Category: Africa

Source: APO

.

The FAO Regional Office for Africa Resilience Team held its third virtual Community of Practice (CoP) meeting on 8 July 2025, bringing together FAO staff and technical experts from across the continent. The session focused on practical lessons from South Sudan on strengthening seed systems in fragile and conflict-affected settings. South Sudan has made strong progress in increasing the use of locally sourced seeds, moving from 15 percent to over 55 percent in recent years. This achievement is supported by FAO’s approach to working with both formal and informal seed systems, strengthening farmer cooperatives, training agro-dealers, and promoting local seed varieties.

To ensure seed quality at the local level, the country has introduced informal Seed Quality Control Boards (SQCBs) at state and county levels. These boards help monitor standards in the absence of fully operational national certification bodies

“We are not choosing between formal or informal systems,” noted Felix Dzvurumi, Senior Programme Officer and Deputy FAO Representative a.i. in South Sudan, during the virtual presentation. “We are designing practical solutions that work in fragile, rapidly changing environments.”

The session highlighted efforts to engage the private sector by encouraging partnerships between seed companies and farmer cooperatives. The South Sudan Seed Traders Association plays an important role in linking producers and buyers. At the same time, FAO is supporting the preservation of indigenous seed varieties, which are well-suited to local conditions and offer resilience against shocks like floods and pests. FAO’s support also includes work with the Ministry of Agriculture on a 10-year Agricultural Mechanization Plan, introducing tools such as seed planters, threshers, and cleaners to boost production. Seed fairs are being used to build trust and stimulate demand in local seed markets.

“Seed fairs give farmers direct access to seed options and suppliers, while building trust in the local system,” said Maurice Nyombe, National Crop Production Officer in South Sudan.

The virtual CoP provided a space for participants from across Africa to exchange experiences, raise questions, and learn from each other. Topics included early generation seed bottlenecks, local market development, farmer-led innovations, and improving FAO’s operational tools to meet field needs.

Facilitated by Priya Gujadhur, Senior Resilience Officer at FAO RAF, the session reinforced the value of the Community of Practice as a platform for shared learning and continuous improvement.

We are not just building systems—we’re building confidence, capacity, and long-term solutions,” said Meshack Malo, FAO Representative in South Sudan.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.

Source: APO

.

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) followed the live broadcast of the High Council of State (HCS) session on Sunday, 27 July,  during which 95 members elected a new Presidency. The Mission noted that voting proceeded under normal conditions and with transparency.

UNSMIL is of the view that yesterday’s two-thirds attendance reflects a broad consensus among members to overcome the division that has hindered its ability to fulfill its responsibilities over the last year. The Mission echoes the calls to expand internal consensus by engaging those members who did not attend yesterday’s session.

The Mission congratulates the new Presidency and looks forward to constructive engagement with all Council members to break the stalemate, advance the political process, and end the protracted transitional phases.

It further expects the Council to responsibly carry out its functions, as outlined in the Libyan Political Agreement, consistent with its independent political role and Libyans’ aspirations to end institutional division, restore legitimacy through elections and contribute to necessary reforms.

The Mission encourages the HCS membership to fulfill their patriotic duties and rise to the expectations of the Libyan people by supporting a Libyan led and Libyan owned political process facilitated by UNSMIL.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

Source: APO

.

As conflict between rival militaries rages on, millions of people keep on being displaced.

While the UN and its partners continue to provide assistance to newly displaced families in North Darfur, “nearly 60 per cent of displaced families still lack adequate shelter support,” said Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General, Farhan Haq, at a daily press briefing on Monday.

In Abu Shouk camp in El Fasher, the North Darfur capital, displaced families are facing acute shortages of food and medicine, with local sources reporting four hunger-related deaths last week, as food insecurity continues to worsen across the entire country.

In North Darfur state notably, low cereal supply, poor harvests and a prolonged food deficit have severely affected food availability.

Health crisis

Meanwhile, cholera cases continue to rise in Tawila. More than 1,500 suspected and confirmed serious infections have been reported since June, with over 500 people currently receiving treatment.

While local authorities have introduced emergency measures, including market closures and a ban on public gatherings, humanitarian organizations urgently require $120 million to scale up life-saving support in Tawila over the next three months.

“This funding is essential to contain the outbreak and sustain critical services,” according to OCHA.

Meanwhile, in Port Sudan, the main entry point for humanitarian personnel and supplies, a sharp increase in heatstroke cases linked to extreme temperature and prolonged power outages is raising concerns, as one death was recorded over the past two days.

Food crisis

In El Fasher, food prices continue to rise to alarming levels.  The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has  already identified famine conditions in multiple areas of North Darfur and the eastern Nuba Mountains, with more locations at risk.

In May, the average cost of the local food basket in El Fasher was more than six times the national average, as the city recorded the highest prices for nearly all essential items among assessed localities.

