Category: English

Source: APO – Report:

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Cameroon is embarking on a transformative journey to revamp its emergency medical services (EMS) system, marking a significant milestone in public health. The Ministry of Public Health, with the unwavering support of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), has validated the 2024 evaluation report that sheds light on the critical state of emergency care across the nation.

Conducted from September 1st to October 30th, 2024, and validated in April 2025, the assessment utilized the WHO Emergency and Critical Care System Assessment (ECCSA) tool, systematically analysing the core pillars essential for emergency care. These foundational areas included governance and financing, data and quality improvement, onsite care and transport, hospital-based care and rehabilitation, and emergency preparedness.

The participatory approach taken during the assessment drew insights from over 170 diverse stakeholders from all ten regions of Cameroon, ensuring that local voices shaped the findings and recommendations. Even the report’s translation into English was performed by a dedicated team of experts to promote inclusivity and foster ownership of the outcomes.

Identifying Systemic Weaknesses

Despite efforts to deliver emergency services, the ECCSA evaluation uncovered urgent gaps that need to be bridged. Key findings include a troubling the absence of both a strategic plan and a legal framework for emergency care, lack of trained emergency technicians and ambulance drivers, with the current prehospital care coverage estimated at a mere 25%. Furthermore, less than one-quarter of hospitals meet basic functional emergency unit standards, highlighting significant infrastructural deficits.

The absence of a national system for standardized patient records, fragmented emergency numbers lacking legal mandates, and restrictions on timely access to emergency blood transfusion are alarming deficiencies that compromise patient outcomes. Additionally, the report noted the absence of a dedicated strategic framework for rehabilitation services, which are essential for holistic recovery following emergency incidents.

Strategic Priorities for Reform

In response to these alarming findings, the Ministry of Public Health has embraced a comprehensive roadmap consisting of 15 strategic priorities categorized under five thematic areas. Among these priorities is the development of a national strategic plan aimed at optimizing the organization of emergency care services throughout the country.

The establishment of a robust legal framework that encompasses community, prehospital, hospital, and rehabilitation care will be a pivotal step forward. Moreover, the creation of a dedicated fund for emergency response signifies a commitment to sustainable financing of these essential services.

Key initiatives will also include the design of a data management guide to facilitate the collection and use of emergency care data, as well as the launch of comprehensive training programs for health professionals on emergency response protocols. Emphasizing logistics and accessibility, there will be a renewed focus on strengthening transport systems and enhancing the availability of ambulances.

The Ministry is committed to building the capacity of emergency care professionals and ensuring a reliable supply chain for emergency medicines and materials. By defining and implementing care standards across all facility levels, the Ministry aims to guarantee that every citizen receives timely and effective care when they need it most.

As Cameroon charts this ambitious course toward reforming its emergency care system, it is crucial for all stakeholders to engage collaboratively in this life-saving endeavour. With effective implementation of set priorities, Cameroon can aspire towards a more responsive and resilient emergency care system, ultimately enhancing health outcomes for its population.

– on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Cameroon.

Source: APO – Report:

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President John Dramani Mahama has moved to calm fears among Nigerian nationals residing in Ghana and their government, assuring a special envoy dispatched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that there will be no mass deportations.

During a courtesy call from Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who is Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, President Mahama assured that Ghana has no intention of resorting to mass expulsions, emphasising the shared history and inter-dependence of the two countries.

He reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to ECOWAS protocols, dismissing any anxieties in Nigeria over any potential mass deportation of its citizens from Ghana following the emergence of a viral video.

Minister Odumegwu-Ojukwu conveyed the “anxieties” of the Nigerian people and government, citing the viral video, widespread apprehension of mass deportations, and fears of shops belonging to Nigerian traders being burned.

The concerns, she noted, have led to emergency sessions in Nigeria’s National Assembly and traditional rulers instructing relatives in Ghana to return home.

President Mahama acknowledged the historical relations between Ghana and Nigeria, describing them as “siblings of the same parents, and so our destinies are joined together.”

He invoked past unfortunate incidents of mass deportations in both countries—Ghana in the 1960s and Nigeria in the 1980s—, stating, “I think that that is a part of our past, and it’s an unfortunate past that we want to put behind us, and I believe that none of our two countries should mass deport our citizens ever again.”

“We are members of the ECOWAS, and we have the ECOWAS protocol that allows our citizens to travel freely between our countries.”

He also clarified that, although there have been isolated incidents and some individuals involved in criminal activity, such cases are addressed through proper legal procedures, not through collective punishment or mass expulsion. He stated that foreign residents in Ghana who engage in criminal activities shall be held individually liable and sanctioned.

President Mahama traced the recent tensions to the resurfacing of a 2013 video featuring an “Igbo king” discussing land acquisition for a kingdom, which was widely misinterpreted as a recent development.

He dismissed this as “a bit of a storm in a teacup,” assuring the Nigerian delegation that Ghanaian law governs the establishment of traditional councils, making such external claims impossible.

Minister Odumegwu-Ojukwu commended President Mahama for de-escalating a potentially volatile situation, noting that the initial fears of widespread unrest upon their arrival in Accra proved unfounded.

– on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.

Source: APO

The  Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST Africa) (https://Meltwater.org/) today opened applications for the 7th edition of the MEST Africa Challenge (MAC 2025), a pan-African pitch competition that equips high-potential startups with funding and hands-on support.

This year’s edition is dedicated exclusively to FinTech startups, spotlighting founders who are reimagining how money is moved, managed, and insured across the continent. Applications run 30th July – 26th September 2025, after which 20 semi-finalists and 10 grand-finalists will be selected. The overall winner will secure a US $50,000 equity investment and the opportunity to pilot with strategic partners at scale.

“The MEST Africa Challenge is where Africa’s boldest ideas find the opportunity to scale,” said Ashwin Ravichandran, Portfolio Advisor & MAC Lead at MEST Africa. “Our partnership with Absa gives these visionary founders the lift they need—connecting them to the capital, expertise, and networks that turn promising startups into sector-defining businesses and drive inclusive growth across the continent.”

With US $30 million invested in more than 90 startups and 2,000 entrepreneurs to date, MEST is one of Africa’s most active early-stage tech investors. The 2025 edition of MAC deepens that impact through a strategic partnership with Absa that aligns the competition with the bank’s digital-finance priorities.

“Africa’s future will be shaped by bold ideas, local ingenuity, and scalable innovation. At Absa, we recognize the critical role entrepreneurs play in driving inclusive economic growth. This partnership with MEST reflects our commitment to backing those visionaries and shaping the future of financial services. It complements our digital transformation strategy and reflects our purpose of empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together, one story at a time,” said Omar Baig, Managing Executive: ARO Retail and Business Banking.

The collaboration between Absa and MEST aims to accelerate innovation by connecting FinTech startups with the resources and expertise needed to scale solutions that drive inclusive growth across Africa.

“Our partnership with MEST is a strategic step toward unlocking innovation that truly matters,” says Muhammad Ali Bhikhan, Managing Executive and Chief Information Officer at Absa Regional Operations. “It will allow us to connect with visionary startups, build a strong talent pipeline, and collaborate on solutions that can drive meaningful digital transformation and long-term impact across the continent, he concludes.”

Who should apply to MAC 2025?

MAC 2025 invites early-stage startups in FinTech and other high-value, value-chain solutions that are already active in at least one of Absa’s priority markets — countries including  Botswana, Uganda, Mauritius, Seychelles, Kenya, Mozambique, Zambia and Ghana. To qualify, a company must be three years old or younger, show minimum monthly recurring revenue of US $5,000, and have raised no more than US $1 million to date. Each venture should have at least two co-founders, be able to pitch in English, and—while not mandatory—Delaware registration is considered an advantage.

Founders can submit a short online application, including a three-minute video pitch, on https://apo-opa.co/40P2V41 from 31st July, 2025. Virtual semi-finals will take place in late October, and the top ten teams will present live in Cape Town at the Grand Finale in late November.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST Africa).

