Three Leading Organizations in Africa and The MasterCard Foundation Partner to Improve Livelihoods for 1.1 Million African Smallholder Farmers

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <br /> <span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1488876425655_6024" style="font-size: 10pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcuGbaFNx7H32zSkM0vCsHTChOP6TBaJ5YTY2FW4LNq8piRDxEA3QWkFE9C_CI0N6wPuvkdplSQ2vzjl_gY4geEhj3oxisn2leoKdlJ4xPYzeDjYJ78-gGE9H7GcFvWzWdxnK6BnzbSteB/s1600/pesa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcuGbaFNx7H32zSkM0vCsHTChOP6TBaJ5YTY2FW4LNq8piRDxEA3QWkFE9C_CI0N6wPuvkdplSQ2vzjl_gY4geEhj3oxisn2leoKdlJ4xPYzeDjYJ78-gGE9H7GcFvWzWdxnK6BnzbSteB/s400/pesa.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Three of the leading organizations in Africa working with smallholder farmers today joined The MasterCard Foundation to reaffirm their commitment to provide farmers with more of the financial resources and agribusiness connections they need to succeed.<br /><br />At a one-day workshop and learning event in Dakar, the partners outlined how the work they are conducting has already led to improvements for farmers in Africa. As well, ICCO Cooperation used the occasion to launch its STARS (Strengthening African Rural Smallholders) program in Senegal, after recent launches in Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Burkina Faso.<br /><br />Collectively, these three organizations are expanding their support to improve the lives of a minimum of 1.1 million farmers in 11 countries: Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.<br /><br />"Smallholder farmers in Africa, need special attention to increase productivity and break out of their subsistence operation," said Ann Miles, Director of Financial Inclusion at The MasterCard Foundation. <br />"We're proud to work with such strong partners as AgDevCo, ICCO Cooperation, and Root Capital to enable smallholders to produce more, sell better, and work with local organizations in markets that are fair, transparent, and sustainable."<br /><br />Through its partnerships with AgDevCo, ICCO Cooperation, and Root Capital, The MasterCard Foundation supports multiple activities in the 11 countries. These activities include:<br /><br />* providing training and better quality inputs to farmers<br />* implementing mobile technology solutions<br />* brokering long-term purchase contracts<br />* supporting high-impact, early-stage agricultural businesses with capital needs under $150,000 and/or business revenues under $300,000<br />* developing and implementing innovative risk-mitigation tools, and <br />* developing new agricultural finance products and services for smallholder farmers. <br /><br />"Linking smallholder farmers to profitable markets is one of the best ways of lifting large numbers of people out of poverty", said Chris Isaac, Director of Investments at AgDevCo. "The MasterCard Foundation's support will allow AgDevCo to connect our SME investees - socially responsible faming and agri-processing enterprises in Africa - to hundreds of thousands of farmers, to boost productivity, lift incomes and improve food security". <br /><br />"The STARS program is supporting rural smallholder farmers, mostly women, to access tailor made financial services," said Netlyn Bernard, STARS Director. "We are using the "Making Markets Work for the Poor" (M4P) approach to ensure that through capacity building and access to finance they can adopt sustainable agri-business methods and be competitive in the market. We believe that given the right opportunities and tools, farmers can become effective entrepreneurs, increase their income and therefore improve the economic situation of their households and of their communities."<br /><br />"Our partnership with The MasterCard Foundation enables us to increasingly target earlier-stage businesses in Africa operating on the fringes of financial inclusion," said Mireille William, acting General Manager for Root Capital in West Africa. "Together, we're committed to providing these high-impact businesses with the capital and training they need to become engines of impact in their communities."<br /><br />The three partnerships are part of The MasterCard Foundation's portfolio of work supporting smallholder farmers in Africa. To date, the Foundation has committed more than US$300 million to support agricultural initiatives (including US$175 million for rural and agricultural finance projects).<br /> <br />Distributed by African Media Agency on behalf of The MasterCard Foundation.</span></div> <em id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1488876425655_6045"><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1488876425655_6044" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></em><span></span></span></div>

Three Leading Organizations in Africa and The MasterCard Foundation Partner to Improve Livelihoods for 1.1 Million African Smallholder Farmers

Three of the leading organizations in Africa working with smallholder farmers today joined The MasterCard Foundation to reaffirm their ...

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Oranto Launches $500-Million Oil Exploration Campaign in South Sudan

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-A1dxM4PpF-7whEg3uC94zPubx_yaLxdk_c2JiHgCfBqEMj37O1QvUCanpujsdE_tK-pYu1y-mxYIg2UJdPd-g_Oi35fDwb3wtoxifdpE5oS5biSzVsyiWBmXro28Dh3339x60XHcI_9/s1600/oil.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="71" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-A1dxM4PpF-7whEg3uC94zPubx_yaLxdk_c2JiHgCfBqEMj37O1QvUCanpujsdE_tK-pYu1y-mxYIg2UJdPd-g_Oi35fDwb3wtoxifdpE5oS5biSzVsyiWBmXro28Dh3339x60XHcI_9/s400/oil.png" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Oranto Petroleum will invest $500 million to develop South Sudan’s Block B3, launching a comprehensive exploration campaign starting immediately. The Ministry of Petroleum and Oranto Petroleum Company, South Sudan signed the exploration and production sharing agreement for the block today in Juba.<br /><br />The B3 area covers 25,150 square kilometers. Some aeromagnetic and seismic data have been acquired for the area but no wells have been drilled. The block is highly prospective, with productive parts of the Muglad Basin to the northwest and estimated reserves in place of more than 3 billion barrels of oil. The block is categorized as low risk, high reward. Under the EPSA, Oranto will be the technical operator and 90% shareholder of the block, with Nilepet holding a 10% stake.<br /><br />“We believe the petroleum resources of Block B3 are vast. To reach our target of more than double current oil production, we need committed new entrants like Oranto,” said Minister of Petroleum Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth. “The government is working hard to reinvigorate the petroleum industry in South Sudan by creating an enabling environment for International oil and gas companies to invest and operate. It is up to the oil companies to come in, explore and produce.”<br /><br />“It’s an honor to formalize our entry into South Sudan with this EPSA,” said Prince Arthur Eze, Founder and Chairman of Oranto Petroleum. “Our company is at the vanguard of African firms exploring and developing African assets. This is the beginning of a long-term collaboration with Nilepet, the people of South Sudan and our partners to bring to light the immense potential of Block B3. Oranto is committed to an aggressive exploration work program that will benefit all stakeholders.”<br /><br />The 120,000-square kilometer Block B was split by the government into the B1, B2 and B3 blocks in 2012. In Block B3 Oranto will work alongside the B1 and B2 partners, which include Total. During the first three-year exploration period Oranto will complete a further airborne geophysical survey; acquire and process 2D seismic; and assess existing data held by the government and former operators. The EPSA contract was facilitated by pan-African law firm Centurion Law Group. South Sudan is an established, world-class petroleum producing region, whose territory includes a large part of the Cretaceous rift basin system that has proved petroliferous in Chad and Niger as well as Sudan.<br /><br />Atlas Petroleum International and Oranto Petroleum, the sister companies of the Atlas Oranto Group, own and operate 20 oil and gas acreages in 10 African countries: Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Liberia, Namibia, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal and South Sudan. <br /><br />Distributed by APO on behalf of Oranto Petroleum Ltd.<br /> </span></div> </div>

Oranto Launches $500-Million Oil Exploration Campaign in South Sudan

Oranto Petroleum will invest $500 million to develop South Sudan’s Block B3, launching a comprehensive exploration campaign starting imm...

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Hitachi Data Systems appoints new country manager to accelarate growth in Sub-Saharan Africa

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00VmsfnwhqXHa2o5txYDd0sU9SQ-ag6jRn3Yy83ocseVvL6BjBPEYM8jhMILJtDeY3zEmyomYV9jMusLN_t81I1yxAiSZSkZTArM3bTkeyCQtl8zejd5KM2HWYF6yxyXuffnBlRWtJrNR/s1600/hitachi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00VmsfnwhqXHa2o5txYDd0sU9SQ-ag6jRn3Yy83ocseVvL6BjBPEYM8jhMILJtDeY3zEmyomYV9jMusLN_t81I1yxAiSZSkZTArM3bTkeyCQtl8zejd5KM2HWYF6yxyXuffnBlRWtJrNR/s400/hitachi.jpg" width="300" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Hitachi Data Systems (HDS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE:6501), has appointed Niral Patel as General Manager for sub-Saharan Africa, effective 1 March 2017. <br /><br />In his new role, Patel will be responsible for driving business growth across the sub-Saharan region, working closely with global teams to accelerate growth. He will shape market opportunities through the development of alliances and partnerships and will drive the consolidation of Hitachi Data Systems' position in the market place. <br /><br />Tom Pegrume, Regional VP, Emerging EMEA says: "We are pleased to welcome Niral Patel to our organisation and look forward to his valuable contribution to our team. We will rely on his leadership to further strengthen our engagement in the public sector and across our key verticals. His appointment comes at a time when businesses need a different model if they want to maintain relevance and increase profitability. He will help navigate the needs of our customers in this era of digital transformation." <br /><br />"I am excited about my new role at Hitachi Data Systems. I believe that successful digital transformation projects involve the effective deployment of big data and analytics to uncover new insights. Data is everything in digitisation. How companies use their data will be critical to their survival," says Patel. <br /><br />Patel has over 17 years of experience selling technology solutions across a variety of businesses in South and Central Africa as well as the Middle East. He was previously the Public Sector Director for Microsoft South Africa, where one of his key focus areas was supporting government to deliver on its National Development Plan. <br /><br />Prior to his time with Microsoft, Patel headed up the Power Systems business unit at IBM. There he played a vital role in growing the business' revenues across the various industries within which it operates. Patel holds an MBA from the University of Warwick and is the recipient of several awards, including the Microsoft Circle of Excellence Award and IBM's EMEA Vice President's Leadership Award. <br /><br /><br />Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Hitachi Data Systems.</span></div> </div>

Hitachi Data Systems appoints new country manager to accelarate growth in Sub-Saharan Africa

Hitachi Data Systems (HDS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE:6501), has appointed Niral Patel as General Manager for sub-...

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Dangote Foundation commits N200m for Kano Specialist Hospital rehabilitation

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkP8XMLXKssWpAlNNBjELg-ObymqWH_ats2uLHo-JdQ71_5zI6PRUKmzamjSHnZED7W7o8pC7j51S2EKQ_oH4NbCPLTFCypEdFZmKGbbDZGbVD5_BLshDH3OmvscSKBX6yuzH13VO3yFY/s1600/dangote.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkP8XMLXKssWpAlNNBjELg-ObymqWH_ats2uLHo-JdQ71_5zI6PRUKmzamjSHnZED7W7o8pC7j51S2EKQ_oH4NbCPLTFCypEdFZmKGbbDZGbVD5_BLshDH3OmvscSKBX6yuzH13VO3yFY/s400/dangote.png" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The Foundation handed over to the hospital management a renovated maternity ward, two ultra-modern maternity laboratories, upgraded water supply system Eclampsia ward, theatre and improved sanitary environment befitting of a specialist hospital.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />To complement its N7 billion Surgical and Diagnostic Centre (SDC) currently under construction, the Dangote Foundation has concluded the renovations of some sections of the Murtala Muhammed Specialists’ Hospital, Kano which gulped over N200 million.<br /><br />The 900 bed capacity hospital, reputed for highest number of in-patients in sub-Saharan Africa has been lacking facilities that may detract from the new SDC being built by the Foundation, hence the decision to carry out the construction and renovation of the auxiliary facilities.<br /><br />The Foundation is currently building a N7 billion Surgical and </span><a href="http://www.dangote.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">Diagnostic</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> Centre at the hospital and the Foundation whose Chairman is from the State, said it was committed to its timely completion.<br /><br />The Foundation handed over to the hospital management a renovated maternity ward, two ultra-modern maternity laboratories, upgraded water supply system Eclampsia ward, theatre and improved sanitary environment befitting of a specialist hospital. <br /><br />President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote who was represented by his daughter, Hajiya Fatima Dangote, explained that the provision of the health care facilities was in line with the focus of the Foundation to contribute to improved health care service delivery in Nigeria as well as nutrition on the African continent. <br /><br />He stated that his Foundation has mandate to intervene in the critical areas such as health, education and human development which was why the Foundation has also embarked on some poverty alleviation programmes targeted at women at the grassroots.<br /><br />Kano State governor, who was represented by his deputy, Hafis Abubakar expressed the state’s gratitude to Dangote Foundation for coming to the aid of the state in the task of provision of sound health care to the people of the state.<br /><br />He urged other public spirited individual and organizations to rise up and partner with the state government orts at making life more meaningful to the people saying government alone could not provide all that the people need.<br /><br />The Deputy Governor then called on the staff of the hospital to make judicious use of the facilities and maintain them like their personal property so that they can serve the people for a long time.<br /><br />The state Commissioner for Health, Kabiru Getso said the Murtala Mohammed Specialist hospital Kano, was established about 92 years ago and is one of the biggest facility in Africa; with the maternity ward alone recording no fewer than 2, 000 deliveries monthly.<br /><br />Head of Medical laboratory of the hospital, Magaji Minjibir said the intervention by Dangote foundation was timely, because the state of the hospital has been appalling.<br /><br />According to him, the hospital's laboratory has suffered congestion and the hospital generally bedeviled with many infrastructural challenges.<br /><br />“At the Chemical pathology, we had to wait for our equipment to cool down before we process results. The Histology department had to stop work temporarily. Our authoclave is about 15 years old and outdated. We have only one microscope and this cannot cater for our teaming patients while lab staff take turns to perform tests and this delays results especially for patients in emergency cases”, Minjibir stated.<br /><br />The Matron in charge of Maternity ward, Hauwa Mansur Waziri, who also spoke on the pitiable situation of the hospital before the Dangote Foundation’s intervention, said the new facilities will go a long way in improving services and saving more lives.<br /><br />“There is no doubt that our staff will now be motivated by the conducive environment made possible by the Foundation. They can now perform their duties free of so many hazards. The wards now have bright light, functional tools, water and toilets. All these would enhance condition of patients and help healing process”, she stated with excitement.<br /><br />Distributed by APO on behalf of Dangote Group. </span></div> </div>

Dangote Foundation commits N200m for Kano Specialist Hospital rehabilitation

The Foundation handed over to the hospital management a renovated maternity ward, two ultra-modern maternity laboratories, upgraded wate...

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African Challenges to African Development

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJFdiYCEez2dQshlAZg1mMEs_rDOodsV_1MRdz-BcP8mSXffs0Z757v-PnZ4rZ8pksm7Q3bfaXHOiTRsLPtr_e1CuAP1-h_iRDshJ830mL5M2gK7NiNeraPQzjasUDPaPtQe4sCd-0SDj/s1600/End.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="76" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJFdiYCEez2dQshlAZg1mMEs_rDOodsV_1MRdz-BcP8mSXffs0Z757v-PnZ4rZ8pksm7Q3bfaXHOiTRsLPtr_e1CuAP1-h_iRDshJ830mL5M2gK7NiNeraPQzjasUDPaPtQe4sCd-0SDj/s400/End.png" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">By Ehiedu Iweriebor<br /><br />The parlous story of African economic and social development since independence best expressed in the failure to achieve the autonomous capacity for self-actuated development and in particular to create conditions of national and continental modern mass production and prosperity is well known and need not be repeated. It is enough to re-state that Africa’s development failure was because of the leaderships’ choice to retain, maintain and expand the inherited exocentric colonial system of development incapacitation, primary commodity export, import dependency and poverty generation.<br /><br />The progressive efforts of some African states and leaders to change the system and create self-reliant economies were stymied by the leaderships’ ideological inadequacies and dependency, the balance of payment crises of the late 1970s and 1980s and the subsequent economic crises and decline. This provided the avenue for Western multilateral imperialist agencies the World Bank and the IMF - to successfully infiltrate into Africa, re-colonize African states and convert them into neo-colonial out-posts of the so-called neo-liberal consensus. This framework embodied in the Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAP) with its destructives conditionalities: currency devaluation, trade liberalization, subsidy removal, deregulation and privatization, re-directed the African states to focus on expanded raw materials production and exports and to abandon industrialization and development capacitation.<br /><br />The application of these anti-development SAP dogmas in the 1980s and 1990s ushered in two decades of deepening indebtedness, serious economic crises, de-industrialization, socio-economic decline, deepening impoverishment and political repression. On the other hand, the period also saw the upsurge of popular democratisation struggles, civil rights campaigns, the restoration democracy, and the establishment of electoral democracy and the decline of military interventions in African politics. In the economic sphere, there were innovative dependency-reducing responses. This was because among businesses there was an increased re-orientation toward local sourcing of well-known agricultural and mineral endowments to expand production. This led to the emergence of new economic sectors and especially the expansion of cottage, small and medium scale consumer goods industries which were operationally autonomous due to the increased utilization of local resources for production and self-development.<br /><br />In addition there was relative political stability and policy and institutional the support for businesses through the creation of enabling environments for attracting investments.<br /><br />It was partly because of these new domestic conditions and the economic self-activation, and the partly because of return of better commodity prices in the first decade of the 21st century that the Western media fabricated and propagated the new view of “Africa Rising”. This became a very popular and re-assuring slogan among some African leaders, politicians and intelligentsia.<br /><br />However, it was an insecure condition because a “Rising Africa” whose upsurge is generated by increased external demand for primary commodities is essentially insecure. It does not represent genuine African development that is based on expansive domestic production and prosperity generation. It merely reinforces African dependency on primary commodity export and its dependence on the importation of manufactured goods. It is evaporating with the speed with which it was proclaimed.<br /><br />But there was a more consequential development story of this period that ushered in what this author describes as the Affirmative African Narrative phase of development. This is the progressive assumption by African businesses of the leadership role in promoting national and pan-African development. This new trend of African self-development is captured by the new concept of “Africans Investing in Africa” This is the process by which African industrial, service, and commercial enterprises began to make large-scale investments in many different African countries. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The investments involve for example the expansion of Banks, telecommunication companies, trading companies and so on. Examples of these include Nigerians Banks like UBA, Zenith, Access, First Bank; South African banks like Standard Bank and Moroccan Banks; Telecommunication companies such as MTN of South Africa, ECONET of Zimbabwe and GLOBACOM of Nigeria. Others are Shoprite, Coca cola and South African Breweries.<br /><br />While Africans investing in Africa is becoming common and commendable, it is important to emphasize that NOT ALL African investments in Africa are of equal economic importance or strategic development value. For example, African investments like Shoprite and similar companies which merely establish commercial or trading enterprises that do not add value to African economies are no different from traditional non-African FDI companies that are established to create captive markets for products from their home countries and thereby maximally exploit Africa.<br /><br />On the other hand, African companies that make investments that are decisive and transformational are those that deliberately promote and advance African development capacitation, through local resource exploitation, mass industrialization, large scale industrial, agricultural and mineral production, and beneficiation for internal use.<br /><br />In terms of investment for development capacitation through local resource utilization and valorization, the vanguard African company is the Dangote Group. In order to ensure that Africa achieves self-sufficiency in the critically important infrastructure development requirement – CEMENT – Dangote embarked on a pan-African investment strategy to establish integrated plants, or grinding plants or cement terminals in African countries according to their resource endowments. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The Group’s ultimate objective is become the ascendant cement manufacturing company in Africa. There is no question that the Dangotean strategy of development capacitation through local resource exploitation, mass industrial production and domestic prosperity-generation is what Africa requires to become the self-actuated mover of its own development and to create a secure development upsurge and continental prosperity that does not depend on the vagaries of external demand for primary commodities.<br /><br />This Dangotean transformational mission and project is now been threatened by what seems like the unwillingness of African countries to respect and maintain carefully crafted legal investment agreements as sacrosanct documents and binding commitments. Within the past year the Group has faced major challenges as a result of the failure of some African states to keep their sides of the bargain or agreements concluded with Dangote Group. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">This happened late last year in Tanzania when the government seemed to renege on some elements within the agreements reached with the Dangote Group to give it concessions and incentives for the massive investments of over $500 million dollars that the Group made in the construction of the monumental cement plant in Mtwara, Tanzania. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">This Dangote Cement plant with its 3 million metric tonnes per annum capacity is the largest cement plant in Eastern Africa. In addition to the cement plant, other associated Dangote development projects include the construction of a coal power plant and a jetty. While these are primarily beneficial to the Groups business, they also represent important investments and permanent additions to Tanzania’s power and sea transport sectors.<br /><br />Together these projects have generated significant direct employment opportunities and as they mature and attain full production capacity the multiplier effects in various sub-sectors would be expansive and extensive, thereby creating prosperity and income in the community as well as revenues for the local, regional and national the governments. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">But due to the problems Dangote had to temporarily shut down the plant; and after negotiations and assurances that restored the original terms, the plant resumed production. This Dangotean Tanzanian experience of government infidelity to the sanctity of agreements can only create profound doubts among business people on the readiness of African states and leaders to move Africa forward.<br /><br />But the Group’s challenges in Africa are not over. Just recently, in Ethiopia, the regional government of Oromo Regional State where Dangote’s new over $400 million dollar, 2.5 million metric tonnes per annum cement plant is located came up with new conditions that are bound to disrupt the operations of the Dangote plant. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">In what it claimed is an attempt to provide employment for jobless Oromo youth it decided to withdraw all mining licences and agreements already concluded with Dangote and similar other companies with mining concessions. In its place the regional government claimed that it would create youth owned companies that would now supply the minerals required by the cement and other plants.<br /><br />This action of the Oromo regional government in illegally annulling legally approved mining agreements with the Dangote Group and other companies raise major questions on the genuine preparedness of African states, politicians, and bureaucrats to foster Africa’s self-development through Africans investing in Africa. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Without question the action of these governments represents major challenges to Africans assumption of responsibility for their development and the emergent Affirmative Africa Narrative. In fact at its core, these anti-investment actions are a repudiation of the long-standing aspirations of Pan-Africanism and its advocates, and the practical commitment of the continental organizations like the former Organization of African Union (OAU) and the current African Union (AU) to promote African-led development through investments, intra-African trade and exchange, as instruments for creating secure African development and domestic prosperity-generation.<br /><br />This is a good example of how some African leaderships’ represent serious obstacles to African development. Quite clearly any aspiration for Africa’s take off through self-actuated development as represented by the transformational efforts of Dangote and similar committed pan-African economic revolutionaries is weakened by such leadership unfaithfulness, irresponsibility and lack of serious commitments to African investors.<br /><br />Despite these set-backs, it is important for African states and the continental and regional economic groups to reaffirm their commitment to African-led transformational industrial development as the basis for Africa’s capacitation for self-actuated development. In this light, it is imperative for the AU and its various economic agencies to design Continental Investment Protection Agreements that would commit African states to respect and uphold already approved agreements and avoid arbitrary nullifications of legally binding instruments. An additional guarantor is for each African state to negotiate investment protection treaties with each other. In fact this is especially indicated for countries such as Nigeria where investors are increasingly embarking on Pan-African development investments.<br /><br />Finally, pan-African transformational investors like Dangote should remain committed and not be discouraged by these clearly disruptive actions of hapless, backward and anti-African development leaders. The Dangotes’ of Africa as continental transformational vanguards should remain firmly committed to their chosen paths of legal profit making and simultaneous contribution to Africa’s transformation, economic development, prosperity-generation, psychological liberation, and the restoration of Africans dignity and equality with others in the world. These are worthwhile and enduring ideals and challenges that transformational revolutionaries and societal game-changers are bound to encounter and overcome so as to create new worlds.<br /><br />Distributed by APO on behalf of Ehiedu Iweriebor.</span></div> </div>

African Challenges to African Development

By Ehiedu Iweriebor The parlous story of African economic and social development since independence best expressed in the failure to ach...

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Merck continues to empower Kenyan women through ‘Merck More than a Mother’ and ‘Merck STEM for Women and Girls’ programs

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zb6Ep0Nfueqz1KFYneUNcNqCLsTOWMBb4TylCoMtqVdd8OohsGHnQeruXViAYNvKCeZHs5bT0aRgrkHIuDTzIwLSbgzUmpFjlG-qUIVnxxGnx2diRgpJa656Dtw-2yiS5ykUUuRKbZ9l/s1600/mer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="62" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zb6Ep0Nfueqz1KFYneUNcNqCLsTOWMBb4TylCoMtqVdd8OohsGHnQeruXViAYNvKCeZHs5bT0aRgrkHIuDTzIwLSbgzUmpFjlG-qUIVnxxGnx2diRgpJa656Dtw-2yiS5ykUUuRKbZ9l/s400/mer.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Merck will inaugurate their initiative at OLYMYPIC School where they equipped their library with a Computer Lab to encourage young girls to study science and technology as part of their ‘STEM for Girls and Women’ program in Africa<br /><br />Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announces their commitment to empower Kenyan women through their ‘Merck More than a Mother’ and the start of ‘</span><a href="http://www.merckgroup.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">Merck STEM</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> for Women and Girls’ programs.<br /><br />Speaking at the event in Nairobi, Belén Garijo, Member of Executive Board and CEO of Merck Healthcare emphasized: “I believe in women empowerment and especially childless women - they are mistreated and discriminated in many cultures for being unable to have children and start a family. Empowering these women through access to information, health, and change of mind set to remove the stigma of infertility is needed. Through ‘Merck More than a Mother’ we are supporting this strong message together with our partners and we will continue our commitment to improve access to regulated and effective fertility care in Africa.”<br /><br />The day’s program also included a courtesy visit to Kenya’s First Lady H.E. Margaret Kenyatta at State House, Nairobi by the Merck delegation to brief her on the two programs and to explore possible areas of collaboration. The delegation consisted of H.E. Madame Brigitte Touadera, First Lady, Central African Republic; Belen Garijo, CEO, Merck Healthcare; Virginie Baiokua, Minister of Social Affairs and National Reconciliation, Central African Republic; Rasha Kelej, Chief Social Officer, Merck Healthcare; Leonard Saika, Director - Regional Head of Social Responsibility & Market Development – Africa, Merck and Lina Ekomo, Central African Republic.<br /><br />Madame Brigitte Touadera, the First Lady of the Central African Republic (CAR) emphasized: “I am very happy to participate in today’s event of ‘Merck More than a Mother’ in Kenya as it follows the one we had for the Central African Republic (CAR) last month. As the champion for the initiative in CAR and for Francophone Africa, I acknowledge the role that ‘Merck More than a Mother’ is playing to break the stigma around infertile women and to raise awareness about infertility prevention, male infertility and the necessity of a team approach to family building among couples which is very critical for Africa.”<br /><br />“It is very important to empower infertile women through improving access to awareness and fertility care so they can bear children as part of their human rights. In case they can no longer be treated, ‘Empowering Berna’ project will contribute towards empowering and training them to establish their own small business so that they can be independent and re-build their lives – a woman is more than a mother, ‘Empowering Berna’ initiative will prove this every day,” Rasha Kelej, Chief Social Officer Merck emphasized.<br /><br />In 2016, over 1,000 infertile women in Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Liberia, Ghana, Central African Republic and Cote d’Ivoire who can no longer be treated have been empowered socially and economically to lead independent and happier lives through the ‘Empowering Berna’ project.<br /><br />Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Health, Cleopa Mailu stated: “As a ministry we are happy with the strategic partnership we have with Merck in Kenya through its Merck Capacity Advancement Program initiatives which are boosting our healthcare capacity with special focus on diabetes, cancer and infertility which contribute to the country’s economic progression”.<br /><br />“In recognition of the important role women can play in the economic and social development of Africa, Merck is empowering them o participate in STEM where they are currently under-represented, through the ‘Merck STEM Program’ which we are launching today,” Garijo said.<br /><br />Merck will inaugurate their initiative at OLYMYPIC School where they equipped their library with a Computer Lab to encourage young girls to study science and technology as part of their ‘STEM for Girls and Women’ program in Africa. Furthermore, the winners of UNESCO-MARS awards will act as ambassadors in their respective countries.<br /><br />The Governor of Nairobi County, Evans Kidero announced during his keynote speech: “We are happy to partner with reputable and innovative companies such as Merck. We believe that the only way to effectively tackle the health and research related challenges we are facing can only be through establishing Public Private Partnership models in implementing successful programs. The size and complexity of the task is so large that no single organization or institution can manage on its own, so integration of efforts is necessary to achieve the health gains that our nation deserves”.<br /><br />“The Merck STEM Program will encourage our young women and girls to undertake science and technology related courses and make active contribution to the social and economic development of our country”, Kidero added.<br /><br />“Through this program Merck is targeting to empower over 7,000 girls and 60 women researchers across Africa in 2017 through various initiatives which include setting up computer libraries in schools similar to the one we are launching today for the first time in Kenya at Olympic School in Kibera, Nairobi, and appointing the UNESCO-MARS research award winners as ambassadors for the ‘Merck STEM Program’ ” Rasha Kelej added.<br /><br />About ‘Merck STEM for Girls and Women’:<br /><br />“The program started UNESCO-Merck Africa Research Summit (UNESCO-MARS) as its first initiative that has been held annually since 2015. UNESCO-MARS aims to build research capacity and empower young African researchers with special focus on empowering women in the fields of research and healthcare to raise the level of scientific research in Africa and improve access to health solutions in the continent,” explained Rasha Kelej, Chief Social Officer, Merck Healthcare.<br /><br />During the 2016 UNESCO-MARS, the ‘Best African Women Researchers Awards’ were launched for the first time with the aim of promoting women in STEM that saw five women researchers from across Africa recognized for the quality of their research. The first award went to Beatrice Nyagol from Kenya Medical Research Institute, who was also celebrated during the event in Nairobi.<br /><br />During the event, a high level panel discussion by fertility experts and policy makers called for action to break the stigma around infertile women; raising awareness about infertility prevention and management; defining policies to regulate ART; improving access to cost effective fertility care by integrating it into public reproductive health services and building fertility care capacity and providing training to African embryologists.<br /><br />The high level panel included: Sarah Opendi, Minister of State of Health, Uganda; Zuliatu Cooper, Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation, Sierra Leone; Virginie Baikoua, Minister of Social Affairs and National Reconciliation, CAR; Joyce Lay, Member of Parliament, Kenya; Oladapo Ashiru, President of Africa Fertility Society; Joe Simpson, Past President, International Federation of Fertility Societies; Paul Le Roux, President of Southern African Society of Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecological Endoscopy; Kamini Rao, Chair International Institute for Training & Research in Reproductive Health, India; Mohamed Kamal, President of Future Assured Foundation, Nigeria and Rasha Kelej, Chief Social Officer, Merck Healthcare. <br /><br />In addition to Kenya, ‘Merck More than a Mother’ is already being implemented in Uganda, Ethiopia, Ghana, Liberia, Tanzania, Nigeria, Cote D’Ivoire and CAR.<br /><br />During the event Merck also highlighted other CAP initiatives in Kenya: <br />‘Merck Cancer Access Program’ which aims to increase the number of qualified oncologists through ‘Merck Africa Oncology Fellowship Program’ in partnership with the University of Nairobi, Kenya and Tata Memorial Hospital in India. Furthermore, Merck aims to support women cancer survivors to establish their own small business so that they can lead an independent and productive life through ‘Merck More than a Patient’ initiative.<br />‘Merck Diabetes and Hypertension Awards’ with the aim to building a platform of diabetes and hypertension experts across the globe through a one year online diabetes and cardiovascular medicine diploma at University of South Wales, United Kingdom. In 2016 six winners from Kenyan universities received the awards.<br /><br />Watch videos below of TV interviews in Kenya with Dr. Rasha Kelej, Chief Social Officer, Merck Healthcare and Joyce Lay, Member of Parliament, Taita Taveta, Kenya as they speak on infertility and what ‘Merck More than a Mother’ initiative is doing in Africa:</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />Distributed by APO on behalf of Merck. </span></div> </div>

Merck continues to empower Kenyan women through ‘Merck More than a Mother’ and ‘Merck STEM for Women and Girls’ programs

Merck will inaugurate their initiative at OLYMYPIC School where they equipped their library with a Computer Lab to encourage young girls...

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Huduma ya uchimbaji mchanga itarudishwa hivi karibuni

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcqkMAdEUdPSDh7Xk6AU-FJRpqlK9oyWjJE5ev7wbuXkiXcL6V85Mm7IdgYdTqpbv0OWrDfxxt6nzwtqApOp1ISBV9dKMs-Any8Hp3hPhr33f5yg25YipilZLWURQ3qMmCR3U2DOfsbic/s1600/382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcqkMAdEUdPSDh7Xk6AU-FJRpqlK9oyWjJE5ev7wbuXkiXcL6V85Mm7IdgYdTqpbv0OWrDfxxt6nzwtqApOp1ISBV9dKMs-Any8Hp3hPhr33f5yg25YipilZLWURQ3qMmCR3U2DOfsbic/s400/382.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar Balozi Seif Ali Iddi alisema Serikali ya Mapinduzi ya Zanzibar itafungua tena kazi za uchimbaji mchanga kuanzia Jumatatu ya Tarehe 6 Machi 2017 ikilazimika kuchukuwa uamuzi mgumu wa kusimamia moja kwa moja uchimbaji huo badala ya kuwaachia Wananchi.<br /><br />Alisema maamuzi hayo ya Serikali yatakwenda sambamba na utolewaji wa bei elekezi ya mchanga ili kujaribu kuzuia uharibifu wa mazingira uliokwishaathiri maeneo mengi yaliyokwishachimbwa mchanga pamoja naulanguzi wa kupita kiasi kwa wauzaji wa rasilmali hiyo.<br /><br />Akitoa Hoja ya kuahirisha Mkutano wa Tano wa Baraza la Tisa la Wawakilishi Zanzibar huko Mbweni Nje kidogo ya Mji wa Zanzibar Balozi Seif Ali Iddi alisema Wizara ya Kilimo itaandaa zamu za kuchimba mchanga ili kupunguza msongamano wa gari zitakazokwenda katika maeneo ya Mchanga.<br /><br />Alisema zamu hizo zitawapa fursa ya siku Tatu kwa Wiki Wananchi wa kawaida kupata rasilmali hiyo ya Mchanga na Siku Mbili kwa Wiki zitazingatiwa kwa Makampuni na Taasisi za Serikali zilizopata vibali vya Ujenzi wakati Jumamosi na Jumapili zitakuwa siku za mapumziko.<br /><br />Balozi Seif alisema utafiti unaendelea kufanywa na Kamati ya Wataalamu kwa kushirikiana na ile ya Mawaziri inayoshughulikia suala mchanga kujua kiwango cha mchanga kiliopo kwenye eneo la Kiwanda cha Sukari Pangatupu, Kichwele na maeneo mengi ili kubaini wingi wake na endapo utafaa kwa matumizi ya ujenzi.<br /><br />Alisema Zanzibar si nchi ya kwanza kuwa na upungufu wa mchanga ambapo ipo mifano ya uhaba wa rasilmali hiyo iliyokwishajitokeza katika baadhi ya nchi duniani kama vile Malaysia, Singapore, Phillipines na Tuvalu.<br /><br />Balozi Seif alieleza kwamba upo ushahidi wa wazi uliothibitisha kuzama kwa Visiwa vodogo vidogo Vitano Nchini Phillipines kufuatia wimbi kubwa la uchimbaji wa mchanga kiholela pembezoni mwa fukwe zilizokuwa zimevizunguuka Visiwa hivyo.<br /><br />Alifahamisha kwamba ushibiti huo wa rasilmali ya mchanga unaweza kupelekea Wananchi katika maeneo mbali mbali Nchini wakavamia fukwe kuchota mchanga. Hivyo aliziomba mamlaka zote kupiga marufuku uchotaji huo ili kujiepusha na majanga na kuangamiza Visiwa hivi.<br /><br />Alitahadharisha kwamba Serikali ya Mapinduzi ya Zanzibar kupitia vyombo vyake itatoa adhabu kali kwa mtu ye yote atakayekwenda kinyume dhidi ya agizo lililotolewa na Serikali kuhusu suala zima la uchimbaji wa Mchanga.<br /><br />Balozi Seif aliwaomba Wajumbe wa Baraza la Wawakilishi wanaporudi Majimboni kuwaelimisha Wananchi wao juu ya uhaba uliopo wa mchanga unaovikabili visiwa hivi.<br /><br />Aliwashauri Wajumbe hao kuandaa utaratibu maalum wa kuwapangia Wananchi wao ziara mahsusi za kwenda kuangalia hali halisi ya uharibifu wa mazingira uliokwishafanyika katika maeneo yaliyochimbwa mchanga.<br /><br />Alisema Serikali kupitia Wizara ya Kilimo kwa kushirikiana na Wizara ya Ardhi pamoja na Wiara ya Ujenzi,Mawasiliano na Ushafirishaji zitaandaa muongozi wa uingiza wa bidhaa za ujenzi ikiwemo mchanga, kokoto, kifusi na Mawe kutoka nje ya Zanzibar.<br /><br />Alisema muongozo huo utakwenda sambamba na kufuatilia utaratibu uliotumika katika uuzaji wa maeneo ya Kilimo kwa ajili ya kuchimbwa mchanga ili kubaini kwa kina ujanja unaotumika kuyabadilisha matumizi ya maeneo ya Kilimo.<br /><br />Akizungumzia vita dhidi ya Dawa za kulevya vilivyotangazwa hivi karibuni na Rais wa Jamuhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania Dr. John Pombe Magufuli Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar Balozi Seif alionya kwamba Zanzibar haitakua kimbilio la waendelezaji wa biashara hiyo haramu na badala yake itakuwa gereza lao.<br /><br />Balozi Seif alisema vita hivyo ni vya Nchi nzima ya Jamuhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania ikiwemo Zanzibar. Hivyo wale wanaofikiria kwamba vita hivyo ni kwa Tanzania Bara pekee wanaelezwa bayana kuwa wamepotea njia.<br /><br />Alisema Takwimu kutoka Tume ya Uratibu na Udhibiti wa Dawa za Kulevya zinaonyesha kwamba mwaka 2016 jumla ya kesi 37 ziliripotiwa kwenye Mahakama za Unguja na Pemba na ni Mtu Mmoja tu ndie aliyetiwa hatiani.<br /><br />Alieleza kwamba kutokana na Takwimu hizo inaonyesha wazi ukubwa wa janga hilo hauendani na kasi za kuwakamata wanaoingiza dawa za kulevya nchini na kuwapa adhabu stahiki.<br /><br />Balozi Seif alisema janga la Dawa za kulevya linaweza kumalizika endapo jamii mitaani itakuwa tayari kushirikiana kwa kina na Jeshi la Polisi, vyombo vyengine vya ulinzi chini ya usimamizi wa Tume ya Uratibu wa Udhibiti wa Dawa za Kulevya.<br /><br />Akigusia vita dhidi ya ukatili na udhalilishaji wa kijinsia hasa kwa wanawake na watoto Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar alisema bado lipo ongezeko kubwa la vitendo hivyo vinavyoshinda kutoa matunda mazuri yaliyokusudiwa.<br /><br />Alisema takwimu za vitendo hivyo viovu zilizoripotiwa kuanzia mwezi Julai hadi Septemba Mwaka 2016 zinazonyesha jumla ya matukio 218 yamewasilishwa katika vyombo vinavyohusika Unguja na Pemba.<br /><br />Balozi Seif alitahadharisha kwamba hali hiyo bado inatisha na kutoa ujumbe kuwa bado Jamii inahitaji kushirikiana kwa karibu kujaribu kutokomeza vitendo vya udhalilishaji vya Kijinsia hapa Nchini.<br /><br />Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar aliwapongeza Wajumbe wa Baraza la Wawakilishi Zanzibar kwa umahiri wao wa kujadili Miswada Mitatu na baadae kupitishwa na Baraza hilo.<br /><br />Aliitaja Miswada hiyo kuwa ni Mswada wa Sheria ya kufuta Sheria ya Tume ya Uchaguzi nambari 9 ya Mwaka 1992, Mswada wa Sheria ya kufuta sheria ya Nembo nambari 1 ya mwaka 1985 na Sheria ya Bendera ya Zanzibar nambari 12 ya mwaka 2004 na kutunga sheria inayoweka masharti bora yanayohusiana na Bendera ya Zanzibar, Nembo ya Serikali yam APINDUZI ya Zanzibar na Wimbo wa Taifa wa Zanzibar ya Mwaka 2016 na mambo mengine yanayohusiana na hayo.<br /><br />Mswada mwengine ni Mswada wa Marekebisho ya Sheria ya Chakula, Dawa na Vipodozi, Sheria nambari 2 ya mwaka 2006.<br /><br />Baraza la Wawakilishi lilipokea Ripoti 7 za Kamati za Kudumu za Baraza hilo ambazo ni Ripoti ya Kamati ya kusimamia Afisi za Viongozi Wakuu wa Kitaifa ya mwaka 2016/2017, Ripoti ya Kamati ya Katiba, Sheria na Utawala ya Mwaka 2016/2017 na Ripoti ya Kamati ya Fedha, Biashara na Kilimo ya Mwaka 2016/2017.<br /><br />Nyengine ni Ripoti ya Kamati ya Maendeleo ya Wanawake na Ustawi wa Jamii ya Mwaka 2016/ 2017, Ripoti ya Kamati ya Mifugo, Utalii, Uwezeshaji na Habari ya Mwaka 2016/2017,Ripoti ya Kamati ya Mawasiliano na Ujenzi ya Mwaka 2016/2017 pamoja na Ripoti ya Kamati ya Kuchunguza na Kudhibiti Hesabu za Serikali na Mashirikia {PAC} ya Mwaka 2016/2017.<br /><br />Wajumbe wa Baraza la Wawakilishi halkadhalika pia walijadili Hoja Binafsi Mbili zilizoletwa na Mwakilishi wa Jimbo la Mpendae Mh. Mohammed Said {Dimwa} inayohusu Dawa za Kulevya na ile ya Mwakilishi wa Jimbo la Kiwengwa Mh. Asha Abdalla Mussa iliyohusu uimarishaji wa mfumo mzima wa Kisheria unaoshughulikia uendeshaji wa Kesi za udhalilishaji wa Wanawake na Watoto Zanzibar.<br /><br />Baraza la Wawakilishi Zanzibar limeahirishwa hadi Jumatano ya Tareje 10 Mwezi Mei mwaka 2017.<br /><br />Othman Khamis Ame<br />Ofisi ya Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar</span></div> </div>

Huduma ya uchimbaji mchanga itarudishwa hivi karibuni

Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar Balozi Seif Ali Iddi alisema Serikali ya Mapinduzi ya Zanzibar itafungua tena kazi za uchimbaji mcha...

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International Criminal Court (ICC) President meets with President of Uganda

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWfz5kHFoTWMOuoRKaGjEodHCQ1dAqQergnDZsFYYyo8yxL27N7oiuWp4asTt_5eZSD0ZpTbi5Qn_NqWrNrVMS8ECTl5yjzncykUdszZ2Q9obUGGuYClf7YEloU5N1Uoc0nzgLH7qQwEk/s1600/Ugnada.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWfz5kHFoTWMOuoRKaGjEodHCQ1dAqQergnDZsFYYyo8yxL27N7oiuWp4asTt_5eZSD0ZpTbi5Qn_NqWrNrVMS8ECTl5yjzncykUdszZ2Q9obUGGuYClf7YEloU5N1Uoc0nzgLH7qQwEk/s1600/Ugnada.jpg" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The President of the International <a href="http://www.icc-cpi.int/">Criminal</a> Court (ICC)</span><span style="font-size: large;">, Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi, who was on an official visit to Uganda, met with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at State House in Entebbe. The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Kahinda Otafiire, the Attorney General, Mr. Byaruhanga William and State Minister for International Affairs, Hon. Okello Oryem, as well as Mr Motoo Noguchi, Chair of the Board of the Trust Fund for Victims (TFV), also attended the meeting.<br /><br />The ICC President held bilateral discussions with H.E. the President and reiterated the Court’s commitment to listen to concerns raised by Uganda. She emphasized the Court’s willingness to continue engaging with States Parties on improvements of its methods of work.<br /><br />President Fernández expressed recognition for the historic role of Uganda in relation to the Court and thanked President Museveni for the cooperation of his government with the Court. She stated that “Uganda’s cooperation and support for the Court’s operations is and will remain crucial for the implementation of the Court’s mandate”.<br /><br />President Fernández was on a one-week official visit to Uganda, where she visited victim assistance projects supported by the TFV, an independent body associated with the Court.<br /><br />Though the TFV is separate from the Court, it was created under the Rome Statute system. The TFV supports and implements programmes that address harm resulting from genocide, crimes of humanity, and war crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court. To achieve this mission, the TFV has a two-fold mandate: (i) to implement Court-ordered reparations and (ii) to provide assistance through physical, psychological, and material support to victims and their families. The TFV's current activities in Uganda involve the assistance mandate.<br /><br />Distributed by APO on behalf of International Criminal Court (ICC). </span></div> </div>

International Criminal Court (ICC) President meets with President of Uganda

The President of the International Criminal Court (ICC) , Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi, who was on an official visit to Uganda, m...

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Mabalozi watakiwa kuitunza heshima ya Tanzania

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPW1CE0LLs2Yi_orHG25BuTFGrDBLpyLT_QH2-xXgL1FruMhzJRvwUXH_Ciwp2_sKXg_hN8QH1uZzib-H_3MAvL1K2XcVJJtWWaeB3pQPHbFA27GTQGW6J9a4HAr7Mqahb9Yi3jfCE4GdJ/s1600/451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPW1CE0LLs2Yi_orHG25BuTFGrDBLpyLT_QH2-xXgL1FruMhzJRvwUXH_Ciwp2_sKXg_hN8QH1uZzib-H_3MAvL1K2XcVJJtWWaeB3pQPHbFA27GTQGW6J9a4HAr7Mqahb9Yi3jfCE4GdJ/s320/451.jpg" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Mabalozi wanayoiwakilisha Jamuhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania katika Mataifa Rafiki Ulimwenguni wataendelea kuwa na jukumu la kuitunza Heshima ya Tanzania katika misingi imara itakayoimarisha Uhusiano mzuri uliopo kati ya pande hizo mbili.<br /><br />Kauli hiyo imetolewa na Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar Balozi Seif Ali Iddi Ofisini kwake Vuga wakati akiwaaga Mabalozi Saba wapya wa Tanzania walioteuliwa hivi karibuni kuiwakilisha Nchi katika Mataifa tofauti Duniani uliofanywa na Rais wa Jamuhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania Dr. John Pombe Magufuli.<br /><br />Balozi Seif Ali Iddi alisema yapo mafungamano mazuri ya muda mrefu yaliyopo baina ya Tanzania na Nchi Rafiki ambazo Wanadiplomasia hao wa Tanzania wana kazi kubwa ya kuhakikisha kwamba uwajibikaji wao unaleta tija na faida kwa mafungamano hayo katika pande zote mbili.<br /><br />Balozi Seif aliwaeleza Mabalozi hao kwamba Mataifa ya Qatar, Oman, Uganda, Kenya, Belgium na Korea Kusini yamekuwa mshirika mkubwa na Tanzania katika kuimarisha Sekta za Maendeleo zinazosaidia kustawisha maisha ya Wananchi.<br /><br />Alisema Zanzibar ikiwa ni sehemu ya Jamuhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania inahitaji kuendelea kuungwa mkono na Mashirika na Taasisi za Mataifa hayo ambapo Mabalozi hayo watakuwa na jukumu la kufanya ushawishi utakaopelekea azma hiyo inafanikiwa vyema.<br /><br />Akigusia Nchi ya Sudan ambayo Tanzania imeamua kufungua tena Ubalozi wake baada ya kuufunga katika miaka ya 90 kutokana na hali ngumu ya uchumi, Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar alimtaka Balozi atakayesimamia Ofisi hiyo kufanya juhudi katika kuhakikisha fursa za masomo zilizokuwa zikitolewa na Nchi hiyo zinarejea kama kawaida.<br /><br />Alisema Sudan ni Nchi iliyokuwa ikiifadhili na kuisaidia sana Tanzania na Zanzibar kwa jumla nafasi nyingi za masomo hasa katika fani za Elimu ya Dini ya Kiislamu na Historia.<br /><br />Akitoa shukrani kwa niaba ya Mabalozi wenzake Balozi wa Tanzania Nchini Oman Balozi Abdulla Kilima alisema jukumu walilokabidhiwa na kukubali kulibeba watahakikisha wanalitekeleza kwa nguvu zao zote.<br /><br />Balozi Kilima kwa niaba ya wenzake wamewaahidi Watanzania kwamba watazingatia kuilinda Heshima iliyopo ya Taifa lao inayoendelea kushamiri katika Nyanja za Kimataifa.<br /><br />Mabalozi aliyozungumzao nao Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar na kuwaaga ni pamoja na Balozi Pindi Chana anayekwenda Nchini Kenya, Balozi Silima Kombo Haji anayekwenda Sudan na Balozi Joseph Sokoine anayekwenda Nchini Belgium.<br /><br />Wengine ni Balozi Abdulla Kilima anayeiwakilisha Tanzania Nchini Oman, Balozi Matilda Masuka atakayekwenda fungua Ubalozi Mpya Nchini Korea Kusini, Balozi Grace Mgwano anayekwenda Nchini Uganda na Balozi Fatma Rajab anayekwenda Nchini Qatar.<br /><br />Othman Khamis Ame<br />Ofisi ya Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar</span></div> <img height="63" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPW1CE0LLs2Yi_orHG25BuTFGrDBLpyLT_QH2-xXgL1FruMhzJRvwUXH_Ciwp2_sKXg_hN8QH1uZzib-H_3MAvL1K2XcVJJtWWaeB3pQPHbFA27GTQGW6J9a4HAr7Mqahb9Yi3jfCE4GdJ/s320/451.jpg" style="left: 168px; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 132.29px;" width="96" /></div>

