Author: prtimesafrica

ACCRA, Ghana, February 1, 2024/ — Ghana has signed two Memoranda of Understanding with the United Kingdom at the end of the 9th UK-Ghana Business Council Meeting in Accra on Wednesday January 31, 2024.

The two agreements signed, were on science, innovation and technology, as well as on the automotive industry.

On science, innovation and technology, the agreement is expected to drive economic prosperity through science and technology, while the MoU on automotive, signed between the UK’s Society Motor Manufacturing and Traders’ Industry Forum and the Ministry of Trade’s Auto Development Centre, agrees to pursue skills, knowledge and technology transfer partnerships, as part of the JET programme.

The 9th UK-Ghana Business Council Meeting was co-chaired by the Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and the UK Minister for Development and Africa, Rt Honourable Andrew Mitchell (MP), with other senior government officials from both countries present.

A joint communique issued by the UK-Ghana Business Council, at the end of the meeting, welcomed Ghana’s progress on reaching an agreement with the official creditor committee and completion of the first review of the IMF programme.

“Members acknowledged Ghana’s progress in implementing the programme, which has since resulted in improving economic stabilization. The UK assured council members of its continued support for a successful exit from the IMF programme, including through new programming developed in collaboration with the Government of Ghana targeting macro-economic resilience,” said the communique.

Council members also discussed the global climate finance architecture and welcomed Ghana’s commitment to unlock climate financing to support a pipeline of impactful climate activities in areas such as carbon finance blends, EVs, shipping and a hydrogen economy.

The meeting, the communique noted, welcomed UK’s announcement of the Green Cities and Infrastructure Technical Assistance Programme for Ghana.

“The programme will focus on delivering climate finance, low-carbon, climate-resilient infrastructure, and support cities to become hubs of innovation while bolstering sustainable economic growth,” the statement added.

Members also discussed and welcomed the successful auto sector investor mission, which took place from 22nd to 26th January 2024, bringing together leading UK automobile companies to explore opportunities in Ghana’s auto sector.

“Against this backdrop, members agreed to work collaboratively to identify opportunities to support Ghana’s industrial transformation in the auto and E-mobility industry, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and garments sector.”

The statement added that the Council also celebrated the first investments into Ghanaian businesses by British International Investment’s Growth Investment Partners fund.

The co-chairs, Vice President Bawumia and Rt Honourable Andrew Mitchell, acknowledged the significant progress the Council has made since its inception in 2018, and also agreed to continue to advance work on the UKGBC priority sectors to deepen the UK-Ghana relationship, while it explores other areas such as climate finance and electric vehicles.

Vice President Dr. Bawumia, particularly, expressed satisfaction at the strengthening of bilateral ties between Ghana and the UK, through the UK-Ghana Business Council, describing it as “a special, productive forum.”

Since its establishment in 2018, the Council has supported Ghana with investments in infrastructure across the country and created opportunities for both UK and Ghanaian businesses.

Some of the notable projects supported by the Council include the Kumasi International Airport, the Tamale International Airport and the Bekwai Hospital.

The next UKGBC meeting is expected to be held later this year.

 

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, January 29, 2024/ — The African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) and the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centres (CGIAR) committed on Thursday to strengthen their collaboration to increase food production and provide better nutrition for Africa’s growing population.

With 65% of global uncultivated arable land, the African Development Bank believes that the continent can feed itself and the rest of the world.

African Development Bank President Dr Akinwumi Adesina received Africa-based Directors General of CGIAR at the bank headquarters in Abidjan on Thursday to forge ways of scaling up food and agricultural productivity on the continent.

CGIAR centres are located across African countries and focus on enhancing food and nutrition security, reducing poverty, and improving natural resources and ecosystem services. They are critical to achieving food security on the continent, just as their counterparts in Southeast Asia and Latin America were also key to accelerating agricultural growth and food self-sufficiency.

