Liberian Authorities Intercepted Drug Trafficking From Sierra Leone Worth About $77k
Liberian authorities intercepted drug trafficking from Sierra Leone worth about $77k.
Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency – Public Relations Office | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | 17 March 2025At approximately 10:45 PM. on March 17, 2025, Joint Security received a tip-off regarding a black pickup truck with Liberian license plate A533348 transporting narcotics. The vehicle was reportedly traveling from Sierra Leone to Monrovia through Lofa County.
Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency – Public Relations Office | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | 17 March 2025
LDEA FOYA DISTRICT INTERCEPTS MAJOR DRUG SHIPMENT WORTH OVER $77k
Foya District, Lofa County - March 17, 2025 – The Joint Security of Foya District, led by the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) Lofa County Commander and the team has successfully intercepted a significant drug shipment valued at USD 77,200.
At approximately 10:45 PM. on March 17, 2025, Joint Security received a tip-off regarding a black pickup truck with Liberian license plate A533348 transporting narcotics. The vehicle was reportedly traveling from Sierra Leone to Monrovia through Lofa County.
Acting swiftly on the intelligence, the Joint Security team headed by the LDEA intercepted the vehicle and escorted it to the Foya Police Station for a thorough inspection. The driver, identified as Fayiah Lamie, a 43-year-old male from the Mandi tribe and a resident of Monrovia, initially claimed to be transporting only clothes and slippers for sale.
Upon conducting a detailed search of the vehicle, authorities uncovered 772 plates of high-grade marijuana - Estimated street value of(USD 77,200) seventy-seven thousand, two hundred United States dollars (equivalent to 14,668,000 LRD) Fourteen million, six hundred sixty-eight thousand Liberian dollars. 8 boxes of Tramadol estimated street value of (USD 842) eight hundred forty-two United States dollars (equivalent to 160,000 LRD) one hundred sixty thousand Liberian dollars.
Suspect Fayiah Lamie was immediately arrested and is currently undergoing investigation. He is expected to be formally charged and sent to court.
The LDEA remains committed to combating drug trafficking and ensuring the safety and well-being of Liberians. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
“Drug Bust: In Video”
RELATED
The cocaine ambassador to Guinea, Alimamy Bangura, was declared ‘Persona non grata’ by the Guinean government for allegedly taking part in drug dealing involvement of diplomatic missions.
Netherland's Most Wanted Cocaine Kingpin Hiding in Sierra Leone. Leijdekkers, who is Dutch, was sentenced in absentia to 24 years in prison on June 25 by a Rotterdam court for smuggling more than 7 tonnes of cocaine. Dutch police have said he was believed to be living in Turkey until recently. Europol identifies Dutch Drug Kingpin Jos Leijdekkers, also known as ‘Bolle Jos’, with many aliases.
BBC Undercover Filming Exposes Indian Pharma Firm Fueling Opioid Crisis
An Indian pharmaceutical company is producing unlicensed, highly addictive opioids—a mixture of tapentadol, a potent opioid, combined with the muscle relaxant carisoprodol—and illegally exporting them to West Africa. This has led to a significant public health crisis in countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, and Côte d'Ivoire, as revealed by a BBC Eye investigation.
BBC Eye Investigations | BBC World ServiceBBC Eye Investigations | BBC World Service
An Indian pharmaceutical company is manufacturing unlicensed, highly addictive opioids and exporting them illegally to West Africa where they are driving a major public health crisis in countries including Ghana, Nigeria, and Cote D'Ivoire, a BBC Eye investigation has revealed.
Aveo Pharmaceuticals, based in Mumbai, makes a range of pills that go under different brand names and are packaged to look like legitimate medicines. But all contain the same harmful mix of ingredients: tapentadol, a powerful opioid, and carisoprodol, a muscle relaxant so addictive it's banned in Europe.
This combination of drugs is not licensed for use anywhere in the world and can cause breathing difficulties and seizures. An overdose can kill. Despite the risks, these opioids are popular as street drugs in many West African countries, because they are so cheap and widely available.
The BBC World Service found packets of them, branded with the Aveo logo, for sale on the streets of Ghanaian, Nigerian, and Ivoirian towns and cities.
Having traced the drugs back to Aveo's factory in India, the BBC sent an undercover operative inside the factory, posing as an African businessman looking to supply opioids to Nigeria. Using a hidden camera, the BBC filmed one of Aveo's directors, Vinod Sharma, showing off the same dangerous products the BBC found for sale across West Africa.
In the secretly recorded footage, the operative tells Sharma that his plan is to sell the pills to teenagers in Nigeria "who all love this product". Sharma doesn't flinch. "OK," he replies, before explaining that if users take two or three pills at once, they can "relax" and agrees they can get "high". Towards the end of the meeting, Sharma says: "This is very harmful for the health," adding "nowadays, this is business."
Filmed secretly, Vinod Sharma said Aveo's cocktail drug was "very harmful", adding "this is business."
It is a business that is damaging the health and destroying the potential of millions of young people across West Africa.
In the city of Tamale, in northern Ghana, so many young people are taking illegal opioids that one of the city's chiefs, Alhassan Maham, has created a voluntary task force of about 100 local citizens whose mission is to raid drug dealers and take these pills off the streets.
"The drugs consume the sanity of those who abuse them," says Maham, "like a fire burns when kerosene is poured on it." One addict in Tamale put it even more simply. The drugs, he said, have "wasted our lives".
The BBC team followed the task force as they jumped on to motorbikes and, following a tip off about a drug deal, launched a raid in one of Tamale's poorest neighborhoods. On the way they passed a young man slumped in a stupor who, according to locals, had taken these drugs.
The task force in Tamale believe this man had taken Tafrodol, which was found in the raid
When the dealer was caught, he was carrying a plastic bag filled with green pills labelled Tafrodol. The packets were stamped with the distinctive logo of Aveo Pharmaceuticals.
It's not just in Tamale that Aveo's pills are causing misery. The BBC found similar products, made by Aveo, have been seized by police elsewhere in Ghana.
We also found evidence that Aveo's pills are for sale on the streets of Nigeria and Cote D'Ivoire, where teenagers dissolve them in an alcoholic energy drink to increase the high.
Publicly-available export data show that Aveo Pharmaceuticals, along with a sister company called Westfin International, is shipping millions of these tablets to Ghana and other West African countries.
Nigeria, with a population of 225 million people, provides the biggest market for these pills. It has been estimated that about four million Nigerians abuse some form of opioid, according to Nigeria's National Bureau of Statistics.
The Chairman of Nigeria's Drug and Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig Gen Mohammed Buba Marwa, told the BBC, opioids are "devastating our youths, our families, it's in every community in Nigeria."
Packets of Tafrodol with Aveo branding were seized in the raid in Tamale, in Ghana
In 2018, following a BBC Africa Eye investigation into the sale of opioids as street drugs, Nigerian authorities tried to get a grip on a widely abused opioid painkiller called tramadol.
The government banned the sale of tramadol without a prescription, imposed strict limits on the maximum dose, and cracked down on imports of illegal pills. At the same time, Indian authorities tightened export regulations on tramadol.
Not long after this crackdown, Aveo Pharmaceuticals began to export a new pill based on tapentadol, an even stronger opioid, mixed with the muscle-relaxant carisoprodol.
West African officials are warning that opioid exporters appear to be using these new combination pills as a substitute for tramadol and to evade the crackdown.
n the Aveo factory there were cartons of the combination drugs stacked on top of each other, almost ceiling-high. On his desk, Vinod Sharma laid out packet after packet of the tapentadol-carisoprodol cocktail pills that the company markets under a range of names including Tafrodol, the most popular, as well as TimaKing and Super Royal-225.
He told the BBC's undercover team that "scientists" working in his factory could combine different drugs to "make a new product".
People outside the UK can watch the documentary on YouTube.
Aveo's new product is even more dangerous than the tramadol it has replaced. According to Dr Lekhansh Shukla, assistant professor at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences in Bengaluru, India, tapentadol "gives the effects of an opioid" including very deep sleep.
"It could be deep enough that people don't breathe, and that leads to drug overdose," he explained. "And along with that, you are giving another agent, carisoprodol, which also gives very deep sleep, relaxation. It sounds like a very dangerous combination."
Carisoprodol has been banned in Europe because it is addictive. It is approved for use in the US but only for short periods of up to three weeks. Withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, insomnia, and hallucinations.
Nigerian authorities store illegal drugs they have seized - mostly opioids - in a warehouse in Lagos
When mixed with tapentadol the withdrawal is even "more severe" compared to regular opioids, said Dr Shukla. "It's a fairly painful experience."
He said he knew of no clinical trials on the efficacy of this combination. Unlike tramadol, which is legal for use in limited doses, the tapentadol-carisoprodol cocktail "does not sound like a rational combination", he said. "This is not something that is licensed to be used in our country."
In India, pharmaceutical companies cannot legally manufacture and export unlicensed drugs unless these drugs meet the standards of the importing country. Aveo ships Tafrodol and similar products to Ghana, where this combination of tapentadol and carisoprodol is, according to Ghana's national Drug Enforcement Agency, unlicensed and illegal. By shipping Tafrodol to Ghana, Aveo is breaking Indian law.
We put these allegations to Vinod Sharma and Aveo Pharmaceuticals. They did not respond.
The Indian drugs regulator, the CDSCO, told us the Indian government recognises its responsibility towards global public health and is committed to ensuring India has a responsible and strong pharmaceutical regulatory system.
It added that exports from India to other countries are closely monitored and that recently tightened regulation is strictly enforced. It also called importing countries to support India's efforts by ensuring they had similarly strong regulatory systems.
The CDSCO stated it has taken up the matter with other countries, including those in West Africa, and is committed to working with them to prevent wrongdoing. The regulator said it will take immediate action against any pharmaceutical firm involved in malpractice.
The Ghanaian task force burned the drugs that it seized in the raid in Tamale, including this Aveo-branded Tafrodol
Aveo is not the only Indian company making and exporting unlicensed opioids. Publicly available export data suggest other pharma companies manufacture similar products, and drugs with different branding are widely available across West Africa.
These manufacturers are damaging the reputation of India's fast-growing pharmaceutical industry, which makes high-quality generic medicines upon which millions of people worldwide depend and manufactures vaccines which have saved millions of lives. The industry's exports are worth at least $28bn (£22bn) a year.
Speaking about his meeting with Sharma, the BBC's undercover operative, whose identity must remain concealed for his safety, says: "Nigerian journalists have been reporting on this opioid crisis for more than 20 years but finally, I was face to face… with one of the men at the root of Africa's opioid crisis, one of the men who actually makes this product and ships it into our countries by the container load. He knew the harm it was doing but he didn't seem to care… describing it simply as business."
Back in Tamale, Ghana, the BBC team followed the local task force on one final raid that turned up even more of Aveo's Tafrodol. That evening they gathered in a local park to burn the drugs they had seized.
"We are burning it in an open glare for everybody to see," said Zickay, one of the leaders, as the packets were doused in petrol and set ablaze, "so it sends a signal to the sellers and the suppliers: if they get you, they'll burn your drugs."
But even as the flames destroyed a few hundred packets of Tafrodol, the "sellers and suppliers" at the top of this chain, thousands of miles away in India, were churning out millions more - and getting rich on the profits of misery.
BBC Eye Investigations—BBC undercover filming exposes Indian pharma firm fueling opioid crisis
They Were Simply Doing Their Jobs
ICASL cleared both the Former Auditor-General and her Deputy of wrongdoing. The Auditor-General, Mrs. Lara Taylor-Pearce, and the Deputy Auditor-General, Mr. Tamba Momoh of the Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL), were simply doing their jobs. According to the ICASL, Taylor-Pearce and Mr. Momoh "acted in the public's best interest, upheld professional standards, and adhered to international auditing standards and guidelines."
Theo Edwards for YAMEICASL cleared both the Former Auditor-General and her Deputy of wrongdoing. The Auditor-General, Mrs. Lara Taylor-Pearce, and the Deputy Auditor-General, Mr. Tamba Momoh of the Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL), were simply doing their jobs.
Suspended Auditor-General Lara Taylor-Pearce, and her Deputy, Mr. Tamba Momoh
According to the ICASL, Mrs. Taylor-Pearce and Mr. Momoh "acted in the public's best interest, upheld professional standards, and adhered to international auditing standards and guidelines."
Key Takeaways
- Statement from the ICASL Review Board: "They were fully committed to their responsibilities and executed their roles with integrity."
- Former Auditor-General Mrs. Taylor-Pearce and her Deputy Mr. Tamba Momoh "acted in the public's best interest."
- The ICASL review adhered to internationally recognized auditing standards specifically the International Standards on Auditing (ISA) and the International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions (ISSAI), ensuring transparency and credibility.
The Tribunal’s interpretation reports reflect a lack of understanding of standard audit procedures.Auditor-General Responds to Tribunal Report Raises Concerns Over Findings and ProcessMany Sierra Leoneans were deeply troubled by the President's recommendation to remove from office the suspended Auditor General, Mrs. Lara Taylor-Pearce, and her deputy, Tamba Momoh. This decision is being criticized for lacking legitimacy and ignited significant public outrage.Deception in Politics: President Bio Orders Removal of Suspended Auditor-General Lara Taylor-Pearce, and her Deputy, Tamba MomohThe statement further clarified that there were "no instances of professional misconduct or ethical breaches as outlined in the ICASL Code of Ethics and INTOSAI’s standards."
The ICASL review was guided by international auditing standards, including the International Standards on Auditing (ISA), the International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions (ISSAI), the ICASL Code of Ethics, and the Sierra Leone Audit Service Act of 2014.
