Latest Stories from Derrick
Climate change threatens biodiversity in the Congo Basin
The Congo Basin contains the world’s second-largest rainforest, crucial for regulating the world’s climate. It is under threat as our planet heats up – though there are several schemes and projects under way to protect it. The world’s second largest forest area, the Congo Basin, is under threat due to the climate crisis. The Congo Basin is so huge that is spans across six countries in central Africa. These include...
How can Africa respond to rising teenage pregnancy?
Teenage pregnancy and maternal deaths see substantial rises across Africa as a result of Covid-19. Is this now the second societal pandemic? According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), pregnancies among adolescent girls remain a global problem. An estimated 21 million girls aged 15–19 years in developing countries become pregnant and about 12 million of them give birth every year. African healthcare systems - including the provision of sexual and...
Guinea President overthrown by military coup
Alpha Conde, the President of Guinea, has been overthrown in a military coup. Heavy gunfire was heard on Sunday morning at the Presidential Palace in Guinea’s capital, Conakry. The military in Guinea has announced a nationwide curfew ‘until further notice’ as well as the replacement of governors by the military. Despite a number of schools closed in the country, the Guinean capital saw comparative calm on Monday morning, a day...
Kenya to host World Athletics U-20 Championships
After two weeks of glamour at the Tokyo Olympic Games, focus has now shifted to Nairobi, Kenya, venue of the 2021 World Athletics U-20 Championships. The World Athletics U-20 Championships have been awarded to an African country for the first time. Over 1,300 athletes from 128 countries are expected to compete in Kenya this August. The competition has found many great stars from various nations over the years, as young...
Could money raised by GPE improve educational equality in Africa?
This year’s efforts to raise money at the GES for educational services across the world were impressive. Could new funding improve equality for Africa’s educational facilities? The 2021 Global Education Summit, co-hosted by the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta in London on 28th – 29th July, raised a record $4 billion from donors for the Global Partnership for Education (GPE). GPE’s target was to raise at...
Exclusive – Chatting to Gen Z activists Jeremy and Michelle
Michelle and Jeremy are siblings from Western Kenya who describe themselves as energetic environmentalists. Their dream is to improve the cleanliness of our oceans and build better habitats for aquatic life. They built an app to do just that. Michelle, a 16-year-old final year student from White Oaks School, Kisumu, is a co-founder of Osiepe Sango (Friends of Sango), a nongovernmental organisation that helps to improve Lake Victoria's ecosystem. She is...
How is climate change a threat to African agriculture?
Agriculture provides employment for about two-thirds of Africa’s working population, though climate change could threaten to radically disrupt many people’s way of life. In Eastern Africa alone, 70% of the population and most people living in extreme poverty make a living from farming. Climate change could destabilize local markets, curb economic growth, and heighten risk for agricultural investors, as agriculture is critical to Africa’s growth and development. Weather patterns are becoming...
Further South African unrest disrupts Gen Z schooling
Chaos in South Africa as former president Zuma begins his prison sentence is affecting the lives and education of young people across the country. Last Friday, South Africa saw large scale disruption after former president Zuma began his 15 month prison sentence. Zuma was handed the jail term on June 29th by the Constitutional Court for refusing to appear at an inquiry into corruption during his time in office. He...
How the pandemic has heightened FGM cases in Africa
Coronavirus has weakened current attempts to eradicate FGM practices in Africa, though work is still continuing to diminish its impact and prevalence. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a practice recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and women. In Africa, the practice remains common, despite being criminalized in many countries. The pandemic has also thwarted efforts to curb cases of FGM and crack down on illegal...
Will Ethiopia’s elections resolve its ongoing crisis?
Ethiopia is undergoing civil war as its elections draw to a close. Could a change in power help to alleviate the crisis that is damaging its northern regions? On Monday, 21st June, Ethiopian voters headed to the polls to choose their national and regional representatives, with nationally-elected Members of Parliaments then selecting the Prime Minister. The elections were meant to be held last year in August but were delayed due...
