Category: Africa

Source: APO

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Government urges members of the public to remain vigilant and exercise extreme caution as severe winter weather, including heavy snowfall, freezing conditions, rain and strong winds, affect several parts of the country. The weather has already resulted in a number of road closures and disruptions across several provinces.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued weather warnings for parts of the country, with conditions expected to bring hazardous travel, particularly over mountainous areas and along affected road networks.

The South African Weather Service has issued an Orange Level 6 warning for disruptive snow, with parts of the Eastern Cape and Free State among the hardest hit, with snowfall affecting a number of major routes and mountain passes. Motorists are advised that Penhoek Pass along the N6 between Komani (Queenstown) and James Calata (Jamestown) has been reopened to traffic. The roadway is currently drivable, following the removal of most of the snow from the road surface by a grader. The R58 between Lady Grey and Ekhephini (Barkly East) has also reopened to traffic.

In KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State, authorities are closely monitoring conditions along the N3 and other routes, including the Van Reenen and Oliviershoek Pass areas, where snow, sleet, rain, ice and hazardous road conditions are affecting travel. The N3 between Harrismith and Van Reenen Pass should be approached with extreme caution. Emergency teams are spraying brine across all lanes to prevent black ice from forming.

Other areas, including parts of Mpumalanga and the Western Cape, are also experiencing adverse winter weather, with some routes affected by snowfall, icy conditions and strong winds.

A Yellow Level 2 warning for disruptive winds has also been issued for parts of the Northern Cape and Western Cape. Strong winds may result in localised impacts, including hazardous travelling conditions, reduced visibility and disruption to transport.

Government, through the National Disaster Management Centre, provincial and local disaster management structures, traffic authorities, emergency services and other relevant stakeholders, continues to monitor the situation and coordinate response measures in affected areas.

Authorities are assessing road conditions, managing closures where necessary and working to keep affected routes safe and accessible where conditions permit. Government further appeals to motorists to exercise patience and cooperate with traffic and emergency officials. Road closures are implemented to protect lives, and motorists should not attempt to bypass barriers or access roads that have been declared unsafe

Members of the public are reminded that weather and road conditions can change rapidly. Roads that are currently open may subsequently be closed if conditions deteriorate, while previously closed routes may be reopened once they have been assessed and cleared by the relevant authorities.

The public is urged to rely on official updates from the South African Weather Service, provincial traffic authorities, road agencies, disaster management structures and emergency services for the latest information.

Government will continue to closely monitor the weather system and its impacts across the country and will coordinate with relevant authorities to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to protect communities and road users.

Government urges the public to take the following precautions:

•    Avoid unnecessary travel to areas affected by heavy snowfall, ice, strong winds, flooding or other hazardous weather conditions.
•    Do not attempt to drive on roads that have been closed by traffic or emergency authorities.
•    Motorists travelling on roads that remain open should reduce their speed, maintain a safe following distance and exercise extreme caution, particularly on mountain passes.
•    Follow the instructions and guidance of traffic officials, emergency services and disaster management authorities.
•    Check the latest weather and road conditions from verified sources before undertaking long-distance journeys.
•    Where possible, postpone travel until conditions have improved and affected routes have been assessed and declared safe.
•    Avoid sharing unverified information about road closures and weather conditions, as this may cause confusion and place motorists and communities at greater risk.
•    Take precautions to protect children, older people and other vulnerable people from extreme cold.
•    Farmers and livestock owners are encouraged to ensure that livestock and other animals are kept in safe, warm and adequately sheltered areas during periods of severe cold and snowfall.

Government urges all members of the public to remain vigilant, exercise caution and prioritise their safety as winter weather conditions continue to evolve.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: Government Communication and Information System (GCIS).