ICASL Investigation Committee Report
With Parliament preparing to discuss President Bio’s support for the tribunal’s recommendations, the ICASL’s statement could significantly influence public discourse regarding the integrity of Sierra Leone’s accountability institutions.
Theo Edwards for YAME
Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger to Launch Passports Under New Alliance
Mali says the Alliance of Sahel States comprising itself, Burkina Faso, and Niger, will introduce new biometric passports to reflect the new union as part of their withdrawal from a West African bloc in favor of a new Sahel alliance after military leaders seized power in all three countries.
ReutersMali says the Alliance of Sahel States comprising itself, Burkina Faso, and Niger, will introduce new biometric passports to reflect the new union as part of their withdrawal from a West African bloc in favor of a new Sahel alliance after military leaders seized power in all three countries.
TRT AFRIKA
15 Sep 2024
UPDATE: Three countries cut ties with ECOWAS
“PRESS RELEASE: Withdrawal of Burkina Faso-Mali-Niger from ECOWAS.”
In early 2024, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso formally applied to withdraw from the West African regional bloc ECOWAS. / Photo: Reuters
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger will introduce new biometric passports as part of their withdrawal from a West African bloc in favor of a new Sahel alliance after military leaders seized power in all three countries, Mali's leader said on Sunday.
The three junta-led Sahel neighbors jointly announced in January they would leave the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has sought to persuade them to reconsider their decision.
Burkina Faso announced earlier this month that it was rolling out new passports without the ECOWAS logo.
"In the coming days, a new biometric passport of the AES (Alliance of Sahel States) will be put into circulation with the aim of harmonizing travel documents in our common area and facilitating the mobility of our citizens throughout the world", Malian junta leader Assimi Goita announced on Sunday evening.
Shared information channel
He spoke ahead of a meeting on Monday between the three countries' foreign ministers on the anniversary of the decision to form their own alliance.
Goita also said they were planning to launch a shared information channel "in order to promote a harmonious dissemination of information in our three states."
ECOWAS has warned that the three countries' withdrawal would undermine the freedom of movement and common market of the 400 million people living in the 49-year-old bloc.
Their departure comes as their armies battle armed groups, whose insurgencies have destabilized the region over the past decade and threatened to spill over into coastal West African states.
ReutersThree Sahel nations, including Burkina Faso, to launch a common passport to facilitate the movement of people within their new confederation.
African Renaissance Retreat
With a youthful population poised to drive economic innovation, Africa stands at a pivotal moment of transformation. In a world where connectivity is key, Africa seeks to leverage its uniqueness for growth and development. Recognizing the need for collaboration across sectors, the Retreat calls for unified efforts to harness Africa's strengths and resources. By fostering dialogue and action, the event aims to pave the way for a prosperous and sustainable future.
Theo Edwards for YAMEAfrican Renaissance Retreat took place in Kigali, Rwanda from September 6th to 8th, 2024. Addressing a gathering of influential leaders and entrepreneurs, Dangote, Africa’s richest man, stressed that the continent’s youthful population and abundant natural resources offer unparalleled opportunities for growth and global influence.
With a youthful population poised to drive economic innovation, Africa stands at a pivotal moment of transformation. In a world where connectivity is key, Africa seeks to leverage its uniqueness for growth and development. Recognizing the need for collaboration across sectors, the Retreat calls for unified efforts to harness Africa's strengths and resources. By fostering dialogue and action, the event aims to pave the way for a prosperous and sustainable future.
The gathering, initiated by Dangote, aimed to unite African business leaders and policymakers to tackle the continent’s challenges and promote Africa as a prime destination for investment. Dangote reflected on the success of his own business, which operates in 14 African countries, despite obstacles like inconsistent government policies, infrastructure deficits, and economic instability.
Dangote, Africa’s richest man — Dangote industries limited
Speaking on Africa’s wealth, Dangote noted that the continent is home to approximately 30% of the world’s mineral reserves, including the largest deposits of gold, cobalt, uranium, platinum, and diamonds. Additionally, Africa holds 65% of the world’s arable land and 10% of its renewable freshwater resources, making it a key player in global economic prosperity. “These assets are critical for driving not just Africa’s growth but that of the world,” Dangote remarked.
former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and Dangote
The event featured contributions from prominent African figures, including Rwandan President Paul Kagame, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn.
The retreat also served as a platform to address issues such as conflicts, energy and food security, supply chain disruptions, debt crises, and development funding. Dangote emphasized the importance of dialogue in shaping Africa’s future narrative and driving transformative change.
The closing resolutions include plans to improve the free movement of people across Africa, reduce logistics costs, and expand internet access—seen as crucial for unlocking the continent’s economic potential.
Theo Edwards for YAME
Africa Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want
Agenda 2063 encapsulates not only Africa’s Aspirations for the Future but also identifies key Flagship Programmes that can boost Africa’s economic growth and development and lead to the rapid transformation of the continent.
African Union (AU)
African Union (AU)
Agenda 2063 encapsulates not only Africa’s Aspirations for the Future but also identifies key Flagship Programmes that can boost Africa’s economic growth and development and lead to the rapid transformation of the continent.
Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want
AGENDA 2063 is Africa’s blueprint and master plan for transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future. It is the continent’s strategic framework that aims to deliver on its goal for inclusive and sustainable development and is a concrete manifestation of the pan-African drive for unity, self-determination, freedom, progress, and collective prosperity pursued under Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance The genesis of Agenda 2063 was the realization by African leaders that there was a need to refocus and reprioritize Africa’s agenda from the struggle against apartheid and the attainment of political independence for the continent which had been the focus of The Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the precursor of the African Union; and instead to prioritize inclusive social and economic development, continental and regional integration, democratic governance and peace and security amongst other issues aimed at repositioning Africa to becoming a dominant player in the global arena.
As an affirmation of their commitment to support Africa’s new path for attaining inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development, African heads of state and government signed the 50th Anniversary Solemn Declaration during the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the formation of the OAU /AU in May 2013. The declaration marked the re-dedication of Africa towards the attainment of the Pan African Vision of An integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens, representing a dynamic force in the international arena and Agenda 2063 is the concrete manifestation of how the continent intends to achieve this vision within a 50 year period from 2013 to 2063. The Africa of the future was captured in a letter presented by the former Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlaminin Zuma.
The need to envision a long-term 50-year development trajectory for Africa is important as Africa needs to revise and adapt its development agenda due to ongoing structural transformations; increased peace and reduction in the number of conflicts; renewed economic growth and social progress; the need for people-centered development, gender equality and youth empowerment; changing global contexts such as increased globalization and the ICT revolution; the increased unity of Africa which makes it a global power to be reckoned with and capable of rallying support around its own common agenda; and emerging development and investment opportunities in areas such as agri-business, infrastructure development, health and education as well as the value addition in African commodities
Agenda 2063 encapsulates not only Africa’s Aspirations for the Future but also identifies key Flagship Programmes which can boost Africa’s economic growth and development and lead to the rapid transformation of the continent.
