Ghana: Outside the classroom, Ghanaian student thrives as a poultry farmer
Mornings start early for Clara Saibu of Tamale in Ghana. She doesn’t wake up to the sound of an alarm clock, but to chickens, waiting to be fed.
Saibu, a 23-year-old final-year student at the University of Cape Coast, is also a poultry farmer and beneficiary of the Savannah Investment Program, a national agriculture program financed by the African Development Fund as part of the African Development Bank Group’s Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation Initiative.
The Savannah Investment Program focuses on reducing imported animal protein, improving food and nutrition security, and expanding the poultry industry in Ghana. With a nearly $28 million loan from the African Development Fund, the program became effective in February 2020 and will be implemented through 2025. The project targets maize and soybean farmers, poultry farmers, livestock farmers, youth and women engaged in entrepreneurship
“Support from the program…included cages, birds, medications, feeds, and vaccination,” Saibu shared. “I had the passion to have my own poultry farm, so I learned all that it takes to run one from a poultry farmer.”
Saibu’s morning routine consists of feeding the chickens and providing them with clean water, making sure their containers are cleaned regularly because dirty water can affect egg production. She sees to it that her chickens are as healthy as can be.
Since starting her poultry farm, Saibu has been able to enjoy profits from the eggs sold. “I’ve been able to help around the house,” she said. Saibu was also able to buy a motorbike which she uses to make deliveries to customers. She also rides her motorbike to buy feed and other things needed for the poultry farm.
Today, some of her many customers include hotels that buy about five crates of eggs every week, chop bars, supermarkets, wholesalers, and households. The African Development Fund’s Savannah Investment Program has made it possible for her to secure her own livelihood while also providing her community with fresh produce.
African Development Bank Group president calls for more partnerships to build Africa’s social infrastructure
African Development Bank Group President Dr Akinwumi Adesina wrapped up his official visit to Kenya on Friday, meeting with African diplomatic envoys and international development partners in Nairobi. He called for joint collaborative support to help accelerate Africa’s development.
“Africa’s pace of development must be accelerated. We must work together for the continent to prosper, be competitive, and address the challenges facing it,” he said.
Adesina said Africa was the continent being impacted the most from climate change. He said as the world prepared for the next global climate summit (COP27) in Egypt this November, many African countries could still not access green climate financing because they had not developed required national determined contributions and long-term strategies. So far, only three African countries—Benin, Morocco and South Africa—have developed long term strategies.
Adesina told the envoys that the majority of countries that were most vulnerable to the impact of climate change were beneficiaries of the Bank Group’s concessionary arm, the African Development Fund. He said development partner financing, however, remained low and in decline. “The African Development Fund must be financially sustainable to meet the growing development needs of its beneficiaries,” he stressed.
The Bank Group president cited some of the projects financed by the African Development Fund—which he said were transforming lives. He gave the example of the Thwake Multipurpose Water Development Program in Kenya, explaining that this project will uplift millions of lives in the country’s semi-arid eastern region. He said it would do so through electricity generation, water supply and irrigation of 40,000 hectares of land.
The Bank Group president asked international development partners to support the case for the African Development Fund to be allowed to go to the capital markets with its $25 billion equity to raise an additional $33 billion. Adesina sought to allay their fears that this could lead to an even bigger debt burden for the Fund’s beneficiaries. He expressed concern that countries were already resorting to commercial borrowing at very high interest rates.
The Covid-19 has caused Africa’s commercial debt to increase. That debt is expected to worsen because of the impact of Russia’s war in Ukraine. The war has already produced an increase in energy and food prices. Adesina spoke about the dangers of governments resorting to commercial borrowing at exorbitant interest rates.
The African Development Bank has been pushing for the channelling of International Monetary Fund Special Drawing Rights to African countries through the Bank. The president explained that in this manner, they could be leveraged by a factor of four on the international capital market. He said this could help African countries deal with debt issues and allow them to invest more in transformative developments.
Adesina highlighted insecurity as a big concern, which he said had recently seen military expenditure rise while financing for development was declining. “As a result, poverty levels are rising, particularly in rural areas, which have become zones of misery and fertile recruitment grounds for terrorists,” he said.
The African Development Bank Group president emphasized the importance of security indexed investment. He cited the institution’s initiative to introduce security indexed bonds linked to investment, growth and development. He said the Bank and the Africa Union Commission were working together to support countries as they built their own security defense architecture.
Adesina also spoke about initiatives to empower youth, who he described as the African Development Bank’s biggest partners. The Bank is working with African governments and international partners to set up youth entrepreneurship investment banks. They will provide support to businesses run by young people. Adesina said: “The future of Africa’s youth is not overseas but in an Africa that is thriving in a sustainable and equitable manner. Young people do not need handouts or what is often referred to as ‘empowerment.’ Show me one young person who can readily tell you they have been empowered. Young people need investment.”
At his wrap-up media briefing, Adesina commended President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government for developing what he called ‘world class infrastructure, particularly the expansion of the country’s roads network.’ He also commended the speed with which road projects were being implemented and the quality of work.
Adesina also gave high marks to ongoing construction of the African Development Bank-funded Kenol-Sagana-Marua Road, which he toured at the start of his visit. The 84-kilometre road—which will connect Nairobi with commercial and agricultural towns of central, upper eastern and northern Kenya—is expected to be completed in six months, two years earlier than planned. It is part of the Great Trans-Africa Highway that runs from the Egyptian capital of Cairo to Cape Town, South Africa. The highway will also facilitate regional integration by linking Kenya with Ethiopia and Somalia.
The African Development Bank Group president also spoke of the 454-kilometer Malindi – Mombasa – Lunga Lunga/Horohoro and Tanga – Pangani – Bagamoyo Road connecting Kenya and Tanzania. He said this is a highway that will provide a big boost for regional integration. Lastly, he cited the 894-kilometer Nairobi-Addis Ababa Road, which has, among other things, expanded trade between Kenya and Ethiopia by up to 400%.
“Infrastructure is the backbone of any economy,” Adesina emphasized, adding that quality infrastructure spurs economic activity. He pointed out that the last seven years had seen the African Development Bank invest more than $40 billion in infrastructure in Africa.
He said he had urged the Kenyan government to seriously consider a zero-slum policy that would clear the country of slums, with the introduction of quality and decent low housing program.
The Bank Group chief said: “As we develop infrastructure, we must ensure that we do not create inequalities between rich and poor areas. We should use infrastructure to transform all the slum areas. We must reduce inequity and we must create new hope and new opportunities for the poor.”
During his four-day visit, Adesina met with President Uhuru Kenyatta, senior government officials, including Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Housing, James Macharia, Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum, Monica Juma, and Principal Secretaries of various other line ministries.
African Development Bank Group president calls for more partnerships to build Africa’s social infrastructure
African Development Bank Group President Dr Akinwumi Adesina wrapped up his official visit to Kenya on Friday, meeting with African diplomatic envoys and international development partners in Nairobi. He called for joint collaborative support to help accelerate Africa’s development.
“Africa’s pace of development must be accelerated. We must work together for the continent to prosper, be competitive, and address the challenges facing it,” he said.
Adesina said Africa was the continent being impacted the most from climate change. He said as the world prepared for the next global climate summit (COP27) in Egypt this November, many African countries could still not access green climate financing because they had not developed required national determined contributions and long-term strategies. So far, only three African countries—Benin, Morocco and South Africa—have developed long term strategies.
Adesina told the envoys that the majority of countries that were most vulnerable to the impact of climate change were beneficiaries of the Bank Group’s concessionary arm, the African Development Fund. He said development partner financing, however, remained low and in decline. “The African Development Fund must be financially sustainable to meet the growing development needs of its beneficiaries,” he stressed.
The Bank Group president cited some of the projects financed by the African Development Fund—which he said were transforming lives. He gave the example of the Thwake Multipurpose Water Development Program in Kenya, explaining that this project will uplift millions of lives in the country’s semi-arid eastern region. He said it would do so through electricity generation, water supply and irrigation of 40,000 hectares of land.
The Bank Group president asked international development partners to support the case for the African Development Fund to be allowed to go to the capital markets with its $25 billion equity to raise an additional $33 billion. Adesina sought to allay their fears that this could lead to an even bigger debt burden for the Fund’s beneficiaries. He expressed concern that countries were already resorting to commercial borrowing at very high interest rates.
The Covid-19 has caused Africa’s commercial debt to increase. That debt is expected to worsen because of the impact of Russia’s war in Ukraine. The war has already produced an increase in energy and food prices. Adesina spoke about the dangers of governments resorting to commercial borrowing at exorbitant interest rates.
The African Development Bank has been pushing for the channelling of International Monetary Fund Special Drawing Rights to African countries through the Bank. The president explained that in this manner, they could be leveraged by a factor of four on the international capital market. He said this could help African countries deal with debt issues and allow them to invest more in transformative developments.
Adesina highlighted insecurity as a big concern, which he said had recently seen military expenditure rise while financing for development was declining. “As a result, poverty levels are rising, particularly in rural areas, which have become zones of misery and fertile recruitment grounds for terrorists,” he said.
The African Development Bank Group president emphasized the importance of security indexed investment. He cited the institution’s initiative to introduce security indexed bonds linked to investment, growth and development. He said the Bank and the Africa Union Commission were working together to support countries as they built their own security defense architecture.
Adesina also spoke about initiatives to empower youth, who he described as the African Development Bank’s biggest partners. The Bank is working with African governments and international partners to set up youth entrepreneurship investment banks. They will provide support to businesses run by young people. Adesina said: “The future of Africa’s youth is not overseas but in an Africa that is thriving in a sustainable and equitable manner. Young people do not need handouts or what is often referred to as ‘empowerment.’ Show me one young person who can readily tell you they have been empowered. Young people need investment.”
At his wrap-up media briefing, Adesina commended President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government for developing what he called ‘world class infrastructure, particularly the expansion of the country’s roads network.’ He also commended the speed with which road projects were being implemented and the quality of work.
Adesina also gave high marks to ongoing construction of the African Development Bank-funded Kenol-Sagana-Marua Road, which he toured at the start of his visit. The 84-kilometre road—which will connect Nairobi with commercial and agricultural towns of central, upper eastern and northern Kenya—is expected to be completed in six months, two years earlier than planned. It is part of the Great Trans-Africa Highway that runs from the Egyptian capital of Cairo to Cape Town, South Africa. The highway will also facilitate regional integration by linking Kenya with Ethiopia and Somalia.
The African Development Bank Group president also spoke of the 454-kilometer Malindi – Mombasa – Lunga Lunga/Horohoro and Tanga – Pangani – Bagamoyo Road connecting Kenya and Tanzania. He said this is a highway that will provide a big boost for regional integration. Lastly, he cited the 894-kilometer Nairobi-Addis Ababa Road, which has, among other things, expanded trade between Kenya and Ethiopia by up to 400%.
“Infrastructure is the backbone of any economy,” Adesina emphasized, adding that quality infrastructure spurs economic activity. He pointed out that the last seven years had seen the African Development Bank invest more than $40 billion in infrastructure in Africa.
He said he had urged the Kenyan government to seriously consider a zero-slum policy that would clear the country of slums, with the introduction of quality and decent low housing program.
The Bank Group chief said: “As we develop infrastructure, we must ensure that we do not create inequalities between rich and poor areas. We should use infrastructure to transform all the slum areas. We must reduce inequity and we must create new hope and new opportunities for the poor.”
During his four-day visit, Adesina met with President Uhuru Kenyatta, senior government officials, including Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Housing, James Macharia, Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum, Monica Juma, and Principal Secretaries of various other line ministries.
Africa must prepare for the inevitability of a global food crisis says African Development Bank President, Akinwumi Adesina
African Development Bank Group President Dr Akinwumi Adesina says “Africa must prepare for the inevitability of a global food crisis.” He was speaking about Africa’s priorities, as a guest at the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center on Friday.
Fielding questions from the Council’s Africa Center Chair, Ambassador Rama Yade; Senior Fellow Aubrey Hruby; and Washington/UN correspondent for Jeune Afrique and The Africa Report, Julian Pecquet, the Bank chief called for an increased sense of urgency amid what he described as a once-in-a-century convergence of global challenges for Africa.
According to Adesina, the continent’s most vulnerable countries had been hit hardest by conflict, climate change and the Covid-19 pandemic, which had upended economic and development progress in Africa. He said Africa, with the lowest GDP growth rates, had lost as many as 30 million jobs on account of the pandemic.
Speaking about the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war, Adesina expressed sympathy for the people of Ukraine, describing their suffering as unimaginable. He said the war’s ramifications spread far beyond Ukraine to other parts of the world, including Africa. He explained that Russia and Ukraine supply 30% of global wheat exports, the price of which has surged by almost 50% globally, reaching identical levels as during the 2008 global food crisis. He added that fertilizer prices had tripled, and energy prices had increased, all fueling inflation.
Adesina warned that the tripling costs of fertilizer, rising energy prices, and rising costs of food baskets, could worsen in Africa in the coming months. He noted that 90% of Russia’s $4 billion exports to Africa in 2020 was made up of wheat; and 48% of Ukraine’s near $3 billion exports to the continent was made of wheat and 31% of maize.
Adesina cautioned that to fend off a food crisis, Africa must rapidly expand its food production. “The African Development Bank is already active in mitigating the effects of a food crisis through the African Food Crisis Response and Emergency Facility – a dedicated facility being considered by the Bank to provide African countries with the resources needed to raise local food production and procure fertilizer.
“My basic principle,” Adesina said, “is that Africa should not be begging. We must solve our own challenges ourselves without depending on others…” The Bank chief spoke about early successes through the Bank’s innovative flagship initiative, Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) program, a program operating across nine food commodities in more than 30 African countries.
Adesina said TAAT has helped to rapidly boost food production at scale on the continent, including the production of wheat, rice and other cereal crops: “We are putting our money where our mouth is. We are producing more and more of our own food. Our Africa Emergency Food Production Plan will produce 38 million metric tons of food.” TAAT has already delivered heat-tolerant varieties of wheat to 1.8 million farmers in seven countries.
According to Adesina, heat-tolerant varieties were now being planted across hundreds of thousands of hectares in Ethiopia and Sudan, with extraordinary results. In Ethiopia, where the government has put the TAAT program to work in a 200,000-hectare lowland irrigated wheat program, farmers are reporting yields of 4.5 to five times per hectare. He said TAAT’s climate-smart seeds were also thriving in Sudan, which recorded its largest wheat harvest ever – 1.1 million tons of wheat – in the 2019-2020 season.
He added that TAAT came to the rescue during the drought in southern Africa in 2018 and 2019, deploying heat-tolerant maize varieties which were cultivated by 5.2 million households on 841 thousand hectares. As a result, he said, farmers survived the drought in Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia, allowing maize production to expand by 631,000 metric tons to a value of $107 million.
Adesina also spoke about the urgent and timely need for a strong replenishment of the African Development Fund – the Bank Group’s concessional lending arm that supports low-income African countries. He said the Fund has connected 15.5 million people to electricity and supported 74 million people with improved agriculture; it has provided 50 million people with access to transport; built 8,700 kilometers of roads; and provided 42 million people with upgraded water and sanitation facilities.
The Bank chief said there were three lessons to be learned for Africa from the challenges Africa is facing: first, that the continent could no longer leave the health security of its people to the benevolence of others; second, that it must look at health investments differently, and make the development of a health defense system a priority—investing in quality health infrastructure as a must—and third, that economies—which were already turning around—must create fiscal space to deal with debt challenges.
Asked about the outcomes for Africa of the global climate summit, COP26, in Glasgow last November, and how he foresaw prospects for success at COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt in 2022, Adesina expressed optimism. He said it was important for developed countries to make good on their promise to provide Africa with the $100 billion a year required for climate adaptation. Adesina said: “Our challenge is adaptation because we didn’t cause the problem. In Africa, we are adapting to climate change.”
He explained that the African Development Bank, together with its partner the Global Center for Adaptation, was mobilizing 25 billion dollars to support climate adaptation in Africa.
The African Development Bank chief highlighted the importance of the technology sector as a driver for growth in Africa, and prospects for young people on the continent. Adesina described Africa’s youth as one of its greatest assets. He lauded the contributions of young entrepreneurs in the fintech, digital, creative arts and entertainment industries. He said the need by young entrepreneurs for innovative financing is why the Bank is exploring with stakeholders the establishment of specialized youth entrepreneurship investment banks to unlock potential and economic growth.
Africa has what it takes to accelerate climate action through fourth industrial revolution technologies and innovations, experts say
The African Development Bank brought together various development and industry experts to discuss the potential of fourth industrial revolution technologies and innovations to tackle climate change in Africa.
The virtual panel — “Harnessing the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) to Build Africa’s Climate Resilience: Practical case studies and experiences” — took place on the 31st March 2022 as part of the Second Global Gobeshona Conference.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Al Hamndou Dorsouma, Officer-In-Charge of the Climate Change and Green Growth Department at the African Development Bank, noted that technologies were already being applied on the continent to enhance climate-related research, enable precision agriculture and observe climatic and weather patterns, with impactful results. To demonstrate this, he cited the work of the Bank’s ClimDev Africa Special Fund, which supported the procurement of supercomputers that were instrumental in successfully monitoring and tackling the outbreak of desert locusts in East Africa in 2020. “This goes to demonstrate that fourth industrial revolution technologies and innovations can be leveraged towards solving problems that build resilience and enhance adaptive capacity to the impacts of climate change,” he concluded.
Yasemin Koc, senior science, technology and innovation expert at the African Development Bank, moderated the session. It kicked off with a keynote speech from Philip Thigo, Senior Adviser, Data, Innovation and Open Government in the Office of the Deputy President of Kenya. He observed that the fourth industrial revolution is facilitating a rapid pace of change, which can be applied to accelerate interventions that address pressing issues such as climate change. Thigo also recommended that governments invest more in skills development to enable the fast-growing population to benefit from technologies.
Ken Lohento, a digital agriculture strategy expert at the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations Regional Office for Africa, highlighted the findings of a recently published report on the status of digital agriculture in 47 Sub-Saharan African countries(link is external). The report established that Africa holds immense potential for the use of digital technologies to transform the agricultural sector. He recommended moving beyond pilot projects to implementing full-scale projects.
Lhoucine El Khili, Acting Manager of the Data Center & System Engineering at the African Development Bank, spoke about the importance of finance to enable the design and application of technologies and innovations in Africa. He presented the Bank’s drone project application to the agricultural sector in Tunisia.
The private sector was also identified as critical to addressing the increasing frequency and intensity of climate change impacts on the continent. “Climate change is a major global threat and for a challenge as large as this…there needs to be a coordinated and multi stakeholder approach,” said Tapiwa Chiwewe, an independent fourth industrial revolution expert.
Bernard Banda, Acting Director, Economic Regulation at Zambia’s ICT Authority, emphasized the need to strengthen the infrastructure available to support the development, use and scaling up of technologies. He also urged governments to increase the use of technologies. “Governments across Africa can use technologies for early warning systems which are critical for rural communities who largely practise agriculture. This will help them prepare better for shocks such as flood and drought,” he stated.
