Category: General

Candidates Braiek Ben Amara and Majid Dhaou for the local elections run-off in South Mharza, in Hbira delegation, Mahdia Governorate, continue their election campaigns hours before the electoral silence at midnight. Braiek Ben Amara, 56 years old, who had secured 195 votes, or 39.96% in the initial round, pledges a comprehensive approach encompassing the overhaul of the drinking water network. He laid emphasis on projects for irrigated perimeters and the establishment of deep-water wells in the region. The candidate vows to modernise the electricity grid, rectify the land tenure status of agricultural lands, and spearhead the establishment of a secondary school in the locality. On the other hand, 46-year old Majid Dhaou, who secured 188 votes, or 38.52% in the first round, promised to link the locality to the city of Mahdia through the implementation of public transportation routes. He also promised to generalize public lighting, particularly along rural tracks. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

WINDHOEK: The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) has identified the man who died in a car crash at the B1 bridge near Brakwater in the early hours of Friday as Fidel Castro Hango. Members of the family informed NamPol that the deceased was suicidal and allegedly drove off from the family residence in Windhoek Thursday night. The 29-year-old Hango allegedly drove in a northern direction before crashing into the bridge pillar, resulting in his instant death and the vehicle catching fire. The police on the scene informed Nampa that the crash occurred between midnight and 03h00. The vehicle appeared to have been a Mercedes Benz SUV. Police investigations continue. Source: Namibia Press Agency

The Keta Municipal Health Directorate in the Volta Region has urged the public to work together to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in the communities. This will help create more awareness and further mitigate the rate of spread of these diseases. NTDs are a diverse group of tropical infections that are common in low-income populations in developing regions of Africa, Asia and the Americas. They are caused by various pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and parasitic worms (helminths). These diseases are contrasted with the 'big three' infectious diseases (HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and malaria), which generally receive greater treatment and research funding. In sub-Saharan Africa, the effect of neglected tropical diseases as a group is comparable to that of malaria and tuberculosis. NTD co-infection can also make HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis more deadly. Madam Dora Kugbonu, a Health Promotion Officer, Keta Municipal Health Directorate, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on the sidelines of this year's NTDs Day, called on individuals and communities to get together and address the inequalities that resulted in neglected tropical diseases. The Day was to create better awareness on the devastating impacts of NTDs on the poorest populations around the world, she stated. She said NTDs were a diverse group of some 20 conditions that were widespread among people in rural areas, who were in vulnerable situations. They could also be found in war zones and areas where water safety, sanitation, and access to healthcare were inadequate or suboptimal. Madam Kugbonu said NTDs affected more than one million people globally and was responsible for thousands of preventable deaths in various communities every year. 'The diseases were called 'neglected' because they were ranked very low on the global health agenda and received lower attention when they appear.' She outlined some examples of such diseases as Buruli ulcer, leprosy, trachoma, yaws, foodborne trematode diseases, and human African t rypanosomiasis among others. Madam Kugbonu said the disease was preventable and the public must prioritise their health issues by visiting the hospital regularly for checkups. She appealed to individuals, chiefs, heads of institutions, corporate entities, and community leaders among others to work together to eliminate those diseases. This year's World Neglected Tropical Disease Day was on the theme: 'Unite, Act, Eliminate.' Source: Ghana News Agency

The Ghana Trade Union Congress (TUC) will embark on a demonstration on Tuesday, February 13 to demand the termination of tax on the consumption of electricity imposed by government. The Union gave a one-week ultimatum of January 31st to terminate the tax imposition on electricity which elapsed on Wednesday. However, government has not issued any official communication of withdrawal to the Union Dr Anthony Yaw Baah, the Secretary General of TUC, speaking at a press conference in Accra, said the Union would embark on a massive demonstration across the sixteen regions of the country on Tuesday, 13th February. He said the union had taken the decision firmly and had appointed a committee to plan it, adding that the only reason to prevent the demonstration would be government's decision to terminate the intended tax on consumption of electricity. He said 'we are not in any position to have any discussion or anything'. 'If government doesn't want us to demonstrate they should withdraw'. He said government shou ld write to the union officially to stop the union from the protest. He said if the government did not withdraw, all formal and informal workers, public and private would on Tuesday, February 13 embark on a demonstration. 'We are going to demonstrate for government to know that we can never be taken for granted, ' he added. He entreated all employers to allow their employees to partake in the demonstration because it was a national assignment. 'This is not for only workers but for our children, families and the entire population of the country, 'he added. He said, 'if we do not fight this now, it would be a menace for the future.' He said on Monday, February 12, all formal and informal workers must put on a red attire to work to show how ready the union was. Source: Ghana News Agency

Preparations for the 2024/2025 academic year were at heart of a small Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Ahmed Hachani at the Government Palace in Kasbah on Thursday. The Prime Minister stressed the need to create all "favourable conditions and ensure optimal readiness on the organisational, financial and logistical fronts to ensure the success of the coming academic year," according to a statement from the Prime Ministry. During the meeting, the national paper needs were discussed and the readiness of the National Cellulose and Esparto Paper Company (SNCPA) was reviewed. It was emphasised that the company should play its role in providing all the necessary materials for the production of subsidised textbooks and exercise books. It was decided following this cabinet meeting to maintain the prices of textbooks and exercise books subsidised for the next school year (2024/2025). The meeting was attended by Minister of Finance Sihem Boughdiri Namsia, Minister of Social Affairs Malek Zahi, Minister of Economy and Planning Feryel Ouerghi, Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy Fatma Thabet Chiboub and Minister of Education Mohamed Ali Boughdiri. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse