Category: English

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).

Source: APO

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Following the issuance of the circular on the early release of employees from the Department of Administration, the Office of the President calls on all members of the public to remain vigilant and to take maximum precautions in view of the prevailing adverse weather conditions.

Members of the public are strongly advised to make their way home as soon as possible and to avoid unnecessary travel, loitering, or gathering on the roads while the current weather conditions persist. The public is urged to exercise caution and to follow all official safety advice issued by the relevant authorities.

If assistance is required, the Department of Risk and Disaster Management (DRDM) has established a dedicated emergency hotline. Members of the public requiring assistance may call 160. 

The private sector is also encouraged to support the early release measures by allowing non-essential workers to leave their workplaces and return home safely, where operationally feasible.

Members of the public are further reminded to remain attentive to credible and official media sources for the latest updates, weather information, advisories, and any further instructions from the authorities. The public is encouraged to rely on verified information and to avoid sharing unconfirmed reports or information that may cause unnecessary concern.

The Public Affairs Section of the Office of the President remains available to provide information and clarification to members of the public.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

Source: APO

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Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides.

Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, said President El-Sisi welcomed the Cypriot President’s visit to Egypt, commending the profound historical ties between the two countries. The President affirmed the necessity to further advance the constructive cooperation between Egypt and Cyprus, particularly in the areas of trade and investment, as well as energy, tourism, and transport. President El-Sisi also underscored the pivotal importance of the trilateral cooperation among Egypt, Cyprus, and Greece within the framework of the Trilateral Cooperation Mechanism, stressing the crucial need to continue strengthening such collaboration across various sectors of mutual interest.

The Cypriot President expressed his appreciation for the close relations between the two countries, commending the notable progress they have witnessed in recent years, particularly following the elevation of bilateral relations to the level of a strategic partnership in April 2026, with particular emphasis on the growing cooperation in the field of natural gas. The Cypriot President also emphasized his country’s keenness on solidifying its partnership with Egypt in a manner that serves the shared interests of the two friendly peoples.

The meeting tackled developments in regional and international issues. President El-Sisi reasserted the critical importance of de-escalating tensions in the region and restoring regional peace and stability, highlighting Egypt’s efforts in this regard. For his part, the Cypriot President expressed his country’s appreciation for Egypt’s vigorous role in supporting regional stability, while also commending Egypt’s positive efforts in addressing irregular migration. President Christodoulides looked forward to forging closer coordination and consultations with Egypt to address common challenges.

Furthermore, the two Presidents discussed developments in the Palestinian issue, reiterating the need to resolve the Palestinian issue on the basis of the two-state solution and in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions, while categorically rejecting the displacement of the Palestinians. President El-Sisi further reaffirmed Egypt’s steadfast position that the establishment of an independent Palestinian State along the June 4, 1967 borders, with Arab East Jerusalem as its capital, is the only path to ensuring lasting 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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The Presidency invites South Africans to nominate – for the honour of National Orders – people from their communities and sectors who have recorded exceptional achievements or made outstanding contributions to communities or the nation at large.

National Orders are the highest awards that our country bestows, through the President, on citizens and eminent foreign nationals.

Nominations for National Orders close on Wednesday, 30 September, 2026.

The President, as the custodian of honour in the country, bestows these Orders and Decorations and is assisted by the Director-General in The Presidency, who is the Chancellor of National Orders and the Advisory Council on National Orders.

The Chancellor of National Orders, Ms Phindile Baleni, calls on citizens to make nominations for National Orders as part of sustaining the integrity, inclusiveness and diversity of this institution of recognition of outstanding personal endeavour, social cohesion, nation-building.

Ms Baleni said: “The National Orders are a platform for the recognition of fellow South Africans and persons globally who, in exceptional ways, have historically made or are currently making important or interesting contributions to all aspects of our national life.

“From politics to popular culture, as well as the recognition of bravery and honouring the nation’s esteemed scientists and innovators, the National Orders give us an opportunity annually to be inspired by and grateful to people who have done outstanding things to shape our past and our future.

“We therefore remind people from all walks of life and backgrounds – including the youth of our country – to identify from their communities and sectors persons who, on the basis of exceptional achievements or contributions, deserve the honour of a National Order.”

The National Orders are:

– The Order of Mapungubwe, awarded to South African citizens for excellence and exceptional achievement.

– The Order of the Baobab, awarded to South African citizens for distinguished service. The service awarded is well above and beyond the ordinary call of duty. It is an award for exceptional and distinguished contributions in the following categories: business and the economy: science, medicine and technological innovation, and community service.

– The Order of the Companions of O.R. Tambo, awarded to eminent foreign nationals. It is awarded for friendship shown to South Africa. It is therefore an order of peace, co-operation and active expression of solidarity and support. The Order constitutes an essential pillar of international and multilateral relations.

– The Order of Luthuli, awarded to South Africans who have made a meaningful contribution to the struggle for democracy, human rights, nation-building, justice and peace, and conflict resolution.

– The Order of Ikhamanga, awarded to South African citizens who have excelled in the fields of arts, culture, literature, music, journalism and sport.

– The Order of Mendi for Bravery, awarded to South African citizens who have performed extraordinary acts of bravery that placed their lives in great danger, or who lost their own lives while performing those acts, including in trying to save the life of another person, or by saving property, in or outside the Republic of South Africa.

Nomination forms that outline simple guidelines to nominators can be downloaded at https://www.thepresidency.gov.za/download/file/fid/2785.

Each filled nomination form must be accompanied by a motivations which should include:

– an introductory paragraph with a summary of the nominee’s achievements
– a list of exceptional milestones reached by the nominee in his/her career and/or international arena, and
– a description of the exceptional, outstanding, dedicated service or act of bravery rendered by the nominee.

The closing date for nominations: 30 September 2026.

Details of the annual National Orders Ceremony will be provided at a later date.

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