Metro

WHO reappoints Ethiopia’s Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus Director General

Published

2 years ago

May 25, 2022

Ethiopian World Health Organisation Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has been reappointed to a second five-year term after his first tenure ended on Tuesday.

The African DG of the United Nations health agency was reappointed unopposed as there was no other candidate that challenged him for the post.

In his brief acceptance speech, Tedros said:

“I am really grateful, I am very humbled for your confidence and trust,” Tedros said.

Tedros, a former government minister in Ethiopia, has successfully directed the affairs of the WHO throughout its management of the global response to COVID-19 and and has withstood a barrage of criticism over the global crisis.

He is the first African to lead the WHO and the only director-general who is not a qualified as a medical doctor.

He is also the first WHO leader not to be supported by their home country having been previously accused of “misconduct” after his criticism of the country’s war with the Tigray region and the humanitarian crisis there.

Tedros has also frequently called out rich countries for hoarding the world’s limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines and insisted that global pharmaceutical companies were not doing enough to make their medicines available to the poor.

His critics have also accused Tedros of failing on some fundamental issues like holding staff accountable after allegations that dozens of outbreak workers managed by WHO sexually abused young women in Congo during an Ebola outbreak that began in 2018, in one of the biggest sex scandals in U.N. history.

None of the senior WHO managers alerted to the abuse allegations and who did little to stop the exploitation, have been fired.

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Metro

World Bank pledges $3b to support Zambia’s development goals

Published

16 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The World Bank Group has pledged to avail Zambia with approximately $3 billion to support the country’s development goals under the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for 2025-2029, with nearly half of the funds already disbursed.

World Bank Country Manager, Achim Fock, who made this known at the CPF launch at the Mulungushi Conference Centre in Lusaka on Wednesday, outlined the global lender’s focus areas, which included enhancing jobs, human capital, and climate resilience.

Fock highlighted that $200 million had been approved to strengthen Zambia’s social protection programs, including the Refugee and Host Community Project.

He also expressed optimism for upcoming approvals, including the Climate and Economic Resilience Financing and the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector.

Zambia’s Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, who also spoke at the event, noted that 2.3 million Zambian households have so far benefited from social protection interventions such as the Cash for Work Programme, emphasizing the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives amid crises like the recent drought.

Musokotwane further reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting lives during times of crises such as the recent drought.

“More than two thirds of the Zambian population was affected by the drought. It was the government’s view that the first priority was to save lives,” Musokotwane stated.

Metro

Chinese mining giant CNMC set for $1.6 billion investment in Zambia

Published

2 days ago

November 13, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A Chinese mining giant, China Nonferrous Metal Mining Company (CNMC), has announced the investment of over $1.6 billion in Zambia, following successful discussions with President Hakainde Hichilema at the State House on Tuesday.

CNMC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Wen Gang, who held the discussions with Hichilema along with the Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, Han Jing, confirmed the company’s commitment to furthering Zambia’s economic development.

“We are actively investing in critical sectors of Zambia’s economy,” Gang said after the meeting.

He noted that CNMC was currently pumping water from Shaft 28 at Luanshya Copper Mine, where 29.9 million cubic liters have been cleared as part of intensified dewatering efforts, adding that the company plans to inject an additional $200 million to develop a greenfield mine on the Copperbelt.

President Hichilema who welcomed CNMC’s commitment, highlighted the potential economic impact of the firm’s investment which will include job opportunities for Zambians.

“This $1.6billion investment, alongside advanced technology and expansion, will extend operations and create more jobs and opportunities for Zambians, especially in mining contracting and supply,” the President said.

He also expressed gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government for their shared commitment to fostering growth and cooperation between the two countries.