The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes a EUR 1.5 million contribution from France for the provision of food and nutrition support to women, children, and farmers in Beyla and Lola prefectures of the Forest Guinea region.

WFP will provide supplementary feeding and nutrition services to 14,000 children under two, and pregnant women and nursing mothers for the treatment and prevention of moderate acute malnutrition. Nutritious school meals will also be provided to 5,000 school children, with young girls receiving take-home rations so they can be released from households’ chores to attend school, avoiding the risk of early marriages and pregnancies. Additionally, 56 health workers will be trained in nutrition, and in child and infant feeding practices.

“WFP is grateful to the Government of France for this generous contribution which will enable us to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable families,” said Dr. Hyoung-Joon Lim, WFP Country Director in Guinea. “Achieving food security in Guinea requires collective action and increased support, and WFP remains committed to working with all partners to ensure vulnerable groups – especially women and children – receive the critical assistance they need.”

This crucial contribution from France will also be used to reinforce smallholder farmers’ production capacity in Guinea. Overall, 426 stallholder farmers will receive technical training on the value-chain of a new high-yield variety of rice and how to increase its productivity and improve access to local markets.

“Maternal and child health is one of our priorities in Guinea, and we commend WFP’s proactive efforts in strengthening food and nutrition security. France is an unwavering partner, committed for the long term, and intends to maintain its support in the field of nutrition for women and children,” said Marc Fonbaustier, France’s Ambassador to Guinea.

The results from the March 2024 Cadre Harmonisé food security analysis revealed a deterioration in the food and nutrition situation in Guinea, with a significant increase in the number of people under pressure and in a food crisis situation. During the June-August 2024 lean season, about 2.8 million people (24% of the population) will be under pressure (IPC Phase 2) while 960,553 individuals (8% of the population) will be in a food crisis (IPC Phase 3). In one year, the number of people in crisis and in need of emergency assistance has increased by 102.5% from 474,233 people in June 2023 to 960,563 people in June 2024.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Food Programme (WFP).

The African Union Commission and Government of the Republic of Kenya signed a host- agreement ahead of the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit to be held in Nairobi Kenya from 7 to 9 May 2024. The host agreement was signed by H.E Amb. Josefa Sacko on behalf of the African Union Commission and H.E Amb. George Orina signed on behalf of Government of the Republic Kenya

The 2024 Africa Fertilizer and Soil Heath summit (AFSH) comes 18 years after the  2006 Abuja Declaration on Fertilizer for  Africa that highlighted the strategic importance of fertilizers in triggering agricultural transformation and highlighted concerns of the magnitude of nutrient depletion and soil health degradation.  The Summit is also coming at a time when Africa is shaping it food systems approach following the Africa Common Position to the UN Food Systems Summit that aims to bring new action in fostering game-changing solutions to transform food systems on the continent by building resilient and inclusive food systems to impact directly on SDGs of Agenda 2030, AU Agenda 2063, CAADP-Malabo declaration and the Post-Malabo Declaration Development Process

In her opening remarks H.E Amb. Josefa Sacko, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (ARBE) stated that “The 2024 Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health (AFSH2024) Summit is set to evaluate the state of Africa’s soil health, while reviewing the progress made since the 2006 Abuja Declaration, which aimed to boost fertilizer use for agricultural growth. With insights from leading experts, we shall delve into critical matters such as why fertilizer consumption in Africa has only risen from 8kg/ha to about 18kg/ha since 2006, far below the 50kg/ha target “In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the utilization of African mineral resources for fertilizer production, even though the majority of this production is exported out of the continent she stated. This should not necessarily be the case for the future of Africa. The African Fertilizer Financing Mechanism (AFFM) has been established and hosted by the AfDB with the objective of improving access to quality and affordable fertilizers for agricultural productivity by providing financing required to boost fertilizer use in Africa especially to small-holder farmers, in order to achieve the target of 50 kg of nutrients per hectare, as adopted in the Abuja Declaration.” She said.

 H.E Amb. George Orina thanked the African Union commission for considering the Republic of Kenya as the host of the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit from May 7 to 9, 2024 at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. He also commended the AUC for leadership and for accelerating the technical and logistical preparations for the summit. He reiterated the commitment, support and readiness of the government of Kenya to host the summit to the best of its ability.. “I am encouraged and assured that Kenya is well prepared to host this year’s summit. We have put in place sufficient structures and requisite human capacity to hold a very successful summit” he said. Amb. Orina further noted that the Kenyan farmers and African farmers at large, have vested interest in the investment in fertilizer production plants as well as the utilization of quality and affordable fertilizers. “Mineral fertilizers remain an essential input to achieving food security, we need to support our farmers to optimize fertilizer application, to gain high yields through a balanced crop nutrition approach but also being mindful of the health of our soils”, he added.