Media Contact (MEST Africa): 
Ophesmur Adjei
Marketing and Communications Manager
marketing@meltwater.org

About MEST Africa:
Established in 2008 as the non‑profit arm of Meltwater, the Meltwater Foundation drives job creation and economic growth in Africa through software entrepreneurship. Headquartered in Accra, Ghana, the Foundation’s Entrepreneurial Support Organization—MEST—delivers a full-time, in-person intensive tech‑entrepreneurship training to emerging talent from more than 22 African countries and provides early‑stage investment to promising ventures. To extend this impact, the Foundation launched MESTx, a suite of collaborative programs designed and delivered with like‑minded partners to expand digital‑skills training and startup acceleration across the continent. Since its inception, the Meltwater Foundation has trained 2,000+ entrepreneurs and invested in 90+ startups across the continent—fueling innovation, creating jobs, and shaping Africa’s next generation of tech entrepreneurs.

Learn more about MEST Africa: https://Meltwater.org/

About Absa Group Limited:
Absa Group Limited (Absa Group’) is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and is one of Africa’s largest diversified financial services groups.  

Absa Group offers an integrated set of products and services across personal and business banking, corporate and investment banking, wealth and investment management and insurance.  

Absa Group owns majority stakes in banks in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania (Absa Bank Tanzania and National Bank of Commerce), Uganda and Zambia and has insurance operations in Kenya and South Africa. Absa also has offices in the People’s Republic of China, Namibia, Nigeria and the United States, as well as securities entities in the United Kingdom and the United States, along with technology support colleagues in the Czech Republic. 

For further information about Absa Group Limited, visit www.Absa.Africa.

Source: APO

The second group of members of the 38th round of national service from the Central Region departed today for Sawa to continue their 12th-grade education.

The students are from 22 high schools in the region, with female students comprising 56% of the participants.

The students expressed their readiness to focus on their education during their stay in Sawa and to fulfill their national responsibilities through exemplary performance and conduct.

It is to be recalled that the first group of students from the Central Region departed to Sawa on 30 July.

Students from the Anseba, Gash Barka, Southern, and Northern and Southern Red Sea regions have already departed.

According to the report, out of the 8,000 members of the 37th round of national service from the Central Region who sat for the national school-leaving examination, 33.5% qualified for degree and diploma programs.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Source: APO

The Eritrean community festival in Germany was colorfully conducted on 2 and 3 August in Frankfurt.

Mr. Yohannes Woldu, Chargé d’Affaires at the Eritrean Embassy, noted the significance of the timing of the festival, stating that it attests to the strong unity between the Eritrean people and Government as well as the resilience of the citizens.

The festival featured seminars, awards to outstanding students, youth-centered programs, interactions with foreign friends of Eritrea, community gatherings, cultural and artistic performances, a children’s village, African camp, and presentations on the Afambo boarding school project.

The annual festival was successfully conducted with the strong participation of national associations, particularly the National Union of Eritrean Women.

Mr. Yohannes Woldu also conducted a seminar for festival participants, focusing on the objective situation in the homeland and regional developments.

Highlighting that external hostilities aimed at demonizing Eritrea’s history, culture, identity, and values have been thwarted through the resilience and awareness of the people and Government, Mr. Yohannes called on nationals to strengthen their organizational capacity and participation in national affairs.

During the event, awards were presented to winners of various competitions.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Source: APO – Report:

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President John Mahama will on Tuesday, 5 August 2025, host Africa’s political leaders, policymakers, and global health stakeholders at the Africa Health Sovereignty Summit.

The landmark initiative will explore bold steps to raise adequate funding to bridge the huge infrastructure gap in the wake of dwindling donor support and policy interventions to subsidise the treatment of deadly chronic diseases, as well as emerging health threats.

According to a statement signed by Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwaku Ofosu, the Summit will deliberate and formally endorse The Accra Initiative, which will establish shared principles, benchmarks, and a roadmap for reform.

