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Liberia: UNDP Launches Cohort Two of its Growth Accelerator Project

admin — Mon, 20 Jun 2022 15:30:01 +0000

Liberia: UNDP Launches Cohort Two of its Growth Accelerator Project

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admin Mon, 06/20/2022 - 15:30

Friday, June 3, 2022

Original Publisher

Business – FrontPageAfrica

Original Article

Liberia: UNDP Launches Cohort Two of its Growth Accelerator Project

MONROVIA – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has for the second year launched the second phase of its Growth Accelerator project with an aim to support impactful Liberian entrepreneurs to scale up their ventures through access to technical assistance, mentorship, and co-financing of up to US$40,000.

Report by Francis G. Boayue

This program is being implemented with policy support from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry along with iCampus Liberia and Accountability Lab Liberia.

The Growth Accelerator Liberia is a UNDP and Government of Liberia initiative under the Livelihood & Employment Creation project implemented by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.

The project was launched on Thursday in Monrovia by UNDP and its partners and it is expected to add an agricultural component and extension to include impactful Liberian Agricultural Cooperatives.

Liberia is ranked at the bottom and sits among 20 countries on the UNDP Human Development Index facing stark challenges with more than 50% of the population living in poverty with result to key factor contributing to poverty in Liberia with limited access to sustainable and viable income-generating opportunities.

The Resident Coordinator of UNDP Stephen Rodriques said the Growth and Accelerator Liberia Program started in 2021 with aim of supporting and accelerating impactful For-profit ventures across Liberia.

According to him, entrepreneurship is a fundamental part of growth and development in Liberia, adding that the program this year seeks to provide grant funding of up to $40,000.00 to 12 successful business ventures with 12 months of support to the successful ventures that are ready to grow and scale.

“We are inviting Liberian businesses, but especially agricultural cooperatives and entrepreneurs in Grand Gedeh, Grand Cape Mount, Lofa, Montserrado, Grand Bassa, Nimba and Sinoe counties to take advantage of the Call for Application for Cohort two of the growth accelerator programme and the opportunities it affords them to grow their businesses using the business skills and potential funding that can be realized from this programme,” he said.

He said the project is set to include eight post-revenue MSMEs and five agriculture cooperatives and provide entrepreneurs that are impact-driven with business development training, mentorship, and access to funding that will enable them to grow and scale.

He acknowledged the partnership between the Ministry of Commerce and the UNDP in the implementation of the livelihood and employment creation project as well as promoting business development services and providing access to capital for Liberian businesses.

He also used the moment to recognize the Ministry of Commerce for the collaboration and support provided to Accountability Lab & ICampus for successfully organizing the first edition of the Liberia Growth Accelerator event and other partners like SWEDEN and EU who are also in partnership with us on other endeavors including those that contributed to the UNDP TRAC 2 for their support unlocking the growth potential of Liberian entrepreneurs.

The Chief Executive Officer of iCampus, Luther Jeke said the growth accelerator program will enable selected businesses and cooperatives a mix of mentorship, technical assistance, and financial incentives to enable them to grow and make them sustainable.

“The growth accelerator is a proven model that works. Accountability Lab has helmed similar programs that continue to be impactful. UNDP has launched accelerators in several countries to help enterprises to scale. The partnership between the Accountability Lab and iCampus and UNDP and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry seeks to build up innovative solutions and business models to address the poverty and inequality in Liberia,” he said.

Accountability Lab Liberia Country Director, W. Lawrence Yealue, II for his part, said of their experiences the Growth Accelerator Liberia challenge is in partnership with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry with funding from UNDP Livelihood and Employment Programme.

“iCampus- Liberia’s first multi-disciplinary, innovation and community space for change-makers focusing on the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship and inclusion. Our 4,000 square foot campus in the heart of Monrovia provides the space, resources, support and cutting-edge technologies that can make change possible in Liberia,” he said.

