Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

The Impact of Organized Crime Syndicates on Poverty in Romania

Organized Crime Syndicates
After coming out of being ruled under a dictatorship for decades, Romania is still enduring political instability. Although more than 30 years have passed since the end of Nicolae Ceausescu’s rule, the nation is still struggling to find its footing, with the combination of widespread corruption and powerful organized crime syndicates leading to rampant poverty.

Effects of Corruption on the Romanian People

Since assuming office in December 2014, President Klaus Iohannis has had 13 different Prime Ministers and corruption has wormed its way into every aspect of Romanian society.

This volatility has made it difficult for the nation to recover from the damaging economic policies of Ceausescu. This instability has contributed to about 22% of the Romanian population living below the national poverty line in 2020, according to World Bank data.

How Criminal Syndicates Prey on Poorer Communities

In an interview with The Borgen Project, Serious Organized Crime Coordinator for Central and Southern Europe Richard Calver explained how organized criminal syndicates capitalize on poverty; “When political instability and grand corruption result in failing state services, organized crime groups will establish illicit economies.” These economies will undoubtedly target the poorest in society and exacerbate the issues they are facing by driving them toward crime and away from the possibility of support.

Calver elaborated on this describing how, “over time these established criminal dynamics can become culturally ingrained in poorer communities, further isolating them from state protection and perpetuating an acceptance of exploitation.” The venality in these communities also provides prime recruitment grounds for the syndicates responsible for the corruption in the first place.

Patrick Winn explains in his book “Hello, Shadowlands,” how widespread corruption inevitably forces politicians to turn to crime and pushes individuals into a state where they have to choose if they want to become predator or prey. If the government and law enforcement are in league with criminal persecutors, finding a foothold in the underworld can often seem like the only way to survive.

Unfortunately, criminality is not just prevalent among the residents of these poorer communities, corruption spreads through all levels of Romanian society. The crime syndicates strive hard to preserve this status quo since these poor areas are a lucrative source of money for them. The consequence of this is widespread bribery, corruption, violence and those in power overlooking the plight of the Romanian people.

According to the Corruption Perceptions Index that Transparency International released in 2021, Romania scored 45 out of 100, making it the second most corrupt nation in the European Union. These factors create a vicious cycle as the instability, poverty and organized crime all feed off each other and make it extremely difficult for the nation’s economic issues to be resolved.

The Search for a Solution

Calver speaks of the vital role understanding plays in solving these situations, stating, “When considering initiatives to tackle poverty, consideration must be given to understand the vested interests of criminal actors who profit from the suffering of others.” A large part of Calver’s work involves developing this understanding. His time in Romania and the hard work of his team promise to help both Western governments and humanitarian organizations address the issues the Romanian people face in a more effective manner.

One of the humanitarian organizations working to improve the quality of life for impoverished people in Romania is Habitat for Humanity. Habit for Humanity began working in Romania in 1996 to address housing poverty, particularly in rural areas where people “live in cramped and decaying apartments in condominium complexes,” according to its website. Its work involves constructing and renovating homes for low-income families throughout the country. Habit for Humanity’s building rehabilitation work targets low-income households living in dilapidated communist-era apartment blocks. In 2018 alone, the organization served 280 people in Romania through housing initiatives.

Calver and his team along with the international community and humanitarian organizations like Habitat for Humanity aim to improve the quality of life of Romanians amid corruption and the presence of organized crime syndicates. Despite the difficulties the nation’s people face, with an understanding of the intricacies of issues at play, there appears to be hope for change.

–  Henry Tuppen
Photo: Flickr

 

India’s Railway Crash And The Risks Of Modernization

India's Railway Crash
India’s railway crash which occurred in India’s eastern state of Odisha on June 2, 2023, was a tragic accident, one of the worst in the country’s recent history. However, as many have pointed out, it is one of many accidents. Indian citizens and external organizations alike are criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his seeming prioritization of speeding up India’s modernization over the safety of workers carrying out the modernization. This elicits wonder as to what position India’s railway system occupies in the country’s path to zero poverty and how authorities can better manage it and ensure it does not become a source of harm in the fight against poverty.

India’s Railway System

India boasts the fourth largest railway system in the world, having built more than 68,000 km of track. More than 24 million people use the railway system every single day and the system transports nearly 204 million tonnes of freight throughout the world’s seventh-largest country. It began in 1954 and is also one of the oldest systems in the world. The Indian government manages this huge, sprawling network of trains and passengers under the company Indian Railways.

Indian Railways is therefore the second-largest employer in India after the Indian Armed Forces and the seventh-largest employer in the world. Under the state, 1.4 million people earn a living while contributing to the economic activity of India, allowing business owners who depend on train transport to make a stable income.

As such, the Indian railway system is a symbol of India’s modernization. The network hosts the world’s tallest railway bridge, which will open to visitors in late 2023/early 2024. It has also developed a High-Speed Rail Track system using Japanese bullet train technology. These advancements are displays of the increasing wealth of the Indian economy as well as indicators of how India is using the whopping $30 billion budget for train development at the moment. From these statistics alone, it seems that India is witnessing a decrease in poverty levels.

The Consequences of the Crash

The events of June 2 in Odisha threw the pace and stability of such rapid modernization and poverty alleviation into question. On the day, two passenger trains carrying more than 3,000 travelers and a freight train collided near Bahanaga Bazar station. The collision was one of the worst train railway crashes in India, with 288 recorded deaths and more casualties.

Furthermore, due to the lack of clarity surrounding the official cause of India’s railway crash, many eyes are turning toward India’s Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, called Kavach. Kavach emerged in March 2022 and boasted advanced elements like an automatic brake application, aids to improve visibility in unfavorable conditions and communication and SOS response systems in cases of emergency. Yet, Kavach either did not undergo development or failed to work adequately in the trains that were in the Odisha railway crash.

While this is all hearsay at the moment, the severity of the crash has put the safety of the Indian railway system into focus, in contrast to the newness of Kavach and the billions that PM Modi spent on modernizing Indian Railways. The Guardian, for example, stressed the increase of Indian rail accidents by 37% in 2022 despite Kavach’s introduction and stated that “safety remains the biggest problem for the Indian railways.”

Moving Forward After India’s Railway Crash

Kavach is a great idea for ensuring the safety of all those who work for Indian Railways and the millions of ordinary people using its services on a daily basis. However, it could be beneficial to employ human safety managers alongside this advanced technology, as such a move would also increase the number of jobs available in the Indian labor market.

Having people specialize in monitoring and operating Kavach would unleash the full potential of this safety mechanism and the overall capacity of the railway system in India to carry the country out of unemployment and poverty. The loss of talented lives, the stress on medical services and the damage to the reputation and credibility that a crash like the one in Odisha has caused could be repaired in the long run. All in all, there appears to be a need for Indian Railways to combine the human and mechanical potential to prioritize the safety of its services.

– Tiffany Chan
Photo: Flickr

Eliminating TB in India

TB in IndiaGlobally, India contributes the largest number of tuberculosis (TB) cases yearly, totaling more than half a million deaths in 2021. In response, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared war on the disease, aiming to end TB in India by 2025, five years ahead of the global goal of 2030 set by the World Health Organization (WHO). 

However, this is no easy feat to accomplish for India. Poor sanitation and crowded areas greatly increase the risk of transmission — a harsh reality for India with 1.4 billion people and 1/10 living below the poverty line. Furthermore, a lack of stable infrastructure, awareness and accessibility add barriers to reducing TB. To combat these poor environmental factors the Indian government has developed a myriad of programs to improve TB outcomes. 

Panchayat Initiative

The goal of the Panchayat (a village council) Initiative is to tackle TB on a small-scale village level. By working with local governments the initiative has elevated TB awareness, care and prevention in more than 500,000 villages. This was accomplished by creating TB units that covered five villages each and had members inform residents about TB identification, early diagnosis and treatment. 

Ni-Akshay Mitra Campaign 

The Ni-Akshay Mitra campaign focuses on reducing the stigma surrounding TB in India. By creating a public government program easily accessible via the internet citizens are able to access vital information. The program offers an array of support ranging from dietary, diagnostic and occupational information. The campaign has already reached over 1 million TB patients and has had success in building a culture aiding the elimination of TB in India. It also highlights nutritional information that recent studies have shown can be instrumental in preventing and reducing TB. 

Government Aid 

A primary barrier to TB treatment in India is a lack of monetary resources. TB treatment can total about $700 in direct and indirect costs, but the average monthly salary in India is $387. To curb this, India’s Direct Benefit Transfer a government program provides money to TB patients. The program has helped about 8 million patients and distributed $260 million. 