An IPC alert earlier this month noted that Sudan’s food security and nutrition situation is set to further deteriorate over the lean season from July to October, notably in areas of active conflict with limited access and experiencing high levels of displacement. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

Source: APO

.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has today bid farewell to Ms. R. Mukami Kariuki, the outgoing World Bank Country Manager for Uganda at State House, Entebbe.

Ms. Kariuki, who assumed her role on August 1, 2021, has led the World Bank’s engagement with the Government of Uganda and overseeing the implementation of key development programs across the country.

In a cordial exchange, President Museveni thanked Ms. Kariuki for her dedicated service and extended his best wishes as she concluded her assignment.

“Thank you so much. I wish you good luck,” the President said.

Ms. Kariuki expressed her gratitude to the President and the Ugandan government for the collaboration extended to her throughout her tenure.

“Your Excellency, I appreciate the support and partnership we have had. It has been a pleasure working with Uganda,” she said.

The meeting was also attended by Mr. Qimiao Fan, the World Bank Country Director for Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, and Uganda, who is based in Nairobi.

Mr. Fan noted the Bank’s keen interest in supporting Uganda’s agricultural transformation, job creation for the youth, and renewable energy development.

“Uganda has great potential. You have fertile soils, abundant sunshine for renewable energy, and a rapidly growing young population that needs jobs,” Mr. Fan said.

He emphasized the need to increase agricultural productivity through strategic investments in irrigation, improved transport networks, and access to better seeds and fertilizers.

“Despite your fertile soils, Uganda’s agricultural productivity remains relatively low. Investing in irrigation and logistics can help farmers access markets more effectively,” he added.

President Museveni responded by highlighting Uganda’s achievements in agricultural research, particularly in seed development and irrigation.

“We already have improved seeds for crops like coffee, bananas, maize, cassava, and potatoes. Our research centers have done their job. The challenge now is funding the uptake and supporting farmers to apply the technologies,” the President said.

He also highlighted the success of Prof. Florence Muranga from Bushenyi, who, through irrigation, harvests 53 tonnes of bananas per acre annually far exceeding the district’s average of 5 tonnes.

President Museveni further underscored the need to shift communities out of wetlands and into sustainable fish farming on the periphery, which would allow the use of swamp water for irrigation while restoring the wetland ecosystem.

“We want to move people from wetlands and support them to do fish farming on the edge. That way, we preserve the wetlands and still use the water for irrigation,” he explained.

He also reflected on the cultural importance of agriculture to Uganda, noting that many of the country’s staple crops such as millet, bananas, and cassava are indigenous and form part of Uganda’s agricultural heritage.

“Agriculture is part of our ancient heritage. These crops are not foreign; they are ours,” the President said.

He concluded by reaffirming the government’s readiness to engage further and collaborate on these areas of interest.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Uganda.

Source: APO

.

The Ministry of Health, through the National AIDS Control Program (NACP), on Monday, July 28, 2025, kicked off a nationwide hepatitis-B awareness and testing campaign in observance of World Hepatitis Day.

This year’s event is celebrated under the global theme “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down,” with a slogan “Hepatitis Can’t Wait.”

The campaign began today with simultaneous and massive free testing at the Ministry of Health in Congo Town, the Ministerial Complex, and the NACP office at John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Sinkor. It seeks to raise awareness, encourage early testing and treatment, and highlight the deadly impact of viral Hepatitis, particularly Hepatitis B and C, on Liberians, especially young people.

Speaking at the launch of the campaign on Monday, Assistant Minister for Preventive Services, Dr. Cuallau Jabbeh-Howe, issued a passionate appeal to the public to embrace testing as a first step toward defeating the disease.

“We are here today for a very important program. We are celebrating World Hepatitis Week, and today, July 28, is being observed globally as World Hepatitis Day,” Dr. Howe emphasized.

She continued, “It is good for you to know your status so you can better plan and know how to take good care of yourself. Don’t get ill unknowingly. It is always good to know your health status.”

Dr. Howe warned against the dangerous culture of health denial and silence in Liberia.

“A lot of us don’t want to know our status, which is very bad and dangerous. If you don’t know, you won’t be able to plan properly, and you won’t have someone to treat you properly. That’s why today, we are calling upon you to do your free testing so that you can be advised on how to move forward.”

According to her, Hepatitis is emerging as a major killer disease in Liberia, with young people most at risk.

“Hepatitis is silently killing many of our young people and is now becoming one of the top killers in Liberia. So please, get tested. Know your status. Call your family. Share the word,” she urged.

In continuation of the campaign, free Hepatitis B testing will last up to the 31st of July 2025 at the Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, targeting civil servants, government employees, and the general public.

Health workers will be stationed on the grounds to provide testing, counseling, and basic information about Hepatitis B prevention and treatment.

The week-long commemoration is not just about testing, but also about breaking the silence and breaking down stigma, which aligns with this year’s national slogan, “Let’s Break it Down.” The Ministry hopes to demystify Hepatitis B by educating citizens about its symptoms, transmission routes, prevention methods, and treatment options.

