Category: English

Source: APO

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed into law the Public Service Commission Bill, which strengthens the role of the Public Service Commission in promoting constitutional values and professional ethics in the public service.

The Commission is mandated to undertaking monitoring and evaluation of a wide range of practices in the public service and is able to investigate administration practices and service delivery failures.

The new Public Service Commission Act repeals the Public Service Commission Act of 1997 and the President’s assent reinforces government’s focus on building a capable and ethical state, which is one of the 7th administration’s top three priorities.

The Public Service Commission is an independent body established in terms of section 196(1) of the Constitution.

According to the Constitution, the Commission is independent and must be impartial, and must exercise its powers and perform its functions without fear, favour or prejudice.

The Commission is mandated to advance the maintenance of effective and efficient public administration and a high standard of professional ethics in the public service.

Among others, the law regulates the procedure for the appointment of Commissioners by the President and provides for the establishment of the Secretariat of the Commission to support its work.

The new law strengthens the independence of the Commission as a constitutional institution and extends the Commission’s mandate to include local government and public entities

The Act gives the Commission the power to direct the relevant executive authority or any other person against whom the Commission makes a decision, to report to the Commission progress in implementing such decisions.

Any person found guilty of obstructing the Commission in the exercise of its powers and performance of its functions will be guilty of an offence and liable for conviction to imprisonment of up to 12 months or a fine of up to R50 000, or both fine and imprisonment.

President Ramaphosa said: “The new Public Service Commission Act should be welcomed by public servants and citizens alike as a means to improve the lives of all South Africans and to enable growth through ethical and efficient conduct in our public service.

“While the Public Service Commission is a critical enabler of improved public services, it is incumbent upon all public servants to honour citizens in line with the Batho Pele (People First) principles and to view their responsibilities as tools of transformation.

“The enactment of the Public Service Commission Act during our annual Public Service Month should inspire renewed pride and ethics in the public service.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

Source: APO

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Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi spoke by phone with the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan.

Spokesman for the Presidency Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy stated that President El-Sisi began the call by extending his deepest condolences and sincere sympathy over the passing of the husband of the Tanzanian President, Mr. Hafidh Ameir Hassan. The President emphasized the solidarity of Egypt’s leadership and people with President Hassan in this time of profound sorrow, asking Allah the Almighty to bestow His vast mercy upon the deceased and to grant his family and the brotherly Tanzanian people patience and solace.

During the call, President El-Sisi underscored the depth of the historical relations binding Egypt and Tanzania.
The President further commended the notable progress witnessed in these relations in recent years, particularly following his recent visit to Dar es Salaam and the Prime Minister’s participation in the inauguration of the Julius Nyerere Dam project, which has become a testament to Egyptian-Tanzanian cooperation on the African continent.

President El-Sisi reiterated Egypt’s continued support for Tanzania’s development efforts, and stressed the importance of boosting cooperation and coordination in various areas of mutual interest, including the water file.

The President expressed Egypt’s interest in Tanzania’s participation in the Eighth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union, scheduled to be held in Egypt in October 2026, as well as in the business forum planned to be organized on the sidelines of the summit, in a manner that contributes to bolstering economic and investment cooperation opportunities between the two brotherly countries.

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

Source: APO

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The United States government, through the U.S. Embassy in Banjul and the Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), on Tuesday, September 8, launched a 24-month Forensic Investigation Enhancement Project worth $930,000 for The Gambia. The program will be implemented by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in partnership with the Ministry of Justice and civil society organizations.

Chargé d’Affaires Robert Anderson delivered remarks at the launch event, underscoring the U.S. Government’s support for The Gambia’s efforts to deliver justice and accountability for victims and their families. “The United States is proud to support The Gambia as it strengthens its capacity to pursue justice, establish the facts, and provide answers to families who have waited so long,” he said.

The project directly responds to the findings of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) on enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings committed between 1994 and 2017.  It supports the Government of The Gambia’s Special Accountability Mechanism, including the Special Prosecutor’s Office, the Special Criminal Division of the High Court, and the forthcoming ECOWAS-backed Special Tribunal. The initiative seeks to address gaps in The Gambia’s forensic and justice sector while helping build a modern criminal justice system.

