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The ABCs for Poverty Reduction in Ghana

Poverty Reduction in GhanaIn Ghana, 38% of the population is between 15 and 35 years old. Young people have the desire and capacity to contribute to national development, which, in turn, supports poverty reduction efforts in Ghana. To get young people involved, they must be given a seat at the table. The government has committed to creating more opportunities to enhance their involvement. Millennials and Gen Zs are skilled at using innovative and creative approaches to improve technologies and systems that benefit growing sectors, such as agriculture and entrepreneurship. 

Agriculture

Agriculture remains one of Ghana’s oldest and most vital professions, employing 33% of the population and encompassing crops, livestock and fisheries. The sector accounts for an impressive 54% of the country’s total gross domestic product (GDP). Currently, only 5% of agricultural jobs are held by youth. Hence, the government is implementing targeted policies and providing sustainable funding to boost youth participation.

The 8th annual Agricultural Innovation for Africa (AIA) Conference was held in Accra in August 2024. It aims to produce a policy paper on attracting and supporting youth in the agriculture sector. The conference focused on the future of agricultural innovation, youth employment and food security in Africa — all crucial factors in reducing poverty in Ghana.

Count on Crops Hub Limited is an African-led, youth-based organization dedicated to improving agricultural production and driving inclusive agrarian transformation in Ghana. In addition, it runs the Agric4Girls initiative, which addresses the urgent need for economic opportunities and contributions that women and girls can make to the agricultural sector.

Business

Post COVID-19, the Ghana government has created the COVID-19 Alleviation and Revitalisation of Enterprises Support (CARES) specifically to engage youth. CARES aims to:

  • Make the Ghana Stock Exchange a leading source of long-term financing for domestic business,
  • Facilitate foreign companies’ investment in the country,
  • Create the Development Bank Ghana (DBG) with more than $180 million loan from the European Investment Bank.
  • Fund the YouStart Initiative that will create over one million jobs for young people by giving them access to capital and mentorship to launch and grow their businesses.

The Enterprise and Youth Support Fund (EYSF) was started in conjunction with Ghana CARES in 2021. It offers an online investment platform and “youth bank” that will specifically target start-ups for young Ghanaians. They are encouraged to use innovation and fresh perspectives to create a sustainable economy that reinvests in its people.

One business that has flourished under these government initiatives is Gold Coast Tokota, a footwear brand founded by Kwaku Kumi. The Ghana-based company prides itself on using eco-friendly materials that minimize environmental impact. Supporting this brand promotes traditional craftsmanship, strengthens the local economy and advances sustainable fashion — all contributing to poverty reduction in Ghana.

Communicate Knowledge

Ghanaian President Akufo-Addo is urging all citizens who study abroad to return and share what they have learned with their communities. Access to correct information is integral in ending the cycle of poverty. Students and recent graduates can bring new knowledge and ideas back to the country. This knowledge can teach people across many sectors how to grow in their endeavors.

The Oxford and Cambridge Society of Ghana is a significant society for the Ghanaian people. Alums from the two universities work toward spreading and explaining how this knowledge contributes to the transformation of Ghana.

Summary

Ghana is modernizing its agricultural sector by applying the skills of young Ghanaians to create food security. Furthermore, the agriculture sector is providing employment opportunities in one of the country’s oldest professions. Supporting young entrepreneurs is another key focus. Investing in the youth today will help grow businesses that strengthen the economy and create jobs for the community. Additionally, making critical information accessible to all Ghanaians fosters growth across various sectors, ensuring that education and knowledge-sharing drive innovation and progress.

– Alysha Miller

Alysha is based in Toronto, Canada and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Overview of Poverty in Mali

Poverty in MaliMali, a country of 22.9 million, faces some of the highest poverty rates in the world. The country’s extreme poverty rate, defined as making less than $2.15 per day, has only increased since COVID-19, hitting 19.1% in 2022. The most vulnerable populations have continued to lose purchasing power as prices climb higher and economic growth dwindles. Yet the economy itself has continued to grow, raising 3.5% in 2022. This article outlines quick facts about poverty in Mali.

Poverty in Mali: Political Context and Basic Needs

Mali has had five military coups since gaining its independence from France in 1960, the most recent being in 2021. The coup in 1991 was relatively successful, but the country has faced instability since the coup in 2012. There was another government breakdown in 2020 and a Head of State was named in 2021, but that was quickly overthrown by the original coup leaders. This has led to further government instability and a lack of access to public services, contributing to poverty in Mali.