Thursday’s meeting was the first coordinated group visit by the four directors-general/regional directors and one deputy director general of CGIAR for Africa to a financing partner and came two days after Dr Adesina hosted a visit from United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during which the head of US diplomacy praised the bank for the exceptional efforts it is undertaking to help Africa feed itself and the rest of the world.

The leaders focused on securing long-term financing for research activities and for CGIAR to enhance its effectiveness across the continent. They also discussed capacity building for country-based national agricultural research services partners, young scientists and extension workers, and private-sector seed growers to produce certified seeds.

The Bank played a key role in the process of reforming CGIAR to make its work relevant and sustainable in Africa.

The Bank President, Dr Adesina, said: “I was pleased with the reforms at CGIAR, and we must ensure that it is held accountable for results which must be at scale. We must unlock Africa’s agricultural potential and deploy technologies to millions of African farmers. CGIAR is central to that.

“I have made agriculture central to the work of this bank and central to the future of our continent.”

Dr Adesina added that the African Development Bank, with the approval of its board of directors, could consider including CGIAR in its long-term lending programme to countries:

“CGIAR leaders have local knowledge, experience and networks and are better placed to work with national institutions to combat climate change and increase productivity and food security.”

The Bank is also keen to work with the consortium to expand its work on capacity development for young scientists and farmers.

The delegation expressed their readiness to assist the Bank’s regional member countries to implement the outcomes of the Dakar 2 Food Summit (https://apo-opa.co/3HDwueK), which the Bank, the African Union, and the government of Senegal jointly convened. The January 2023 summit was attended by 34 Heads of State and Government, 75 ministers, and heads of development partners. To date, it has mobilised over $70 billion in an unprecedented global effort.

Leading the delegation, CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa and Director General of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Dr. Simeon Ehui said: “The African Development Bank has been a long-standing partner of the CGIAR in providing technology. We are confident that the African Development Bank’s support will continue and increase.”

The Director General of the AfricaRice Centre and CGIAR Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Dr Baboucarr Manneh, commended the African Development Bank for continuing to support the institution with rice-based technologies for farmers:

“The Bank’s support for the New Rice for Africa (NERICA) varieties has led to the expansion of rice production in some African countries. We now have more than two million hectares of rice,”.

Dr Manneh added that the Bank has also supported AfricaRice through the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) Rice Compact, which has greatly impacted food productivity in many countries on the continent.

TAAT is a proven approach to scaling up technology. It is delivering significant results for wheat in Ethiopia and Sudan and for maize in Kenya and southern Africa. Following the success of TAAT phases I and II, the African Development Bank President announced that the Bank plans to roll out phase III.

The African Development Bank, together with the AfricaRice centre, recently launched the $650 million Regional West Africa Rice Development (REWARD) programme in 15 West African countries. The programme will involve one million farmers cultivating up to 750,000 hectares of land to produce 53 million tons of rice over five years.

Regional Director for Central and West Asia and North Africa, CGIAR, and Director General of the International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Aly Abousabaa, spoke about the challenges in the North, where temperatures are rising. He highlighted how his centre is trying out a revolutionary rain induction system to help farmers increase yields.

Deputy Director General for Research and Development – Livestock Genetics and Feeds at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Siboniso Moyo, stressed the importance of increasing livestock productivity in Africa, and the complementary relationship between crops and livestock to ensure animals get good quality feed.

Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR), Dr Eliane Ubalijoro, spoke about the critical contribution trees must make to improving soil health:

“We also want to prioritise how we finance agriculture and transform smallholder farmers, leading to greater food security, improved nutrition, and increased biodiversity”.

 

Download images: apo-opa.co/4b9vgWh

Media Contact:
Emeka Anuforo,
Communication and External Relations
media@afdb.org

About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org

ABUJA, Nigeria, January 26, 2024/ — An ECOWAS High Level mission arrived in Conakry, the Republic of Guinea on Sunday, 14th January 2024 to deliver humanitarian assistance to victims of the recent fuel dump explosion which resulted in loss of lives, injuries, damage to properties and forced displacement of residents of parts of Conakry, the capital city.