The government has also focused on helping citizens with care. Recently developing a family-focused model of care through the Ministry of Health to aid family caregivers in treating TB. Information made easily accessible by the government teaches caregivers through media, videos and animations. 

Looking Forward 

While there are still barriers and challenges regarding TB that need addressing, such as increasing drug resistance and hindered infrastructure due to the COVID-19 epidemic, India is no doubt ahead of the WHO’s schedule in eliminating TB. Reducing TB is another weight that is lifted off those suffering from poverty and is a great step in working to improve the lives of billions living in India.

– Aditya Arora
Photo: Flickr

Tackling HIV/AIDS in Equatorial Guinea

HIVAIDS in Equatorial GuineaEquatorial Guinea is a small country in central Africa with a population of just over 1,700,000 people. Although it is a small nation, it has been heavily impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. As of 2022, about 7% of the adult population aged 15-49 had contracted the disease, which is about 66,000 individuals. Only about 51% of adults are aware of their status as HIV positive. Furthermore, it is estimated that around 3,600 children in the country are living with HIV. Since 2010, the number of new cases of HIV/AIDS in Equatorial Guinea and deaths from the disease has been steadily increasing from around 1,600 deaths in 2010 to 2,300 deaths from the virus in 2021. Much of the country’s issues with the virus can be attributed to low government spending on education and health care, with only 3.8% of GDP going towards health care. 

Treatment

In recent years, the main treatment for HIV/AIDS in Equatorial Guinea has been ART, which stands for antiretroviral therapy. This involves patients taking a combination of medicines that help prevent HIV from replicating in the body. This allows for CD4 cells to replenish, which helps fight infection in the immune system. About 41% of those living with the disease in Equatorial Guinea were receiving some type of ART treatment, showing that the country has a ways to go to ensure all citizens infected with the virus receive treatment. Furthermore, just 42% of pregnant women are receiving this treatment. This is especially alarming as pregnant women can pass on HIV/AIDS to their children through birth or through breastfeeding. Helping pregnant women become untransmissible could be one of the best ways to stop the spread of the virus. One becomes non-transmissible through the use of medications and treatments such as ART.

Action Being Taken

In 2014, then President of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang, met with the UNAIDS Executive Director to discuss ways forward in combating HIV/AIDS in Equatorial Guinea. They discussed how, in recent years, Equatorial Guinea has opened new treatment centers that provide care for citizens with the disease. This has allowed the nation to reduce the number of mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS. From 2011 to 2014, pregnant women’s access to ART treatments increased by 13%. Teodoro Obiang promised to work with UNAIDS to help end the epidemic in his country by 2030. While this meeting was promising, little has been said by the Equatorial Guinea government in several years on their current policy on HIV/AIDS and any action being taken. 

Outside organizations are also working to fight against HIV/AIDS in Equatorial Guinea. One of these is the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). In November of 2022, the organization partnered with the NGO SOS Children’s Villages met with several schools and youth centers near Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea. During these meetings, UNFPA educated the youth on stigmatized topics such as HIV, AIDS, STIs and teen pregnancy and distributed informational materials such as brochures. It is the hope of UNFPA that greater education around these issues will help reduce cases of HIV and AIDS. 

Looking Ahead

Currently, many individuals are battling HIV/AIDS in Equatorial Guinea. However, with renewed commitment taken by the government in terms of increased access to treatment for civilians, it is entirely possible that the population can bounce back from this epidemic and drastically reduce the transmission of HIV/AIDS.

– Emma Glas 
Photo: Flickr

Elderly Poverty in Botswana

Elderly Poverty in BotswanaThe vast majority of health systems in developing countries are arguably only “designed to deal with acute conditions and diseases,” with the WHO defining quality of life “as an individual’s perception of their position in life in the context of culture and value systems in which they live.” Because Botswana is a very rural and agricultural country, many elderly people living in poverty are particularly vulnerable, as accessing hospitals, support and even basic amenities can be a particularly challenging task, with care solely falling upon family members. 

Furthermore, even when the elderly attempt to access support, there are many barriers. According to one study from the NIH, Botswana is facing a challenge when it comes to addressing loneliness and social isolation due to the lack of comprehensive policies and programs in place.

Therefore social networking links are particularly weak, and to make things worse, most of the facilities available are particularly difficult to access. Unfortunately, many buildings still do not prioritize accessibility by lacking lifts or ramps.

