Tag Archives: demonstration

AMA, Health

Welcome to Nairobi—let’s build together at World Health Summit Regional Meeting 2026

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Geneva, Switzerland, 24 April 2026- /African Media Agency (AMA)/- World Health Organization (WHO) is poised to be a significant presence at the upcoming World Health Summit (WHS) Regional Meeting 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya. For the first time at either a global or regional level, WHO is co-organizing a meeting with the World Health Summit. This initiative has been spearheaded by WHO in the African region and is the result of an innovative partnership with WHS and Aga Khan University, Kenya.

The regional meeting, taking place from 27‒29 April 2026, will bring together global health leaders, policymakers, researchers and development partners to advance solutions for stronger and more resilient health systems.

Hosted by WHS and Aga Khan University and held in partnership with WHO, the Ministry of Health in Kenya and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the meeting will bring together over 1000 delegates from around 50 countries, participating in 80 sessions focused on strengthening health systems resilience, advancing universal health coverage and accelerating innovation in global health.

WHO has been actively engaged in the development of 80% of the meeting sessions, helping shape an agenda which focuses on strengthening health systems resilience, advancing universal health coverage and accelerating practical solutions to emerging health challenges.

“The World Health Summit Regional Meeting will focus on a theme that is important for the continent of Africa. We will be looking at the rising burden of chronic disease, changing patterns of infectious diseases and the health financing landscape in Africa and beyond,” says Professor Lukoye Atwoli, Dean of Medical College East Africa at The Aga Khan University, Kenya, and President of WHS Regional Meeting 2026.

Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, is a keynote speaker in six high-level sessions, including the opening ceremony which will be attended by His Excellency Williams Ruto, President of Kenya. Dr Janabi will also be speaking at 4 sessions that are being led and organized by WHO in the African Region. Topics range from global health security, health financing, and digital health sovereignty to an important side event on the development of the WHO AFRO Regional Strategic Plan 2026–2030 and Vision 2035.

“The WHO Regional Office for Africa is honoured to co-convene this World Health Summit Regional Meeting. Over these three days we will consolidate proof and deepen resolve. We will leave with regional commitments that are global in ambition,” says Dr Janabi.

Aside from Dr Janabi, Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Region, and Dr Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for the European Region, will attend the summit and give keynote speeches in several sessions. Eleven WHO programme directors from around the globe will attend as speakers and seven WHO staff are panel chairs for sessions. WHO has a confirmed speaker in 22 of the 80 sessions.

In total, almost 90 WHO staff are participating in the regional meeting. This includes around 20 support staff who will provide administrative, logistics and communications support to WHO speakers, chairs and other delegates. Staff are drawn from 4 country offices—Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Ghana—the three regional offices and WHO headquarters in Geneva.

The WHO exhibition booth promises to be a dynamic and meaningful space, featuring latest WHO publications, an interactive virtual reality installation which simulates polio vaccination in a community, and a demonstration of a WHO-developed AI application for emergency response.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of World Health Organisation.

The post Welcome to Nairobi—let’s build together at World Health Summit Regional Meeting 2026 appeared first on African Media Agency.

AMA, Sports, Technology

TECNO Brought AFCON 2025 to Life Through Ongoing Technology Carnival Activations Across Africa

MaraviPost

RABAT, Morocco, 19th January 2026 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/-As the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 unfolded, TECNO, Official Global Partner of the tournament, was actively extending the matchday experience beyond stadiums and screens through a series of Technology Carnival activations and offline watching parties that took place across multiple African countries.

Launched alongside the tournament and running throughout the AFCON competition period until 18 January 2026, these activations were designed as immersive, fan-first experiences that brought football, technology and entertainment together in public spaces, retail locations and pop-up venues.

Across North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa and key AFCON markets, fans gathered at TECNO-organized watching parties featuring live match screenings, interactive product displays, AI-powered demonstrations, performance shows, interactive games, lucky draws and temporary pop-up stores. These shared spaces allowed visitors to engage with TECNO’s AI ecosystem while celebrating the collective energy, emotion and passion that defined African football culture.

At each activation, TECNO showcased how AI-driven technology enhanced the way fans experienced the game, from understanding match dynamics to capturing and sharing standout moments. Visitors discovered TECNO smartphones and devices in hands-on environments, exploring features designed to make football moments clearer, smarter and more immersive.

AFCON Retail Events Deployed Throughout the Tournament

Running in parallel with the offline watching parties, TECNO also rolled out a wide range of AFCON-themed retail events, which were active across multiple countries and continued until 18 January, with schedules adapted to local markets.

These in-store activations translated the excitement of AFCON directly into everyday shopping experiences through interactive consumer mechanics, including :

  • Cashback promotions via lucky draw on selected devices such as POP 10, SPARK 40 and CAMON 40
  • Points-based rewards through TECNO’s Points Mall
  • Interactive AFCON TECNO AI Analysis experiences that allowed fans to explore AI-driven insights around ongoing matches
  • “Rank Your Own AFCON Team” challenges, encouraging fans to build and debate their ideal tournament line-ups
  • Additional localized games, giveaways and fan engagement activities

By integrating football culture into retail environments, TECNO ensured that fans remained connected to the tournament not only during match time, but throughout their daily routines.

Making AFCON a More Participatory Experience Through AI

These Technology Carnival activations reflected TECNO’s broader ambition to make football more participatory, more interactive and more emotionally engaging. Rather than positioning AI as a distant technology, TECNO presented it as an intuitive companion that enhanced how fans followed matches, relived key moments and expressed their passion throughout the tournament.

As an Official Partner of the Confederation of African Football, TECNO activated across stadiums, fan zones, retail spaces and communities, ensuring that AFCON 2025 was experienced not only as a competition, but as a continent-wide cultural celebration powered by TECNO AI.

As the tournament came to a close and momentum peaked during the final stages, TECNO’s Technology Carnival emerged as a powerful demonstration of how technology, football and community came together, transforming every match, reaction and celebration into a moment worth powering.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of TECNO

The post TECNO Brought AFCON 2025 to Life Through Ongoing Technology Carnival Activations Across Africa appeared first on African Media Agency.

Entertainment

Celebrities Who’ve Run for Office: Spencer Pratt, Jerry Springer and More

Maravi Post Reporter

Spencer Pratt is running for mayor of Los Angeles — but he’s not the only celebrity to try their hand at politics.

Pratt announced the news on January 7, 2026. “The system in Los Angeles isn’t struggling, it’s fundamentally broken,” Pratt, 42, said at the “They Let Us Burn” public demonstration, via the New York Post. “It is a machine designed to protect the people at the top and the friends they exchange favors with while the rest of us drown in toxic smoke and ash. Business as usual is a death sentence for Los Angeles, and I’m done waiting for someone to take real action.”

Pratt continued, “That’s why I am running for mayor. And let me be clear, this just isn’t a campaign, this is a mission, and we’re gonna expose the system.”

The event was held on the first anniversary of the Palisades Fire. Pratt was also spotted signing official candidacy paperwork at the event.

Dwayne Johnson Is Still Saying ‘We’ll See’ About Future Presidential Run

The reality star joins a long line of celebrities who have sought public office of their own — keep scrolling to read more.

Jerry Springer

Jerry Springer
Jerry Springer Gary Gershoff/Getty Images

Jerry Springer was best known for his career as an actor and talk show host, but he also served on the city council in Cincinnati, Ohio, was a political aide to the late Robert Kennedy and served as mayor of Cincinnati.

Kanye West

Kanye West was a successful rapper and performer before he launched a failed presidential run under the American Independence Party in 2020.

Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan had a long career in Hollywood before he was elected as the 40th president of the United States in 1984. He also served as governor of California from 1967-1975.