On 19th December 2023, the residents of Kaloum Quarters in the Capital city woke up to a massive explosion from the major fuel dump in the city resulting in loss of lives, injuries damage to properties, forced displacement and eventual loss of livelihood for the residents of the affected zone in Conakry.

The President of the ECOWAS Commission, His Excellency, Dr Alieu Omar Touray responded to the devastation by approving a high-level mission led by the Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Professor Fatou Sow Sarr. The Mission included the Director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs, the Director of Administration and General Services, the Executive Assistant to the Commissioner and a technical officer from the Directorate of Humanitarian and Social Affairs. During the 4 days mission, the team, supported by the ECOWAS Resident Representative to Guinea, met high level representatives of the Government.

The ECOWAS High level mission delivered a condolence and solidarity message to the Government and People of the Republic of Guinea and reaffirmed the ECOWAS Commission’s commitment to accompany the Government of Guinea in its efforts to build community resilience to disasters and catastrophic events. Prof. Fatou Sow Sarr recalled the historical linkage of Guinea to not only the West Africa region but the entire Africa at large and expressed the value ECOWAS accords to this relationship. The Commissioner then announced the donation of humanitarian relief materials including food, medication, emergency shelter among others to the tune of  One Hundred Thousand United States Dollars ($100,000) by the ECOWAS Commission.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Guineans Abroad, His Excellency Dr. Morissanda Kouyate received the ECOWAS message on behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Guinea. The Minister recognised the importance of ECOWAS to the region and acknowledged the need to continue to belong to this important organisation which is a fulcrum to the overall development and integration of West Africa as a subset to the African continent.

The ECOWAS High Level mission used the occasion to conclude the signing of the Agreement between the ECOWAS Commission, the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralization and the Agency for Disaster Management and Humanitarian Affairs of the Republic of Guinea for the sum of $499,930 to support recovery and resilience building for those impacted by natural disasters such as flooding. The agreement was endorsed by the Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation of the Republic of Guinea on behalf of the Government. This was followed with a visit by the ECOWAS delegation to the Situation Room of the Agency where the Director of the Agency, Mr Lancei Toure briefed on the structure and operations of the Agency as well as the humanitarian and disaster situation in the Country.

On the 17th of January 2024, the ECOWAS Head of Delegation – Prof. Fatou Sow Sarr accompanied by the ECOWAS Resident Representative to Guinea had an audience with the Prime Minister Dr Bernard Gomou. In addition, a meeting was held with the Minister for the Promotion of Women, Her Excellency, Nannette Conte at the side-lines of the mission.

 

LUSAKA, Zambia, January 27, 2024/ — Imeldah Chulu lives near Matero level 1 hospital in Lusaka District, Zambia. The hospital houses one of the six community-based cholera treatment units in the district, adding to the two bigger cholera treatment centres at the National Heroes Stadium and Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital.

One of Chulu’s male relatives recently fell ill after purchasing food and drink from a shop near his home. He was rushed to a nearby clinic, put on a drip and later transferred to Heroes Stadium, which treats severe cholera cases. He received the treatment he needed and is back on his feet. “These places are working,” says Chulu. “While we want government to do even more, we see that they are trying.”

Lusaka District has the highest burden of cholera cases, accounting for 75% of all cases nationwide. As of 24 January, there were 10 720 cumulative cases and 442 deaths since 14  October 2023, with the case fatality rate (CFR) of 4%. The acceptable cholera CFR should be 1% or below, according to World Health Organization (WHO).

As part of efforts to accelerate outbreak control measures, WHO is supporting Zambia’s Ministry of Health to conduct assessments of the six cholera treatment units (CTU) in Lusaka’s sub-districts to address gaps in the current response.