In 2020, 2021, and 2022 only 45% of Malians had access to basic sanitation, 48% had access to electricity, and 40% had access to clean drinking water, respectively, according to the Bertelsmann Transformation Index (BTI). Access to these basic needs is unequal between regions, with access being the worst in the northern region and sparse rural areas.

Unemployment and Children’s Rights

Agriculture makes up 80% of Mali’s employment, yet 65% of the country’s land is a total desert or semi-desert area. This forces most agriculture to stay along the Niger River, making the sector much more vulnerable to natural disasters. The country also faces land degradation, a lack of fertilizer, and post-harvest losses from poor storage and processing capacity, according to the World Food Programme (WFP). All of this contributes to smallholder farmers having higher-than-average poverty rates.

“More than 2 million children between 5 and 17 do not go to school,” according to UNICEF,  despite national efforts to improve education over the last decade. More than half of Mali’s young people are still not literate. Children in Mali often have to drop out of school to work, enter child marriages or because of school closures. Besides dropout rates, Malian schools also struggle to find enough qualified teachers and textbooks for students. Only 73.8% of girls and 85.5% of boys are enrolled in primary school and only 15% of girls and 21% of boys continue to secondary school, UNICEF reports.

Every year of education can increase an individual’s income by up to 10%. Education provides people with the skills and knowledge they need to secure employment and become financially independent. It is considered to be one of the most effective ways to combat poverty in Mali, yet so many Malians still cannot access it.

Conflict and Displacement

Many of the poorest in Mali struggle with internal displacement. At the end of 2023, internal displacement affected around 344,000 people in Mali due to conflict and violence or natural disasters such as flooding. Many people lose their income due to displacement, plunging them into poverty. Almost two-thirds of internally displaced households lacked a stable income source in 2023, compared to less than 20% of non-displaced households, according to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center (IDMC).

A combination of the above issues, armed conflict and restricted humanitarian access are pushing nearly 1 million Malian children under 5 into acute malnutrition. Close to 5 million children are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance in Mali and at least 200,000 are at risk of dying of hunger if they do not receive aid. In Northern Mali, the Sahara desert is quickly expanding and encroaching on farmlands, directly leading to food shortages in the country.

Addressing Poverty in Mali

Many international organizations are working to address the complex web of issues contributing to poverty in Mali. UNICEF, for example, has programs aiming to strengthen and spread access to education in Mali. UNICEF supports Mali’s Ministry of National Education, the Ministry of Vocational Training and the Ministry of Higher Learning and Scientific Research to support education at all levels, according to its website. It also works with in-country partners to offer education opportunities to out-of-school children. The organization works to build up the capacity of school management committees, train more teachers and increase access to school materials for teachers and students.

USAID currently has eight active programs in Mali fighting to eradicate malnutrition. Mali is one of USAID’s 12 “Feed the Future” target countries for focused investment under the U.S. Government’s Global Food Security Strategy. The U.S. has made strategic investments in 113 communities addressing malnutrition, low dietary diversity, improving agricultural trade and investment, and bullying capacity among farmers, the private sector, civil society and public institutions. These programs are a part of the five-year USAID/Mali Health Strategy, which “seeks to achieve sustained improvements in health and facilitate Mali’s journey toward self-reliance.”

– Anna Thibodeau

Anna is based in Omaha, NE, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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African Women in Science: Alleviating Poverty

African Women in ScienceWomen and men are equally capable in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), yet external barriers continue to marginalize women, exacerbating the gender gap. These disparities are even more pronounced in Africa, where both access to and completion of higher education are limited, with less than 30% of women graduating in STEM fields in sub-Saharan Africa. They are also significantly underrepresented in leadership roles – globally, women hold only 24% of leadership roles in the tech industry.

Despite these challenges, many African women in science work on innovations to alleviate poverty and improve public health. Their efforts highlight the role of women in science and show how scientific advancements can drive social and economic progress. Here are three inspiring examples of women and organizations making a significant impact in the fight against poverty.

Corine Ngufor

Each year, Cameroon reports more than 2.7 million cases of malaria, according to USAID. For its people, this means missing work and school often – significantly impacting both economic and educational opportunities. The fight to eradicate malaria has become a priority for the Cameroonian Government. Corine Ngufor’s work – inspired by her personal experience with malaria growing up in Cameroon – is a remarkable step forward.

As a medical entomologist with a PhD from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Ngufor has innovated mosquito net fabrication. While insecticide-treated nets have saved millions of lives in the past decades, mosquito resistance has diminished their effectiveness. To combat this, many researchers have advocated for dual-insecticide nets. Ngufor’s lab identified chlorfenapyr as the effective second insecticide to pair with pyrethroid, a product already used on nets.

