According to Col. Nakalema, the rampant unemployment rate in Uganda exacerbated by corruption levels and the failure for the youth to access policy makers, needs concerted efforts of all stakeholders to find both short-term and long-term solutions to tame the likely outcomes.

“When these young people tell us that we are not giving them attention, it is a genuine concern because they now kind of own the country given that they are the majority and it is our duty to ensure that what they are putting to us is addressed,” Col. Nakalema said, while quoting the 2024 preliminary Population Census results which indicated that the youths (0-35 years) in Uganda constitute 82% of the 45.9 million people.

The SHIPU head made the remarks on Wednesday 18th September, 2024 during a meeting with academicians and other leaders at the unit’s offices in Kampala.

The meeting was aimed at discussing and sharing solutions to youth unemployment, a challenge the country continues to deal with.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Uganda.

H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, emphasized that the government is working to increase partnerships with the private sector in various fields, in light of its vital role in driving inclusive and sustainable growth and achieving economic development.

This came during H.E.’s participation in the conferencing launching a public-private sector partnership for the development of education, organized by H.E. the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, in partnership with NextEra. This was in the presence of H.E. Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister for Human Capital Development and Minister of Health and Population; H.E. Dr. Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research;  Ms. Herro Mustafa Garg,US Ambassador to Egypt; and Dr. Ismail Abdel Ghafar, the President of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT); as well as officials from private sector companies, entrepreneurs, and institutions relevant to the education sector.

In her speech, Al-Mashat noted that economic development and sustainability can only be achieved by investing in human capital, which includes investing in education and empowering a future generation of capable leaders. In this context, H.E. highlighted the importance of public-private partnership.

Noting that bridging the development gap in any sector requires constructive partnerships between the Government and the private sector, complementarity with development partners, international institutions and relevant entities, the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation is working to implement evidence-based development policies, advance partnerships with the private sector through structural reforms, and enhance international partnerships in order to bridge development gaps across sectors, as per the government’s priorities and vision.

H.E. pointed out that public-private partnerships are driving innovative models of development, especially in the education sector.

Moreover in the context of chairing the ministerial group for entrepreneurship, H.E. noted the importance of the entrepreneurship and startup sector, in light of Egypt’s infrastructure potential and the human resources, making it a leading country in entrepreneurship in the region.

Al-Mashat also discussed Egypt’s advanced technological infrastructure and continuous growth in ICT, which helps strengthen partnerships with the private sector in various sectors and acts as a catalyst for entrepreneurship, thus contributing in the progress towards inclusive and sustainable growth.

In conclusion, H.E. emphasized that development gaps in different sectors are creating space for innovation and sustainable solutions.

During the event, H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat  and H.E. Dr. Ayman Ashour witnessed the signing of a partnership between the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and NextEra, as well as the signing of partnership agreements between NextEra and a number of international universities.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Planning and Economic Development – Egypt.

 “It was a no-brainer,” says 34-year-old ‘Malihaelo Qhobela of her decision to allow her 13-year-old daughter, Lihaelo, to be vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV) at Soofia International School in Lesotho’s Butha-Buthe District.

HPV, a sexually transmitted disease, is the leading cause of cervical cancer, a major health issue in Lesotho. Approximately, 541 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year and 362 die from the disease in the country.

“I was aware of the gravity of the situation, so it brings me great joy to know that my daughter is now protected, thanks to this vaccine,” Qhobela adds. “Safeguarding our girls against cervical cancer is everything.”

Liahelo is one of the more than 139 000 girls between the ages of 9 and 14 to have been vaccinated against HPV since Lesotho’s Ministry of Health launched a new nationwide campaign in 2022 with support from World Health Organization and other partners. This equates to 93% coverage, surpassing the 90% target set at the campaign’s outset, as well as the 91% coverage achieved during a previous campaign that was halted in 2015 due to financial constraints. Around 35 000 girls older than the target age range have also been vaccinated.