Donald Trump

Donald Trump was best known as a reality star and businessman before he won the U.S. presidential election in 2016. He was elected again in 2024.

Roseanne Barr

Roseanne Barr launched her own presidential run in 2012 under the banner of the Green Party, but was beaten out by Jill Stein.

Cynthia Nixon

Cynthia Nixon
Cynthia Nixon Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Cynthia Nixon attempted a run for governor of New York and had a debate with then-incumbent Andrew Cuomo. She lost the Democratic primary by a margin of 500,000 votes.

Shirley Temple

Child star Shirley Temple ran for the California State Senate in 1967 and lost, but was later named U.S. ambassador to Ghana and ambassador to Czechoslovakia.

Sonny Bono

Sonny Bono might be best known for his singing career with ex-wife Cher, but he also served as a U.S. House Representative for California from 1995 until he died in 1998. Bono was also mayor of Palm Springs from 1988-1992.

Al Franken

Al Franken hosted The Al Franken Show and appeared on Saturday Night Live before transitioning to politics. He served as Minnesota’s senator from 2009 to 2018 and stepped down after several allegations of sexual assault were raised against him.

Herschel Walker

Herschel Walker launched a Georgia Senate race in 2022, and was defeated by Democrat Raphael Warnock.

Caitlyn Jenner

Caitlyn Jenner
Caitlyn Jenner Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Caitlyn Jenner, who was best known for her Olympic career as well as her family’s foray in reality TV, joined the California gubernatorial race in 2021 to run against Gavin Newsom.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected as California’s 38th governor in 2003 and held the role until 2011.

Howard Stern

Howard Stern, a radio and TV host, was the Libertarian nominee during the 1994 New York governor race, but backed out after he was required to share his financial information.

Stephen Colbert

Stephen Colbert, who is most known for his late night talk show and comedy career, attempted to run for president by adding his name to the ballot in South Carolina but was denied.

Entertainment

‘Love Is Blind’ Star Alexa Shares Update Amid Ongoing Divorce From Brennon

Maravi Post Reporter

Love Is Blind’s Alexa Lemieux offered insight into how she is coping amid her divorce from Brennon Lemieux.

Taking to Instagram on Sunday, December 21, to share footage of herself and the pair’s daughter, Vienna, 16 months, cooking her grandmother’s latke recipe on the final night of Hanukkah, Alexa, 31, opened up about her well-being.

“Life has been a little crazy, to say the least, the last few weeks, but I‘m really glad that we can try and keep some holiday traditions going this year when everything else is just a lot,” the reality star said after Vienna’s adorable babbling halted her cooking demonstration.

Earlier in the video, Alexa revealed that she would be enjoying the traditional dish with a smaller-than-usual crew. “It’s just me, baby girl and dad having latkes tonight. Normally you make a whole bunch for a whole load of people but tonight it’s just the three of us so I’m going to modify the recipe just a bit,” she explained.

Love Is Blind’s Alexa Lemieux Returns to Instagram After Brennon Split

Her “dad” mention sparked some confusion within the post’s comments section, with one fan assuming that it made reference to Vienna’s father, who filed to divorce Alexa on November 5 after more than four years of marriage, as first reported by Us Weekly at the time.

Another fan was quick to point out that the reference was likely nodding to Alexa’s father, Adam Alfia, who appeared alongside the couple as their romance blossomed in 2022’s season 3 of the Netflix reality series. “Not her daughter’s dad, her dad,” the fan wrote.

While Alexa did respond to some comments, including one that complimented her daughter’s “little voice,” she did not respond to speculation over whether the reference was indeed pointing to Brennon.

Love Is Blind’s Alexa and Brennon Lemieux Spent Holidays Together Pre-Split

Vienna, who was born in July 2024, appeared throughout the Instagram video in a festive onesie. Her first appearance came while sitting on her mom’s hip as Alexa introduced what she was cooking. She also popped into frame when a scoop of flour was required, of which the child helped her mom drop into a mixing bowl.

