Magistrate Esmie Tembenu of Blantyre Child Justice Court sits quietly in her office behind Soche Police, unlike a normal Tuesday morning.
Tembenu has never been known to be an enthusiastic soccer fan. Tell her about children, and you get all her attention.
“I have great passion for children,” said Tembenu.
No wonder, she knows pretty well why the eldest son is so often the first one to leave parents’ home. It’s not like the first born is escaping or disowning the family; it’s just that any great economic upheaval or orphanhood alters normal patterns and the oldest son begins to develop doubts about the capability of his parents to fend for the family. They then leave home early, out of necessity. They must find jobs quicker and quicker, different from the current generation.
That is Tembenu’s meal, everyday. Not this Tuesday, October 6, 2009: The child magistrate is thinking about the World Cup coming to South Africa in 2010.
Africa is happy that, for the first time in history, it will play host to the world’s largest soccer fiesta. Tembenu is happy, too, because she realizes the greatness of the event.
She is also worried.
“The World Cup will exert more pressure on the justice system, and I think the child justice system will be one of the most affected. Malawi should expect more adoption applications, most of which will not be in good faith. There will be people coming around, pretending to adopt our children for a better life when, in fact, they want to use them for sexual purposes,” Warns Tembenu.
She has observed the signals flashing back and forth, and wants Malawian parents and guardians to be on the lookout. The problem is that most people know little about adoption.
Other challenges include lawyers deliberately misinforming parents and guardians that their children would come back after growing up and attaining higher education. Some NGOs also cheat the courts, claiming parents or guardians have consented to adoptions when they have not.
That is where social welfare officers come in, to ascertain the truth. Those found on the wrong side of truth lose their adoption applications, and the children.
Child rights activists have called for amendments to the Adoption of Children Act, saying current provisions are replete with ambiguities and loop holes. At the moment, the main bone of contention is the provision that addresses the issue of ‘residence’.
“Is it merely the question of a foreign citizen coming to Malawi and booking themselves a room at an up market hotel, or the purchase of an old house in Nthalire?” The question of Maxwell Matewere, executive director for Eye of the Child.
Chief Justice Lovemore Munro did something to clear the air on the question of ‘residence’ in a Supreme Court ruling that went in favour of Pop star Madonna. Madonna’s efforts to adopt toddler Chifundo Mercy James were earlier thwarted by a High Court ruling that questioned her credentials as a resident of Malawi.
However, says Tembenu, most magistrates are yet to lay their hands on copies of that ruling.
Chances are that, with requisite amendments long-coming and the ruling poorly circulated, the World Cup may become just another big hole for child traffickers.
“We need to put our house in order well before the World Cup. Not only the World Cup, but in time for more international adoptions. We can see them coming really hard and exerting unnecessary pressure of our adoption system,” said Matewere.
Even Justice Edward Twea, a High Court Judge and Chairperson for the National Juvenile Justice Forum, knows the tangible benefits of locking the doors before the thief arrives pretty well. He offers three suggestions:
“There is need for the ministry responsible for children affairs to establish a national registry for children that can be adopted. This will serve as our adoption list and help prevent cases where foreign nationals come here and choose children they want to adopt; this time, it will go according to the Ministry’s registry.
“We also need to ratify the Hague Convention on Inter-Country Adoption. This will help us monitor Malawian children adopted by foreign citizens, and our social welfare officers will be able to liaise with their counterparts. The last suggestion is that, due to the complexity of international adoption processes, I think it would be better if such cases were handled by the High Court,” said Twea.
The courts are currently seeking direction from the Office of the Chief Justice on whether international adoption cases should be handled by the High court only, or not.
Currently, adoption applications can be filed at subordinate courts or the High court. Only those who are 21 years or older can adopt children, though a single man or woman can not adopt a girl or boy child, respectively.
Twea acknowledges that most people know little about the implications of adoption. He cites Malawians who adopt foreign children. When the children become problematic, the locals complain to the natural parents they will send the children back! Back where?
“This contravenes the definition of adoption because this is a legal process of transferring natural rights from parents or guardians. If you were the mother or father, it means you are no longer the legal parent of that child,” he said.
Then, there is the case of a Malawian woman who married a foreign national. They took the wife’s children with them and crossed the borders, hoping the marriage would survive everything but death. The unexpected happened when the marriage collapsed, and the wife came home.
She has been struggling to have the children back. Ratification of the Hague Convention on Inter-country Adoption would have helped, perhaps. Without it, her children are as better as lost.
Now the World Cup comes, in less than a year from now, without Malawi ratifying the Hague Convention. Fears are that it may turn out to be another hole through which children go and never come back.
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Friday, February 19, 2010
Is climate change Malawian? Zachimalawi dives into the big question
Malawi, like the rest of the world, was once regulated by the sun;
everything- time, animal and plant life- revolved around the sun.
Time when the earth was an integral part of man, and man a loving part
of it. The perfumed flowers were man’s sister; the deer, the horse,
the great eagle- his brothers. Humming insects evoked holy memories
and experiences in people, just as rocky crests, juices of the
meadows, the body heat of the pony and warm worms- all belonged to one
family.
Before the famed Dziwe Lankhalamba on Mulanje Mountain turned violent
and started swallowing human souls, shining water moved peacefully in
such rivers as Linthipe, Shire, Mudi, Lilongwe, and lagoons like Chia
without causing floods. The water was not just any other liquid to the
then caring people of Malawi- it was the blood of our ancestors.
Mid-day ghostly reflections in the clear waters of the lakes- Lake
Malawi, Chiuta, Kazuni and Chilwa- told of memories and forthcoming
events in the lives of the people.
The water’s murmur was the voice of our ancestors, and the rivers and
lagoons were our brothers and sisters because they quenched our
thirst, carried our canoes and fed fish to our children. The Akafula,
or Abathwa, the early inhabitants of Malawi, then gave the best
treatment to the rivers, the sought of kindness you would give to your
only brother or sister.
The earth and its people were connected like blood which unites one
family. Whatever befell the earth befell the sons and daughters of
earth. It is as simple as that and a web: man did not weave the web of
life; he is merely a strand of it. Whatever he does to the web, he
does to himself.
For a long time, this realization remained the settled conviction of a
larger group of people, at least until the formation of independent
nation states of people begun to take effect because, not long after,
things went haywire.
Take language vocabulary, for instance. It is a fact that the British
word ‘scheme’ quickly translates to the American ‘plan’ or ‘proposal’.
Yet the two countries were once one, when Britain was an unmistakable
colony of the United States of America.
They say the world has conflict built into it; a factor that continues
to haunt the modern world.
December 2009 will go down the annals of our world story as a month
when world leaders, both from developed and developing countries, as
well as experts from different fields, met in Copenhagen, Denmark,
under this carpet of on-going confusion, disagreements and conflict.
They gathered under the United (?) Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC) 15th Conference of Parties (COP 15) to draw
the way forward on tackling climate change and its associated impacts.
Issues tackled included land use, changes in land use, forestry and
rising global temperatures, all manifestations of man made
concoctions. Malawi’s president, Bingu wa Mutharika, did not make it
to the high level meeting as he wanted to serve the country’s drying
foreign currency reserves. Energy, Natural Resources and Environmental
Minister Grain Malunga wore his shoes.
However, Mutharika was home talking about climate change. He went to
Chiradzulu and planted two trees when the country launched the
National Forestry Season on December 15, 2009.
He remembered his good ole days, when the rains honoured their
Southern region promises early November, keeping those (promises) for
the Central and Northern region for somewhere between late November
and early December, respectively. Always, before the word ‘excuse’
crept into the language of the rains.
“The story is different now. We have prolonged dry spells, which have
already started affecting districts like Chiradzulu. These are the
effects of climate change,” said Mutharika.
Mutharika felt so sorry that, as the children of ‘ancient’ Chiradzulu
and Thyolo used to run and bathe in the rains on days like December
15, there was nothing but the sun and a dry spell for children of
modern-day Chiradzulu and Thyolo!
Sentiments echoed by Natural Resources, Energy and Environment
Principal Secretary, Dr. Denis Kayambazinthu. He bemoaned that
climate change was fast becoming part of the warm-heartedness that is
Malawi.
“The country has experienced a number of adverse effects of climate
change. The most serious have been dry spells, seasonal droughts,
intense rainfall, river line floods, flush floods and unpredictable
rainfall patterns,” said Kayambazinthu.
The scary part of it, he said, is that these are impacting negatively
on food security, water quality, energy and sustainable rural
communities’ livelihoods.
Malawi is at a crossroads. Some of the events attributed to climate
change include the severe drought conditions of the 1991/92
agriculture season and extreme flood events in 2000/01.
An Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change report reveals that
Malawians cut an average 70, 000 trees each year and that, while more
trees are planted during the National Forestry Season, only 60 per
cent survive.
While climate change and global warming are global phenomena, a US
National Environmental Trust report indicates that Malawi is paying an
exorbitant price for the activities of rich nations such as USA,
China, and Britain. The report says Malawi emits less than a quarter
of a million metric tones of carbon equivalent a year, as compared to
over 1,500 million tones emitted by the USA in 2002 alone.
Yet, this is no time for finger pointing, enthuses Elina Mkululanga-
Head of Public Weather Services in the Department of Climate Change
and Meteorological Services at the Meteorological Services Department.
“We are really seeing the effects of climate change, but this is no
time for finger-pointing It’s time to bear responsibility and act,”
says Mkululanga.
everything- time, animal and plant life- revolved around the sun.
Time when the earth was an integral part of man, and man a loving part
of it. The perfumed flowers were man’s sister; the deer, the horse,
the great eagle- his brothers. Humming insects evoked holy memories
and experiences in people, just as rocky crests, juices of the
meadows, the body heat of the pony and warm worms- all belonged to one
family.
Before the famed Dziwe Lankhalamba on Mulanje Mountain turned violent
and started swallowing human souls, shining water moved peacefully in
such rivers as Linthipe, Shire, Mudi, Lilongwe, and lagoons like Chia
without causing floods. The water was not just any other liquid to the
then caring people of Malawi- it was the blood of our ancestors.
Mid-day ghostly reflections in the clear waters of the lakes- Lake
Malawi, Chiuta, Kazuni and Chilwa- told of memories and forthcoming
events in the lives of the people.
The water’s murmur was the voice of our ancestors, and the rivers and
lagoons were our brothers and sisters because they quenched our
thirst, carried our canoes and fed fish to our children. The Akafula,
or Abathwa, the early inhabitants of Malawi, then gave the best
treatment to the rivers, the sought of kindness you would give to your
only brother or sister.
The earth and its people were connected like blood which unites one
family. Whatever befell the earth befell the sons and daughters of
earth. It is as simple as that and a web: man did not weave the web of
life; he is merely a strand of it. Whatever he does to the web, he
does to himself.
For a long time, this realization remained the settled conviction of a
larger group of people, at least until the formation of independent
nation states of people begun to take effect because, not long after,
things went haywire.
Take language vocabulary, for instance. It is a fact that the British
word ‘scheme’ quickly translates to the American ‘plan’ or ‘proposal’.
Yet the two countries were once one, when Britain was an unmistakable
colony of the United States of America.
They say the world has conflict built into it; a factor that continues
to haunt the modern world.
December 2009 will go down the annals of our world story as a month
when world leaders, both from developed and developing countries, as
well as experts from different fields, met in Copenhagen, Denmark,
under this carpet of on-going confusion, disagreements and conflict.
They gathered under the United (?) Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC) 15th Conference of Parties (COP 15) to draw
the way forward on tackling climate change and its associated impacts.
Issues tackled included land use, changes in land use, forestry and
rising global temperatures, all manifestations of man made
concoctions. Malawi’s president, Bingu wa Mutharika, did not make it
to the high level meeting as he wanted to serve the country’s drying
foreign currency reserves. Energy, Natural Resources and Environmental
Minister Grain Malunga wore his shoes.
However, Mutharika was home talking about climate change. He went to
Chiradzulu and planted two trees when the country launched the
National Forestry Season on December 15, 2009.
He remembered his good ole days, when the rains honoured their
Southern region promises early November, keeping those (promises) for
the Central and Northern region for somewhere between late November
and early December, respectively. Always, before the word ‘excuse’
crept into the language of the rains.
“The story is different now. We have prolonged dry spells, which have
already started affecting districts like Chiradzulu. These are the
effects of climate change,” said Mutharika.
Mutharika felt so sorry that, as the children of ‘ancient’ Chiradzulu
and Thyolo used to run and bathe in the rains on days like December
15, there was nothing but the sun and a dry spell for children of
modern-day Chiradzulu and Thyolo!
Sentiments echoed by Natural Resources, Energy and Environment
Principal Secretary, Dr. Denis Kayambazinthu. He bemoaned that
climate change was fast becoming part of the warm-heartedness that is
Malawi.
“The country has experienced a number of adverse effects of climate
change. The most serious have been dry spells, seasonal droughts,
intense rainfall, river line floods, flush floods and unpredictable
rainfall patterns,” said Kayambazinthu.
The scary part of it, he said, is that these are impacting negatively
on food security, water quality, energy and sustainable rural
communities’ livelihoods.
Malawi is at a crossroads. Some of the events attributed to climate
change include the severe drought conditions of the 1991/92
agriculture season and extreme flood events in 2000/01.
An Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change report reveals that
Malawians cut an average 70, 000 trees each year and that, while more
trees are planted during the National Forestry Season, only 60 per
cent survive.
While climate change and global warming are global phenomena, a US
National Environmental Trust report indicates that Malawi is paying an
exorbitant price for the activities of rich nations such as USA,
China, and Britain. The report says Malawi emits less than a quarter
of a million metric tones of carbon equivalent a year, as compared to
over 1,500 million tones emitted by the USA in 2002 alone.
Yet, this is no time for finger pointing, enthuses Elina Mkululanga-
Head of Public Weather Services in the Department of Climate Change
and Meteorological Services at the Meteorological Services Department.
“We are really seeing the effects of climate change, but this is no
time for finger-pointing It’s time to bear responsibility and act,”
says Mkululanga.
Global Hope Mobilisation in Malawi film project
Global Hope Mobilisation, in conjunction with Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN), will be hosting a Canadian firm, Terida Systems Inc, to discuss how Malawi would manage to fight HIV/Aids using information, communication and technology infrastructure.
According to MHEN Programme Director, Caleb Thole, Terida Systems Inc is expected to meet government officials and other stakeholders in the health sector from November 24 to 25 this year.
Terida Systems is an institution working on ICT infrastructure innovations to reduce HIV and Aids, and tuberculosis around the globe. The work of the Toronto-based ICT giants has proved helpful in HIV and Aids treatment as well as care.
Thole said the goals of the meeting are to show how ICT infrastructure is working in other countries, how Malawi could benefit from ICT programmes to mitigate the pandemic and to find ways and means of replicating such programmes in Malawi.
Since the 2001 call for universal access to HIV and Aids treatment and care, there have been a lot of innovative discoveries in the fight against the pandemic.
“These range from awareness to treatment and care, while other innovative ideologies include discoveries of scaling up the use of, and improving, Nevirapine and ARVs, in addition to clinical research and trials on HIV and Aids vaccines being conducted globally,” said Thole.
Research has also shown that adherence to ARV treatment stops HIV from reproducing. However, when patients skip their dose of medication, the virus reproduces quickly and increases their viral load, thereby putting the patient at risk of suffering from HIV and Aids-related conditions and even death.
The researchers have found that optimal suppression of the virus requires 90 to 95 percent adherence. But providing ART in resource constrained countries with limited human resources presents a living challenge to balancing the demand for treatment and maintenance of improved standards of care.
MHEN National Coordinator, Martha Kwataine, says even for those suffering from other diseases, health workers find it difficult to follow up on patients due to poor record keeping since patients’ records have been known to sometimes go missing.
“There is need to use and apply advanced technological innovations for health workers to ably keep information pertaining to their patients,” said Kwataine.
She added that if Malawi wanted to register positive change, through reduced HIV and Aids prevalence rates, new technological interventions needed to be applied, and quickly.
Terida Systems Inc is currently implementing a programme in Trinidad and Tobago, where a five-year long National HIV and Aids strategic plan has been developed.
According to MHEN Programme Director, Caleb Thole, Terida Systems Inc is expected to meet government officials and other stakeholders in the health sector from November 24 to 25 this year.
Terida Systems is an institution working on ICT infrastructure innovations to reduce HIV and Aids, and tuberculosis around the globe. The work of the Toronto-based ICT giants has proved helpful in HIV and Aids treatment as well as care.
Thole said the goals of the meeting are to show how ICT infrastructure is working in other countries, how Malawi could benefit from ICT programmes to mitigate the pandemic and to find ways and means of replicating such programmes in Malawi.
Since the 2001 call for universal access to HIV and Aids treatment and care, there have been a lot of innovative discoveries in the fight against the pandemic.
“These range from awareness to treatment and care, while other innovative ideologies include discoveries of scaling up the use of, and improving, Nevirapine and ARVs, in addition to clinical research and trials on HIV and Aids vaccines being conducted globally,” said Thole.
Research has also shown that adherence to ARV treatment stops HIV from reproducing. However, when patients skip their dose of medication, the virus reproduces quickly and increases their viral load, thereby putting the patient at risk of suffering from HIV and Aids-related conditions and even death.
The researchers have found that optimal suppression of the virus requires 90 to 95 percent adherence. But providing ART in resource constrained countries with limited human resources presents a living challenge to balancing the demand for treatment and maintenance of improved standards of care.
MHEN National Coordinator, Martha Kwataine, says even for those suffering from other diseases, health workers find it difficult to follow up on patients due to poor record keeping since patients’ records have been known to sometimes go missing.
“There is need to use and apply advanced technological innovations for health workers to ably keep information pertaining to their patients,” said Kwataine.
She added that if Malawi wanted to register positive change, through reduced HIV and Aids prevalence rates, new technological interventions needed to be applied, and quickly.
Terida Systems Inc is currently implementing a programme in Trinidad and Tobago, where a five-year long National HIV and Aids strategic plan has been developed.
The Guardian.co.uk writes about Malawian gays: Malawi launches operation against high-profile gay and lesbian people
Fears of backlash across Africa as US evangelists accused of spreading religious zeal behind homophobic campaigns:
Police in Malawi have launched an operation to hunt down and arrest high-profile gays and lesbians in the southern African state.
Fears of an anti-gay backlash across Africa are intensifying after the prosecution of the first gay couple to seek marriage in Malawi, and thousands of Ugandans demonstrated this week in support of a bill proposing the death penalty for some offences involving homosexual acts. Last week five men were arrested at an alleged gay wedding in Kenya.
Dave Chingwalu, a spokesman for police in Malawi, said a 60-year-old man was arrested yesterday and charged with sodomy. Chingwalu said he received a complaint from a young man that he had been asked to undress by the older man and was then sodomised. Police investigations had uncovered a network of high-profile people involved homosexual acts, investigations were under way "and we will arrest them all", Chingwalu said.
