Category: Africa

Source: APO

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Official photographs and video footage documenting Seychelles’ Golden Jubilee commemorative artefacts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) were today received by State House from the Embassy of the Russian Federation.

The material was presented to President Dr Patrick Herminie by the newly accredited Ambassador Designate of the Russian Federation, Mr Kirill Gennadievich Sokolov Shcherbachev, during this morning’s ceremony of presentation of credentials. The commemorative video captures a striking image of the Seychelles flag in outer space, marking a unique chapter in the nation’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations.

Among the items sent into orbit were Seychelles’ National Flag, the Coat of Arms, and President Herminie’s Independence Day commemorative message. While aboard the ISS, the President’s message was formally read aboard the International Space Station by members of the mission, who also delivered their own congratulatory message conveying the Russian Federation’s warm wishes to the people of Seychelles on the occasion of the nation’s Golden Jubilee.

The commemorative documents and national artefacts were officially authenticated by Russian cosmonauts using the station’s official postal and mission seals, certifying that they had genuinely travelled in space.

Upon their return to Earth, the space-flown artefacts, bearing official International Space Station markings, will be formally presented to Seychelles and preserved by the National History Museum for future generations as part of the nation’s heritage collection.

The initiative forms part of the celebrations marking both the 50th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Seychelles and 50 years of diplomatic relations between Seychelles and the Russian Federation, further commemorating a partnership that spans five decades.

President Herminie welcomed the gesture as a meaningful tribute to Seychelles’ Golden Jubilee and to the enduring friendship between Seychelles and the Russian Federation. The returning artefacts will become part of the National History Museum’s collection, preserving this unique chapter of the nation’s history for future generations.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

Source: APO

Government plans to erect electric fences around residential communities in districts hosting or surrounding national parks, in a bid to address challenges of human-wildlife conflict.

The State Minister for Tourism, Hon. Susan Nakawuki, told MPs during a plenary sitting on Tuesday, 04 August 2026, that fencing works have commenced around Queen Elizabeth National Park, in the districts of Rukungiri and Mitooma.

She gave the update following concerns raised by Hon. Wilson Kajwengye (NRM, Nyabushozi County), who said wild animals from Lake Mburo National Park have continuously destroyed crops and water centres, and caused the death of locals.

He noted that five sub-counties in his constituency located in Kiruhura District have been incessantly attacked by wild animals, which has affected the livelihoods of the residents.

“These are people who have been food-secure for some time. But because of this, they have now been rendered food-insecure and are now destitute, hence the outrage. I pray that government supports my people with relief in form of food and planting materials,” Kajwengye said.

He also urged the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities to expedite the process to close off Lake Mburo National Park with an electric fence, as well compensate affected communities.

“If the fencing cannot be done now, then trenching can be done as an immediate measure to stop wild animals from destroying crops,” Kajwengye added.

He noted that much as the Uganda Wildlife Act Cap.15 provides for compensation, it has often been meager upon payment.

“The guidelines leading to these payments are grossly unfavourable to the communities surrounding the parks. Some animals were ridiculously excluded as if they do not destroy crops. All wild animals compete for grass and forage with domestic animals,” said Kajwengye.

Among his prayers, was also a call for an increase in revenue sharing from 20 per cent to 40 per cent, as well as digging and reconstruction of communal water centers.

Nakawuki reiterated that plans are in place to construct electric fences around national parks across the country.

“But this is a very expensive venture and we are doing it step by step. Material is available and work on the fence from Rukungiri to Mitoma started last week. For Lake Mburo National Park, the Uganda Wildlife Authority already requested government for funds to do the fencing but we have not yet received that money,” she said.

She told the House that compensation of persons affected by human-wildlife conflict is determined by the Uganda Wildlife Compensation Regulations of 2022, which she said are undergoing amendment.

The Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa, tasked the Committee on Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities to probe the concerns raised, in coordination with the Minister, and present a detailed report to the House on the matter within 45 days.

“This is an issue that touches very many colleagues here. The committee on Tourism will interact with Ministry on the regulations to do with compensation and increasing the percentage for compensation. These are things we need to look into,” Tayebwa said.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

Source: APO

The World Health Organization (WHO) has supported Ghana’s efforts to strengthen its capacity for disease surveillance and emergency response through the provision of 205 laptop computers valued at over GHS 3 million to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) under the Pandemic Fund Project.

The equipment, procured by WHO as an Implementing Entity for the Pandemic Fund Project in Ghana, will enhance electronic surveillance and reporting systems across the country, enabling health workers to collect, analyse and share critical health information more efficiently for timely public health action.

The package includes 200 standard-specification laptops to support surveillance activities at the subnational level and five high-performance laptops to strengthen the coordination and management of surveillance operations.