Us exclusively reported that Alexa fired back at Brennon after he submitted his legal paperwork in November. On December 4, Alexa filed court docs denying allegations made by Brennon within his divorce petition, while also requesting that the court split up their estate with Alexa receiving a larger cut.

In Brennon’s filing, he claimed that “the marriage has become insupportable because of discord or conflict of personalities between [him] and [Alexa] that destroys the legitimate ends of the marriage relationship and prevents any reasonable expectation of reconciliation.”

Love Is Blind’s Alexa Alfia and Brennon Lemieux’s Relationship Timeline

He added that he was hopeful that the exes could reach a custody agreement but requested that the court set a schedule if they couldn’t resolve the matter themselves.

In Alexa’s legal documents, she claimed that she was allegedly owed more for the following reasons: “fault in the breakup of the marriage, the need for future support, wasting of community assets by the spouse, and the need for attorney fees.

Alexa also requested that her separate property remain her own sole property, with a source telling Us at the time, “Alexa makes more money than Brennon and wants to retain her earnings.”

Us reached out to a rep for Brennon and Alexa in light of the obtained paperwork and each had no comment.

AMA, Health

Biovac Officially Opens a New Product Development Facility to Manufacture End to End African-Made Vaccines

MaraviPost

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, 6 November 2025 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/-Biovac, a leading South African biopharmaceutical company, is launching a state-of-the-art product development laboratory at its Cape Town facility, to expand the company’s ability to develop vaccines and other therapeutics. The new laboratory will strengthen Biovac’s world-class vaccine product development capabilities, enabling it to produce vaccines for Africa from the early stages of product development to drug substance and drug product manufacturing to the end-product. It will further aid in responding to the continent’s high disease burden with locally driven solutions.

This evolution into vaccine product development reflects South Africa’s growing vaccine innovation and manufacturing capacity, strengthened by public-private collaboration.

The company currently develops, formulates, fills, finishes, and distributes vaccines used in South Africa’s childhood vaccine programme.

At inception, Biovac initially focused on distributing imported childhood vaccines in

partnership with South Africa’s National Department of Health, in support of their Expanded Programme for Immunisation. It later progressed to collaborating with multinational companies to fill and finish vaccines and is now further advancing their vaccine development capability across more technology platforms including mRNA, cell culture and the already well-established bacterial technology platforms.

The new Product Development laboratory has been realised through the support of the Gates Foundation. This will assist Biovac, South Africa, and the African continent, to be able to develop its own vaccines across multiple platforms and be better able to respond to future pandemics or outbreaks using advanced technology and state-of-the-art equipment.

The laboratory will allow multiple products to be developed simultaneously and foster innovation and intellectual property creation for vaccines targeting diseases prevalent in Africa.

The laboratory includes infrastructure for mRNA drug substance development, screening, evaluation, and manufacturing. It houses a specialised suite to formulate nanoparticles that safely encapsulate and protect mRNA, along with dedicated areas for bacterial and cell culture, cell bank storage and handling of sensitive medical materials.

The African Union Commission and Africa CDC committed in 2022 to ensuring that 60% of vaccines used on the continent are manufactured in Africa by 2040. Currently, only about 1% are produced locally; a gap this facility seeks to help close.

Biovac’s mission, is to retain and grow scientific expertise and vaccine development capacity within South Africa, to serve the Southern African Development Community and the broader African market in preventing diseases.

Biovac CEO Morena Makhoana said, “The establishment of our new product development laboratory is a major milestone for Biovac and for African vaccines and vaccine innovation. It gives us the capability to develop and test next-generation vaccines using the most advanced technology available, ensuring that Africa is not left behind in responding to current and future vaccine preventable diseases.”

Gates Foundation CEO, Mark Suzman, said “Biovac’s new product development laboratory represents a leap forward for vaccine innovation and manufacturing in Africa. For millions of people across the continent, it brings the promise of faster, more reliable access to lifesaving vaccines—developed and produced in Africa, for Africa. The Gates Foundation is proud to support this investment in local talent and infrastructure that strengthens Africa’s scientific and manufacturing capacity, promoting health equity and security across the continent.”

Deputy Minister of Science Dr Nomalungelo Gina said: “Today marks an historic milestone for South Africa, as the opening of Biovac’s new Product Development Laboratory brings us closer to our vision of achieving full, end-to-end vaccine manufacturing capability on the African continent. This high-tech facility, equipped with advanced mRNA technology and state-of-the-art research capacity, will empower our scientists to tackle diseases that are most prevalent in Africa, ensuring that home-grown innovation addresses the health needs of our people.”

“The Government of South Africa, together with partners like the Gates Foundation and the Industrial Development Corporation, remains steadfast in supporting initiatives that build robust local pharmaceutical manufacturing and enhance our preparedness for future health emergencies. The Product Development Laboratory is not just a monument to technological advancement, but a beacon of hope for all Africans, a demonstration of what is possible when vision, investment and scientific excellence come together. Let us celebrate this step forward, confident that today’s

investment in science will yield tomorrow’s health and economic security for our country and continent.”

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Biovac.

About Biovac

Biovac, a leading bioPharmaceutical company rooted in Africa, was established in collaboration with the South African Government to revive human vaccine development and manufacturing capability in Southern Africa. Its strength lies in the strategic global partnerships that have enabled the company to be a frontrunner in vaccine development and manufacturing infrastructure building, the transfer of sophisticated technology and the enablement of scarce aseptic manufacturing skills. Biovac supplies millions of doses of vaccines per year, across South Africa and into some neighboring countries. Amongst other key projects, the company established its drug substance manufacturing capabilities through its Oral Cholera Vaccine development and commercial manufacturing project, in partnership with the International Vaccine Institute (IVI), which has commenced clinical trials facilitated by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC). Furthermore, as part of the WHO/MPP mRNA technology hub development led by Afrigen, Biovac is responsible for the optimisation, scale up, and industrialisation of the process. For more information, visit www.biovac.co.za.

Media Contact:

Katharine Child:

kath@resolvecommunications.co.za

083 566 7223

The post Biovac Officially Opens a New Product Development Facility to Manufacture End to End African-Made Vaccines appeared first on African Media Agency.

Travel & Tourism

All About Cape Town’s Sustainable Food Workshops

Maravi Post Reporter

Sustainable food workshops are blossoming across the Cape, offering locals and visitors a chance to reconnect with the land, learn skills from bygone eras, and indulge in the wild flavours of the region.

As Cape Town embraces sustainability and conscious consumption, these hands-on workshops, which include foraging, offer a refreshing way to reconnect with nature and your food.

These include:

Veld & Sea

Situated against the fynbos-covered mountainside and between the Atlantic and Indian oceans of the Cape Peninsula, Veld & Sea is an immersive educational space offering wild food foraging workshops and unique nature-based events and experiences. Led by Roushanna Gray, Veld & Sea is the heart of Cape Town’s modern foraging scene. Events follow the seasons, but private experiences can also be arranged. The aim is to inspire a reciprocal relationship with the land and ocean as you track the edible landscape throughout the year and rediscover the wild flavours of the Cape. This award-winning experience ends with a shared meal around the table.

Website: veldandsea.com/

RE Wild Food

At RE Wild Food, the goal is for you to “rekindle ancient ways of knowing – where nourishment, healing, and deep connection all begin with the land and sea.” Go on an immersive adventure along the beaches of the False Bay Coast, where you’ll learn to identify and ethically harvest edible seaweeds, molluscs, indigenous wild plants, and even explore the principles of organic gardening. For those who want more adventure, dive into a snorkel forage at the kelp forest. After your mission, unwind with a wild, greens-inspired picnic and botanical teas, taking in the salty breeze and breathtaking coastal views.