In particular, a study conducted by the National Library of Medicine in 2019, suggested that the solution to solving elderly poverty and the issues associated with it was to improve social structures. “Services to tackle later-life loneliness and social exclusion need to be more widely available and robust if they are to promote healthy aging and build resilience, support and independence.” 

Common Illnesses in Botswana 

Due to the majority of those who are elderly in Botswana living in extreme cases of poverty, many suffer from malnourishment, which leads to further health complications later in life. 

A study, conducted by the Epidemiol Institute of Health in 2000, which analyzed elderly poverty in Mmankgodi Village, stated, “Among our group of elderly, 69, 21% were classified as moderate or severely malnourished. This indicates that malnutrition is a significant health problem among the elderly in this region.” 

Additionally, “Blindness was the single most frequently found physical disability, affecting 10% of the study population. The majority suffered from cataracts, a condition that can be surgically treated.”

However, despite this being the most common condition in the region, the surgery to remove the cataract is only conducted in three hospitals in Botswana. This means that many elderly people eventually become blind, as the treatment required is inaccessible to most. 

Current Actions To Support the Elderly

An organization that is currently working in the area to take care of the elderly is the Pabaleong Hospice homecare program, run by the Sisters of Nazareth Charity. The sisters and caregivers who work for the hospice provide support for vulnerable people through doing both home visits and treating them at the 10-bed inpatient facility which is based in Metsimotlhabe. 

The charity has so far reached 90 patients who are living at home, and has provided palliative care throughout the country. 

Someone who has been supported by the program is a man named Matthew (named changed to protect his privacy). Matthew speaks of having been “woken by pain from an infection in his right leg.” Normally having to walk over a mile to receive treatment, the Pabalelong Hospice program was able to provide support by visiting Matthew’s home, and the sisters have been making visits regularly to ensure that he remains in stable condition. 

“I don’t think I could have walked to the clinic today, it is very painful,” Matthew says, rubbing his wound. “I have also run out of bandages, so I am really happy you have come to see me today,” he tells his caregivers. 

Despite the success of this program, much more work needs to be done to support the elderly in Botswana. This consists of improvements to health and social care, making infrastructure capable of accommodating those who require special access to buildings and ensuring that an elderly person’s family isn’t the only source of help out there.

– Megan Rose Miley
Photo: Unsplash

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USAID Programs in Mali

USAID Programs in MaliThe landlocked West African country of Mali faces a myriad of challenges. In 2021, Mali ranked 186 out of 191 in the UNDP Human Development Index, and, according to the World Food Programme, nearly eight in 10 people in Mali are affected by poverty, and nearly a third of Malian children under the age of 5 suffer from stunting. Faced with these difficult circumstances, USAID programs in Mali work to improve the situation in the country in a number of areas including health, humanitarian and food assistance, education and human rights protection.

Agriculture and Food Security

The World Food Programme (WFP) estimates that nearly a fifth of the Malian population is affected by food insecurity. This highlights the importance of USAID programs in Mali that combat hunger and help the agriculture sector, which is responsible for 80% of employment in the country. USAID’s “Feed the Future” program, which runs in a number of other countries as well, implements help in a number of ways.

The program works with members of the private sector to incentivize private companies to commit to sustainable agricultural production and the sale of agricultural products in Mali. To aid the highly agriculture-dependent population, the program also provides education to Malian farmers on better farming practices and soil and water conservation techniques. In addition, Feed the Future helps them gain access to better soil, fertilizer and financing, so that farmers are able to increase food production and reduce food insecurity. In the year 2021 alone, Feed the Future was able to assist the nutrition of nearly 2 million children under the age of 5, making it one of the most impactful of all USAID programs in Mali. Feed the Future even branches out into the more political sphere, with USAID representatives working with local government and NGOs to encourage the harmonic use of resources so that food insecurity may be reduced.

Health

Mali is faced with a number of health crises which USAID programs in Mali aim to combat. While the scope of USAID health aid is large, ranging from the provision of training to health workers and medical equipment to health facilities and much more, there are some initiatives that are more targeted at specific health issues. The Presidential Malaria Initiative, for example, is committed to fighting the disease malaria in the country. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malaria ranks as one of the leading causes of death in Mali, making work to combat the disease of high importance. By way of the Presidential Malaria Initiative, USAID provides a wide range of aid to both prevent malaria from spreading and treat infected Malians. Malaria prevention measures include the provision of preventive treatments for pregnant women, the distribution of mosquito nets, rapid diagnostic tests and insecticide spray. In addition, USAID treats malaria-infected Malians with fast-acting medicines, to prevent further spread and enable those with the disease to recover from it.

Education

Around 12.5% of Malian children of primary school age do not attend school, according to the WFP. In addition, USAID reports that boys are more likely to be enrolled in school than girls, who are regularly deprived of an education in favor of working in the home. USAID programs in Mali seek to increase school participation and graduation and to increase the number of girls given the opportunity to receive an education. 

The USAID program Girls’ Leadership and Empowerment through Education (GLEE) works to decrease the barriers girls face to receiving an education and to empower them to become more independent and less vulnerable to exploitation. Amongst other initiatives, the program supports the establishment of “Accelerated Schooling Centers,” which are learning centers that provide an education to girls who missed out on school years. As of June 2023, USAID reported that 21,745 girls had been enrolled in such institutions, giving them a chance to catch up with their education.

Human Rights

With armed internal conflicts and crises regularly occurring, the human rights situation in Mali is difficult. USAID programs in Mali aim to strengthen democracy, human rights and the justice system in the country.

The Empowering Malians through Elections, Reforms and Governance Efforts (EMERGE) program, for example, aims to inform democratic debate and strengthen fair democratic elections. The program, which was founded by USAID in partnership with the Swiss and Danish stakeholders, has delivered training to nearly 5,500 local election observers and provided accurate information on elections to over 25 million Malians over the radio, in-person and on social media platforms.

Looking Ahead

Mali faces a number of challenges, ranging from food insecurity to disease and education issues. However, some progress has been made, as international aid, including USAID programs in Mali, works to improve the lives of Malians. For example, life expectancy at birth increased by over 10 years in Mali since 2000, per the WHO. Continued and increased aid is needed to continue this trend and ensure that Malians have a better future.

– Patrick Brownlow
Photo: Flickr

4 More Podcasts that Highlight Global Poverty

Podcasts that Highlight Global PovertyRecent data indicates that approximately 22% of internet users are podcast listeners. This equates to 464.7 million users globally — a spike of 40 million from 2022. This indicates the rapidly increasing relevance and utility of on-the-go audio. While podcasts offer themselves as engaging sources of entertainment, they can also serve as an insightful means to learn more and spread awareness on important topics such as the global fight against poverty. July 2023 marked the introduction of The Borgen Project’s first official podcast. Co-hosts Clint Borgen and Marie Shanley dive into the latest in humanitarian news and discuss varying aspects of global poverty. Alongside this new addition to the podcast library, here are four more podcasts that highlight global poverty.

4 Podcasts that Highlight Global Poverty

  1. Business Fights Poverty – Launched in May 2020, Business Fights Poverty explores the roles business professionals play in tackling vital societal issues such as poverty, gender inequality and more. With an average of three installments per month, the show features enlightening “Social Impact Pioneers” who both inform and empower listeners on how to overcome barriers to economic growth and financial success. Past episodes have welcomed insightful figures such as Donna Rosa, whose expertise in nutritional science and food technology is crucial to the reduction of food shortages and food insecurity on a global scale. Each listen takes about 20-40 minutes. 
  2. Poverty Unpacked – Launched in March 2020, The Poverty Unpacked Podcast examines different aspects of poverty ranging from its psychological implications to its impact on interpersonal relationships and consequences throughout everyday life. With its 40-minute episodes being released on monthly basis, they dissect various topics, such as the possibility to “graduate” from poverty, how to alleviate the effects of child poverty and ways to support those living in poverty through climate change.
  3. Ending Poverty Together – Since January 2021, host Shelaine Storm of Food for the Hungry Canada has met with various experts throughout Canada once or twice per month in order to unpack how to address and understand poverty on a local and global level. Episodes feature detailed 30-40 minute discussions on diverse subjects such as the global hunger crisis, maintaining compassion in the face of child poverty and the dangerous interaction between poverty and addiction.
  4. Off-Kilter with Rebecca Vallas – Off-Kilter features in-depth, weekly discussions with host, Rebecca Vallas, and varying professionals and advocates alongside academics. Select episodes dissect the unjust societal landscape that can leave one vulnerable to poverty. Notably, a recent installment of the podcast included Zaki “The Barber” Smith as a guest, who detailed how a criminal record can entrap an ex-convict in a life of poverty.

