The ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) held a validation workshop for the ECREEE 2023-2027 Gender Mainstreaming Strategy and Action Plan Report the 9 May 2024 in Praia. This activity supported by GIZ as part of Program Promoting a Climate-friendly Energy Market in West Africa (ProCEM-II).

This validation workshop brought together all ECREEE staff with the participation of a delega-tion from the ECOWAS Centre for Gender Development (CDCG) led by its Director and the Gen-der focal point of the ROGEAP project.

The workshop’s main objective was to validate the ECREEE’s 2023-2027 Gender Strategy and Action Plan among the major stakeholders, which included experts, and advocates in the fields of renewable energy and gender equality. The event also provided a chance to promote awa-reness and train ECREEE and Gender Focal Point staff.

At the opening ceremony, the executive director of ECREEE, Mr. Francis Sempore, emphasized the importance of mainstreaming gender considerations into energy policies and projects, un-derscoring that gender equality is not just a matter of social justice; it is also critical for achieving sustainable development and maximizing the impact of renewable energy and ener-gy efficiency initiatives.

Mrs. Sandra Oulate, director of the ECOWAS Centre for Gender Development (CDCG), expressed the full commitment of the Centre to support ECREEE in implementing its Gender Mainstreaming Strategy and Action Plan at the regional level, as the document translates the commitment of ECOWAS in promoting gender sensitive policies and initiatives.

The workshop served as a platform for stakeholders to provide valuable insights, feedback, and recommendations to enhance the effectiveness and relevance of the Gender Mainstreaming Strategy. Participants engaged in lively discussions, sharing best practices, success stories, and innovative approaches to advancing gender equality within the renewable energy sector.
A report was pre-approved by the National Gender-Energy Focal Points of the Ministries of Energy of ECOWAS Member States during an online workshop on 8 May 2024.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

On May 10th, Yin Chengwu, Chinese Ambassador to Liberia, met with Ms. Bintia Stephen Tchicaya, the Representative of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The two sides exchanged views on strengthening multilateral cooperation in the field of agriculture.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Liberia.

The government will consistently address the persistent human resource challenges that slow down the realisation of Universal Health Coverage, President William Ruto has said.

The President said the government will continually engage stakeholders in the health sector, including health workers’ unions, to promote industrial harmony and long-lasting solutions to the challenges.

He spoke at a meeting with the leadership of the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union led by Secretary-General Davji Atellah at State House, Nairobi.

On its part, the union committed to champion and support the universal healthcare agenda and the rolling out of social health insurance to all Kenyans.

Others present at the meeting were Health of Public Service Felix Koskei, Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha and Principal Secretary in the State Department of Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of President of the Republic of Kenya.

I am gravely concerned by the eruption of clashes in Al Fasher despite repeated calls to parties to the conflict to refrain from attacking the city.

I reiterate – the violence threatens the lives of over 800,000 civilians who reside in Al Fasher.

I am equally disturbed by reports of the use of heavy weaponry and attacks in highly populated areas in the city center and the outskirts of Al Fasher, resulting in multiple casualties.

Wounded civilians are being rushed to Al Fasher Hospital. Civilians trying to flee are trapped in fierce fighting.

Already months of escalating violence around the city has hampered the sustained flow of aid and basic commodities, pushing people to the brink of famine. The capacity of health facilities is severely depleted.

It is heartbreaking to see this nightmare unfolding – conflict continuing to spread engulfing large parts of the country.

And again, civilians – men, women, and children, paying the highest prices – their lives.

This must stop.

My plea to all parties engaged in the fighting is to uphold their international law obligations to protect civilians, and stop the fighting.

The world is watching as this tragedy unfolds.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA).