Hunger levels in Africa have increased in the past two years, due to lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing conflicts, the climate crisis and economic shocks, but the continent’s possibilities are vast and optimism about the opportunities that lie ahead is in order, QU Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), said today at the 33rd Session of the FAO Regional Ministerial Conference for Africa (ARC33).

“Africa boasts the largest area of arable land of any continent and is abundant in natural resources,” he said. “Africa’s young people offer extraordinary potential.”

Pushing forward on the regional agenda embodied in joint commitments such as the Maputo Declaration and Malabo Declaration will require charting a new course, together and now, to transform the continent’s agrifood systems, Qu said, calling for “strategic partnerships, greater investments, and harnessing the power of digital technologies to drive efficiency and productivity in Africa’s agriculture sectors.”

Hunger in Africa reached 19.7 percent in 2022, twice the global rate and up from 17 percent before the pandemic and up from an estimated 14.8 percent in 2012. Moreover, 868 million Africans, 61 percent of the population, did not have access to adequate food in 2022, and around 146 million people in 36 countries may have faced acute food security. (IPC3 or higher). At the same time, hunger rates vary enormously within Africa, with low rates in countries such as Algeria and Ghana and rates close to or even above 50 percent in others such as Madagascar and Central African Republic.

“You have to have and help farming,” said Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch of Morocco in his opening remarks, during which he outlined the Kingdom’s substantial multiyear investments in enhancing irrigation and water efficiency as well as other agrifood initiatives that have improved rural incomes. “Putting investment at the center of the farming equation” is also central to Morocco’s Green Generation plan promoted by King Mohammed VI, the prime minister said.

The ARC33 enables high-level consultations to identify key priorities in the Region to be taken into account in preparing FAO’s Programme of Work and Budget for the next biennium.

The Four Betters – Better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life – are the cardinal points of FAO’s Strategic Framework 2022-31 and roadmap towards more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable agrifood systems. They “are not just a vision – they are a call to action,” the Director-General said.

Leveraging opportunities

While protracted conflicts are a major obstacle to progress and impose a hefty  burden on rural populations, as do the impacts of the climate crisis, Africa is home to many of the fastest-growing economies in the world, and the emerging shift to a continental free trade area promises to reinforce its potential, making it a natural destination for investments.

36 sub-Saharan African countries have now joined FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Initiative, and investment plans for the region now exceed $12 billion. Ten countries in the region are currently participating in the FAO 1000 Digital Villages Initiative, 29 in FAO’s One Country One Priority Product initiative, and 16 have rolled out the Agricultural Information Management System (AIMS). FAO has also mobilized more than $91 million from the Global Environmental Facility and the Green Climate Fund for projects in Africa. These figures highlight FAO’s success in forging effective and strategic collaboration with resource and technical partners in the country and enable greater dynamism and agility going forward.

The Director-General flagged an array of FAO innovative initiatives in the region, including one using drones to deliver quality germ cells for livestock reproduction in Rwanda, another using the larvae of black flies to turn food waste into organic fertilizer in the Côte d’Ivoire, and another using DNA sequencing to assure the integrity of avocado seedlings in the United Republic of Tanzania.  More local highlights are detailed here.

Qu urged ministers to use the ARC33 to exchange knowledge and best practices so as to enable each country to take its own lead in transforming its agrifood system. FAO stands ready to continue to support these journeys, he added.

The Regional Conference features several special events including ministerial roundtables that will investigate emerging technologies, climate resilience strategies, market dynamics, the potential of aquatic foods, agricultural mechanization, digitalization, inclusive policies empowering women and youth, biodiversity challenges, desertification and livestock development strategies.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Radiologists at Muhimbili National Hospital, part of the Muhimbili University of Health and Sciences and the largest public hospital in Tanzania, will receive the latest mammography technology and advanced imaging training to help clinicians improve detection, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in the country; the project aims to help lower Tanzania’s 50% breast cancer mortality rate through early detection and efforts to expand clinical education.

Today the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) and GE HealthCare (Nasdaq: GEHC) announced their collaboration to provide mammography technology, training and educational tools to radiologists at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), part of the Muhimbili University of Health and Sciences (MUHAS), in Tanzania to improve access to screening and help clinicians lower the country’s breast cancer mortality rate.

MNH at MUHAS is a public hospital serving Dar es Salaam, the largest city in Tanzania, and did not have a working mammography machine. For women in Tanzania, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer mortality, [1] with more than 80% of diagnoses happening at stage III or IV when the odds of long-term survivability are much lower. [2] Additionally, the lifetime risk for developing breast cancer is approximately one in twenty, and approximately half of all women diagnosed with breast cancer in the country die of the disease.[3]

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, affecting both developed and developing countries. [4] Its impact transcends borders, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds. To help improve radiology education and patient care around the world, RSNA developed the Global Learning Center (GLC) program that works to create learning centers with established radiology departments based in low- or middle-resourced countries, like Tanzania. Through this program, a team of RSNA members works with the institution over three years to develop a customized curriculum with in-person, hands-on training, didactic lectures, conferences, online courses and other education offerings. MUHAS is part of the RSNA GLC program and is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).

As part of the new agreement, GE HealthCare will install the Pristina Mammography Suite, which includes 2D and 3D digital breast tomosynthesis, Contrast Enhanced Mammography (CEM), CEM Biopsy capabilities and a Seno Iris workstation, at MUHAS, as well as provide maintenance of the system at no charge to the university.

Approximately twenty nurses, radiologists and techs will be involved with the mammography suite. Live trainings under the grant will cover operation of the system, image interpretation, patient care, video tutorials, case study learning, engagement of physicians in a peer learning network and, upon course completion, a GE HealthCare-issued certification.

In addition to improving the level of radiologic practice and breast care throughout the region, the collaboration between GE HealthCare, MUHAS and RSNA will also work to raise awareness about the importance of breast cancer screening and early detection among Tanzanians.

“GE HealthCare is committed to helping reduce disparities in care and improving access to medical imaging worldwide. One of the ways we honor this commitment is through our continued pursuit of innovative imaging technology. Another way we honor this commitment is by working with organizations, like RSNA, to leverage our different strengths and engage the global community to help break down barriers to care,” said Jan Makela – President and CEO of Imaging at GE HealthCare. “With breast cancer mortality rates in Tanzania among the highest globally, our work with RSNA will help bring much-needed mammography technology to MUHAS.  Early detection can save lives, and we believe this combination of technology, training and educational tools has the potential to help thousands of women across Tanzania.”

Since the RSNA GLC program’s introduction in 2020, RSNA has established sites in South Africa, Tanzania, Ecuador, Indonesia and Armenia.

“RSNA’s Global Learning Center program was designed to expand radiology education across the world and foster international collaborations. Through this collaboration with GE HealthCare, we are able to work with local stakeholders at Muhimbili National Hospital to advance a breast imaging curriculum, provide in-person hands-on training in mammography, and offer online courses, technical assistance and virtual support,” said Umar Mahmood, M.D., Ph.D. – chair of the RSNA Board of Directors. “Bringing this critical training and technology to MUHAS will improve access to quality patient care throughout the region and save lives.”

GE HealthCare and RSNA will join the team at Muhimbili National Hospital to celebrate this collaboration on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at the breast center’s unveiling. For more information about Muhimbili National Hospital, visit MNH.or.tz.

[1] Ngwa W, Addai BW, Adewole I, et al. Cancer in sub-Saharan Africa: a Lancet Oncology Commission. Lancet Oncol. 2022;23(6):e251-e312. doi:10.1016/ S1470-2045(21)00720-8

[2] Tanzania Breast Health Care Assessment 2017. An assessment of breast cancer early detection, diagnosis and treatment in Tanzania. Retrieved from https://apo-opa.co/4aEtcEK

[3] Parkin, D.M. (2003) Cancer in Africa: Epidemiology and Prevention. IARC Publications No. 153. 

[4] https://apo-opa.co/3Q9LCoN

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of GE Healthcare.

GE HealthCare Media Contact:
Emily Niles
Global Communications Leader – Women’s Health&X-ray
GE HealthCare
+1 262 290 8089
emily.niles@gehealthcare.com

RSNA Media Contact:
Linda Brooks
Senior Manager
Media Relations
1-630-590-7738
lbrooks@rsna.org

About GE HealthCare Technologies Inc.:
GE HealthCare is a leading global medical technology, pharmaceutical diagnostics, and digital solutions innovator, dedicated to providing integrated solutions, services, and data analytics to make hospitals more efficient, clinicians more effective, therapies more precise, and patients healthier and happier. Serving patients and providers for more than 125 years, GE HealthCare is advancing personalized, connected, and compassionate care, while simplifying the patient’s journey across the care pathway. Together our Imaging, Ultrasound, Patient Care Solutions, and Pharmaceutical Diagnostics businesses help improve patient care from diagnosis, to therapy, to monitoring. We are a $19.6 billion business with approximately 51,000 colleagues working to create a world where healthcare has no limits.

Follow us on LinkedIn (https://apo-opa.co/446lH7g), X (https://apo-opa.co/4aEjQcb) (formerly Twitter), and Insights (https://apo-opa.co/3xOhCbA) for the latest news, or visit our website www.GEHealthcare.com for more information.

