Category: Africa

Source: APO

“You guys should try fonio, it’s really good.” That was the verdict from one of the many visitors tasting fonio at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) stand at a diplomatic community event hosted by Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Accra on Saturday.

FAO set up the stand as an advocacy initiative to introduce more people to fonio, an ancient West African grain with significant potential for food security, nutrition, climate resilience and livelihoods.

Visitors were served fonio jollof prepared by FAO Regional Goodwill Ambassador for Africa Chef Fatmata Binta, a leading advocate for fonio and indigenous African foods.

For many, it was their first taste of the tiny grain. The reaction was overwhelmingly positive, with visitors praising its taste and texture and comparing it variously to rice, couscous, semolina and quinoa.

“Fonio connects so many things that matter to me: our heritage, our environment and the livelihoods of African women,” said Chef Binta. “When we put fonio on people’s plates, we are not just introducing them to a new food. We are creating demand for a crop that women have grown for generations and showing that our indigenous ingredients have a place in the future of food.”

Fonio has been cultivated across West Africa for generations. The grain can thrive in marginal soils and with relatively low rainfall and inputs. Once harvested, it is also remarkably versatile: it can be cooked as a grain, served as porridge, used in place of rice or couscous, or milled into flour for baking.

Despite these qualities, fonio remains underutilized and unfamiliar to many consumers. FAO has been working with Chef Binta to change that by supporting both ends of the value chain: helping women farmers improve production and processing while encouraging more consumers to discover and eat the grain.

“Fonio is part of Africa’s food heritage, but it also has an important role to play in Africa’s food future,” said Meshack Malo, FAO Deputy Regional Representative for Africa and Representative in Ghana. “By increasing awareness and demand for crops like fonio, we can support more diverse and resilient agrifood systems while creating new opportunities for the farmers, particularly women, who produce them.”

Better production, stronger markets

FAO, Ghana’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture and Chef Binta have trained around 100 women fonio producers in Chereponi in Ghana’s North East Region. The hands-on training covered improved production and post-harvest practices, from seed selection and planting methods to harvesting, processing, packaging and market access.

Importantly, the initiative helped address one of the biggest constraints facing women producers: the labour-intensive processing of the tiny grain. Chef Binta’s Fulani Kitchen Foundation provided processing machines, and the women received training in their use, helping them process larger quantities of higher-quality fonio for sale. Processing 60 kg of fonio using traditional methods can take nearly two weeks. With mechanized equipment, 5 kg can be processed in just five minutes.

But increasing production alone is not enough. Building markets and encouraging more people to eat fonio are also essential to generate greater income and livelihood opportunities for the women who produce it.

FAO has also produced a Ghana fonio value chain analysis, due to be released soon, which identifies significant potential to scale up production, create jobs and increase incomes, particularly for rural women, through greater investment in mechanization, value addition and stronger markets.

The diplomatic community event in Accra was another step in that effort, taking fonio from the fields of northern Ghana to new plates and new audiences.

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

Source: APO

The COMESA Monetary Institute (CMI), in collaboration with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Office for National Statistics (ONS), UK Statistics Authority, conducted a training on Big Data for Macroeconomic Statistics from 31 August to 4 September 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya.

The training was attended by officials from ten (10) COMESA member central banks, namely: Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Eswatini, Kenya, Mauritius, Rwanda, Sudan, Uganda, and Zambia.

Speaking during the opening session, Dr. Lucas Njoroge, Director of the CMI,  emphasized the growing importance of big data in supporting evidence-based policymaking. He noted that rapid advancements in digital technologies have increased the availability of high-frequency and non-traditional data sources, including financial transactions, mobile money records, geospatial information, and other digital datasets. These data sources present valuable opportunities to enhance macroeconomic statistics, strengthen policy analysis, and improve decision-making processes within central banks.

The Director underscored the need for central banks to adopt new analytical tools and methodologies to effectively process and utilize large and complex datasets. He highlighted the increasing recognition among COMESA central banks of the strategic value of big data in improving the timeliness, accuracy, and relevance of economic and monetary analysis.

The training aimed to strengthen the capacity of COMESA member central banks to leverage big data sources, particularly transaction data such as mobile money transactions, for monetary and economic analysis. Participants received practical training in the application of data science techniques, management and analysis of unstructured datasets, and the use of innovative analytical tools to generate high-frequency economic indicators. Among the key areas covered were the use of financial transaction data for economic monitoring, processing of satellite imagery and geospatial information, development of Automatic Identification System (AIS)-based trade indicators, and application of the IMF’s PortWatch platform to support economic surveillance and policy analysis.

At the conclusion of the programme, participants reported improved knowledge and skills in leveraging alternative data sources for macroeconomic analysis and exposure to innovative big data tools. The training also provided an important platform for sharing country experiences and lessons learned in the implementation of big data initiatives, fostering greater regional collaboration and supporting convergence in monetary policy implementation across COMESA Member States.

Comments from the participants:

“The training was highly relevant and timely, providing practical insights into the use of big data for macroeconomic statistics and policy analysis.”

“The sessions on mobile money transaction data, satellite imagery, and geospatial analytics enhanced my understanding of alternative data sources for economic monitoring.”

“The hands-on exercises and case studies greatly improved my ability to process and analyze large and unstructured datasets.”

“The training provided valuable exposure to innovative tools such as the IMF PortWatch platform and AIS-based trade indicators, which can support our work in economic surveillance.”

“Interaction with participants from different COMESA central banks enabled useful knowledge sharing and the exchange of best practices.”

“The programme successfully balanced theoretical concepts with practical applications, making the learning experience highly effective.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).

