While Africa Day (May 25th), the official day of the African Union (AU) marking intercontinental unity, takes place solemnly in 2020 on the backdrop of the continued outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus), a recent study of Africa’s youth has showcased continent-wide resiliency, institutional trust, cohesion and collective ‘Afro-Optimism’ in facing the challenges ahead. The results of…
COVID-19: Hope for African countries as GAVI, UNICEF pact to secure PPEs, diagnostics
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance has urgently made US$ 40 million available to UNICEF to secure personal protective equipment (PPE), diagnostic tests and other vital supplies on behalf of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Malawi, Sudan, and Togo among others as they respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The PPE delivered will help these…
Firm plots to bring nutritious, high-yielding crop varieties to farmers
Henry Opondo Fifteen African countries encompassing 315 million people and with average child malnutrition rates of 38 per cent could significantly improve food security and nutrition by developing their seed industries, according to a new report from the Nairobi-based Seed Systems Group (SSG). SSG analysis reveals that even if only one-third of the farmers in…
18th CITES conference: Africa governments spar over elephants’ future
The fate of African wildlife hangs in balance as the 18th Conference of the Parties (CoP) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) begins tomorrow (Saturday) in Geneva. Government representatives of most of the 183 member parties attending the 18th CoP will take key decisions that might affect…
Sustainable food and agriculture: IITA Youth Agripreneur program wins the 2019 International innovation award
The youth program of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has won the 2019 International Innovation Award for sustainable food and Agriculture. The award is in recognition of IITA’s commitment to improving both agribusiness opportunities and creditworthiness of youth across Africa. The award which is the first of its kind and funded by the Government…
Governments need to ensure rules are followed in education
By Manos Antoninis No matter your job, you need standards to ensure that you are working to meet your objectives. Unfortunately, where education and schools are concerned, these standards sometimes do not exist. Or, more often, they are not enforced. Schools are decidedly sub-standard in some places, with those in sub-Saharan Africa facing particularly strong…
Leaders Recommit fight to End Neglected Tropical Diseases
Leaders from governments, pharmaceutical companies and charitable organizations convened at a five-day summit in Geneva to pledge new commitments to control and eliminate neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). The summit coincided with the launch of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Fourth Report on NTDs, showing transformational progress against these debilitating diseases, and a commitment by the…
Mass poisoning in Limpopo National park
By Don Pinnock The ongoing Asian demand for lion bones has led to an horrific wildlife poisoning in the Limpopo National Park, just over the Mozambican border from Kruger Park. A mere two kilometres from the Machampane tourist camp, a research team came across the carcases of two nyala, a warthog and an impala laced…
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