World Hepatitis Day is recognized every year on July 28 to honor the birthday of Nobel Prize-winning scientist Dr. Baruch Blumberg, who discovered the Hepatitis B virus and developed the first vaccine for it. The day is used to intensify global and national efforts toward Hepatitis elimination, which the World Health Organization (WHO) aims to achieve by 2030.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Republic of Liberia.

Source: APO

.

The Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has been inaugurated as Chair of a newly constituted 13-member Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Working Committee aimed at deepening collaboration between the government and the private sector to fund critical infrastructure and development projects.

The inauguration was conducted by Deputy Finance Minister, Hon. Thomas Ampem Nyarko, who underscored the importance of the committee’s work in the context of limited fiscal space. He stressed that enhanced private sector engagement is now essential to meeting the country’s development needs.

In his remarks, Dr. Forson emphasized the need to reform how PPPs are designed and executed in Ghana. He said the era where government-dominated projects are called public-private partnerships must end. True PPPs must involve real risk-sharing between government and the private sector. According to him, what has been seen over the years does not reflect what a proper PPP should be.

The committee is tasked with streamlining Ghana’s PPP framework to ensure that future projects are sustainable, transparent, and deliver value for money.

Members of the Committee:

1.           Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, MP – Minister for Finance (Chairperson)

2.           Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, MP – Attorney General and Minister for Justice

3.           Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, MP – Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry

4.           Dr. Audrey Smock Amoah – Director-General, National Development Planning Commission

5.           Mr. Simon Madjie – CEO, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre

6.           Mr. Frank Mante – CEO, Public Procurement Authority

7.           Prof. Nana Ama Brown Klutse – Executive Director, Environmental Protection Agency

8.           Prof. Anthony Owusu-Ansah – Executive Secretary, Lands Commission

9.           Mr. Samuel Manu Asiama – Chartered Institute of Bankers Representative

10.        Ing. Festus Ofoli Odametey – Ghana Institution of Engineers Representative

11.        Mad. Nana Oye Bampoe Addo – Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the President

12.        Mad. Shamima Muslim – Deputy Presidential Spokesperson

13.        Mr. Patrick Nomo – Chief Director, Ministry of Finance (Secretary)

The committee is expected to provide technical guidance and oversight to ensure that PPPs are properly structured and aligned with Ghana’s development goals.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Finance – Republic of Ghana.

Source: APO

.

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Dr Zweli Mkhize, has welcomed an investigation into allegations that councillors and other politically connected individuals have been receiving inflated stipends under the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) in Matjhabeng Local Municipality in the Free State.

This follows the committee’s joint oversight visit to the Free State last week, where 23 municipalities appeared before the joint oversight delegation. The delegation also included some members from Parliament’s Standing Committees on Public Accounts and the Auditor-General, as well as the Free State Provincial Legislature.

Following the committee’s interrogation of the state of Matjhabeng’s finances, the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Mr Dean Macpherson, announced his decision to suspend EPWP funding to Matjhabeng Local Municipality. The Chairperson said the committee has been aware of the allegations and supports a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder investigation, which combines the efforts of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, the Free State MECs for Finance and COGTA and the Office of the Premier of the Free State. He said during the oversight engagement with Matjhabeng municipality, the committee learned that while the irregular payments involve a limited number of individuals, the complete suspension of EPWP funding will affect hundreds of poor EPWP workers receiving R2 600 per month, many of whom are not implicated in any wrongdoing.

The Chairperson has proposed that stipends be suspended only for the implicated individuals until the investigation is completed. He advised against cutting off funding to all EPWP workers, warning that most participants are vulnerable and depend on the small stipend to make ends meet. “While any abuse of public funds must be met with swift and decisive action, it is critical that investigations are targeted and that innocent beneficiaries are not penalised,” the Chairperson said. “We cannot allow the poor to suffer for the misdeeds of a few. Those found guilty must face disciplinary and criminal consequences, but the programme itself must continue to serve its intended purpose – to provide short-term work opportunities to the unemployed.”

The Chairperson stated that although some of the allegations may be driven by politics or confusion about internal staffing, it’s important for the process to be transparent and based on clear evidence and not hearsay. He further called for public participation and oversight at the municipal level to be strengthened, stating that communities must be engaged in the design and monitoring of public employment programmes. “Mayors and municipal managers must regularly consult communities and account for their spending. Citizens must be given avenues to report concerns and submit evidence,” he said.

The committee will request a consolidated report from the minister, the MECs and the Provincial Treasury within three months. The report must include updates on disciplinary action taken, financial recovery efforts and measures to prevent recurrence. The findings will be tabled in Parliament for further scrutiny.

The Chairperson reiterated that the Matjhabeng case shows the need for constitutional oversight at all levels. “If municipalities fail to perform, provinces must intervene. If provinces neglect their oversight duty, national government must act. That is how the Constitution envisages cooperative governance,” he said.

Dr Mkhize said Matjhabeng provides a chance to set a national example. “We must act firmly against corruption but fairly. Our fight is not against the EPWP, but against its abuse, and we have to protect the integrity of the system while safeguarding the rights of those it was designed to serve,” he said.

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