Agenda 2063 also identifies key activities to be undertaken in its 10-year Implementation Plans which will ensure that Agenda 2063 delivers both quantitative and qualitative Transformational Outcomes for Africa’s people
Liberia: President BoaKai and Vice President Jeremiah Koung Declared Assets Publicly
Transparency strengthens public trust and underscores unyielding dedication to rooting corruption and fostering a climate of openness and accountability, signaling an era of responsible and conscientious leadership. The law only says public officers should declare their assets; they don't need to make them public.
Theo Edwards for YAME
Section 10.2 of the Code of Conduct for Government Officials and Employees did not make it compelling for designated officials to make public their declarations
Theo Edwards for YAME
Transparency strengthens public trust and underscores unyielding dedication to rooting corruption and fostering a climate of openness and accountability, signaling an era of responsible and conscientious leadership. The law only says public officers should declare their assets; they don't need to make them public.
President Joseph Boakai and Vice President Jeremiah Koung did something unusual in Liberian politics by publicly disclosing details of their asset declarations, in response to increasing pressure to fulfill a major campaign promise.
MONROVIA — President Joseph Boakai and Vice President Jeremiah Koung
"The requirement for public officials to disclose their assets according to Section 10.2 of the Code of Conduct for Government Officials and Employees emphasizes the significance of transparency and accountability in governance. However, the law does not mandate designated officials and employees to make their declarations public."
BoaKai emphasized that by making his assets declaration publicly available, he aims to set a compelling example for public officials and citizens alike, highlighting the importance of accountability and ethical leadership.
READ: Liberia's new President Joseph N. BoaKai
Some supporters of Mr. Boakai and his deputy remember that then-President George Weah did not publicly declare his assets despite facing criticism.
Weah, during his presidency, noted that disclosing his assets to the public could endanger him and his family, especially his children.
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai
Mr. Boakai, a former vice president under Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf for 12 years, ran an anti-corruption-based campaign that earned him his electoral victory over Mr. Weah and his Coalition of Democratic Change (CDC) in 2023.
Declaration of Assets
According to the information published for Mr. Boakai, the value of his total assets is put at $1,171,919.60, including cash on hand: $5,750, cash in the bank: $61,295.96, real properties: $766,391.07, personal properties: $212,400, and other assets $126,082.57 and a total net worth of $970,419.60.
Among the notable assets revealed by President Boakai, a lifelong agriculturist is his ownership of cattle valued at US$16,000. The president also reveals he has pigs valued at US$6,400.
Vice President Koung, in his declared assets are worth more than 7 million. As an elected representative of District One in Nimba County, the former co-chair of the lucrative Ways, Means, and Finance Committee of the House of Representatives, he is one person who comes with a heavy burden to the high office as he stands accused of engaging in shady business deals over the years.
During his term, Koung, along with a few lawmakers, stood accused of manipulating the national budget to amass wealth. Some say Koung, like Boakai, might be under-declaring what he has acquired over the years. They are insinuating the Vice President might likely hide many of his assets in Nimba County.
Public sentiment
To many in a country like Liberia, to be worth nearly One million United States Dollars is not something ordinary because on record, government salary is very meager, and no sincere public official has been able to acquire a wealth of $970,000.
Demonstrating a dedication to transparency and ethical leadership, Boakai's actions distinguish him from others. However, many question the President's declared assets, which appear excessive and contradict his claims of serving the public with sincerity and honesty during his twelve years as Vice President of Liberia under the government of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. This government was previously deemed highly corrupt by its former Auditor General, John S. Morlu, II.
What are your thoughts on this?
Feel free to join the conversation by posting your comment! We encourage readers across the political spectrum to participate. We hold Space for everyone on YAME. yame [dot] space. You can post comments as anonymous /guest.
University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC), Ltd., Accra
The University of Ghana Medical Centre is a quaternary medical and scientific research center located at the University of Ghana in Accra Campus. It is the most advanced medical facility in West Africa. The new 617-bed medical center is designed to provide advanced medical services in medicine, teaching, and research to the sub-region and beyond.
The new 617-bed medical center is designed to provide advanced medical services
Quaternary medical and scientific research center
The University of Ghana Medical Centre is a quaternary medical and scientific research center located at the University of Ghana in Accra Campus. It is the most advanced medical facility in West Africa. The new 617-bed medical center is designed to provide advanced medical services in medicine, teaching, and research to the sub-region and beyond.
The new 617-bed medical center is designed to provide advanced medical services
In June 2011 Ghana cabinet gave approval for a loan facility from Israel for the design, construction, and installation of equipment.
The facility which is located on 400-acre land, is estimated to cost $217 million and modeled after The Sheba Medical Centre, the largest in Israel, assist to provide the most efficient health care that measures up to global standards.
The establishment of UGMC was conceived by the faculty and administration of the University of Ghana and initiated under the Late President John Evans Atta Mills. In January 2017, John Dramani Mahama, the former president, commissioned Phase 1 of the project. The first phase of the UGMC houses specialized centers, such as emergency, imaging, operating theatres, and laboratories.
The second phase provides specialist facilities, including heart and cancer treatment and rehabilitation centers and a hostel for families of patients. The facility is now fully open to the public. The completion of Phase II signifies the completion of all three UGMC focal areas, as the center positions itself to offer quaternary services.
Patient care video
Theo Edwards for YAMERELATED
“President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has commissioned the 120-bed Adansi North District Hospital-Fomena and the Sekyere Kumawu District Hospital-Kumawu in the Ashanti Region. ”
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has commissioned the 120-bed Adansi North District Hospital-Fomena and the Sekyere Kumawu District Hospital-Kumawu in the Ashanti Region. According to the President, the completion of these facilities is a testament to the Government’s dedication to providing fit-for-purpose ultra-modern health facilities in line with the current healthcare standards for the people of Ghana.
More newly constructed facilities in the districts all over Ghana are near completion.
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT:
The Ministry of Health in Ghana is recruiting. Recruitment of Nurses and Midwives. Share If you know of anyone in Africa who is qualified and might be interested. The deadline to submit your online application is Monday 5th August 2024 at Noon — Friday, 23rd August at 6:00 PM.
The Life and Times of Malawi's VP Saulos Chilima
Saulos Chilima, a father of two, served as Malawi's vice president from 2014 until his death on June 10, 2024. The father of two died in an aircraft crash on his way to represent the government at the burial of former Justice Minister Ralph Kasambara, who died three days earlier.
Saulos Klaus Chilima
Saulos Chilima, a father of two, served as Malawi's vice president from 2014 until his death on June 10, 2024. The father of two died in an aircraft crash on his way to represent the government at the burial of former Justice Minister Ralph Kasambara, who died three days earlier.
By Sylvia Chebet for TRT AFRIKABorn on February 12, 1973, in Blantyre, Malawi, Saulos Klaus Chilima, was the first born child of Henderson Brown Chilima and Elizabeth Frances Chilima.