Malawi has been criticised by international groups for the prosecution of Steven Monjeza, 26, and 20-year-old Tiwonge Chimbalanga, jailed in December for holding a wedding ceremony. The men were charged with unnatural acts and gross indecency and could be imprisoned for up to 14 years if found guilty.
A 21-year-old man was recently sentenced to two months' community service for putting up pro-gay rights posters, and a senior minister expelled a woman from her town even after a court acquitted her on charges of having sex with two girls.
Campaigners in Malawi say homophobic legislation is driving gays and lesbians underground, making them hard to reach with information that could protect them from Aids."In Malawi it's a complete witch-hunt that denies the people the right to self-determination," said Phumi Mtetwa, executive director of the Lesbian and Gay Equality Project, based in South Africa. "We are deeply concerned about this spate of homophobia across the continent."
Mtetwa said the recent series of incidents was no accident but rather the work of US evangelical Christian groups. "It's very well calculated. It's exploding at the moment but it's been happening for a year and a half. We have proof of American evangelical churches driving the religious fundamentalism in Uganda."
The Ugandan parliament is considering a bill that would impose life imprisonment as the minimum punishment for anyone convicted of having gay sex. If the accused person is HIV positive or a serial offender, or a "person of authority" over the other partner, or if the "victim" is under 18, a conviction will result in the death penalty.
Members of the public are obliged to report any homosexual activity to police within 24 hours or risk up to three years in jail.
The legislation has earned international condemnation - Barack Obama described it as "odious" - but has received vocal backing within Uganda. Thousands of protesters took to the streets in Jinja, about 40 miles east of the capital, Kampala, in the biggest demonstration against homosexuals since the bill was introduced.
Okware Romano, a protester, said: "I have a verse in the bible in Leviticus 20 verse 13. It says that homosexuals should be put to death ... yes."
Last week police in Kenya said they had arrested five men whom they believed were homosexual in Kikambala beach resort near Mombasa. District officer George Matandura said two of the men had been found with wedding rings, attempting to get married.
"It is an offence, an unnatural offence, and also their behaviour is repugnant to the morality of the people," Matandura said.
The other three men were turned in to the police by members of the public. Two of them had reportedly been beaten.
Gay sex is illegal in 36 countries in Africa. Only South Africa has legalised same sex marriage, and even there campaigners say the fight against bigotry is far from over.
Link to story: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/feb/16/malawi-operation-against-gays-lesbians
Police in Malawi have launched an operation to hunt down and arrest high-profile gays and lesbians in the southern African state.
Fears of an anti-gay backlash across Africa are intensifying after the prosecution of the first gay couple to seek marriage in Malawi, and thousands of Ugandans demonstrated this week in support of a bill proposing the death penalty for some offences involving homosexual acts. Last week five men were arrested at an alleged gay wedding in Kenya.
Dave Chingwalu, a spokesman for police in Malawi, said a 60-year-old man was arrested yesterday and charged with sodomy. Chingwalu said he received a complaint from a young man that he had been asked to undress by the older man and was then sodomised. Police investigations had uncovered a network of high-profile people involved homosexual acts, investigations were under way "and we will arrest them all", Chingwalu said.
Malawi has been criticised by international groups for the prosecution of Steven Monjeza, 26, and 20-year-old Tiwonge Chimbalanga, jailed in December for holding a wedding ceremony. The men were charged with unnatural acts and gross indecency and could be imprisoned for up to 14 years if found guilty.
A 21-year-old man was recently sentenced to two months' community service for putting up pro-gay rights posters, and a senior minister expelled a woman from her town even after a court acquitted her on charges of having sex with two girls.
Campaigners in Malawi say homophobic legislation is driving gays and lesbians underground, making them hard to reach with information that could protect them from Aids."In Malawi it's a complete witch-hunt that denies the people the right to self-determination," said Phumi Mtetwa, executive director of the Lesbian and Gay Equality Project, based in South Africa. "We are deeply concerned about this spate of homophobia across the continent."
Mtetwa said the recent series of incidents was no accident but rather the work of US evangelical Christian groups. "It's very well calculated. It's exploding at the moment but it's been happening for a year and a half. We have proof of American evangelical churches driving the religious fundamentalism in Uganda."
The Ugandan parliament is considering a bill that would impose life imprisonment as the minimum punishment for anyone convicted of having gay sex. If the accused person is HIV positive or a serial offender, or a "person of authority" over the other partner, or if the "victim" is under 18, a conviction will result in the death penalty.
Members of the public are obliged to report any homosexual activity to police within 24 hours or risk up to three years in jail.
The legislation has earned international condemnation - Barack Obama described it as "odious" - but has received vocal backing within Uganda. Thousands of protesters took to the streets in Jinja, about 40 miles east of the capital, Kampala, in the biggest demonstration against homosexuals since the bill was introduced.
Okware Romano, a protester, said: "I have a verse in the bible in Leviticus 20 verse 13. It says that homosexuals should be put to death ... yes."
Last week police in Kenya said they had arrested five men whom they believed were homosexual in Kikambala beach resort near Mombasa. District officer George Matandura said two of the men had been found with wedding rings, attempting to get married.
"It is an offence, an unnatural offence, and also their behaviour is repugnant to the morality of the people," Matandura said.
The other three men were turned in to the police by members of the public. Two of them had reportedly been beaten.
Gay sex is illegal in 36 countries in Africa. Only South Africa has legalised same sex marriage, and even there campaigners say the fight against bigotry is far from over.
Link to story: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/feb/16/malawi-operation-against-gays-lesbians
Monday, February 15, 2010
Sorry guys; I am sick today
Sorry guys; I am sick.
My back is giving me problems; can't sit on the computer.
Posts tomorrow.
My back is giving me problems; can't sit on the computer.
Posts tomorrow.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Today's question: Will President Bingu wa Mutharika lean on a walking stick during his engagement to Callista Chapola-Chimombo on February 14, 2010?
The likely answer is:
February 14, 2010!
Why? Because it's the only date we will know.
But we know, the 14th being Valentine's Day, that Bingu will on that day be in romantic mood- call it romantic excellency if you want.
Congratulations, Sir.
February 14, 2010!
Why? Because it's the only date we will know.
But we know, the 14th being Valentine's Day, that Bingu will on that day be in romantic mood- call it romantic excellency if you want.
Congratulations, Sir.
Diploma in Journalism Course with Zachimalawi: Mass Media Writing
WHAT IS NEWS
On the surface, defining news might seem easy.
There is no specific definition of news. Different people have defined news differently. One of the oldest definitions of news is “when a dog bites a man it is not news but when a man bites a dog its news.”
Other definitions of news:
• It is a break in the normal flow of events, an action or statement so important or unusual that is worth sharing with others.
• It is material that the public must have because it’s important.
• News is deviation from expected.
• It is anything that will make people talk.
• News is an account of what is happening around us.
Determinants of news
What makes news worth writing about?
Journalists use certain elements to judge whether an event or happening is worth writing about. These elements are called news values/ news determinants. Some of these determinants have been spelt out in the above definitions. For example, unusualness and importance.
There are a numbers of news values but the basic ones include:
Impact, unusualness and prominence.
a) Impact
impact means importance or significance. What is the
result of a news story? If many people are affected,
the story is important. ( e.g. fuel crisis)
b) Unusualness
This means the interruption in the expected. Something that makes you stop, stare and wonder- How did it happen? (e.g. a man bites a dog, giving birth to a stone)
c) Prominence
People in big positions and widely known are
prominent. They are news makers. People are interested in whatever they do, small or big. (e.g. presidents, musicians )
Other determinants
d) Conflict
People battle each other. They have different ideologies, they fight things like hunger and diseases. Other examples of conflicts are wars, political campaigns, demonstrations. These are all conflicts and people are interested in reading them.
e) Proximity
Proximity means how close you are the event, emotionally or geographically. If something happens near us we are more interested in it than something that takes place away from us.
Proximity has another meaning. People feel attached to those with whom they share common interests/ characteristics. For example Africans are interested in the presidency of Obama because he has an African origin.
f) Timeliness
The latest is what makes news. News has a short lifespan. What makes news today has greater impact than what happened two weeks ago. However some situations are always interesting and this leads us to another determinant of news which is currency.
g) Currency
People have continuous interest in matters that affect their daily lives. These include issues concerning health, education, money.
Good reporters are good listeners. They go to places where people, observe and listen-they discover news.
THE REPORTER
CHARACTERISTCS OF A REPORTER
Journalists have certain characteristics that help them to handle assignments thoroughly and accurately. They develop stories out of the ordinary. The following are characteristics of reporters.
Curiosity
Reporters ask questions. They are so curious. They look beneath the hippo’s nose. They have nose for news.
Creativity/ingenuity
Curiosity leads to creativity. When there is no breaking news, a reporter comes up with story ideas after observing, listening and reading.
One way of showing your creativity is spotting trends. E.g why are students interested in journalism?
Deadline
No matter how knowledgeable or creative a reporter is, he/she will be of little use if he does not meet dealines. Meeting deadlines is one of qualities the a journalist should have. While working towards deadlines, a reporter should make sure that everything he/she writes is accurate.
Commitment
Journalism is a profession that needs commitment on the side of the reporter. He/she serves the public.
Integrity
Journalists are faithful to facts no matter what the consequences. He/she should not create stories that have not happened.
Dependability
A reporter should be dependable. He/she should do assignments that are given to him/her.
Discipline
A reporter disciplines himself to write all the time.
Objectivity
Objectivity is important because it allows the reader to have facts without the interference of the reporter’s opinions, feelings and conclusions.
The reporter must be close enough physically and emotionally to his/her subject to understand what is being observed. But at the same time the reporter maintain a certain distance to keep things into perspective.
NOTE.The profession of journalism requires a lot of reading and writing.