The investment is expected to improve access to digital tools for surveillance officers, strengthen data-driven decision-making and contribute to Ghana’s ability to rapidly detect, assess and respond to emerging public health threats.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, WHO Ghana Country Representative, Dr Fiona Braka, emphasized the importance of resilient surveillance systems in protecting communities from health emergencies.

“Strong surveillance systems are the foundation of effective outbreak prevention and response. By equipping health workers with the necessary digital tools, we are supporting Ghana to generate timely, reliable data that informs decisions and enables faster action”, she said.

The Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Caroline Reindorf Amissah, acknowledged WHO’s continued partnership in supporting Ghana’s health priorities.

“WHO has continued to be a valuable partner in advancing Ghana’s health agenda. This support will strengthen our surveillance systems and improve the use of data for timely public health action”, she said.

The support forms part of WHO’s broader contribution to Ghana’s pandemic prevention, preparedness and response efforts under the Pandemic Fund Project, which focuses on strengthening key capacities including surveillance, laboratory systems, workforce readiness and coordination mechanisms.

Through continued collaboration with the Government of Ghana and national partners, WHO remains committed to supporting the country to build a stronger, more resilient health security system capable of preventing, detecting and responding to future health threats.

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

Source: APO

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The Board of Directors of the African Development Fund (https://www.AfDB.org), the concessional window of the African Development Bank Group, has approved a grant of $4.23 million to implement the second phase of a project to integrate natural capital into development financing in Africa.

The project covers thirteen countries: Burundi, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

With in-kind contributions from partner institutions such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the German public agency for international cooperation on sustainable development (GIZ), the African Union Development Agency—New Partnership for Africa’s Development, the Economic Commission for Africa and the United Nations Environment Programme, the project aims to foster an environment conducive to better utilization of natural capital and its integration into political and financial decision-making processes. The various participating countries will also play a part in contributions to the project/

The project is scheduled for implementation between October 2026 and September 2029 and is expected to generate outputs in the areas of policy, statistics, institutions, and knowledge that will contribute to better integration of natural capital into development planning.

The strategy aims to strengthen policy-making systems, statistical systems, institutional frameworks, and knowledge-generation mechanisms needed by the regional member countries participating in the project and the African Development Bank Group to assess natural capital and incorporate it into public policy-making.

The project will achieve this through an integrated set of measures, including policy support, technical assistance, assessments of statistical readiness, biodiversity financing tools, pilot projects to assess green wealth, capacity building, and peer learning.

“This project is intended to contribute to development that is resilient to the effects of climate change, nature-friendly, and inclusive, by enabling African countries to better identify, measure, and manage their natural wealth, while strengthening the evidence base that informs development financing, dialogue on sovereign policies, and the mobilization of green investments,” said Innocent Onah, Chief Natural Resources Officer at the African Development Bank Group.

He added: “In the long term, this could lead to tangible improvements in the development of the target countries in terms of gross domestic product (GDP) growth, increased foreign direct investment inflows, economic development, poverty reduction, improved employment, economic competitiveness, and financial and economic risk ratings.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Media Contact:
Alexis Adélé 
Department of Communications and External Relations 
media@afdb.org

About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 34 African countries with an external office in Japan, the AfDB contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its fifty-four regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org

Source: APO – Report:

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The Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa, will host the Seventy-sixth Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa (RC76) in Addis Ababa from 24 to 28 August 2026.

The high-level meeting will bring together Ministers of Health and senior officials from the 47 Member States of the WHO African Region, alongside global health leaders, development partners, donors, and representatives from WHO headquarters, the WHO Regional Office for Africa, and WHO country offices. More than 600 delegates are expected to participate in what is the Region’s highest annual forum for health governance and policymaking.

As the governing body of the WHO Regional Office for Africa, the Regional Committee meets annually to review progress on regional health priorities, adopt policies and strategies, provide oversight of WHO’s work in the Region, and set the strategic direction for improving health across Africa.

RC76 will provide Africa’s foremost platform for high-level policy dialogue and decision-making on the Region’s most pressing health priorities. Throughout the five-day session, Member States and partners will review progress, consider regional strategies and resolutions, and agree on collective actions to strengthen health systems, accelerate progress towards universal health coverage, enhance health security, improve emergency preparedness and response, and address emerging public health challenges.

The session will also feature technical side events, exhibitions, bilateral meetings and public engagement activities, providing opportunities to showcase innovative health solutions, strengthen partnerships, and promote the exchange of knowledge and experience among countries and institutions.

Hosting RC76 underscores Ethiopia’s longstanding commitment to advancing public health and regional cooperation. As the diplomatic capital of Africa and home to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), Addis Ababa provides an ideal setting for regional and global leaders to come together to address shared health priorities and advance collective action for better health.