Key outcomes of the Summit will include:
1. Creation of a Presidential High-Level Panel to design a roadmap for a re-imagined global health governance architecture aligned with national and international efforts.
2. Commitment to core principles of inclusivity, leadership, accountability, resilience, sustainable funding, and cross-sector collaboration.
3. Launch of the SUSTAIN initiative to promote country-led and investment-driven health systems, powered by domestic resources, private sector engagement, philanthropic partnerships, and technical expertise.
4. Endorsement of the Accra Compact, articulating Africa’s vision for health sovereignty and a more equitable global health order.

The Accra Summit is building on the ongoing efforts of President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and African Union Institutions to improve health financing and continental health coordination.

The Summit follows President Mahama’s passionate speech in June 2025 at the Global Summit on Health and Prosperity in Brussels. It draws inspiration from his leadership during the 2014 Ebola outbreak, where he directed regional efforts to control the epidemic, showcasing Africa’s capacity to respond to crises with unity and determination.

– on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.

Source: APO

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On 5 August 2025, Accra will host a landmark gathering of African Heads of State, policymakers, and global health stakeholders at the Africa Health Sovereignty Summit.

Convened by His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, this summit will serve as a call to reimagine global health governance amid a rapidly shifting geopolitical and economic landscape. It aims to foster a new era of health sovereignty rooted in national ownership, investment, and leadership.

Progress and Urgency: Why this High-Level Meeting.
Significant progress has been made in global health over recent decades: child mortality has been halved since 1990, maternal deaths have decreased by over 40% since 2000, HIV/AIDS deaths have been halved since 2010, and 1.4 billion people now enjoy healthier lives thanks to improved tobacco control, cleaner air, and better access to clean water, sanitation, and healthcare.

However, these gains are at risk. Shifting geopolitics, diminished multilateralism, reduced donor funding, and emerging health threats have exposed significant structural flaws in the global health system. The current global health governance framework—designed in a different era—no longer adequately reflects today’s political, economic, or demographic realities.

Reform is now crucial; it is urgent both nationally and internationally. Countries must take greater responsibility for their health governance and funding. Globally, there is an immediate need to overhaul health governance systems.
In response, this African-led global gathering will advance multiple initiatives to mobilise global partners and global consensus to address these challenges.

Summit Deliverables
The Summit will deliberate and formally endorse The Accra Initiative. This bold, action-oriented outcome document will establish shared principles, benchmarks, and a roadmap for reforming global health governance in alignment with national priorities for health sovereignty.

Key outcomes of the Summit will include:
1. Creation of a Presidential High-Level Panel to design a roadmap for a re-imagined global health governance architecture aligned with national and international efforts.
2. Commitment to core principles of inclusivity, leadership, accountability, resilience, sustainable funding, and cross-sector collaboration.
3. Launch of the SUSTAIN Initiative to promote country-led and investment-driven health systems, powered by domestic resources, private sector engagement, philanthropic partnerships, and technical expertise.
4. Endorsement of the Accra Compact, articulating Africa’s vision for health sovereignty and a more equitable global health order.

This Summit builds on the ongoing efforts of President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and African Union institutions to improve health financing and continental health coordination. However, it also calls for urgent reform of global health governance to better reflect the realities of a changed world, where Africa’s voice and leadership must take centre stage.

The Summit follows President Mahama’s passionate speech in June 2025 at the Global Summit on Health and Prosperity in Brussels. It draws inspiration from his leadership during the 2014 Ebola outbreak, where he directed regional efforts to control the epidemic, showcasing Africa’s capacity to respond to crises with unity and determination. That same spirit of continental and global solidarity now underpins the Accra Compact.

“Africa must take charge of its health destiny—not in isolation, but through determined, coordinated action. This Summit is our moment to lead not only in financing our systems but also in reshaping the rules that govern global health—rules that must reflect the voices and realities of our people”, President John Mahama said about the Summit.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.