Category: English

Source: APO

Canon Central & North Africa (CCNA) (www.Canon-CNA.com) has received a Gold Award at the 2026 Brandon Hall Group HCM Excellence Awards for its Management Team Development Programme (MTDP), recognised under the category “Best Unique or Innovative Leadership Development Program”. This achievement marks CCNA’s second consecutive year of winning top honours at these global awards.

The Brandon Hall Group HCM Excellence Awards recognise achievements in human capital management, with entries evaluated by an independent panel of analysts, industry experts and experienced practitioners against criteria including business need, programme design, innovation, adoption and organisational impact.

Gaining competitive advantage and sustainable success in Africa’s dynamic, diverse and ever evolving business landscape, requires leaders who transcend functional boundaries, embrace agility, and lead through a shared organizational perspective, united by a common goal.

The award-winning Management Team Development Program (MTDP) was designed to help lay the foundation for this ambition. Anchored in Canon EMEA’s Leadership Principles, the program elevated enterprise leadership capability within the Management Team.

Somesh Adukia, Managing Director, Canon Central & North Africa, said: “Winning this Gold Award for our Management Team Development Programme is a proud moment for CCNA. It reflects the strength of our leaders and the work our HR team has put into creating a programme tailored to our business. 

This program played a pivotal role in bringing the Management Team together in a development experience and laid the right foundation for the next decade of CCNA’s growth journey . This recognition reinforces our commitment to the continuous pursuit of leadership excellence.”

Deepali Arora, HR Director, Canon Central & North Africa, added: ” Capability is most powerful when developed within the right business context, aligned to organizational priorities. The MTDP program was intentionally designed and delivered fully in-house with an innovative co-facilitation approach.

The program enabled the Management Team to move beyond Functional excellence and strengthen collective organizational leadership. This what makes the recognition truly special.”

This latest recognition builds on CCNA’s success at the 2025 Brandon Hall Group HCM Excellence Awards, where the organisation received two Gold Awards for its Future Leader Program and CCNA Clubs. Together, these achievements reflect CCNA’s continued focus on creating meaningful, locally relevant development opportunities that strengthen its people and leadership capabilities across the organisation.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA).

Media enquiries, please contact: 
Canon Central and North Africa 
Jayashri Namdar 
e. jayashri.namdar@canon-me.com  

APO Group – PR Agency 
Rania ElRafie 
e. Rania.ElRafie@apo-opa.com  

About Canon Central and North Africa: 
Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) (www.Canon-CNA.com) is a division within Canon Middle East FZ LLC (CME), a subsidiary of Canon Europe. The formation of CCNA in 2016 was a strategic step that aimed to enhance Canon’s business within the Africa region – by strengthening Canon’s in-country presence and focus. CCNA also demonstrates Canon’s commitment to operating closer to its customers and meeting their demands in the rapidly evolving African market. 

Canon has been represented in the African continent for more than 15 years through distributors and partners that have successfully built a solid customer base in the region. CCNA ensures the provision of high quality, technologically advanced products that meet the requirements of Africa’s rapidly evolving marketplace. With over 100 employees, CCNA manages sales and marketing activities across 44 countries in Africa.  

Canon’s corporate philosophy is Kyosei (https://apo-opa.co/4rbhBGr) – ‘living and working together for the common good’. CCNA pursues sustainable business growth, focusing on reducing its own environmental impact and supporting customers to reduce theirs using Canon’s products, solutions and services. At Canon, we are pioneers, constantly redefining the world of imaging for the greater good. Through our technology and our spirit of innovation, we push the bounds of what is possible – helping us to see our world in ways we never have before. We help bring creativity to life, one image at a time. Because when we can see our world, we can transform it for the better. 

For more information: www.Canon-CNA.com

Source: APO – Report:

Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr Ouma Oluga has called on universities, health professionals and alumni to apply their knowledge, research and expertise in developing practical solutions that support Kenya’s health reforms and national development.

Speaking at the University of Nairobi Faculty of Health Sciences Alumni Breakfast Meeting, Dr Oluga said institutions of higher learning have a critical role in preparing a future-ready workforce capable of responding to the country’s evolving healthcare needs.

Dr Oluga, an alumnus of the University of Nairobi, acknowledged the institution’s contribution to knowledge creation, leadership development and the training of professionals serving Kenya across different sectors.

He highlighted the transformation underway in the health sector, emphasising the need to establish sustainable healthcare financing, reduce reliance on donor-supported programmes and align research, innovation and professional expertise with national priorities.

The Principal Secretary challenged the Faculty of Health Sciences to strengthen research translation, innovation and practical skills development to ensure that academic knowledge contributes directly to improved healthcare services and outcomes.

He also urged professionals and alumni to mentor young people, provide leadership and use their experience and networks to support institutional growth and positively shape the country’s future.

The meeting brought together alumni and stakeholders to explore partnerships supporting key Faculty and University priorities, including infrastructure development, student welfare and academic excellence. It also reaffirmed the importance of sustained alumni engagement in improving the student experience and strengthening the institution.

The meeting was graced by University of Nairobi Vice-Chancellor Prof. Eng. Ayub Gitau. Also present were Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences Prof. Daniel Ojuka; Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Finance, Planning and Development Prof. Josiah Aduda; Director of Curative and Nursing Services at the Ministry of Health Dr Andrew Toro; Kenya BioVax Chairman Dr Charles Githua Githunji; representatives of the University of Nairobi Alumni Association; and distinguished alumni of the Faculty of Health Sciences.

– on behalf of Ministry of Health, Kenya.

Source: APO – Report:

For over two decades, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Abdul Bashiru Kamara has dedicated his life to policing and public service. As an Operations Officer serving with the Sierra Leone Formed Police Unit (SLFPU) under the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) at Sector 2, he continues that commitment on the frontlines of peace support operations.

Since joining the Sierra Leone Police in 2005, ASP Kamara has built extensive experience in security operations, leadership, and public safety. Within AUSSOM in Kismayo, his responsibilities are central to ensuring the safety and smooth functioning of mission activities.

“My role in the mission is to provide security escorts and also camp protection,” he explained.

Operating in Somalia requires adaptability, professionalism and strong coordination. For ASP Kamara, one of the main difficulties has been overcoming communication barriers while working in a foreign environment.

As Operations Officer, ASP Kamara oversees a wide range of day-to-day security responsibilities. From coordinating deployments to briefing personnel before assignments, his leadership plays a key role in maintaining discipline and operational readiness within the unit.

“Every morning, we brief our personnel before deployment so they can carry out their duties effectively and perform well.”

ASP Kamara’s role demands constant vigilance and coordination in an environment where security remains a top priority. His experience within AUSSOM has significantly strengthened his professional capabilities. Through training opportunities and collaboration with international partners, he has gained valuable operational and communication skills.

“Since joining the mission, AUSSOM has provided crucial training that elevated our capacity. My communication skills have also improved through working with personnel in the mission area.”

Beyond providing security, the SLFPU collaborate closely the Somali Security Forces (SSF). ASP Kamara said the unit supported community-oriented policing and responsible use of force. These efforts support broader AUSSOM objectives to strengthen Somali security institutions.

With 21 years of policing experience, ASP Abdul Bashiru Kamara represents the professionalism and dedication that Peace Support Operations rely on. His story reflects the broader contribution of African personnel serving in Somalia — men and women working far from home to support peace, stability and the protection of communities.

– on behalf of African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

Source: APO – Report:

“We knew Ebola was in Congo and Uganda not much more than that,” said Dekens Okoth Ojera, member of the Busia Cross Border Women Traders Sacco, which has 257 registered members. “We were not equipped or aware of how to handle it if it reached us, or sure that anything was being done.”

Kenya has recorded no case of Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus. But transmission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has not stopped, while thousands of people cross Kenya’s western border every day. Uganda’s outbreak was declared over on 26 August 2026, but movement of people and goods across the region continues.

Busia sits on the Northern Corridor, the trade route running from Mombasa through Uganda to Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. More than 3,000 people cross here daily, alongside freight moving to and from the region. That constant movement makes border workers and communities an important part of Kenya’s early warning system.

In August, the Kenya National Public Health Institute, with support from WHO and the International Organization for Migration, trained 35 health workers and engaged 45 border stakeholders from three priority points of entry: the Busia and Malaba One-Stop Border Posts in Busia county, and Lwakhakha in Bungoma county. 

The first day focused entirely on border stakeholders, including youth representatives, traders, truck drivers, and other community and institutional actors working at the crossing. Participants learned how to recognize the signs and symptoms of Ebola disease virus, apply suspect case definitions, and report suspected cases and contacts.They also received training on risk communication, with a focus on addressing misinformation and ensuring that communities receive accurate information early during an outbreak.

“The people who work at this border see travellers long before we do. When a trader notices someone who is unwell and knows exactly who to call, that is early detection. It has to work in the other direction too. When communities have questions or fears, we need to hear them quickly,” said Oliver Atsing’a a port health officer at Kenya National Public Health Insitute.

Participants used the session to make commitments of their own. Women traders operating in the border market undertook to reinstate and maintain handwashing points, and invited port health staff to their weekly Tuesday meetings so that information keeps moving in both directions. Youth representatives committed to carrying key messages to their peers.