The assessment by team of experts is looking into critical areas ranging from medical supplies, equipment, sufficient space, implementation of infection prevention and control measures and what additional supplies and equipment are needed to bolster operations at the treatment centres.

The results of these assessments will help to identify the gaps at current facilities and assess the need for additional CTUs to complement what already exists. “This will help to improve quality of care and strengthen the response capacity of the country,” says Dr Kamara Rashidatu Fouad, case management officer at WHO Regional Office for Africa, and one of the assessment team members.

“We’ve had challenges, but I can see it moving in a positive direction,” says Dr Fatima Yikona, the medical superintendent at Chelstone Zonal Hospital in Lusaka. “We don’t have enough space to manage our patients, but it is better now with Heroes opening. Now we don’t have patients who do not have a bed.”

Heroes, a treatment centre which opened recently in central Lusaka, is the biggest in the country and is now helping to manage a large number of severe cases and relieve the burden from the surrounding community-based cholera treatment units.

“In many of the treatments units we have observed limited space to treat clients and implement thorough infection and prevention protocols, as well as insufficient medical supplies and equipment,” says Dr Nathan Bakyaita, WHO Representative in Zambia. “This assessment is really going to help to identify where WHO can support to make the biggest impact for optimal infection and prevention control, speedy treatment and ultimately avoid more deaths,” he says.

Once the results of the assessments are finalized, the Ministry of Health will determine the next steps and where to focus efforts to manage the volume of cases, improve occupational and patient safety and mobilize additional resources.

The outbreak is spreading fast. In the seven days ending on 26 January 2024, 3229 cases were reported, marking a 5.6% rise compared with the previous seven days. With the high number of cases, the outbreak is one of the worst in the country’s recent history.

A vaccination campaign is currently underway, targeting 1.5 million people, including children, health workers and people at high risk of infection in the worst affected areas. The campaign complements the ongoing measures, including provision of clean water, infection prevention and control, treatment and improvement of hygiene services to halt the outbreak.

“I encourage people to follow the health guidelines like washing hands, keeping their homes clean, where they throw rubbish, to just clean, even the toilets. They should use chlorine water according to the guidelines we give and if they don’t have that they should boil the water,” says Selestina Kabwela, a community-based volunteer.

 

ARUSHA, Tanzania, January 26, 2024/ — The EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Infrastructure, Productive, Social and Political Sectors, Hon. Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth has called on Partner States to strengthen cross-border cooperation to counter terrorism and transnational organised crime in the region in order to facilitate the free movement of goods, persons, labour, services and capital.

He noted one of the key areas of the EAC integration process is to promote and strengthen peace and security in the region and good neighborliness as per Article 124 of the Treaty that established the EAC.

Hon. Malueth further stated that terrorism and transnational organised crime take many forms, including organized violence, financial crimes, narcotics and human trafficking, migrant smuggling, piracy, and cybercrime.

“It is critical for Partner States to work together and to ensure that the people gain the fruits of integration such as improved livelihoods”

The Deputy Secretary General made his remarks during the opening session of a two-day Regional Conference on Immigration and Border Governance in Bujumbura, Burundi. The conference aims to explore the ever-changing migration dynamics and landscape, focusing on how better and integrated migration management can support development issues within the region

“I am pleased that this conference will give us an opportunity to identify key achievements while highlighting challenges that would require additional concerted efforts amongst the Partner States to leverage the full potential of integration for sustainable development of the region,” said Hon. Malueth.

Hon. Malueth informed the meeting that in order to have an effective border governance and streamlined immigration processes, the EAC Secretariat has concluded several instruments which are being implemented by Partner States. These include: the EAC Regional Strategy for Peace and Security, the EAC Transboundary Security Framework; One-stop Border Posts Act and Regulations thereunder.

The Deputy Secretary General further disclosed that the EAC refugee policy is being finalized which sets common standards for handling refugee matters in the region.

He underscored the EAC’s commitment to continue working with International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other partners in strengthening regional cooperation among the EAC Partner States to effectively control EAC borders, prevent irregular movements and trafficking, as well as detect and prevent cross-border criminal activities, and terrorism.

