According to state media reports, the Fujian entered active service just days after a grand commissioning ceremony personally overseen by President Xi Jinping in southern Hainan Province.

A Technological Milestone for China’s Navy

The Fujian is China’s third aircraft carrier and the first fully domestically built vessel equipped with electromagnetic catapult technology—a feature previously exclusive to the US Navy. This system allows fighter jets to be launched at higher speeds, carrying heavier fuel and weapons payloads, and striking targets from greater distances.

By contrast, China’s first two carriers — the Liaoning and the Shandong — were built using older Soviet designs and conventional launch systems.

Strategic Implications and Global Response

The introduction of the Fujian marks a defining moment in China’s quest to modernize its military under President Xi. Analysts say the move strengthens Beijing’s long-term goal of asserting dominance in regional waters, particularly across the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.

With the Fujian’s addition, China now commands the largest navy in the world by number of vessels, placing increasing pressure on the United States and its allies to maintain their technological and strategic edge.

Xi Jinping’s Direct Involvement

During the commissioning ceremony, President Xi reportedly toured the Fujian’s flight deck, receiving a briefing on the ship’s combat readiness and capabilities. State media claimed Xi personally approved the adoption of the electromagnetic catapult system, reflecting his hands-on role in advancing China’s defense modernization.

In a patriotic display, sailors stood in formation along the deck, saluting and chanting:

“Follow the Party’s command, fight to win, and uphold fine conduct!”

A New Era in Naval Power Projection

The Fujian’s advanced design allows it to launch multiple types of aircraft, including stealth fighters, early warning aircraft, and drones, positioning China’s navy as a formidable maritime force capable of long-range power projection.

Military experts describe the ship’s commissioning as a “symbolic and strategic milestone” — signaling Beijing’s growing ambition to rival American naval dominance across the Indo-Pacific.

Source: AlmightyNews

The initiative is spearheaded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH under the FAIR Forward – Artificial Intelligence for All programme. Heritors Labs led the development of the Guide, which provides practical insights, frameworks, and standards to support developers, researchers, businesses, policymakers, and technology enthusiasts across Ghana’s growing AI ecosystem.

Designed with a human-centred approach, the Guide prioritises safety, accountability, transparency, inclusivity, and sustainability. It also features local case studies and ethical tools, making it the first resource of its kind tailored to Ghana’s unique opportunities and challenges.

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Kofi Ocloo, Vice-President of Heritors Labs, described the Guide as transformative for Ghana’s technology landscape:

“This guide is a game-changer. It bridges global best practices with our local realities, equipping practitioners with the tools to innovate responsibly, address ethical concerns, and create AI solutions that truly serve our communities.”

Mr. Emmanuel Mumuni, Component Manager at the Digital Transformation Centre, GIZ Ghana, emphasised the importance of inclusivity:

“Artificial intelligence presents immense growth opportunities but also risks if not managed well. This Practitioners’ Guide reflects a commitment to building trust, transparency, and inclusivity in Ghana’s digital transformation journey.”

The event also featured networking sessions, allowing stakeholders to explore the Guide’s content and discuss its application across key sectors including health, education, agriculture, and governance.

With the launch of this first-ever AI Practitioners’ Guide, Ghana takes a decisive step toward shaping an ethical and sustainable AI-driven future.

source: myjoyonline

The town of Adidome in Ghana’s Central Tongu District has launched a bold health initiative—the pioneering Health Kiosk Project—aimed at saving lives through early detection, public education, and lifestyle change in the fight against non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

The commissioning, held on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at Fiagbenu Triangle, brought together traditional leaders, health experts, government officials, civil society partners, and residents united by a common mission: to curb preventable illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, and stroke.

A Vision Rooted in Personal Loss and Global Insight

Executive Director of ProHealth Ghana Initiative and Chief of Adidome, Togbe Kwasinyi Kakaklolo Agyeman V, described the project as “a candle of hope” for those unknowingly living with life-threatening conditions.

Citing alarming statistics, he noted that hypertension affects over 1.28 billion people worldwide—nearly half unaware of their condition—and remains a leading cause of premature death. In Ghana, hypertension tops adult hospital admissions and drives high mortality rates.

“In Central Tongu alone, newly confirmed hypertension cases have more than doubled in just two years. We cannot wait until people collapse before acting. Prevention must come first,” he stressed.

The concept, inspired by the premature death of his father, was refined during his participation in a Cambridge Summer School in Nutrition, where it won first prize in an essay competition.

Built on the AKNE model—Awareness, Know your status, Nutrition, Exercise—the kiosk will offer free health screenings, nutrition education, and community-friendly fitness activities. The pilot will run in Adidome before expanding to all five sub-districts of Central Tongu.

Community Action Meets National Policy

Dr. Elikplim Kwabla Apetorgbor, Volta Region’s representative to the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), lauded the initiative as an example of traditional leadership driving sustainable change.

“This project aligns perfectly with President John Dramani Mahama’s people-centred health policy, which prioritises community-based care, early detection, and prevention,” he said. “Healthy citizens are the foundation of a productive economy.”

He urged philanthropists, development agencies, and other traditional authorities to replicate the model across the Volta Region.

Responding to a Growing Health Crisis

District Director of Health Services, Baba Awumi, warned that the district is facing a dangerous surge in NCD cases:

• Hypertension: 24% increase in new cases in the past year.

• Emergency care: Severe hypertension is the second leading cause of hospital emergencies at Adidome Government Hospital (2024).

• Mortality: Hypertension complications are the leading cause of institutional deaths.

• Diabetes: 81.6% increase in cases in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.

“Most adults here don’t know their blood pressure or sugar levels. By the time they find out, it’s often too late,” Awumi said, adding that the kiosk will bring health checks directly to markets, transport hubs, and streets.

Sustaining the Momentum

Speakers called for strong community participation and sustained funding to keep the kiosk running. ProHealth Ghana Initiative is seeking support from donors, corporate partners, and government bodies to scale the project nationwide.

“Health is not a privilege; it is a right,” Togbe Kakaklolo said. “We must shift from cure to prevention, from silence to awareness, and from inaction to empowerment.”

The launch concluded with appreciation for the Ghana Health Service, the Adidome Development Advisory Board, project supervisor Gideon Agordome, the Wellness Bridge Initiative team, and all who contributed to the milestone event.

source: myjoyonline