Category: Africa

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The Booker Washington Institute (BWI) automotive students restore and donate vehicle to enhance hands-on training

Source: APO


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Senior automotive students at the Booker Washington Institute (BWI) have restored and donated a fully functional vehicle to their department, strengthening hands-on training for future students. As part of their final project, the class raised $800, purchased a non-running car, and successfully repaired it over four months, showcasing practical skills, teamwork, and leadership.

The project complements an existing training vehicle previously donated by the European Union (EU) through the Youth Rising project, addressing a major gap in practical resources. With 42 students in the senior automotive class, one vehicle was insufficient to provide adequate hands-on training. The student-led initiative to acquire and restore an additional car significantly boosts the department’s capacity to deliver real-world technical skills.

“As senior students, we are expected to leave behind a meaningful project as our legacy,” said Julie M. Soe, a member of the class. “We came together, discussed our options, and decided to buy and repair a vehicle. It wasn’t easy. The car had major issues with the engine, lights, oil system, and brakes. But we stayed focused, worked as a team, and today we’re proud to hand it over to the department.”

“During our first year, we had no proper workshop and worked outside in the sun,” added Samuel P. Borbor, senior student and chair of the class project committee. “Now, with EU support, we have a workshop, tools, and a brand-new vehicle. This motivated us to take on our own project. Having two vehicles instead of one makes a huge difference. It allows us to actually practice what we learn, and I even got to use the electronic fault scanning machine for the first time.”

Instructors praised the students for their initiative and commitment. “The confidence I had in these students has been fully justified,” said John Charlie, an automotive instructor at BWI. “Seeing them select, plan, and execute this project on a live engine is a dream come true. It shows they are ready for the industry.”

“This project clearly demonstrated teamwork, problem-solving, and responsibility, qualities every good technician needs,” added Worlubah Mulbah, another instructor. “Their cooperation and willingness to share ideas were impressive.”

Since 2018, the European Union (EU), through its Youth Rising project implemented by UNIDO, has supported Liberia’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector. The project focuses on renovating facilities, training instructors, providing tools and equipment, and updating curricula to deliver high-quality, market-relevant technical education. At BWI, this support included renovated workshops, new training vehicle, modern hand tools/equipment, and electronic diagnostic equipment, creating a strong foundation for practical learning.

With this additional student-restored vehicle, BWI’s automotive department is now better equipped to prepare graduates for the job market. Instructors plan to replicate similar student-led projects with future classes, ensuring continuous improvement of hands-on learning and fostering a culture of initiative and innovation among Liberia’s future technicians.

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

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Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) Supports Vocational Training in Somalia

Source: APO


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Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has provided equipment for carpentry and plumbing workshops at the National Skills Development and Vocational Training Institute in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

Originally established in 1984, the institute was forced to suspend its activities in 2009 due to terrorist incidents in the country. It resumed operations in 2022 under the Somali Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. However, over the years, the institution had suffered a significant decline in capacity and was only able to offer limited vocational training due to insufficient infrastructure and a lack of technical equipment.

Thanks to the carpentry and plumbing workshop equipment supplied by TİKA, the institute’s practical training capacity has been substantially improved. The project aims not only to strengthen vocational training infrastructure but also to help develop a skilled workforce, thereby creating new employment opportunities.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA).

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Nelson Mandela: Legacy of a Sporting Struggle, Spirit of a Global Call to Action

Source: APO

This pan-African tribute charts the journey of Madiba, freedom fighter, reconciler, and visionary, whose belief in the power of sport helped shape the very foundations of the modern Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) movement.

From the resistance and unity forged on Robben Island, to the global spectacle of the 1995 Rugby World Cup and 2010 FIFA World Cup, Mandela showed how sport could be used not only to heal a divided nation, but to uplift a continent.

“Sport has the power to change the world… to inspire… to unite people in a way that little else does.” – Nelson Mandela

In the year that marks over 30 years since the Youth Charter’s founding in 1993, the same year Mandela laid the political groundwork for a new democratic South Africa, the organisation is issuing a renewed call to Africa’s youth, sports leaders, and governments: turn the values of Mandela into a continental system of action.

From Symbol to System: Africa’s Call to Action

The Youth Charter’s Community Campus model, rooted in Mandela’s spirit of Ubuntu and youth empowerment, provides a blueprint for sustainable development across the continent. Already piloted in South Africa, the UK, and internationally, this model uses sport, art, and digital innovation to deliver on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), empowering young people to be agents of peace, climate action, and inclusive economic growth.

“Africa’s youth are not problems to be managed, but leaders to be empowered,” said Geoff Thompson, Youth Charter Founder and Chair.

The tribute warns, however, that the Sport for Development movement must return to its ethical and political roots or risk becoming a siloed sector of self-interest. The Africa ’30’ Report, part of the Youth Charter’s Global Call to Action, urges African nations to lead by example in making sport a driver of policy, investment, and social change.

Mandela’s Legacy is Africa’s Responsibility

As trees planted in Mandela’s honour grow at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, their roots symbolise the seeds of peace, resilience, and leadership sown in Africa.

Now, the Youth Charter calls on African governments, ministries of youth and sport, national sports federations, and regional institutions, from the African Union to ECOWAS, SADC, and CAF, to scale up investment in youth and community-led development through sport.

Download the Full Tribute Essay

The full tribute essay, “Nelson Mandela: Legacy of a Sporting Struggle, Spirit of a Global Call to Action,” is available upon request and will be shared through national and continental media outlets, schools, universities, and youth organisations across Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Youth Charter.

Youth Charter @ Social Media:
LinkedIn: @ YouthCharter
Facebook: @ YouthCharter
Instagram: @ youthchartersdp
YouTube: @ YouthCharter
X: @ YOUTHCHARTER

Youth Charter #Hashtags:
#International Olympic Committee               
#Olympism
#Fight4theStreets                                        
#YoungLivesLost
#Call2Action                                                 
#LegacyOpportunity4All
#SportDevelopmentPeace                        
#Empowerthenextgeneration
#CommonwealthSecretariat                    
#UNSustainableDevelopmentGoals

About Youth Charter:
The Youth Charter is a UK registered charity and UN accredited non-governmental organisation. Launched in 1993 as part of the Manchester 2000 Olympic Bid and the 2002 Commonwealth Games, the Youth Charter has Campaigned and Promoted the role and value of sport, art, culture and digital technology in the lives of disaffected young people from disadvantaged communities nationally and internationally. The Youth Charter has a proven track record in the creation and delivery of social and human development programmes with the overall aim of providing young people with an opportunity to develop in life.

Specifically, The Youth Charter Tackles educational non-attainment, health inequality, anti-social behaviour and the negative effects of crime, drugs, gang related activity and racism by applying the ethics of sporting and artistic excellence. These can then be translated to provide social and economic benefits of citizenship, rights responsibilities, with improved education, health, social order, environment and college, university, employment and enterprise.

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Nelson Mandela : Héritage d’une lutte sportive, esprit d’un appel mondial à l’action

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Cet hommage panafricain retrace le parcours de Madiba — combattant de la liberté, artisan de la réconciliation et visionnaire — dont la foi dans le pouvoir du sport a contribué à façonner les bases du mouvement moderne Sport au service du développement et de la paix (SDP).

De l’unité forgée à Robben Island, à la portée symbolique de la Coupe du Monde de Rugby 1995 et de la Coupe du Monde FIFA 2010, Mandela a démontré que le sport pouvait non seulement guérir une nation divisée, mais aussi élever tout un continent.

« Le sport a le pouvoir de changer le monde… d’inspirer… d’unir les gens d’une manière que peu d’autres choses peuvent faire. » – Nelson Mandela

Alors que Youth Charter célèbre ses 30 ans d’engagement (depuis 1993, la même année où Mandela jetait les bases d’une Afrique du Sud démocratique), l’organisation lance un appel renouvelé à la jeunesse africaine, aux dirigeants sportifs et aux gouvernements : transformons les valeurs de Mandela en un système continental d’action durable.

Du symbole au système : l’appel de l’Afrique à l’action

Le modèle Community Campus du Youth Charter, inspiré de l’esprit de Ubuntu et de l’autonomisation des jeunes, propose un cadre pour le développement durable en Afrique. Déjà mis en œuvre en Afrique du Sud, au Royaume-Uni et à l’international, ce modèle utilise le sport, l’art et l’innovation numérique pour atteindre les Objectifs de développement durable (ODD), en faisant des jeunes de véritables acteurs du changement — pour la paix, le climat et l’économie inclusive.

« Les jeunes d’Afrique ne sont pas des problèmes à gérer, mais des leaders à responsabiliser », déclare Geoff Thompson, fondateur et président de Youth Charter.

L’essai souligne cependant un danger : le mouvement Sport au service du développement risque de s’éloigner de ses fondements éthiques et politiques. Le Rapport Africa ‘30’, partie intégrante de l’Appel mondial à l’action du Youth Charter, appelle les nations africaines à montrer l’exemple en plaçant le sport au cœur des politiques publiques, des investissements et du changement social.

L’héritage de Mandela est la responsabilité de l’Afrique

Alors que les arbres plantés en l’honneur de Mandela poussent au Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, leurs racines symbolisent la paix, la résilience et le leadership issus de la terre africaine.

Le Youth Charter appelle les gouvernements africains, ministères de la jeunesse et des sports, fédérations sportives nationales, et institutions régionales — Union africaine, CEDEAO, SADC, CAF — à renforcer les investissements en faveur du développement communautaire et dirigé par les jeunes à travers le sport.

Télécharger l’essai complet

L’essai « Nelson Mandela : Héritage d’une lutte sportive, esprit d’un appel mondial à l’action » est disponible sur demande et sera partagé à travers les médias nationaux et continentaux, les écoles, les universités et les organisations de jeunesse à travers l’Afrique.

Distribué par APO Group pour Youth Charter.

Charte de la Jeunesse @ Réseaux sociaux :
LinkedIn: @ YouthCharter
Facebook: @ YouthCharter
Instagram: @ youthchartersdp
YouTube: @ YouthCharter
X: @ YOUTHCHARTER

#Hashtags de la Charte de la Jeunesse :
#Comité International Olympique
#Olympisme
#CombattreLaRue
#JeunesViesPerdues
#AppelÀL’Action
#HéritageOpportunitéPourTous
#SportDéveloppementPaix
#AutonomiserLaProchaineGénération
#SecrétariatDuCommonwealth
#ObjectifsDeDéveloppementDurableDeL’ONU

À propos de la Charte de la Jeunesse : 
La Charte de la Jeunesse est une organisation caritative enregistrée au Royaume-Uni et une organisation non gouvernementale accréditée auprès des Nations Unies. Lancée en 1993 dans le cadre de la candidature olympique de Manchester 2000 et des Jeux du Commonwealth de 2002, la Charte de la Jeunesse a milité et promu le rôle et la valeur du sport, de l’art, de la culture et des technologies numériques dans la vie des jeunes en difficulté issus de communautés défavorisées, aux niveaux national et international. La Charte de la Jeunesse a fait ses preuves dans la création et la mise en œuvre de programmes de développement social et humain, dont l’objectif général est d’offrir aux jeunes la possibilité de s’épanouir.

Plus précisément, la Charte de la Jeunesse s’attaque à l’échec scolaire, aux inégalités en matière de santé, aux comportements antisociaux et aux effets négatifs de la criminalité, de la drogue, des gangs et du racisme, en appliquant l’éthique de l’excellence sportive et artistique. Ces éléments peuvent ensuite se traduire par des avantages sociaux et économiques en matière de citoyenneté, de droits et de responsabilités, avec une amélioration de l’éducation, de la santé, de l’ordre social, de l’environnement, de l’enseignement supérieur, de l’emploi et de l’entrepreneuriat.

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Government assures the public on ARV residues in drinking water

Source: Government of South Africa

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has assured the public that the presence of anti-retroviral (ARV) residues in drinking water poses no health risk and cannot result in HIV transmission.

This follows the release of a study by North West University’s Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management and the Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research, which found measurable levels of ARV residues in some South African water sources.

The report, titled “Quantification, Fate, and Hazard Assessment of HIV-ARVs in Water Resources”, revealed that ARVs are entering the water supply primarily through municipal wastewater treatment systems.

These facilities, originally not designed to eliminate such pharmaceutical compounds, allow residues to pass into rivers and into drinking water sources.

The most detected ARVs included lopinavir and efavirenz, with concentrations at some sites far exceeding global norms.

Despite this, the department emphasised that the presence of ARV residues in drinking water is harmless, although “prolonged exposure to the broader population may lead to antimicrobial resistance, a subject of ongoing research”.

In a joint statement with the Water Research Commission (WRC), the department noted that the appearance of ARVs in water is a result of South Africa’s massive programme to curb HIV and AIDS treatment programme.

As a result, traces of ARVs are entering municipal sewage systems and passing through these systems into rivers.

“Pharmaceuticals such as ARVs are drugs used to treat diseases – they do not cause diseases. Therefore, the presence of traces of ARVs in the water will not result in people contracting HIV.

“At present, there is limited knowledge of environmental toxicity, potential adverse effects on ecosystems and viral resistance of these compounds. The study did not find any ARVs in fish,” the department said.

Emerging global challenge

The Water Research Commission, alongside local and international partner research organisations, has since early 2000 commissioned several studies on the presence of contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) in water resources and drinking water.

The WRC’s research has focused on CECs such as microplastics, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals that could potentially pose risks to human health and the environment. These studies inform the water quality guidelines and regulations issued by DWS.

“However, CECs are a relatively new area of research globally, particularly relating to the causes and effects of CEC, the human health risks, treatment methods to remove CECs, and potential regulatory measures that can be taken to address the problem.”

The study commissioned by the WRC and carried out by North West University found that:

• Almost all the concentrations in drinking water samples at the test sites were below limits of quantification. The most frequently detected compound was fluconazole (28 detections from 72 samples), with concentrations ranging between 0.06-1.8 μg/L (nanograms per litre).
• Nevirapine and efavirenz were the second most detected compounds, both with 22 detections out of 72 samples.
• However, on average, lopinavir and efavirenz had the highest concentrations of the compounds analysed, while Didanosine and zidovudine were the least detected compounds (2 and 6 detections out of 72 samples).

The department has also assured that the key water quality risks to human health of a biological and microbiological nature, are well understood and regulated in South Africa.

“The South African National Standard SANS241 for water quality is based on World Health Organisation standards, ensuring that the human health risks are mitigated. 

“This has enabled DWS to implement monitoring programmes such as the blue and green drop programmes to provide information to the public on the performance of municipal water and wastewater systems relative to SANS241.

“The traces of pharmaceuticals, microplastics and other such CECs that have been found in water resources in South Africa are very small quantities, measured in nanograms (one billionth of a gram). Conventional water and wastewater treatment technologies are designed to remove much larger contaminants such as particles of faeces and bacteria,” the department said.

To access the report visit: wrc.org.za/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/2594 – Volume 1.pdf and https://wrcwebsite.azurewebsites.net/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/31661.pdf. – SAnews.gov.za

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“Estamos orgulhosos da diferença que a formação profissional tem feito na vida das pessoas em Cabo Verde” – Ministro Eurico Monteiro

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

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O Ministro da Promoção de Investimentos e Fomento Empresarial demonstrou satisfação com o alcance da formação profissional e a diferença que este mecanismo tem feito na vida dos jovens em Cabo Verde, e além-fronteiras. Eurico Monteiro discursava na cerimónia de imposição de fitas dos finalistas do curso de Cozinha e Pastelaria da Escola de Hotelaria e Turismo de Cabo Verde (EHTCV), que teve lugar esta quinta-feira, 17 de julho, na Praia.

“Estamos absolutamente orgulhosos pela circunstância de as oportunidades estarem a ser aproveitadas e, sobretudo, de estarmos a fazer diferença no país com a formação profissional”, afirmou o Ministro, encorajando os jovens a aproveitarem as várias oportunidades que têm sido colocadas à sua disposição.

“Mais do que dar, oferecemos oportunidades para as pessoas se formarem”, vincou o Ministro, felicitando os 86 formandos oriundos das várias ilhas, da Guiné-Bissau e de São Tomé e Príncipe, que concluem aqui a sua formação em contexto escolar, e agradecendo a todos os parceiros internacionais que têm contribuído para este feito, em particular ao Grão-Ducado do Luxemburgo, um importante parceiro nesta empreitada.

A criação de oportunidades, ressaltou o Ministro, nada mais é do que o cumprimento de um dever do Estado, que deve colocar à disposição das pessoas condições para que possam desenvolver pessoal, profissional e empresarialmente. “Estamos a fazer aquilo que nos cabe fazer!”, atestou Eurico Monteiro, realçando, em contrapartida, que não basta que o Estado faça a sua parte porque “o Estado pode oferecer oportunidades, mas há coisas que seguramente não pode oferecer”. “O Estado não pode oferecer nem vontade, nem empenho, nem garra, nem comprometimento, nem estudo, nem sacrifício, nem esforço às pessoas. Isto é de cada um”, indicou.

Num evento onde brilhou o sucesso da cooperação triangular no domínio da formação profissional, com os irmãos Guiné-Bissau e São Tomé e Príncipe, o governante enalteceu o papel da EHTCV no crescimento da economia Cabo-verdiana, com atuação num setor vital para o desenvolvimento do país, que é o Turismo.

Para o Ministro, todos reconhecem a diferença que a EHTCV tem feito na qualidade dos serviços turísticos prestados. “Isto é absolutamente visível! Quem sai da escola sai com outra competência, o que aumenta consideravelmente a qualidade da oferta e qualifica o nosso destino turístico”, concluiu Eurico Monteiro, para quem o alcance da meta de um milhão e duzentos mil turistas em Cabo Verde, em 2024, muito deve à qualidade dos serviços que estamos a prestar.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Governo de Cabo Verde.

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Ministro Eurico Monteiro preside lançamento da sociedade gestora de participações sociais Cabo Verde Investors Club (CVIC) destacando relevância da iniciativa para a diversificação da economia

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

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O Ministro da Promoção de Investimentos e Fomento Empresarial, Eurico Monteiro, presidiu, esta quinta-feira, 17 de julho, ao ato de lançamento da Cabo Verde Investors Club (CVIC), uma sociedade de investimentos criada por um grupo diversificado de investidores nacionais e da diáspora, com o propósito de financiar startups inovadoras e escaláveis, com impacto económico e social sustentável, realçando a relevância da iniciativa para a diversificação da economia nacional, numa altura em que o mérito do crescimento económico é atribuído, quase que na totalidade, ao Turismo

“Para nós é sempre um motivo de satisfação quando notamos iniciativas empresariais que atuam em outros setores da economia e que vêm ao encontro daquilo que já há mais de dezenas de anos se dizia da necessidade da diversificação da nossa economia”, afirmou o Ministro.

Para o governante, não obstante a vitalidade do setor turístico, um importante motor da economia, a diversificação se mostra importante na medida em que evita a concentração excessiva numa única área, e, por conseguinte, o risco de um desmoronamento generalizado, como, aliás, aconteceu num passado recente.

Além da diversificação da economia, sublinhou o Ministro, este empreendimento traz uma outra importante vertente – a da promoção empresarial. “Estamos perante um projeto muito interessante que tem, na sua essência, a finalidade de provocar outros empreendimentos, promover a atividade empresarial e criar as condições para que essas entidades sejam viabilizadas, num contexto adequado ao seu desenvolvimento”, admitiu Eurico Monteiro, reconhecendo a importância do projeto para o reforço do tecido empresarial Cabo-verdiano.

“Estou absolutamente convencido de que, pela qualidade dos seus acionistas, da sua administração, do projeto e, sobretudo, da sua visão, o caminho será facilitado e, portanto, resta-nos augurar um grande sucesso a esta da CVIC”, finalizou o Ministro, saudando efusivamente o aparecimento desta empresa.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Governo de Cabo Verde.

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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) convenes high-level validation meeting to endorse Standby force training policy for peace operations and regional security

Source: APO


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The ECOWAS Commission, through its Directorate of Peacekeeping and Regional Security, convened the two-day Governmental Experts’ Validation Meeting on the ECOWAS Standby Force Training Policy for Peace Support Operations held from 16 to 17 July 2025 in Abuja, Nigeria. The meeting brought together Training Experts from ECOWAS Member States, technical experts, and strategic partners to finalise and Validate ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) Training Policy on Peace Support Operation.

Opening the meeting, Major General Umar Abubakar, Director of Peacekeeping and Regional Security at the Ministry of Defence Nigeria, emphasised the importance of transforming the Standby Force into an operational mechanism for regional peace and stability:

“This is a pivotal moment for ECOWAS. The policy we are validating today will transform our Standby Force from concept to reality. It will ensure we are prepared to respond swiftly and effectively to conflicts across the region and also serve as a standby brigade of the African Standby Force. Let us work together to finalise a policy that reflects both our regional realities and our ambition for peace.”

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Sani Adamu, Acting Head of the Peace Support Operations Division, highlighted the vision behind the policy and its relevance in today’s operational context:

“This policy is not simply a document—it is a framework that integrates human rights Observance, gender, civilian protection, and post-conflict recovery. It lays the foundation for a responsive and professional force that can meet the complexity of today’s peace support operations.”

He further stated: “For over a decade, we have envisioned a unified training doctrine. This process today brings that vision within reach. I commend the unwavering commitment of our experts and partners.”

Speaking during the closing session, Mrs. Yvonne Akpasom, representing GIZ under the ECOWAS Peace, Security and Governance (EPSG) Project, reaffirmed the role of technical partners in supporting regional transformation: “GIZ is proud to support ECOWAS in developing a training policy that is comprehensive, operational, and aligned with global standards. Your contribution to designing and validating this framework underscores our joint resolve to build a Standby Force that is capable, credible, and cohesive.”

