Month: August 2023

Chad’s Ministry of Health told AFP on Wednesday that an epidemic of dengue fever had broken out in the east of the country at the beginning of August, a viral disease transmitted by a mosquito, the severe forms of which are rare but can be fatal.

“The Ministry of Public Health and Prevention informs the public of the outbreak of an epidemic of dengue fever in the health district of Abéché,” the capital of the Ouaddaï region, around 650km east of N’Djamena, Chad’s capital, said Abdermadjid Abderahim Mahamat, the Minister of Health, in a statement sent to Africanewsguru.com on Wednesday.

On 7 August, “samples taken and analysed confirmed the existence of the epidemic, but for the moment we have not yet recorded any deaths”, said the ministry, contacted by Africanewsguru.com.

Transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito, dengue fever is a virus that is widespread in hot countries and occurs mainly in urban and semi-urban areas, causing between 100 and 400 million infections every year, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Dengue fever can cause high fever, headaches, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain and, in the most serious cases, haemorrhaging that can lead to death.

Ghana has introduced a new measure that will see a 10% tax applied to betting and lottery winnings, effective as of Tuesday.

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has outlined that this withholding tax will be automatically deducted at the point of pay-out for all betting, games, and lottery wins.

In cases where a game is cancelled and the player’s initial stake is refunded, or if the pay-out amount is equal to or less than the staked amount, the withholding tax will not be applicable.

To facilitate easy monitoring by the revenue authority, lottery operators are required to update their software to display the details of the amount staked, the winnings, and the tax withheld during pay-out.

Edward Gyambrah, Commissioner of the GRA, emphasized that this tax implementation is expected to enhance domestic tax revenue mobilization, citing Ghana’s comparatively low tax-to-GDP ratio within the sub-region.

However, the new tax initiative has faced criticism from the younger generation in Ghana, who argue that betting and lottery winnings often serve as alternative income sources for the unemployed.

In a stern warning, revenue authorities have indicated that non-compliance with the new regulations will lead to the withdrawal of licenses for sports betting firms, lottery operators, casinos, slot machine operators, and marketing promoters.

Ghana recently entered into a three-year IMF bailout program in May of this year, following a prolonged period of economic challenges. As part of the efforts to revive the economy, economic managers have urged the expansion of the tax base and the mobilization of domestic resources to drive the country back towards growth.

The Nigerian military announced on Thursday that no less than 36 of its valiant soldiers were killed in their line of duty, facing off against armed gangs in the northern-central region of Niger state.

These resolute efforts to quell the menace of these marauding gangs have underscored the grave challenges posed by rampant criminality in the region.

For the past two years, the northwest region of Nigeria has been under siege by heavily armed groups, causing widespread devastation. The brazen acts of kidnapping and wanton bloodshed have cast a shadow of fear over communities, rendering roads treacherous and farmlands perilous.

In the unfortunate incident that unfolded on August 14, an ambush struck with ruthless precision near Kundu village, ensnaring both officers and soldiers in its deadly grip.

The toll of this assault was profound, claiming the lives of three officers and 22 soldiers, while leaving seven soldiers wounded. It was a tragic turn of events that shook the nation.

Amidst the turmoil, hope turned to tragedy as an Air Force Mi-171 helicopter, sent to evacuate the fallen heroes, met a grim fate near Chukuba village in Shiroro. Regrettably, this endeavor to provide aid ended in disaster, with lives lost.

Though the cause of the crash remains uncertain, sources within the military suggest that the helicopter may have been targeted by gang members, unleashing a fatal barrage.

Major-General Edward Buba, the voice of the defense, spoke somberly on the incident: “The helicopter crashed with 14 of the earlier killed in action personnel, seven of the earlier wounded in action personnel, two pilots, and two crew members.” The heartfelt statement expressed the gravity of the situation, underlining the need for investigation into the air crash and the ongoing efforts to retrieve the fallen.

Even as these painful events unfold, the battle against the pervasive menace rages on. The resilience of Nigeria’s security forces is being tested on multiple fronts, from contending with a violent secessionist group in the east to grappling with the lethal herder-farmer conflict in central states.

Meanwhile, a 13-year insurgency against Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) continues to challenge the resolve of the nation’s defenders in the north.

In a glimmer of hope, a separate military operation in Kaduna state yielded a small victory against the tide of lawlessness. Acting on a tipoff, troops successfully rescued 10 hostages from the clutches of their captors in a village within the Igabi local government.