Her improved mosquito nets – officially named Interceptor G2 – have prevented 13 million malaria cases and saved 25,000 lives between 2019 and 2022, as reported by STAT News. Corine Ngufor’s work in reducing malaria cases is also crucial in poverty alleviation because healthier communities lead to increased productivity and less financial strain due to medical expenses.

Revital Healthcare

While vaccines for polio and measles are effective in combating these diseases, many African countries face challenges due to a shortage of syringes, leading to the reuse of needles and the transmission of “blood-borne pathogens” such as HIV and hepatitis B. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this issue by creating a shortage of syringes in Africa – where 80% come from Asia – disrupting routine vaccinations for children across the continent. It highlighted the need to improve Africa’s self-reliance in syringe production, an indispensable medical tool.

Thus, to prevent the reuse of needles and ensure the availability of syringes on the continent, Revival Healthcare – Africa’s largest medical device manufacturer based in Kenya – started manufacturing auto-disable syringes in 2021 with a $4 million grant from the Gates Foundation. These syringes become inoperative after the plunger has been used, preventing reuse, and they aim to produce 300 million of them annually.

Beyond providing life-saving medical equipment, Revival Healthcare also supports women in science. With an 80%  female workforce, the company creates job opportunities that help reduce poverty by improving families’ financial stability and access to vital resources. Revival Healthcare empowers women economically and encourages them to pursue education and careers in the medical field.

Rachel Sibande and mHub

According to the 2023 UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report, 89% of learners in sub-Saharan Africa still lack access to a computer and 82% do not have an Internet connection at home. This digital gap limits young people’s ability to gain the skills needed in today’s world, further hindering their employability prospects.

To address this challenge, Malawian computer scientist Rachel Sibande founded mHub in 2014. As Malawi’s first technology and innovation center, mHub has been instrumental in reducing poverty across Africa by empowering young innovators and promoting local technology solutions. As of 2023, mHub has trained more than 40,000 young people in technology, technical and business skills.

In 2020, the hub launched the Digital Malawi project, providing digital skills and business opportunities to youth across the country – supporting more than 500 young people, with some receiving $2,500 in seed capital.

mHub also champions African women in science and technology through its Girls for Code program, which equips young girls with skills in robotics, machine learning, and mobile application development – reaching 323 girls across 15 schools. By advancing technological proficiency and promoting gender equality in STEM fields, mHub fosters innovation and drives economic growth throughout Africa.

Africa Women in Science: Making a Change

African women in science are making a significant impact on reducing poverty through innovation. Despite facing challenges like limited access to education and underrepresentation in STEM, women such as Corine Ngufor, the team at Revital Healthcare and Rachel Sibande are leading the way. Their work in health, technology and medical improvement is bettering lives, boosting economies and promoting gender equality. As they continue to inspire future generations, the role of African women in science will grow, contributing to a better future for the continent.

– Alissa Naydenova

Alissa is based in Colchester, Essex, UK and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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“I Still Had the Mind of a Child”: Ending Child Marriage in Zambia

Child Marriage in ZambiaAt 14, Doreen was forced to marry a man more than twice her age. Orphaned early, she saw marriage as a way to support her younger siblings. “I didn’t want to get married,” Doreen recalls. “I loved going to school. But I thought if I got married, I could help take care of my siblings.” Like many girls in Zambia, Doreen’s marriage meant the end of her education and the beginning of a life filled with responsibilities far beyond her years. “I should have been in school. I was too young. I still had the mind of a child,” she says. Her day-to-day life quickly shifted to household chores. “I spent most of my time sweeping, washing and doing dishes. I admired my friends going to school while I stayed home.”

Doreen’s story is not uncommon. In Zambia, nearly 29% of girls are married before they turn 18 and 5% before age 15. The impacts are widespread, especially in rural areas like the eastern and northern provinces, where traditions and economic pressures often lead families to marry off their daughters at a young age.

Why Child Marriage in Zambia Continues

Poverty is a major driving force behind Zambia’s high rate of child marriage. Indeed, around 60% of the population lives below the poverty line and for many families, marrying off their daughters can seem like a way to reduce financial strain. A bride price—money or goods paid to the girl’s family—can immediately relieve households struggling to get by.

In Doreen’s case, her grandmother worried about the future after taking on the responsibility of raising five grandchildren. She arranged the marriage, thinking it would secure Doreen’s future. “My grandmother feared she wouldn’t live long enough to care for us all,” Doreen explained.

