Today, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched the Wanawake Sasa (Women Now) project, a TSH 8 billion (USD 3 million) project to advance women and girls’ political participation and leadership. At the launch event, USAID/Tanzania Mission Director Craig Hart was joined by the Honorable Dorothy Gwajima, Minister of Community Development, Gender, Women, and Special Groups, in inaugurating the new initiative.

The USAID Wanawake Sasa project expands on the United States global commitment to empower women and girls and its partnership with Tanzania. This initiative seeks to break down gender barriers and ensure that the leadership and voices of all Tanzanians—especially women and girls—are not only heard but also play a key role in the nation’s political decision-making processes.

“Tanzania thrives when all voices are heard, and where women are fully empowered to shape the nation’s future,” said USAID/Tanzania Mission Director Craig Hart. “Through USAID Wanawake Sasa, together, we are taking a clear step to making this not just a goal, but a lived reality.”

The USAID Wanawake Sasa project seeks to support the agency of women and girls to participate in civic and political spaces.  It will work with communities, civil society, and government to foster more inclusive governance, and prevent all forms of gender-based violence.  It will be implemented in four regions in Tanzania mainland (Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Iringa, and Mwanza) and in Zanzibar.

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

The Vice President and Flagbearer of the NPP, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has announced what he has called, a bold solution to ending the age-old problems over premix fuel for fisherfolks.

Speaking at Saltpond in the Mfantseman constituency during his on-going campaign tour of the Central Region, Dr. Bawumia said, after many attempts to deal with the issue of premix fuel for fisherfolks, including the setting up of automated dispensing machines at various landing beaches and fishing communities, which have not completely dealt with the issue, he has come up with a new. bold solution –  the introduction of solar-powered outboard motors, which he stressed, will permanently address the problem.

“When we came into office, we brought premix automation. And in Mfantseman here and other places, we have pre mix automation machines. But when you look at the premix problems, we have not addressed  all. We still have problems with the premix so I have been thinking a lot and discussing how we are going to solve the problem permanently,”  Dr. Bawumia said.

“We need a permanent solution to this problem because every time we move, we don’t solve the problem permanently. So I have  finished some discussions and by God’s grace, I believe we have  a permanent solution to this problem,” Dr. Bawumia said, amidst loud cheers of endorsement.

“I want us to move away from the dependence on premix fuel to solar power for the  boats. Let’s go for solar power to power the boats. So, before the end of this year, we are going to pilot the solar power outboard motors.”

“With this, we will make the outboard motors available to the fishermen and they don’t need to buy premix anymore. Once the sun is shining, their batteries will be charging and they can go across.”

The piloting of the solar powered outboard motors, Dr. Bawumia stated, will start most likely next month, so that the  fisherfolks can be shown how it works.

Dr. Bawumia added that once the  fisherfolks  get the solar powered outboard motors, there will no  longer be the need to buy pre mix fuel to power  outboard motors.

“We will have meetings with the fishermen on this in the next few weeks and the pilot programme will take place next month and we will start a whole new regime for fisherfolks because there is too much ‘kululu’  (fraud)  in the premix matter,” he said.

“We will take them out of the way and we will give the fisherfolk outboard motors powered by solar and then we will solve the problem.”

Dr. Bawumia’s announcement attracted wild cheers from the crowd, which included members of the fishing community in Saltpond and surrounding villages.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.

His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio delivered a compelling statement on behalf of the g7+ countries at the United Nations Summit of the Future, urging renewed global commitments to peace, stability, and sustainable development.

Representing fragile and conflict-affected states, President Bio highlighted the pressing need for international collaboration to address the everyday challenges faced by member countries. “These challenges are not theoretical; they are our daily reality,” he remarked, emphasizing that the “Pact for the Future” serves as a vital roadmap for transforming circumstances for millions.

He outlined critical areas for g7+ countries, including national ownership and inclusive governance, fostering international peace, innovative financing for sustainable development and embracing science, technology and digital cooperation. Emphasizing the role of youth, he called for empowering them as active agents of change rather than mere beneficiaries.

Furthermore, President Bio advocated for comprehensive UN Security Council reform to ensure fair representation for Africa in global decision-making. He called on world leaders to strengthen trust within fragile states, which he described as the foundation of lasting peace.

As the UN Summit of the Future unfolds, there is hope that the Pact for the Future will catalyze positive change in conflict-affected regions.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Sierra Leone.

From 22 to 27 September, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell will travel to New York for the high-level week of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). He will host and participate in several high-level multilateral events and a number of bilateral meetings. 

On Sunday 22 September, together with President of the European Council, Charles Michel, High Representative/Vice-President Borrell will represent the EU in a trilateral meeting with the African Union and the United Nations. The President of the European Council and the High Representative/Vice-President, accompanied by Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen, will then meet the UN Secretary General, António Guterres. In the evening, he will co-host a Ministerial dinner on the Middle East, together with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, Mohammed bin Abdelrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. 

On Monday 23 September, High Representative Borrell will participate in the G7+ Foreign Ministers meeting focusing on the support to Ukraine´s energy sector. In the afternoon, he will chair an informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers. At the end of the meeting, the High Representative will hold a press conference (ca. 18:00 EST), which will be transmitted live on EbS. He will then participate in the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting.

On Tuesday 24 September, High Representative/Vice-President Borrell will join President Michel and President von der Leyen for the opening session of the General Debate of the 79th UN General Assembly. In the afternoon, he will participate in a meeting of the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine. He will deliver press remarks following his intervention, which will be transmitted on EbS. In the evening, he will attend the dinner of the Transatlantic Foreign Ministers, hosted by the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken. 

On Wednesday 25 September, High Representative Borrell will represent the EU at the G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting. He will then host the six leaders from the Western Balkans for the traditional meeting organised on the margins of the UNGA. In the evening, High Representative Borrell will co-host the Ministerial meeting ‘United for Peace in Sudan’ together with Germany and France.  

On Thursday 26 September, High Representative Borrell will co-chair an informal meeting with the Foreign Ministers from the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). In the afternoon, he will participate in the UNRWA Ministerial meeting and the Ministerial meeting of the Ad-Hoc Liaison Committee on Palestine. He will then co-chair a meeting on the Middle East Peace Process, together with the Foreign Ministers from various countries as well as representatives of regional organisations. After the meeting, the High Representative will hold a press conference around 19:30 EST.

On Friday 27 September, High Representative Borrell will co-chair the 14th Ministerial meeting of the Global Counterterrorism Forum, co-hosted by the European Union and Egypt. High Representative Borrell will speak at the public event ‘Navigating Europe’s Challenges: A Conversation with Josep Borrell’, at Council on Foreign Relations. 

The High Representative Borrell will also hold a series of bilateral meetings with international interlocutors. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of European Union External Action: The Diplomatic Service of the European Union.