To achieve these goals, the United States government will support the training of Gambian law enforcement officers and forensic experts who will pass their skills to others over the next two years. The project will also fund the upgrade of forensic facilities and equipment, including modern laboratories for DNA analysis, toxicology, digital forensics, and other essential services, and will assist the Ministry of Justice in establishing a Gambian team of forensic experts, working alongside a regional forensics champion, to identify human remains and determine causes of death.

Standardized operating procedures, protocols, and training manuals will guide forensic investigations, evidence handling, and crime scene management. These tools will also strengthen coordination among The Gambia Police Force, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Justice, the Special Prosecutor’s Office, and civil society partners, including the African Network against Extrajudicial Killings and Enforced Disappearances (ANEKED) and The Gambia Center for Victims of Human Rights Violations.

This project builds on the longstanding partnership between the United States and The Gambia and our shared interest in security and stability, with institutions capable of delivering justice. Through INL, the U.S. Government has long invested in strengthening the capacity of partner nations to investigate crime, uphold human rights, and deliver accountable justice. By helping The Gambia build sustainable, world-class forensic capabilities, the United States reaffirms its confidence in the Gambian people and their institutions.  Its steadfast support for a justice system capable of serving the country for generations to come.

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

Source: APO

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The Minister for Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has received the Managing Director of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Makhtar Diop, at the Ministry for discussions on Ghana’s economic progress and plans to promote private-sector-led growth.

The meeting focused on the Government’s next phase of economic transformation, with particular emphasis on commercial agriculture, value addition and job creation.

Dr Forson identified sugar, cocoa processing, palm oil and poultry as priority areas requiring increased private-sector investment. He also highlighted Ghana’s ambition to become the pharmaceutical hub of West Africa.

On his part, Mr Diop commended Ghana’s recent economic progress, particularly the reduction in inflation, and assured the Minister of the IFC’s continued support for the country’s development agenda.

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

Source: APO

Africans express broad social tolerance but restrictive attitudes toward immigration, the latest Afrobarometer (https://www.Afrobarometer.org/) Pan-Africa Profile reports.

The new analysis, based on 50,961 interviews across 38 African countries in 2024/2025, shows that while large majorities accept neighbours of different ethnicities, religions, political affiliations, and nationalities, immigration marks a boundary of inclusion. Fewer than half of Africans believe immigrants benefit their economy, and majorities favour admitting fewer foreign job seekers and refugees, with South Africa expressing some of the continent’s most restrictive views.

The report also shows that most Africans value their national identity at least as highly as their ethnicity; many value them both equally. But perceptions of unfair treatment based on ethnicity are widespread,

Overall, the findings portray a continent characterised by strong family and community ties and broad social tolerance, but weaker trust across social boundaries, restrictive attitudes toward immigration, and concerns about institutional fairness.

Key findings

• On average across 38 African countries, 81% of citizens say they trust relatives “somewhat” or “a lot,” vs. 58% who trust their neighbours and around half who trust people of a different ethnicity (49%) or religion (48%) (Figure 1).
• Africans are more tolerant than trusting. Large majorities would welcome or accept living next door to people of a different ethnicity (87%), religion (84%), political party (81%), or nationality (77%) (Figure 2).
• Tolerance toward refugees is somewhat weaker (69%), and only 22% would not mind having homosexual neighbours.
• Most Africans say their government should admit fewer or no foreign job seekers (64%) and refugees (70%) into the country (Figure 3).
• Africans are evenly divided on whether immigrants make a positive (45%) or negative (44%) contribution to the economy (Figure 4).
• Almost nine in 10 Africans (85%) say they value their national identity at least as highly as their ethnic one. A plurality (46%) say they feel equally attached to both (Figure 5).
• While a majority (56%) of Africans say the government “never” treats their ethnic group unfairly, four in 10 say this happens “sometimes” (24%), “often” (11%), or “always” (6%) (Figure 6).

Afrobarometer surveys

Afrobarometer is a pan-African, nonpartisan survey research network that provides reliable data on African experiences and evaluations of democracy, governance, and quality of life. Ten survey rounds in up to 45 countries have been completed since 1999. Round 10 surveys (2024/2025) cover 38 countries.

Afrobarometer’s National Partners conduct face-to-face interviews with nationally representative samples of adults in the language of the respondent’s choice that yield country-level results with margins of error of +/-2 to +/-3 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. For more on the sampling methodology, click here (https://apo-opa.co/4d7MIx1).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afrobarometer.

For more information, please contact:
Josephine Appiah-Nyamekye Sanny
Director of communications
Email: jappiah@afrobarometer.org
Telephone: +233243240933

Visit us online at www.Afrobarometer.org.

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Source: APO

Mr Hua Liu, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Technical Cooperation, and HE Ms Clara Manuela da Luz Delgado Jesus, Resident Representative of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Cabo Verde to the IAEA, signed The Republic of Cabo Verde’s Country Programme Framework (CPF) for the period of 2026–2031 on 16 September 2026. 

A CPF is the frame of reference for the medium-term planning of technical cooperation between a Member State and the IAEA and identifies priority areas where the transfer of nuclear technology and technical cooperation resources will be directed to support national development goals.

The Republic of Cabo Verde has been an IAEA Member State since 2023. Its 2026–2031 CPF identifies 4 priority areas:

1. Nuclear and radiation safety and nuclear security
2. Food and agriculture
3. Human health
4. Water resources management

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Source: APO

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The Southern African Development Community (SADC), UNAIDS, the Government of China and the Global Health Innovation Institute (GHII) have agreed to advance collaboration on regional pharmaceutical manufacturing, following a joint visit to production facilities in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town, South Africa.

The delegation assessed existing capabilities in pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing, biotechnology, genomics and diagnostics, and identified priority areas to help Southern African countries expand domestic production of quality-assured medicines and health technologies.

The collaboration aims to reduce reliance on imports, strengthen health security and improve more timely access to essential health products across the region. Partnering with China offers an opportunity to connect technology, expertise, investment and manufacturing capabilities with this growing regional capacity.

“This exchange was about moving from ambition to practical action,” said Eva Kiwango, Director and Representative, UNAIDS Office in China. “The Southern African Development Community has the capacity to expand regional manufacturing and improve access to essential HIV and other health products, but this will require sustained investment, alignment of regulatory frameworks, technology transfer, skills development and cultivating strategic multilateral partnerships and pioneering innovative financing.”

The collaboration aligns with the United Nations’ Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS, which calls for greater health sovereignty and strengthened cooperation to advance local and regional production of HIV and health technologies as part of efforts to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. It also comes at an important moment following UN Day for South-South Cooperation.

“This strategic exchange has strengthened mutual understanding and identified concrete opportunities for cooperation between China and Southern Africa. By leveraging complementary strengths in policy, technology, manufacturing and market development, we can advance local pharmaceutical production, enhance health security, and support sustainable access to quality health products across the region.” Official from National Disease Control and Prevention Administration (NDCPA), China.

During the exchange, key priorities that were identified for cooperation included developing a regional list of essential HIV and sexual and reproductive health commodities, strengthening demand forecasting and pooled procurement and creating more predictable markets for African manufacturers.

The partners agreed to advance technology transfer, skills development and investment opportunities to expand local pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity while supporting regulatory systems to enable quality-assured production.

“This visit highlighted significant opportunities for China-Southern Africa cooperation in pharmaceutical development. By combining our respective strengths in manufacturing, innovation, and market development, we can support strengthening local production capacity, improve access to quality medicines, and contribute to better health outcomes for the people across Southern Africa,” said Ms. Xiaoxia An, CEO, Desano Pharmaceutical Group

More than half of the people living with HIV who are not receiving lifesaving antiretroviral treatment are in sub-Saharan Africa. For UNAIDS, expanding pharmaceutical manufacturing in the region is about building resilient health systems and ensuring that people are not left behind or forced to wait for access to the innovations that can save their lives or safeguard their health.  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).

Source: APO

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The President of the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has, by proclamation, declared Wednesday, September 16, 2026, as “International Ozone Day,” to be observed throughout the country as a working holiday.

The proclamation calls on citizens, government ministries and agencies, foreign residents, as well as national and international organizations to join the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in undertaking appropriate programs and activities befitting the occasion.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, the United Nations General Assembly designated September 16 as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer to commemorate the signing of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. The agreement is aimed at protecting human health, the environment, and future generations from the harmful effects of ozone-depleting substances.

The proclamation emphasizes that the ozone layer serves as a vital shield against harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Its protection, the President noted, is essential to safeguarding human health, agriculture, terrestrial and marine ecosystems, and the overall well-being of the planet.

Furthermore, the proclamation describes the Montreal Protocol as a landmark example of effective international environmental cooperation. It demonstrates that nations, guided by science and united by a common purpose, can successfully address global environmental challenges and achieve measurable results.

The proclamation also highlights the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, adopted in 2016, as a historic commitment by the international community to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)—potent greenhouse gases widely used in refrigeration and air-conditioning—while promoting energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable cooling solutions.

As 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the Kigali Amendment, the occasion provides an important opportunity for the international community to reflect on progress made over the past decade and renew its commitment to sustainable cooling, climate action, technological innovation, and environmental stewardship.

The Liberian Government, according to the proclamation, recognizes that protecting the ozone layer and reducing climate-warming emissions are integral to the country’s pursuit of sustainable development, climate resilience, environmental protection, public health, and an inclusive green economy.

Moreover, Liberia, as a party to the Montreal Protocol and its amendments, remains committed to fulfilling its international environmental obligations. The government also pledged to strengthen national measures for the responsible management and phase-down of ozone-depleting substances and refrigerants with high global-warming potential.

The proclamation further notes that Liberia’s growing demand for refrigeration and air-conditioning services makes the transition to efficient, climate-friendly, and ozone-safe cooling technologies particularly important for households, businesses, health facilities, the agricultural sector, schools, industries, and communities across the country.

It stresses that the successful implementation of sustainable cooling solutions will require strong collaboration among government institutions, the private sector, refrigeration and air-conditioning technicians, importers and distributors, academic and technical institutions, development partners, civil society organizations, youth, and local communities.

Against this backdrop, the official celebration of International Ozone Day 2026 will be observed under the global theme: “Global Action for a Cooler Planet.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Liberia.

Source: APO

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The President of the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr., has, by proclamation, declared Wednesday, September 16, 2026, as “National Identification Day,” to be observed throughout the Republic as a working holiday.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, the proclamation requests the National Identification Registry (NIR), other government agencies, and relevant international organizations to initiate and implement appropriate activities and programs befitting the occasion.

The Presidential Proclamation focuses on three fundamental principles of identity: inclusion, protection, and utility. It aims to raise awareness about the estimated 800 million people worldwide, particularly in Africa, who lack proof of identity, many of them children whose births were never registered. The proclamation thereby reaffirms the commitment to achieving total inclusion.

The campaign also reminds those who already possess identification documents to safeguard their identities against theft, protect their privacy, and recognize how their identities can empower them and simplify their daily lives.

According to the proclamation, the Government of Liberia, conscious of the three fundamentals of identity—inclusion, protection, and utility—enacted legislation in 2011 establishing the National Identification Registry (NIR), which owns and operates the National Biometric Identification System (NBIS). Currently, approximately 720,000 people are enrolled in the system.

The proclamation further states that the Government, cognizant of the importance of protecting and promoting the well-being of its citizens and foreign residents alike, has committed to improving and strengthening the collection, storage, evaluation, and security of information gathered for the registration of births, issuance of passports, and other identification documents.

Under this framework, every person in Liberia is required to enroll in the National Biometric Identification System (NBIS), where their status as either a citizen or foreign national is recorded and confirmed by the Government of Liberia.

The proclamation adds that the Government of Liberia believes inclusive identity systems, built on respect for privacy and human rights, are essential for economic growth and the digital transformation of government. As a member state of the Mano River Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the African Union (AU), Liberia is committed to advancing inclusive, rights-based identity systems in line with regional and continental frameworks.

The proclamation notes that ID4Africa, founded in 2014, is an Identity-for-All Movement dedicated to helping African nations develop robust and responsible identity ecosystems for socioeconomic advancement, digital development, and humanitarian action. The movement serves as the voice of Africa, ensuring that the continent’s needs and realities are well represented in the global discourse on identity and development.