Cultural practices also contribute. In many communities, marrying young girls is seen as a way to preserve family honor, prevent premarital sex or control a girl’s future.

The Impact on Girls’ Lives

For many girls, getting married means their education is over. Without access to school, they lose the opportunity to gain skills that could help them build a future independent of poverty. Doreen reflects on how her life might have been different: “If I had stayed in school, my life would have been different. I could have become a teacher, earned my own salary.”

Ending child marriage is crucial for reducing severe health risks, especially those associated with early pregnancy. Doreen, who became pregnant at 15, knows this all too well. “I was hurt when I found out I was pregnant. People were pointing at me: ‘That one is pregnant,’” she recalls. Her age caused complications during childbirth and doctors recommended surgery. “I was too young,” she explains.

Health complications from early pregnancies are common among child brides. Young mothers face higher risks during childbirth and are also more vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. The emotional, physical and sexual abuse that often goes with child marriage compounds these challenges, leaving many girls trapped in a life of hardship.

Ending Child Marriage in Zambia: New Legislation

In its fight toward ending child marriage, Zambia passed the Marriage (Amendment) Act of 2023, setting 18 as the minimum marriage age without exceptions. Any marriage involving a child is now void from the start and cultural practices allowing child marriage are no longer recognized. Furthermore, the law also enforces strict penalties, with those involved in child marriages facing up to five years in prison. Under the Education Act, marrying off school-going children carries a minimum 15-year sentence.

The 2023 Amendment builds on Zambia’s earlier laws, including the Education Act of 2011, which banned marrying off school children and the Child Code Act of 2022, which criminalized child marriage. These laws aim to protect girls and align Zambia with international agreements on child rights.

What Comes Next

Zambia’s battle against ending child marriage is far from over. The success of the Amendment will depend on successfully enforcing the law alongside addressing the cultural and economic factors that sustain the practice. In communities where poverty and tradition drive child marriage, laws alone may not be enough to create lasting change.

Traditional leaders are vital in preventing child marriages. As respected figures, they can report cases, promote birth registration and support local authorities in enforcing laws. Schools and educators also have to raise awareness among students and parents about the dangers and legal protections around early marriage.

Health care providers are vital, too. By offering youth-friendly services and educating families on the health risks, they help reduce early marriages and support at-risk girls. Engaging men and boys is often overlooked. Involving them in discussions about gender equality and challenging norms can shift attitudes. When they advocate for girls’ education and rights, the cycle of child marriage has a better chance of being broken.

Final Note

Zambia’s new law marks a significant milestone toward ending child marriage. Yet, with nearly a third of girls marrying before 18, achieving lasting change will require ongoing education, community engagement and support for girls. Doreen’s experiences reflect those of many girls across the country, serving as a reminder of the work still needed. She says, “I wouldn’t want anyone else to go through what I did at 14.”

– Georgia O’Keeffe

Georgia is based in Wiltshire, UK and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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3D Printed Weather Stations Combats African Data Poverty

3D Printed Weather StationsIn 2019, The Washington Post covered a story about a “relatively inexpensive” weather station developed by the Trans-African Hydro-Meteorological Observatory (TAHMO)—commenting that it was a sign of hope in solving Africa’s climate data poverty in the future. This weather station cost $2000 at the time of reporting. In 2024, an automatic 3D printed weather station from the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) team called 3D PAW costs only around $375-475 including operational costs (through a solar power/battery system). This is a massive advancement. A major obstacle in building a reliable early warning system for the African continent has been outsmarted.

Climate Data Poverty in Africa

Weather Stations do much more than just inform whether an umbrella will be necessary today. It is often overlooked that they make up the integral forecasting infrastructure that saves countless lives, prevents massive economic damages, and protects the livelihoods of the most vulnerable demographic—by providing early warnings of extreme weather events. The availability of early warning systems allows vulnerable people to have enough time to evacuate and better prepare for emergency relief, lowering the number of casualties and deaths.

Advancements in weather forecasting in the last 50 years have contributed to the massive decrease in the number of deaths that extreme weather globally causes. However, statistics at a global scale hide within it the fact that flood-induced deaths were four times more occurrent in Africa per flood for the last 20 years; the fact that 99% of deaths caused by droughts occurred in Africa from 2006 to 2015.

Weather Stations in Africa

Although this indeed is a problem with a variety of causes, the attention of global health agencies, researchers and foreign aid projects synchronously focus on establishing early warning systems in the African continent in response (The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the Biden Administration have all addressed this issue publicly in 2023). The unnerving fact is that the African continent immensely lacks land-based weather observation network coverage and is currently losing existing facilities.

