Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany has launched the Eighth Episode of their First-ever TV program – ‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation’ on their social media handles.

‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation’ is a pan African TV program that is conceptualized, produced, directed, and co-hosted by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation to feature African Fashion Designers, Singers, and prominent experts from various domains with the aim to raise awareness and create a culture shift across Africa.

The TV program is currently broadcasting on KTN Home in Kenya, every Saturday at 5 pm and repeated every Thursday at 6:30 am.

It has also been broadcasted on prime TV stations of many countries like BTV (Botswana) Mashariki TV (Burundi), GHOne &TV3 (Ghana), QTV (The Gambia), LNTV (Liberia), Mibawa Limited (Malawi), Defi Media (Mauritius), AYV TV (Sierra Leone), NTV (Uganda), ZNBC TV (Zambia) and it immediately captured the attention and hearts of millions of viewers across Africa. “Our Africa” TV Program will soon be broadcast on GTV in Ghana, NBC in Namibia, and ZTN in Zimbabwe. “Our Africa” TV Program is also currently on social media handles of Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej (Facebook (http://apo-opa.co/3YWEdhN), Instagram (http://apo-opa.co/3YSVqst), X (http://apo-opa.co/46ZfStU) and YouTube (http://apo-opa.co/3Aycdae)) and Merck Foundation (Facebook (http://apo-opa.co/4fTcNPW), Instagram (http://apo-opa.co/4fUlXM3), X (http://apo-opa.co/4fTotlB) and YouTube (http://apo-opa.co/4fPdPMN)).

Watch the Promo of ‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation’ here:

https://apo-opa.co/46R5YdL

The theme for the Eighth Episode is Sustainability is a Shared Responsibility.

Watch the Eighth Episode promo here:

https://apo-opa.co/4fQWRh7

Watch the Eighth Episode here:

https://apo-opa.co/3ABsY4s  

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation expressed, “Firstly, I would like to thank the audience for their continuous positive and encouraging response to ‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation’. We have also been receiving an amazing response on our social media from audiences across the globe, this is very heartening and makes me very happy. With this episode, we aim to raise awareness about sustainability and environmental protection through our ‘Fashion and Art with Purpose’ community. I strongly believe that media, fashion and art should have a purpose beyond entertainment and looking good and can raise awareness about issues such as Diabetes Awareness, Breaking Infertility Stigma, Ending Child Marriage, stopping FGM, stopping GBV, Supporting Girl Education and women empowerment, among other social and health issues affecting the continent. Together we can create a culture shift.”

“Sustainable Fashion is a term that is increasingly used these days, as we all become aware of the serious environmental impact of our clothes. I feel so proud that the local fashion industry across Africa is exploring new sustainable solutions, and tapping into more traditional ones, that will enable them financially and protect the environment” added Senator, Dr. Rasha.

Globally, the textile and clothing sector is one of the largest segments of the economy, contributing almost $2.4 trillion to manufacturing and employing close to 300 million people across the world. Fashion makes a sizeable contribution to climate change. The fashion industry accounts for about 8-10% of global carbon emissions, and nearly 20% of wastewater. This means that the fashion industry consumes more energy than both aviation and shipping combined.

Sustainable Fashion is a term for clothes that are created and consumed in a way that can be, quite literally, sustained, while protecting both the environment and those producing garments. This is the reason cutting CO2 emissions, addressing overproduction, reducing pollution and waste, supporting biodiversity, and ensuring that garment workers are paid a fair wage and have safe working conditions, are all crucial to the scope of sustainability.

The eighth episode featured Nana Kwabena Anoff, African Artist in Sustainable Art, who displayed his unique and remarkable art pieces made up of sustainable materials; Dr. Sabrina Devi Ramamy Iranah, Director of Fashion and Design Institute, Mauritius and Jean Luc Emile, Managing Editor, Defimedia Group, Mauritius. Young Fashion Designers from Mauritius – Desire Cedric Vincent and Deena Appaddo are also featured, who showcased their recyclable fashion designs with messages on environmental sustainability during this episode.  

Senator, Dr. Rasha further explained, “At Merck Foundation we strongly believe that young people have numerous untapped capabilities. We wish to unleash such capabilities which would empower and enable them to lead the sustainable development and Green Environmental Agenda for their countries and encourage others to lead a sustainable lifestyle and adapt to the impact of climate change. “Sustainability is a Shared Responsibility”.