The Deputy Secretary General called upon the EAC Partner States to strengthen their research capacity to generate insights into the role of regional integration on development initiatives such as transport corridors and guide on leveraging regional integration as a tool for preventing risk factors for transnational organised crime and terrorism.

On her part, the IOM Chief in Burundi, Ms Vijaya Souri said strengthening border governance is an essential tool to effectively manage migration flows by investing in infrastructure, technology, and training for border officials while balancing security risks.

She said while various regional obligations on regular pathways for immigration exist, their implementation and operationalization need to be enhanced across the region to maximize their efficacy and impact at the local level.

“I would like to pledge IOM’s commitment to continue working with EAC and its Partner States in strengthening regional cooperation and collaboration to enhance regular pathways through immigration and border governance, employing comprehensive policies and practices to foster a fair, ethical, and sustainable global migration system while sharing knowledge and resources among countries”

The outcomes and recommendations of the conference will develop new alliances and engagements among all relevant stakeholders, including other Regional Economic Communities, AU Member States, and UN partners in EAC in support of Partner States’ collective efforts and strategies in better facilitating safer migration, in the fight against terrorism, proliferation and transnational organised crime in the region.

The conference is being attended by heads of Immigration, customs, and police, representatives of international organizations and entities at the level of senior coordinators and practitioners who are directly dealing with relevant issues pertaining to migration, transnational organised crime, and terrorism at national, sub-regional and regional levels.

 

CURITIBA, Brazil, January 25, 2024/ — Clients in major rising economies like Brazil, India, Kenya, and Nigeria are pulling the global digital market up by paying online purchases with instant payments, transfers, and other alternative payment methods – including for B2B transactions; Cards are still strong in digital, with high penetration of domestic brands and debit bringing new consumers to the online sales world, points out the new EBANX’s (www.EBANX.com) Beyond Borders study; Digital payments in Africa have jumped from a 23% to a 46% penetration rate in less than eight years and continue to drive growth in digital commerce.

Rising markets in Latin America, Africa, and Asia are guiding the global surge in new consumers, with India leading the way, by adding 34 million people to the consumer class this year, almost one third of the 109 million worldwide. After Asia, Africa and Latin America are, respectively, the second and third regions to add more people, per the World Data Lab. This general consumer increase led by these three dynamic regions unfolds into the digital commerce realm as well: combined, LatAm’s and Africa’s digital commerce markets are expected to surpass US$1 trillion in total value by 2026, while India’s will be over US$275 billion, per Payments and Commerce Market Intelligence (PCMI) data in the new annual Beyond Borders (https://apo-opa.co/3OiQ1F4), EBANX’s comprehensive study about the digital market and payments in rising economies, which was launched today.

While digital commerce is growing by 13% or 12% per year in more consolidated markets around the world, like the U.S. or Europe, online sales are expanding at a much faster pace in rising economies, of 20%, according to Statista’s data, in the study. Over half of the population in these regions already embraces digital payments, positioning them as central to economic growth and consumer access.

“There is a solid demographic reason for this: rising economies have a young and growing population, contrasting developed regions. In addition to the demographic and economic push, rising economies largely benefit from digitization,” states Paula Bellizia, President of Global Payments at EBANX. “The digital revolution has been disrupting industries and unlocking opportunities for both local and global players, from verticals spanning from SaaS, digital ads, and B2B online trade, to gaming, streaming, social media, and e-commerce. And payments have been the backbone of this growth,” she added.

Latin America’s digital market will nearly double in size by 2026, reaching US$944 billion after growing at a 23% CAGR, per PCMI data for Beyond Borders, showcasing robust opportunities. Brazil, LatAm’s digital commerce powerhouse, boasted a US$275 billion market last year, and stands out as a prominent force, ranking fourth globally in the number of digital buyers, according to Insider Intelligence.