Source: APO

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• During the second round of the national polio vaccination campaign, held in June 2026, the system once again demonstrated its value.
• In the provinces covered by the campaign, thousands of vaccinators, supervisors, community mobilisers and support teams received their payments via MOMO, enabling them to keep their focus on protecting children.
• A key part of this process is the MOMO focal points, who are based at each health centre.
• Manansses Rosário, from the Luia Health Centre in the Chifunde District, carries out her duties as a MOMO using her Android mobile phone and with the support of the provincial Super Trainer.
• It is their responsibility to register staff on the digital platform, keep track of colleagues during the campaign and ensure that all the necessary information is correct for the processing of payments.

In a vaccination campaign, success does not depend solely on vaccines reaching communities on time. It also relies on thousands of health workers and volunteers who travel long distances to vaccinate children, engage families and ensure that no community is left behind. To ensure this work proceeds without delay, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been transforming the way these workers are paid by implementing the Mobile Money (MOMO) digital payment system.

Since 2024, WHO Mozambique has been leading the use of MOMO to pay workers involved in public health campaigns and other emergency interventions. To date, more than USD 14.4 million has been channeled through this solution to nearly 246 000 beneficiaries across the country, reinforcing Mozambique’s experience in digitizing payments in the health sector. By replacing cash payments with mobile money transfers, the solution has made payments faster, safer, more transparent and more inclusive, significantly reducing the logistical challenges associated with transporting and distributing cash during large-scale campaigns.

“This is my second polio vaccination campaign as a MOMO focal point, and it has been very straightforward to carry out this role. The platform is easy to use and, immediately after the training, I was able to register my colleagues and monitor their attendance without any difficulty,” explains Manansses Rosário, 30, a MOMO focal point in the district of Chifunde. For WHO, the digitalization of payments reflects an investment in strengthening health systems and the operational capacity of campaigns. “The digitisation of payments represents a significant step forward in the way we support health campaigns,” emphasises Gwinyayi Chikonzo, WHO Acting Operations Officer in Mozambique. “We are making processes more efficient, more transparent and more inclusive, whilst significantly strengthening accountability and ensuring a complete digital record of all transactions.”

This innovation also represents a significant benefit for partners investing in health through WHO. The use of electronic processes enhances the traceability of resources, improves monitoring mechanisms and strengthens transparency in the use of funds allocated to public health interventions. As Mozambique continues to expand the use of Mobile Money to different health activities, experience shows that digital innovation can go far beyond technology. In a country where distance, logistics and financial inclusion continue to pose challenges, Mobile Money is proving that digital solutions can bring resources closer to those who need them most and strengthen the health system’s response.

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

Source: APO

Assistant Secretary of War Daniel Zimmerman and U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) Deputy Commander Lieutenant General John Brennan visited Ghana August 6-8 to reaffirm the strong partnership between the United States and Ghana.

This follows the delegation’s participation in the second Joint Angolan-American Defense Cooperation Committee (DEFCOM), held in Luanda, Angola, August 5-6.

During their visit to Ghana, Assistant Secretary Zimmerman and Lieutenant General Brennan met with senior Ghanaian officials to discuss U.S.-Ghana security cooperation and efforts to strengthen domestic, maritime, border, and regional security capabilities.  This visit follows those by the AFRICOM Commander and NAVAF-NAVEUR Commander earlier this year.

Assistant Secretary of War Daniel Zimmerman, on his first visit to Ghana, commented that “This visit reflects high-level U.S. interest in partnering with the Ghana Armed Forces to strengthen our partner’s capacity to protect national sovereignty and address regional security challenges.”

Rolf Olson, the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires a.i., noted “These visits are part of our robust security cooperation with Ghana, which includes co-hosting African land and maritime forces summits, participating in joint training exercises, and strengthening partner capacity through medical and educational exchanges.  Just this week, the U.S. Embassy was pleased to also welcome here delegations from the Naval Medical Research Unit and from the Africa Center for Strategic Studies to strengthen medical readiness and military education.”

The visit underscored the United States’ continued commitment to supporting Ghana’s security priorities and reinforced the broader U.S.-Africa partnership in advancing shared goals of stability, prosperity, and security across the region.