Mabalozi watakiwa kuitunza heshima ya Tanzania

Mabalozi wanayoiwakilisha Jamuhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania katika Mataifa Rafiki Ulimwenguni wataendelea kuwa na jukumu la kuitunza Hesh...

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Wakati umefika wa kufuata mpango kazi

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQeqqap8dOCfLJ9y322H-z7JbXXWX-eksvz21COy6mIXugwA250gJzPUh03vrVGXdpPTwv8p6tjgmHpzdHpXdNKw0Lg0vQPj7OlQ8GiCjjqlN-RYDSB-adQx9SzCzy7sNKZ7OtyDIHIpI/s1600/482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQeqqap8dOCfLJ9y322H-z7JbXXWX-eksvz21COy6mIXugwA250gJzPUh03vrVGXdpPTwv8p6tjgmHpzdHpXdNKw0Lg0vQPj7OlQ8GiCjjqlN-RYDSB-adQx9SzCzy7sNKZ7OtyDIHIpI/s320/482.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar Balozi Seif Ali Iddi alisema kwamba wakati umefika kwa Skuli za Zanzibar kutumia Mpango Kazi ambao Uongozi wa Skuli husika unapaswa ukusanye matokeo mara baada ya vijana wao kufanya mitihani ili kufanya uchambuzi utakaobainisha maeneo yanayotakiwa kufanyiwa kazi.<br /><br />Alisema Uongozi wa Skuli ukijipanga upya kwa kushirikisha Wanafunzi katika kukabiliana na mapungufu yaliyozorotesha matokeo ya wanafunzi waliopita kazi ya kutekeleza yale yaliyokubalika wakati wa tathmini hiyo inakuwa rahisi na kuleta mafanikio makubwa.<br /><br />Balozi Seif Ali Iddi ambae pia ni Mwakilishi wa Jimbo la Mahonda alieleza hayo katika Hotuba iliyosomwa kwa niaba yake na Waziri wa Elimu na Mafunzo ya Amali Zanzibar Mh. Riziki Pembe Juma wakati wa hafla maalum ya kuwapongeza Wanafunzi waliofanya vizuri katika Mitihani yao ya Taifa ya Kidato cha Pili na cha Nne katika Skuli ya Sekondari ya Mahonda. <br /><br />Alisema Utaratibu au Mpango Kazi huo wa kupata mafanikio endelevu ya Elimu { Systematic Quality Work } ukifuatwa ipasavyo kila mwaka utasaidia kunyanyua ufundishaji na hatimae Skuli za Zanzibar zitanyanyua viwango vya ufaulu.<br /><br />Balozi Seif alisema ni jukumu la Wizara ya Elimu na Mafunzo ya Amali Zanzibar kuhakikisha kwamba Skuli zote Nchini zinawekewa utaratibu maalum wa kuzipima kila mwisho wa Mwaka kwa lengo la kunyanyua ubora wa Skuli zote Visiwani Zanzibar.<br /><br />Aliwapongeza Wanafunzi wote wa Skuli ya Sekondari ya Mahonda waliofaulu vizuri mitihani yao na kusema kwamba mafanikio yaliyopatikana hayakuja kama mvua bali ni matunda ya mshikamano yaliyoonyeshwa baina ya Walimu, Wazee Kamati ya Skuli pamoja na Wanafunzi wenyewe.<br /><br />Hata hivyo Balozi Seif aliwanasihi wanafunzi wasiofaulu mitihani yao wasivunjike moyo kwani milango ya kujiendeleza zaidi kielimu hapa Nchini ipo mingi ambayo hutowa fursa kwa wanafunzi hao kuendelea na mafunzo mengine ya kujijengea hatma njema ya maisha yao ya baadae.<br /><br />Alifahamisha kwamba wapo watu wengi Nchini ambao hawakufaulu katika Mitihani yao ya Taifa kwa mara ya kwanza lakini hawakukata tamaa na badala yake walifanya jitihada ya kujiendeleza zaidi na hivi sasa baddhi yao wanahesabiwa kuwa wataalamu katika fani za Ualimu, Udaktari na hata Kilimo.<br /><br />Aliwanasihi Wazee kujitahidi katika kuwashajiisha Vijana wao kupenda elimu na pale wanapofanya vizuri katika mitihani hiyo Wazee wanapaswa kujenga Utamaduni wa kuwazawadia vijana hao ili kuwatia moyo zaidi.<br /><br />Balozi Seif Ali Iddi aliushukuru Uongozi wa Skuli ya Mahonda pamoja na Kamati ya Wazazi ya Skuli hiyo kwa uamuzi wake wa busara wa kutenga siku maalum ya kuwapongeza Vijana wao waliofaulu vyema katika Mitihani yao ya Kidato cha Pili na Cha Nne.<br /><br />“ Nawapongeza kwa dhati wale wote waliosaidia kufanikisha hafla hii ya wanafunzi wetu, wakiwemo Walimu Wazazi, Kamati ya Skuli na wale wote ambao sikuwataja”. Alisisitiza Balozi Seif.<br /><br />Alieleza kwamba Utamaduni huo ni mzuri na ni vyema ukaendelezwa katika miaka mengine ijayo kwa vile unasaidia kupatikana kwa maendeleo ya kielimu yanayokuwa endelevu katika muda wote.<br /><br />Akisoma Risala ya Walimu, Wanafunzi na Wazazi wa Skuli ya Mahonda Mwalimu wa Sekondari wa Skuli hiyo Mwalimu Dadi Salim Rashid alisema kiwango cha ufaulu kwa Wanafunzi waliofanya mitihani ya Kidato cha Pili na cha Nne kimeongezeka ikilinganishwa na Miaka iliyopita nyuma. <br /><br />Mwalimu Dadi alisema idadi ya Wanafunzi waliofaulu kwa Kidato cha Pili imefikia wanafunzin106 kati ya Wafafunzin177 waliofanya mitihani wakati Kidato cha Nne Mwanafunzi pekee wa Daraja la Pili ndani ya Wilaya ya Kaskazini B ametokea Skuli hiyo ya Sekondari Mahonda.<br /><br />Alisema Wanafunzi 50 wa Daraja na Nne na 6 wa Daraja la Tatu wamefanikisha kuinawisha uso skuli hiyo ya Mahonda ambayo kwa kipindi kirefu imekuwa ikizorota katika ufaulu wa wanafunzi wake.<br /><br />Hata hivyo mwalimu Dadi alisema Skuli ya Sekondari ya Mahonda bado inakabiliwa na changamoto kadhaa zinazozorotesha ufanisi wa kufanya vizuri wanafunzi wake akizitaja baadhi yake kuwa ni pamoja na uhaba wa walimu wa masomo ya sayansi na kutomalizika kwa ukumbi wao wa Mitihani.<br /><br />Mapema Mkuu wa Wilaya ya Kaskazini “B” Nd. Issa Juma Ali alisema sababu zinazopelekea wanafunzi kukosa kufaulu mitihani yao ni dhima inayobebwa na Wazazi ambao baadhi yao hupenda kuisukumia lawama Serikali Kuu iliyokwisha toa muongozo.<br /><br />Nd. Issa alisema Viongozi wa Kamati za Maskuli wanapaswa kufanya juhudi za ziada katika kuwatafuta Vijana wa Mitaani waliopata elimu ya kutosha ili watenge muda wa kusaidia masomo ya ziada kwa wanafunzi wanaojiandaa kufanya mitihani yao ya Taifa.<br /><br />Katika hafla hiyo Waziri wa Elimu na Mafunzo ya Amali Zanzibar Mh. Riziki Pembe Juma alikabidhi Mashine ya Fotokopi kwa skuli ya Sekondari ya Kitope iliyotolewa na Mwakilishi wa Jimbo la Mahonda Balozi Seif Ali Iddi kukamilisha ahadi aliyotoa kwa uongozi wa Skuli hiyo miezi michache iliyopita.<br /><br />Othman Khamis Ame<br />Ofisi ya Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar</span></div> </div>

Wakati umefika wa kufuata mpango kazi

Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar Balozi Seif Ali Iddi alisema kwamba wakati umefika kwa Skuli za Zanzibar kutumia Mpango Kazi ambao U...

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Cross-border e-commerce considered a growth rocket for Sub Saharan Africa retailers