Understanding Poverty with Podcasts

This variety of podcasts that highlight global poverty can allow listeners to engage routinely with a subject that has large implications for a fair quality of life throughout the world. Even one episode from any of these podcasts can offer an enlightening and informative experience. Check out these podcasts that highlight global poverty today.

– Katrina Girod
Photo: Unsplash

 

 

The Borgen Project podcast is available on Apple, Spotify and most streaming platforms. Subscribe to have the latest episodes appear on your podcast feed. You can also find clips of episodes on YouTube and Tiktok.

 

Listen to “The Borgen Project Named Top 9 Global Nonprofits… Oh Yeah!” on Spreaker.

 

USAID in Ghana: A New and Revolutionary Global Health Partnership

USIAD in GhanaOn July 26, 2023, the U.S. entered into a historic partnership with Korea and Japan. At an event hosted by Honorable Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, Ghana’s Health Minister, in Accra, a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) was signed stating that the three countries’ foreign aid agencies, USAID, KOICA and JICA, will work together to help Ghana achieve its goal of Universal Health Coverage. This marks the first collaborative project between the three agencies and will increase the impact of USAID in Ghana. While JICA, USAID and KOICA have already been working collaboratively in Northern Ghana to provide health care support, the signing of this MOC will produce a more coordinated response, by ensuring, according to JICA, “effective utilization of each organization’s respective health care know-how and resources.” 

A Forgotten Region

The partnership will focus on supporting Ghana’s North: the Upper West, Upper East, North East, Savannah and Northern Regions. Global Health initiatives supported by USAID in Ghana have not previously focused on these areas, despite the fact that they require the most aid as they have been excluded from positive trends regarding poverty and life expectancy in the country. 

According to a report by the U.N., the percentage of Ghanaians living in poverty fell from 52% in 1992 to 29% in 2006. However, that same report states that, in the Northern Region, the poverty rate only fell from 63% to 52% over the same period, and actually increased in the Upper East Region, from 67% to 70%. From 2006 to 2012, some improvement was observed in these areas, particularly the Upper East and West, where rates declined from 73% to 44% and 89% to 71% respectively. However, progress in the Northern Region was still slow over this period and these three areas still have the highest rates of poverty in Ghana. These high poverty rates mean that Universal Health care will have the greatest impact on Ghana’s North since medical bills are a greater burden for those living in poverty. Additionally, the area currently lacks basic health care services because it is so far away from Accra. 

Plan of Action 

The agreement will focus on the following three key areas of health care in Ghana: 

  • Primary (essential) health care
  • Health Governance at a regional and district level 
  • Global health security 

Currently, Ghana’s primary health care system is the Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS). For the last 20 years, it has aimed to reduce inequalities relating to health care by providing care in rural communities, particularly to women and children. 

The partnership will build on this preexisting system, while also strengthening the quality of health services by working with health centers. 

So far, USAID has promised to give $135 million to the project, between 2023 and 2027. KOICA, the Korean overseas aid department, has promised $22 million, while JICA has not yet laid out a figure since it is awaiting approval, but promises to invest its financial and technical resources once that approval is obtained.

This aid could not come at a better time, since the country is currently recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the help from USAID in Ghana in the form of case management and donation and deployment of vaccines. Additionally, Ghana is looking to strengthen its health care system to prevent any future pandemic threats. 

Problems to Solve

Ghana is currently facing a vast range of threats to its citizens’ health, one of the greatest being malaria. Malaria is constantly present in all areas of Ghana, and it is among the 15 highest malaria-burdened countries in the world. Around 2% of global malaria deaths can be attributed to Ghana. However, in 2020-2021 cases remained stable and deaths fell by 1.7%, a small margin but a step in the correct direction. Additionally, access to insecticide-treated nets (ITNS) has seen a steady increase and stood at 67% in 2019. However, the use of these nets has not increased at the same rate and was only 43% in 2019.

Another major health problem faced by Ghanaians is HIV/AIDS. A 2019 study found HIV prevalence to be around 1.6%. The groups most affected were men who have sex with men and female sex workers. Currently, Ghana’s strategic plan for HIV, which began in 2021 and will continue through 2025 involves a 95% goal for testing, treatment and viral suppression targets. Aid from the partnership will contribute toward this goal. 

This partnership marks a new frontier for USAID in Ghana. By collaborating, the three countries’ aid agencies have the potential to produce a coordinated, more efficient response to improve health care in Ghana, achieve the goal of universal health care and help people living in poverty.  

