Latest news with #CôteDIvoire
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
New, Interactive Dashboards Show Cocoa Farmers Continue To Benefit From Trainings Facilitated by Fairtrade
BONN, Germany, July 17, 2025 /3BL/ - Participation in trainings facilitated by Fairtrade for cocoa farmers in West Africa on human rights and environmental due diligence, deforestation, traceability and transparency, and management of small-scale farming organizations increased by 6% in 2024. Trainings hosted across Côte d'Ivoire (CDI), Ghana, and Sierra Leone garnered 51,891 total participants – up from 48,876 in 2023. About 20% of participants were women. To help display this data, Fairtrade launched two new, interactive dashboards. The first showcases data on Fairtrade's West Africa Cocoa Program (WACP) , tracking impact from 2021 to the latest results from 2024. This dashboard enables small-scale farming organizations, traders, retailers and everyday people to easily access four years' worth of findings and compare across previous years. Results from the 2024 analysis of the program's impact show that small-scale farming organizations have the management skills needed to act as resilient and effective business partners to the chocolate sector and have made progress regarding internal management systems and business strategies. The data in WACP's monitoring report dashboard, collected through interviews with small-scale farming organization management, also showed that small-scale farming organizations took concrete actions to support income diversification and/or food security. For example, all organizations interviewed in Ghana said they supported their member farmers with income diversification activities, such as off-farm economic and household security activities, including the production of food and cash crops. The second dashboard houses the latest information available on Fairtrade cocoa. It includes details about production, sales, and key benefits, such as the Fairtrade Premium and how it is used by farmers. This is the third product-focused dashboard created by Fairtrade. Others include the banana dashboard (2023) and the coffee dashboard (2025). The new dashboards are part of a portfolio of digital tools to assist Fairtrade's stakeholders, which also include the Fairtrade Impact Map (2024) and the Fairtrade Risk Map (2023). The Fairtrade Impact Map displays data and information on more than 100 Fairtrade projects and commissioned studies around the world. Users can explore by country, region, commodity, theme, program, or year. The Fairtrade Risk Map supports all actors in global supply chains – farmers, worker organizations, retailers, brands – in assessing their human rights and environmental risks. Users can explore through country, commodity, or issue filters. An estimated six million people worldwide depend on cocoa farming for their livelihood. To learn more about Fairtrade's work supporting cocoa farmers in West Africa, visit ### Press Contact: Liz Davis, [email protected] About Fairtrade America Fairtrade America works to rebalance trade, making it a system rooted in partnership and mutual respect rather than exploitation. It's about businesses, shoppers, farmers and workers all working together so we can all experience the benefits of trade. Fairtrade America is the U.S. branch of Fairtrade International, the original and global leader in fair trade certification with more than 30 years of experience working for fair trading practices in more than 30 countries across the globe. A non-profit 501(c)3 organization, Fairtrade America is part of the world's largest and most recognized fair trade certification program — part of a global movement for change. Learn more at and by connecting with Fairtrade America on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from Fairtrade America
RNZ News
11-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
All Whites reach highest world football ranking in more than a decade
New Zealand players celebrate winning OFC Qualifiers Final at Eden Park Photo: Andrew Cornaga / The Football World Cup bound All Whites have reached their highest FIFA ranking in 12 years. New Zealand moved up four places to 82nd in the world in the lastest rankings off the back of qualifying for next year's world cup in March and last month's win over African champions Côte d'Ivoire in Canada. Under head coach Darren Bazeley, the team has now climbed 23 places since he took on the role in 2023. This is the highest rank the team has had since they were 79th in 2013. "We really believe in what we're doing as a team, so it's good to see that reflected in our new ranking, but we know we can still improve our position to better reflect where we feel this team should be," Bazeley said. "We've been able to produce moments against higher-ranked teams over the last few years, with encouraging draws against the Republic of Ireland, the USA and Tunisia, but the win over reigning African champions Côte d'Ivoire in Toronto gives us real confidence that we can get results against big sides, which is hugely significant heading into the FIFA World Cup 2026. "We have some great games coming up, all against highly ranked teams, so when we get to the tournament next year we should be in the best place to perform." The All Whites plan to have a full calendar of international fixtures in the lead-up to the world cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA and they will next be in action in September in two matches against Australia. The biggest mover in the rankings was Costa Rica going up 14 places to 40th. Argentina is still number one, followed by Spain and France.