“I am very excited to bring to you all the upcoming episodes of ‘OUR AFRICA by Merck Foundation’ TV program. So, stay tuned and be ready to Get informed, Get healthy, and Get entertained!”, concluded Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej.

Watch Episode 1 here: https://apo-opa.co/3SYD19M

Watch Episode 2 here: https://apo-opa.co/3YOkAbK

Watch Episode 3 here: https://apo-opa.co/46ZfThs

Watch Episode 4 here: https://apo-opa.co/4fPPAy7

Watch Episode 5 here: https://apo-opa.co/4fWzUcj  

Watch Episode 6 here: https://apo-opa.co/4ctSIgc

Watch Episode 7 here: https://apo-opa.co/3YU6Uw2

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.

Contact details:
Mehak Handa
Community Awareness Program Manager
+91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669
mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com

Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard
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Download Merck Foundation App: https://apo-opa.co/4fVALKe 

About Merck Foundation:
Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality&equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare and scientific research capacity and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website. Please visit: Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com); Facebook (http://apo-opa.co/4fTcNPW), X (http://apo-opa.co/4fTotlB), Instagram (http://apo-opa.co/4fUlXM3), YouTube (http://apo-opa.co/46UBsiV), Thread (http://apo-opa.co/47bIjoB) and Flickr (http://apo-opa.co/4fWQCsj).

The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Education, Sciences and Creative Industries, Mr Makhi Feni, has called on law enforcement agencies to speedily bring to a complete stop the thugs whose actions have closed schools and threatened educators in the Mthatha (OR Tambo District) area.

The committee condemns in the strongest terms the criminal conduct that has led to the closure of Mthatha schools. Mr Feni said: “The people who have decided that schools are soft targets for these nefarious acts are cowards who do not value education whatsoever. They do not have respect for learning time, educators and learners.”

It has been confirmed that Sinolwazi Senior Secondary School, Bambanani Junior Secondary School, Maholweni Junior Secondary School and Laphumikhwezi Junior Secondary School have been all affected by thugs operating in the area who demand money. Teachers from these schools have been threatened and, in one instance, assaulted, and are now not going to work.

Mr Feni said this unacceptable conduct, which has reportedly led to the closure of many businesses in the area, has now gripped the education sector. “This is one area where law enforcements cannot be sluggish or tardy. Surely these thugs are known people. The police should assist before we have a situation of having police and security permanently stationed at schools; that will not be conducive for learning and we do not wish it to happen,” Mr Feni said.

Mr Feni said no man should be allowed to dare the state as these thugs have done and the state must respond to this challenge. “Soon this will extend to clinics, hospitals and homes if no decisive action is taken,” emphasised Mr Feni.

He called on the Department of Education in the Eastern Cape to assist schools with recovery and catch-up plans for the affected learners, especially matriculants who will soon be writing trial examinations. “Educators ought to be schools teaching and learners ought to be learning too,” added Mr Feni. The committee also noted with appreciation the imbizo that was led by King Buyelekhaya Dalinyebo on Tuesday.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

The 30-day countdown to Comoros’s WTO membership was activated when Ambassador Sultan Chouzour handed Comoros’s instrument of acceptance of the Protocol of Accession to WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala at a meeting of the General Council on 22 July 2024.

Comoros submitted its instrument of acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies at the same time, bringing the total number of acceptances of the Agreement to 82.

“I am particularly proud to welcome Comoros as the newest member of the WTO. Comoros can use WTO accession as a vehicle for modernization, economic transformation and a complement to the country’s regional integration agenda on the African continent,” Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said. “Comoros’s membership will add a valuable voice to the multilateral trading system as it has shown commitment to the values of the WTO and has clearly demonstrated willingness to adapt to its rules and principles.”

The Director-General thanked WTO members for their support throughout the accession process, and said that “they will continue to accompany Comoros in the post-accession phase.”

WTO members officially approved the WTO accession of Comoros during a special ceremony at the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC13) in Abu Dhabi on 26 February. 

Comoros applied for WTO membership on 22 February 2007 and the Working Party was established in October 2007. Members of the Working Party concluded the negotiations on 9 January 2024. Following approval by WTO members at MC13, Comoros’s National Assembly approved the Protocol of Accession on 10 June.

The list of Comoros’s commitments is available here.

Twenty-two governments, including eight African countries, are still negotiating their WTO accession. Timor-Leste’s WTO membership is due to become effective on 30 August. The full list of WTO observers can be found here.