The operation culminated in a fierce gun battle, which tragically claimed the lives of the abductors.

These dual accounts paint a vivid picture of the multifaceted struggle that Nigeria faces today. While resilience and bravery remain unwavering in the face of adversity, the toll of this relentless battle for security and stability is immeasurable.

A petition urging the prohibition of TikTok has ignited a lively discussion within Kenya’s parliamentary and public spheres.

On Tuesday, the Kenyan parliament engaged in a comprehensive debate surrounding the petition, which was submitted by Kenyan citizen Bob Ndolo.

Mr. Ndolo implored Members of Parliament to consider outlawing TikTok, asserting that the platform poses a challenge to the fundamental cultural and religious values of Kenya.

In his submission, the petitioner highlighted the inadequate regulation of TikTok within Kenya, attributing it to the surge of offensive and unsuitable content pervading the platform.

Moses Wetangula, the Speaker of the Kenyan parliament, conveyed, “The petition emphasizes that although TikTok has gained substantial popularity among Kenya’s youth, the nature of content being disseminated on the platform is unsuitable. This trend, including the promotion of violence, explicit sexual content, hate speech, profanity, and offensive conduct, poses a substantial threat to Kenya’s cultural and religious values.”

Mr. Ndolo further stressed that the ban would function as a safeguard, shielding Kenyans from TikTok’s adverse repercussions, which encompass addiction, potentially disrupting the education and mental well-being of students. He also expressed concerns about potential illicit collection or dissemination of personal data of Kenyan citizens by the app.

Within the parliamentary debate, a dichotomy of opinions emerged. While some lawmakers and citizens aligned with the proposed ban, others voiced reservations, citing potential setbacks to Kenya’s technological advancement and the livelihoods of numerous young content creators on TikTok.

Lawmakers such as Kimani Ichung’wah, the majority leader in parliament, have advocated for a different approach. Rather than an outright ban, they proposed more rigorous content oversight on the platform.

The TikTok ban petition has ignited a crucial dialogue, reflecting the intricate balance between cultural preservation, technological progress, and the digital landscape’s impact on society. As the discussion continues, Kenyan stakeholders grapple with navigating the path forward that best serves the nation’s values and aspirations.

Residents of Niger’s capital, Niamey, are calling for the mass recruitment of volunteers to assist the army in the face of a growing threat by the West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, which says it will use military force if the junta doesn’t reinstate deposed President Mohamed Bazoum.

ECOWAS has activated a “standby force” to restore order in Niger after the junta ignored a deadline to release and reinstate Bazoum.

“We do not give a damn about ECOWAS. ECOWAS has been tailor-made for the presidents in power. And we do not need it” says Omar Amadou, a Niamey resident. “Whether ECOWAS intervenes or not, Niger is ready for all options. We are ready. Whatever ECOWAS decides, we are ready” Amadou stressed.

Niger is now preparing for a possible invasion by countries in the region, three weeks after mutinous soldiers ousted the nation’s democratically elected president.

The initiative, spearhead by a group of locals in Niamey, aims to recruit tens of thousands of volunteers from across the country to register for the Volunteers for the Defense of Niger.

The group would fight, assist with medical care, and provide technical and engineering logistics among other functions, in case the junta needs help.

“My children and I love these soldiers, and I invite young people to join the army and develop our country, our villages,” said Niamey resident Amadou Hawa.

Regional tensions are deepening as the standoff between Niger and ECOWAS shows no signs of defusing, despite signals from both sides that they are open to resolving the crisis peacefully.

A New Zealand jury on Wednesday found a south African woman guilty of murdering her three young daughters after rejecting her defense that she was so mentally ill at the time she couldn’t be held responsible.

Lauren Dickason, 42, had earlier admitted killing her 2-year-old twin daughters Maya and Karla, and their 6-year-old sister Lianè, at their home in the town of Timaru nearly two years ago.

She had pleaded not guilty to murder, arguing she was suffering severe depression that could be traced back to postpartum depression.

Prosecutors acknowledged Dickason had suffered from depression but said it wasn’t enough to warrant a medical defense. They said she killed her children out of anger and resentment.

They pointed to Dickason’s troubling phone messages and online history in the weeks before the killings, including comments about wanting to kill her children and Google searches for “most effective overdose in kids.”