and the Ministry of Justice continued to release inmates who have been imprisoned for more than four years without trial through the “Justice for All” program. Meanwhile, Ghana continues to cooperate with the UN Refugee Agency to protect the rights of the 21,000 refugees and asylum seekers in the country.

Although communal and ethnic violence occasionally flare in Ghana, there were no reports of such incidents during the year. Violent crime rates have declined in recent years, and there were no major acts of political terror.

Ghanaian law prohibits “sexual intercourse with a person in an unnatural manner.” However, it is unclear if this law applies to same-sex sexual activity between consenting adults, and there were no reports of adults being prosecuted for same-sex sexual activity. Nevertheless, LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) people continue to face societal discrimination.

Personal Autonomy and Individual Rights: 10 / 16

Freedom of movement is guaranteed by the constitution and respected by the government, and Ghanaians are free to choose their place of residence. However, poorly developed road networks and banditry make travel outside the capital and touristic areas difficult. Police have been known to set up illegal checkpoints to demand bribes from travelers. Bribery is also rife in the education sector, with more than 40 percent of Ghanaians reporting having to pay illegal fees to attend school.

Economic freedom in Ghana continues to improve. According to the 2014 Index of Economic Freedom, Ghana ranked 66th in the world and fifth in sub-Saharan Africa, with a marginal increase in its economic freedom score due to improvements in business freedom, control of government spending, and corruption. Nonetheless, weak rule of law, corruption, and an underregulated property rights system remain significant impediments to economic freedom and business confidence. Bribery is a common practice to gain admission to educational institutions, start a business, and register property.

Despite equal rights under the law, women suffer societal discrimination, especially in rural areas, where opportunities for education and wage employment are limited. However, women’s enrollment in universities is increasing, and a number of women hold high-ranking positions in the government: six members of the current cabinet are women, and 30 of the 275 parliamentary seats went to female legislators in the 2012 elections.

Domestic violence and rape are serious problems, and the practice of female genital mutilation continues in the north. The government has worked to combat gender-based violence by expanding the police’s domestic violence and victim support unit, creating gender-based violence courts, establishing domestic violence shelters, and training police and service providers likely to encounter domestic violence situations.

Ghana serves as a source, transit point, and destination for the trafficking of women and children for labor and sexual exploitation. Children in Ghana, especially in the region surrounding Lake Volta, are vulnerable to exploitation in the agricultural and fishing industries. The government has made some steps in recent years to address the issue, particularly in the sector of cocoa production. The police’s Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) maintains nine regional units, but they are underfunded and have limited capacity. In 2013, the AHTU rescued 262 victims of trafficking through national raids.

Global findings The number of countries designated by Freedom in the World as Free in 2014 stood at 89, representing 46 percent of the world’s 195 polities and nearly 2.9 billion people—or 40 percent of the global population. The number of free countries increased by one from the previous year’s report.

The number of countries qualifying as partly Free stood at 55, or 28 percent of all countries assessed, and they were home to just over 1.7 billion people, or 24 percent of the world’s total. The number of Partly Free countries decreased by four from the previous year.

A total of 51 countries were deemed Not Free, representing 26 percent of the world’s polities. The number of people living under Not Free conditions stood at 2.6 billion people, or 36 percent of the global population, though it is important to note that more than half of this number lives in just one country: China. The number of Not Free countries increased by three from 2013.

The number of electoral democracies stood at 125, three more than in 2013. Five countries achieved electoral democracy status: Fiji, Kosovo, Madagascar, the Maldives, and the Solomon Islands. Two countries, Libya and Thailand, lost their designation as electoral democracies.

Tunisia rose from Partly Free to Free, while Guinea- Bissau improved from Not Free to Partly Free. Four countries fell from Partly Free to Not Free: Burundi, Libya, Thailand, and Uganda.

http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Ghana-ranked-freest-country-in-Sub-Saharan-Africa-375338

naijaFrank:
Last time i visited both cities was 8 months ago so i might no longer be accurate.

However, in my opinion for the most Part Abuja is a much better city. in terms of planning and infrastructure layouts i.e parks, road network, buildings etc (except of course electricity/internet/water). Hardly any blackouts in ghana and internet price is very reasonable.

If you speak of nightlife and entertainment - i give it to accra! much better restaurants, bars, nightclubs, hotels -. For $100 per night, you can get a very decent hotel room in Accra whereas for 50% more or even double the price in Abuja or Lagos , you will have to sleep in a rat house. I think we dont know the difference between basic and luxury and that reflects a lot in our hotels, Or maybe its just the cost of operations - generators and staff!