Website: rewildfood.co.za/

Honest Chocolate

One of the few bean-to-bar chocolate producers in the country, Honest Chocolate is on a mission to create a “Chain of Positivity” throughout its supply line. During their chocolate-making workshop, the team shares their journey with responsibly sourced chocolate, from ethically run cacao farms to their own sustainable bean-to-bar production. The workshop will introduce you to Honest Chocolate’s fair-trade practices, low-waste processes and commitment to ethical craftsmanship – and of course, lots of free chocolate tastings. The experience includes a live demonstration and the opportunity to dip, decorate and wrap your own set of four handcrafted bonbons to take home. Workshops take place on the last Saturday of every month.

Website: honestchocolate.co.za

Babylonstoren

This award-winning destination hosts hands-on, practical workshops led by experts in their fields. Workshops range from foraging for indigenous veld foods and growing your own spring vegetables to learning the basics of edible gardening and mastering Cape classics like traditional bobotie with seasonal chutney. All workshops are held on-site at Babylonstoren or at their working heritage farm, Soetmelksvlei, and are open to both day visitors and hotel guests. Hotel guests are welcome to join any workshop during their stay at no cost.

Website: babylonstoren.com/workshops

sustainable food workshops

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The post All About Cape Town’s Sustainable Food Workshops appeared first on Cape Town Tourism.

Lifestyle

Algeria commemorates thousands killed by French troops in 1945 massacres

Maravi Post Reporter

As Europe celebrates the 80th anniversary of its triumph over fascism and the end of World War II, Algeria is remembering a darker anniversary: the colonial-era massacres that erupted the same day.

In ceremonies in Guelma, Kherrata and Setif, the cities where the massacres took place, Algerians paid homage to those who were killed.

In a message this week, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune framed the event as a matter of national pride and prelude to the country’s fight for independence after 132 years of French colonialism.

Algeria’s ministry of war veterans is marking the anniversary with a series of events under the slogan, “A people without memory is a people without a future.”

The fight for independence

More than 500,000 tirailleurs (light infantry) from North Africa, West Africa, and Madagascar fought for France during World War II. Some volunteered. Others were forcibly conscripted. Many, including more than 100,000 Algerian tirailleurs, hoped their sacrifices would secure them greater rights.

But when the war ended, Algerians who dared to demand them were met with repression and violence, even as then-Gen. Charles De Gaulle exalted how “the cause of liberty and justice” had prevailed in a radio broadcast throughout France and its colonies, including Algeria.

On May 8, 1945, Algerians filled city streets in Ain Temouchent, Guelma, Kherrata and Setif, waving flags and reviving pre-war calls for independence. Protesters were met with police fire. Violent anti-French riots broke out, killing more than 100.

France subsequently launched an air and ground offensive that killed thousands of Algerians — 45,000 according to Algerian authorities and around 3,000 according to French statistics.

No official apology from France

Tebboune and French President Emmanuel Macron announced a truth commission-style “dossier de memoire” in 2022, led by a committee of historians from both countries. Yet, its activities have stalled amid deteriorating relations over issues such as immigration and how France juggles ties between Algeria and its regional rival Morocco.

Daho Djerbal, an Algerian historian who has written extensively on the events of May 8, 1945 and interviewed many survivors, said that day was a turning point in the country’s history when Algerians began to seek independence.

And, he said, France “has never acknowledged that they committed a mass murder. That’s the current term; we can call it a crime against humanity or a war crime. There was no declared war against the Algerian people. And we sent the air force, the navy, and field artillery to suppress a demonstration.”

French leaders, including Macron, have called for truth and recognition but stopped short of fulfilling Algeria’s demands for a formal state apology.

A delegation of around 30 French lawmakers from left and centrist parties arrived in Algiers on Wednesday to participate in the commemorations of the massacres.