He spent most of his early life in Blantyre where his father worked as an aircraft engineer for Air Malawi, later renamed Malawi Airlines.
During school holidays, the young Chilima would shuttle between the villages of Lilongwe and Ntcheu where his grandparents lived.
Maziko Matemba, a health activist in Malawi, knew the fallen vice president from his primary school days at Dharap.
Their paths crossed again later in life when Chilima was already a vice president, and their childhood friendship was instantly reignited.
"I will remember him as a passionate Christian and a family man who was sociable," Matemba tells TRT Afrika.
Chilima, a devout Catholic married Mary Nkhamanyachi Chilima with whom he shares two children, Sean and Elizabeth.
Saulos Klaus Chilima married Mary Chilima and got two children. Photo: @Saulos Chilima/X
Chilima graduated from the University of Malawi with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences in 1994 and later returned to his alma mater to pursue a Master's Degree in Economics.
In 2015, he received his Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Knowledge Management from the University of Bolton in the United Kingdom.
He started his career at Lever Brothers (Mw) Limited (now Unilever) before moving on to the Leasing and Finance Company of Malawi, and later Southern Bottlers Limited.
His last professional assignment in the corporate space was at Airtel Malawi, where he led the sales team before being named the first-ever local managing director for the company in 2010.
Chilima's childhood friend, Matemba was not surprised by his steady rise in the corporate space considering his work ethic.
"He was a man full of energy with a passion for excellence," Matemba recalls.
Chilima reportedly grew Airtel Malawi's annual revenue by 75% over three years from $ 54m in 2010 to $ 95m in 2013.
Political career
Chilima made his debut in politics in 2014, when President Peter Mutharika unveiled him as a running mate.
Saulos Chilima, who came third in the 2019 poll, teamed up with Lazarus Chakwera to defeat Peter Mutharika in 2020. Photo: @Saulos Chilima/X
However, he broke away from Mutharika in 2018 and launched his United Transformation Movement (UTM) party, ahead of the May 2019 elections.
Aiming to form a united opposition, Chilima's UTM formed an alliance with Joyce Banda's Peoples Party and Cassim ChilumphaTikonze People's Movement alongside a host of other smaller political parties.
They agreed to field one presidential candidate, but both Joyce Banda and Cassim Chilumph later withdrew from the alliance, citing disagreement in the selection of a running mate.
Chilima would ganner 20% of the vote in the poll in which the then-incumbent Peter Mutharika had been declared winner.
Malawi's constitutional court later annulled Mutharika's victory, citing vote tampering and a re-run was scheduled for June 2020.
Saulos Chilima served as Malawi's vice president under Presidents Peter Mutharika and Lazarus Chakwera. Photo: @Saulos Chilima/X
Lazarus Chakwera, who had come second place, picked Chilima as his running mate. With their forces combined, they pushed out the Mutharika administration with a 58% vote victory.
However, in 2022, President Chakwera stripped Chilima of his delegated powers as a vice president following a $150m corruption scandal, but was later cleared of the charges.
Announcing Chilima's death, President Chakwera paid a glowing tribute to his deputy, saying he was a devoted father and husband, a patriotic citizen who served his country with distinction.
"I consider it one of the greatest honors of my life to have had him as my deputy and counsellor for the past four years," the president's statement read.
President Lazarus Chakwera confirmed that Dr. Saulos Chilima and nine others died in a plane crash on Monday, June 10, 2024. /Photo: @Saulos Chilima/X
‘His passing is a terrible loss to his wife Mary, his family, his friends, his colleagues in cabinet, and to all of us as a nation that found his leadership and courage a source of inspiration.’
The father of two died in an aircraft crash on his way to represent the government at the burial of former Justice Minister Ralph Kasambara, who died three days earlier.
Death of a Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima of Malawi
First Black Woman to Earn a U-M Robotics PhD
On Saturday, Oluwami Dosunmu-Ogunbi spoke at the University of Michigan College of Engineering Graduate Ceremony. She is the first Black woman to earn a U-M Robotics PhD at the University of Michigan. Born to Nigerian immigrant parents, she came to U-M's mechanical engineering PhD program decorated with academic honors-such as her MVP award from the University of Illinois' Pi Tau Sigma chapter.
Credit: University of Michigan Robotics Department
University of Michigan - May 4, 2024
On Saturday, Oluwami Dosunmu-Ogunbi spoke at the University of Michigan College of Engineering Graduate Ceremony.
She is the first Black woman to earn a U-M Robotics PhD. at the University of Michigan
Born to Nigerian immigrant parents, she came to U-M's mechanical engineering PhD. program decorated with academic honors-such as her MVP award from the University of Illinois' Pi Tau Sigma chapter, the mechanical engineering honor society.
Wami Ogunbi opens up about the importance of advocates and mentors in enabling her to achieve—and delivers a message about the importance of inclusion.
While speaking, she shared what inspires her to be an engineer, especially what it means to be a University of Michigan engineer.
Credit: The University of Michigan Robotics Department
Foreign Airlines Conspiring To Cut Us Off Lagos—London Route
Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace, has raised the alarm over the alleged conspiracy by foreign governments to frustrate his airline out of business. He alleged the airline was being segregated, calling on the Nigerian government to do more to ensure the operation is sustained.
Air Peace CEO Raises Alarm
Tuesday, April 9, 2024; 22:30:14 WAT | Abdulyassar Abdulhamid for Daily Trust
Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace, has raised the alarm over the alleged conspiracy by foreign governments to frustrate his airline out of business.
Recounting his experience on the Lagos-London route during an interview on Channels TV’s ‘Politics Today’, on Tuesday, he said Air Peace commenced its London flight with special students’ fares to make traveling affordable for students going to study.
He alleged the airline was being segregated, calling on the Nigerian government to do more to ensure the operation is sustained.
“We are aware that there are devilish conspiracies. All of a sudden airlines are under pricing below the cost. One airline is advertising $100 and the other $350. If you peel up your entire aircraft and carry people on the wings it is not even enough to buy your fuel.”
Why are they doing that? Their government is supporting them because Nigeria has been a cash cow for everybody. The idea is to take Air Peace out and the moment they succeed in taking Air Peace out, Nigerians would pay twenty times over. It would happen, God, forbids it if they can take Air Peace out.
What is happening is scary. On the inaugural flight out of London 24 hours they moved us to another checking area. The place they gave us things was not working. When you are checking people you need to manually carry the load to go 50 metres and drop it. This was just 'to delay.' No other airline faced that. We were denied a slot. Festus Keyamo had to travel to London with us to warn them. He told them if they continued the foolish act, the Nigerian government would retaliate.
The government of Nigeria is behind Air Peace but the government has to do more now that there is evidence that unofficial statements are taking this airline.
Twisted Situation
The Court granted an order for the boy to be taken away from his parents and put in a foster home — the challenges of raising children in our African context away from Africa.