Africa

Heather Nova Announces Tour Dates In Europe

admin — Sun, 19 Jun 2022 15:20:01 +0000

Heather Nova Announces Tour Dates In Europe

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admin Sun, 06/19/2022 - 15:20

Wednesday, June 8, 2022

Original Publisher

Bernews » Entertainment

Original Article

Heather Nova Announces Tour Dates In Europe

Heather Nova has announced the upcoming dates for her acoustic tour, with the Bermudian singer-songwriter set to perform in the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Austria, Sweden, Poland and the United Kingdom. Ms Nova will tour across multiple countries and has 40 concerts, running from October 4 to November 20. “So excited to finally be […]

(Click to read the full article)

Caribbean

Humanitarian Truce Opens Greater Access for Aid Operations: WFP Executive Director

admin — Sun, 19 Jun 2022 10:00:01 +0000

Humanitarian Truce Opens Greater Access for Aid Operations: WFP Executive Director

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admin Sun, 06/19/2022 - 10:00

Friday, June 17, 2022

Original Publisher

Social – Ethiopian News Agency

Original Article

Humanitarian Truce Opens Greater Access for Aid Operations: WFP Executive Direc…

June 17, 2022 (ENA) World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Director David Beasley said the current humanitarian truce declared by the Ethiopian government has opened greater access to operations in Tigray region.

At the conclusion of his visit to Ethiopia, the executive director told reporters last night that some 2,500 trucks carrying food and other items have entered the region during the last two months.

The Government of Ethiopia declared an indefinite humanitarian truce in March 2022 to expedite the provision of humanitarian aid for the needy people in Tigray region.

The truce has been commended by the international community as the right move that save lives and reduce human suffering.

Beasley underscored that the humanitarian truce is enormously contributing to better access the conflict areas.

“The humanitarian truce itself has opened up greater access for our operations. We have now moved about in the last 60 days……probably 2,500 trucks, mostly food but also other items of support for the people in the region.”

The executive director who also visited drought-stricken Somali region said recurrent droughts, conflict, COVID-19, and the Russia-Ukraine war have been exacerbating the food insecurity problem in Ethiopia and around the globe.

In Ethiopia, for example, an estimated 7.4 million people wake up hungry every day in southern and south-eastern Ethiopia alone as the country grapples with the most severe drought since 1981.

The number of victims in the country has increased to 20 million because of the conflict, COVID-19, climate and other crises, the executive director stated, adding that of those 13 million people live in the northern Ethiopian regions of Tigray, Afar, and Amhara.

Beasley further revealed that WFP is now forced to reduce rations for beneficiaries in Ethiopia due to shortage created by destabilization of nations, mass migration and COVID-19.

The executive director called on donor countries to double their humanitarian contributions as the size of the needy population is steadily increasing.

“So it is desperate, it is extraordinary; and this is a time when we’re asking donors around the world to step up in ways they have never stepped up before.”

Sweden’s International Development Cooperation Minister Matilda Ernkrans, who also visited the drought affected areas, said climate change and conflict are the major driving forces toward increasing humanitarian needs in Ethiopia.

She also expressed the Swedish government’s commitment to support Ethiopia.

“The government of Sweden remains committed to supporting Ethiopians. Our countries have long standing and very strong people to people ties. Moreover, Sweden is part of one of the largest humanitarian donors to Ethiopia. So far this year, we have contributed humanitarian funding amounting 35 million USD.”

Ernkrans further pointed out that the government of Sweden has adopted this week a five-year strategy amounting 35 million USD per year for development cooperation with Ethiopia.

Africa

Caribbean preps for monkeypox

admin — Sun, 19 Jun 2022 04:20:02 +0000

Caribbean preps for monkeypox

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admin Sun, 06/19/2022 - 04:20

Friday, June 3, 2022

Original Publisher

Local News - The BVI Beacon

Original Article

Caribbean preps for monkeypox

Monkeypox hasn’t yet been reported in the Caribbean, but with cases spreading to countries where it is typically not found, including the United States, regional health officials are taking precautions.

Health and Social Development Minister Marlon Penn said last Thursday in the House of Assembly that his ministry has been monitoring the spread of the virus abroad.

“Monkeypox is not a new virus, with the first case having been identified in 1970,” Mr. Penn noted. “It has been found regularly in several central and west African countries. This particular outbreak has gained international attention because cases have been confirmed in several different countries at the same time and in persons with no reported travel history to countries where the virus is usually found.”