Source: Africanews

https://video.euronews.com/mp4/ED/14/37/58/02/ED_PYR_1437582_20250508141930.mp4
Lifestyle

Haiti protests escalate

Maravi Post Reporter

Dozens of protesters marched up the hills of Haiti’s capital on Sunday, demanding an end to persistent gang violence as they called on the country’s prime minister and transitional presidential council to resign. It’s the latest such protest as Haitians grow increasingly angry and frustrated over a surge in violence as gangs try to seize full control of Port-au-Prince.

“We need security, we need food, we need a place to sleep, we need healthcare. If you are the head of the state and you feel you can’t take the responsibility, turn away and leave,” said Hip Hop singer and demonstrator Stevenson Telfort Artis known as A.T.R.O.S. Sunday’s demonstration comes a day after hundreds of people gathered in the capital, Port-au-Prince, to honour several community leaders killed in recent clashes with gangs.

The demonstration and recent protests were organized to decry the country’s spiralling crisis, with more than 1,600 people killed and another 580 injured from January to March. In mid-March, hundreds of people armed with sticks and machetes, accompanied by members of an armed environmental brigade, successfully ousted more than 100 suspected gang members that had seized control of a Catholic school, according to a new report issued by the U.N. political mission in Haiti.

But the ouster is only one of a handful of successful fights against powerful gangs backed by certain politicians and some of Haiti’s elite. Last year, more than 5,600 people across Haiti were killed, according to the U.N. Gang violence also has left more than one million people homeless in recent years. Meanwhile, Hait’s National Police, bolstered by a U.N.-backed mission led by Kenyan police, has struggled in its fight against gangs as the mission remains underfunded and understaffed, with only 1,000 personnel of the 2,500 envisioned.

In a push to crack down on gangs, the U.S. government on Friday officially designated Viv Ansanm, a powerful gang coalition, and Gran Grif, the largest gang to operate in Haiti’s central region, as foreign terror organizations. Critics warn the move could affect aid organizations working in Haiti at a critical time, since many have to negotiate with gangs to supply people with basic goods, including food and water.

Source: Africanews

https://video.euronews.com/mp4/ED/13/99/48/00/ED_PYR_1399480_20250505052227.mp4
AMA, Health

Innovative video game brings gene drive technology to life in Africa’s fight against malaria

Maravi Post Reporter

KAMPALA, Uganda, 16 April 2025 /African Media Agency (AMA)/- Ahead of World Malaria Day, Target Malaria, a not-for-profit research consortium pioneering genetic technologies for malaria control, hosted a live demonstration this month of its educational video game, Target Malaria: The Game. This interactive tool is reshaping how science is communicated by making complex genetic technologies accessible, engaging, and fun.

Originally launched at the end of 2024, the educational game places players in the role of a lab technician working on genetically modified mosquitoes — a potential tool for vector control being explored to eliminate malaria in Africa. It introduces players of all ages and backgrounds to the real-world tools and processes of molecular biology through two modules: “Microinjection” and “Transgenic Screening.”

In “Microinjection”, players simulate injecting a DNA solution into mosquito embryos, and in “Transgenic Screening”, players sort fluorescent, genetically modified mosquito larvae.

“This isn’t just a game — it’s a capacity-building tool,” says Louise Marston, Senior Research Technician for Target Malaria at the Crisanti Lab, in Imperial College London and who conceived the idea for the game. “We’re demonstrating how a digital experience can bring scientific discovery to life, even in low-connectivity environments.”

A tool developed for easy accessibility

Developed with independent game developer Michael Marston, the game was designed to work on low-spec systems and in low-bandwidth environments — critical for areas where internet access is limited or unreliable. This makes it a powerful tool for science educators and trainers working beyond urban centres in Africa and beyond.

According to a recent report, Africa’s gaming industry is the fastest growing in the world, with over 186 million gamers across the continent as of 2024. The majority of these gamers are under 30, representing a massive opportunity to educate, inspire, and engage future scientists using platforms they already enjoy.