It champions Identity-for-All both as a legal right, consistent with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16.9, and as a practical necessity for empowering people in their daily lives.

According to the Presidential Proclamation, this year’s celebration will be observed under the global theme: “MY IDENTITY, MY SHADOW, NEVER APART.”

An indoor program commemorating the day will be held at the Paynesville City Hall, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Liberia.

Source: APO

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MOFPED), is convening the 1st Annual Economic and Commercial Diplomacy (ECD) Performance Review Retreat 2026 at Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa from 16–18 September 2026 under the theme “From Performance Review to Institutional Commitments: Strengthening ECD Delivery and Opportunity Conversion.” The retreat brings together officials from the Ministry, Uganda’s Missions abroad, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and private-sector partners to review the implementation and performance of the ECD Strategy during FY2025/26 and strengthen the conversion of identified opportunities into tangible economic outcomes.

Opening the retreat on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Amb. Bagiire Vincent Waiswa, Amb. Richard Kabonero, Head of ECD and Regional Economic Cooperation, commended the teams, Uganda’s Missions abroad and partners for their efforts in implementing the ECD mandate. He noted that approximately US$35 million was invested in the programme in 2026, while returns presented at the retreat were projected at almost four times that amount. “ECD is a collective responsibility,” Amb. Kabonero said, emphasising the need for continued collaboration among the Ministry, Missions, MDAs and the private sector. He added that Uganda had successfully completed the ECD pilot phase and was now moving into full-scale implementation.

Mr. Moses Kabanda, Commissioner for Public Administration at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, said the review provides an opportunity to assess what was planned against what was delivered, including opportunities generated, converted, remaining active or lost. He noted progress in using Uganda’s Missions to advance trade, investment, tourism and strategic partnerships, while highlighting challenges including uneven performance across Missions, limited follow-up, gaps in market intelligence, standards and export readiness, and delays in institutional responses. “The focus should now be on practical solutions, clear responsibilities and timelines,” he urged.

Mr. Ashaba Hannighton, Director of Budget at Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Developmant, called for a results-oriented approach to ECD, stressing that diplomatic engagements should translate into exports, productive investment, jobs, business opportunities and increased government revenue. He emphasised that ECD financing should increasingly be linked to performance, clear priorities and measurable results, noting that Government must ensure value for money amid competing resource demands. “ECD is an instrument for delivering the country’s economic transformation agenda,” he said.

The performance review highlighted growth across key areas of Uganda’s economic diplomacy. Export value increased from US$7.8 billion in FY2023/24 to US$15.8 billion in FY2025/26, while FDI increased from US$3.0 billion to US$3.6 billion between FY2023/24 and FY2024/25. Tourist arrivals rose from 1.27 million in 2023 to 1.64 million in 2025, while diaspora remittances increased from US$1.51 billion to US$2.55 billion over the same period.

Reporting on the status of opportunities identified by Missions, Amb. Arthur Kafeero, deputy head of Mission, Uganda embassy in Geneva highlighted the importance of systematic opportunity management. The review assessed 52 opportunities across more than 10 Missions, covering investment, trade, climate financing and other priority areas. He stressed the need to track opportunities from identification through engagement, negotiation and eventual realisation, with clear ownership, timelines, prospective partner details, value and next steps.

The review also identified key constraints affecting ECD delivery, including standards and quality compliance, Non-Tariff Barriers, infrastructure limitations, weak market intelligence, low private-sector competitiveness, inconsistent supply and aggregation systems, limited bankable projects, inadequate economic data and slow institutional responses to opportunities, leads, MoUs and agreements.

The retreat will continue with discussions on trade, exports and market access, tourism, investment, technology transfer and strategic partnerships. Participants will develop the 2026/27 annual ECD plan and an implementation matrix outlining priority actions, responsible institutions and timelines, with emphasis on stronger follow-up, institutional ownership and converting opportunities identified by Uganda’s Missions into measurable economic outcomes.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Republic of Uganda – Ministry of Foreign Affairs.