Source: APO

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Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Spokesman for the Presidency Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennaway said President El-Sisi welcomed the Greek Prime Minister’s visit to Egypt, emphasizing Egypt’s pride in the historical relations binding the two countries. The President underscored Egypt’s commitment to further advancing ties across various spheres to serve the shared interests of the two friendly peoples and strengthen the ongoing strategic partnership between Egypt and Greece.

Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis lauded the warm hospitality and welcoming reception, expressing his country’s appreciation for the deeply-rooted relations with Egypt. He commended Egypt’s hosting of the summit meeting convened within the Trilateral Cooperation Mechanism between Egypt, Greece, and Cyprus. The Greek Prime Minister also reaffirmed his country’s commitment to forging closer cooperation with Egypt on the bilateral level and within the framework of the trilateral mechanism, stressing the significance of joint coordination on various issues of mutual concern.

During the meeting, President El-Sisi and Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis discussed developments with regard to the electrical interconnection project between the two countries as a strategic step toward enhancing energy security. The two sides also explored cooperation in the areas of tourism, transport, labor, and migration. The President and the Greek Prime Minister underscored the vital need to elevate trade and investment relations, and reviewed opportunities for joint collaboration in communications, Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence applications, and entrepreneurship.

Furthermore, the meeting touched upon regional and international developments. The President and the Greek Prime Minister reiterated the vital need for de-escalation and persistent coordination to contain tensions and restore stability. In this regard, President El-Sisi reviewed Egypt’s efforts toward maintaining regional peace and stability, a role commended by the Greek Prime Minister, who also expressed his appreciation for the ongoing cooperation between Egypt and Greece in combating illegal migration and counterterrorism. The talks also tackled the situations in Libya, Syria, and Lebanon, while reiterating the necessity of preserving freedom of navigation in international sea lanes.

The two sides also discussed developments with regard to the Palestinian issue, reaffirming the critical importance of maintaining the agreement to end the war in the Gaza Strip. The Greek Prime Minister lauded Egypt’s efforts in this regard. President El-Sisi emphasized that the establishment of an independent Palestinian State along the June 4, 1967 borders, with Arab East Jerusalem as its capital, is the only viable path to ensuring durable peace and stability in the region.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Source: APO

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Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi inaugurates the second edition of El Alamein International Air Show 2026 “EIAS 2026” at El Alamein International Airport. 

President El-Sisi will also receive President of the Republic of Cyprus, President Nikos Christodoulides, who is participating in the airshow, alongside Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

President El-Sisi is expected to hold separate bilateral meetings with the Cypriot President and the Greek Prime Minister, in addition to a tripartite summit bringing together the leaders of the three countries within the framework of the Trilateral Cooperation Mechanism among the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Hellenic Republic, and the Republic of Cyprus.

The summit will address various aspects of cooperation among the three countries, as well as regional and international developments of common interest.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Source: APO

Lance Corporal Abigail Mireku Aboagyewaa is a Ghanian police officer serving with the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). As contingent nurse, her work is critical. In an environment shaped by both fragility and resilience, she serves as a caregiver, a first responder and vital link with communities.

Stationed at AUSSOM Level I hospital in Somalia’s Baidoa City, South West State, Lance Corporal Aboagyewaa provides critical medical care to her uniformed colleagues and civilians alike.

For six years, she worked as a civilian nurse at the Ghana Police Hospital. By observing her colleagues balance clinical care with law enforcement duties, she found her inspiration.

“Seeing fellow nurses working in full uniform as a police officer and a nurse really inspired me to push myself into the service. They were the ones saving lives and then maintaining law and order in the community as well,” Lance Corporal Aboagyewaa said.

Her day begins early, often before the first light fully breaks over Baidoa. By the time her colleagues report for duty, she has already cleaned, disinfected and prepared the clinic, making it ready to offer a service.

When the clinic finally slows in the late afternoon, she returns to her quarters, but only briefly. Emergencies come at any hour, and night shifts are part of the routine here.

Lance Corporal Aboagyewaa’s contribution extends beyond the clinic walls. She plays a key role in supporting the broader mission, providing medical care not only to her fellow officers but also the local Somali Police Force (SFP), civilians, military personnel and United Nations staff. This is a responsibility she carries with pride.

“I contribute to the AUSSOM police mandate by providing medical care to our personnel, the local police force and the community,” she explained.

Collaboration is central to that effort. When cases require advanced care, Lance Corporal Aboagyewaa helps coordinate transfers to a higher-level facility run by the Ethiopian contingent serving under AUSSOM. She often accompanies patients in the ambulance, ensuring continuity of care.

Behind the scenes, coordination with United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) logistics teams ensures the clinic has clean water, electricity and safe disposal for medical waste – small details that make a critical difference.

“UNSOS helps us to dispose expired drugs, supply us with electricity, our water. They also fuel our ambulance for us to be able to move patients here and there,” Lance Corporal Aboagyewaa adds.

Her impact is perhaps most visible in the trust she helps build. Local police officers bring family members for treatment. Workers maintaining the compound come in for care. “We treat them, we run labs, we give medications,” she said. “I feel this has really impacted their lives.”

Despite the challenges, Lance Corporal Aboagyewaa’s experience over the past two years she has served in Somalia has been deeply rewarding. She said working alongside people from different countries has broadened her perspective.

“I’ve learned to adapt to different cultures, languages, even foods and dances,” she said with a smile. “You learn to live and share with others, and to take responsibility for your own safety.”

For Lance Corporal Aboagyewaa, the mission is also personal and her message to the next generation of women who may follow a similar path is clear: “If I’ve been able to do this, they too can.”

She speaks of nursing not just as a profession, but as a calling rooted in human connection. “Saving lives is interesting,” Lance Corporal Aboagyewaa said. “At the end of the day, people appreciate what you do. You put smiles on their faces.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).