The World Health Organization reported 92 confirmed cases and 28 suspected cases in 12 member states where the virus is not endemic as of May 21. The United Kingdom Health Security Agency announced the first case in the outbreak in the UK on May 7, and Mr. Penn said the initial patient is thought to have contracted it during recent travel to Nigeria.

He added that the WHO recognises “that further spread is likely, and countries should take precautions.”

Though no cases have been confirmed in the Caribbean, they have been reported in England, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the US, Mr. Penn said.

Caribbean response

“There is risk of spread to the Caribbean region due to travel,” he said. “Therefore, awareness is being raised among health care workers and port health authorities across the region to ensure that adequate prevention and control measures are in place.”

Symptoms can last two to four weeks and include exhaustion, fever, headaches, backache, muscle ache, chills and swollen lymph glands. Within the first three days of fever, rashes can develop on the face, hands, feet and other parts of the body.

“Testing for monkeypox is currently not available in the Caribbean, and the Caribbean Public Health Agency is reportedly in discussion with the [Pan American Health Organisation] and the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention to assess its capacity to develop this testing capability,” Mr. Penn said.

He added that the Ministry of Health and Social Development will coordinate with health care workers and agencies working on port health and animal quarantine moving forward.

“Many of the specific recommended actions from CARPHA are in place in the BVI, and strengthened in response to Covid-19,” he said. “Although the likelihood of monkeypox spread in our community is currently low, the chief medical officer and other officials will continue to monitor the situation and ensure that the territory is prepared to detect and respond to any cases as needed, and will keep the community informed of any change in the situation.”

How it spreads

Mr. Penn said initial information about the outbreak has identified the virus within sexual networks, but he noted it is not considered to be a sexually transmitted disease.

The WHO says on its website that the virus is transmitted through close contact with an infected person or animal, typically through lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets and contaminated material such as bedding.

Vaccines against smallpox have provided some protection against monkeypox, and a newer vaccine has been specifically approved for prevention, according to WHO.

Though severe cases can occur, especially among children, WHO stated that the case fatality ratio has been about three to six percent.

The post Caribbean preps for monkeypox first appeared on The BVI Beacon.

The post Caribbean preps for monkeypox appeared first on The BVI Beacon.

Caribbean

Switch to gas to slash fuel bill, government urged

admin — Sat, 18 Jun 2022 04:50:01 +0000

Switch to gas to slash fuel bill, government urged

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admin Sat, 06/18/2022 - 04:50

Friday, June 17, 2022

Original Publisher

The Citizen

Original Article

Switch to gas to slash fuel bill, government urged

Dar es Salaam. Parliament’s Budget Committee wants all government vehicles to be converted to use compressed natural gas as part of efforts to cut massive spending on fuel.

The advice comes at a time when fuel prices are rising due to disruptions in the global supply chain, fuelled by Western nations’ sanctions on key producer Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine.

Locally, Dar es Salaam residents are currently paying Sh2,994 and Sh3,131 for a litre of petrol and diesel respectively. The current prices for petrol are, however, Sh745, or 33 percent, more than they were in June last year when a litre fetched Sh2,249. They are also Sh1,058, or 51 percent, higher than they were in June 2021 when a litre of diesel fetched Sh2,073.

Presenting the Sh41.48 trillion Budget for the financial year 2022/23, the Finance and Planning Minister, Dr Mwigulu Nchemba outlined a number of cost-cutting measures that the government seeks to undertake during the coming year.

And responding to the Budget yesterday, the Budget Committee said by converting government vehicles to the use of natural gas, the government will see the resource [natural gas] being put to effective use before it become obsolete as the world was increasingly shifting to other renewable resources.

“The committee recommends that all government vehicles be converted to use natural gas just like the way it is for trucks operated by Dangote Cement. This will reduce importation of petroleum products and improve the country’s balance of payment,” the committee said.

