AFRICA

The crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic has revealed the capacity of Africa to do things for itself. That was the view expressed on Thursday by Gherrabi Mohammed, a Moroccan journalist, at an international video conference organised by The African Network of Germany (TANG) on the global health crisis. “We should thank God that the pandemic has so far spared …

"It is vital that individuals across Africa take responsibility to protect themselves, their families and their communities, by following the recommended prevention measures."

Funmilola Ajala looks at the challenges of containing the coronavirus pandemic in her home country, presenting the stark choices before Nigerian leaders as well as the potential dangers ahead as Africa’s most populous nation relaxes its lockdown measures after several weeks. In French art, there is a popular saying which goes thus: on s’engage, et puis on voit, meaning ‘engage first, then …

Ghana’s founding president, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, died on 27 April 1972. To mark the 48th anniversary of his death, our senior contributing editor and author, Jojo Cobbinah, writes from Accra on a brilliant African intellectual and committed leader who did not spend his time marrying countless women, building mansions or stashing millions in foreign banks. Jojo (72), who witnessed Nkrumah’s …

100 African intellectuals have signed an open letter to leaders on the continent, urging them to look critically at the global crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and to use the lessons from the crisis to spur “radical change”.  The letter, signed by academics, writers and activists from across the continent and the diaspora (*see list at the footnotes), makes …

Despite the challenges it’s facing, the government of Ghana is handling the coronavirus pandemic in the country effectively. That is the unanimous verdict of journalists who participated at a video conference, organised by The African Network of Germany, on the global health crisis on Thursday. — Washing hands, social distancing and wearing face masks are also the order of the …

Four decades after liberation from British rule and following many years of Robert Mugabe’s repression, a growing number of Zimbabweans don’t believe they have much to celebrate. For many, it’s a conflict of generations. A special report on Zimbabwe at 40 by Privilege Musvanhiri of DW from Harare Tens of thousands of people traditionally flock to independence day festivities around …

Political leaders for obvious reasons are not trusted by the people to act in their best interest in Nigeria like in most of Africa. The state that the people hold responsible for their problems will hardly be trusted when it says it’s acting to save the same people from an invisible enemy like the coronavirus.

A very powerful member of Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has died. The Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari, died on Friday, more than two weeks after he tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) infection. A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media, Mr Femi Adesina, on Twitter in the early hours of Saturday, said Kyari …

An urgent appeal has been made to Nigerians living abroad to help their people at home due to the social hardship caused by government measures to contain the coronavirus pandemic in the country. The appeal was made on Thursday by Monday Ijeh, a journalist with the News Agency of Nigeria, and Blessing Ehiwario Samuel, who works at the ECOWAS headquarters, …

Facebook users can opt in to follow the centre to get notifications and see updates in their News Feed from official government health authorities JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, April 9, 2020/ — Facebook is expanding its Coronavirus Information Centre to 17 more countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The Information Centres form part of Facebook’s effort to help the global fight against COVID-19 …

Facebook launches tools to keep faith-based communities connected during coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The tools are part of Facebook’s ongoing efforts in keeping communities safe, connected and informed during this pandemic JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, April 9, 2020/ — Facebook has launched key resources to help faith groups stay connected and engaged during the current COVID-19 outbreak. The resources include the “Faith …

African Ministers of Finance met in an online conference over the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on 31 March 2020, following the first meeting on 19 March 2020. The meeting, moderated by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, discussed the impact of the global health crisis on the continent, especially the social and economic impact of social contact restriction measures on …

Rights activist Omoyele Sowore has cried out over an alleged plot to arrest and detain him. In a statement published on his Facebook page, the publisher of the online news platform SaharaReporters accused the presidency of working with the Nigerian army and the judiciary to obtain an unjustifiable court order for his renewed detention over the revelation of SaharaReporters that …

BBC News Africa has launched daily one minute video Coronavirus (Covid -19) stories in Afrique, Hausa, Igbo, Pidgin and Yoruba. Delivered by 6pm GMT each video will showcase the two top stories with one being a fact-check video. They will give valuable tips and also dispel disinformation about Covid -19. The first videos include: · What is the relationship between …

With about three billion people worldwide having to stay at home in order to avoid further spreading of the coronavirus, Africa has also been adversely affected. Forty-six African countries have officially recorded cases (2,819 as at 26 March) and they have adopted various measures, ranging from compulsory quarantine and border closures to strong recommendations to stay at home. The pandemic …

Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the Government of Ethiopia have received a consignment of medical equipment for distribution to African countries for their fight against the coronavirus pandemic. The donated consignment includes 1.5 million testing kits, 6 million medical masks and 60,000 protective suits to be distributed throughout Africa. ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, March 23, 2020/ — Africa’s …

To prevent a widespread infection of their populations, African countries are increasingly imposing travel restrictions to keep out people from countries that have a high number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases. Nigeria is the latest country to take the drastic step of imposing entry bans as part drastic measures to stop the spread of the virus in the country. “The Federal …

Dr Stella Bosire awarded the Commonwealth Point of Light award for her tireless championing of rights and mentorship of some of society’s most vulnerable people Dr Stella Bosire was awarded the Commonwealth Point of Light award, on 6 March at an event hosted by the British High Commission in Nairobi, focussed on empowering women. Cabinet Secretary Amb Amina Mohammed attended …

"In Africa, a continent perceived as a group of nations with weak institutions, poor infrastructure and some of the world's horrific conflicts; the inspiring example and impact that one effective leader exemplifies is truly powerful and game changing, not just for the immediate beneficiaries but for the world"