Also emerging as strong contenders are Mexico, Colombia, and Peru, which display annual growth rates of around 30% for digital commerce. Central America & Caribbean countries like Costa Rica, El Salvador, Panama, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic will not slow down either, accelerating at an annual pace of around 20% by 2026, proving that a block approach to this Latin region can add up to the global expansion strategy of any global digital player.

India is another perfect example of the digital potential in rising economies: the Asian country is the world’s second-largest online shopping market, only behind China, with around 350 million people boosting a digital commerce market that surpassed US$184 billion last year. And yet, online sales penetration rate is still at 33%, as pointed out by Insider Intelligence’s data in Beyond Borders, showing the substantial untapped opportunity that still exists in the country – particularly if efforts are directed towards improving payment access for India’s diverse population.

Financial inclusion was at the center of two strong cases inspiring the world: UPI in India and Pix in Brazil. With great user experience, zero-cost services to consumers and minimal to no charges for merchants, the two systems are revolutionizing both offline and online purchases: Pix is part of the daily lives of 4 in every 5 adults in Brazil, according to the country’s Central Bank. Over the last three years, nearly 8 out of 10 customers making their initial online purchase with an EBANX merchant opted to use Pix for payment, per EBANX internal data. In India, UPI has a 41% share of the total digital commerce, according to PCMI, being the utmost chosen payment method by Indian online consumers.

As an early adopter of digital payments, and soon to be home to an adult population of 1 billion by 2030, Africa is also an important region for the outstanding digital growth of commerce and payments. After heavily embracing digital payments, which jumped from a 23% to a 46% penetration rate considering many of its countries in less than eight years, Africa is now on the verge of its next big leap: digital commerce, fueled by cell phone  penetration rates and constant adaptability of local, alternative payment methods to the online world, like mobile money, which reached almost universal penetration in countries like Kenya.

It is interesting to observe how the innovation brought by alternative payments is improving the whole ecosystem, and impacting cards as well – including debit ones – which remain steady and keep playing an important role in the digital economy as account ownership surges in rising markets. “Cards and alternatives are learning from one another, absorbing features from one another, paying attention to the needs of merchants and consumers,“ Bellizia noted. Combined, credit and debit cards represent 51% of digital commerce value in Brazil, 66% in Mexico, and 75% in Chile, according to PCMI data in Beyond Borders. In India, cards account for 43% of the value of online transactions; and the high penetration goes to African nations as well: in Morocco, 42%; in Nigeria, 36%. “A payments strategy for rising markets needs to consider a balance between cards and alternative payments, adapted to specific countries, verticals, and business models, centered in offering the best payment experience to customers, enabling them to pay with their method of choice. This fosters true access,” she added.

The new Beyond Borders report is also revealing the next frontier for innovation and growth in the payments industry: B2B payments – companies purchasing from other companies. Currently 42% of Kenyan businesses and 63% of Indian ones make online purchases. In LatAm, 64% of businesses in Brazil and an impressive 85% in Colombia, way higher than the global average of 50%, according to OECD and UNCTAD data. By 2027, rising markets in LatAm, Africa and Apac will make up for 40% of the total value of B2B payments made online worldwide, and yet an estimated 70% of B2B transactions are still pretty much manual, according to Capgemini, lacking more seamless flows. “This opens a massive opportunity in which alternative payments can be a game-changer: EBANX’s internal data show that local payments improve approval rates for B2B transactions, with internal rates that surpass 80%,“ Paula Bellizia concluded.

Access the complete Beyond Borders 2024 study at https://apo-opa.co/3OiQ1F4.

For more information:
Website: www.EBANX.com
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/4bcrVW6

UPPER NILE, South Sudan, January 25, 2024/ — As its first post-independence elections fast approach, South Sudan, the world’s newest nation, is working to enhance child protection in conflict-affected areas.

It’s ally in this endeavour: the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)!