– Lily Cooper
Photo: Flickr

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2023 Named the “Year of the African Continental Free Trade Area”

Year of the African Continental Free Trade Area

In 2023, the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (the AU Assembly) adopted the “Acceleration of AfCFTA Implementation” as the theme of the year. By making 2023 the Year of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the AU hopes to make major breakthroughs in its implementation by increasing the political commitment of member states and the different stakeholders and improving their collaboration.

The AfCFTA Alleviating Poverty

The Year of the African Continental Free Trade Area, one of the major projects outlined in Agenda 2063 of the AU, is set to greatly contribute to the alleviation of poverty in Africa. By eradicating barriers to trade and expanding commerce within the continent, the program has the creation of a unique African market as its goal. It aims to achieve development in a sustainable and inclusive manner and to ensure food security and the development of the agricultural and industrial sectors.

With 55 member states of the AU and an expected 2050 population of 2.5 billion, the AfCFTA is also set to be the world’s largest free trade zone since the World Trade Organisation was formed, and per the World Bank estimates, it will increase the continent’s income by $450 billion by 2035.

All of this will have a major impact on poverty in Africa. The program should enable around 30 million people to leave extreme poverty. Another 68 million will be able to escape moderate poverty. By creating employment and enhancing sustainable development, the AfCFTA will significantly improve the African population’s average quality of life. 

The AfCFTA Roadmap

  1. May 2019 marked the AfCFTA Agreement entering into effect, and its implementation has progressed ever since. As of March 2023, 46 countries have ratified the agreement. Before the start of the 2023 Year of the AfCFTA, eight countries had met the minimum requirements for trade and participated in the program’s Guided Trade Initiative, an important start in the implementation of the AfCFTA. However, the project has still been limited by a need for foreign direct investment and by infrastructure issues. Furthermore, negotiations were complicated by competing interests between individual governments and the continent-wide project. 

However, 2023 being the Year of the AfCFTA has had non-negligible advantages. In July 2023, the AU’s Mid-Year Coordination Meeting remarked that the negotiations on the “strengthening of infrastructure through the corridor approach”, which had been stalling before, were now completed. The AfCFTA implementation has thus been accelerated and is on the right path to one day generate significant income and jobs for the continent, thus benefiting millions of people in poverty and the world economy. 

A Focus on Women and Youth 

The AfCFTA project also aims to guarantee socio-economic inclusiveness across the continent by facilitating women’s and youth’s access to cross-border trade. With Africa’s population being the youngest in the world (people under the age of 30 make up 70% of the overall population), and women being major participants of cross-border activities in Africa, their involvement in the development of the AfCFTA is essential. However, social inequalities in Africa impede women’s participation in the economy, thus pushing them into the informal sector.  Like young people, women are disproportionately impacted by financial and systematic obstacles and lack of employment. 

Among its objectives, the AfCFTA wishes to address this situation by including a Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade in the Agreement on the AfCFTA. 

Discussions on the Protocol, which had already been held in 26 countries before the start of the Year of the AfCFTA, have been a forum for African women in trade to shape their participation in the project and address the challenges they face today. The Protocol aims to find solutions to abolish the structural obstacles that women and youth face in trade, such as significant trade tariffs, or gender-based violence.

The inclusion of women and youth in the implementation of this program is paramount to the sound development of the trade area and the African economy. It is also essential to ensure that this important part of the African population is lifted out of poverty and can access better welfare. 

The Road Ahead

Despite the progress made in the 2023 Year of the AfCFTA, there is still work ahead to ensure its full implementation. Notably, the project is still in need of investment and hampered by infrastructure issues. However, the AU has made impressive strides toward the trade area’s full development in the past years and in 2023 alone, which shows its eagerness to succeed in this endeavor. If the AU achieves the full implementation of the program, it could mean unprecedented benefits for both the African and world economies. The potential for poverty alleviation it holds would be revolutionary for the African population.

– Kenza Oulammou
Photo: Unsplash

Renewable Energy Projects on Tribal Lands

Renewable Energy ProjectsSandia National Laboratories, a multimission research facility based in New Mexico, has been researching ways to incorporate renewable energy projects onto tribal lands to create dependable energy and boost the economy of several Native tribes.

