Tunis: The weather Saturday is locally misty early in the morning in the east, getting sunny to a bit cloudy nationwide. The wind is blowing east relatively strong near northern coasts and light to moderate elsewhere. The sea is choppy in the north and a bit choppy elsewhere. Highs range between 28°C and 33°C, hovering around 24°C in eastern coastal regions. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse
Weather bit cloud in most region on Saturday evening
Tunis: The weather will be a bit cloudy in most regions on Saturday evening with local fog expected in eastern coastal regions by the end of the night, according to the National Meteorological Institute (INM). Temperatures will range between 15°C and 19°C, reaching 23°C in the far south. The wind will blow east moderate to relatively strong in the south with sand storms in the far south, and light to moderate elsewhere. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse
Water code needs to be urgently adopted (Raoudha Gafrej)
Tunis: Tunisia urgently needs to adopt the water code and set up a national plan to tackle the water crisis, while regularly evaluating it, said Raoudha Gafrej, a doctor and international expert in integrated water resources management and climate change adaptation. In an interview with TAP, Gafrej said that the revision of this code, which regulates water resources, has taken years (since 2008). It is necessary to promulgate the texts of application as soon as the code is adopted, in order to encourage the creation of the planned institutions (High Water Council, regulatory authority ....), to organise the interventions of the various stakeholders in the water sector and to mobilise the financial resources needed to carry out the planned actions, he added. Average per capita water consumption in Tunisia is estimated at 430 m3/year and is expected to fall to less than 350 m3 by 2030, according to official data. This is below the threshold of absolute water scarcity, which is set at 500 m3/person/year. "Cli mate change, poor governance, overexploitation of resources and disregard for the water cycle and the rights of ecosystems have further aggravated the situation in Tunisia," she said, calling for scientific indicators and the results of studies to be taken into account in order to develop effective water management strategies. The expert also addressed the issue of water wastage, which has several facets, including losses recorded in the network of the National Water Distribution Utility (SONEDE), 30% losses, and in the water groups (65%), food wastage, which inevitably means wasting the water used to produce food, and the destruction of surplus crops by some farmers, as has been observed in recent years. "Saving water and using it rationally is everyone's responsibility," she stressed. It is not only about saving the resource itself, but also about avoiding food waste, over-consumption, pollution of water sources and poor waste management. "Wasting food automatically means wasting the water used to produc e it," said Gafrej, pointing out that waste recovery and responsible consumption, including the correct portioning of meals to avoid wastage, are practices that, if generalised, will result in significant water savings. "Water is a power that should be entrusted to wise structures to manage and preserve it properly, and also to protect the rights of future generations to this common good," said the expert, calling for a general mobilisation involving government structures, private companies and citizens. At the international level, Gafrej pointed to the need to reach an agreement on water, similar to the Paris Climate Agreement, which would take into account the impact of climate change on the global water cycle. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse
Kenyan President tours Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park with Accra Mayor
Mrs Elisabeth K. T. Sackey, the Mayor of Accra, on Thursday accompanied the Kenyan President, Dr William Kipchirchir Samoei Arap Ruto, to tour the iconic Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and pay homage to Nkrumah's indelible legacy. The Kenyan president, who was on a three-day State visit to Ghana, was accompanied by a high-powered delegation of ministers and businessmen. The visit, imbued with historical significance, commenced with a solemn moment of reflection at Freedom Hall, where a State vehicle used by the former President, a vintage Cadillac, made in the United States and secured with bulletproof features in Bulgaria, had been parked. The Kenyan President later laid a wreath in front of the giant statue of Dr Nkrumah, after which he toured the Mausoleum housing the remains of Dr Nkrumah and his wife Fathia, the museum containing his personal effects, and the audio-visual gallery having publications and pictures showing his life history. President Ruto also visited the Freedom Wall and the VVIP Lounge to si gn the Visitor's Book. Speaking after the tour, the Mayor of Accra said the visit provided another opportunity to reflect on the enduring legacy of Kwame Nkrumah and his pivotal role in shaping the course of African history. 'As we walked through the hallowed halls of this historic site, I couldn't help but reflect on the enduring legacy of Kwame Nkrumah and his pivotal role in shaping the course of African history. His vision of pan-African unity and liberation continues to inspire us all, serving as a guiding light as we navigate the complexities of our modern world,' Mrs Sackey said. She emphasised the importance of collective action in addressing shared challenges and was hopeful the visit would pave the way for enhanced cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, and cultural exchange. She reaffirmed Ghana's commitment to deepening bilateral ties with Kenya, adding that, it was an honour to welcome President Ruto and extend Accra's hospitality to him and his delegation. 'Together, we can build a brighter future for all Africans, guided by the principles of unity, solidarity, and shared prosperity,' Mrs Sackey added. Source:Ghana News Agency
Tourism revenues see 6% rise in Q1 2024 (BCT)
Tunis: Cumulative tourism revenues reached TND 1.2 billion in the first quarter of 2024, a slight increase of 6% compared to the same period last year, according to monetary and financial indicators published on Friday by the Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT). Workers' remittances increased by 4%, from TND 1.7 billion at the end of March 2023 to TND 1.8 billion on March 31, 2024. Cumulative external debt service more than doubled to TND 5.8 billion in the first three months of the current year, compared with TND 2.6 billion in the same period last year, according to the same source. Net foreign exchange reserves reached TND 23.4 billion on April 5, equivalent to 107 days of imports, a significant increase compared with the same period in 2023 (22 billion dinars, or 95 days of imports). Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse