Culture

Five Moroccan beaches among 15 ‘Top Shrinking Destinations’ by 2100— Study

Published

1 year ago

July 24, 2023

A recent study conducted by travel website, Hawaiian Islands, has revealed that five beaches in Morocco will likely be among Africa’s top 15 most vulnerable coastal shoreline shrinkages by the year 2100.

The report noted that “as the world grapples with the gloomy reality of the climate crisis, coastal erosion is forecasted to hit several beaches worldwide, including Morocco, which finds itself at the forefront of the coastal crisis.”

Ranking the beaches likely to be affected by the shrinkage, the website said Morocco’s Taghazout Beach was expected to witness a loss of 172.4 meters of its shoreline, while Essaouira Beach, which ranks seventh on the list, is projected to shrink by 135.4 meters, followed by Sidi Bouzid Beach which faces an estimated shrinkage of 113.8 meters.

“Tanger’s iconic beach comes in the 14th spot with the threat of losing 73.5 meters of its coastline, while Saidia beach, the last on the list, is at risk of losing 69.4 meters of its shoreline.”

Accordingly, the report warned that two-thirds of beaches in the North African country were in danger of erosion, notably Tangier, which is forecasted to lose 99.9% of its port infrastructure and 63% of its industrial zone by 2100.

The report also revealed that four Nigerian beaches were in line to shrink as they account for more than half of the African tourist beaches likely to be worst hit by rising sea levels.

“Four Nigerian beaches are featured in this list, with the country’s Landmark Beach estimated to suffer the most significant loss of shoreline in Africa and worldwide (918.3 meters),” the study reveals.

“The second spot on Africa’s list went to Mozambique’s Praia Da Costa Do Sol beach, which is expected to lose 453.4 meters of shoreline. Nigeria’s Elegushi Beach is the third most vulnerable African beach on the list, predicted to shrink by 338 meters.”

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Culture

Moroccan doctors stage nationwide protest in ‘Week of Anger’

Published

23 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Moroccan doctors across the country on Tuesday staged a nationwide protests in what is known as “Week of Anger,” accusing the government of ignoring their calls for reform in public healthcare.

In a public announcement on Monday, the Independent Union of Public Sector Doctors (SIMSP) said the strike action would include more walkouts from December 30 to January 5.

The SIMSP said the nationwide strike would affect all public health facilities except emergency and intensive care units to ensure that some level of care remained available.

“During this time, doctors will not be at diagnostic centres and they will also boycott administrative tasks and refuse to issue medical certificates,” the SIMSP said.

The union added that a large march is planned for December 29 in Rabat, aimed at opposing laws on strikes and pensions.

The doctors’ union noted that their demands have been ignored by the Ministry of Health.

The union stated that their requests to government has remained unanswered. It also criticized a new framework for doctors, calling it scandalous as it threatens job security and opens the door to unfair dismissals.

The doctors’ demands include extra grades for doctors beyond the current scale, higher salaries, and an end to limits on promotions.

The union also wants the government to honour agreements made in 2011, 2023, and 2024.

According to the union, the doctors are also upset with the 2025 budget plan, which they say fails to address the health sector’s funding issues, expressing concerned about plans to shift salaries from central budgets to local health groups and warning that this could lead to instability.

The union added that doctors will continue to boycott school health programmes and what they call “improvised” surgical campaigns. They insist on maintaining high medical standards while pushing for change.

Culture

Ghana’s Afua Asantewaa begins second GWR sing-a-thon attempt

Published

4 days ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghanaian singer, Afua Asantewaa, on Saturday, began her second attempt at breaking the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the longest singing marathon by an individual.

The sing-a-thon which began in the early hours of Saturday, December 21, at Heroes’ Park, Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, will run until December 25, and will see the determined songstress perform non-stop, focusing exclusively on Ghanaian songs.

According to Asantewaa’s manager, Madam Gladys Osei Owiredu, the audacious initiative is aimed at showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Ghanaian music to a global audience.

Owiredu confirmed that preparations for the event had been extensive but expressed confidence in Asantewaa’s readiness to finally break the record.

“I can confirm that she is ready for the task ahead. It’s been challenging—by way of preparations—but I can say she is ready,” Owiredu said.

Asantewaa’s second attempt follows her first effort in December 2023, which fell short of surpassing the current record of 105 hours held by India’s Sunil Waghmare.

But despite the setback, her team remains optimistic about breaking the record this time with corporate sponsors including International Maritime Hospital, Ghana Gas, Nasco Electronics, and Zoomlion Ghana Limited rallying behind her, underscoring the importance of the attempt in amplifying the global significance of Ghanaian music.