Recording of Sierra Leone online press conference -10th Feb 2015 at 15:00GMT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pF56kKnXePA

Breaking Sound Barriers: Angelica

Congolese company extends to Côte d’ivoire

Congolese company extends to Côte d’ivoire

By Justine Wangui (Science Africa correspondent)

justinewangui@gmail.com

Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire-

A  Congolese company announced the opening of its first store in Abidjan, the capital of Côte d’Ivoire, on 19 February 2015. The entrepreneur is known as Verone Mankou (VMK) and isassociated with the making of the first tablet in Africa.   It deals with a wide range of products including smartphones, whose market targets Africans.  The store in Abidjan will second VMK's first-ever store located in Brazaville, the capital of Congo..  It will see 10 people secure jobs as it starts operating.  VMK is set to open stores in five countries including Ivory Coast, Kinshasa, Douala and Dakar before the end of this year.  The ultimate goal of this expansion is to stretch the digitalization margin across Africa.

"The opening of a store in Abidjan is an essential step in the extension of our Pan-African vision. It is here, at the crossroads of West Africa, that VMK has decided to embark upon conquering the new class of African consumers," explained Vérone Mankou.  "My underlying ambition is to bridge the digital gap in Africa. These VMK stores are being set up to make new technologies accessible to as many people as possible.  We will offer a top-of-the-range selection of products, aimed at the general public."

VMK’s products have been boosted by the introduction of an exceptional handset called Elikia. L which is fitted with a larger screen than the previous model.  Other devices available in the company are two smartphone models available from EUR 18 and EUR 30 respectively.  VMK is also ready to launch its second tablet by March, which will cost less than EUR 210.

Congo is up to investing a two-million dollar VMK devices’ assembling factory which will produce 350,000 devices monthly. VMK is partnering with a Chinese company in training over 90 people who will be employed in the assembling company.

(Source: http://www.vmktech.com)

West African Development Bank raises funds in support of 2014-2015 cotton season in Benin

Christian Adovelande, President of BOAD

West African Development Bank raises funds in support of 2014-2015 cotton season in Benin


By Justine Wangui   (Science Africa correspondent), justinewangui@gmail.com


Cotonou, Benin- The West African Development Bank (BOAD), a sub-regional institution has raised XOF115 billion to support the 2014-2015 cotton season in Benin. As part of this contribution, BOAD provided XOF25 billion.  As the arranger, the bank was able to pool 7 local banks contributed up to 79% of these funds.  This Agreement was signed by and between Mr. Christian Adovelande, President of BOAD and the Managers of local banks involved in the transaction. These particular funds will aid in purchase of cotton from producers, processing, storage, evacuation and marketing of cotton fiber and by-products.


Benin has fully developed confidence in BOAD following the success of two previous mandates.  In February 2014, the Government of Benin mandated BOAD to offer technical and financial assistance with the aim of mobilizing funds for the 2014-2015 cotton season and BOAD has positively responded.  “This financial support provided by BOAD, complementary to that of the local banking system, is in line with the Bank’s strategic directions as well as Policy Statement.”  Mr. Christian Adovelande satisfactorily stated.

Benin was triggered by the excellent previous support from BOAD in the last two mandates.  During the 2012-2013 cotton season, Beninese authorities’ request to BOAD for financial support made it possible to sow 351,000 hectares for a production of 240,000 tons of cottonseed.  76% of these funds were raised by local banks.  In the 2013-2014 cotton season, BOAD raised a total of XOF115 billion which enabled the sowing of 347,000 hectares for a production of 307,355 tons of cottonseed.  The local banks contributed 79% of the total funds for this season. 

Estimates for the current cotton season reflect a cottonseed production of 360,000 tons over an area sown of nearly 400,000 hectares, which is an increase in comparison to the previous outcomes.

(Source: http://www.boad.org)

SCIENCE IS LIFE, LIFE IS SCIENCE

SCIENCE IS LIFE, LIFE IS SCIENCE

By Justine Wangui

It’s reasonably notable that all aspects of life revolve around chemistry, biology, physics and mathematics!  Right from the formation of the earth, the start of life, revolution of man and his environs and life -to -date, science has remained our daily bread.  The revolution in technology has really pushed up our lives.  The technology at hand has outshined analogue practices following the fast revolution of human brain.  Life has been and is still wholesomely dependent on science.  Science has revolutionized many sectors which have contributed to an advanced and easier life in comparison to the past. 

Let’s take a quick glance at the health sector.  Numerous medicines have been discovered and many hospitals or better put it health care centers have been erected all over the world. At most,   people need not travel to very far distances to seek medical care.   Better food storage facilities for example refrigerators and preservative chemicals have curbed the consumption of expired foods which is a great health hazard.  The advancement of communication has boosted the delivery of health messages with the intent to induce awareness as well as risk communication.  Patients can now call doctors at their homes whereby they receive immediate response. Internet is continuing to serve many individuals who may not be in a position to access to libraries with critical health information. 

Communication on the other hand has intensely evolved.  The invention of mobile phones, computers and the internet has diffused distance and the world has now been converted into a small village.  Messages are reaching their intended destination within a fraction of a second, regardless of the distance between the sender and the receiver.  Mutual interaction has been highly enhanced through the social media. The education sector is now feeding on the delicious fruits of this advancement, following the ease in conducting educational research via the internet.  Relaying of notes to students has not been left out either.  The person behind the idea of e-learning really needs a pat on his back! Accessing education from any place on the planet?  Wow! I think this is an incredible favour.

Electricity, loaded with its weighty benefits, stormed in with a bang.  Michael Faraday’s inventions have done us good.    If I take a look at my country Kenya, I can proudly and confidently say that many homes are now fitted with electricity and are already enjoying the benefits ensued by electric energy.  We are no longer in the dark ages where electricity was only a friend of the heavy pockets and offices.  In fact, in most big cities across the world, one will not realize the crawling in of the night.  There is no big difference between day and night.

If we tour the transport system in the modern world, we will definitely cite science as a prerequisite of all the advancement.  Travelling that took days and months has now become a minutes’ issue.  Air, being one of the fastest modes of transport has facilitated quick movement of people and goods all over the world, thus saving time. Do we have to be reminded that time is cash?  Emergency cases are now being responded to in time.

Agriculture has as well received perfect transformation.  Farming and livestock keeping is now applying technological science.  Machines are now replacing manual labour which is indeed tiring especially in cases where the workload is big. Bio technology has brought with it genetically modified foods which are reproducing within a short span of time.  With the aid of advanced transport, food is able to reach the demand side within the stipulated period.  Additionally, farming materials are being transported with ease. Has science not dealt with hunger?  Many drought stricken areas are now adopting the genetically modified seeds and the drought resistant.  All this has resulted from agricultural researches which incorporate science.

Carl Sagan once said that “Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge.”  We need to embrace science and offer it a bigger a portion of our thinking. I believe by doing this, we may as well invent something which might be vital.  Were it not for science, life would be dark and pretty boring.  Do we brand life ‘science’ or the vice versa?  Can you join me in putting hands together for Science! Let’s appreciate all the scientists behind these commendable inventions by incorporating science in our thinking and talks. Get me right please. I am not trying to limit the time set for other issues. We may indulge in other talks including politics or even sports but the fact remains that science beats them all.  Kudos science!

UAE donates hand disinfectants to Ebola- stricken West Africa

UAE donates hand disinfectants to Ebola- stricken West Africa

By Justine Wangui
 justinewangui@gmail.com

Raman Singh, Mundipharma’s President, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa.

Dubai, UAE –Mundipharma (network of privately owned companies and joint ventures covering the world's pharmaceutical markets) in partnership with Direct Relief (a non-profit, non-partisan organization that provides medical assistance to people around the world who have been affected by poverty, natural disasters, and civil unrest) has donated at least two million handwashes to Ebola treatment centers in West Africa in support of the fight against the spread of the epidemic.   This initiative is currently being implemented by Mundipharma employees globally in a practical drive to address the escalating medical needs of Ebola patients.

“Mundipharma is committed to support the international aid efforts against Ebola.  We hope that our proactive approach will enable Direct Relief to continue with its quick and efficient provision of important preventive measures in limiting the outbreak of this serious and growing health issue,” says Raman Singh, President, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa. “The donation of BETADINE is wholly consistent with our mission and commitment to improving the health and quality of life of the human race everywhere, even in the most extreme circumstances such as these and emphasize our focus on caring for the most needy.” 

Thomas Tighe, Chief Executive Officer of Direct Relief with pleasure put it that the partnership’s focus is to prevent further spread of Ebola.  “We are very pleased to partner with Mundipharma in continuation with our relentless efforts to combat Ebola at this crucial time.  Minimizing further spread of the virus is a fundamental step in our fight against Ebola and providing aid workers, healthcare professionals and the general population with a means to implement proper hand hygiene via Mundipharma’s donations will play an important role in our task,” he said.

The vast spread of Ebola virus in West Africa has been linked to the insufficiency of health care centers.  The World Health Organisation has declared Ebola a worldwide health concern. The organization advises that the possibility of contracting the disease can be prevented at best by practicing proper hygiene.  “Hand hygiene is the most important infection prevention and control measure,” says WHO.

Use of BETADINE to contain the spread of Ebola has been endorsed by the Australian Department of Health and Ageing.   Its trusted use as an antiseptic for more than 50 years, existence of multiple publications of BETADINE together with its general efficacy against viruses has triggered Mundipharma to consider   BETADINE in the fight against Ebola spread.  With this partnership, Mundipharma will supply BETADINE Surgical Scrub and BETADINE Scalp & Skin Cleanser, a well-known antiviral, to provide hand disinfection even in areas without access to clean running water

 Evidence has clearly shown that close unprotected face-to-face contact without adequate personal equipment (including eye protection) exposes others at moderate risk of acquiring the disease.  The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control states that Ebola virus is often found in saliva.  Health workers, family members in close contact with infected people and mourners who have direct contact with the bodies of the deceased during burials are at a higher risk of infection.

The vast spread of Ebola virus in West Africa has been linked to the insufficiency of health care centers.  The World Health Organisation has declared Ebola a worldwide health concern. The organization advises that the possibility of contracting the disease can be prevented at best by practicing proper hygiene.  “Hand hygiene is the most important infection prevention and control measure,” says WHO.

(Source : Mundipharma Pte Ltd)