.
On the surface, defining news might seem easy.
There is no specific definition of news. Different people have defined news differently. One of the oldest definitions of news is “when a dog bites a man it is not news but when a man bites a dog its news.”
Other definitions of news:
• It is a break in the normal flow of events, an action or statement so important or unusual that is worth sharing with others.
• It is material that the public must have because it’s important.
• News is deviation from expected.
• It is anything that will make people talk.
• News is an account of what is happening around us.
Determinants of news
What makes news worth writing about?
Journalists use certain elements to judge whether an event or happening is worth writing about. These elements are called news values/ news determinants. Some of these determinants have been spelt out in the above definitions. For example, unusualness and importance.
There are a numbers of news values but the basic ones include:
Impact, unusualness and prominence.
a) Impact
impact means importance or significance. What is the
result of a news story? If many people are affected,
the story is important. ( e.g. fuel crisis)
b) Unusualness
This means the interruption in the expected. Something that makes you stop, stare and wonder- How did it happen? (e.g. a man bites a dog, giving birth to a stone)
c) Prominence
People in big positions and widely known are
prominent. They are news makers. People are interested in whatever they do, small or big. (e.g. presidents, musicians )
Other determinants
d) Conflict
People battle each other. They have different ideologies, they fight things like hunger and diseases. Other examples of conflicts are wars, political campaigns, demonstrations. These are all conflicts and people are interested in reading them.
e) Proximity
Proximity means how close you are the event, emotionally or geographically. If something happens near us we are more interested in it than something that takes place away from us.
Proximity has another meaning. People feel attached to those with whom they share common interests/ characteristics. For example Africans are interested in the presidency of Obama because he has an African origin.
f) Timeliness
The latest is what makes news. News has a short lifespan. What makes news today has greater impact than what happened two weeks ago. However some situations are always interesting and this leads us to another determinant of news which is currency.
g) Currency
People have continuous interest in matters that affect their daily lives. These include issues concerning health, education, money.
Good reporters are good listeners. They go to places where people, observe and listen-they discover news.
THE REPORTER
CHARACTERISTCS OF A REPORTER
Journalists have certain characteristics that help them to handle assignments thoroughly and accurately. They develop stories out of the ordinary. The following are characteristics of reporters.
Curiosity
Reporters ask questions. They are so curious. They look beneath the hippo’s nose. They have nose for news.
Creativity/ingenuity
Curiosity leads to creativity. When there is no breaking news, a reporter comes up with story ideas after observing, listening and reading.
One way of showing your creativity is spotting trends. E.g why are students interested in journalism?
Deadline
No matter how knowledgeable or creative a reporter is, he/she will be of little use if he does not meet dealines. Meeting deadlines is one of qualities the a journalist should have. While working towards deadlines, a reporter should make sure that everything he/she writes is accurate.
Commitment
Journalism is a profession that needs commitment on the side of the reporter. He/she serves the public.
Integrity
Journalists are faithful to facts no matter what the consequences. He/she should not create stories that have not happened.
Dependability
A reporter should be dependable. He/she should do assignments that are given to him/her.
Discipline
A reporter disciplines himself to write all the time.
Objectivity
Objectivity is important because it allows the reader to have facts without the interference of the reporter’s opinions, feelings and conclusions.
The reporter must be close enough physically and emotionally to his/her subject to understand what is being observed. But at the same time the reporter maintain a certain distance to keep things into perspective.
NOTE.The profession of journalism requires a lot of reading and writing.
.
The Fresh Air Fund NEEDS host families for the Summer of 2010
In 2009, The Fresh Air Fund's Volunteer Host Family program, called Friendly Town, gave close to 5,000 New York City boys and girls, ages six to 18, free summer experiences in the country and the suburbs. Volunteer host families shared their friendship and homes up to two weeks or more in 13 Northeastern states from Virginia to Maine and Canada.
The Fresh Air Fund relies on donations to provide memorable summers to NYC children.
The Fresh Air Fund needs hosts for the summer of 2010.
More than 65% of all Fresh Air children are reinvited to stay with their host family, year after year.
Thanks to host families who open up their homes for a few weeks each summer, children growing up in New York City’s toughest neighborhoods have experienced the joys of Fresh Air experiences.
Fresh Air Fund Host Families
"It is rewarding to see the smile on our Fresh Air child's face as she enjoys the simple things we take for granted..."
Friendly Town host families are volunteers who live in the suburbs or small town communities. Host families range in size, ethnicity and background, but share the desire to open their hearts and homes to give city children an experience they will never forget. Hosts say the Fresh Air experience is as enriching for their own families, as it is for the inner-city children. There are no financial requirements for hosting a child. Volunteers may request the age-group and gender of the Fresh Air youngster they would like to host. Stories about real Fresh Air host families and their New York City visitors are just a click away!
Click here to learn more about becoming a host or call (800) 367-0003!
Fresh Air Children
"We made s'mores and hot dogs over the fire. I've never cooked outside before!"
Fresh Air children are boys and girls, six to 18 years old, who live in New York City. Children on first-time visits are six to 12 years old and stay for either one or two weeks. Youngsters who are re-invited by the same family may continue with The Fund through age 18, and many enjoy longer summertime visits, year after year. A visit to the home of a warm and loving volunteer host family can make all the difference in the world to an inner-city child. All it takes to create lifelong memories is laughing in the sunshine and making new friends.
The majority of Fresh Air children are from low-income communities. These are often families without the resources to send their children on summer vacations. Most inner-city youngsters grow up in towering apartment buildings without large, open outdoor play spaces. Concrete playgrounds cannot replace the freedom of running barefoot through the grass or riding bikes down country lanes.
Fresh Air children are registered by more than 90 participating social service and community organizations located in disadvantaged neighborhoods in the five boroughs of New York City. These community-based agencies are in close contact with children in need of summer experiences in rural and suburban areas. Each agency is responsible for registering children for the program.
What do Fresh Air children enjoy?
Playing in the backyard
Laughing in the sunshine
Catching fireflies
Riding bicycles
Learning to swim
Running barefoot through the grass
Gazing at the stars on moonlit nights
Building sandcastles
Making new friends
Simple pleasures of life away from the inner-city
You can give a child the experience of a
lifetime with your gift to The Fresh Air Fund!
Every year, The Fresh Air Fund gives thousands of inner-city children the priceless gift of fun – and opens the door to a lifetime of opportunities.
Whether it's a two-week trip to visit a volunteer host family, or a fun-filled and educational stay at one of our camps, our programs make for unforgettable memories – and open a world of new friendships and fresh possibilities.
We are a not-for-profit agency and depend on tax-deductible donations from people like you to keep our vital programs flourishing.
Donate online now
On March 21st, the Fresh Air Fund-Racers will take to the streets at the NYC Half-Marathon! Thank you to the Fresh Air Fund-Racers and their supporters for participating in this world class event. You are making a huge difference in the lives of thousands of Fresh Air children!
We have limited availability for this amazing race. If you would like to run, please register here right away.
Link to Fresh Air Fund: http://freshairfundhosts.com/
The Fresh Air Fund relies on donations to provide memorable summers to NYC children.
The Fresh Air Fund needs hosts for the summer of 2010.
More than 65% of all Fresh Air children are reinvited to stay with their host family, year after year.
Thanks to host families who open up their homes for a few weeks each summer, children growing up in New York City’s toughest neighborhoods have experienced the joys of Fresh Air experiences.
Fresh Air Fund Host Families
"It is rewarding to see the smile on our Fresh Air child's face as she enjoys the simple things we take for granted..."
Friendly Town host families are volunteers who live in the suburbs or small town communities. Host families range in size, ethnicity and background, but share the desire to open their hearts and homes to give city children an experience they will never forget. Hosts say the Fresh Air experience is as enriching for their own families, as it is for the inner-city children. There are no financial requirements for hosting a child. Volunteers may request the age-group and gender of the Fresh Air youngster they would like to host. Stories about real Fresh Air host families and their New York City visitors are just a click away!
Click here to learn more about becoming a host or call (800) 367-0003!
Fresh Air Children
"We made s'mores and hot dogs over the fire. I've never cooked outside before!"
Fresh Air children are boys and girls, six to 18 years old, who live in New York City. Children on first-time visits are six to 12 years old and stay for either one or two weeks. Youngsters who are re-invited by the same family may continue with The Fund through age 18, and many enjoy longer summertime visits, year after year. A visit to the home of a warm and loving volunteer host family can make all the difference in the world to an inner-city child. All it takes to create lifelong memories is laughing in the sunshine and making new friends.
The majority of Fresh Air children are from low-income communities. These are often families without the resources to send their children on summer vacations. Most inner-city youngsters grow up in towering apartment buildings without large, open outdoor play spaces. Concrete playgrounds cannot replace the freedom of running barefoot through the grass or riding bikes down country lanes.
Fresh Air children are registered by more than 90 participating social service and community organizations located in disadvantaged neighborhoods in the five boroughs of New York City. These community-based agencies are in close contact with children in need of summer experiences in rural and suburban areas. Each agency is responsible for registering children for the program.
What do Fresh Air children enjoy?
Playing in the backyard
Laughing in the sunshine
Catching fireflies
Riding bicycles
Learning to swim
Running barefoot through the grass
Gazing at the stars on moonlit nights
Building sandcastles
Making new friends
Simple pleasures of life away from the inner-city
You can give a child the experience of a
lifetime with your gift to The Fresh Air Fund!
Every year, The Fresh Air Fund gives thousands of inner-city children the priceless gift of fun – and opens the door to a lifetime of opportunities.