The UN Peacekeeping mission recently held interactive workshops in two key locations across Warrap state for members of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF).

The aim: To reinforce full implementation of the Comprehensive Action Plan signed in February 2020 which seeks to end and prevent all grave violations against children by all parties to the conflict.

Some 40 SSPDF personnel deployed to Kirik, a payam [administrative division] in Tonj North, who, historically, have been mired in a tense relationship with communities, participated in a two-day capacity building workshop to enhance their child protection abilities.

“This training by UNMISS marks a new chapter in our approach to handling civilian interactions, especially safeguarding children,” remarked the payam administrator, William Deng, during his opening speech.

For his part, Kerbino Malual, SSPDF commander and workshop participant, reflected on past incidents and was optimistic about a more productive relationship with Kirik residents soon.

“This initiative is pivotal in strengthening our relationship with communities. Our priority is their protection and we are here to help uphold their rights. We have tried in the past to build better synergies but now we understand our roles and responsibilities much more,” he stated.

Training sessions covered topics such as the UNMISS child protection mandate, the rights of children and the six grave violations, the immediate need to release all minors from military service, gender-based violence, as well as other vital aspects of the Comprehensive Action Plan.

Similarly, in Matiel, Gogrial East, a workshop on providing security to civilians—especially children—amid ongoing tensions, took place for SSPDF officers located in Lietnhom, again 40 in number.

“The insights and knowledge from this UNMISS-facilitated workshop are invaluable for us to be operationally sound and protect the most vulnerable, such as our children who are the future of this country,” said Brigadier General Makuac Mabior. “We are committed to upholding the Action Plan and shall trickle down what we have learned to all our colleagues who couldn’t attend the sessions,” he added.

Additionally, Brigadier Mabior emphasized the importance of enhancing military professionalism and fostering peaceful community relations. Expanding on his commitment, he added, ‘We’ve gained a deeper understanding of the crucial work carried out by UNMISS and other UN organizations. I want to assure you that our barracks will not only remain open to you but will actively welcome your presence and collaboration. This partnership is essential for us to continue developing our skills and understanding, thereby ensuring that we can better serve and protect our community.’

For Joseph Deng, an UNMISS representative, such advocacy is important.

“Our efforts through these trainings are part of a larger strategy to help South Sudan build lasting peace and have a spotless human rights record. Protecting children lies at the heart of protecting civilians and we remain dedicated to working with the SSPDF and communities to ensure a secure environment for all,” he averred passionately.

More such sensitizations are planned across Warrap in coming weeks.

 

GENEVA, Switzerland, January 25, 2024/ — Despite much progress on health in recent decades, Uganda remains vulnerable to a variety of life-threatening diseases, such as Ebola, malaria, and rabies. Discover how the Uganda Red Cross is helping school students learn about different disease threats so they can help keep their families and communities safe.

“The School Health Club has taught us how to look after our health. I also bring the knowledge I learn from the club to my home, and my parents take those messages to the wider community.”

These are the words of Kikanshemeza, a pupil at Mwisi Primary school in south-west Uganda and proud member of her School Health Club.

Set up by the Uganda Red Cross, the School Health Club helps primary and secondary school pupils understand how to protect themselves from various disease threats, stay healthy, and share their newfound knowledge with their fellow pupils, families, and wider communities.

It’s one of the many different activities under the Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme (CP3) – a multi-country programme run by the IFRC and seven Red Cross National Societies to help communities, first responders, and other partners prepare for, detect, prevent, and respond to health risks.

Since joining her School Health Club, Kikanshemeza has built a tippy tap—a simple, low-cost handwashing facility that can help reduce up to 50% of avoidable infections—in her home, supported her family to use it regularly and properly, and shared life-saving information about different diseases.

“She told us not to eat the meat of animals that have died and to make sure they are buried properly, and also that bats are a potential cause of Ebola and monkeys can transmit it too,” explains Kikanshemeza’s mother, Annet.