According to Climate Links, 3,300 ground-based weather stations covered the African continent in 1981, but in 2023 only 800 remain functional. This is mainly due to a lack of maintenance and the high cost of those operations. The WMO reports that only 37 Radar stations cover the African continent of 1.2 billion people while 636 stations cover Europe and the United States with 1.1 billion people. Simply having an early warning 24 hours before an extreme weather event can lower damages by 30%

The first part of the answer is that weather stations are incredibly expensive tools and governmental funding is insufficient in many parts of Africa. According to the Kenyan Meteorological Department, each automatic weather station cost them $54,000, The Washington Post reports. The second part of the answer is the fact that the maintenance cost of these weather stations is also high, adding to the height of the financial obstacle. Maintenance costs include manpower for regular maintenance (cleaning the sensors), the cost of operational power, and the cost of replacing broken parts, according to Climate Links. The fact is, constructing a rich network of weather stations and maintaining it in a continent as large as Africa is expensive—especially challenging for a region facing the highest level of poverty globally.

The Good News: 3D Printed Weather Stations

3D Printed Automatic Weather Stations (PAW) is a collection of 3D printable blueprints, instruction manuals and software that experts can use to locally build a fully functioning weather station using minimal resources in even the most distant parts of the globe. Despite its astronomically cheaper construction cost– around $300-500 USD–the system can impressively measure seven meteorological indicators simultaneously at 15-minute intervals: “pressure, temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, wind direction, precipitation and visible/infrared/UV light.” Building the system can take just a week, showcasing its potential for reproduction at an extremely fast pace.

3D PAW has grabbed the attention of the African early warning system space. In late March 2023, this new technological solution received a $10 million commitment as part of the expansion of the FEWS NET network from the Biden administration to establish a strong weather station network in the African continent, according to The White House. 3D PAWs have started to be deployed in Kenya and have currently installed 26 working weather stations at the time of reporting.

Now, the rigidity of the 3D-printed weather stations needs examination and the problem of maintaining a larger network of 3D PAWS is still something that needs a solution. However, it is undeniable that the cost-of-production problem now has an attractive solution. It is an exciting time.

The Conclusion

Working, reproducible and affordable, 3D printed weather stations are just one piece of the puzzle, but also a part of a new wave of innovations—such as AI analysis models—transform the weather forecasting game to be more affordable. The problem is still far from being solved, however, solutions are being proposed and governments and organizations globally are attentive and working together to solve the problem. The early warning issue in Africa is at a dynamic state – it is exciting to anticipate what the future may hold.

– Siwon Kim

Siwon is based in Boston, MA, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Wajukuu Art Project in Mukuru, Nairobi

Wajukuu Art ProjectMultidimensional poverty overwhelms the five senses. The smell takes in smoke- and the stench-saturated air. Hearing puts up with never-ending noise pollution. Taste feeds on bits of nutrient-scarce food. Touch is calloused by long working hours. Sight looks at its dilapidated world with agony. However, these senses often come together to reclaim creativity and make sense of their reality through art. The Wajukuu Art Project has pioneered the slum art form of Mukuru, Nairobi, Kenya. Its stunning visual art and commitment to uplifting its community have earned it acclaim locally and globally.

Mukuru’s Living Conditions

The Mukuru slum is situated on a hillside near the Kenyan capital’s major manufacturing industries. Job opportunities, however, are scant, so many subsist by scavenging for saleable items in the dumpsite that pollutes their locality. Most of the slum’s 700,000 residents live in suffocatingly tiny three-square-meter homes, sheltered only by roofs made of cardboard or plastic.

Diseases like malaria and tuberculosis are rampant, yet most medical facilities are priced out of residents’ reach. However, with the community’s involvement, the area has recently witnessed development, with 32 more miles of paved roads and significantly better access to flushing toilets.

The Slum Art Form’s Roots

In 2003, Lawrence “Shabu” Mwangi and a few other art school graduates from the Lumba-Lumba neighborhood of Mukuru formed an art collective. They wanted to avoid the criminal activities that many around them had succumbed to with the lack of fruitful employment opportunities.

Officially registering it in 2007, they named it “Wajukuu” or “grandchildren,” deriving from a Swahili proverb that says that younger generations feel the actions of parents and grandparents. Having borne the brunt of previous generations’ mistakes, they wanted to shape a happier future.

Bringing the Slum’s Art Form to Its Children

Noticing the many curious children intently looking in from the outside daily, they decided to start a Kids’ Club. This became their chance to find authentic self-expression, as also future employability, amid the deprivation that they were growing up with.

On a pleasant June day this year, perched upon large sheets of paper, the Kids’ Club started painting. Sitting beside the toxin-choked Ngong River, they used bright tangerine and vivid cobalt hues to breathe life into their self-portraits. They showed an intimate understanding of the problems that had broken their world and their dreams of transforming it. One child outlined his forearm and wrote “PEACE” in bold letters right next to it. Another depicted a man distributing bags of rice among locals.

So far, Wajukuu’s 27 members have nurtured more than 1,000 children through the Kids’ Club and art therapy. The team also manages a library that teaches close to 30 children daily. Wajukuu’s scholarship program has enabled 15 students to achieve a high school education. Wajukuu’s other initiatives include sustainable, organic farming and the twice-yearly Slum Art Festival, which hosts exhibitions and performances by well-known musicians and dancers.

Recognition for The Wajukuu Art Project

In 2022, Wajukuu was invited to take its distinctive slum art form to the Documenta Fifteen contemporary art exhibition in Kassel, Germany, which saw a footfall of more than 738,000. Indeed, Wajukuu interactive architectural displays were reminiscent of traditional Maasai homes and the construction patterns typical of its Mukuru, with its trembling corrugated metal walls.

Even after Documenta, Wajukuu was part of a minor core team working to promote collectivity and shared resource building across geographies. Furthermore, Wajukuu’s In The Absence exhibition at Nairobi’s African Arts Trust gallery in August 2024 startled visitors into self-reflection about the irresponsible use of technology and true freedom from colonialism.

– Shiveka Bakshi

Shiveka is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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USAID Programs in Eswatini

USAID Programs in EswatiniEswatini, due to its geographical location, relies on South Africa for the majority of its trade, with 65% of its exports and 75% of its imports going to South Africa, meaning that this is a large contributor to Eswatini’s economy. Despite the GDP per capita in Eswatini remaining relatively high, standing at $3,823 in 2023, nearly 70% of the population lives in poverty, with diseases such as HIV and AIDS having a devastating impact on citizens. With education quality being insufficient, alongside access to education, many do not receive an education that will prepare them for the workplace.

USAID Programs in Eswatini

Whilst there are several USAID programs in Eswatini, most of its work in Eswatini, and Southern Africa as a whole has been a part of the President’s Emergency Plan for HIV/AIDs Relief (PEPFAR), which works to control the HIV/AIDS pandemic in at least 50 countries across the world. The project has four main priorities within its operation: making progress towards HIV/AIDS control in more than 50 countries across the world, helping partner countries in spending every dollar they receive on creating data-driven policies, giving access to support to the populations that the by HIV/AIDs impacts the most and providing them with innovative solutions that are appropriate to their situations while utilizing partnerships in several different sectors to increase their impact.

After partnering with USAID and PEPFAR in 2007, Eswatini’s first Swaziland HIV Incidence Measurement Survey (SHIMS) in 2011 proved HIV rates in Eswatini were relatively high. Only less than 62% of the infected population aged between 18 and 49 knew their status, and out of those, only 73.1% were undergoing treatment and were virally suppressed. However, after SHIMS3 in 2021, these figures had improved significantly, with 93.7% of the population living with HIV knowing their status, and of this, 96.2% were undergoing treatment

DREAMS

USAID introduced the Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored and Safe (DREAMS) program in Eswatini with help from PEPFAR in 2015, to help teenage girls and young women by addressing factors that make them susceptible to HIV/AIDS. The program offers services such as access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (a drug that can prevent the acquisition of HIV), education subsidies and wider access to HIV screening, testing and counselling. In Eswatini, young girls also have access to business mentorship with Cabrini Ministries, as youth unemployment currently stands at 58%, and this mentorship provides young girls with employment opportunities in a social climate where job opportunities for women are sparse.

In 2024, PEPFAR announced that it is looking to roll out DREAMS NextGen, in partnership with USAID, which will aim to take a specific approach for the situation in each country, by expanding the services already in place and specific services for women in each partner country. This USAID program in Eswatini is the next step within the DREAMS program, which aims to create “supportive environments” for teenage girls and young women, with aims including strengthening families with social protection with subsidized education costs and parent and caregiver programs and mobilizing local communities to promote change through a roll-out of school and community HIV and violence awareness and prevention.

The Future

It is clear that with the help of USAID programs in Eswatini and schemes such as the PEPFAR, the country will be able to sustainably develop beyond USAID programs and control the HIV/AIDs pandemic. With further support from both of these organizations, the people of Eswatini will be able to prosper, with access to things like better and subsidized education that will better prepare young people for the workplace and better healthcare to improve their quality of life.