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

Source: APO

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When Dooshima, who lives in the Daudu Internally Displaced Persons camp in Benue State, joined a community dialogue on preventing sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, she heard something new.

“For the first time, I understood that this should not be accepted, and that there are safe ways to report and get help,” she said. “Now I know my rights and how to support others.”

Her experience reflects a wider reality. Many people in displacement settings do not know where to seek help or who to trust. In Nigeria, this remains a concern as ongoing displacement continues to place women, girls and other vulnerable groups at higher risk of exploitation and abuse.

This initiative comes at a critical moment, as Nigeria strengthens its response to gender-based violence and related protection risks. It aligns with the National Gender in Health Policy 2025 and broader humanitarian efforts supporting internally displaced people. It also reflects national priorities on preventing gender-based violence and ensuring accountability to affected populations, meaning people can safely raise concerns, be heard and access the health care they need.

Strengthening protection systems

To address these gaps, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, together with the Benue State Government, worked with WHO to strengthen protection systems in displacement camps. Funding support was provided by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

The programme trained 18 civil society representatives on the prevention of and response to sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. Health workers from referral facilities were also trained to provide victim centred care that is safe, confidential and respectful.

The work goes beyond training. It focuses on building systems that connect people to services and ensure concerns are acted on.

“The health system is often one of the first places victims in need of health care go,” said Dr Inigbehe Oyinloye, PRSEAH Technical Officer. “When health workers are prepared, victims are more likely to receive the care they need.”

These efforts contribute to WHO’s mandate to strengthen health systems, promote safe health services and ensure accountability in humanitarian settings.

From training to community action

After the training, participants returned to their communities and shared what they learned. They worked with camp leaders, women’s groups and youth representatives to reach more people.

Across five camps, more than 20,000 displaced persons were reached, including about 12,000 women and girls and 5,000 men and boys. Adolescents took part in discussions on personal safety, rights and how to seek help. People living with disabilities were also engaged through adapted sessions.

These activities led to clear changes.

Awareness of reporting channels and GBV service utilization increased from 39% to 57%, as survivors were linked to health, protection and psychosocial services through established systems.

Community members also began raising concerns more openly. Over 2,000 concerns and complaints were documented in 2024 through safe reporting mechanisms. This information was used to improve services and outreach.

In response, reporting information was displayed in visible areas, and 60 trained community focal persons now serve as trusted links between residents and support services.

Voices from the community

For many women and girls, access to information has brought confidence.

“We were afraid to speak before,” said Rachel, a resident of Mega camp. “Now we know where to go and what to do. And we tell others.”

Young people are also playing a role.

“I tell my friends what I learned,” said 16 year old Mary from International Market camp. “We know we have people we can talk to.”

Community leaders say attitudes are changing.

“People used to think this should be kept quiet,” said Joshua Labe, a civil society representative. “Now they ask questions and seek help. That is a big shift.”

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

Source: APO

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), with funding from the Government of Japan and in cooperation with Egypt’s Ministry of Local Development and Environment, provided specialized laboratory equipment to the General Organization for Export and Import Control (GOEIC), strengthening national capacity to test alternatives to single-use plastic products and verify their compliance with relevant technical requirements. 

The event took place at GOEIC’s laboratories at Cairo International Airport under the project “Supporting the Promotion of Circular Economy Practices on the Single-Use Plastic Value Chain in Egypt.” The initiative supports Egypt’s transition toward more sustainable production and consumption patterns by combining policy and institutional support, awareness raising, technical assistance to enterprises and the promotion of circular economy practices across the plastics value chain. 

The ceremony brought together Manal Awad, Minister of Local Development and Environment;  Khaled Hashem, Minister of Industry; and Mohamed Farid Saleh, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade. The Government of Japan was represented by Yasuhiro Tsukamoto, Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in Egypt, while UNIDO was represented by Gihan Attia, Deputy UNIDO Representative in Egypt. The ceremony was hosted by Essam El-Naggar, Chairman of GOEIC, with the participation of the Waste Management Regulatory Authority and other national partners and development stakeholders. 

