Author: Jamichael Tolbert

Ghana’s Average Cataract Surgical Rate (CSR) stands at 523 surgeries per million population. It falls drastically short of the World Health Organisation’s recommended target of 2,000 surgeries per million population. The gap between the actual CSR and the WHO target is a cause for concern because it indicates that a large number of Ghanaians with cataracts are not receiving the necessary treatment to prevent blindness. Nathaniel Yaw Oppong from Ghana came to China in 2017, after studying at Shenyang based He Eye Specialists Hospital, he went back to Ghana and opened a medical centre with the aim of giving sight…

The management of Kwara State Polytechnic has declared that Joseph Joy Adama and Vandora Davies Oreoluwa who killed the club owner in the hotel are not students of the institution. A statement, signed by Halimat Garba, the school Public relations officer said, “The attention of the Polytechnic Authority has been drawn to a trending story and a video clip in which two ladies (Joseph Joy Adama and Vandora Davies Oreoluwa) named in the alleged murder of a hotelier in Ilorin were erroneously identified as students of the Kwara State Polytechnic. “Our database checks showed that the two ladies had since…

The Federal Government has been urged to prioritise access to water, nutritious, safe and affordable diets in Nigeria in commemoration of the 2023 World Food Day that took place on Monday. The Country Director, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), Micheal Ojo said this in a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation (FMINO). Ojo addressed a press conference to mark the 2023 World Food Day with tThe theme: “Water is Life, Water is Food. Leave No One Behind.” “At GAIN, we believe that access to clean water is not only essential for survival but also…

Somalia, for decades, has been in the throes of political instability. Its clan-based parliamentary selection process, the 4.5 formula, became an accidental incubator for divisive politics and extremist ideologies. Yet, as the nation stands at a crossroads, a rectified constitution that shifts from a parliamentary to a presidential system complemented by a two-party electoral mechanism could be the much-needed hope for a unified and stable Somalia. The 4.5 formula, conceived initially as an interim solution to represent the major clans and minority groups, has proven to be a significant obstacle in fostering genuine democratic processes. Instead of unifying the nation,…

For two months after the coup in Niger in August, 2023, the Biden administration refused to declare that a “coup” had taken place. They did this because using the word would activate US laws requiring the cut off of all security cooperation, development assistance, and economic support. They also hoped that they could make a deal with the junta to keep1,100 US troops at two bases in Niger and continue running counterterrorism operations throughout the Sahel using drones. They finally concluded that it would not be possible to reach an agreement with the junta and on, 10 October 2023, the…

Morocco sharply increased its carrot exports to Spain, reports EastFruit. In the MY 2022/23 (July-June), Spain imported 5.7 times more carrots from Morocco than a year earlier. Moreover, the Moroccan exports to Spain in the current MY exceeded those of the previous six seasons combined. This is a remarkable achievement considering that for several previous years, carrots from Morocco were shipped to Spain in relatively small quantities, with the volumes ranging between 20 and 280 tons per MY. As a result, over six years, only 936 tons of carrots were imported to the Spanish market from Morocco. In the current…

The government has unveiled its strategic plan that will ensure that business and investment activities abide by laws to avoid violation of human rights. The government unveiled its strategy on Thursday by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Constitutional and Legal Affairs, Ms Mary Makondo during a consultative meeting on business and human rights organised by the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance (CHRAGG) held in Dar es Salaam. She said that the government is making great efforts to attract investors and business activities so that the economy of the country continues to grow rapidly. “Our country needs…

Leaders, waste management companies, suppliers of recycling solutions, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and researchers are expected in the Algerian capital Algiers from 23 to 25 January 2023 for the first ever Global Waste Forum. The meeting will focus on innovation, which will help to establish sustainable consumption and production patterns, in line with the twelfth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 12). After singular efforts to put an end to waste pollution around the world, without succeeding in eradicating the phenomenon once and for all, leaders, waste management companies, suppliers of recycling solutions, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and researchers are planning to find a…

THE ICC International Maritime Bureau has reported a rise in piracy incidents in the Gulf of Guinea and concerns for the Singapore Straits. IMB’s January-September piracy report suggests 99 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships were reported in the first nine months of 2023, an increase from 90 incidents over the same period in 2022. So far this year, 85 vessels were boarded, nine had attempted attacks, three were hijacked and two were fired upon. IMB said perpetrators successfully boarded 89% of targeted vessels with most incidents occurring at night. It said reported violence towards crew members is…

The Democratic Republic of Congo will gradually roll back military administration and end a curfew in two eastern provinces where the government has been battling armed groups, the president announced Thursday. In a televised address to the nation, President Felix Tshisekedi declared “a gradual and progressive easing” of the emergency measures in North Kivu and Ituri, including a transition back to civilian governance. The “state of siege”, similar to a state of emergency, was imposed on the provinces in May 2021, with the government citing the need to clamp down on violence and restore order. Human rights groups have repeatedly…