By Angela Brooks
The challenges of raising children in our African context away from Africa
The Court granted an order for the boy to be taken away from his parents and put in a foster home — the challenges of raising children in our African context away from Africa.
A mother scolded/punished her 10-year-old son, and the son probably told an outsider.
It got to the Police and then to Court.
The Court granted an order for the boy to be taken away from his parents and put in a foster home.
The boy now realizes his mistake and wants to go back home.
The Court granted an order for the boy to be taken away from his parents and put in a foster home —the challenges of raising children in our African context away from Africa.
Video Courtesy
He then ran away from his foster home and went back home.
Unfortunately, the Court order still stands, and the Police came and picked up the boy.
Kenya Says First 'Visa-free' Tourists Arrive In Country
The government's immigration services department said the "maiden visa-free arrivals" landed in Nairobi from Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa and more were expected to touch down in the coming days.
This article is By AFP - Agence France Presse; January 5, 2024.
Immigration and Citizen Services Principal Secretary Julius Bitok said visa requirements would be waived for all travelers to Kenya regardless of nationality.
January 5, 2024
The government's immigration services department said the "maiden visa-free arrivals" landed in Nairobi from Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa and more were expected to touch down in the coming days.
Kenya said Friday it had welcomed the first batch of foreign tourists who arrived under a simplified entry system it hopes will encourage more visitors.
The government's immigration services department said the "maiden visa-free arrivals" landed in Nairobi from Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa and more were expected to touch down in the coming days.
The "maiden visa-free arrivals" landed in Nairobi from Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.
Immigration and Citizen Services Principal Secretary Julius Bitok said visa requirements would be waived for all travelers to Kenya regardless of nationality.
Under the new system, travelers apply online for an electronic travel authorization (ETA)and pay a $30 "processing" fee.
"Right now... all countries around the world including Africa, Asia, America, Australia, and all over the world, can come in visa-free," he said at the scheme launch at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Last year President William Ruto announced that Kenya would become a "visa-free country" and existing requirements would be waived come January.
Even so, as recently as last Tuesday the Kenyan Civil Aviation Authority warned the new ETA system was "in the process of development and implementation."
The number of tourist arrivals in 2022 rose to 1.54 million, still below pre-pandemic levels, according to tourism ministry figures.
Kenya Tourism Board chair Francis Gichaba voiced hope in November that the figure could top two million in the latest financial year, surpassing the 2019 figure of 1.9 million.
This article is By AFP - Agence France Presse; January 5, 2024.
Congratulations on Your Graduating with a Master of Business Administration—MBA!
We're so proud of you for all your hard work and dedication. An incredible achievement to earn an MBA, but it is even more impressive to do so while juggling work, studies, and family responsibilities.
Sarah B H Ellis; MBA
Arden University, Birmingham, UK; Class of 2023
Congratulations, and we are so proud of you!
We're so proud of you for all your hard work and dedication. An incredible achievement to earn an MBA, but it is even more impressive to do so while juggling work, studies, and family responsibilities.
Congratulations on Your Graduating with a Master of Business Administration—MBA!
I know that it was not easy, but you never gave up. You worked hard, stayed focused, and never let anything get in your way —an inspiration to many, and we are so grateful to have you as a family.
Your MBA is a testament to your intelligence, drive, determination, and commitment to excellence. We know you have big plans for the future, and we're excited to see your accomplishment; with your skills and knowledge, you can make a difference in the world.
We wish you all the best in your future endeavors. Congratulations again, Aru, and we are so proud of you! Continue to do amazing things.
Tagged: #Arden University, Birmingham, UK | #StageClip | #ClassOf2023
Obama becomes minority owner, strategic partner for NBA Africa
Obama’s investment in the league will be used to support youth and leadership programming for the Obama Foundation across the continent, reports CNN
yahoo!news (by Biba Adams)
NBA Africa oversees the Basketball Africa League
yahoo!news (by Biba Adams)
Former President Barack Obama’s investment in Basketball Africa will be used to support youth and leadership programming for the Obama Foundation across the continent.
Former President Barack Obama has hit another milestone.
America’s beloved first commander-in-chief has become a strategic partner and minority owner in the National Basketball Association (NBA)’s African league — Basketball Africa.
U.S. President Barack Obama plays basketball during the annual Easter Egg Roll on the White House tennis court April 1, 2013 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
NBA Africa oversees the Basketball Africa League which has seen investment from former basketball stars, Dikembe Mutombo, Grant Hill, and Junior Bridgeman.
Obama’s investment in the league will be used to support youth and leadership programming for the Obama Foundation across the continent, reports CNN.
The exact terms of Obama’s investment have not been disclosed.
In a statement, the former president wrote, “The NBA has always been a great ambassador for the United States—using the game to create deeper connections around the world, and in Africa, basketball has the power to promote opportunity, wellness, equality, and empowerment across the continent.
“By investing in communities, promoting gender equality, and cultivating the love of the game of basketball, I believe that NBA Africa can make a difference for so many of Africa’s young people.”
The former president’s father was from Kenya on the east of the continent.
NBA Africa’s CEO Victor Williams reportedly wants to build corporate partnerships, expand content and media rights, and support local governments seeking to build new basketball arenas.
NBA Africa CEO Victor Williams (Photo: NBA Africa)
The league is currently made up of 12 teams and games are broadcast to 215 countries and territories across the continent.
According to CNBC, 55 players in the NBA are either native Africans or first-generation immigrants from the continent. The Basketball Africa League is being viewed as a new source for scouting and developing players.
Former NBA players Luol Deng and Joakim Noah are investors in the NBA Africa league via Helios Fairfax Partners Corporation which also counts NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and NBA Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum on its board.
Silver shared a statement of glowing praise about the former president, writing, “We are honored that President Obama has become a strategic partner in NBA Africa and will support our wide-ranging efforts to grow the game of basketball on the continent.”
“In addition to his well-documented love for basketball, President Obama has a firm belief in Africa’s potential and the enormous growth opportunities that exist through sports. NBA Africa will benefit tremendously from his engagement.”
Former President Obama has long expressed his love for basketball, previously acknowledging that while he loved the sport, he did not possess the skills to go professional. Still, throughout his presidency, Obama often played basketball on White House grounds and even invited NBA stars like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant to go head-to-head with him.
Related Article: NBA Communication
Obama Foundation
African Development Bank COVID-19 Response
The COVID-19 pandemic is forecast to cause Africas' GDP to drop by between $22.1 billion and $88.3 billion.
African country's experience of having fought off Ebola is working to adapt this new threat and looking to the Bank for an effective multilateral response to the crisis.
Moving from a commitment to action
The African Development Bank has responded swiftly to the needs of its member countries during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The Bank’s operations have continued to run smoothly since the first cases appeared in early March, despite the widening range of lockdowns and measures imposed by governments to flatten the curve.
The COVID-19 pandemic is forecast to cause Africa’s GDP to drop by between $22.1 billion and $88.3 billion. African country's experience of having fought off Ebola is working to adapt this new threat and looking to the Bank for an effective multilateral response to the crisis.
