Inequitable access to vaccines and high-performance screening tools is hampering efforts to effectively reduce the growing burden of cervical cancer in the African region, which accounts for the highest rates of new cases and deaths due to the disease.

Despite being preventable and treatable through human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and screening, and curable when detected early, cervical cancer remains the most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the African region. Of the more than 76 000 cervical cancer deaths globally in 2022, the most updated data available, nearly a quarter (23%) were in Africa.

At a special event during the Seventy-fourth session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa, being hosted by the Republic of the Congo in Brazzaville this week, African health ministers and partners highlighted the urgent need for equitable access to affordable HPV vaccines and HPV DNA testing, to accelerate progress towards elimination.

To date, only 28 countries in the African region have introduced HPV vaccines into routine immunization programmes, with just four of these achieving 90% vaccination coverage in 2023. For screening, surveys reveal very low coverage of about 11%. Only 17 countries have introduced HPV-based screening, albeit not nationally, highlighting the importance of an integrated person-centred approach.

“Cervical cancer services need to be integrated throughout the life course to leverage the opportunities of other programs within the health system”. I urge all to collectively work together in awareness creation for the fight against cervical cancer”, noted, Mr Gilbert Mokoki, Minister of Health of Congo, speaking on behalf of the First lady of Congo, H.E Antoinette Sassou N’Guesso.

According to modelling by HPV-ADVISE, involving 40 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, current vaccination coverage and screening uptake rates are inadequate to enable elimination of cervical cancer by 2100. However, if countries achieve and maintain the WHO-recommended 90% vaccination coverage for girls, and 70% screening uptake targets, the modelling shows that 24 million cervical cancers would be averted by the turn of the century.

“The burden of cervical cancer in Africa is a stark illustration of the impacts of global inequities, which exacerbate barriers including scarce resources, lack of prioritization by funders, and ultimately, limited capacity to manage the threat. Affordable and accessible HPV tests and vaccines are critical if we are to accelerate elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem in the region, and narrow the wide gap in health inequality globally,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO’s Regional Director for Africa.

The special event at the Regional Committee aimed to spark high-level political advocacy and partner buy-in, specifically the initiation of a joint regional mechanism to increase access to HPV vaccines and HPV-based tests, so boosting cervical cancer screening and prevention coverage.

 A critical element for success, WHO stressed is the delivery of cervical cancer services within a people-centred, primary health care approach, to ensure accessibility and sustainability. In Cameroon, Malawi, Uganda and Zimbabwe, for example, cervical cancer screening has been integrated into HIV and sexual and reproductive health services.

The proven cost-effectiveness of these interventions supports the argument for broader implementation, with all eligible women who visit health facilities, at any level, being offered comprehensive cervical cancer services.

“As partners, we need to take advantage of the overlap between cervical cancer and other services for women, such as HIV programs and reproductive health services, to ensure integration at policy, financing, programme and service level,” said Dr Phillipe Duneton, Executive Director of Unitaid.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

The Football Foundation for Africa (FFA) (https://FootballFoundation.Africa) is delighted to announce Sports20 as the Green Legacy Partner for the Africa Football Business Summit 2024. SPORTS20 has developed a pioneering framework anchored on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As an international cooperation platform, SPORTS20 has a network that unites athletes, clubs, associations and events worldwide to drive sustainable change in the world of sport and beyond.

As a founding member of the Sports20 network, FFA is excited about this collaboration. Sports20 will play a pivotal role in supporting FFA in delivering a sustainable summit and developing a legacy programme for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027, which will be presented at the Summit. This legacy programme aims to integrate sustainability into the core of African football, ensuring long-term positive impacts on communities and the environment.

Stefan Wagner of Sports for Future and Tanja Ferkau of IMPCT gGmbH, founders of the Sports20 network, will attend the Summit. Their participation underscores the shared commitment to promoting sustainable practices within the football industry.

“We are thrilled to partner with Sports20 as our Green Legacy Partner,” said Brian Wesaala, CEO of The Football Foundation for Africa. “This collaboration aligns with our vision of embedding sustainability into the heart of African football. With Sports20’s expertise and support, we are confident that the Africa Football Business Summit 2024 will set new benchmarks for sustainable events. We are also keen to play a significant role in delivering the legacy of AFCON 2027 with support from like-minded organisations like Sports20.”

Stefan Wagner, co-founder of Sports20, expressed his enthusiasm: “Our collaboration with FFA represents a significant opportunity to foster sustainable transformation in African football. Building on our participation (representing TSG Hoffenheim and Sports for Future) at last year’s event, the Summit provides an excellent platform to highlight our joint commitment to sustainability and develop impactful legacy programmes for future tournaments like AFCON 2027.”

Tanja Ferkau, co-founder of Sports20, added: “We are excited to work with FFA and bring together the sports community in Africa and beyond to focus on sustainability. We aim to create lasting positive impacts and look forward to presenting our legacy programme at the Summit.”

The Africa Football Business Summit 2024 will take place in Nairobi. It will gather key stakeholders from the football industry, including clubs, associations, athletes, and business leaders, to discuss and promote best practices in sports business and sustainability.