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1cBxfBcWAWiczeCEulqwV0RccVMvY4zP7BRhiFUkj3ltZDM6B_RKNMGna0h671y5lOav9TCqE6RL5mIxy3g5cTyPnla40m05fxZSfpbVhW2Oc_jjABmHx1asj10LEbXplFPlGcCi3ZWj/s1600/dhl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="87" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1cBxfBcWAWiczeCEulqwV0RccVMvY4zP7BRhiFUkj3ltZDM6B_RKNMGna0h671y5lOav9TCqE6RL5mIxy3g5cTyPnla40m05fxZSfpbVhW2Oc_jjABmHx1asj10LEbXplFPlGcCi3ZWj/s400/dhl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">The report reveals that cross-border e-commerce offers aggregate growth rates not available in most other retail markets: cross-border retail volumes are predicted to increase at an annual average rate of 25% between 2015 and 2020</span><span style="font-size: large;">. Cross-border online retail predicted to grow at twice the rate of domestic e-commerce (CAGR: 25%) until 2020</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Retailers can grow 60% faster with a premium service offering</span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /><a href="http://www.dpdhl.com/">DHL Express</a>, the world’s leading international express services provider, has published research highlighting the significant growth opportunity for retailers and manufacturers with an international online product offering. The report – The 21st Century Spice Trade: A Guide to the Cross-Border E-Commerce Opportunity – looks in detail at the markets and products that offer the highest growth potential, the motivations and preferences of customers making international online purchases and the success factors for online retailers that wish to expand overseas. It focuses in particular on the opportunity for premium products and service offerings, with higher basket values accounting for a significantly higher proportion of orders in cross-border transactions. <br /><br />The report reveals that cross-border e-commerce offers aggregate growth rates not available in most other retail markets: cross-border retail volumes are predicted to increase at an annual average rate of 25% between 2015 and 2020 (from USD 300 Billion to USD 900 Billion) – twice the pace of domestic e-commerce growth. Online retailers are also boosting sales by 10-15% on average simply by extending their offering to international customers. An additional boost comes from including a premium service offering: retailers and manufacturers that incorporated a faster shipping option into their online stores grew 1.6 times faster on average than other players. <br /><br />“Contrary to what many retailers think, cross-border shipping is actually simple and retailers in Sub Saharan Africa are perfectly positioned to take advantage of international opportunities. ‘Brand Africa’ is something that has increased exponentially in popularity in recent years and it’s time for retailers to remove the boundaries and open up their business to seamless international trade. Often, retailers choose not to promote their businesses internationally, and worse yet, will turn down international sales interests due to the misconception that it’s too difficult to manage and deliver,” says Hennie Heymans, CEO for DHL Express Sub Saharan Africa. <br /><br />“Globally, our experience is that virtually every product category has the potential to upgrade to become premium, both by developing higher quality luxury editions and by offering superior levels of service quality to meet the demands of less price-sensitive customers. The opportunity to ‘go global’ and ‘go premium’ is available to retailers in all markets and our global door-to-door time definite network is well-positioned to support retailers looking to develop a premium service offering or directly reach new international markets without the need to invest in distribution or warehousing. In Sub Saharan Africa, the opportunity for Intra Africa trade should not be ignored. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">‘Going global’ does not only mean trading outside of the African continent, Africa is home to one of the world’s fastest growing middle class, with an appetite for quality products and services. There are also a number of trade blocs in place to support Intra Africa trade growth and retailers should take advantage of this captive market.” <br /><br />The report is based primarily on research and in-depth interviews conducted by a leading global management consultancy, as well as more than 1,800 responses to a proprietary exporter survey of retailers and manufacturers in six countries. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">It casts a light on the evolving face of e-commerce, with both supply and demand becoming more sophisticated Manufacturers are increasingly taking advantage of e-commerce to move to direct retail models – bypassing the ‘middleman’ and offering their products online to the end customer – and expect to grow 30% faster in cross-border e-commerce than other retailer groups. Customers in many markets are also becoming more discerning, citing product availability and trust, as well as attractive offers, as the motivating factors for shopping with overseas online retailers. <br /><br />The main challenges highlighted by consumers to cross-border purchases relate to logistics, trust, price and customer experience. At the same time, online retailers can take a number of relatively easy steps to identify, cultivate and service demand from abroad.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> The report noted that the e-commerce trend has given birth to a new eco-system of facilitators and off-the-shelf solutions (such as payment providers and programs that localize a website’s check-out experience for the visitor), helping retailers to adapt their offering to the digital world and to transact with customers in foreign markets. Global logistics partners can provide support in identifying the right trade-off between centralized and local warehousing and fulfillment, while fast, reliable and flexible delivery options can be an important tool in turning speculative interest into long-term customer loyalty. <br /><br />Distributed by APO on behalf of Deutsche Post DHL. </span></div> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>

Cross-border e-commerce considered a growth rocket for Sub Saharan Africa retailers

The report reveals that cross-border e-commerce offers aggregate growth rates not available in most other retail markets: cross-border re...

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Merck empowers Ugandan infertile women for the second year through 'Merck More than a Mother' in partnership with Uganda Ministry of Health

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGp49ULKXxcbkxSb78NaIy-6jfsWFNBE2tsod5u8QqfBMD2Q0-S9AlqLnoRpjDL_9Q7hGb4LKQpgoqaahkbLDaQpPgnHwDV0vY-jDYaWewVpqwMXc3GB6IqtgiPFanENfaa1nctwgXMRz/s1600/merck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="62" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGp49ULKXxcbkxSb78NaIy-6jfsWFNBE2tsod5u8QqfBMD2Q0-S9AlqLnoRpjDL_9Q7hGb4LKQpgoqaahkbLDaQpPgnHwDV0vY-jDYaWewVpqwMXc3GB6IqtgiPFanENfaa1nctwgXMRz/s400/merck.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Through ‘Empowering Berna’ project, “Merck More than a Mother” empowers infertile women socially and economically.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">“Merck More than a Mother” aims to improve access to information, education, healthcare and change of mind-set to break the stigma around infertility.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /><a href="http://www.merckgroup.com/">Merck</a>, a leading science and technology company, today continues their commitment for the second year to empower infertile women in Uganda through improving access to information, health, change of mind-set and economic empowerment.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />Through ‘Empowering Berna’, Merck in partnership with Uganda Ministry of Health inaugurates today small businesses that been established this year to support infertile women across the country.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />The day’s program also included a courtesy visit to Uganda’s First Lady H.E. Janet Museveni at State House, Kampala by the Merck delegation to brief her on the ‘Merck More than a Mother’ initiative and to explore possible areas of collaboration. The delegation consisted of H.E. Madame Brigitte Touadera, First Lady, Central African Republic; Sarah Opendi, Minister of State for Health, Uganda; Belen Garijo, CEO, Merck Healthcare; Virginie Baiokua, Minister of Social Affairs and National Reconciliation, Central African Republic; Zuliatu Cooper, Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation, Sierra Leone; Joyce Lay, Member of Parliament, Kenya; Dr. Rasha Kelej, Chief Social Officer, Merck Healthcare; and Lina Ekomo, Central African Republic.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />Speaking at the event, Belén Garijo, Member of Executive Board and CEO of Merck Healthcare emphasized: “I believe in women empowerment and especially childless women - they are mistreated and discriminated in many cultures for being unable to have children and start a family. Empowering these women through access to information, health, and change of mind set to remove the stigma of infertility is needed. Through ‘Merck More than a Mother’ we are supporting this strong message together with our partners and we will continue our commitment to improve access to regulated and effective fertility care in Africa.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />“In Africa including Uganda, infertile women still suffer discrimination, stigma and ostracism. More often an inability to have a child or to become pregnant results in the woman being greatly isolated, disinherited or assaulted. This sometimes also results in divorce or physical and psychological violence. I am glad to see an initiative that addresses this challenge in the public domain in Africa as it is something that no one talks about and is treated as secret. ‘Merck More than a Mother’ is therefore very important for Africa since it aims to define interventions to reduce the stigma and social suffering of infertile women across the continent,” said, Sarah Opendi, Minister of State of Health, Uganda.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />Madame Brigitte Touadera, the First Lady of the Central African Republic (CAR) said: “I am very happy to participate in today’s launch another milestone of ‘Merck More than a Mother’ in Uganda as it follows the one we had for the Central African Republic (CAR) last month and in Kenya yesterday. As the champion for the initiative in CAR and for Francophone Africa, I acknowledge the social suffering infertile women go through and the role that ‘Merck More than a Mother’ is playing to eliminate this suffering and stigmatization by raising awareness about infertility prevention, male infertility and the necessity of a team approach to family building among couples which is very critical for Africa.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />Rasha Kelej, Chief Social Officer, Merck Healthcare explained: “Empowering those women across Ugandan rural villages was very essential, those women suffered great deal of discrimination, violence and isolation. Moreover meeting community members and leaders there to emphasize the importance to change their perception of infertility and infertile women in specific was very productive. I have witnessed firsthand the instant change of their mind-set and the transformation of those vulnerable childless women to strong, proud and productive community members.”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />According to the World Health Organization (WHO), lower levels of development are thought to be associated with higher levels of non-genetic and preventable causes of infertility such as poor nutrition, untreated sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unsafe abortion, consequence of infections caused by the practice of female genital mutilation, exposure to smoking and to leaded petrol and other environmental pollutants. Hence prevention awareness is very important,” Sarah Opendi added.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />“The businesses established by ‘Empowering Berna’ project are benefitting over 800 women in many districts in Uganda who have come together in groups and have been trained and supported to establish bakery, catering and tent hire businesses and more. They are currently able to earn an income to support themselves from their own new businesses - they are now ‘more than mothers’,” Rasha Kelej added.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />Over 1,000 infertile women in Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, CAR, Ethiopia, Liberia and Cote D’Ivoire who can no longer be treated have been empowered socially and economically to lead independent and happier lives through ‘Empowering Berna’.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />The event in Uganda was attended by policy makers including ministers and fertility experts and included: Sarah Opendi, Minister of State of Health, Uganda; Zuliatu Cooper, Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation, Sierra Leone; Virginie Baikoua, Minister of Social Affairs and National Reconciliation, CAR; Joyce Lay, Member of Parliament, Kenya; Oladapo Ashiru, President of Africa Fertility Society; Joe Simpson, Past President, International Federation of Fertility Societies; Paul Le Roux, President of Southern African Society of Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecological Endoscopy; Kamini Rao, Chair International Institute for Training & Research in Reproductive Health, India; and Mohamed Kamal, President of Future Assured Foundation, Nigeria.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />Watch videos below of Ugandan women who are infertile and have been supported to start their own businesses through ‘Merck More than a Mother’s’ ‘Empowering Berna’ Project:</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br />Watch below the video of a Ugandan couple Byansi and Sawuya and their battle with infertility and how they sought fertility care together and got a baby:</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Merck More Than a Mother with Byansi Adrian Ssemugga and Sawuya Ntongo, couple from Uganda: </span></div> </div>

Merck empowers Ugandan infertile women for the second year through 'Merck More than a Mother' in partnership with Uganda Ministry of Health

Through ‘Empowering Berna’ project, “Merck More than a Mother” empowers infertile women socially and economically. “Merck More than a ...

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Balozi Seif ataaka taaluma ya sayansi itolewe ipasavyo

