Tag Archives: COVID-19

The U.S. Roman Catholic Church used a special and unprecedented exemption from federal rules to amass at least $1.4 billion in taxpayer-backed coronavirus aid, with many millions going to dioceses that have paid huge settlements or sought bankruptcy protection because of clergy sexual abuse cover-ups. The church’s haul may have reached …

Nigerian economy would defy all fiscal and monetary measures and slide into recession by the third-quarter of 2020 given the multiple of stresses the economy is going through. A report titled ‘Nigeria H2 2020 Outlook Report’ released on Wednesday by United Capital Plc, said “already, domestic economic growth in Q1-2020 …

Global health experts and practitioners at a policy webinar hosted by the African Development Institute (ADI) called for a “Marshall Plan on Inclusive Health in Africa.”   There is an urgent need for inclusive health policy in Africa – one that can detect and interpret warning signs and rapidly mobilize …

A doctor arrested after writing an article about Egypt’s fragile health system. A pharmacist picked up from work after posting online about a shortage of protective gear. An editor taken from his home after questioning official coronavirus figures. A pregnant doctor arrested after a colleague used her phone to report …

Barrister Osita Aboloma, Director-General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), spoke with The Commerce Africa’s Managing Editor, Yusuf Issa An-Nuphawi on emergency issuance of standards to the manufacturers of personal protective equipment (PPE) and hand sanitizers during economic shutdown occasioned by coronavirus pandemic.   Would you share your experience with us …

President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana has embarked on a 14-day self-isolation after an encounter with a person within his close circle tested positive for coronavirus. the Information Minister, Kojo Nkrumah, in a statement on Saturday, July 4, said Akufo-Addo’s move was in compliance with COVID-19 protocols and the advice of …

Nine Nigerians have missed the second evacuation flight from the United States for running foul of the Federal Government’s COVID-19 guidelines. Among them is a family of five, according to Mr Benaoyagha Okoyen, the Consul General of Nigeria in New York, who oversaw the evacuation activities. Okoyen told the News …

The Board of Directors of the African Development Fund (ADF) on 3 July approved a grant of $165.08 million to support Ethiopia’s response to the health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including helping to ease fiscal pressures on the economy. The grant, awarded from the country’s ADF-15 Performance-Based …

The nurse started crying when describing her work at a Johannesburg hospital: The ward for coronavirus patients is full, so new arrivals are sent to the general ward, where they wait days for test results. Already 20 of her colleagues have tested positive. “A lot, a lot, a lot of …

The African Development Bank Group has joined the World Trade Organisation and other multilateral development banks to reduce trade finance gaps that emerge as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a joint press release issued on 1 July 2020, the institutions  said they would prioritize their support to areas in …