Free Malaysia Today
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Ivory Coast ex-minister released after apologising for election criticism
Supporters of Alassane Ouattara, President of the Ivory Coast, attend a rally at the Ebimpe Olympic Stadium in Abidjan. (EPA Images pic) ABIDJAN : A former minister for Ivory Coast's ruling party who was arrested in June for criticising the exclusion of opposition candidates from upcoming presidential elections was released Monday after apologising, his lawyer said. Joel N'Guessan, who served as human rights minister in 2006-2007 and is a former spokesperson for the current ruling party, was arrested June 18 for 'discrediting the judicial institution and magistrates', according to prosecutors. The courts have banned four opposition figures, including former president Laurent Gbagbo, from the Oct 25 poll. In an interview with just before his arrest, N'Guessan stated that he was 'convinced that the exclusion of certain political actors will lead to a national crisis'. This past Saturday, N'Guessan apologised for his comments, and on Monday his lawyer Ange Rodrigue Dadje said in a statement that he has been granted a 'provisional release' and had returned to his residence, though he omitted whether his client still faces charges. 'I realised that my interview shocked many people in the justice system, particularly judges,' the ex-minister wrote in a statement Saturday. 'I therefore wish to offer my sincere apologies to the judicial system and the judges for my comments in this interview,' he added. Casting 'discredit on institutions' can be punished by three to five years of prison in the Ivory Coast. The West African country has experienced numerous outbreaks of violence during elections. In late 2010 and early 2011, the election of President Alassane Ouattara – an outcome contested by his rival Gbagbo – sparked turmoil which left some 3,000 people dead. The ruling party has regularly denied intervening in the electoral process, saying it leaves decisions to what it claims is an independent judiciary.
National Post
07-07-2025
- Business
- National Post
Bringing Art, Youth, and Football Together: Kobo's Workshop in Kossou
Article content QUEBEC CITY — Kobo Resources Inc. (TSX.V: KRI): Article content Article content The Kobo Cup was created as a way to launch Kobo Resources' community engagement efforts in a way that felt local and genuinely rooted in the lives of the people we work alongside. In Côte d'Ivoire, as across much of Africa, football is more than a sport. It's a shared language, a daily ritual, and a powerful force that brings people together across generations. Article content Despite its modest scale, the Kobo Cup 2024 sparked something powerful. It proved that football could be more than a game; it could be a platform for community connection, for showcasing local identity and for inspiring youth. It showed us what's possible when we invest in more than just infrastructure, we invest in culture. Article content That initial match planted the seed for a bigger vision: to make the Kobo Cup an annual, community-rooted tournament that grows in both reach and impact each year. That's why, for the second edition of the Kobo Cup, Kobo Resources has stepped it up, transforming the single match into a dynamic multi-team tournament featuring the villages of Kossou, Bocabo, and Angossé, all located in the vicinity of Kobo's flagship property The Kossou Gold Project for the 2025 edition, scheduled for late November. This expansion reflects our ongoing commitment to community engagement and inclusion, ensuring more youth, more talent, and more villages get to take part in the celebration. Article content For 2025, we introduced a village jersey design workshop, allowing young people who may never play on the field to still be part of the tournament in a powerful way. Article content The Workshop Article content On Monday June 16 th, 2025 at the Kobo Camp situated on the Kossou License, creativity took center stage. A handful of young people from Kossou, Bocabo, and Angossé gathered for an inspiring art workshop, hosted by Kobo Resources in partnership with African Boyz Club, to design the official jerseys their villages will proudly wear at Kobo Cup 2025. Article content This workshop marked more than a moment of artistic expression. It was the beginning of something bigger: a celebration of identity, talent, and the belief that everyone, on and off the field, has a role to play in the story of their community. Article content The session began with freehand sketching. Pens, pencils, and blank pages quickly filled with bold symbols, vibrant colors, and personal visions, each design inspired by the history, culture, and energy of the youth's own communities. Article content The workshop was led by two Ivorian artists from African Boyz Club, who brought not only artistic expertise but a deep understanding of how art can empower. They guided the youth through a process that was both creative and intentional, encouraging them to think of their designs as visual representations of village pride, unity, and voice. Article content Each village's final jersey design was converted into a professional tech pack by Kobo's design team. These original creations will be produced and unveiled for the upcoming Kobo Cup tournament, bringing authenticity, pride, and ownership to the pitch like never before. Article content More Than a Match Article content At Kobo Resources, our commitment to community runs deeper than development. This initiative reflects our belief in youth empowerment, cultural expression, and meaningful local engagement. It's part of our broader Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) vision, one that celebrates not just what we do, but how and with whom we do it. Article content This entire journey, from creative expression in June to athletic excellence later this year, is enhanced by incredible local partnerships: Article content African Boyz Club, a company based in Abidjan, is leading the way in the youth workshop, offering creative guidance and mentorship as the children design jerseys and create transfer art rooted in their local experiences. Coast 2 Coast Entertainment is playing a key role in the tournament itself, by providing high-quality football equipment to every player across all participating teams. This ensures that when it's time to step on the pitch, every player is equally equipped and ready to play, no matter where they come from. Article content Together, these partners help Kobo Resources