Africa

Opinion: Fast and Furious: The Time to Act is Now

Published

5 years ago

April 2, 2020

Eric

By Dr. Lola Dare

Africa, where coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases have surged to nearly 6,000 in recent days, faces a potential human and economic catastrophe because of its particular vulnerabilities. While some countries, lenders, and organizations have stepped up to ease the economic burden of the pandemic, as a community physician with more than 30 years of experience in epidemiology, public health, social protection, and international development, I am concerned that the pandemic will settle in Africa, especially amongst the poor and hard to reach. The impact could go well beyond containment of the virus to a total disruption of our economies with severe consequences on social protection, particularly for women and children. Context-specific interventions are urgent, with an initial focus on containment and then on recovery and sustainable investments in public health and social protection.

In sub-Saharan Africa, community health is already underfunded by an estimated $2 billion every year, according to USAID. Ultimately, the real battles in every pandemic are fought at the community level, and this is especially true in Africa, where people live so close together in urban areas and where the first point of contact for health care is often the community health worker.

Of immediate critical need is equal access to personal protective equipment (PPE). Lack of PPE was partly to blame for the deaths of more than 500 health care workers in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone during the West Africa Ebola epidemic. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), called the lack of PPE an urgent threat that can only be solved with international cooperation and solidarity. “When health workers are at risk, we are all at risk,” he said in a press briefing on March 27. “Health workers in low- and middle-income countries deserve the same protection as those in the wealthiest countries.”

The WHO in early March warned of severe and mounting disruption to the global supply of PPE, caused by rising demand, panic buying, hoarding, and misuse. It said supplies can take months to deliver and market manipulation is widespread, with stocks frequently sold to the highest bidder. Few African countries can compete in such a market.

It is also difficult for African countries to compete against more developed nations when it comes to health worker salaries. Now is when African countries need their health professionals the most, especially when we have already lost so many to more lucrative and stable jobs abroad and when we are likely to lose more to COVID-19 infection.

The U.S. State Department on March 26 appealed to foreign health care workers to apply for a U.S. visa. The United States has 25 doctors for every 10,000 people, compared to 4 in Nigeria, 2 in Kenya, and 1 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to the WHO.

While we do not yet know exactly how the COVID-19 pandemic will play out in Africa, we have some indications. Relatively, the continent’s population is young, but many have weak immune systems associated with TB, HIV/AIDS, malaria, diarrheal diseases, and malnutrition, as well as the evolving menace of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes. Compounding these vulnerabilities are fragile primary health care systems that could easily become overwhelmed. More people died of malaria, TB, HIV/AIDS, and maternal complications during the West Africa Ebola epidemic than those who succumbed to the disease itself because people either could not get care or feared seeking it.

While widespread testing, social distancing, and hand washing help stem the spread of the COVID-19, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Many Africans lack access to running water to practice frequent hand washing, and they cannot practice social distancing for long periods. Some people eat only what they earn a day, so if they don’t work for 12 days then they don’t eat for 12 days.

Bloomberg Economics estimates that the pandemic will cost the world $2.7 trillion. But this figure does not take into account African losses because of unavailable data. Without international solidarity to address our public health and social protection needs, the continent faces a dire future—one that threatens to keep COVID-19 and other emerging viruses circulating throughout the world. The international community must ensure equal access to PPE, support health workers, and mitigate the impact on the poor and the vulnerable by providing provide a long-term COVID-19 rescue and recovery fund for public health and social protection. The time for this is now. As we have all seen, every day, every hour counts.

Dr. Lola Dare is a community physician and president of the African-led social enterprise CHESTRAD Global. CHESTRAD Global is member of the Primary Health Care Strategy Group, a global coalition of civil society health advocates convened by Population Action International.

Africa

Glo Chairman, Mike Adenuga, Congratulates Mahama on Reelection

Published

2 weeks ago

December 8, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The Chairman, Globacom Group, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr., has sent a congratulatory message to Ghana’s President-elect, Dr John Mahama, on his victory at the polls to become the next president of Ghana.

Dr. Adenuga, a recipient of the highest honour in Ghana, and second highest honour in Nigeria (GCON), extended his congratulations via a statement he personally signed, and made available to The Boss.

He reflected on the joy and celebration that filled the streets of Ghana at the announcement, saying it is a testament of the “deep love and admiration your people hold for you, as well as the lasting impact of your remarkable legacy as a former President.”