As of June 12, the Bank’s COVID-19 emergency packages have reached the continent’s five geographic regions.
West Africa
Before the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, West Africa was home to at least four of the continent’s fastest-growing economies, and it has felt the impact of the disease hard, as borders remain closed and economic and social distress deepens.
Gambia, Mali, and Niger will benefit from an ECOWAS support package to bolster national health systems in response to the pandemic. Much of the funds to this region will seek to address shortages in personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators, and other emergency equipment. The support will also enable governments to provide shortfall cash to the millions of people who have been affected by mass layoffs or are unable to work because of lockdowns.
Nigeria – 288.5 million euros
Senegal – 88 million euros
Côte d’Ivoire – 75 million euros
Cabo Verde – 30 million euros
ECOWAS – $22 million
North Africa
The North African region is the worst hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, with over 60,000 cases as of 12 June. The disease has already triggered a sharp drop in household incomes in North Africa, as export and tourism earnings suffer. The region will be assisted with a series of emergency operations to boost containment measures and help to ensure the supply and distribution of laboratory tests and reagents. The package will also support national and regional coordination mechanisms.
Morocco – 264 million euros
Tunisia – 180 million euros
Egypt – $500,000
East Africa
East Africa, the continent’s fastest-growing region economically, has been simultaneously struck by the coronavirus outbreak and an infestation of desert locusts, a double whammy for the region’s farmers and economies.
In a region of climate change and water scarcity, post-harvest losses and poorly developed agricultural markets could threaten the promise of economic reforms and investment.
Ethiopia, Kenya, and Rwanda are the top-performing countries, which have all seen a sharp fall in tourism revenue.
Kenya – 188 million euros
Southern Africa
A decisive lockdown has been effective in stemming the spread of COVID-19 in the region’s economic powerhouse, South Africa. The spreading of the virus is by no means curtailed. Measures taken across the region to contain the pandemic have affected millions of people, many of whom work in the informal economy.
Assistance in this region comes in the form of preventive and protective measures.
Mauritius – 188 million euros
Zimbabwe – $13.7 million
Central Africa
In Central Africa, Cameroon has reported over 8,000 cases as of 12 June and significant community transmission.
The package approved for this region, $13.5 million, will target the provision of PPEs, testing kits, and healthcare and laboratory facilities, for Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic, which is among the countries with the least number of ventilators on the continent.
CEMAC/RDC – $13.5 million
Timeline of COVID-19 support:
The Bank’s rollout of emergency response support to assist African countries began in March and has provided a package of financial relief and preparedness and response assistance.
March 27: The Bank raised $3 billion from the Fight COVID-19 Social Bond, the Largest dollar-denominated social bond ever launched in international capital markets. Proceeds from the Bond, with a three-year maturity, will help alleviate the impact of the pandemic on livelihoods and Africa’s economies.
April 2: The Bank provided $2 million in emergency assistance to the World Health Organization (WHO) to bolster the capacity of member countries on infection prevention, testing, and case management. WHO Africa will also boost surveillance systems, procure and distribute laboratory test kits, and support coordination at national and regional levels.
April 8: The Bank announced a COVID-19 Response Facility that will provide up to $10 billion to African governments and the private sector to tackle the disease and mitigate the suffering that results from the economic downturn and job losses.
African Countries Address Liquidity Pressures
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) convened a meeting between African Finance Ministers, the Africa Private Sector Working Group, and African Union (AU) Special Envoy on COVID-19 as the search continues for solutions to ensure African economies enjoy continued market access and meet their private sector debt service obligations.
The meeting aimed at finding new financing solutions, and provide additional resources for countries to mitigate the impact of the ongoing, COVID-19 pandemic.
Africa’s finance ministers seek to rapidly resolve commercial debt service obligation
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) convened a meeting between African Finance Ministers, the Africa Private Sector Working Group, and African Union (AU) Special Envoy on COVID-19 as the search continues for solutions to ensure African economies enjoy continued market access and meet their private sector debt service obligations.
Ms. Vera Songwe, ECA’s Executive Secretary
The meeting aimed at finding new financing solutions, and provide additional resources for countries to mitigate the impact of the ongoing, COVID-19 pandemic.
The discussion engaged the recently formed Africa Private Sector Working Group (PSWG), which represents leading private creditors to African countries.
Ms. Vera Songwe, ECA’s Executive Secretary, said African countries are committed to meeting all their obligations to commercial creditors on time and want to maintain access to international debt markets for the build back period.
“Most African countries were on a successful reform track before the crisis, that is why they had access to the capital markets.”
Discussions focused on ways which the interests of both African governments and commercial creditors could be aligned to deal with the double crisis of a health pandemic and economic recession.
The Finance Ministers agreed on the importance of maintaining Eurobond coupon payments to maintain post-pandemic access to international debt markets for development finance and on having an ongoing coordinated dialogue with creditors.
Speaking on behalf of the creditor group, Mr. Kevin Daly, Senior Investment Manager at Aberdeen Asset Management, expressed the desire to support African countries address liquidity pressures that have arisen due to the crisis. And by ensuring they remain current on their Eurobonds, believe financing opportunities will materialize soon.
He said the creditor group was proposing some innovative financing solutions, such as special-purpose bonds that are targeted to Social Development Goals.
These would be appealing to investors who are increasingly focused on social development goal issues. And instruments that are partially guaranteed by multilateral institutions, and that could help to ease liquidity pressures.
For his part, former Credit Suisse boss and Cote d’Ivoire minister, African Union Special Envoy Tidjane Thiam, who chaired the meeting said: We are aligned, we want Africa to develop and grow, so let us work together on concrete solutions as time is of the essence.
The Africa PSWG coordinates the views of over 25 of the world’s foremost asset managers and financial institutions, providing private finance to nations and companies through Eurobonds, syndicated loans, and other credit products across the continent.
The group expressed the view that a one-size-fits-all solution would be counter-productive for African nations.
All ministers, including the ones from Kenya, Cameroon, Senegal, and Ghana, stressed the importance of keeping market access and agreed that more work is needed to communicate the good economic track record of their countries before the crisis.
The meeting agreed to continue discussions towards pragmatic and effective solutions on Africa’s commercial debt to manage the COVID-19 crisis and return Africa to growth restoring policies and actions.
ECA in its recent report launched early this month estimated that a full one-month lockdown across Africa would cost the continent about 2.5 percent of its annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP), equivalent to about US$65.7bn per month. Adding to the lower commodity prices and investment flows, in the commission report titled COVID-19: Lockdown Exit Strategies for Africa, issued May 7.
Every Month In Lockdown Costs Africa US$65.7bn—report
The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) estimated that a month of lockdown across Africa would cost the continent approximately 2.5 percent of its annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP), equivalent to about US$65.7bn per month.
Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) estimated
The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) estimated that a month of lockdown across Africa would cost the continent approximately 2.5 percent of its annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP), equivalent to about US$65.7bn per month.
Adding to the lower commodity prices and investment flows, in the commission report titled COVID-19: Lockdown Exit Strategies for Africa, issued May 7. Businesses surveyed by ECA on average operating at 43 percent capacity, between April 14-20, while large firms report operating at a slightly better capacity. The report cited the manufacturing, health, entertainment, utilities, transport, and trade sub-sectors to be operating at the lowest capacities.
Localized or national lockdowns were in place in at least 42 African countries as of 30 April. Thirty-eight of these lockdowns had already been in place for at least 21 days, it found.
Estimated fatality for COVID-19 varies widely due to differences in testing, reporting, and attribution across countries. As more data is collected, African countries can better ascertain the severity of population vulnerabilities, like tuberculosis or malnutrition, on COVID-19 mortality, the report added.
Some of the challenges faced by companies on the continent included a lack of operational cash flow as well as the reduction of opportunities to meet new customers.
Vera Songwe, Executive Secretary; ECA, at the UK-Africa Investment Summit 2020
Companies also stated that their businesses were closed, in addition to a decline in workers’ productivity from working at home.
During an online debate to launch the report, ECA’s Executive Secretary, Vera Songwe, said governments confronted with the challenge of appropriate exit strategies to COVID-19 lockdown measures.
She said any exit strategy needs to balance the preservation of lives while alleviating economic challenges and continuing to suppress the spread of the virus.
The government of Ghana, for instance, lifted a 21-day lockdown on April 20 and has subsidized electricity and water consumption for households and businesses for April to June at a cost of GH₵1.3bn. Also, it has made available GH₵600m to provide soft loans to small and medium-sized businesses.
The funds expected to fund 200,000 enterprises as part of the Coronavirus Alleviation Program (CAP).
Business Leaders Urge Ministers to Respect AfCFTA
In an open letter to the continent’s political leaders, prominent figures from the world of African business explain why a full-blown postponement of AfCFTA would be a mistake and how some aspects can be rescheduled. Africa needs AfCFTA both to beat Covid-19 and to speed up post-Covid economic recovery.
Deadline of July 1
Ahead of the AU ministerial meeting on May 5-6 that will be discussing trade response to COVID-19 and state of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), several business leaders have signed a joint letter calling Ministers and Heads of State to ensure they abide by the deadline of July 1 for the Agreement to come into force.
The letter has been written in response to rumors in international media that the AfCFTA date of July 1 will be postponed until next year. The signatories say that there is no legitimate reason to postpone the AfCFTA even if they understand that a staggered approach can be used given current circumstances.
One of the signatories to the letter is Paulo Gomes, former Executive Director of the World Bank and Chair of Executive committee of AfroChampions. The AfroChampions network has been mandated by the African Union to coordinate private sector discussions around the AfCFTA. He said the ministers meeting next week had a duty to respect the current deadline. We understand certain parts of the AfCFTA are sensitive. The rules of origins and tariffs need time, but we can start with the trading of essential goods. Send a strong message to the world we are serious about the AfCFTA and to African businesses. With the private sector, the biggest beneficiary of the AfCFTA, with supply chains being disrupted globally is more urgent we have a functioning system within the continent to create continental supply chains.
In the letter, the signatories acknowledged that governments had been right to ensure that the immediate response was a health-related one. But the looming crisis in economics. 'The AfCFTA is an important tool to help stimulate investment and to create African value chains.'
There is no reason why the negotiations can't be virtual with the world in lockdown. We've seen scientists come together virtually to develop a cure against the virus, which 'shows that negotiations and talks can take place virtually.'
They also call for the work of the Secretariat which includes the recruitment of its staff can also continue to ensure the Secretariat is operational soon as lockdowns are effectively over.
The signatories are part of the AfroChampions network featuring some of the biggest names in Africa's private sector and whose patrons include Thabo Mbeki and Olusegun Obasanjo, former Presidents of South Africa and Nigeria respectively.
AfDB President Arrived In Freetown
The visit presents an opportunity to deepen discussions on several fronts, and in particular, how the African Development Bank (AfDB) assists Sierra Leone to implement the 2019-2023 National Development Plan focuses on human capital development.
The visit presents an opportunity to deepen discussions on several fronts
The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Dr. Akinwumi Adesina assured Sierra Leone the Bank is supportive of the country’s development agenda. He made the statement to the media shortly upon his arrival in Freetown, on Wednesday 11 March 2020.
He is here to see the President and most importantly to offer support to Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone is a very important country to AfDB, as Sierra Leone is a founder member of the bank and we have been financing projects and programs in Sierra Leone since 1967, he said.
Highlighting some of the development projects in Sierra Leone in different sectors that the bank has financed, in Agriculture, Energy, Water, and Sanitation, Infrastructure and other sectors. Noting that the current project portfolio is around USD 758 million.
Like many other African countries, there are lots of challenges that the country is faced with and commended the government so far in addressing those challenges.
His first official visit to Sierra Leone since he became President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), noting that he is delighted to be here.
The visit presents an opportunity to deepen discussions on several fronts, and in particular, how the African Development Bank (AfDB) assists Sierra Leone to implement the 2019-2023 National Development Plan focuses on human capital development. Dr. Adesina continued that he had a conversation with President Julius Maada Bio during the African Union Submit in February 2020, in which the President talked about his reforms, and assured the President will visit Sierra Leone to discuss more.
The Minister of Finance, Jacob Jusu Saffa, in his remark welcoming Dr. Akinwumi Adesina to Sierra Leone, and expressed the government’s gratitude that amidst the international health crisis of the Corona Virus, the President decides to proceed with this visit. The continuous visits of high profile personnel within international development partner organizations, not only a sign of cordial relationship the government of Sierra Leone has with its partners but also demonstrates, the government of Sierra Leone on the right development trajectory.
Dr. Adesina will have the opportunity to get first-hand information from critical stakeholders of the state on the development priorities, progress, and challenges that will allow him to support the financing of projects and programs that will resonate with the aspirations of the people of Sierra Leone.
During his visit, he will be meeting with the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Rtd. Brig. Julius Maada Bio, Minister of Finance, Jacob Jusu Saffa, Ministers of Government, Heads of Government agency, and other development partners.
Dr. Akinwumi Ayodeji Adesina is the 8th President of the African Development Bank Group, was elected to office May 28, 2015, by the Bank Board of Governors at its Annual Meetings in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. A distinguished development economist and agricultural development expert with 25 years of international experience. He is the first Nigerian to serve as President of the Bank Group.
He served as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development from 2011 to 2015, during which time he implemented bold policy reforms in the fertilizer sector and pursued innovative agricultural investment programs to expand opportunities for the private sector.
The Director-General Marie-Laure Akin-Ologbade, Executive Director Kenyah Barley, AfDB Country Manager for Ethiopia, Abdul Kamara, and other staff of the Bank accompanied the President of AfDB.