– Freyja Stone

Freyja is based in Manchester, UK and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Poverty Reduction in Madagascar 

Poverty Reduction in Madagascar 
In 2022, 75.2% of Madagascar’s population was in poverty. There has been a steady decline in poverty within rural areas however, poverty within urban areas has ripened, seeing an increase of 31.5% over the past decade. This shocking growth in poverty within Madagascar’s urban areas is due to several factors with the COVID-19 pandemic and a large quantity of cyclones being the main causes. Fortunately, efforts for poverty reduction in Madagascar are underway and making a difference.

Food Insecurity

This level of poverty has led to a ripening level of food insecurity, seeing 204,000 of the Madagascan population in the highest level of severity (IPC phase 4) and 859,000 in the second highest level of severity (IPC phase 3) in 2020.

In response to this, the Madagascan government received $227 million credit in April 2023 from the World Bank and the French Development Agency to restructure rural infrastructure. This restructuring and development program aims to aid approximately 165,000 farmers and 150,000 homes by implementing training on forms of agriculture to cope with their climate. In addition to blockchain input vouchers and 30,000 hectares of watersheds, it aims to help reduce food insecurity and further develop the rural economy.

Roads and Transport

In addition to tackling food insecurity, the Madagascan government are also rehabilitating roads, with 40 KM of the RN44 already complete and with work on rural roads not yet finished. This may have a knock-on effect on the education sector. As the restructuring is halving the travel time, it is allowing more children to attend school, helping to increase the completion of primary school from 62% for girls and 57% for boys. This will likely allow these children to grasp more skills and attain a higher-level job later in life. It may also benefit trading, as markets would become more accessible to the public allowing more local trade to occur. UNESCO’s research proves this, which infers that world poverty could be reduced by half if all adults finished high school.

Energy Access

Another aspect of Madagascar’s poverty reduction plan is to increase accessibility to electricity as, currently more than 18 million people currently lack electricity. It is crucial to improve the accessibility to electricity to facilitate the growth of enterprises, which is necessary to provide a better job market. Atou Seck, the World Bank Country Manager for Madagascar, has addressed this issue as a crucial aspect to provide improvement as he states, “Addressing poverty in Madagascar requires bold pro-growth reform that will improve the business climate, promote competition as well as build human capital, invest in connectivity, access to energy and digital infrastructure.”

In terms of initiatives, the Madagascan government has been approved for a $400 million credit for the Digital and Energy Connectivity for Inclusion in the Madagascar Project (DECIM). This project will likely increase energy access in Madagascar from 33.7% to 67% and add 3.4 million internet users, helping further Madagascar’s connectivity as a nation and allowing businesses to develop and generate larger profits, thus aiding poverty reduction in Madagascar.

In conclusion, Madagascar is one of the most impoverished countries in the world. However, there are several initiatives helping develop and further Madagascar’s economy, while aiding poverty reduction in Madagascar.

– Max O’Shea

Max is based in Chester, UK and focuses on Business and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Monkeypox Outbreak in Africa

monkeypox outbreakCOVID-19 was a difficult time for everyone. Not only did we see extreme drawbacks in the economy, but drawbacks socially and personally as well. The world has worked hard to move on from a time of social isolation, and face masks, but a new problem has begun to arise that threatens the world’s plans for global stability. Monkeypox, now known as Mpox is a rare disease that leads to a rash and flu-like symptoms. There are two strains that affect a multitude of people at different rates and are contracted in various ways. Infected are commonly found in central African countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda, and Rwanda. These countries are now facing high rates of spreading, stirring tensions and concerns of another global crisis and potential monkeypox outbreak.

Countries at Risk

Mpox is causing major outbreak fears in the DRC, Uganda and Kenya as people are starting to experience an increase in cases. Mpox in the DRC has reached over 15,000 reported cases, as of August 2024, making it the largest concentration of infected on the continent, and surrounding countries are at risk. Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda have now reported their first cases of monkeypox, and have begun taking necessary precautions to isolate the problem before more are infected.

The DRC and other countries are working hard to contain the threat; a mixture of existing economic setbacks and Mpox would be detrimental to the progress and stability Africa has worked hard to achieve. Mpox in the DRC is close to a total outbreak in the eastern provinces of South and North Kivu where millions of displaced people are living in overcrowded conditions, inevitably causing an immediate rise in cases.