The meeting also presents an important opportunity for Ethiopia to showcase progress in strengthening its health system and advancing national health priorities in collaboration with WHO and partners. Recent achievements—including expanded access to essential health services, strengthened health system performance, and the successful containment of the Marburg virus disease outbreak—demonstrate the country’s continued commitment to building resilient health systems capable of responding effectively to current and emerging public health challenges.

“Hosting the Seventy-sixth Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa reflects Ethiopia’s strong commitment to regional solidarity and collective action for health,” said Professor Francis Chisaka Kasolo, WHO Representative to Ethiopia, the African Union and UNECA. “The meeting will provide an important opportunity for Member States to shape the Region’s health agenda, strengthen partnerships, and accelerate progress towards healthier, safer and more resilient communities across Africa.”

The Government of Ethiopia, together with WHO and its partners, is making extensive preparations to ensure a successful and impactful session that fosters collaboration, advances evidence-informed policymaking, and contributes to improved health outcomes across the African Region.

– on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

Source: APO – Report:

A short commemorative video carrying the Seychelles flag into outer space served as a powerful symbol of the growing partnership between Seychelles and the Russian Federation as President Dr Patrick Herminie received the Letters of Credence of His Excellency Mr Kirill Gennadievich Sokolov Shcherbachev, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Seychelles , at State House.

Welcoming the Ambassador in the presence of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora Mr Barry Faure, President Herminie described the occasion as another important step in a relationship that has flourished over the past five decades.

“Our nations have enjoyed a close partnership for the past 50 years. I look forward to working closely with Your Excellency during your tenure to further strengthen the friendship and cooperation between our two nations,” the President said.

The Head of State reflected on his recent working visit to the Russian Federation, noting that his meeting with President Vladimir Putin provided renewed momentum for bilateral relations and reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest. 

President Herminie said he was encouraged by the momentum generated during the visit and expressed confidence that the planned opening of the Embassy of Seychelles in Moscow before the end of the year would further enhance diplomatic engagement while creating new opportunities for cooperation.

The President also welcomed ongoing discussions on several Memoranda of Understanding and agreements expected to be concluded in Moscow, particularly in areas such as maritime cooperation. He further noted his anticipation of participating in the upcoming Russia–Africa Summit in October, which he said would provide another valuable platform to deepen engagement between Seychelles and the Russian Federation.

Highlighting priority areas of cooperation, President Herminie said people to people exchanges remain at the heart of the bilateral relationship. He welcomed the expanding collaboration in education, culture and sport, citing the recent performances of the Bolshoi Theatre and Bolshoi Ballet in Seychelles as a reflection of the growing cultural ties between the two countries.

The President also acknowledged Russia’s longstanding support in strengthening the capacity of Seychelles’ security institutions, expressing his wish to further expand cooperation in policing and maritime security to promote regional peace and stability.

On the economic front, President Herminie described tourism as a key pillar of the partnership, welcoming the continuation of Aeroflot’s year round direct flights to Seychelles and noting the growing number of Russian visitors choosing the destination. He also called for greater trade and investment opportunities, including improved access for Seychellois products to the Russian market.

Ambassador Designate Sokolov Shcherbachev thanked President Herminie for the warm welcome and conveyed greetings from President Vladimir Putin. He pledged to build upon the work of his predecessor and further elevate the already strong friendship between Seychelles and the Russian Federation.

The Ambassador welcomed the progress made following President Herminie’s recent visit to Russia, highlighting expanding cooperation in labour and employment following the signing of a bilateral agreement. He also expressed optimism that the opening of the Seychelles Embassy in Moscow would soon become a reality, further strengthening diplomatic and economic relations between the two countries.

Ambassador Sokolov Shcherbachev presented President Herminie with a short commemorative video produced by the Russian Federation. The video featured the Seychelles national flag displayed in outer space, accompanied by messages celebrating the enduring friendship between the two countries, underscoring Russia’s appreciation of its longstanding partnership with Seychelles.

The discussions also touched on maritime cooperation, including longstanding arrangements relating to port calls by Russian naval vessels, alongside future areas of technical collaboration.

As part of his programme, the Ambassador met with Vice-President Sebastien Pillay and their discussions highlighted the longstanding friendly relations between Seychelles and Russia and explored opportunities to strengthen cooperation in areas such as the economy, sports and technology. They also discussed the Russian community living in Seychelles and Russia’s participation in Seychelles’ 29 June Independence Day celebrations.

Concluding the ceremony, President Herminie wished Ambassador Sokolov Shcherbachev every success in his diplomatic mission and assured him of the government’s full support as both countries continue to deepen an enduring partnership built on mutual respect, friendship and shared aspirations.

– on behalf of State House Seychelles.