President Isaias Afwerki received and held extensive discussions today at Adi Halo with Mr. Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), and his delegation.

President Isaias highlighted that Eritrea’s ongoing economic development strategies are broadly focused on judicious land and water resource management, as well as extensive programs in the sectors of agriculture, infrastructure, energy, and other prospective areas.

He reiterated that poverty, corruption, external interventions, and other challenges are among the primary impediments hampering Africa’s potential and capabilities in nurturing meaningful external partnerships. President Isaias further stated that creating a conducive climate is, therefore, imperative as a first order of business for achieving optimal results.

The President also emphasized the importance and indispensability of regional partnerships and coordination for common progress and development within the region. He expressed Eritrea’s commitment to work together with the Economic Commission for Africa to advance these objectives.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Osman Saleh, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Ms. Nahla Valji, UN Resident Coordinator in Eritrea.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Nigeria received 10,000 doses of mpox vaccines on Tuesday, becoming the first African country to obtain vaccines aimed at combating the spread of the new strain of mpox virus.

On 14 August 2024, the chief of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the rise of mpox, formerly monkeypox, a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). Following his announcement, the chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said he was working with partners to facilitate equitable access to vaccines.

The United States government has donated the Jynneos (MVA) vaccine to Nigeria, and it is set to be distributed in five of the country’s states where the most mpox cases have been detected.

“We are pleased to receive this modest initial donation of the mpox vaccine which is safe and efficacious,” Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Muhammad Ali Pate said. “We will continue to strengthen surveillance and be vigilant to prevent and control mpox.”

Vaccine administration

The MVA vaccine will be given to 5,000 people most at risk of the virus in a two-dose schedule. This includes “close contacts of mpox cases and frontline healthcare workers, with a provision for reactive vaccination in other states as the need arises,” according to WHO’s regional office for Africa.

While waiting for the vaccines to be administered Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has approved the vaccine’s emergency use.

“The delivery of the mpox vaccines to Nigeria not only constitutes a crucial addition to the ongoing measures to halt the virus and protect health [but] it’s also a clear demonstration of international solidarity in the face of global public health emergencies,” said Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director of Africa.

Gaps in vaccine access

WHO’s Africa office says “serious gaps in mpox vaccine access” remain in Africa.

The organization is working with countries and manufacturers to increase access to the needed vaccines.

Further, WHO is collaborating with partners including the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and others to “enable donations from countries with existing stockpiles.”

The partners are also developing a “donation scheme” to ensure the limited vaccines are used in areas where it is most needed.

WHO’s Africa office is assisting the Nigerian Government to improve “surveillance and contact tracing, laboratory capacity, risk communication, and community engagement” as the country has had 786 suspected mpox cases and 39 confirmed cases as of 10 August 2024.

Health officials are also implementing early case detection and diagnostics, as well as increasing cross-border surveillance, notably at main points of entry throughout the country.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

The U.S. Government through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) organized a safe fishing symposium to promote high quality fish for Ghanaians. The symposium was held in partnership with the Fisheries Commission, Food and Drugs Authority, Ghana Standards Authority, Environmental Health and Sanitation Department of the Local Government, fish processors and traders’ associations, and other fisheries post-harvest stakeholders.

“Since 2021, the USAID-supported Feed the Future Ghana Fisheries Recovery Activity has been working with various organizations. Together, we have created a framework for Safe Fish Certification and Licensing. We have also been able to train over 3,500 of fisherfolks, mostly women, from coastal communities on hygienic fish handling and processing, financial literacy and entrepreneurship.” Said USAID/Ghana Acting Deputy Mission Director, Andrew Read.

“By promoting best practices in fish handling and processing, the Safe Fish Scheme can drive positive change across the entire fisheries value chain – from the fishermen casting their nets to the consumers purchasing fish at the market, ultimately leading to safer and higher-quality fish products for consumers.” Rosen added.

The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Mavis Hawa Koomson who gave the opening address said “Let us work together to ensure that the fish we produce and consume is not only a source of nourishment but also a symbol of our commitment to fish safety, as well as a healthier and more sustainable future.”

The symposium featured in-depth discussions on technical advancements in fisheries value chain management, advancements in regulatory frameworks, and fish food safety concerns. Hands-on demonstrations and cooking exhibitions illustrated appropriate handling and processing methods to maintain fish quality from catch to plate.

The United States is Ghana’s largest bilateral development partner.  In 2023, bilateral assistance from USAID totaled over $140 million dedicated to supporting health, economic growth and agriculture, education, governance, and more. USAID is providing $24 million (over 355 million Ghana Cedis) in multi-year investments to restore Ghana’s coastal fisheries and improve ocean conservation along the coast.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of U.S. Embassy in Ghana.

The Government Chief Whip, Hon. Denis Hamson Obua has applauded the 11th Parliament for holding the first ever regional plenary sittings in Gulu City, Northern Uganda. 

Obua made the remarks during the plenary sitting at Kaunda grounds, Gulu City on Wednesday, 28 August 2024. 

He paid tribute to Speaker, Anita Among for championing the regional plenary sittings. 

“This is the first time in post and pre-independence that the Parliament is sitting outside the Capital, Kampala and we need to commend you,” Obua said. 

He added, “You [Speaker] will live in the history of our Parliament to have set the record of taking the Parliament to the people because the legislative power is derived from the people,” said Obua

AUDIO Obua. 

Obua further noted that even after the promulgation of the 1995 Constitution, Parliament had not held plenary sittings outside Kampala. 

“Legally, the farmers of the constitution envisaged a situation where the presiding officer would take Parliament to any part of the country, as long as it is in Uganda,” Obua said. 

He applauded the Speaker for operationalizing Article 95 (2) which states that , “A session of Parliament shall be held at such place within Uganda and shall commence at such time as the Speaker may, by proclamation, appoint”.

“Implying any Member of this House who refuses to be in Gulu, that act should be termed unconstitutional and against the Rules of Procedure,” Obua said. 

The Government Chief Whip also said that the regional plenary sittings are an economic boost to the people of Northern Uganda. 

“In the last two weeks, committees were deployed in Northern Uganda, and the members stayed in hotels, ate food from restaurants and fueled cars. Even the farmer benefits because we are eating locally grown food,” Obua said.

“The sitting termed as regional has three fundamental importances that must be go on record; legally, economically and historically and the multiplier effect is very good,” Obua said. 

Parliament is holding plenary sittings in Gulu City from Wednesday, 28 to Friday, 30 August 2024, during which focus will be put on debating pertinent issues affecting Northern Uganda.

Parliament plans to hold similar sittings in Western, Eastern and Central Uganda. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.