Mr Shamsi Vuai Nahodha (Nominated-CCM) shared similar sentiments, noting that the Mtwara-Dar es Salaam natural gas pipeline was under-utilised at less than 10 percent of its capacity, suggesting maximising utilisation in order to reduce dependence on oil imports that adversely affect the lives of citizens.

“We should build the natural gas economy through increased use in transport and transportation and accelerating commencement of the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project in Lindi,” he said.

In its views, the Budget Committee also wants the government to undertake a re-evaluation of its Double Taxation Agreements with Canada, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Norway, Sweden, India, South Africa and Zambia in a deliberate move to align the agreements with Tanzania’s current development needs and ensure that they [the agreements] do not leave loopholes for tax evasion.

“Though these treaties are beneficial to the country, the challenge we see is that they could be used as conduits for tax evasion whereby a businessman or an investor may use them in an attempt to access indirectly the benefits of a tax agreement between two jurisdictions without being a resident of one of those jurisdictions (treaty shopping), said the committee’s chairman, Mr Daniel Sillo.

The Committee is also advising the government to make necessary amendments to the law that formed the Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (Tasac) with a view to streamlining the agency’s tasks so that it does not get into a conflict of interest with clearing and forwarding agencies.

As things stand, Tasac, which is a regulator for marine transportation, also engages in activities of clearing and forwarding thereby creating a public outcry from private operators. “We need to amend the law to limit Tasac’s clearing and forwarding role to only sensitive cargo of the government, including arms, government documents, minerals and mining equipment. Issues pertaining to clearing and forwarding must remain a preserve of the private sector, he said.

It is the view of the committee that the government will issue a tax amnesty to companies in the tourism sector after their operations were adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic during the period between 2019 and 2020.

The Committee believes that if the government makes a critical analysis of the buildings that have been built across the country’s major urban centres, it could potentially collect up to Sh100 billion per year in property tax.

Some MPs like Mr Jerry Silaa (Ukonga-CCM), said the government is a business partner contributing no capital in businesses, urging that it should prepare friendly tax procedures, educate taxpayers and stop fighting with the businesspeople.

“Small scale businesses tax regime has been given a 3.5 percent turnover which is not a small amount. These are those with Sh500,000 to one million capital, hence telling them to buy Electronic Fiscal Device (EFD) machines spending Sh500,000 could be hardly executed,” he said.

“When is the government going to see that it is its responsibility to provide EFD machines to traders for free in order to enable the country to make tax records that will ultimately benefit the government,” he added.

According to him, putting the two percent withholding tax to small scale miners will increase the 6.1 percent royalties and inspections fees to eight percent, something that will increase smuggling and benefit some of the smuggling destination countries.

But Ms Zulfa Mmaka Omar (Special Seats-CCM) commended the government for scrapping the 40 percent tax chargeable for procurement of EFD machines.

“This has been the center of complaints among traders who will now be encouraged to purchase and use machines for strengthening their businesses,” she said.

Mr Twaha Mpembenwe (Kibiti-CCM) said Ngorongoro residents are fellow citizens who shouldn’t live in troubles as the government is determined to amicably address their concerns.

“A similar controversy was staged by a neighbouring country between 1977 and 1978 in its efforts to grab our land. Without mentioning the country’s name, I would like to warn neighboring countries trying to interfere with Tanzania’s internal affairs to stop doing that with immediate effect,” he said.

Africa

News

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ezra Hendrickson, And A New Vincentian Storyline

admin — Sun, 20 Feb 2022 15:20:01 +0000

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ezra Hendrickson, And A New Vincentian Storyline

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admin Sun, 02/20/2022 - 15:20

Monday, April 16, 2018

Original Publisher

Local Vibes – Searchlight

Original Article

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ezra Hendrickson, And A New Vincentian Storyline

Until today, the Swedish football star Zlatan Ibrahimovic and St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) have never been put together in a sentence before. But his arrival in the USA’s Major Soccer League (MLS) and his extraordinary performance in 19 minutes of play last Saturday has provided such a moment. For, in the 71st minute of play and with his team, the LA Galaxy losing 3-1 to their rivals, Ibrahimovic entered the game and completely transformed the contest. He thundered his first goal from about 40 yards out. And in the dying minutes of the game he scored the winning goal that gave his team an astonishing 4-3 victory.