About RSNA:
RSNA is an association of radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists and related scientists promoting excellence in patient care and health care delivery through education, research and technologic innovation. The Society is based in Oak Brook, Illinois. (RSNA.org)

The Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), with the support of the European Union through the Digital for Development (D4D) Hub, is exploring with its Member States best practices and experiences in certified electronic signatures. The aim is to define a roadmap towards a common and concerted approach to the digital economy and society, including e-commerce and e-government.

For two days, during an online workshop organised from 26 to 27 March 2024 by ECOWAS with technical support from the European Union, through the Digital for Development (D4D) Hub, experts from ECOWAS Member States shared their knowledge and experience, Drawing on the Malabo Convention and the ECOWAS additional act on electronic transactions, they discussed the Community’s priorities to be considered in the development of a regional electronic signature certification policy and the technical approach required.

In his opening address on behalf of the Commissioner in charge of Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation, Sediko DOUKA, the Principal Programme Manager for Internet, Cyber Security&E-applications, Mrs. Folake OLAGUNJU, reiterated the ECOWAS Commission’s commitment to coordinating the region’s digital transformation. This is reflected in programmes addressing, among other things, e-government and e-commerce, which are recognised as crucial foundations for a digital economy and society, and justify the growing adoption of online services worldwide.

In her view, in order to guarantee the confidence of citizens and businesses and ensure their full participation in the digital world, particularly in e-commerce and e-government, it is essential to overcome the associated challenges, particularly those relating to digital identity and the certified electronic signature, which are essential prerequisites for most legally binding interactions between users of online services.

The next speaker, Ms Céline LHOSTE, Team Leader for Regional Cooperation at the European Union (EU) Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, recalled at the opening session of the workshop that the support provided to the ECOWAS Commission is part of the Global Gateway Strategy and the commitment made in February 2022 at the EU-African Union Summit to support the continent in favour of a green and inclusive transition, providing growth and decent jobs, in particular through the implementation of a EUR 150 billion investment package in transport, energy and digital infrastructures. The support provided to ECOWAS for the organisation of this workshop is a first step towards establishing collaboration aimed at creating a harmonised and secure regional digital environment, conducive to e-governance and e-commerce, and beyond that to the establishment of a single digital market contributing to the deepening of regional economic integration.

During this workshop, which testifies to the alignment and deep commitment of the ECOWAS and EU institutions to digital transformation, the participants shared the progress update and prospects regarding the certification of electronic signatures at national level, in particular the regulatory aspect and the technical approach. The difficulties encountered in implementing the measures on electronic transactions in the Malabo Convention and the ECOWAS Additional Act were discussed, as well as the new challenges linked to the introduction of new disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Finally, the guidelines necessary for the development and adoption of the certified electronic signature were formulated to ensure confidence in e-commerce and e-government.

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

There is hope for learners in rural schools to benefit from the higher education students’ loan scheme after Parliament adopted a recommendation introducing the district quota system. 

The recommendation was passed following the adoption of the Higher Education Students’ Financing (Amendment) Bill, 2024 during the plenary sitting on Wednesday, 17 April 2024 chaired by Speaker Anita Among.

The Bill presented by the Minister of State of Education and Sports (Primary Education), Hon. Joyce Moriku, sought to give effect to the Government policy for rationalisation of government agencies and public expenditures adopted by cabinet.

The Committee on Education and Sports in a report presented by the chairperson, Hon. John Twesigye, however, disagreed with the Government’s policy on rationalisation, observing that mainstreaming the board under the education ministry would not cure the existing structural and operational issues associated with delivery of services.

“lnstead, mainstreaming of the board will lead to delayed decision making, disbursing of loans and loan recovery. The Higher Education Students Financing Board should be maintained as a semi-autonomous body, with a view of granting it vote status in the medium term for it to effectively discharge its mandate,” said Twesigye, also Bunyaruguru County MP.

Maracha County Member of Parliament, Hon. Denis Oguzu, dissented from the committee’s report, stating that the board should be dissolved and funds used for its operations should be channeled to the students’ loan scheme.  

He added, “There is no equity in the way this scheme operates as it largely favours students from well to do families. Today is an opportunity for us to ensure this money serves all regions.”

Oguzu further justified that the current selection process disenfranchises learners from rural communities without access to computers and electricity

“The board requires that you apply online, the infrastructure to achieve all this is largely missing in many parts and because of that we are missing out,” he said. 

The Minister of State for Higher Education, Hon. Chrysostom Muyingo, welcomed the minority report, saying that the ministry will develop guidelines under the Education Act to include the district quota system. 

“When we develop the guidelines, we have to emphasise the quota system. It has been working before and this money will be added so that when money is appropriated, each district will receive,” said Muyingo. 

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