Connect with us

People & Lifestyle

BBC reveals thousands of boys have been kept in chains, tortured and abused in Islamic schools across Sudan

Published

on

V76Ug J8

A BBC News Arabic investigation has uncovered systemic child abuse inside Islamic schools in Sudan. There are nearly 30,000 Islamic schools, known as “khalwas” across Sudan.

 

The investigation, “The Schools that Chain Boys”, has found that boys as young as five-years-old are routinely chained, shackled and beaten by the “sheikhs”, or religious men in charge of the schools. The investigation also found evidence of sexual abuse.

For 18 months undercover reporter Fateh al-Rahman al-Hamdani – who used to study at a khalwa himself – secretly filmed inside 23 khalwas across Sudan. He found boys shackled and chained and witnessed brutal routine beatings. Many of the children were malnourished and living in squalid conditions, forced to sleep on the floor in extreme heat. Sick children were left without medical help.

At the heart of the BBC investigation are two boys – Mohamed Nader and Ismail – who were beaten so badly they nearly died. The boys were imprisoned and tortured for five days in their khalwa without food or water and had tar rubbed into their wounds.

Advertisement

A few months into his recovery, Mohamed Nader reveals that he witnessed boys being raped inside the khalwa by older students. “The worst thing about the khalwa is the rape. They make you go against your will.”

 

When the BBC confronted the sheikh in charge of the boys’ khalwa he admitted that it was wrong to imprison the children but maintained that beating and shackling were “packed with benefits” and that “most khalwas use chaining, not just me.” When asked about allegations of sexual abuse he categorically denied these claims and accused our reporter of attacking the Koran. The sheikh died in a car accident earlier this year.

The film follows the boys’ recoveries and their families’ fight for justice as they take on the sheikhs who wield huge power and influence in Sudan. Mohamed Nader’s mother, Fatima, hopes that since the 2018 revolution and the ousting of Omar al Bashir’s Islamist government, they stand a better chance of holding those in charge of the khalwas accountable. “Must we sacrifice our children to honour the religious men?”, she asks in the BBC documentary.

During the course of the investigation, the BBC came across further reports of rape and sexual abuse in other khalwas. A forensic doctor, who examined three boys that recently escaped from one of Sudan’s many khalwas, told the BBC that boys were repeatedly raped: “I asked them ‘“How were you raped?” They said, “Sometimes our families visit us, they rape us just before they arrive.”

Advertisement

The investigation reveals that it’s not only children who are being abused. In a khalwa in central Sudan, the BBC filmed grown men chained to their beds, supposedly being treated for mental illness and addiction. One man told our undercover reporter, “They chain you up and beat you with a stick like a donkey… we are their slaves.”

In Sudan state prosecutors are obliged to take on all cases of crimes against children but when they take place inside khalwas the authorities are slow to act. When asked whether the beating, shackling and torture of children inside khalwas are considered a violation of children’s rights, a Public Prosecutor in Omdurman, Batool Sharif Ahmed, told the BBC “This is just normal practice inside khalwas. These children are sent to the khalwa with the consent of their parents.”

In the case of Mohamed Nader and Ismail the police arrested the sheikh in charge of the school and three other teachers. They were charged with assault and perverting the course of justice and released on bail. The khalwa remains open and the new sheikh in charge told the BBC that under his management the beating of children would not be tolerated.

At the time of publication, thousands of children are still at risk of being abused inside khalwas. The Minister of Religious Affairs told BBC News Arabic that they are assessing the state of khalwas across the country but that it is impossible to “solve a problem caused by 30 years of the old regime overnight.”

Advertisement
Advertisement

People & Lifestyle

OldSwat features Unsigned and Talented artist; Quame Rhymz on “Obrefour”

Published

on

Obrefour

Ghana-born Belgian music producer known as OldSwat has started an initiative to give unheard, talented and unsigned artists the platform to share their stories with the world. “Obrefour” featuring Quame Rhymz is the first single off this project. The 14-track project titled “The Discovery” album features 14 talented up-and-coming artists from Ghana. (more…)

Continue Reading

People & Lifestyle

Consolidated Bank Ghana LTD Leads GHS 600 million Note Programme Listing for Kasapreko Co. PLC on Ghana Fixed Income Market

Published

on

IMG 20240219 WA0018

Consolidated Bank Ghana LTD (CBG) in a strategic partnership as a joint lead arranger has lauded Kasapreko Co. Plc, an indigenous beverage manufacturer, for its ambitious growth plans following the official listing of the Series 1 GHS 600 million Note Programme on the Ghana Fixed Income Market (GFIM).

The funds raised will bolster Kasapreko Co. Plc’s working capital, financing capital expenditures such as operational expansion, and refinancing short-term debts.

Speaking at a joint press briefing in Accra, the Managing Director of CBG, Mr. Daniel Wilson Addo, emphasized the significance of the transaction, indicating that this is the first time an indigenous Ghanaian Bank has worked with an indigenous manufacturing company to raise funding from local pension funds in the public market. This signifies fostering strong partnerships among indigenous companies to overcome financing challenges innovatively. 

He added that the funding which is at a cost significantly lower than the Ghana Reference Rate (GRR) for borrowing will cushion Kasapreko Co. Plc’s operations significantly.

He underlined the importance of addressing risks associated with Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) while encouraging financial institutions and industries to develop financial structures that meet the evolving risks effectively.

Advertisement

Mr. Addo stated, “This transaction is a testament to our overriding ambition to make an impact in the communities in which we operate. We stand with you in good times or in bad times”.

According to Mr. Addo, the support for Kasapreko Co. Plc highlights the economic impact of CBG’s lending philosophy.

The Managing Director of Kasapreko Co. Plc, Mr. Richard Adjei, welcomed the innovative financing source, describing it as a relatively cheaper capital and sustainable solution for business growth.

Mr. Adjei expressed his gratitude towards CBG for enabling them to explore alternatives beyond traditional Banks. With the infusion, Kasapreko Co. Plc aims to expand production capacity and enhance its participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), having already exported products to Kenya and South Africa.

In attendance were Management members of the Consolidated Bank Ghana LTD (CBG) including the Deputy Managing Director of Operations and Technology, Mr. Thairu Ndungu; Deputy Managing Director of Corporate Resources, Madam Nana Ama Poku and Director of Finance and Strategy, Mr. Charles Appiah and other senior executives of the Bank.

Advertisement

Mr. Gregg Pitt, Deputy Managing Director; Mr. Humphrey Hessel-Appiah, Finance Director; Mr. Gerald Bonsu, Commercial Director; and Mr. Isaac Adjei, a Board Member, all of Kasapreko Co. Plc were also present.

Consolidated Bank Ghana LTD (CBG) is wholly owned by the Government of Ghana and operates as a universal Bank with 114 branches in 13 regions of Ghana. The Bank has strong government support, a large SME client network, and a pool of diverse talent.

Continue Reading

People & Lifestyle

Telecel Ghana Network Update

Published

on

Telecel Launch

Telecel Ghana has multiple sources of internet services through SAT3, WACS, ACE, and submarine fibre links to other international providers.

On the 12th of March 2024, Telecel Ghana lost internet capacity provided by WACS subsea cable, and immediately switched to ACE to maintain service.

On 14th March 2024, Telecel Ghana lost internet connectivity from its remaining providers SAT3 and ACE due to a cut in their undersea cables. This resulted in the disruption of data services on Mobile and Fixed networks.

Telecel Ghana has now secured new internet capacity and is progressively adding more capacities through local and international partners, including other Telecel subsidiaries. This, is in addition to local caching solutions which are enabling access to some content services such as YouTube, Facebook, Netflix etc.

Telecel Ghana sincerely appreciates the patience and understanding of its customers during this period. All customers will be refunded accordingly. 

Advertisement

Please note that information circulating on social media platforms about the disconnection of Telecel Ghana due to debts owed is false and should be disregarded.

Continue Reading

People & Lifestyle

SuperSport to air 13th African Games on DStv & GOtv from March 19

Published

on

2023 African Games Logo

SuperSport International have confirmed that the ongoing 13th African Games will telecast on DStv and GOtv from 19th to 23rd March 2024.

The broadcast will cover a wide range of sports disciplines. Given that this is also an Olympics year, the athletics, track, and field which began today may be the most significant sport fans across the continent would love to follow.

Currently Nigeria and South Africa, led by Egypt (first), are ranked second and third, respectively, on the medal standings.

Ahead of the live feed on your DStv and GOtv starting tomorrow 19th March 2024, SuperSport is streaming live the games on the DStv Stream and GOtv Stream apps.  Subsequently from tomorrow the broadcast would be open on DStv 248 (Variety 4) (DStv) and GOtv channel 131 (Select 2).

The 13th African Games are already delivering unforgettable experiences, reconnect your decoder to be part of a celebration of diverse sporting talent and cultural unity live from Accra Ghana.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

People & Lifestyle

Hollard Ghana Empowers Student Entrepreneurs with Second Edition of Streetwise Finance Business Challenge.

Published

on

Winner HSBC

Hollard Ghana, the country’s favourite insurer, with subsidiaries Hollard Insurance and Hollard Life, awards Jnelp Innovations, a student entrepreneur, with GHC 40,000 as funding at the just-ended Hollard Streetwise Finance Entrepreneurship Business Challenge held at the University of Cape Coast. 

In collaboration with the University of Ghana Business School and the University of Cape Coast, the grant-based program showcased ten talented student-led businesses that presented their business ideas to a distinguished panel of judges in a bid to secure funding. Zenags Organics won the second-place prize of GHC 20,000, and Career Path won the third-place award of GHC 10,000.

Speaking on the essence of the event, Alexander Osei Mensah, General Manager of Operations at Hollard Insurance, described the initiative as a testament to the insurance group’s efforts to nurture entrepreneurial spirit and innovation among the youth.

“As a company that does well by doing good, our purpose is to bridge the gap between the corporate world and academia. Being an entrepreneurially driven company, Hollard believes in enabling its community to create better futures. Since universities are essential in nation-building and the training ground for business leaders, we focus on engaging tertiary students to ensure they are enabled to succeed in the future with Hollard’s support. In doing so, we aim to inspire more students to explore opportunities that will lead to successful employment upon graduation, particularly through entrepreneurship,” Alex added.GROUP HSBC

Portia Sackey, the founder of Jnelp Innovations, expressed her satisfaction with the event’s outcome, stating, “We are thrilled to be winners of the Hollard Streetwise Finance Business Challenge.   We are grateful to Hollard Ghana for this opportunity to help small businesses thrive. With this funding, we will expand our business by investing in research and development for our skin product and purchasing a tricycle and two extra automatic filling machines to enable us to meet the demanding markets with our products”. 

The success of the second edition of the Streetwise Finance Business Challenge reinforces Hollard Ghana’s commitment to fostering economic growth and empowering the next generation of business leaders. The company remains dedicated to supporting initiatives that contribute to the overall development of Ghana’s entrepreneurial landscape. Student startup businesses participating in the competition include Overseas, Gamkrib, Delsoy Foods, Shuttle Track, Prifrimps Food, Geia Technology, and Firefly I.O.

Advertisement

Keren Arthur, PhD, the Director of the D-Hub, urged the winners to be strategic in their decisions while remembering that entrepreneurship is an experimental process. 

“Adopt a step-by-step process for using funds and know that entrepreneurship requires a small-scale pilot before major investment. To the other businesses who competed, don’t give up. This event has added to your story, and I hope this will make you stronger and even more committed to taking the ideas forward. The doors of the D-Hub are always open to help you chart the next chapter of your story,” she added.

 

The country’s favourite insurance group is Hollard Ghana, with subsidiaries Hollard Insurance and Hollard Life Assurance. The group combines its deep local knowledge of the market, having previously operated in Ghana for 25 years as Metropolitan Insurance, with the world-class expertise of an international insurance brand in 18 countries worldwide. With feet firmly planted on Ghanaian soil but headquartered in South Africa, Hollard delivers innovative insurance solutions customised to the unique risks Ghanaians face. Hollard offers various life and general insurance products, including funeral, personal accident, motor, business, travel, home, and more, and can be reached via 0307000599. Beyond various nationwide office branches and Hollard 2U franchise shops, Ghanaians can find Hollard at Shell Fuel Station Welcome Shops, Melcom stores and online at www.hollard.com.gh, www.melcom.com/hollard-insurance and www.jumia.com.gh for all their insurance needs.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

People & Lifestyle

Team South Africa withdraws hockey from African Games due to poor pitch conditions

Published

on

sa hockey

South Africa’s hockey teams have decided to withdraw from the 2023 African Games hockey competition due to concerns regarding the poor quality of the pitch at Theodosia Okoh stadium in Accra. (more…)

Continue Reading

Trending