Somaliland demands $2 billion appeal after market inferno
The Somali region of Somaliland launched an international appeal on Wednesday for $2 billion to urgently deliver humanitarian and livelihood support.
The appeal comes after a huge fire destroyed the main market in the capital Hargeisa, wiping out t an estimated 5,000 small, medium and large family businesses and therefore devastating the local economy.
Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi said in a statement that the fire had caused losses estimated at $2 billion, or around 60 percent of countrz ‘s gross domestic product.
Its GDP in 2020 was just over $2.9 billion, shrinking 3.1 percent from the previous year largely because of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to official figures.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but the move has not been recognised by the international community, leaving the region of about four million people
The breakaway region has however remained relatively stable while Somalia has been wracked by decades of political violence and an Islamist insurgency.
An investigation team is looking into the cause of the fire and its report is expected to be disclosed to the media in the next few days, he further said
Burkina Faso: The ‘opera village’ by Pritzker architecture prize winner Kere
The Pritzker Prize, architecture’s most prestigious award, was awarded Tuesday to Burkina Faso-born architect Diebedo Francis Kere — the first African to win the honor in its more than 40-year history.
Kere, 56, was hailed for his “pioneering” designs that are “sustainable to the earth and its inhabitants — in lands of extreme scarcity,” Tom Pritzker, chairman of the Hyatt Foundation that sponsors the award, said in a statement.
Kere, a dual citizen of Burkina Faso and Germany, said he was the “happiest man on this planet” to become the 51st recipient of the illustrious prize since it was first awarded in 1979.
“I have a feeling of an overwhelming honour but also a sense of responsibility,” he told AFP during an interview in his office in Berlin.
Kere is renowned for building schools, health facilities, housing, civic buildings and public spaces across Africa, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Togo, Kenya, Mozambique, Togo and Sudan.
“He is equally architect and servant, improving upon the lives and experiences of countless citizens in a region of the world that is at times forgotten,” said Pritzker.
Kere won plaudits for his 2001 project for a primary school in Gando village, in Burkina Faso, where he was born.
Unlike traditional school buildings which used concrete, Kere’s innovative design combined local clay, fortified with cement to form bricks that helped retain cooler air inside.
A wide raised tin roof protects the building from rains while helping the air circulate, meaning natural ventilation without any need for air conditioning.
Kere engaged the local community during the design and building phase, and the number of students at the school increased from 120 to 700, the Hyatt Foundation said in its release.
The success of the project saw the creation of an extension, a library and teachers’ housing in later years.
– ‘Natural climate’ –
Kere “empowers and transforms communities through the process of architecture,” designing buildings “where resources are fragile and fellowship is vital,” the statement add.
“Through his commitment to social justice and engagement, and intelligent use of local materials to connect and respond to the natural climate, he works in marginalized countries laden with constraints and adversity,” the organizers said.
In Kere’s native Burkina Faso, his accolade was hailed as a reminder that Burkina Faso should be known internationally for more than a violent jihadist insurgency that has gripped the country.
Groups affiliated to Al-Qaeda and the so-called Islamic State group have killed more than 2,000 people and displaced at least 1.7 million.
“In the current pain of the security crisis, our country must remember that it is also the nation of exceptional men like Francis Kere,” said Ra-Sablga Seydou Ouedraogo, of the non-profit Free Afrik.
Nebila Aristide Bazie, head of the Burkina Faso architects’ council, said the award “highlights the African architect and the people of Burkina Faso.”
In 2017, Kere became the first African architect to design the Serpentine pavilion in London’s Hyde Park, a prestigious assignment given to a world-famous architect every year.
He was also one of the architects behind Geneva’s International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum and has held solo museum shows in Munich and Philadelphia.
“I am totally convinced that everyone deserves quality,” he said in his office, where he celebrated his award with his team.
“I’m always thinking how can I get the best for my clients, for those who can afford but also for those who can not afford.