Read the full statement:

DR MIKE ADENUGA JR.CONGRATULATES PRESIDENT-ELECT MAHAMA*

My Dearest Brother,

On behalf of my family and myself, I extend our heartfelt congratulations to you on your resounding victory in the December 7, 2024, Presidential and Parliamentary elections in Ghana.

The joy and celebration filling the streets of Ghana reflect the deep love and admiration your people hold for you, as well as the lasting impact of your remarkable legacy as a former President.

I will always cherish the unwavering support you extended to investors in Ghana, as well as the profound honor of receiving the highest Ghanaian National Honor from you in 2016.

May this second chapter of your leadership be even more successful and transformative.

God bless Ghana.
With warmest regards,

Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr.
(GCON, CSG, CdrLH)

Africa

Balthasar Sex Scandal: Equatorial Guinea Govt Files Formal Charges

Published

1 month ago

November 13, 2024

Eric

The Government of Equatorial Guinea has filed a lawsuit against Baltasar Ebang Engonga, former Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), over allegations of misconduct involving a sex scandal.

In an official statement, the government gave reasons why Engonga is being prosecuted, describing his actions as “violations of the ethical and moral values of noble Equatorial Guinean society.”

The lawsuit was announced by Jerónimo Osa Osa, Minister of Information, Press, and Culture, who confirmed that the Attorney General’s Office would conduct a comprehensive investigation into the allegations.

According to local news platform Ahora EG, “This decision comes after several videos went viral in which Ebang Engonga is seen having sexual relations with multiple women, some of whom are married.”

The leaked videos, which have sparked outrage, prompted the government to take a stand on what it deems a violation of public morality and family values.

During an address on Friday, the government, through the Public Prosecutor’s Office, tasked with overseeing the case, intends to pursue administrative, civil, and criminal charges against Engonga and any accomplices, reiterated its condemnation of Engonga’s conduct.

The government emphasised the far-reaching impact of the scandal on social and family cohesion, stating, “In light of these serious events, which severely undermine family and social cohesion, and considering the negative impact that this situation has on the good image of our country, tarnishing its reputation, the government, through the Public Prosecutor’s Office, has commenced a thorough investigation to establish responsibilities at the administrative, civil, and criminal levels, given the possibility of a public health impact.”

Meanwhile, the investigation aims to address multiple issues, including the line between personal and public conduct, potential privacy violations, and damages to individuals’ honor and reputation.

The government affirmed its commitment to safeguarding the rights of those affected by the scandal, including the State itself.

Baltasar Engonga has been facing severe backlash after investigators discovered over 400 explicit videos involving him and the wives of prominent national figures.

The scandal surfaced amid a fraud probe into Engonga’s stewardship, leading ANIF officials to search his home and office.

During this search, investigators reportedly uncovered CDs containing the explicit recordings, which have since leaked online, sparking a national outcry and widespread media coverage.

Africa

Coup Attempt in Benin: Govt Arrests Ex-Minister, Commander of Guard

Published

3 months ago

September 26, 2024

Eric

Benin Republic prosecutors say they have foiled a suspected coup attempt scheduled to take place on Friday.

In a statement on Wednesday, Elonm Metonou, special prosecutor at Benin’s court for financial crimes and terrorism, said Oswald Homeky, a former sports minister, was caught Tuesday night handing over six bags of cash to Djimon Tevoedjre, Commander of the Republican Guard and Head of President Patrice Talon’s security.

Metonou said the bag contained 1.5 billion West African CFA francs (about $2.5 million).

Authorities said the suspects opened a bank account in Côte d’Ivoire under the commander’s name on August 6, adding that the money was transported in Homeky’s Toyota Prado, which bore fake license plates.

Olivier Boko, businessman and Talon’s longtime friend who was arrested separately on Monday, was in on the plot, according to the statement.

Boko was arrested in Cotonou, Benin’s economic capital. The businessman had recently started making known his plans to run for the presidency in 2026, when Talon’s second term in office ends.

According to investigators, Homeky and Boko paid off the military commander to not resist the planned coup.

Metonou said investigations are ongoing to arrest other suspects.

Since 2020, neighboring countries have experienced eight successful military takeovers and several attempts.

Talon, who has led Benin since 2016, faces criticism for what critics say is becoming an increasingly authoritarian rule.

Some observers argue that his policies have eroded democratic standards in the country.