Whether it's a two-week trip to visit a volunteer host family, or a fun-filled and educational stay at one of our camps, our programs make for unforgettable memories – and open a world of new friendships and fresh possibilities.
We are a not-for-profit agency and depend on tax-deductible donations from people like you to keep our vital programs flourishing.
Donate online now
On March 21st, the Fresh Air Fund-Racers will take to the streets at the NYC Half-Marathon! Thank you to the Fresh Air Fund-Racers and their supporters for participating in this world class event. You are making a huge difference in the lives of thousands of Fresh Air children!
We have limited availability for this amazing race. If you would like to run, please register here right away.
Link to Fresh Air Fund: http://freshairfundhosts.com/
From the Fresh Air Fund: What has Sara to say?
Hi Richard
I know it's still winter time but the countdown to Summer 2010 has begun and The Fresh Air Fund is again in need of host families. If you could help get the word out on Zachimalawi it would really go a long way in helping to place these children into a loving host family home for a fresh air experience they will never forget.
I've put together a new social media release to make it simple to repost, so please feel free to use any of the images, graphics, banners, or copy:
http://freshairfundhosts.com
Please let me know if you are able to post or tweet and if you have any questions. Your efforts can help a child have an experience that will change their life!
Thank you so much,
Sara
I know it's still winter time but the countdown to Summer 2010 has begun and The Fresh Air Fund is again in need of host families. If you could help get the word out on Zachimalawi it would really go a long way in helping to place these children into a loving host family home for a fresh air experience they will never forget.
I've put together a new social media release to make it simple to repost, so please feel free to use any of the images, graphics, banners, or copy:
http://freshairfundhosts.com
Please let me know if you are able to post or tweet and if you have any questions. Your efforts can help a child have an experience that will change their life!
Thank you so much,
Sara
Something about Centre for the Development of People (Cedep)
Welcome to CEDEP: The Centre For The Development of People.
CEDEP is a registered human rights organisation dedicated to addressing the needs, improving the lives, and providing support for some of Malawi's most neglected minority groups through civic education, training, capacity building, networking and research.
We believe that improving he welfare of minority groups, including prisoners, sex workers, and those in same-sex relationships, is crucial to the health and well-being of all peoples.
To learn more, please visit our Programmes page.
Zikomo.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Latest News: CEDEP defends gay couple's marriage.
Tiwomge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza were arrested after publicly declaring their love for one another in an engagement ceremony in Blantyre on Saturday 26 December. They have been charged with gross indecency according to Section 156 of Malawi's penal code.
CEDEP director Gift Trapense defended them in The Daily TImes saying, " Unless the suspects were caught in the act, the law cannot take charge against them in the absence of evidence that they are involved in a sexual act. what these two people have done is expression of their legal rights. It is another way of testing our law which is silent on such matters. Here are two individuals who are expressing their sexual orientation as human beings. Therefore I do not see any reason why the government should intrude in such an issue."
To voice your support for Chimbalanga and Monjeza, please visit our Contact page.
.
Attention!
CEDEP administrator Dunker Kamba has been arrested on charges that CEDEP's HIV education materials are pornographic. Such an accusation can only be retaliation for CEDEP's support of Chimbalanga and Molanje. Mr. Kamba is expected to appear in court on 6 January, and your support is very much appreciated. To contribute to the defense fund for these three men, please visit our Donate page.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CEDEP develops healthier people living better lives.
Inclusion of men who have sex with men (MSM) in the national HIV prevention action frame work 2009-2013.
Host of a national conference for 70 participants attended where a task force was formed to push for the health and human rights of Malawi's most at-risk populations.
Evaluation of the HIV prevalence, determinants of HIV infection, and Human Rights Contexts of men who have sex with men (MSM) in Malawi.
Dissemination of the MSM HIV sero-prevalence research results at the Malawi National annual HIV/AIDS Research and Best Practices Dissemination Conference and International Aids Conference in Mexico in 2008.
Publication of the MSM HIV sero-prevalence study in a reputable science journal called Plos One which can be accessed here.
350 MSM were better informed of the modes of HIV/AIDS and STIs transmission and means of prevention.
20 Peer Educators trained on HIV/AIDS and their roles as peer educators.
CEDEP is a registered human rights organisation dedicated to addressing the needs, improving the lives, and providing support for some of Malawi's most neglected minority groups through civic education, training, capacity building, networking and research.
We believe that improving he welfare of minority groups, including prisoners, sex workers, and those in same-sex relationships, is crucial to the health and well-being of all peoples.
To learn more, please visit our Programmes page.
Zikomo.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Latest News: CEDEP defends gay couple's marriage.
Tiwomge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza were arrested after publicly declaring their love for one another in an engagement ceremony in Blantyre on Saturday 26 December. They have been charged with gross indecency according to Section 156 of Malawi's penal code.
CEDEP director Gift Trapense defended them in The Daily TImes saying, " Unless the suspects were caught in the act, the law cannot take charge against them in the absence of evidence that they are involved in a sexual act. what these two people have done is expression of their legal rights. It is another way of testing our law which is silent on such matters. Here are two individuals who are expressing their sexual orientation as human beings. Therefore I do not see any reason why the government should intrude in such an issue."
To voice your support for Chimbalanga and Monjeza, please visit our Contact page.
.
Attention!
CEDEP administrator Dunker Kamba has been arrested on charges that CEDEP's HIV education materials are pornographic. Such an accusation can only be retaliation for CEDEP's support of Chimbalanga and Molanje. Mr. Kamba is expected to appear in court on 6 January, and your support is very much appreciated. To contribute to the defense fund for these three men, please visit our Donate page.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CEDEP develops healthier people living better lives.
Inclusion of men who have sex with men (MSM) in the national HIV prevention action frame work 2009-2013.
Host of a national conference for 70 participants attended where a task force was formed to push for the health and human rights of Malawi's most at-risk populations.
Evaluation of the HIV prevalence, determinants of HIV infection, and Human Rights Contexts of men who have sex with men (MSM) in Malawi.
Dissemination of the MSM HIV sero-prevalence research results at the Malawi National annual HIV/AIDS Research and Best Practices Dissemination Conference and International Aids Conference in Mexico in 2008.
Publication of the MSM HIV sero-prevalence study in a reputable science journal called Plos One which can be accessed here.
350 MSM were better informed of the modes of HIV/AIDS and STIs transmission and means of prevention.
20 Peer Educators trained on HIV/AIDS and their roles as peer educators.
Interview with Economic Development and Research Department Director, Léonce Ndikumana
“Economic development and good governance are certainly closely linked. The AEO reflects this by not only discussing macroeconomic and structural developments on the continent, but also political and governance aspects. Indeed, each country note devotes a section to recent changes in the political situation and economic governance that presents annual updates in this area,” says EDRE Director, Léonce Ndikumana.
Question: What are the key themes in the 2010 African Economic Outlook (AEO) that is at the heart of today’s peer review meeting organized by the Bank?
Answer: The peer review meeting brings together the contributors to the 2010 AEO in order to discuss the detailed country-level analysis on the economic situation and prospects for AfDB Regional Member Countries (RMCs). It is a very important gathering to ensure consistent, high-quality analysis across all the 50 countries that will be covered in this year’s report.
Question: The Bank Group is in a partnership with the OECD, UNECA and the European Union. Could you explain the relevance of this collaboration to our readers?
Answer: The AEO is a large collaborative project that builds on the respective strengths of its core partners, that is, the OECD Development Center, UNECA, and the AfDB, and it enjoys financial support from the European Commission. It also benefits from the expertise and contributions of research institutes in 10 Bank Group RMCs, as well as Bank staff involvement as country note authors, peer reviewers, and discussants. This year, the AEO has a record participation of country economists in operations, including several colleagues based in field offices.
Question: What contribution is the Bank Group going to make during the deliberations? In other words, what will be the Bank’s value added during the collaboration?
Answer: Since 2007, the AfDB has taken over the role of a lead partner in the project and is responsible for coordinating the preparation of the report and for undertaking key parts of the analysis, notably the overview of economic developments on the continent, the preparation of the economic forecasts, and the drafting of the majority of country notes.
Question: The Bank Group has played its role before, during and after the global financial crisis which hit the continent. A look at the economic aggregates of some African countries shows a great improvement in terms of economic performance. For example, Malawi, which the AfDB President, Donald Kaberuka, has cited on more than one occasion, is showing signs of growth. We are witnessing economic growth in this country. Some hold that this gives to understand that there is a positive link between economic prosperity and good governance. What is your view regarding this?
Answer: Economic development and good governance are certainly closely linked. The AEO reflects this by not only discussing macroeconomic and structural developments on the continent, but also political and governance aspects. Indeed, each country note devotes a section to recent changes in the political situation and economic governance that presents annual updates in this area.
Question: You have underscored that bilateral and multilateral partners, including the World Bank and the IMF should increase official development assistance to Africa to help position the continent for the post-crisis period. Do you thin this call was heard given that all the promises were not fulfilled and that developed countries are posting high levels of unemployment and other economic indicators are pointing south? Should the continent still count on aid?
Answer: Every year, the AEO addresses a particular theme of high relevance to the continent. The theme for the 2010 edition of the report is: “Public Resource Mobilization and Aid” and this directly relates to the issue you have raised. The thematic discussion in the country notes and the Africa-wide synthesis will present information on the situation and prospects of mobilizing resources for development with a view to addressing the large investment needs in Bank Group RMCs, becoming less dependent on external financial resources, and strengthening the accountability and legitimacy of public spending by establishing stronger links between governments and tax-paying citizens.
Question: Most African countries are faced with growing deficits with ever growing expenses. As an economist, which sectors should African countries depend on to attain growth?