ensure that both the workshop and the tournament reflect our shared values: inclusion, fairness, and celebration of local talent. Article content Both partners, led by Ivorian men deeply connected to their communities, embody the spirit of the Kobo Cup: grassroots empowerment, local talent, and sustainable contribution. Through art they're helping transform the Kobo Cup into a space where creativity, culture, and sport intersect. Article content Kobo is proud to sponsor the Kobo Cup for its second year and even more so with local partners such as African Boyz Club and Coast 2 Coast Entertainment. Our commitment to maintaining strong community relations is being reflected through the organization of such sporting events which in turn help infuse a sense of hope that anything is possible in this world through selfless engagement. – Edward Gosselin, CEO, Kobo Resources. Article content Football became a tool for social transformation, a universal language that unites, inspires, and opens real pathways for youth in Côte d'Ivoire. We're proud to support young players by making sure every player steps onto the field equipped, equal, and inspired. – Cheikh-Louis Tall, CEO, Coast 2 Coast Article content To us like sport, art is a highway to a better tomorrow by winning self- confidence and developing curiosity. Through our involvement in the Kobo Cup, we're proud to guide young people as they turn their ideas into symbols of village pride, unity, and expression. – Fred Gnaoré, Founder, African Boyz Club Article content At Kobo Resources, community integration is more than a commitment, it's a cornerstone of how we work. Through initiatives like this workshop, we aim to create opportunities that go beyond the project and stay rooted in the lives of those around us. Article content As the countdown to Kobo Cup 2025 begins, the energy is already building. And when the players step onto the field, they'll wear more than a jersey, they'll wear a story, designed by the youth, for the village, and for the future. Article content About Kobo Resources Inc. Article content Kobo Resources is a growth-focused gold exploration company with a compelling new gold discovery in Côte d'Ivoire, one of West Africa's most prolific and developing gold districts, hosting several multi-million-ounce gold mines. The Company's 100%-owned Kossou Gold Project is located approximately 20 km northwest of the capital city of Yamoussoukro and is directly adjacent to one of the region's largest gold mines with established processing facilities. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Article content
Zawya
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) pre-election mission' kicks off its activities in preparation for the october 2025 presidential election in Côte d'Ivoire
The ECOWAS pre-election mission in Côte d'Ivoire, led by Prof. Théodore Holo began its activities on June 30th, 2025 with a series of meetings with the Institutions in charge of the presidential election, the actors and certain stakeholders in the electoral process. The objective of this ECOWAS pre-election fact-finding mission is to engage with actors and stakeholders in the electoral process on the political atmosphere and the conduct of pre-election activities, to identify any difficulties and to make concrete recommendations for the peaceful and transparent conduct of the presidential election. Since its arrival in Abidjan, the Mission has met with certain institutions in charge of the presidential election as well as certain actors and stakeholders in the electoral process. On June 30th, 2025 the mission held consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Ivorians Abroad, the High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA), representatives of media associations and civil society, the Independent Electoral Commission, the ambassadors of ECOWAS member countries accredited to Côte d'Ivoire, and Ms Hélène N'Garnim-Ganga, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System in Côte d'Ivoire. At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Ivorians Abroad, Prof. Théodore Holo and his delegation were received by Ambassador Yapi Koffi Évariste, Secretary General of H.E. Léon Kacou Adom, Ivorian Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Ivorians Abroad. In his introductory remarks, Prof. Holo reiterated ECOWAS' commitment to maintaining regional momentum in support of democratic processes, in a context where peace and stability remain crucial issues. At the High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA), the ECOWAS delegation met with its President, Mr. René BOURGOIN, to inquire about the overall framework for preparing for the elections at the media level, the institutional mechanisms put in place, and the role this body plays in the electoral process. In this regard, the HACA gave a presentation on the operational mechanisms already deployed, the mechanisms for monitoring online media, and the awareness-raising activities carried out with audiovisual actors. During his meeting with media representatives, the Head of the ECOWAS Pre-Election Mission recalled the crucial role that the media play in the conduct of the electoral process and in the dissemination of accurate and responsible information, all of which promotes social cohesion and peace. Prof. Holo emphasised the need for equitable access to the media for candidates and stressed the responsibility of regulators and the media in preventing hate speech and disinformation, particularly on digital platforms. On July 1st, 2025 the ECOWAS delegation first met with representatives of Ivorian civil society organisations, including the Initiative for Peace, the CNCJI, the AFJCI, WANEP-CI, MIDH, RESPSFECO, POECI, FOSCAO, the Islamic Council, CIED and RAIDH. The mission then visited the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI), where it held discussions with its President, Mr Ibrahim Kuibiert Coulibaly, and members of the CEI Bureau. Prof. Holo was accompanied by Ambassador Abdel-Fatau MUSAH (PhD), Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the ECOWAS Commission, and H.E. Ms. Adjo-vi Yekpe, Ambassador of Benin to ECOWAS, representing the Committee of Permanent Representatives of ECOWAS Member States, H.E. Fanta Cissé, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Côte d'Ivoire, a representative of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and a team of electoral experts from the sub-region and the Directorate of Political Affairs. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