Knowledge is power

Kikanshemeza is one of 30 School Health Club members at Mwisi Primary school. The club meets up once a week in special sessions led by Akampurira, a facilitator from the Uganda Red Cross, who teaches them all about different diseases—including how to recognize signs and symptoms, which people might be most at risk, and actions the students can take to stop diseases from spreading.

Club members are then responsible for maintaining school handwashing facilities, making sure all students follow proper hygiene practices, and sharing what they’ve learned with their follow students—often through large, theatrical performances in the school hall.

Students act out informative and lively scenes: everything from a patient seeking help from a doctor after noticing signs of malaria, to a person being bitten by a dog in the street and rushing to get vaccinated.

Tackling serious health issues in this more fun and light-hearted way helps break down complex topics, keeps fellow students engaged, and helps them retain the knowledge in case they need it in future.

Why involve school children in epidemic preparedness?

The IFRC and our member National Societies have long focused on helping people prepare for, respond to, and recover from epidemics.

We know from experience that effective epidemic preparedness must involve communities themselves, first responders, and partners from across all parts of society – such as schools.

“School health clubs have been a game changer in health risk communication, as engaged learners have been excellent peer educators in school, and also change agents at the household level,” explains Henry Musembi, CP3 Programme Delegate for Uganda and Kenya.

“The clubs are a great platform for training the next generation of epidemic emergency responders and champions in target communities,” he adds.

Seeing positive change

Kushaba, another School Health Club member whose brother had previously suffered from malaria, says he’s learned a lot from the club and has noticed positive change in his community:

“We learned how we can control malaria by slashing compounds, draining all stagnant water to destroy habitat for mosquitoes, and how you can use a treated mosquito net.”

“Before the introduction of the School Health Club, we didn’t have tippy taps, we didn’t know how to use toilets, even how we can clean our school. Pupils, they were suffering from diseases like malaria, cholera, but now because of the School Health Club, they are fine,” he adds.

 

GENEVA, Switzerland, January 25, 2024/ — Captaining his country at the Africa Cup of Nations, the Senegalese international Kalidou Koulibaly has joined forces with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to produce a short film that seeks to raise awareness among the general public and weapon bearers of the rules of international humanitarian law.

The film, entitled Defenders, is aimed first of all at young weapon bearers and at raising their awareness of the fundamental rules of war, such as: civilians must never be targeted; steps must be taken to reduce the possible impact on military operations on women and children; enemy combatants who surrender must be spared.

“We know that football gives us a way to speak out loudly and clearly about important issues. Keeping children, young women and civilians safe is more important than anything else in Africa,” says Kalidou Koulibaly, referring to the ongoing armed conflicts in Africa.

According to the ICRC, there are currently more than 100 armed conflicts in the world, involving over 60 different states and 100 non-state armed groups. Several countries have multiple conflicts within their own borders and some actors are involved in several armed conflicts.

The number of armed conflicts in Africa has continued to increase. For example, since the early 2000s, the number of armed conflicts has doubled, rising from around 20 to more than 40. The ICRC estimates that around 83 million Africans are living in areas that are either totally or partially controlled by armed groups.

“Our dialogue with the authorities and weapon bearers is aimed mainly at preventing humanitarian issues and ensuring we have access to all victims of war and other violence so as to protect and assist them. We raise awareness of the rules of war that protect civilians in armed conflicts so that lives can be saved. Speaking about the rules using football terms, a game that has its own rules, gives us a way of reaching a much larger audience of people who are passionate about the sport,” says Patrick Youssef, the ICRC’s regional director for Africa.

The film is being released in the year of the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions, and reflects the ICRC’s new institutional strategy, which places protection and international humanitarian law at the heart of its work.

“I’m proud to be able to tell this beautiful story and to continue to promote peace in the world and in Africa. I think that abiding by the rules of war, humanizing conflicts, enables people to live in greater safety. I hope that this is the path we’ll take in the future,” says Kalidou Koulibaly.