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-9MHJ8Pzu8RmnRwLj3xLiP2toxIan2irKoAIInunEDIX8AxUVRiR9A965p35cmiszDxpvZspPz1s3dJx2ggRZicPAuSbz508LoiDfSbajw63NDMtrlV00i9zoLNTk2C1ZrEXIfN28vhQ/s1600/balo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-9MHJ8Pzu8RmnRwLj3xLiP2toxIan2irKoAIInunEDIX8AxUVRiR9A965p35cmiszDxpvZspPz1s3dJx2ggRZicPAuSbz508LoiDfSbajw63NDMtrlV00i9zoLNTk2C1ZrEXIfN28vhQ/s400/balo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar Balozi Seif Ali Iddi aliitahadharisha Jamii kuelewa kwamba maendeleo kwa wana Taaluma wa Fani ya Sayansi iwe Maskulini au vyuoni yataendelea kuwa ndoto iwapo hakutakuwa na mipango imara ya kuimarisha miundombinu kwenye Majengo ya Maabara katika maeneo husika.<br /><br />Alisema Wazazi kwa kushirikiana na Kamati za Maskuli na vyuo kupitia usimamizi wa Wizara inayosimamia masuala ya Elimu bado wana jukumu la kuhakikisha vilio vya Wanafunzi kutokana na kukabiliwa na ukosefu wa Maabara kwenye Taasisi zao vinamalizika.<br /><br />Balozi Seif Ali Iddi ambae pia ni Mwakilishi wa Jimbo la Mahonda alitoa tahadhari hiyo wakati wa hafla fupi ya kukabidhi pamoja na kulizindua rasmi Jengo la Maabara ya Skuli ya Sekondari ya Kitope iliyomo ndani ya Wilaya ya Kaskazini “B”.<br /><br />Jengo hilo aliloligharamia yeye pamoja na kupata msaada wa nguvu za ufadhili wa baadhi ya vifaa kutoka Ubalozi wa Jamuhuri ya Watu wa China na Kampuni ya mitandao ya simu za mkononi ya Tigo limegharimu jumla ya shilingi za Kitanzania Milioni 38,780,000/-.<br /><br />Balozi Seif alisema wanafunzi wa Skuli ya Sekondari ya Kitope kwa sasa hawana sababu ya kufanya vibaya katika mitihani yao ya Kitaifa kutokana na kumalizika kwa Jengo hilo la Maabara ambalo lilikuwa kilio kwao na walimu wao kwa karibu miaka Kumi sasa.<br /><br />Aliwaasa Wanafunzi hao kuhakikisha kwamba Vifaa walivyopatiwa kwenye Maabara ya Skuli yao wataendelea kuvitunza kwa tahadhari ili viweze kudumu kwa kipindi kirefu na kutumiwa pia na wanafunzi wenzao watakaofuatia baada ya wao.<br /><br />Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar Balozi Seif aliupongeza na kuushukuru Uongozi wa Ubalozi wa Jamuhuri ya Watu wa China hapa Nchini pamoja na ule wa Kampuni ya Mitandao ya Simu za mkononi wa Tigo kwa upendo wao wa kuunga mkono Sekta ya Elimu hapa Zanzibar.<br /><br />Katika kusaidia kupunguza changamoto zinazowakabili walimu na wanafunzi wa skuli ya sekondari ya Kitope Balozi Seif aliahidi kuwapatia mashine Moja ya Fotokopi itakayosaidia kukidhi mahitaji yao hasa wakati wa kujiandaa na mitihani ya majaribio.<br /><br />Balozi Seif aliuagiza Uongozi wa Skuli hiyo kufanya tathmini ya matengenezo ya vyoo, milango na madirisha kwa Darasa wanaloendelea kulijenga kwenye skuli hiyo na kumpatia gharama zinazohitajika kwa ajili ya kuangalia mbinu zitakazosaidia kukamilisha ujenzi huo.<br /><br />Mwakilishi huyo wa Jimbo la Mahonda aliwahakikishia Wananchi wa Jimbo hilo kwamba kazi kubwa iliyopo mbele kwa Viongozi wa Jimbo hilo ni kupeleka nguvu zao katika uimarishaji miundombinu ya Maabara kwa Skuli iliyobakia ya Sekondari ndani ya Jimbo hilo iliyopo katika Kijiji cha Mahonda.<br /><br />Akisoma risala kwa niaba ya walimu na wanafunzi wa Skuli ya Sekondari ya Kitope Mwalimu Wanu Ndende Juma amemuelezea Mwakilishi wa Jimbo liliomo Skuli hiyo Balozi Seif Ali Iddi kuwa anapenda Elimu kiasi kwamba amekuwa mdau muhimu na mshirika mkubwa katika maendeleo ya skuli ya Kitope.<br /><br />Mwalimu Wanu alisema juhudi za Mwakilishi huyo zimewezesha kulipatia ufumbuzi wa kudumu tatizo zito la ukosefu wa Maabara lililokuwa likiwakabili wanafunzi pamoja na walimu wa Kitope kwa miaka mingi na kupelekea wanafunzi wengi waliowahi kusoma skuli hiyo kukosa mafunzo ya vitendo.<br /><br />Wamemshukuru na kumpongeza Balozi Seif kwa uzalendo wake wa kujikubalisha kuwa Mkombozi katika kuchangia Sekta ya Elimu uliomuwezesha ndani ya kipindi cha Miezi Mitatu kufanya mambo mengi katika Sekta hiyo kwenye Jimbo analolitumikia la Mahonda.<br /><br />Mapema Waziri wa Elimu na Mafunzo ya Amali Zanzibar Mheshimiwa Riziki Pemba Juma aliwaomba Wanafunzi wa Skuli hiyo ya Sekondari Kitope kuongeza juhudi katika masomo yao hasa yale ya fani ya Sayansi ili kujitengenezea fursa pana ya kuendelea na masomo yao katika viwango vya Vyuo vya juu.<br /><br />Mh. Riziki alisema Serikali ya Mapinduzi ya Zanzibar kupitia Wizara ya Elimu na Mafunzo ya Amali imeanzisha utaratibu maalum wa kutenga nafasi kumi za kufadhili wanafunzi watakaopata Daraja la Kwanza kwenye Mitihani yao ya Kidato cha sita katika Fani ya Sayansi ili waendelee na masomo yao katika kiwango cha Digirii ya kwanza.<br /><br />Waziri Riziki alisema ataona fahari itakapofikia wakati miongoni mwa wanafunzi watakaobahatika kupata fursa hiyo za kuendelea na elimu ya Digirii wanatoka katika skuli ya Sekondari ya Kitope kutokana na miundombinu waliyoekewa ya upatikanaji wa huduma za Maabara Skulini pao.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /> Othman Khamis Ame<br />Ofisi ya Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar</span></div> </div>

Balozi Seif ataaka taaluma ya sayansi itolewe ipasavyo

Makamu wa Pili wa Rais wa Zanzibar Balozi Seif Ali Iddi aliitahadharisha Jamii kuelewa kwamba maendeleo kwa wana Taaluma wa Fani ya Say...

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Intracom Telecom Supplies its StreetNode™ Platform to MTN for Trial in South Africa

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8CpV2ihaQxyuys3BUpDlcuh9xdhfpcNgf-CG2G-w9WS7Z5Os5Hy-khZ5R5LZEFtpkRxgbN08LRu5_ITZYLNNOK_fSRVkMX0L_C2PVSJ6fyQvSkGHZgfAX8Qc59PXUoPpGHZjvZGjT16j/s1600/ita.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="90" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8CpV2ihaQxyuys3BUpDlcuh9xdhfpcNgf-CG2G-w9WS7Z5Os5Hy-khZ5R5LZEFtpkRxgbN08LRu5_ITZYLNNOK_fSRVkMX0L_C2PVSJ6fyQvSkGHZgfAX8Qc59PXUoPpGHZjvZGjT16j/s400/ita.png" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The trial took place in Johannesburg and the aim was to evaluate the platform’s unique capabilities to provide the most advanced high-quality and high-availability services to MTN’s enterprise customers<br /><br />Intracom </span><a href="http://www.intracom-telecom.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">Telecom</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> , a global telecommunication systems and solutions vendor, announced today that it has successfully completed the live field trial of StreetNode™, its SON (Self Organizing Network) based Point-to-Multipoint (PtMP) platform, implemented by MTN’s South African operation. </span><a href="http://www.mtn.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">MTN</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> is a digital and telecommunication service provider operating in 22 countries across Africa and the Middle East. Intracom Telecom is a supplier of PtMP solutions to MTN Group.<br /><br />The trial took place in Johannesburg and the aim was to evaluate the platform’s unique capabilities to provide the most advanced high-quality and high-availability services to MTN’s enterprise customers. MTN was assessing ease of deployment and the capability of the platform. The StreetNode™ solution was tested in both lab environment and external network, and the platform’s software-defined operation allowed activation and reconfiguration in the field in Point-to-Multipoint (PtMP) mode, demonstrating unparalleled flexibility.<br /><br />While traditional PtMP technology only allows homing to a single base station, the trial successfully proved that StreetNode™ automatically reconnects to alternative base stations in the event of the primary base station failing, thus re-establishing connectivity for subscribers rapidly. The trial also confirmed that non-technical telecom engineers could install and commission the StreetNode™ unit quickly and easily, even at night, assisted greatly by the unique auto-alignment feature of the platform.<br /><br />Navindran Naidoo, Chief Technology Officer at MTN Group, stated: “StreetNode™ demonstrated the same features as its traditional WIBAS™ PtMP platform, but StreetNode’s auto-alignment feature and capability to automatically reconnect to an alternative base station when needed, is certainly an advanced feature.”<br /><br />John Tenidis, Marketing Director of Intracom Telecom's wireless solutions, stated: “This was a great opportunity to supply our StreetNode™ to MTN and demonstrate our capabilities to continuously innovate and provide solutions to customers that are in need of differentiated services. We are pleased to work with MTN and look forward to further contributing to their critical projects with our products and services.”<br /><br />The company has been active in the South African market since 2010 and has extensive experience in the design, implementation and support of PtMP networks in Africa. Intracom Telecom innovates in the PtMP field featuring its SON-capable StreetNode™ platform, which is designed to implement any type of network architecture through software-defined radio operation. The platform’s highly-compact form factor together with street friendly aesthetics, allow the platform to blend invisibly with street level furniture. <br /><br />Distributed by APO on behalf of Intracom Telecom. </span></div> </div>

Intracom Telecom Supplies its StreetNode™ Platform to MTN for Trial in South Africa

The trial took place in Johannesburg and the aim was to evaluate the platform’s unique capabilities to provide the most advanced high-qu...

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The Next Einstein Forum launches Process for New Class of NEF Fellows, Africa’s Top Scientific Talent

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3uy4PF5Ds6dPCmQ_ttR6rlCHUp0NeRGWeKkjksoZ3kNAq7IvEqynKPY6YYHGHbOoM7xfq6wLuKJVnDzi8kihPgT5Iv6CkQjwp5bTi5OqNXL-O6ittRwO_ifKeukSkVNrnVqSk0Pyn20vX/s1600/kigali.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3uy4PF5Ds6dPCmQ_ttR6rlCHUp0NeRGWeKkjksoZ3kNAq7IvEqynKPY6YYHGHbOoM7xfq6wLuKJVnDzi8kihPgT5Iv6CkQjwp5bTi5OqNXL-O6ittRwO_ifKeukSkVNrnVqSk0Pyn20vX/s400/kigali.png" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The new class will join 15 of Africa’s top young scientists, the NEF’s first Fellows Class, and will present their research and innovations at the NEF Global Gathering 2018, to be held in Kigali, Rwanda, in March 2018<br /><br />The Next </span><a href="http://nef.org/"><span style="font-size: large;">Einstein </span></a><span style="font-size: large;">Forum (NEF) Africa’s global forum for science in Africa – today launches its second call for applications for its NEF Fellows Programme. The new class will join 15 of Africa’s top young scientists, the NEF’s first Fellows Class, and will present their research and innovations at the NEF Global Gathering 2018, to be held in Kigali, Rwanda, in March 2018.<br /><br />The NEF, an African Institute for Mathematical Science (AIMS) initiative in partnership with the Robert Bosch Stiftung, is a global platform that connects science, society and policy in Africa and the rest of the world – with the goal to leverage science for human development globally. In March of this year, the NEF, in partnership with the Government of Senegal, hosted the NEF Global Gathering 2016, the first global forum for science on African soil with more than 1000 participants from research, academia, government, the private sector and civil society fields to discuss how science and technology can solve global challenges.<br /><br />“After a successful NEF Global Gathering 2016, we are excited to launch the process to recruit the next class of Africa’s most brilliant young scientists. The first class, through their compelling presentations during the NEF Global Gathering in Dakar, demonstrated to the world that Africa is a source of cutting-edge research, life changing innovations and scientific leadership. The NEF Fellows are changing perceptions, breaking barriers and inviting global collaboration that is necessary for Africa’s and the world’s development trajectory. We are so confident that this year we have expanded the number of NEF Fellows from fifteen to twenty spots,” said Mr. Thierry Zomahoun, NEF Chair and President and CEO of AIMS.<br /><br />Application to the NEF Fellows programme is open to Africans from around the world - including those who currently reside in the Diaspora - in all fields of science, including the social sciences, humanities and technology fields. Applicants must be under 42 years, hold a PhD and demonstrate a strong track record of research/findings that have a global impact.<br /><br />Dr. Ingrid Wuenning Tschol, Senior Vice-President Strategy of the Robert Bosch Stiftung, which has partnered with AIMS to create the NEF, said: “As we saw in Senegal, the NEF Fellows are excellent representatives of their fields. They are doing brilliant research, mentoring the next generation of African scientists and they are showing the potential of Africa to the rest of the world, but also to the African leaders. As we open the new call for applications, we hope to ignite greater collaboration among scientists on the continent and globally. We also believe that strengthening research on the African continent will have sustained positive impact for the world. We encourage all who qualify to apply to the NEF Fellows programme.” <br /><br />In addition to attending and presenting at the NEF Global Gathering 2018, NEF Fellows will participate in research tours and visiting scientist weeks with partners. NEF Fellows will be facilitated in speaking and publishing globally and supported in their research. The tenure of the NEF Fellows runs until 30 June 2019.<br /><br />The applications to the NEF Fellows programme will run from 15 November 2016 to 27 January 2017 and applications can be </span><a href="http://nef.org/nef-fellows"><span style="font-size: large;">accessed</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">. The selected NEF Fellows will be announced in June 2017. To meet some of the current NEF Fellows, watch the video.<br /><br />Distributed by APO on behalf of Next Einstein Forum (NEF). </span></div> </div>

The Next Einstein Forum launches Process for New Class of NEF Fellows, Africa’s Top Scientific Talent

The new class will join 15 of Africa’s top young scientists, the NEF’s first Fellows Class, and will present their research and innovati...