Kwazulu Natal reported nine cases of Mpox and two confirmed deaths already in July 2024. Men between the ages of 17 through 43 were among the first groups to contract the disease in July 2024. Exposure can occur through contact with contaminated materials, infected animals or infected people, most notably through sexual contact. South Africa fears of growing community transmission in areas with high concentrations of vulnerable groups.

Monkeypox Outbreak: Solutions

Government organizations like UNICEF, WHO and the African CDC are working in partnerships to provide vaccines, services and information, and health kits to healthcare facilities across Africa. A collaboration with Gavi, the vaccine alliance has led to the approval of several projects aimed at containing and stopping Mpox in the DRC and other African countries.

Beginning in 2026, Gavi will start stockpiling vaccines, but progress will rely on funding, prequalification of a recommended vaccine and the availability of WHO Emergency Use Listing. Gavi will support outbreak response in DRC and surrounding countries in the meantime. The organization will invest in the learning agenda which aims to help inform and improve future vaccination efforts.

In 2022 the CDC Foundation activated the Emergency Response Fund, previously used to bolster support to communities and organizations when Ebola, Zika, and most recently COVID-19 threatened the world. Appealing with government and private entities the CDC aims to raise as much support as possible, the first of many donations coming from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Going through the COVID-19 pandemic, the world gained an experience. Support in awareness and advocacy of the problem that the monkeypox outbreak poses is necessary for low-income countries to receive help. The world has the chance to stop another pandemic from taking shape.

– Immanuel Wiggins

Immanuel is based in Jackson, MS, US and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Investing in the Future: Education in Burundi

Education in BurundiThe landlocked African nation of Burundi is commonly known for its history of colonization and ethnic strife, which culminated in genocide against the Hutu majority by the powerful Tutsi minority in the ’90s. Since the resolution of its Civil War in 2005, Burundi has remained plagued by political corruption, specifically the bribing of low-level government officials. For example, 13% of citizens of Burundi reported their interactions in the education sector resulting in a bribe in 2014.

This corruption is especially harmful for the 42.2% population which is below the age of 15, as a lack of government funding and resources has contributed to a poor quality or complete lack of education. Fortunately, both government initiatives and external organizations have recognized this problem and sprung into action, bolstering programs in Burundi to forge an educated generation of citizens and develop the nation’s struggling economy.

Government Initiatives

Recognizing the vitality of an educated citizenry in promoting the development of a recently united nation, in 2005, Burundi’s government made primary education completely free. By 2022, this measure had the effect of a 118.5% gross primary enrollment rate, meaning 118.5% of the theoretical primary school population was actually enrolled in school. Already, immense benefits are visible in fields like mathematics and language; for students in second grade, for example, language proficiency jumped from 46% in 2014 to 79% in 2019.

Furthermore, the program has completely changed the old system, which favored the education of boys. By 2011, primary education enrollment was equal by gender. This change has huge implications for Burundian development. As women become more literate and have fewer children, they are more capable of taking on jobs and contributing to the economy rather than staying home to care for a large family.

While government efforts have been instrumental in increasing enrollment, more resources are still required to improve the quality of education in Burundi. Luckily, international organizations have recognized this need and stepped up to boost educational infrastructure:

Libraries Without Borders

Since 2014, Libraries Without Borders has offered digital learning to the youth in Burundi in the form of “Ideas Boxes” and “Ideas Cubes.” Ideas boxes present digital content with an Internet connection. At the same time, the cubes provide an offline library to students in rural areas. In just six months of operation, the first two ideas boxes in Burundi saw more than 24,000 visits from eager young students, specifically Congolese refugees and Burundians themselves from the village of Makamba. With funding from organizations like the Global Partnership for Education, we can expect to see the expansion of this program and improved multimedia forms of education in classrooms throughout the nation.

The United Nations Children’s Fund

To combat the poor quality of education, which has historically resulted in elevated dropout rates among Burundi’s schoolchildren, The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has worked with the nation’s Ministry of Education to both train teachers and build inclusive schools for children with disabilities. Furthermore, a yearly UNICEF “Back to School” campaign has sourced World Bank funding to provide teaching and learning materials such as notebooks and chalk to schools across Burundi. In 2022, for example, the campaign targeted six less-developed areas with higher dropout rates, successfully instilling the value of a quality education in students who had never experienced it before.

Final Note

Although the work is not done, government efforts and international assistance have made strides in education in Burundi. With further investment in education as the nation’s future, we can hope to see these generations mature to form a robust economy and lead Burundi toward more prosperous development.

– Cole Zickwolff

Cole is based in Carlsbad, CA, USA and focuses on Good News, Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project..

Photo: Flickr