Energy Poverty in Reservations

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about a third of U.S. Natives are forced to live on reservations. These are located in extremely remote locations set aside by the Treaty of 1868. Many U.S. Natives are denied basic necessities as a result, including electricity and running water. Such a separation can lead to extreme poverty and unemployment. In the Navajo Nation alone, 35.8% of households live below the poverty threshold. This is extremely high when compared to the national average of 12.7%. 

To address this issue, Sandia National Labs has led a number of renewable energy projects on Native lands. The successful projects have created solutions to resolve both energy poverty and the economic needs of Native tribes. Listed are five benefits of such projects, taking the Aqua Caliente Solar Installation in Arizona and the Campo Kumeyaay Wind Farm in California as great examples of successful projects.

5 Benefits of The Ongoing Projects

  1. The team communicates with locals to find the most informed solutions. These projects involve plenty of communication with locals in order to be as effective as possible. The Sandia National Labs team and interns work closely with indigenous leaders and local experts to find the most advantageous energy solutions for the tribe based on their current needs. The plans for these projects are therefore methodical and organized before they are implemented. The team and interns are able to learn about the significance of proper communication and important considerations that must go into such projects.
  2. The projects have provided financial benefits for many impoverished households in the Navajo Nation. Setting up running electricity cables can cost up to $25,000 per mile, and it could be especially expensive for tribes located in remote reservations. In these cases, renewable energy sources are the better option. The upfront cost of renewable energy may be high as well. Still, it has great potential to save money later as it offers energy independence, saving households from dealing with rising electricity costs. Additionally, these projects have been funded by the Department of Energy for their ability to provide substantial amounts of power to both Native tribes as well as the nearest cities and energy companies.
  3. These projects have been proven to be reliable sources of energy. In the early 2000s, Aqua Caliente was powered by a propane generator, which was functional but extremely inefficient. Its replacement with solar energy panels was a logical solution for a location in Arizona that receives plenty of sun. The solar energy panels of Aqua Caliente were made even more efficient with the development of new inverter technologies. The new inverter system allows operation during larger voltage variations than traditional inverters and improves delivery to the utility grid. The energy stored by the new inverters can be used by the tribe even during cloudy days.
  4. It is an economically valuable resource for Native tribes. As well as providing clean and valuable energy, Aqua Caliente Solar Panels and the Campo Kumeyaay Wind Farm have been economically valuable resources to the tribes that utilize them. To make the Campo Kumeyaay Wind Farm a reality, the Kumeyaay tribe put in land leases with Kinetech Windpower. From this agreement, the tribe continues to receive royalties from the Power Purchase Agreement to sell their energy to power 30,000 San Diego homes. This project has continued to provide funds for the tribe even during difficult economic times, such as the Recession. The tribe is considering building 60 more windmills due to these successes. The Cahuilla tribe of Aqua Caliente sells the extra energy generated by the Wind Farm to the Pacific Gas and Electric Company. The energy that is generated by the Wind Farm is able to provide electricity for more than 225,000 homes, producing 559,000 MWh of energy annually. Additionally, the process of implementing these solar panels has created 400 new construction jobs and 10 permanent jobs.
  5. Sandia National Labs provides internship positions to prospective future Native leaders of renewable energy projects. Sandia National Labs provides two internships for students wishing to pursue careers in sustainable energy. These include The Department of Energy’s Indian Energy (DOE IE) Internship and the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Minority Serving Institute Partnership Program for Tribal Colleges and Universities (MSIPP TCU). The former internship is open to anyone interested in the development of renewable energy on tribal lands and finding solutions to energy poverty, and the latter provides positions for Indigenous students from all over the U.S. This allows Native students to build up their experience and become critical leaders in renewable energy projects in their communities. 

Some Remaining Hurdles and Future Plans

Some hurdles still need to be overcome when it comes to renewable energy projects. Although they are a great source of renewable energy, wind farms are known to harm wildlife, especially migrating birds. Many locals have raised concerns about this problem. The Campo Kumeyaay Nation has stated that their experts are currently working on ways to make their wind farms as safe as possible for wildlife. 

At present, Sandia National Labs Indigenous Energy Experts are considering a number of new projects, such as renewable energy storage and nuclear power. Many hurdles had to be overcome to implement both the Aqua Caliente Solar Panels and the Campo Kumeyaay Wind Farm, but as a result of both, people from tribes of the Aqua Caliente and Campo Kumeyaay regions have begun to overcome poverty while becoming key leaders of renewable energy projects.

– Sophia Holub
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