Answer: The Africa’s economic situation is highly diverse, so that one has to carefully look at individual countries to address your question properly. But what is clear is that while the financial and economic crisis did not originate in Africa, it affected countries on the continent quickly through global markets. The same transmission channels of global trade, financial flows, worker remittances, and tourism revenues are now also driving the recovery. I would very much like to share with you our forecasts for 2010 and 2011, but deriving and discussing these is part of the objective of the peer review meeting that we are holding in Gammarth this week.
Question: What are the key themes in the 2010 African Economic Outlook (AEO) that is at the heart of today’s peer review meeting organized by the Bank?
Answer: The peer review meeting brings together the contributors to the 2010 AEO in order to discuss the detailed country-level analysis on the economic situation and prospects for AfDB Regional Member Countries (RMCs). It is a very important gathering to ensure consistent, high-quality analysis across all the 50 countries that will be covered in this year’s report.
Question: The Bank Group is in a partnership with the OECD, UNECA and the European Union. Could you explain the relevance of this collaboration to our readers?
Answer: The AEO is a large collaborative project that builds on the respective strengths of its core partners, that is, the OECD Development Center, UNECA, and the AfDB, and it enjoys financial support from the European Commission. It also benefits from the expertise and contributions of research institutes in 10 Bank Group RMCs, as well as Bank staff involvement as country note authors, peer reviewers, and discussants. This year, the AEO has a record participation of country economists in operations, including several colleagues based in field offices.
Question: What contribution is the Bank Group going to make during the deliberations? In other words, what will be the Bank’s value added during the collaboration?
Answer: Since 2007, the AfDB has taken over the role of a lead partner in the project and is responsible for coordinating the preparation of the report and for undertaking key parts of the analysis, notably the overview of economic developments on the continent, the preparation of the economic forecasts, and the drafting of the majority of country notes.
Question: The Bank Group has played its role before, during and after the global financial crisis which hit the continent. A look at the economic aggregates of some African countries shows a great improvement in terms of economic performance. For example, Malawi, which the AfDB President, Donald Kaberuka, has cited on more than one occasion, is showing signs of growth. We are witnessing economic growth in this country. Some hold that this gives to understand that there is a positive link between economic prosperity and good governance. What is your view regarding this?
Answer: Economic development and good governance are certainly closely linked. The AEO reflects this by not only discussing macroeconomic and structural developments on the continent, but also political and governance aspects. Indeed, each country note devotes a section to recent changes in the political situation and economic governance that presents annual updates in this area.
Question: You have underscored that bilateral and multilateral partners, including the World Bank and the IMF should increase official development assistance to Africa to help position the continent for the post-crisis period. Do you thin this call was heard given that all the promises were not fulfilled and that developed countries are posting high levels of unemployment and other economic indicators are pointing south? Should the continent still count on aid?
Answer: Every year, the AEO addresses a particular theme of high relevance to the continent. The theme for the 2010 edition of the report is: “Public Resource Mobilization and Aid” and this directly relates to the issue you have raised. The thematic discussion in the country notes and the Africa-wide synthesis will present information on the situation and prospects of mobilizing resources for development with a view to addressing the large investment needs in Bank Group RMCs, becoming less dependent on external financial resources, and strengthening the accountability and legitimacy of public spending by establishing stronger links between governments and tax-paying citizens.
Question: Most African countries are faced with growing deficits with ever growing expenses. As an economist, which sectors should African countries depend on to attain growth?
Answer: The Africa’s economic situation is highly diverse, so that one has to carefully look at individual countries to address your question properly. But what is clear is that while the financial and economic crisis did not originate in Africa, it affected countries on the continent quickly through global markets. The same transmission channels of global trade, financial flows, worker remittances, and tourism revenues are now also driving the recovery. I would very much like to share with you our forecasts for 2010 and 2011, but deriving and discussing these is part of the objective of the peer review meeting that we are holding in Gammarth this week.
Press Release from Concern Worldwide-Malawi
For more information, please contact:
Joseph Scott
Office: +265 (0) 1 776 811| Mobile: +265 (0) 99 913 4949 Email: joseph.scott@concern.net
Concern Worldwide competition generates exciting new ideas to improve healthcare for mothers and children in Malawi
Lilongwe, 1st February 2010
Over 6,000 people throughout Malawi responded to the Concern Worldwide national call for ideas, submitting their entries to the Share an Idea, Save a Life competition during October and November of 2009.
In this unique competition, Concern Worldwide asked the public for bold, new ideas to break down a key barrier that exists between life-saving health services and the mothers and children who need them most. While free health services are available throughout Malawi, many families are unwilling to use them because of worries about the quality of care they will receive. This is the challenge for which the competition asked Malawians from all walks of life to share ideas.
“The response was phenomenal. We are thrilled that so many people throughout Malawi were mobilized and participated—not only by submitting ideas, but also by raising awareness,” said Steven Zarnfaller, Country Manager for Concern Worldwide’s Innovations for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Initiative. “We received a wide range of ideas. Independent assessors selected by Concern Worldwide from Malawi and from around the world helped assess the 6,136 ideas we received. The entrants with the 29 most promising ideas were invited to the semi-finals on 13 January.”
One of the semi-finalists was Beatrice Kabambe, who explained that her participation in the competition was spurred by a personal crisis from childhood: “A lot of issues motivated me to submit my idea in the competition. But personally, my mum died during labour when I was five years old. I grew up without a mum, and the baby who was supposed to be my brother also died in this tragedy. The death of my mother is still vivid in my memories, and it’s painful to see that many women in rural areas are still dying due to pregnancy-related issues. I hope my idea will help them through,” said Beatrice.
On 13 January, Concern engaged a diverse, multi-disciplinary panel of judges to hear pitches from the 29 semi-finalists. From this group, the judges selected six finalists whose ideas had the most potential and were most innovative.
“The judges were impressed by the quality of the presentations. It was wonderful to see how passionate the semi-finalists were about improving health care for mothers and children. This competition sends an important message about the huge potential within Malawi to find new solutions to the problems we face,” said Thembi Thadzi, a judge, youth activist, and Board Chairperson of the National Youth Council of Malawi.
The six finalists will receive cash prizes and mentoring and technical support to further develop their ideas in preparation for the final round of judging in April 2010. The ultimate goal is to select and rigorously field test up to 3 ideas to evaluate their potential to significantly increase coverage of proven maternal, newborn and child health interventions.
“We want to thank everyone who participated in the competition, and offer our congratulations to the finalists. This is an exciting step toward finding new solutions and saving the lives of more and more mothers and children in Malawi using ideas generated by the people in Malawi” said Balwant Singh, Global Director of Innovations for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health.
For more information, or to request an interview with Country Director A.K.M. Musha and/or Innovations Country Manager Steven Zarnfaller please contact: Joseph Scott, Communications Officer
Office: +265 (0) 1 776 811 | Mobile: +265 (0) 99 913 4949 Email: joseph.scott@concern.net
Notes for editors:
About Concern Worldwide
Concern Worldwide (Concern) is a non-governmental, international, humanitarian organisation dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries. Founded in Ireland in 1968, Concern works in 28 countries throughout Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. We provide emergency relief and long-term development assistance in the areas of education, health, livelihoods, and HIV & AIDS.
Our vision is a world where no-one lives in poverty, fear or oppression; where all have access to a decent standard of living; access to the opportunities and choices essential to a long, healthy and creative life; a world where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
Our work in Malawi
Concern has been working in Malawi since 2002 delivering livelihood, health and education programmes within the four districts of Dowa, Lilongwe, Nkhotakota and Nsanje. Concern is well known for its innovative and quality programmes. In addition to its programmes in four districts Concern supports the Community Therapeutic Care Advisory Service (CAS) which sits within the Ministry of Health to scale up and institutionalise the Community Based Therapeutic Care (CTC), an innovative approach of treating severe acute malnutrition among children. Concern works for the poorest and most vulnerable people and promotes sustainable development approach where people of Malawi, its government and the local institutions are supported to take leadership of the development process.
To find out more information on the work of Concern you can visit our website at www.concern.net.
The Innovations Initiative
In 2009 Concern Worldwide began a five-year Innovations for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (or Innovations in short) initiative to support the development and field testing of bold and inventive ways to overcome barriers to delivering proven maternal, newborn and child health solutions in six countries. Innovations will start in Malawi, India and Sierra Leone, where significant obstacles to achieving the 2015 Millennium Development Goals for maternal & child health are present.
Proven healthcare interventions already exist that have the potential to save millions of lives. The challenge is to effectively deliver these interventions so as to reach all the mothers and children who need them.
Innovations in Malawi
In Malawi, Innovations aimed to generate thousands of ideas from new and often unheard voices with untapped natural potential through a competition promoted through a national media and outreach campaign. The competition was open for one month, and is now being followed by three rounds of judging. At the end of the competition, 3 ideas will be selected. The 3 winning ideas will be awarded grants of up to US$450,000 to be rigorously tested at the district level over an 18 to 24 month period in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and UNICEF. The competition is open only to individuals who are legal residents or citizens of Malawi and to groups or organizations who are composed of legal residents or citizens of Malawi.
Over the past decade, Malawi has made huge progress in improving the availability of healthcare. Developing these healthcare services even further is essential to Malawi’s future.
The Challenge Area
Free health services are available throughout Malawi, but many families, particularly pregnant women, women in labour, and those with sick children, are unwilling to use them.
A key barrier is that many families feel they do not receive the quality healthcare services expected. Some people worry about the quality of care they will receive or they are unwilling to use health services because of negative past experience.
This can result in the unnecessary deaths of mothers, babies and children.
