Nigeria’s First Toll-free Line Focused on Mental Health Issues
Officials say social distancing and the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on the economy have tripled the number of mental health cases. In response, Nigeria has launched a toll-free 24-hour helpline staffed by trained psychologists and counselors. Psychologist Aisha Abdullahi heads the team of counselors working the helpline. In April 2020, she started free online counseling after […]
UK Mining Firm to Compensate Miners it Exploited in Tanzania
British mining company Petra Diamonds has agreed to pay $6m in compensation to dozens of Tanzanians who allegedly suffered serious human rights abuses at a mine famed for producing a flawless pink diamond for one of the Queen’s favourite brooches. The 71 Tanzanian claimants, represented in the London high court by the British law firm […]
Why Plastic Bans aren’t Working in Africa
An insufficient supply of potable water in many countries, mostly in Sub-Saharan Africa, has given rise to a new plastics economy driven by the increasing popularity of water sachets. More than 30 of Africa’s 54 countries have progressively adopted anti-plastic bag policies since 2000. But experts claim the effects remain insignificant, considering the persistent use […]
Africa Should be Allowed to Produce its Own Covid-19 Vaccines
Outcomes from the Paris summit include a promise to help Africa overcome the coronavirus pandemic with a “New Deal” using global financial firepower to replenish depleted coffers and ramp up a sluggish vaccine rollout. The summit, which brought together African leaders and global financial institutions, launched “a New Deal for Africa and by Africa”, host French President […]
Diplomatic Tensions Between Rabat and Madrid
“This is an act of defiance,” Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, told parliament on Wednesday. “The lack of border control by Morocco is not only a show of disrespect of Spain, but rather for the European Union.” After thousands of people, including an estimated 2,000 minors, crossed into Spain in 36 hours earlier this week, […]
Lilongwe Burns Expired Vaccines
Health authorities in Malawi have incinerated 19,610 expired doses of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine, saying it will reassure the public that any vaccines they do get are safe. It is the first African country to publicly do this. The World Health Organization initially urged countries not to destroy expired doses but has now changed its […]