“We are in this market every day. If someone is sick, we see it before anybody at the office does. What we needed was to know who to call.” said Mr David Omondi Olong’o, a clearing agent based at Busia One-Stop Border Post

Over the following four days, health workers from the three points of entry and Busia Sub-County Hospital moved through the full response chain, from early detection and surveillance to contact tracing, case management and specimen collection, packaging and transport. They also practised infection prevention and control, including handwashing, donning and doffing personal protective equipment, and safe and dignified burial.

The workshop also exposed gaps that still need to be addressed. At Busia One-Stop Border Post, screening of small-scale traders currently runs from 08:00 to 18:00, staffed by county government health personnel with support from the Kenya Red Cross. Night-time screening remains a gap, driven by staff numbers rather than capability. Traders and youth representatives recommended that Busia move to round-the-clock screening, with qualified personnel available at any hour.

Each border crossing left the workshop with its own preparedness and response work plan. Participants also called for refresher training and simulation exercises every quarter, rather than only when an outbreak is under way. Participants are now cascading key messages into their communities, strengthening early detection and reporting along Kenya’s western border.

– on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

Source: APO – Report:

In Mobaye, Central African Republic, women are gradually turning their savings into projects for themselves and their families. Business, agriculture, livestock farming or their children’s education, the choices are theirs.

When Henriette Yambata received 38,000 CFA francs (approximately USD 67) after several months of saving, she knew exactly what she wanted to do with it. Part of the money would go towards paying school fees for her two children. Another part would help strengthen her business and support her household’s economic activities.

In Mobaye, in the south of the Central African Republic, this amount is the result of savings organized collectively by women. For those with limited resources, having money safely saved and being able to access it when needed creates very practical opportunities: covering a major expense, supporting a business or turning a project into reality.

Much more than savings

Through the SEDOUTI Project (“Well-being” in Sango), whose full title is “Improving the Security Environment and Consolidating Peace through the Community-Based Reintegration of Former Combatants in the Central African Republic”, funded by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund, UN Women supports 13 Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) in Mobaye, bringing together 350 community members.

In the Nzakara neighbourhood, members of Ye Ti Maboko, which means “The Fruit of One’s Hands” in the local language, each set aside 500 CFA francs (approximately USD 0.90) every week. By the end of their first savings cycle, they had accumulated nearly 600,000 CFA francs (approximately USD 1,060).

Behind this collective amount lie very different choices.

Djamila Mahamat used to sell doughnuts. With the 46,000 CFA francs (approximately USD 81) she received, she expanded her business and started developing a catering activity. Elisabeth Yeti devoted 70,000 CFA francs (approximately USD 124) to cultivating maize, cassava and rice.

Kaltouma Moustapha turned to poultry and duck farming. Florence Passera, for her part, used some of her 50,000 CFA francs (approximately USD 88) to repay debts, while her personal savings enabled her to cover her children’s school fees.

As Marceline Keba, a member of Ye Ti Maboko, explains, savings are not just about the money set aside.

“We have learned to save together and keep our money secure. Today, we have greater confidence in ourselves and we can consider projects that we could not finance before.”

The women also speak of greater participation in household decision-making and stronger solidarity within their groups. Their regular meetings allow them to share experiences, discuss their plans and find solutions together.

Women at the heart of Mobaye’s recovery

The SEDOUTI Project goes beyond savings groups. It combines support for women’s economic initiatives, psychosocial support, social cohesion and the promotion of more equitable relationships between women and men.

In Mobaye, the next step is called Da Ti SEDOUTI (“The Well-being House”). Already built and equipped with four agro-processing machines, it is intended to support the development of women’s economic activities. Women also wish to participate in its long-term management through the Local Management Committee that has already been established and to make it a lasting asset for future generations of women entrepreneurs in Mobaye.

This ambition builds on what is already taking shape within the savings groups. Henriette, Marceline, Djamila, Elisabeth, Kaltouma and Florence are making choices, developing their projects and strengthening the bonds between them. Through Da Ti SEDOUTI, women also intend to play a role in managing a space that serves their community.

In a town still marked by the consequences of crises, recovery is also being built with women. To build Mobaye’s future, they will be there.

– on behalf of UN Women – Africa.

Source: APO – Report:

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On September 8, Mr. ONISHI Yohei, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, attended the homecoming ceremony for two members of the Japan’s international peace cooperation contingent who had been dispatched as 17th headquarters staff to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) (Major IWASAKI Shuji and Major KIKUCHI Shogo).

Parliamentary Vice-Minister ONISHI expressed his gratitude and respect to the two individuals of 17th for their hard work, which embodied Japan’s friendship and assistance to South Sudan. He also wishes their future success.

(Reference)

Japan has been dispatching the staff officers to the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) since November 2011. Currently, four individuals are working as information analysis, logistics, engineering, and aviation operations staff officers and one member of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force is serving as Force Chief of Staff at the UNMISS Headquarters in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.

– on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.