Learn more about Comoros’s WTO accession negotiations here. 

Learn how to become a member of the WTO here.

Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies

Adopted by consensus at the WTO’s 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12), held in Geneva on 12-17 June 2022, the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies sets new binding, multilateral rules to curb harmful subsidies, which are a key factor in the widespread depletion of the world’s fish stocks. 

For the Agreement to enter into force, two-thirds of WTO members must formally accept the Protocol of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies by depositing an instrument of acceptance with the WTO. 

The Agreement recognizes the needs of developing economies and LDCs, and establishes a Fund to provide technical assistance and capacity-building to help them implement the Agreement.

The Agreement prohibits subsidies for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, for fishing overfished stocks, and for fishing on the unregulated high seas.

Members also agreed at MC12 to continue negotiations on outstanding issues, with a view to adopting additional provisions that would further enhance the disciplines of the Agreement.

The full text of the Agreement can be accessed here.

The list of members that have deposited their instruments of acceptance is available here.

Information for members on how to accept the Protocol of Amendment is available here.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Trade Organization (WTO).

Legislators on the Committee of Finance have questioned the manner and criteria the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA)is using to extend tax waivers to companies and individuals.

While appearing before the committee, the State Minister for Finance (General Duties), Hon. Henry Musasizi said the tax waivers will be extended to eight organisations which include academic institutions and business entities.

Musasizi was appearing before the committee on Tuesday, 20 August 2024.  

Among the companies under review by the committee is M/S J2E Investment Corporation Limited which is seeking a tax waiver worth Shs2.718 billion as at 01 December 2023, accounting for interest accumulated.

M/S J2E Investment Corporation is carrying out works at Kawewe6a Military Training Barracks.

The minister revealed that in December 2019, the Defence Ministry requesting for the waiver.

“This is because during the implementation of the works, the contractor faced investigations from the Inspector General of Government and suspended all works and payments from Ministry of Defence. This resulted in penalties and interest,” Musasizi said.

Hon. Patrick Ocan (UPC, Apac Municipality) said the absence of audited accounts and articles of association for the company made it questionable to grant a waiver.

“Today, the minister has presented to us non-existent companies. If they are existent, I am sure the minister can provide the necessary documents for this company. How can we process a waiver for a company that is not known? How do we ascertain reputation and credibility?” Ocan asked.

AUDIO Ocan

Kira Municipality MP, Hon. Ibrahim Ssemujju and Hon. Maximus Ochai (NRM, West Budama County North) put the minister and URA to task on the procedures that were followed in granting tax waivers to selected companies.

Hon. Jane Pacuto (NRM, Pakwach District Woman Representative) wondered on why the companies were granted a 100 per cent tax waiver.

“I need a clarification on whether or not, an entity or individual must meet all the criteria or part of the criteria, to qualify for a waiver. The minister also chose to waive 100 per cent and I want to know why they chose to go that direction,” Pacuto noted.

AUDIO Pacuto

Sarah Chelangat, the Commissioner Domestic Taxes at URA said applications for tax waivers are received and assessed on a case by case basis adding that companies are granted a grace period within which to pay the tax.

“We also look at the big picture in terms of the impact of this business on the community it serves. Businesses like universities employ families, so we consider that if this company gets a relief, it can continue paying more tax in the near future,” Chelangat said.

She also clarified on the matter of audited accounts.

“When a tax payer is doing a self-assessment return, they normally summarise all their account information in their tax returns. Sometimes, assess based on third party information whereby if you work with a ministry, we can get the information from that ministry,” Chelangat added.

AUDIO Chelangat

The Committee Chairperson, Hon. Amos Kankunda, asked the minister and URA to present the requisite information on M/S J2E Investment Corporation Limited to the committee before a final report is made on its waiver.

Other individuals listed for a tax waiver are Donati Kananura, who as at 12 September 2023 sought a waiver on rental income tax amounting to Shs1.69 billion and a waiver on Value Added Tax amounting to Shs2.08 billion.

Legislators noted that grounds on which URA granted the tax waivers including health and advanced age were not justifiable.

“I want to withdraw Donati Kananura from my list so that we limit debate on the matter. We will find another way of rescuing him,” Musasizi responded.

The other entities presented before the committee for tax waivers included M/S Nicontra Limited, Busoga University, Nkumba University, Makerere Business Institute, Kisiizi Hospital Power Limited, and Mr. Peter Lokwang, a dealer in limestone mining in Moroto District.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.