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Natural Disasters Force 26 Million People into Poverty and Cost $520bn in Losses Every Year, New World Bank Analysis Finds

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM5uN_nJebZCEP6b0x-HEmoP4iHww4ySUJwtjR7-ZrETG7vbtwLsyo9JIZ1CsBRn4Dgajo30nNEa0vDVUn2ywrapwZHyDDGp-JftLCsYircOda6M2S9CRUs32ww60j_qYzsS05ED1UfK3u/s1600/bank.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM5uN_nJebZCEP6b0x-HEmoP4iHww4ySUJwtjR7-ZrETG7vbtwLsyo9JIZ1CsBRn4Dgajo30nNEa0vDVUn2ywrapwZHyDDGp-JftLCsYircOda6M2S9CRUs32ww60j_qYzsS05ED1UfK3u/s640/bank.png" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">The impact of extreme natural disasters is equivalent to a global $520 billion loss in annual consumption, and forces some 26 million people into poverty each year, a new report from the World Bank and the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) reveals.<br /><br />“Severe climate shocks threaten to roll back decades of progress against poverty,” said World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim. “Storms, floods, and droughts have dire human and economic consequences, with poor people often paying the heaviest price. Building resilience to disasters not only makes economic sense, it is a moral imperative.”<br /><br />The report, Unbreakable: Building the Resilience of the Poor in the Face of Natural Disasters, warns that the combined human and economic impacts of extreme weather on poverty are far more devastating than previously understood. In Sub-Saharan Africa, disaster damages are double traditional estimates, averaging $14 billion per year.<br /><br />In all of the 117 countries studied, the effect on well-being, measured in terms of lost consumption, is found to be larger than asset losses. Because disaster losses disproportionately affect poor people, who have a limited ability to cope with them, the report estimates that impact on well-being in these countries is equivalent to consumption losses of about $520 billion a year. This outstrips all other estimates by as much as 60 per cent.<br /><br />With the climate summit, COP22, underway, the report’s findings underscore the urgency for climate-smart policies that better protect the most vulnerable. Poor people are typically more exposed to natural hazards, losing more as a share of their wealth and are often unable to draw on support from family, friends, financial systems, or governments.<br /><br />Unbreakable uses a new method of measuring disaster damages, factoring in the unequal burden of natural disasters on the poor. Between 2006 and 2011, for example, Senegalese households affected by a natural disaster were 25% more likely to slide into poverty.<br /><br />The report assesses, for the first time, the benefits of resilience-building interventions in the countries studied. These include early warning systems, improved access to personal banking, insurance policies, and social protection systems (like cash transfers and public works programs) that could help people better respond to and recover from shocks. It finds that these measures combined would help countries and communities save $100 billion a year and reduce the overall impact of disasters on well-being by 20 percent.<br /><br />“Countries are enduring a growing number of unexpected shocks as a result of climate change,” said Stephane Hallegatte, a GFDRR lead economist, who led preparation of the report. “Poor people need social and financial protection from disasters that cannot be avoided. With risk policies in place that we know to be effective, we have the opportunity to prevent millions of people from falling into poverty.”<br /> <br />Efforts to build poor people’s resilience are already gaining ground, the report shows. For example, Kenya’s social protection system provided additional resources to vulnerable farmers well before the 2015 drought, helping them prepare for and mitigate its impacts. And in Ethiopia, the Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP) is supporting individuals in chronically food-insecure areas with food, cash—or both—in exchange for their help to build more resilient communities. To date, millions of Ethiopians have benefited from the program.<br /><br />Building resilience is key to meeting the World Bank Group’s twin goals of ending global poverty and boosting shared prosperity.<br /> </span></div> </div>

Natural Disasters Force 26 Million People into Poverty and Cost $520bn in Losses Every Year, New World Bank Analysis Finds

The impact of extreme natural disasters is equivalent to a global $520 billion loss in annual consumption, and forces some 26 million peop...

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Life Time Wells yachimba visima 37

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FvEm0KvbPvzZc6qVyOxgf1ZnxEgdGSJvblsXiaIdCs1ib6mFQdIrXxYx0b8e4Kxlxh7_wHSGGWPbgM83yi_i4bewM_T8cTKNZKZxkFHX4wU_vk6hU_4KJGd422KNe8uGTTBlUEZuBAo9/s1600/visima1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FvEm0KvbPvzZc6qVyOxgf1ZnxEgdGSJvblsXiaIdCs1ib6mFQdIrXxYx0b8e4Kxlxh7_wHSGGWPbgM83yi_i4bewM_T8cTKNZKZxkFHX4wU_vk6hU_4KJGd422KNe8uGTTBlUEZuBAo9/s400/visima1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;">  <span style="font-size: large;">Na Jumbe Ismailly-Mkalama <br /><br /> SHIRIKA lisilokuwa la kiserikali linalojishughulisha na utoaji wa huduma za maji safi na salama nchini la Life Time Wells kwa kushirikiana na serikali za vijiji katika Halmashauri ya wilaya ya Mkalama wametumia zaidi ya shilingi milioni 400 kuchimba visima vya mdundiko 37 katika Halmashauri ya wilaya hiyo.<br /><br />Mkurugenzi Mtendaji Halmashauri ya wilaya ya Mkalama,Bwana Gedfrey Sanga aliyasema kwenye mkutano wa hadhara wa Kijiji cha Ilunda,wakati alipokwenda kuwasalimia wananchi waliokuwa kwenye mkutano ulioitishwa na diwani wa kata ya Ilunda,Bwana Mohammed Imbele.<br /><br />Aidha Bwana Sanga alifafanua kwamba kati ya kiasi hicho cha fedha kilichotumika,Shirika hilo limetumia shilingi milioni 481 na serikaali za vijiji shilingi milioni 37 na kwamba wafadhili hao wanachimba visima vya mdundiko kwa masharti kuwa kila kijiji kuchangia shilingi milioni moja.<br /><br />Hata hivyo baada ya kukamilisha uchimbaji wa visima hivyo,Mkurugenzi mtendaji huyo aliwahakikishiaa wananchi hao kwamba wafadhili hao watarudi tena wilayani hapa mwezi januari,mwaka ujao na hivyo endapo watakuwa wamekamilisha michango yao watawekwa kwenye orodha ya kuchimbiwa visima wanavyovihitaji.<br /><br />Kwa mujibu wa Bwana Sanga Halmashauri hiyo itasaidia kutoa wataalamu kwa ajili ya kwenda kutoa mafunzo kwa mafundi wa Kijiji ili kisima kinapokuwa na matatizo waweze kusaidia kutengeneza wao wenyewe badala ya kutegemea mafundi kutoka nje ya Kijiji.<br /><br />Awali akizungumza na wananchi wa Kijiji cha Ilunda,diwani wa kata ya Ilunda,Bwana Mohamedi Imbele alikiri kuifahamu kero ya upatikanaji wa maji,na kwamba ameshaanza kuishughulikia kwa kuiomba Kampuni ya mawasiliano ya simu za mkononi ya Airtel,iwachimbie visima katika vijiji vya Iambi,Ilunda pamoja na Nkungi.<br /><br />“Ofisi yangu imefikia uamuzi wa kukuandikia barua ya ombi hili kutokana na kuona kuwa Kampuni hii ipo karibu sana na jamii,hivyo ni vizuri kutusaidia kutatua changamoto hii kwa wananchi wa kata ya Ilunda na kwa kuwa ninyi ni wadau wakubwa wa maendeleo”alisisitiza diwani Imbele.<br /><br />Kwa upande wao baadhi ya wananchi,Bwana Edward Mtaturu,Bwana John Daaudi na Bwana Charles Mpinga pamoja na kutaka kufahamishwa juu ya utaratibu utakaotumika kuchimbiwa visima hivyo lakini walilalamikia pia kutokamilika kwa muda mrefu kwa ujenzi wa Kituo chao cha afya.<br /><br />Kwa mujibu wa Bwana John Daudi mradi wa ujenzi wa kituo hicho cha afya umeanza tangu mwaka 2008 na mpaka sasa ni miaka minane hakijakamilika,licha ya kuchangia nguvu zao bila mafanikio na kuomba wapetiwe majibu yatakayoonyesha ni lini wataanza kupata huduma katika kijiji hicho.<br /><br />Wananchi wa Kijiji cha Ilunda,tarafa ya Nduguti hulazimika kufuata huduma ya maji safi na salama umbali wa kilomita tatu kutoka wanapoishi,licha ya sera ya taifa inayomtaka kila mwananchi kupata huduma hiyo kwa umbali usiozidi mita 400 kutoka nyumbani kwake</span></div> </div>

Life Time Wells yachimba visima 37

  Na Jumbe Ismailly-Mkalama SHIRIKA lisilokuwa la kiserikali linalojishughulisha na utoaji wa huduma za maji safi na salama...

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BAKWATA maulidi yatofanyika Singida

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatEPztH0bP-t77vi61Y93weTc5WzbuRW-aKXJZ-JlZgiWDQKqVjUFnLS7r0UpPumMmXm1hdcKvWhumuEETXE5O-lIo1aI5t2nhJHmp3NtX5vS9-cQ4Px9KiVGSSKqXqFr6UATSebdv6Io/s1600/madrsa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatEPztH0bP-t77vi61Y93weTc5WzbuRW-aKXJZ-JlZgiWDQKqVjUFnLS7r0UpPumMmXm1hdcKvWhumuEETXE5O-lIo1aI5t2nhJHmp3NtX5vS9-cQ4Px9KiVGSSKqXqFr6UATSebdv6Io/s640/madrsa.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Na Jumbe Ismailly- Singida <br /> <br />MAADHIMISHO ya sherehe za Kitaifa za Maulid ya Mtume Mohammad (SAW) kwa mwaka huu zinatarajiwa kufanyika Mkoani Singida katika Kijiji cha Shelui,wilaya ya Iramba,Mkoani Singida.<br /><br />Katibu wa Bakwata Mkoa wa Singida,Alhaji Buruhani Mlau aliyasema hayo wakati akiongea kwenye ofisi za Bakwata Mkoa wa Singida na wenyeviti na makatibu wa matawi,maimamu wa misikiti wa wilaya ya Singida pamoja na masheikh kutoka katika wilaya ya Singida vijijini.<br /><br />Alhaji Mlau alifafanua kwamba BAKWATA makao makuu kwa kupitia barua ya Katibu mkuu wake ya Feb,11,mwaka huu wameupatia heshima Mkoa wa Singida kuwa mwenyeji wa maadhimisho ya sherehe hizo<br /><br />“Napenda kuwataarifu kuwa Bakwata Makao makuu taifa kupitia barua ya katibu mkuu wa taifa yenye kumbu kumbu imeandikwa hapa ya tarehe 11,feb,mwaka huu wametupatia heshima ya kuwa wenyeji wa maadhimisho ya maulidi ya Mtume wetu(SAW) kitaifa katika Mkoa wetu wa Singida, wilaya ya Iramba mwaka huu wa 2016”alifafanua katibu huyo.<br /><br />Hata hivyo Alhaji Mlau alitumia fursa hiyo kuomba ushirikiano wa dhati kutoka kwa viongozi,waislamu wa ngazi zote pamoja na wadau mbali mbali ili kufanikisha sherehe za maadhimisho hayo yanayotarajiwa kufanyika mwezi disemba,2016.<br /><br />“Kipekee tunawashukuru waislamu,viongozi pamoja na wadau mbali mbali wa wilaya ya Iramba kwa dhamira yao ya ushirikiano walioanza kuuonyesha kwa kupokea na kuanza maandalizi”alisisitiza Mlau.<br /><br />Aidha Katibu huyo aliweka bayana kwamba kwa kuwa heshima hii ni ya Mkoa mzima,hivyo wilaya zote ukiondoa wilaya ya Iramba zinaagizwa kuchangia shilingi 1,500,000/= na kuziwasilisha kabla ya nov,30,mwaka huu na kukatiwa stakabahi stahili.<br /><br />Alhaji Mlau hata hivyo alisisitiza kwamba pamoja na majukumu mengine,kila katibu wa wilaya akishirikiana na walezi katika wilaya awasilishe mapema kwa katibu wa Mkoa miradi ya baraza watakayoona ni vyema ikafunguliwa ama kuzinduliwa na viongozi kutoka makao makuu kupitia sherehe hizo.</span></div> </div>

BAKWATA maulidi yatofanyika Singida

Na Jumbe Ismailly- Singida  MAADHIMISHO ya sherehe za Kitaifa za Maulid ya Mtume Mohammad (SAW) kwa mwaka huu zinatarajiwa kufanyika Mk...

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