“This is my way of doing things, of using my architecture to create structures to serve people, let’s say to serve humanity,” Kere added.
Chad peace negotiations adjourned
Chad’s government and opposition groups had started peace talks on Sunday morning in Doha. However, the talks were suspended after representatives from one of the 44 rebel groups attending left the room.
Chad’s government and opposition groups had started peace talks on Sunday morning in Doha.
Some 44 armed rebel groups were invited, as a first step towards ending a rebellion and holding elections in the country. But the talks were suspended after participants from Front for Change and Concord in Chad left the room. Before that, the AU Commission head urged both parties to reach an agreement.
“The Chadian history, which has been punctuated by conferences, attempts at reconciliation, and unfulfilled agreements, is well known to you all, Moussa Faki Mahamat began. In sixty years almost the age of our contemporary state, Chad experienced armed conflict, destruction, and lost opportunities for rebirth. Isn’t it about time to stop this madness of nihilism and absolute absurdity?”
In the framework presented by Chad’s leader Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, the talks are a prelude to a “national dialogue” due to start in May. His prime minister insisted peace needed to be achieved for the greater good. “Peace requires more courage and greatness than war, Albert Pahimi Padacke said. To be able to activate the inner trigger of self-transcendence to overcome the desire for revenge and resentment requires more courage than war, in short, real courage does not mean brandishing your weapon to dominate but to take the risk to lay it down in order to discuss.”
The process should last several days. Moussa Faki Mahamat has already urged both parties to make “concessions”.
The peace talks are crucial and according to Libya’s Foreign minister Najla Mohammed El Mangoush, they will improve stability and help “fight terrorism” in the Sahel region.
Kenya: Mixed reactions after Kagwe gives face mask greenlight
After about two years of being required to don face masks in public places to curb the spread of Covid-19, Kenyans were officially told Friday that they no longer have to do so.
In Nairobi, some cheered the announcement, but others questioned the timing. Supporters saw it as a relief and a sign that life is returning to normal, while others wondered what they will do now having become used to wearing them every day.
Announcing the end of the mandate Friday, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe still recommended that people should continue wearing the masks.
“Police and law enforcement officers should not harass Kenyans who are not wearing face masks in public,” Mr Kagwe said at Afya House in Nairobi.
In the Nairobi city centre, Kenyans who spoke to Nation.Africa had varied opinions on the end of the mask mandate.
“I feel like if you feel safer wearing it, then you should continue to wear it, but if you don’t want to, you shouldn’t have to,” said Susan Kamande, adding that she is fully vaccinated and will continue wearing a mask.
Others were relieved to take off their masks, but said they will still keep one close by just in case they need it.
“This is what we’ve been waiting for, tremendous progress after two long years of fearing what might happen if we did not wear a face mask in public,” said Nicholas Kimeu.
“I have removed mine but it is still in my pocket, you never know. It has just been announced, but if a police officer doesn’t know, what will happen?”
Some people were still wearing their masks as they had not heard the news.
“I have not heard anything. Until I reach home and watch the news, I will keep it on my face,” said Faith Kamayu.
The end of the face mask mandate makes Kenya the first African country to relax this Covid-19 measure.
“Wearing masks in public places is no longer a must but when they are visiting government offices they should wear the masks,” CS Kagwe said.
Asked what prompted the decision, he said the number of people contracting Covid-19 in Kenya had gone down, citing immunity.
“Kenyans are encouraged to wear face masks while attending indoor functions. We should now also see the temperature checks in public places stopped,” he said, adding that all in-person indoor meetings will resume at full capacity.
The government has also done away with quarantining people who test positive for Covid-19.
As a result of the low positivity rate, spectators will be allowed back to sporting activities in venues without masks.
Matatus and buses have also been allowed to resume carrying passengers at full capacity without mask mandates.
“Now I have to remember not to wear my mask as I leave the house. It is something that had become a part of my life. I hope I will remember to leave it in the house in the morning as I leave for work,” said Erick Adanga, who still had his mask on.