The new equipment represents an important step in translating Egypt’s policy and technical requirements for sustainable alternatives into effective testing and conformity-assessment capacity. It will enable GOEIC laboratories to carry out technical tests on plastic materials, single-use plastic products and their alternatives and assess their conformity with applicable Egyptian standards. 

Essam El-Naggar, Chairman of GOEIC, highlighted the practical value of the new capacity: “The new equipment represents a significant addition to GOEIC’s laboratory system, helping improve the efficiency and accuracy of inspection, testing and conformity-assessment services and enabling us to provide more advanced technical services to producers, exporters and importers.” 

GOEIC also highlighted that developing its laboratory capacities can reduce testing times, improve the quality of services provided to businesses and help companies verify product conformity before export, thereby supporting confidence in Egyptian products in international markets. 

For Egypt, the investment also supports a wider national effort to address plastic pollution while creating the technical and institutional conditions necessary for more sustainable industrial production.

Manal Awad, Minister of Local Development and Environment, said. “This step reflects a successful model of partnership between the Government of Egypt, UNIDO and the Government of Japan, based on a shared vision that environmental protection and sustainable industrial development are complementary goals.”

The project also strengthens the link between Egypt’s quality infrastructure and industrial competitiveness. Khaled Hashem, Minister of Industry, stressed that enhanced testing and conformity-assessment capabilities can help Egyptian manufacturers meet technical requirements in global markets and expand the production of environmentally sustainable alternatives. 

Mohamed Farid Saleh, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, likewise highlighted laboratory development as a key pillar of Egypt’s foreign-trade system, noting that more efficient inspection, testing and conformity assessment contribute to product quality, market compliance and the ability of Egyptian companies to expand internationally. 

The initiative forms part of a longstanding partnership between Egypt, Japan and UNIDO on circular economy approaches to plastics. The project was launched following cooperation linked to the 2019 G20 Osaka Summit and Japan’s broader efforts under the Osaka Blue Ocean Vision to address marine plastic pollution. UNIDO and Japan formally announced the Egypt initiative in 2021, with a focus on promoting greener production and consumption patterns, supporting SMEs and strengthening the enabling policy environment. 

Speaking at the handover, Yasuhiro Tsukamoto, Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in Egypt, emphasized that government action alone would not be sufficient: “The transition to a circular economy requires not only government leadership, but also the active participation of the private sector and manufacturers.” 

Gihan Attia, Deputy UNIDO Representative in Egypt, said, “Developing quality infrastructure and technical capacities is essential to supporting Egypt’s transition towards a circular economy. Equipping national laboratories with specialized capabilities is an important part of strengthening cooperation between government, industry and development partners.” 

Through these complementary interventions, the project seeks not only to strengthen the technical capacity to assess sustainable alternatives, but also to help create the institutional and industrial conditions needed for circular economy practices to be adopted and sustained.

By strengthening the link between standards, testing capacity and industrial application, the new laboratory capabilities provide another practical building block for Egypt’s transition towards more resource-efficient production, competitive industry and a circular economy. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

Source: APO

Mr. Mehari Tekie, director of Embeyto Elementary School in Gala-Nefhi sub-zone, reported that basic maintenance had been carried out on the school’s buildings and infrastructure through community contributions.

Noting that addressing the challenges facing schools should not be left to the Government alone, the residents expressed their readiness to contribute sustainably to resolving any shortcomings the school may face.

Commending the initiative taken by the residents of Embeyto, Mr. Mehari Yohannes, administrator of Gala-Nefhi sub-zone, and Mr. Daniel Solomon, head of the education office in the sub-zone, called on other villages to undertake similar initiatives.

Mr. Mesfun Woldeselasie, head of administration and finance at the Ministry of Education branch in the Central Region, said that the program will make a significant contribution to improving the teaching-learning process and called for the initiative to be strengthened.

At the event, certificates of recognition were presented to those who contributed to the renovation process.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.