In a country characterized by rugged mountainous terrain and a predominantly rural population, reaching girls where they are has been integral to the campaign’s success. To that end, mobile vaccination teams were deployed to hard-to-reach areas, while temporary vaccination sites were set up in schools, as well as in other important community nodes including churches.

Health inspectors and village health workers were at the forefront of a vigorous social mobilization process, going door to door to engage communities, address vaccine hesitancy, and ensure no girls were left behind. “Some of the parents were reluctant, but I went around explaining, making them aware of the dangers of this disease,” says ‘Mampotseng Letuka, a 61-year-old village health worker in Berea District’s Koali village. “I was so happy to see the fruits of my labour of gathering as many girls as I could, just the joy of seeing them being vaccinated in great numbers.”

In addition to serving as key vaccination sites, schools played a similarly significant role in terms of sensitization and mobilization of the learners for vaccination. “We appointed focal persons who would sensitize the learners, the teachers and the whole school community on the vaccinations,” says ‘Mopei Selikane, District Education Manager for Berea.

“There was very good social mobilization across the board, whereby community structures were mobilized, village health workers were mobilized and so were the schools,” reiterates Lepolesa Mpholo, a public health nurse in Berea District. “That is what made this initiative so successful.”

WHO supported Lesotho’s Ministry of Health in training 450 health workers across all 10 of Lesotho’s districts before the vaccine’s reintroduction, helping to ensure a smooth rollout, as well as providing on-the-ground technical support throughout the campaign. The Organization also facilitated the mobilization of US$ 320 000 in financial support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to cover operational cost for the HPV vaccination campaigns.

‘Mathoora Semela, a nurse clinician at St. David’s Health Facility in Berea, was one of the health workers to benefit from the WHO-supported training. She used her newly acquired knowledge to sensitize and vaccinate scores of girls in her community. “I feel proud to have been a part of this process,” she says. “I am very happy that we are helping girls and young women to stay cervical cancer free.”

Through this safe, efficient and cost-effective intervention, Lesotho has now aligned itself with WHO’s Global Strategy, which aims to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030. “We commend the Government of Lesotho, particularly Ministry of Health efforts for reintroducing the HPV vaccine and including the vaccine in routine immunizations, while simultaneously scaling up cervical cancer screening and treatment,” says Dr Mary Stephen, acting WHO Representative in Lesotho. “I am convinced that such efforts will lead to a Lesotho where no woman or girl dies of cervical cancer.”   

For learners back at Soofia International School, nestled in the scenic foothills of the Butha-Buthe mountain, the sky is the limit. When 16-year-old Leboleli Ntlobo graduates, she dreams of becoming a data scientist. She received the HPV vaccine during the campaign’s first round back in 2022. “I am very happy that I am vaccinated,” she says, “and I look forward to a cervical-cancer-free future.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Lesotho.

The President of the Republic, Mr. Wavel Ramkalawan accompanied by the First Lady, Mrs. Linda Ramkalawan, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Mr. Sylvestre Radegonde and the Seychelles’ Ambassador to the United States and Permanent Representative to the United Nations and the Non-Resident Ambassador of the Republic of Seychelles to the Republic of Cuba, Ian Madeleine met with a group of Seychellois students currently pursuing medical studies in Cuba.

The gathering provided an opportunity for the group of Seychellois students to discuss their progress and ongoing challenges with the President. The students, representing various medical specialties, shared updates on their academic progress and evolving cultural experiences while studying in Cuba.

During the meeting, President Ramkalwan expressed pride in seeing the students remaining committed to their studies and the wish to see them return to Seychelles to contribute to the local health system and support their communities.

In attendance was Ms Farrah Faure specializing in endocrinology, Mr  Sebastien Moutou specializing in Ophthalmology, Ms Grace Lafleur MBBS in Medicine, together with Ms Liana Jean Lopez and Mr Samuel Marie studying for a degree In Medicine.

The meeting displays the government’s proactive approach to engaging with its citizens abroad and a commitment in encouraging all students studying abroad. As for those students in Cuba, they represent a strong, well-supported cohort of future medical professionals for the nation.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.