“Gaming is a language young people understand. Target Malaria: The Game harnesses that energy to spark curiosity, give an overview of molecular biology, and build scientific literacy,” adds Marston.

A new frontier for stakeholder engagement

Target Malaria: The Game is part of a wider suite of creative tools used by Target Malaria to build awareness on the potential of gene modification for malaria control and on its gene drive technology, currently under development. Alongside tools like “Mozzie Drive” (a card game), “Swarm” (a sound art “sonification” experience), and interactive theatre in countries like Burkina Faso, the game is helping foster trust, transparency, and understanding among communities and stakeholders.

Target Malaria regularly arranges science café meetings where these tools are presented to communities impacted by, and most vulnerable to malaria.

A stakeholder meeting in Uganda. Credit: Target Malaria
A woman observing mosquito larva in a microscope in Burkina Faso. Credit: Target Malaria

We encourage universities, schools, and labs to adopt this tool not just for awareness, but for training. It brings the lab into the classroom, and demystifies many misconceptions about science and biotechnology,” adds Jean Birba, Stakeholder Engagement Officer at Target Malaria Burkina Faso. 

Target Malaria: The Game is available in English and French and runs seamlessly on both gaming PCs and low-spec systems. Soon the research consortium will be offering a Beta launch on Mac and a mobile version. 

“Engaging stakeholders at all levels is a key pillar of our approach to responsible research. The game reflects our commitment to transparency, inclusion, and education on gene drive technology in our fight against malaria. We want to reach as many people as possible and encourage them to download, play and share the game,” concludes Birba.

Notes to editors:

How to download “Target Malaria: The Game”

  • Download the game from Target Malaria’s page on Itch.io:
    https://targetmalaria.itch.io/target-malaria-the-game
     
    Open the downloaded file “TargetMalariaTheGameInstaller” and execute it.A pop-up window, The Game Setup Wizard, will appear on your screen. Accept the license agreement and click on Next (several times). If you want to create a shortcut on your desktop, check the relevant box before clicking on “Finish”.

    The Game will automatically launch once the setup is done. Select your preferred
    language and play!

    Digital Asset

Distributed by African Media Agency on behalf of Target Malaria.

About Target Malaria

Target Malaria is an international not-for-profit research consortium that aims to develop and share new, cost-effective and sustainable genetic technologies to modify mosquitoes and reduce malaria transmission. Our vision is to contribute to a world free of malaria. We aim to achieve excellence in all areas of our work, creating a path for responsible research and development of genetic technologies, such as gene drive. www.targetmalaria.org

Target Malaria receives core funding by the Gates Foundation and Open Philanthropy. The lead grantee organization is Imperial College London with partners in Africa, Europe and North America

Media Contact

For further information about Target Malaria: 

Email: info@targetmalaria.org 

Website: www.targetmalaria.org 

Follow us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and YouTube

Source : African Media Agency (AMA)

Regional

Ghana: Chaos as police fire tear gas at protesters

Maravi Post Reporter

– –

Police in Ghana’s capital Accra have clashed with demonstrators who went unto the streets over alleged corruption and economic hardship.

The police fired tear gas and used water canons to disperse the protesters during the scuffle on Tuesday.

The chaos follows a stand off between the organizers of the demonstration tagged “Arise Ghana” and the police over the route for the protest.

The police had been insisting on enforcing the orders of the court for the protesters to move through a specific route that leads them to Ghana’s Independence Square.

But the demonstrators had wanted to march towards another route and stopping at the Jubilee house which is the seat of government.

– –

The protesters were met with resistance at the popular Kwame Nkrumah Circle Overhead.

The Police responded to the throwing of stones from some protesters with teargas and water canons forcing them back.

Videos from the scene show some protesters pelting stones at the police personnel.

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There were also massive damages to some vehicles including a police van that was parked by the roadside.

The Police said three protesters have been arrested. The three were allegedly picked up for their involvement in the chaos that marred the demonstration.

Source: Africafeeds.com

Source: Africa Feeds