Service in Accra is also a huge pointer for me over Abuja. Its simply non-existent in Nigeria - Alot of people attributes it to a lack of proper staff training, i disagree however and think its a lack of motivation - people dont like what they do!

Anyway, to cut it short, Accra isn't special at all but might be easier for foreigners to live in than Abuja as it appears to have more livable points. stable electricity, cheaper accomodation, very multicultural nightlife and food options (not cut throat prices), plus the beach!

nice talk. u know abuja is one of the recent planned cities in africa.. as compared to accra.. but the urban scape in accra is taking a huge overturn.. with the accra goldcoast cty..which will be the new downtown.. accra airport cty apollonia cty and the ict center hope cty.. accra and ghana as a whole is going to change the urban scape in africa

persius555:
We should ask what variety they are producing and is it organically grown or genetically modified.

Ghana does not plant genetically modified crops. It should definitely proper research in tubers. And mechanization. Look at the bananas u get in lagos. They are so small. Like they were harvested before full growth or something.. Such can't make it to the European or Asian market

ghananotnaija:
Inferiority-complex-infected Nigerians think all black/African countries are as hopeless and chaotic as their own. Go outside of your country and see that there are plenty of vibrant, peaceful, and functioning African countries and countries with majority Africans, these countries include Ghana, Botswana, Mauritius, Seychelles, Cape Verde, Barbados, Bahamas, and countless others.

yes they are beautiful and got a rising middle class. And urbanization. But it does l change the face that majority of blacks are segregated and have inferior complex and have low iq. That's something that needs to be worked on over time. How many of the countries u listed there can match up the elites. We are in a battle for our true identity

Wiztonero:
In Genesis 9:20-27, we see how Noah cursed his son Ham for mocking him while he was drunk. He cursed Ham's descendants saying that they would always be servants to the descendants of his brothers Shem and Japhet. I have often wondered, could it be that black Africans are the children of Ham? Because all through history, from the slave trade, to the colonial era (even now in a subtler form) blacks have always been oppressed by the whites. So, guys what do you think? Could it be because of Noah's curse on our progenitor?

black have been segregated in the Bible from the onset. That is what happens when u let people tell your story.

shaboti:
You again? Lol
You're making me fall In love with ghana

u just have to

The Ghana Nuclear Regulatory Bill has been passed and is awaiting the President's assent.

The objectives of the Bill are to establish the Ghana Nuclear Regulatory Authority with clear functions and responsibilities and to provide for the beneficial and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

Parliament has also, in February, this year, ratified some relevant international conventions, such as the Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident, Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency and the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage.

The Minister for the Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr Mahama Ayariga, made these known when he took his turn at the Meet-The-Press series in Accra, yesterday.


Mr Ayariga disclosed that the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), through the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), under the Nuclear Power Project, had also signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the State Atomic Energy Corporation of the Federation of Russia (ROSATOM) for the construction of a Nuclear Power Plant in Ghana.

Under the agreement, he said, the Plant would have Russian design power units 1000- 1,200 MW in line with the ROSATOM comprehensive proposal while staff will be trained, nuclear infrastructure established and product and service life supplied.

He said to ensure the safe disposal of nuclear waste generated in the country so that people, environment and property were kept safe, a set of draft of Radioactive Waste Management Regulations and a Radioactive Waste Management Policy and Strategy had also been developed.

Mr Ayariga disclosed that in order to increase the shelf life of farm produce for exports, GAEC through the Technology Transfer and Marketing Centre, had endorsed collaboration with the Ministry of Trade to use Gamma Irradiation Facility to have products and goods irradiated and improve trade in Ghana.

To that effect, he said a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had been signed with the Federation of Associations of Exporters and the Ghana Health Service for sterilisation of medical equipment.



On nuclear safety monitoring, Mr Ayariga said, about 1,593 radiation workers --in hospitals, mines, oil and gas sector, research and education-- among others, were being monitored for radiation exposure, inspections and enforcements requirements under LI 1559 of 1993 being carried out while training for operators of nuclear facilities on nuclear safety culture were ongoing.

Furthermore, he said, Nuclear Security Infrastructure was being upgraded at the various nuclear facilities such as Radiotherapy Centres at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) and the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) and the Takoradi, and Tema ports to counter malicious intent while nuclear security training was being given to the national security agencies like Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) and the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS).

He said the Graduate School of Nuclear & Allied Sciences (SNAS) continued to be the designated Centre for Nuclear Science education in Africa and that Ghana was currently hosting the African Network for Education in Science and Technology (AFRA-NEST), an ICT for web-based education and training for Human Resource Development (HRD) and Nuclear Knowledge Management (NKM).

Source: ISD (G.D. Zaney)

RoyalPearl:
Are there any intelligent folks out there who can have civilized debates and get their points across in a civilized manner like a normal human being without insults and redundancy.

I am clearly wasting my time and energy with you.

Goodbye. Don't quote me again. I am way too tired for your sh1t right now

exactly. he is just an empty headed . Loud parrot.

Arisha:
Wow still viewing lol arent u ppl tired

lol. It's really tiring

JiggamanGh:
We bought those gas from before that you flaring those gas because you didn't know how valuable it was.

I think u need to ignore that mofo

EVarn:
I'm not whining,i'm simply presenting Ghana's superpower military capabilities; infact,I have intel suggesting that Ghana is planning a dramatic invasion and annexation of the US!!!!
All hail the black stars of africa!
{now,wait a minute!....if you spell the word 'star' backwards,what word will you get?....oops!,you didnt hear that from me.}
The great black stars of africa!

okay now.. come of it

EVarn:
Indeed....Ghana has a marine corp,SAS brigades,special weapons strike force,commando battalions,mobile motorcycle battalions and a hundred truck loads of nuclear warheads safely tucked underneath a secret cave in accra.
kudos to Ghana,the most powerful military in Africa!

ah ah ah! i smell whining in your post

forgiveness:
Delta State to be precise. You can say that again.

Nigeria public Universities and some private Uni.don't have standard. fact

there is only one uni I can call. The atikus uni. But how many people can afford it.

Captainswag225:
the problem is their poor maintenance culture.. If its not checked, they will even take it off campus.

lol its already off campus. There is something called OT . A student is to have that. If u want to have a peaceful and enjoyable stay in school

forgiveness:
O charlie! there is one in Nigeria but i doubt the standard compare to Ghana.

yeah in bayelsa or so. But it's not standard as compared to its compatriots

Captainswag225:
okay....but i still insist on the discipline, its whats most important.

the Nigerian education sector needs a total overhaul and reform. The people implement the laws are the ones to first break it. Let me not go into the crazy goons on campus

tensazangetsu:
You should have come to my school regional maritime university, even a look at our classrooms will make you hate zoogeria. But I hate ghana sha.

hate u too bruv

forgiveness:
Really! are saying the one Nigeria is not recognise?

I doubt Nigeria has a regional maritime University

Captainswag225:
the problem is their poor maintenance culture.. If its not checked, they will even take it off campus.

I have been in the Nigerian campus in my first year. Believe me. It's better sometimes staying off campus.

Captainswag225:
i guess the src can use some of its funds to start the renovations, and harsher punishments should be metted out to students who destroys these properties.

lol. The best solution for naija students is to rent cozy apartments outside school. The ate also private girls hostels around campus

GHKWAME1:
Ashesi will be the next standard followed by central university of Ghana.

true. I wanted to talk of ashesi University. It's off the hook. And the design is unique

lepasharon:
repping Ghana I present to you the one and only agya koo

hehe. At least dem girls still trip for him

forgiveness:
True talk, We Nigerians don't know the history/secret behind rapid development in developed countries. Quality Education is the major driver the rapid development in any serious Nation.

THESE PICTURES NA SMALL COMPARE TO WHAT'S ON GROUND

so true. Glad u have seen things for you self. U can contrast form the negatives people write about Ghana now. Did u get to visit other places, apart from the school?

forgiveness:
1,2, Clean kitchens with refrigerators

3, i don't know the use of this place for

this pic is meant for the local champions that believe schools in Ghana are not quality. Quality speaks for its self. Am not saying this is all that. But it's standard. And conducive. And to think that it's a government school...

RoyalPearl:
Iamord

what's up beauty

dunkem21:
lalasticlala is a better pilot

quick!!! Get your parachute on. It's going to be a rough landing. adieu bruv

dunkem21:
Yes, dem suppose ban you ..why you talk say Nigeria is an auto pilot

my friend you better rush into the cockpit and man it , before the plane hits a rock!

rolchi:
I think Buhari needs to form his Cabinet fast! All these embarrassments coming from Perm. Secs are beginning to be unbecoming! Perm. Secs are civil servants. They just answer 'yes' to the government of the day!

it's a very expensive joke they just pulled up. And for them to be clueless about such a delicate matter. Then it calls for questioning as to what has even going on over the years.

dunkem21:
..
..lalasticlala ..

R u reporting me

So if Ghana says they were not running the Nigerian airspace. Does that mean that Nigeria has been on auto pilot