The meeting followed a structured agenda including plenary technical sessions and syndicate working groups. Participants reviewed the policy’s architecture, scope, training standards, operational responsibilities, and implementation mechanisms. The revised policy aligns with the African Standby Force framework and incorporates key themes such as inclusivity, gender mainstreaming, accountability, and standardisation.

This initiative is supported under the ECOWAS Peace, Security and Governance (EPSG) Project, co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and implemented by GIZ. Additional collaboration was provided by Expertise France and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID).

The ECOWAS Commission reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening peace support operations across West Africa and called for swift adoption and implementation of the finalised training policy by all stakeholders.

This initiative is in direct alignment with ECOWAS Vision 2050, which aspires to build a fully integrated, peaceful, and prosperous West Africa. By institutionalising a unified training policy for the ECOWAS Standby Force, the Commission is reinforcing its commitment to preventive diplomacy, regional solidarity, and rapid response to crises. This training framework will not only enhance operational effectiveness but also promote stability, resilience, and human security across all fifteen Member States.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) peace fund undertakes African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) coordination and benchmarking visit to the African Union Commission

Source: APO


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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) undertook a coordination and benchmarking mission to the African Union Commission (AUC) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 30 June to 4 July 2025. The visit is part of ongoing efforts to deepen collaboration in the implementation of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA IV) and to strengthen institutional synergies with the African Union (AU) and relevant stakeholders. The mission brought together key personnel from the ECOWAS Peace Fund and the Directorate of Financial Reporting and Grants, who engaged with counterparts at the African Union Commission, the African Union Peace Fund (AUPF), the APSA Support Programme Management Team and other relevant stakeholders.

The mission sought to achieve several strategic objectives, notably the reinforcement of coordination frameworks between ECOWAS and the AU in line with APSA IV goals, as well as the advancement of data-driven approaches to peace and security programming. Particular attention was given to the effective use of the African Monitoring and Evaluation Reporting Tool (AMERT), with discussions focusing on aligning its functionalities to ensure seamless data sharing, monitoring, and evaluation among various stakeholders.

Furthermore, the delegation engaged with counterparts at the AU Peace Fund and the Compliance and Risk Management Units to benchmark operational models in areas such as data management, visibility, fund mobilization, disbursement, and compliance. These engagements aimed to identify areas for mutual learning, propose technical roadmaps for platform interoperability and explore opportunities for capacity building in the effective use of digital tools for monitoring and reporting.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) commits to menstrual dignity in schools with the distribution of 5,000 reusable sanitary towel kits in Benin

Source: APO


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The ECOWAS Resident Representation in Benin has officially handed over 5,000 reusable menstrual towel kits to schools in Benin on the 27th of June, 2025. This event too place in Zé Benin is a part of the regional project titled “Support for Benin’s Initiatives to Raise Awareness Among Young Girls on Good Personal and Menstrual Hygiene Practices and for the Promotion of ECOWAS Among Young People.”

Funded by the West African Health Organisation (WAHO), this initiative aims to combat menstrual insecurity, empower young girls and raise the profile of ECOWAS among young people. The ceremony was attended by representatives of the sectoral ministries, Zè Town Hall,Departmental Social Affairs Departments, Guichets Uniques de Protection Sociale (GUPS), the beneficiary schools, as well as pupils, parents and technical partners.

Representing the ECOWAS Resident Representative, Mr Mamadou Konate emphasised that this action is in line with the institution’s Vision 2050, which places human dignity, equal opportunities and social justice at the heart of regional integration.”Menstrual hygiene is a matter of dignity, health and social justice. Under no circumstance should itnever be a barrier to schooling or to young girls’ self-esteem” he said. The kits, made locally, will be distributed fairly by the GUPS of Zè and Djidja, in coordination with the relevant departmental structures.

Symbolically, ECOWAS handed over the kits to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Microfinance, represented by the Atlantic Departmental Director of Social Affairs. The kits were then transferred to the Atlantic and Zou Departmental Directorates of Social Affairs for distribution to 23 identified secondary schools.

The presentation of the project also included awareness-raising and training sessions for pupils, teachers and supervisors, with focus on promoting the values and missions of ECOWAS.

The ceremony ended with a symbolic handover of the kits to some of the girls, followed by a group photo and interviews with the media personnel present. The spokeswoman for the beneficiaries expressed her gratitude by declaring this donation as “a life-changing gesture” and encouraged her colleagues to “never give up on their dreams”.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).