The Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad, Ahmed Attaf held Monday phone talks with his Tunisian counterpart, Mohamed Ali Nafti, to congratulate him on his appointment as Tunisia’s Foreign Minister, wishing him success in the accomplishment of his noble missions.   

Attaf said he wished to work in close collaboration with his brother, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad, on bilateral and multilateral issues to implement the instructions of the leaders of the two brotherly countries, the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune and President Kais Saied.

The two FMs agreed to meet as soon as possible under efforts to boost the exceptional momentum marking the Algeria-Tunisia relations in various fields, and strengthen them further.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria.

In the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams vaccinated 70,000 children against measles during a 37-day campaign in one of the most neglected areas of the country, using planes and motorcycles to reach people.

In just the first half of this year, 10,000 measles cases were recorded in Maniema, along with 500 measles-related deaths. However, the exact number of children in the province affected by the disease is unknown because some children are never taken to a health facility due to the long distances and cost involved. Most local health facilities receive very little external support. 

MSF’s vaccination campaign reached 60,000 children between 6 months and 9 years old in Kampene health zone, while 10,000 children were vaccinated against measles in Salamabila health zone within just one week. In addition, more than 2,000 measles patients were treated by MSF-supported Ministry of Health staff at Kampene general referral hospital, including 684 severe cases, of whom 40 did not survive. More than 2,000 children under 2 years old were also vaccinated against pneumonia.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Médecins sans frontières (MSF).

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), in partnership with Swiss Pharma (Swipha), has achieved a significant milestone in the pharmaceutical industry that will protect and save lives. Through technical assistance and partnership, USAID helped Swipha become the first pharmaceutical company in Nigeria and West Africa to receive World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification for two essential medicines. This accomplishment underscores the joint commitment to improving healthcare services and access to life-saving medicines across the region.

For years, Nigeria has faced challenges in procuring life-saving medicines due to high costs and the inability of many local pharmaceutical companies to meet international standards. These barriers have limited access to quality healthcare, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women.

With USAID’s support, Swipha has not only attained the essential certification, but has also been recognized as the first pharmaceutical company in Nigeria and West Africa to comply with Good Manufacturing Practice standards as outlined by the WHO. This certification is a testament to the quality, safety, and efficiency of Swipha’s pharmaceutical products and processes.

The newly certified pediatric Zinc Sulphate is crucial in reducing the severity and duration of severe diarrhea, a leading cause of mortality among children under five years old in Nigeria. Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine tablets—also manufactured by Swipha, and WHO-certified—are essential for preventing malaria in pregnancy, a significant contributor to child mortality in the country.

With WHO prequalification, Swipha can now supply these essential medicines to organizations and governments globally, contributing to the improvement of child health and maternal care across Nigeria, the West African sub-region, and beyond.

During her visit to the Swipha factory in Lagos, USAID Acting Mission Director Alexis Taylor-Granados remarked, “This achievement is a testament to the power of collaboration in improving healthcare in Nigeria. We are proud to have supported Swipha in reaching this milestone and look forward to continuing our partnership to ensure more quality medicines reach those who need them most. Together, we are building a healthier future for Nigeria.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo commissioned the highly anticipated School Junction to Motorway Road, a vital infrastructure project aimed at enhancing connectivity and fostering economic growth in Accra and beyond.

The event marked a significant milestone in the government’s ongoing efforts to improve the nation’s infrastructure and create a modern, interconnected, and prosperous Ghana.

In his address, President Akufo-Addo emphasized the importance of robust infrastructure as a foundation for sustainable development. “When I assumed office in January 2017, I did so with a resolute pledge to transform the infrastructure of our nation,” he stated. “Roads are the arteries through which the lifeblood of our economy flows. Today, as we unveil this essential road, we are reminded that our words were not mere rhetoric but a call to action.”

The newly commissioned road spans six kilometers, linking School Junction through Borteyman to the Motorway, and connecting communities such as Adjiringanor, Adenta, Dodowa, and various Tema communities. This strategic connection is expected to alleviate traffic congestion, enhance economic growth, and create new opportunities for businesses and communities along the route.

President Akufo-Addo underscored the significance of the project as more than just a transportation initiative. “The School Junction to Motorway Road serves as a crucial artery for the eastern part of Accra, linking communities and promoting the flourishing of businesses,” he said. “It is about bridging communities, enhancing economic growth, and creating new opportunities for prosperity.”

The president also took the opportunity to highlight his government’s achievements in the infrastructure sector, noting that the project was a testament to his administration’s vision for a modern Ghana. “Under my administration, we have added an unprecedented twelve thousand, eight hundred and thirty kilometers to the national road network,” he announced. “In the Greater Accra Region alone, we have completed road projects totaling one thousand, six hundred and sixty-seven kilometers.”

President Akufo-Addo commended the Ministry of Roads and Highways, the Department of Urban Roads, and the contractors for their dedication to bringing the project to fruition. “Let it be known: the progress we are witnessing now is not the product of chance, but the result of deliberate, focused leadership and the collective effort of dedicated professionals,” he remarked.

The president also detailed a series of completed road projects in the Greater Accra Region during his tenure, including the construction of interchanges, asphalt overlays of major streets and corridors, and the rehabilitation and upgrading of various roads. These projects have significantly boosted connectivity and eased traffic congestion in the region, contributing to the overall socio-economic development of Greater Accra.

Looking ahead, President Akufo-Addo outlined several ongoing landmark projects, including the Obetsebi Lamptey Interchange Project, Ofankor–Nsawam Road Project, Tema Motorway Expansion Project, and others. He reassured Ghanaians that these projects, although temporarily halted due to the debt exchange program, would soon resume as negotiations had been successfully concluded.

“These were difficult but necessary decisions made in the national interest to safeguard our economic future,” he explained. “The completion of these projects remains crucial to our country’s socio-economic development.”

As he concluded his speech, President Akufo-Addo called on all Ghanaians to take pride in the newly commissioned road and to work together to maintain and preserve it. “This road is a collective achievement for our nation, and we must treat it as such – an asset that we must protect with utmost care to ensure its longevity,” he urged. “Let us ensure that this road fulfills its purpose for many generations to come.”

The president ended his address with a call for continued support from the Ghanaian people as the country moves forward on its transformative journey. “In a few months, we will, once again, stand before you, seeking your mandate to continue this transformative journey,” he said. “Let the success of this project serve as a reminder of what we can accomplish together when you place your trust in us.”

With the formal commissioning of the School Junction to Motorway Road Project, President Akufo-Addo reaffirmed his commitment to infrastructure development and the prosperity of all Ghanaians. The event was attended by government officials, local leaders, and community members, all of whom celebrated the achievement as a step forward for the nation.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.