Joseph Scott
Office: +265 (0) 1 776 811| Mobile: +265 (0) 99 913 4949 Email: joseph.scott@concern.net
Concern Worldwide competition generates exciting new ideas to improve healthcare for mothers and children in Malawi
Lilongwe, 1st February 2010
Over 6,000 people throughout Malawi responded to the Concern Worldwide national call for ideas, submitting their entries to the Share an Idea, Save a Life competition during October and November of 2009.
In this unique competition, Concern Worldwide asked the public for bold, new ideas to break down a key barrier that exists between life-saving health services and the mothers and children who need them most. While free health services are available throughout Malawi, many families are unwilling to use them because of worries about the quality of care they will receive. This is the challenge for which the competition asked Malawians from all walks of life to share ideas.
“The response was phenomenal. We are thrilled that so many people throughout Malawi were mobilized and participated—not only by submitting ideas, but also by raising awareness,” said Steven Zarnfaller, Country Manager for Concern Worldwide’s Innovations for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Initiative. “We received a wide range of ideas. Independent assessors selected by Concern Worldwide from Malawi and from around the world helped assess the 6,136 ideas we received. The entrants with the 29 most promising ideas were invited to the semi-finals on 13 January.”
One of the semi-finalists was Beatrice Kabambe, who explained that her participation in the competition was spurred by a personal crisis from childhood: “A lot of issues motivated me to submit my idea in the competition. But personally, my mum died during labour when I was five years old. I grew up without a mum, and the baby who was supposed to be my brother also died in this tragedy. The death of my mother is still vivid in my memories, and it’s painful to see that many women in rural areas are still dying due to pregnancy-related issues. I hope my idea will help them through,” said Beatrice.
On 13 January, Concern engaged a diverse, multi-disciplinary panel of judges to hear pitches from the 29 semi-finalists. From this group, the judges selected six finalists whose ideas had the most potential and were most innovative.
“The judges were impressed by the quality of the presentations. It was wonderful to see how passionate the semi-finalists were about improving health care for mothers and children. This competition sends an important message about the huge potential within Malawi to find new solutions to the problems we face,” said Thembi Thadzi, a judge, youth activist, and Board Chairperson of the National Youth Council of Malawi.
The six finalists will receive cash prizes and mentoring and technical support to further develop their ideas in preparation for the final round of judging in April 2010. The ultimate goal is to select and rigorously field test up to 3 ideas to evaluate their potential to significantly increase coverage of proven maternal, newborn and child health interventions.
“We want to thank everyone who participated in the competition, and offer our congratulations to the finalists. This is an exciting step toward finding new solutions and saving the lives of more and more mothers and children in Malawi using ideas generated by the people in Malawi” said Balwant Singh, Global Director of Innovations for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health.
For more information, or to request an interview with Country Director A.K.M. Musha and/or Innovations Country Manager Steven Zarnfaller please contact: Joseph Scott, Communications Officer
Office: +265 (0) 1 776 811 | Mobile: +265 (0) 99 913 4949 Email: joseph.scott@concern.net
Notes for editors:
About Concern Worldwide
Concern Worldwide (Concern) is a non-governmental, international, humanitarian organisation dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries. Founded in Ireland in 1968, Concern works in 28 countries throughout Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. We provide emergency relief and long-term development assistance in the areas of education, health, livelihoods, and HIV & AIDS.
Our vision is a world where no-one lives in poverty, fear or oppression; where all have access to a decent standard of living; access to the opportunities and choices essential to a long, healthy and creative life; a world where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
Our work in Malawi
Concern has been working in Malawi since 2002 delivering livelihood, health and education programmes within the four districts of Dowa, Lilongwe, Nkhotakota and Nsanje. Concern is well known for its innovative and quality programmes. In addition to its programmes in four districts Concern supports the Community Therapeutic Care Advisory Service (CAS) which sits within the Ministry of Health to scale up and institutionalise the Community Based Therapeutic Care (CTC), an innovative approach of treating severe acute malnutrition among children. Concern works for the poorest and most vulnerable people and promotes sustainable development approach where people of Malawi, its government and the local institutions are supported to take leadership of the development process.
To find out more information on the work of Concern you can visit our website at www.concern.net.
The Innovations Initiative
In 2009 Concern Worldwide began a five-year Innovations for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (or Innovations in short) initiative to support the development and field testing of bold and inventive ways to overcome barriers to delivering proven maternal, newborn and child health solutions in six countries. Innovations will start in Malawi, India and Sierra Leone, where significant obstacles to achieving the 2015 Millennium Development Goals for maternal & child health are present.
Proven healthcare interventions already exist that have the potential to save millions of lives. The challenge is to effectively deliver these interventions so as to reach all the mothers and children who need them.
Innovations in Malawi
In Malawi, Innovations aimed to generate thousands of ideas from new and often unheard voices with untapped natural potential through a competition promoted through a national media and outreach campaign. The competition was open for one month, and is now being followed by three rounds of judging. At the end of the competition, 3 ideas will be selected. The 3 winning ideas will be awarded grants of up to US$450,000 to be rigorously tested at the district level over an 18 to 24 month period in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and UNICEF. The competition is open only to individuals who are legal residents or citizens of Malawi and to groups or organizations who are composed of legal residents or citizens of Malawi.
Over the past decade, Malawi has made huge progress in improving the availability of healthcare. Developing these healthcare services even further is essential to Malawi’s future.
The Challenge Area
Free health services are available throughout Malawi, but many families, particularly pregnant women, women in labour, and those with sick children, are unwilling to use them.
A key barrier is that many families feel they do not receive the quality healthcare services expected. Some people worry about the quality of care they will receive or they are unwilling to use health services because of negative past experience.
This can result in the unnecessary deaths of mothers, babies and children.
Malawi gay activists 'must be more open'
The Malawi authorities have told gay activists who put up posters and distribute leaflets on the streets anonymously to "come out in the open".
Government official Kingsley Namakhwa said it was against the law to mount such campaigns anonymously.
But he also pointed out that homosexuality was illegal, and anyone promoting it would be prosecuted.
Rights groups have recently criticised Malawi for prosecuting two men who got engaged to each other.
Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza, believed to be the first gay couple in Malawi to start the marriage process, have pleaded not guilty to charges of public indecency.
Their trial is due to start soon.
"As far as the Malawi government is concerned we only have two gays in Malawi - Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga," said Mr Namakhwa.
"If there are others, let them come out in the open."
The BBC's Raphael Tenthani, in the main city Blantyre, says the police have intensified the hunt for a man who they believe is behind a gay-rights campaign.
It follows the conviction of a 21-year-old man for pasting gay-rights posters on poles along the streets.
Peter Sawali had put up posters saying "gay rights are human rights" and was convicted of conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.
Police say Sawali had been given the posters by another man - whom they are now trying to track down.
Sawali was sentenced to community service for his crime - our correspondent says his punishment is to clean the premises of Blantyre Magistrates Court for 60 days.
Government official Kingsley Namakhwa said it was against the law to mount such campaigns anonymously.
But he also pointed out that homosexuality was illegal, and anyone promoting it would be prosecuted.
Rights groups have recently criticised Malawi for prosecuting two men who got engaged to each other.
Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza, believed to be the first gay couple in Malawi to start the marriage process, have pleaded not guilty to charges of public indecency.
Their trial is due to start soon.
"As far as the Malawi government is concerned we only have two gays in Malawi - Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga," said Mr Namakhwa.
"If there are others, let them come out in the open."
The BBC's Raphael Tenthani, in the main city Blantyre, says the police have intensified the hunt for a man who they believe is behind a gay-rights campaign.
It follows the conviction of a 21-year-old man for pasting gay-rights posters on poles along the streets.
Peter Sawali had put up posters saying "gay rights are human rights" and was convicted of conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.
Police say Sawali had been given the posters by another man - whom they are now trying to track down.
Sawali was sentenced to community service for his crime - our correspondent says his punishment is to clean the premises of Blantyre Magistrates Court for 60 days.
Ethiopian troops cross into Somalia
Ethiopian troops have crossed back into the northern regions of Bakool and Hiiraan in Somalia, local residents said. This comes as Somali government vows fresh offensive against Islamist insurgents in the country. Residents in Elbarde and Yeed said they saw convey of Ethiopian troops accompanied by hundreds of Somali military trained in Ethiopia in the towns on Sunday.
Ethiopian troops seized the family of a man with links to al Shabaab insurgents, Reuters reported. Residents said troops went to El Barde and Yeed on Saturday seeking the man.
"The man escaped, but they took with them his wife and three children. They also took the escaped man's brother and family. The troops have now gone but I understand they are in the outskirts of the town," a town resident, Hussein Ronow, told Reuters.
Another residents in the Sariirale, a town on the Ethiopian border in Somalia's Hiiran region said that hundreds of Ethiopian troops have entered the town.
Residents said that Ethiopian troops have searched houses in the town.
Ethiopian officials could not be reached for comment about the reports but Ethiopia denies frequently that its troops re-entered Somalia.
Ethiopia entered Somalia in 2006 to help oust Islamist forces from the capital Mogadishu but withdrew under a UN-backed peace deal.
Ethiopia already made it clear that it still reserve the right to intervene in Somalia if its interests were directly threatened. Somali government has not commented about this development.
Ethiopian troops seized the family of a man with links to al Shabaab insurgents, Reuters reported. Residents said troops went to El Barde and Yeed on Saturday seeking the man.
"The man escaped, but they took with them his wife and three children. They also took the escaped man's brother and family. The troops have now gone but I understand they are in the outskirts of the town," a town resident, Hussein Ronow, told Reuters.
Another residents in the Sariirale, a town on the Ethiopian border in Somalia's Hiiran region said that hundreds of Ethiopian troops have entered the town.