The 2024 AFSH Summit will bring together various stakeholders to highlight the crucial role of fertilizer and soil health in stimulating sustainable pro-poor productivity growth in African agriculture, adoption of the Nairobi Declaration on Fertilizer and Soil Health adoption of  an African Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan, as well as the Soil Initiative for Africa framework. The Action Plan will outline priority actions and investments for the next 10-years to ensure sustainable access to fertilizers and sustainable soils management, reduce the yield gaps and contribute to sustainable agricultural transformation in the context of a changing climate on the continent.

The summit will also focus on broader soil health issues as well as the sustainable use of fertilizer cognizant of the need for holistic soil fertility maintenance with both organic and mineral fertilizers, with emphasis on addressing the increase in soil degradation and to make use of   soil management mechanisms.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).

A new World Bank report released today, calls for urgent action to strengthen the resilience of Ghana’s health system against the adverse effects of climate change. The report, titled Climate and Health Vulnerability Assessment (CHVA) for Ghana, identifies gaps and risks to the country’s health sector, while recommending policy actions and providing valuable insights into capacity to adapt to  climate related shocks.

According to the report, climate change in Ghana is causing extreme weather events like floods and droughts, leading to food insecurity, injuries, and the risk of death for 2 million people. The report notes that Ghana is highly vulnerable, especially to illness like malaria and diarrhea disease. It also points out that health issues related to heat, air pollution, and infectious diseases are on the rise with the elderly, youth, and children being particularly vulnerable.

“The World Bank has changed its mission to Ending extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity on a livable planet. A healthy population is the cornerstone of prosperity. Therefore, implementing adaptation and mitigation measures is crucial not only to address current challenges but also to prevent further adversities,” said Robert Taliercio World Bank Country Director for Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. “The Government of Ghana is ahead of the curve in thinking about the potential impacts of climate change on health and we encourage further work across sectors on this important challenge.”

The CHVA for Ghana underscores that Ghana’s climate varies in temperature and rainfall, with projections showing decreased rainfall and higher temperatures. Over the past 50 years, the country has experienced 22 major climate events, affecting millions with droughts, floods, wildfires, and storms. The CHVA examines the potential impact on health of increased heat, as well as expanded infectious diseases.

“The CHVA and research on climate change and health also contributes to the development of climate-resilient health systems. By analyzing vulnerabilities and adaptive capacities, decision-makers can identify areas for improvement and allocate resources effectively,” said Professor Mawuli Dzodzomenyo, lead author of the report and Head of Department, Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Ghana School of Public Health.

The report makes several policy recommendations over the short- to medium-term to address adaptive capacity gaps in Ghana, including:

Implementing a 10-year plan to make Ghana’s health sector resilient to climate change and integrating its objectives and activities into other relevant sectors.
Planning for the health workforce to meet needs across urban and rural areas in climate data collection for adaptation.
Enhancing the coverage of climate-sensitive conditions in health information systems and periodically conducting national and sub-national climate and health vulnerability assessments, expanding coverage of climate-sensitive health conditions in routine systems, and timely promoting of research, analyses, and surveillance data.
Upgrading health facilities with climate-smart codes and ensuring consistent availability of drugs and equipment for climate-sensitive infectious diseases.
Undertaking multi-sectoral actions to improve determinants of health and continue implementing and improving programs to control and build an effective emergency communication system.
Providing sustained and holistic health and climate change financing and monitoring climate related health expenditures in line with policy commitments.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The World Bank Group.

The Ambassador of South Africa, representing the Government of South Africa, presented copies of her credentials to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Guatemala at the Official Residence of Guatemala. During this meeting, the two officials held fruitful discussions on issues of mutual interest and the strengthening of bilateral relations. In particular, they expressed interest in reactivating Guatemala’s diplomatic presence in South Africa, which would significantly contribute to the strengthening of ties between our nations.

Furthermore, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carlos Ramiro Martinez, chaired a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with Concurrent Ambassadors for Guatemala, resident in Mexico, representing various continents. During this meeting, the importance of maintaining strong ties with friendly countries was reaffirmed, and the value of reinvigorating the bilateral relationship in a variety of areas, including politics, economy, trade, culture, development and cooperation, was highlighted.

In his address, Minister Martinez underscored the Government of Guatemala’s commitment to the principles of international law, human rights and democracy. He also expressed Guatemala’s determination to position itself as a respected nation, a responsible and reliable partner, and a nation committed to the well-being of its citizens and the sustainable development of peoples.

This meeting represents a significant step in strengthening the political-diplomatic relationship with friendly countries and reflects the shared commitment of Guatemala and South Africa to international cooperation and global development.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Embassy of the Republic of South Africa, Concurrent to the Republic of Guatemala.