Latest Stories from Derrick
How prosthetics are enhancing accessibility in Africa
Limb loss is a significant health issue in Africa. Prosthetics can be a transformative experience for those living with this disability, enabling them to achieve greater independence, mobility, and participation in their daily activities. In many parts of the world, including Africa, access to prosthetic devices remains limited due to their high cost and accessibility. Lack of resources, infrastructure, and trained personnel, as well as cultural stigmas surrounding disability are...
Understanding Senegal’s youth protests
Last week Senegal’s protests deepened as president Macky Sall's potential bid for a third term sparked outrage amongst thousands. According to local reports, three have died including a teen while more than thirty have been injured backing opposition leader Ousmane Sonko. Senegal's Gen Zers have taken to the streets in large numbers, expressing their vehement opposition to President Macky Sall's intention to seek a third term in the upcoming 2024...
WHO declares Benin and Mali trachoma-free
Trachoma has plagued poor communities across the globe for centuries. This week, the World Health Organization declared both Benin and Mali to have eradicated the disease, joining four other African nations in eliminating the problem fully. The profound consequences of trachoma on communities have been extensively documented. Recently, a collaborative endeavor involving governments, non-governmental organizations, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has been initiated to eradicate the disease entirely. The West...
Hundreds killed in DRC floods and landslides
More than 400 people have been died and about 5,000 are missing after intense flooding and landslides hit the DRC last week. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been prone to floods and landslides for many years, with the frequency and severity of these natural disasters increasing in recent years due to climate change. The nation is currently facing devastating floods which have killed more than 400 people, displacing thousands...
Closing the technology gender divide in Africa
Technology is an essential tool for social and economic development in Africa. However, despite significant progress in recent years, there is still a significant gender gap in technology access and participation across the African continent. As the world becomes increasingly digital, the gender divide in technology is a growing concern, especially in Africa. Despite the continent’s rapid technological advancement, there is still a significant gap in the access and use of...
Humanitarian crisis looms as hundreds killed in Sudan clashes
Sudan's ongoing clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have left over 180 people dead and close to 2,000 injured according to the UN. For years, Sudan's clashes between the military and various armed groups have continued to destabilize the country’s economy. However, the current conflict that began last Saturday and is still ongoing between Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid...
Cyclone Freddy causes havoc in Malawi, Mozambique, and Madagascar
Malawi, Mozambique, and Madagascar experienced heavy rains from early February to mid-March caused by Cyclone Freddy killing close to 600 people, and leaving more than 500,000 displaced. According to UNICEF, more than half of the affected population are children. At the beginning of this year, Cyclone Lindiwe struck Malawi, Mozambique, and parts of Southern Africa, unleashing heavy rains and strong winds. The cyclone left a trail of destruction, resulting in widespread...
Ugandan parliament to criminalise LGBTQ identification
Uganda has been known for its conservative views on LGBTQ rights, with the country's government and society being largely intolerant of homosexuality. With the new anti-homosexuality bill passed this week, parliament has imposed the death penalty for some offences. In a shocking move, Uganda has passed a bill criminalising homosexuality with life imprisonment sentences, further imposing the death penalty for offences termed as ‘aggravated homosexuality’. The bill, officially known as the...
Growing concern in Seychelles over heroin abuse
Heroin abuse is causing widespread concern in Seychelles. Due to high unemployment and limited opportunities for young people, drug use is on the rise. Seychelles is the least populated sovereign African country with only 99,000 citizens, half of which are below 25 years old. Despite its low population, it has the highest per capita rate of heroin abuse in the world according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and...
How FIFA looks to empower African Gen Zers
African youths face several challenges when it comes to participating in sports. From lack of access, high cost of sports programs, and gender inequality, it is difficult for young people to develop their skills and reach their full potential. In Africa, millions of Gen Zers love sport and look up to successful international athletes as a motivation for success. However, the high cost of sports programs, from registration fees to...