Residents said that Ethiopian troops have searched houses in the town.
Ethiopian officials could not be reached for comment about the reports but Ethiopia denies frequently that its troops re-entered Somalia.
Ethiopia entered Somalia in 2006 to help oust Islamist forces from the capital Mogadishu but withdrew under a UN-backed peace deal.
Ethiopia already made it clear that it still reserve the right to intervene in Somalia if its interests were directly threatened. Somali government has not commented about this development.
Nigeria gets new acting president
Nigerian Vice President Goodluck Jonathan has assumed office as acting president, more than two months after President Umaru Yar'Adua left for medical treatment in Saudi Arabia. Parliament earlier recognised Jonathan as acting head of state in an effort to end uncertainty that has threatened to paralyse government business.
“The circumstances in which I find myself assuming office today as Acting President of our country are uncommon, sober and reflective,” Jonathan said in an address on national television, urging Nigerians to pray for Yar’Adua’s recovery and return, according to Reuters.
The fact that there was no formal transfer of power had led to doubts over who was ruling the country and raised the prospect of the worst political crisis since the end of military rule more than a decade ago.
Although Nigeria’s cabinet has previously opposed any formal transfer of powers, the justice minister said Jonathan had the government’s full support—suggesting that it would not obstruct him from acting as president.
“The cabinet has already, since the president left, recognised the vice president as the leader of the country pending when Mr President returns,” said Justice Minister and Attorney General Michael Aondoakaa.
Motions backed earlier by both chambers of parliament enable Jonathan to pass legislation and act as commander of the armed forces until Yar’Adua declares he is fit enough to resume his duties.
Yar’Adua has been receiving treatment for a heart condition for more than two months.
Jonathan said the government would take every step necessary to build on the gains of an amnesty programme in the oil-producing Niger Delta. Militants in the region have threatened fresh attacks, saying Yar’Adua’s absence was slowing the programme.
Both the Senate and House of Representatives made clear that Jonathan would hold executive powers only until the president could return to office.
“The circumstances in which I find myself assuming office today as Acting President of our country are uncommon, sober and reflective,” Jonathan said in an address on national television, urging Nigerians to pray for Yar’Adua’s recovery and return, according to Reuters.
The fact that there was no formal transfer of power had led to doubts over who was ruling the country and raised the prospect of the worst political crisis since the end of military rule more than a decade ago.
Although Nigeria’s cabinet has previously opposed any formal transfer of powers, the justice minister said Jonathan had the government’s full support—suggesting that it would not obstruct him from acting as president.
“The cabinet has already, since the president left, recognised the vice president as the leader of the country pending when Mr President returns,” said Justice Minister and Attorney General Michael Aondoakaa.
Motions backed earlier by both chambers of parliament enable Jonathan to pass legislation and act as commander of the armed forces until Yar’Adua declares he is fit enough to resume his duties.
Yar’Adua has been receiving treatment for a heart condition for more than two months.
Jonathan said the government would take every step necessary to build on the gains of an amnesty programme in the oil-producing Niger Delta. Militants in the region have threatened fresh attacks, saying Yar’Adua’s absence was slowing the programme.
Both the Senate and House of Representatives made clear that Jonathan would hold executive powers only until the president could return to office.
Senegal confirms H1N1 outbreak
The Senegalese Minister of Health and Preventive Medicine, Modou Diagne Fada, confirmed that the country had been hit by the epidemic AH1N1 influenza. According to earlier reports, the first cases were detected in the religious city of Touba and nearby Diourbel (located in the central part of the country).
These places where the scene of religious festivities, as hundreds of thousands of followers of the Mouride Muslim Brotherhood, last week gathered to celebrate the 115th edition of “Grand Magal” of Touba, in memory of the departure into exile in Gabon in 1895 of the founder of the Brotherhood, Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba. Serign Bamba, as the religious leader as called, is a revered figure for millions in this part of Africa.
Health Minister Diagne Monday convened a press briefing not only to confirm the outbreak of the disease, but also to allay fears, saying that the country was equipped enough to contain the situation.
According to the Health Minister, 14 cases of influenza A H1N1 were recorded between the three districts of Dagana, Diourbel and Touba.
Influenza, sometimes referred to as flu, is an infectious disease caused by a virus which affects birds and mammals. Sore throat, fever and coughs are some of the most frequent symptoms.
In April 2009 a strain of the flu evolved, which health experts say combined genes from human, pig, and bird flu, initially dubbed "swine flu" and also known as influenza A/H1N1. It first emerged in Mexico, the United States, and then several other nations. The World Health Organization officially declared the outbreak as a pandemic two months later.
According to health experts, Senegal does not yet have a preventive vaccine. But the Senegalese Health Minister is already calling for patients suspected of infection to be isolated until examination confirms their cases.
''We have enough resources to deal with influenza AH1N1,'' Dr Diagn said. ''We will deal with all cases and we have the means.''
The minister noted that among those infected none had died, and that all had in fact ‘‘been taken care of, treated and returned home.''
These places where the scene of religious festivities, as hundreds of thousands of followers of the Mouride Muslim Brotherhood, last week gathered to celebrate the 115th edition of “Grand Magal” of Touba, in memory of the departure into exile in Gabon in 1895 of the founder of the Brotherhood, Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba. Serign Bamba, as the religious leader as called, is a revered figure for millions in this part of Africa.
Health Minister Diagne Monday convened a press briefing not only to confirm the outbreak of the disease, but also to allay fears, saying that the country was equipped enough to contain the situation.
According to the Health Minister, 14 cases of influenza A H1N1 were recorded between the three districts of Dagana, Diourbel and Touba.
Influenza, sometimes referred to as flu, is an infectious disease caused by a virus which affects birds and mammals. Sore throat, fever and coughs are some of the most frequent symptoms.
In April 2009 a strain of the flu evolved, which health experts say combined genes from human, pig, and bird flu, initially dubbed "swine flu" and also known as influenza A/H1N1. It first emerged in Mexico, the United States, and then several other nations. The World Health Organization officially declared the outbreak as a pandemic two months later.
According to health experts, Senegal does not yet have a preventive vaccine. But the Senegalese Health Minister is already calling for patients suspected of infection to be isolated until examination confirms their cases.
''We have enough resources to deal with influenza AH1N1,'' Dr Diagn said. ''We will deal with all cases and we have the means.''
The minister noted that among those infected none had died, and that all had in fact ‘‘been taken care of, treated and returned home.''
Africa: victim of poor quality malaria drugs
Africans suffering from malaria may be receiving sub-standard treatment; this is according to a study released by US based experts. The Pharmacopeia group researchers revealed that between 26% and 44% of anti-malaria drugs in Madagascar, Senegal and Uganda were of poor quality.
Low-quality drugs were being used in both public and private health practice.
90% of those lost their life for malaria in the world happened in Africa, according to the report.
The experts subjected 200 samples of anti-malaria drugs to quality-control testing in a US laboratory, BBC reported.
44% of the drugs from Senegal failed the testing, followed by 30% from Madagascar and 26% from Uganda, researchers said.
They also studied drugs from seven other countries - Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria and Tanzania, but have not yet released results from that data.
Half of the world's population is at risk of malaria, and an estimated 243 million cases led to estimated 863 000 deaths in 2008, WHO said.
WHO's malaria programme chief, Robert Newman, said low-grade versions of the drug could increase resistance because they would not kill all of the parasites.
"There are a number of things that need to be done - as a global community we need to support countries in strengthening their regulatory controls," he added.
Low-quality drugs were being used in both public and private health practice.
90% of those lost their life for malaria in the world happened in Africa, according to the report.
The experts subjected 200 samples of anti-malaria drugs to quality-control testing in a US laboratory, BBC reported.
44% of the drugs from Senegal failed the testing, followed by 30% from Madagascar and 26% from Uganda, researchers said.
They also studied drugs from seven other countries - Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria and Tanzania, but have not yet released results from that data.
Half of the world's population is at risk of malaria, and an estimated 243 million cases led to estimated 863 000 deaths in 2008, WHO said.
WHO's malaria programme chief, Robert Newman, said low-grade versions of the drug could increase resistance because they would not kill all of the parasites.
"There are a number of things that need to be done - as a global community we need to support countries in strengthening their regulatory controls," he added.
Solar-powered phones make life easier
Access to mobile phone in rural Kenya was recently made cheaper and more attractive for the low-income peasants. Safaricom Company has introduced solar-powered mobile phones that not only cost little money but also put an end to long journeys and waiting time for electrical charging.
An average electricity-powered phone costs around Ksh 2,500 but the newly introduced, solar-powered ones cost only around Ksh 2,000. Moreover, instead of paying Ksh20 every two or three days to charge the battery, the owner of the solar phone will make no extra expenses on the phone. Also, they are reachable in the night, as they no longer have to switch their phones off to spare energy.
Safaricom introduced these phones barely two years after the introduction of the mobile banking system known as Mpesa. This made money transactions even easier and instant, as they take place outside the traditional, bureaucratic banking system.
An average electricity-powered phone costs around Ksh 2,500 but the newly introduced, solar-powered ones cost only around Ksh 2,000. Moreover, instead of paying Ksh20 every two or three days to charge the battery, the owner of the solar phone will make no extra expenses on the phone. Also, they are reachable in the night, as they no longer have to switch their phones off to spare energy.
Safaricom introduced these phones barely two years after the introduction of the mobile banking system known as Mpesa. This made money transactions even easier and instant, as they take place outside the traditional, bureaucratic banking system.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Lake Malawi certification on
Department of Fisheries officials have reiterated government's commitment to certiying Lake Malawi, in a bid to array persistent Bilhazia fears.
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