For more information about the Africa Football Business Summit 2024 and to register for the event, please visit https://AFBS.FootballFoundation.Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Football Foundation for Africa.

Contact:
Brian Wesaala
CEO, The Football Foundation for Africa
Email: afbs@footballfoundation.africa
Phone: +254 792 651 421
Website: https://www.FootballFoundation.Africa

About The Football Foundation for Africa:
The Football Foundation for Africa is dedicated to the development of football on the continent through sustainable practices and strategic partnerships. By fostering growth at the grassroots level and promoting professional standards, FFA aims to create opportunities and a positive impact on African communities.

About SPORTS20:
A sustainably transformed world of sports is the vision of the non-profit cooperation platform SPORTS20. The world of sports extends far beyond the realm of sports itself, influencing society and possessing a unique power to inspire and attract people. SPORTS20 harnesses this power to make sports a driver for global sustainable transformation. With the developed SPORTS20 standard based on the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and a strong international network, SPORTS20 provides a roadmap to achieving this goal. (https://SPORTS20.org)

The Standing Committee on Finance has called on the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) to seriously look at the issue of the high interest rate which is making life difficult for both the poor and middle-income earners in South Africa.

The Committee Chairperson, Dr Joe Maswanganyi, said that the committee is raising this matter not to instruct the central bank to lower the interest rate, but to consider it an issue that is mostly affecting ordinary people on the ground.

The SARB briefed the committee today on its mandate, structure, governance and shareholding as part of the committee’s capacity-building workshop. Furthermore, the presentation covered national payments, financial surveillance and prudential regulation

The committee has welcomed the SARB presentation and applauded the central bank for ranking 8th on transparency index out of 30 countries globally. To this end, the central bank undertook to continue working hard to improve its transparency index globally.

Some of the measures taken by the SARB to improve its transparency index include speaking directly with local communities at regional level through forums. In 2024, the central bank has conducted ten of such forums in Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha, Kimberly, Mahikeng, Mbombela, Polokwane, Sandton and in Soweto.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, Mr. Ramathan Ggoobi, has called upon ambassadors and heads of missions to play a crucial role in promoting Uganda’s economic growth through innovative branding and marketing strategies. Speaking at the week-long retreat for ambassadors and heads of missions at the Civil Service College in Jinja, under the theme “Strengthening Governance and Performance of the Foreign Service for National Development,” Mr. Ggoobi emphasized the importance of attracting tourists and investors to achieve the country’s 10-fold growth strategy. “Tourism is a low-hanging fruit that should be prioritized by Ambassadors abroad,” Mr. Ggoobi said, adding that the country targets to double the economy every five years in the medium term despite crises. Mr. Ggoobi presented an overview of Uganda’s economic growth, noting that the country’s GDP growth has recovered from various shocks, crises, and false alarms, reaching 6% in FY 2023/24 from 3% in FY 2019/20. He attributed this recovery to good macroeconomic management, favorable weather conditions, and improving global economic conditions. He further noted that growth has been broad-based, with all sectors growing: Services by 6.6%, Industry by 5.8%, and Agriculture by 5.1% in FY 2023/24. Mr. Ggoobi projected that growth is expected to reach 6.4% in the current financial year and at least 7% over the medium term.

Under the 10-fold growth strategy, including oil and gas production, GDP growth is expected to surpass 10% in the initial years, he added. Mr. Ggoobi outlined the new action agenda for achieving 10-fold growth, focusing on anchor areas such as agro-industrial development, tourism development, mineral-based development, oil and gas, and science, technology, ICT, and innovation. He discussed the financing options for achieving 10-fold growth, including tax revenue, total debt, market capitalization, and private sector credit. Mr. Ggoobi urged Ambassadors and heads of missions to work together to promote Uganda’s economic growth and achieve the country’s 10-fold growth strategy. He stressed the need for policy and goal consensus, execution discipline, civic and trade order, natural capital preservation, physical capital development, and human capital skill enhancement. He further noted internal and external risks, including corruption, inequality, climate change, global economic shocks, and resource conflicts, and proposed mitigants such as maintaining inclusive policies, diversification, and deeper regional integration.

Thanking his Finance counterpart for the engagement, Foreign Affairs PS, Vincent Bagiire pointed out that his Ministry’s efforts may not always be visible, but their impact is significant. He cited the Jinja Bridge which was a result of negotiations by Uganda Embassy Tokyo and construction of an airport in Karamoja as an example of a result initiated by the Uganda Embassy in Abu Dhabi. He further mentioned a polytechnic institute built by Sharjah in Uganda as another notable project. The Ambassadors’ Conference was opened on by Gen. Odongo Jeje Abubakhar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, who urged Ugandan Ambassadors and Heads of Missions abroad to align the Ministry’s work with Uganda’s National Development framework, including Vision 2040 and the Third National Development Plan. Gen. Odongo emphasized the need for Uganda’s foreign policy to drive economic growth and regional integration. He highlighted economic and commercial diplomacy as key drivers of Uganda’s development, stressing the need for ambassadors to promote value addition, industrialization, and trade. The conference aims to enhance performance and innovation among missions, facilitate peer-to-peer knowledge sharing, and promote regional and international peace and security.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Republic of Uganda – Ministry of Foreign Affairs.