Unsurprisingly, the football world genuflected to the sheer magic of one of the greatest players in the modern game. Certainly, Ibrahimovic is coming to the end of a glorious career. But it is a career that has seen him play and win trophies at several of the greatest football clubs in the world – Barcelona in Spain, Paris Saint Germaine in France, Manchester United in England, and Inter in Italy. And along the way, he has been coached by some of the greatest coaches in the history of the game, none more so than Jose Mourinho, currently of Manchester United, and Pep Guardiola, currently of Manchester City.

It is precisely at this point that Vincentians should take extra note of Ibrahimovic’s performance. For, in the moments prior to entering the soccer field, Ibra was seen in deep conversation with an assistant coach holding a sheath of papers in his hands, from which he gave final coaching instructions to Ibra. And that assistant coach was none other than Ezra Hendrickson, former Vincentian soccer captain, and arguably the greatest Vincentian soccer player of all time.

No one other than Vincentians might find value in that moment. But we should. Two points stand out. First, Hendrickson’s career as a professional soccer player and coach have allowed him to work in the same universe as some of the greatest players in the game. In fact, Ashley Cole, the finest English left-back over the last 20 years, and multiple winner of the English Premier League with Arsenal and Chelsea, also plays for the LA Galaxy under Hendrickson’s tutelage.

Second, however, Hendrickson’s work with Ibra underlines a broader point: Vincentians have the capacity to reach the highest level of excellence in every field of human endeavour. Whether in sports, or in medicine, or in engineering, or in academia, simply name the field and Vincentians outside of St Vincent and the Grenadines have demonstrated time and time again that given the opportunity, they can perform at the highest level everywhere.

Ezra Hendrickson’s story, then, should not be seen as an aberration. Instead, it should serve as an inspiration to our children and their parents that the capacity to achieve great things lies within all of us. We should also be reminded that the global stage has room for Vincentians who are willing to give of their very best. And one more thing: the next time we hear that Ibra has produced another magnificent performance for LA Galaxy, we should remember that our fellow Vincentian, Ezra Hendrickson, is on the training ground with Ibra five and six days a week, preparing him to take the MLS by storm. It is, indeed, a new Vincentian storyline.

Caribbean

Culture

Improve Your Life With Regular Spa Treatments

admin — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 14:20:01 +0000

Improve Your Life With Regular Spa Treatments

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admin Fri, 12/10/2021 - 14:20

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Original Publisher

Jamaica Observer

Original Article

Improve Your Life With Regular Spa Treatments

Spending a day at a spa was once considered a luxurious undertaking. It is, but a necessary one that will not only reduce stress levels but may afford you a longer, better quality of life. An entire day might not be practical unless you are on a weekend getaway, so why not carve out two hours of "me time" once a week or even once a month? Take it from your Adam and Eve team that it will be time well spent! Still not convinced? Here are a few more reasons:

Spa treatments afford:

Body relaxation

Happiness

Well-being

Lowering of anxiety and depression

Stimulation of blood circulation

Relief of muscle cramps

Better sleep

Anti-aging properties

Promotion of radiant skin

The Top Six Spa Services at Adam and Eve Day Spa and Salon:

Swedish massage

A 45-min, 60-min or 80-min massage can lower and lessen your body's stress hormone levels.

Hot stone massage

The heat of the stones is used to reduce inflammation and relax muscles.

Rainforest water massage

This is a relaxing escape from the usual, curated by our directors. It combines water therapy and hand massage techniques done simultaneously to complete a truly Zen experience. A waterfall cascades with warm water whilst the therapist massages the stress away. This highly anticipated experience will not disappoint, perfect for a single, couple treatment or a gift of relaxation.

Rejuvenating facial

Facials are generally a combination of massage and skin treatment. The products used have anti-aging properties.

Scalp massage and deep-conditioning treatment

Not only does the face need treatment, but your hair and scalp as well. A scalp massage stimulates hair growth and is also a stress reliever.

Pedicure and foot massage (Reflexology)

The reflexology foot massage releases pressure and stress, and is a perfect weekly treatment for runners especially.

