By Devendra Kamarajan BRAZZAVILLE (IDN) – With more than 6,000 COVID-19 cases reported in Africa, the World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed concern about the virus threatening fragile health systems on the continent. Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, said: “Case numbers are increasing exponentially in the African region” – not only between […]
Military Intervention Alone Will Fail to Resolve the Sahel Crisis
Viewpoint by Jan Egeland and Jean-François Riffaud Jan Egeland is Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council. Jean-François Riffaud is Chief Executive Officer of Action Against Hunger-France. OSLO (IDN) — President Emmanuel Macron invited the five G5 West African leaders to the French city of Pau in January 2020 to shore up support for international […]
Ugandan Singer Bobi Wine Sings of Handwashing and More in New Pop Song
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – Ugandan pop star and opposition leader Bobi Wine, who describes himself “a singer, an activist and a member of parliament” is known for his “must plays” – and his latest tune “Corona Virus Alert!,” is definitely one of them. The lyrics remind listeners to wash […]
African Ministers Expect ‘Break the Glass Moment’ Without Major Debt Relief
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – Multilateral lenders and investors are being asked to pony up a modest stimulus package that would halt the spread of the coronavirus in Africa and keep economies from crashing under the weight of debt-servicing costs. African finance ministers, at a virtual conference on March 23, […]
COVID-19: Artificial Intelligence to Back Up Data-Driven Response in Africa
By Reinhard Jacobsen BRUSSELS (IDN) – The epicentre of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic has moved from China to Europe and the United States. But it has not spared Africa. “It will victimise particularly communities living in poverty who have no protection and no access to health care,” says Prof. Dr. Mirjam van Reisen who chairs […]
COVID-19: Kenya Urged to Take ‘Swift & Effective’ Public Finance Response
By James Muraguri The writer is CEO of the Institute of Public Finance, Kenya, & an Atlantic Fellow for Social and Economic Equity. NAIROBI (IDN) – On March 12, 2020, the first case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was confirmed in Kenya. Over the next eleven days, 16 more cases were confirmed. Based on precedents elsewhere, […]
Kenya Surges on UN ‘Happiness’ Report
Kenya Surges on UN ‘Happiness’ Report NEW YORK (IDN) – As Mae West once said, “I’ve been rich, and I’ve been poor; believe me, rich is better.” But could there be more to the story? A landmark survey of the state of global happiness designates Kenya as more positive and hopeful than its neighbors despite […]
Coronavirus Reaches African Shores
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – Only a few weeks ago, African leaders were breathing a sigh of relief as the new coronavirus skipped the continent to lodge in Italy, Spain and other European countries. “Whether it’s a matter of faulty detection, climatic factors or simple fluke, the remarkably low rate […]
New Laws Allow Zimbabwe to Fine or Jail to Keep Kids in School
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — Zimbabwe is experimenting with a bold attempt to make parents prioritize education and bring down drop-out rates. Harare has amended its laws to make the first 12 years of schooling compulsory. Children are now required by law to stay in school for an extra five […]
Unlocking the Potential of Tanzania’s Smallholder Farmers
By Kizito Makoye IRINGA, Tanzania (IDN) – When Osmund Ueland met a group of farmers to pitch his idea about starting a goat milk project at a village in Tanzania’s southern highlands to help poor families improve nutrition and boost incomes, he elicited loud applause from the crowd. Huddled in a dimly lit mud-walled house […]