Author: Priscilla Agyeman-Duah

Renowned academics from the University of Cape Town (UCT), Dr. Sudesh Sivarasu and Dr. Tolu Oni, have been recognized with the illustrious Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship (CADF). The accolade was bestowed upon these esteemed researchers in acknowledgment of their significant contributions to healthcare research across Africa.

The University of Arkansas has appointed Dr. Najja Baptist, an esteemed Assistant Professor of Political Science, as the new Director of African and African American Studies (AAST). This move has been made to expand and invigorate the university’s commitment to research and education on African and African American experiences.

Zimbabwe’s expected economic upturn risks being derailed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This comes as low COVID-19 vaccination rates and slow-paced economic reforms pose significant threats to the already vulnerable economy. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) had projected a promising annual growth rate of 5.1% for Zimbabwe in 2022, but prevailing conditions risk undermining these prospects.

In a major move to support Africa’s fight against COVID-19, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has pledged an additional $150 million. This move was made in response to the African Union’s plea for more international assistance, indicating the necessity of an estimated $100 billion to overcome the destructive impacts of the health and economic crisis instigated by the pandemic.

Prominent black leaders in Springfield, Massachusetts, are seeking an apology from the owner of the Afro-American Point of View newspaper following an editorial that they say misrepresented their work and advocacy for racial justice after the death of George Floyd.

The Fort Worth Zoo in Texas, USA, has joyously announced the arrival of an African lion cub, the institution’s first since 2015. This momentous event not only adds to the zoo’s growing populace but also breathes fresh hope into the conservation efforts for the declining African lion species.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the African trading bloc consisting of eight member nations, has put forward an initiative to mediate the ongoing conflict in Sudan involving its military and civilian leaders. However, the earnest endeavour has met an early hurdle, with several Sudanese groups expressing vehement opposition.

The United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) is facilitating the process of safe return for displaced inhabitants who have fled due to the war in the Central African Republic (CAR). As the security situation starts to stabilize, residents are gradually returning to their homes, no longer needing to reside in displacement sites.

A heart-wrenching tale has been resurrected as a bereaved mother, Helene Groenewald, shared her poignant memories and never-ending sorrow just a decade after the deadly collapse of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) building in Lagos, Nigeria. The edifice succumbed to structural failure on September 12, 2014, resulting in the tragic loss of 116 lives, of whom the majority were South African nationals visiting the church led by Prophet TB Joshua.