We are happy and excited to be a major player in the wellness space and invite you to make an appointment for a personal consultation.

Caribbean

Living Standard

Tanzania, Uganda currencies ranked top in East Africa

admin — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 21:50:01 +0000

Tanzania, Uganda currencies ranked top in East Africa

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admin Thu, 12/09/2021 - 21:50

Sunday, December 5, 2021

Original Publisher

The Citizen

Original Article

Tanzania, Uganda currencies ranked top in East Africa

Tanzania and Uganda currencies are the best performing media of exchange in East Africa against the dollar, whereas Kenyan and Rwandan currencies continue to lose value against the greenback.

According to Bloomberg Refinitiv data, the Uganda shilling continues to hold steady against the dollar followed by the Tanzanian currency at 2.45 percent and 0.76 percent, respectively. They are among six African currencies with a positive outlook with the kwacha remaining best performing by end of November, appreciating at 19.64 percent followed by Mozambique’s metical and Angola’s kwanza at second and third respectively.

The Kenya shilling and Rwanda franc were ranked 11th and 12th among top African currencies depreciating at -2.93 percent and -3.48 percent respectively.

Currency policy in most of Africa is characterised as flexible without pegging the currency rate against the dollar.

The Uganda shilling is projected to remain strong to the end of 2021, buoyed by dollar inflows from coffee exports and foreign investors chasing yields.

Uganda is Africa’s biggest coffee exporter and shipments climbed to a record level in June on better yield from new trees, favourable weather and improved prices, according to the Uganda Coffee Development Authority.

The pandemic has hurt economic output from the net importer but the country remains optimistic the dollar will continue to appreciate post-Covid.

“In 2021 and beyond, the shilling could benefit from a projected dollar depreciation against other reserve currencies. Moreover, the outlook for a post-pandemic rebound in global growth and trade in 2021 and the reduced odds of unpredictable trade wars should lead to a reduction in exchange rate volatility," said Dr Adam Mugume, executive director of research Bank of Uganda.

Mid November, the IMF differed with Kampala, terming the Uganda currency overvalued and urged the authorities to only intervene in moments of “extreme” market distress.

Given uncertainties linked to the pandemic and recent appreciation of the exchange rate, Uganda’s planned fiscal consolidation will help to narrow the current-account deficit. The gap widened to $1.28 billion in the second quarter from a deficit of $702.3 million in the previous three months.

The IMF will visit Uganda this month to evaluate the “reform agenda” and discuss the next tranche of a three-year $1 billion loan. Uganda received $258 million when the loan was approved in June.

In Tanzania, the shilling has continued to gain ground against the dollar in the past few weeks from a steady flow of the greenback from tourism, exports and funds from development partners.

The BoT predicts that the shilling will remain stable in coming months.

The BoT’s latest Monthly Economic Review says Tanzania earned $2.941 billion from gold exports during the year to August 2021, a significant improvement from the $2.735 billion during the same period last year.

Tanzania’s also recorded a 33.2 percent rise in exports of manufactured goods to $1.125 billion in the year to August 31.

In Kenya, the shilling dropped to a new historic low on December 1 where it traded at Ksh112.83 against the dollar.

The shilling, which opened the year at Ksh107.23, has been losing ground against major world currencies despite numerous support by the CBK to iron out volatility.

Analysts say the shilling, just like other currencies, is feeling the heat of global inflation, with economies like the US and UK experiencing the worst cost of living in almost two decades.

The US inflation rate rose to a 13-year high in September as rising costs for food and shelter pushed the rate up to 5.4 per cent. In the UK, annual inflation accelerated to its fastest rate in a decade, hitting 4.2 per cent last month.

This week, the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics said the cost of living eased to 5.8 per cent in November on reduced cost of petroleum products.

Even so, prices of household products like sugar, maize flour and cooking oil have risen in recent days as importers pass high currency bills to consumers.

The CBK had warned that the weak shilling will not only push up the cost of living but also the debt servicing.

Even so, CBK Governor Patrick Njoroge insists that the shilling is not out of line with other currencies.

Njoroge said while the shilling has shed three per cent of its value against dollar in the year to date, the yen, the Swedish Krona and the euro have lost ground by 10.3, 9.0 and 7.9 per cent respectively.

“The question of whether we have been out of line with other currencies does not arise. Basically, it has to do with the strengthening of the dollar against most currencies,” he added.

-MPC media briefing on Tuesday.

The CBK states that it has held its policy on non-intervention in the foreign exchange, only stepping in to stamp out volatility which would leave the economy susceptible to instability.

Since November 9, the shilling has consistently touched record lows against the dollar, with Ksh112.38 of the local unit fetching one greenback at the close of trading on November 26, as CBK data shows.

Banks are selling the dollar at between Ksh114 and Ksh117 in a parallel market.

The CBK documents show that the financial regulator has been in the market for the past five months in a bid to stabilise the shilling. But this has had very little effect.

In Rwanda, the IMF mission, led by Haimanot Teferra has continued with visits to discuss unprecedented policy support, robust remittances, efforts to step up the vaccination rate, and progress in structural reforms is supporting economic recovery in 2021. Growth is projected at 10.2 percent, from a sizable contraction of 3.4 percent in 2020.

Africa

News

World Peace Ambassador shares his view on Government’s intention to remove God from the Republic Charter

admin — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 10:40:01 +0000

World Peace Ambassador shares his view on Government’s intention to remove God from the Republic Charter

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admin Thu, 12/09/2021 - 10:40

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Original Publisher

Political – The Bajan Reporter

Original Article

World Peace Ambassador shares his view on Government’s intention to remove God …

I was asked what is my view on the proposal to remove God from the upcoming Charter? I would like to establish the fact that God is not an authority found only in words, the rule of God is both eternal, universal and cosmic, the laws of God are steadfast and can’t be affected by governmental laws. Dr Adrian Daisley World Peace Ambassador at World Peace Tracts Sweden, Certified New Insights Life...

Source

Caribbean

Politics

Misty in Reggae's Delbert McKay dies at 67

admin — Sat, 09 Oct 2021 11:00:02 +0000

Misty in Reggae's Delbert McKay dies at 67

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admin Sat, 10/09/2021 - 11:00

Thursday, October 7, 2021

Original Publisher

Jamaica Observer

Original Article

Misty in Reggae's Delbert McKay dies at 67

DELBERT "Ngoni" McKay, singer/founding member of the British-based reggae group Misty in Reggae, died at his West Midlands home on October 1. He was 67.

His wife, Sham McKay said the singer was ailing for some time and confirmed his passing.

"He wasn't well... He was diagnosed with lung cancer last year November and, in spite of that, we tried to live a normal life. Things, however, took a turn for the worst. He went into cardiac arrest," she told the Jamaica Observer.

McKay, who formally tied the knot with her husband on September 21, remembers him as a loving and kind person.

"He was family-oriented. He never deal wid nuh war; jus' peace, love, and unity. He was a hard-core Rastaman, who tried to do what was right. We went to Ethiopia and got our blessings, so that kept us going for a long time," she said.

Hailing from Braeton in St Catherine, McKay migrated to the United Kingdom in the mid-1960s. He was one of the vocalists for Misty in Roots, a roots-reggae band formed in Southall, London, in the mid-1970s. The group's first album was 1979's Live at the Counter Eurovision, a record full of Rastafarian songs which helped to bring roots reggae to a white audience.

During his its early stage, the band was a collective with five lead singers and various musicians, though by the time of the second album, the band had slimmed down to just three members. Along with Steel Pulse, Aswad, Matumbi, Cimarons and Black Slate, Misty in Roots were one of the most popular British reggae bands of the late 1970s.

Misty in Roots's albums include: Misty Over Sweden (1979); Wise and Foolish (1981); Earth (1983); and Musi-O-Tunya (1985).

According to McKay, her husband had stepped away from the group for awhile.

"His favourite songs were Food Clothes and Shelter, Jah Protect I & I, Poor and Needy, Save A Thought for the Children," she said.

In addition to his wife Sham, Delbert McKay is survived by six children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Caribbean

Entertainment