Africa’s ‘lost $836bn through illegal transfers’

 Africa lost $836bn (£650bn) in illegal movement of money out of the continent in the 15 years to 2015, a new report by the UN agency for trade and development (UNCTAD) estimates.

Compared with Africa’s total external debt of $770bn in 2018, this makes Africa a “net creditor to the world,” the report notes.

The illegal outflow of money is mainly related to the export of high-value goods such as gold, diamonds, and platinum. Revenues are lost through corruption, theft and tax evasion.

“Illicit financial flows rob Africa and its people of their prospects, undermining transparency and accountability and eroding trust in African institutions,” said UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi.

The report cautions that although the amounts of the illegal flows are large, the figures could underestimate the problem and its impact.

The report notes that the the loss undermines African government’s ability to provide services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

“Illicit financial flows and corruption are inhibiting African development by draining foreign exchange, reducing domestic resources, stifling trade and macroeconomic stability and worsening poverty and inequality.” the UNCTAD secretary-general said.

Source: bbc

Covid-19: Angola reports 108 new infections, 20 recoveries

 Angolan health authorities announced Monday the registration, in the last 24 hours, of 108 new infections, 20 patients recovered and three deaths.

According to the Secretary of State for Public Health, Franco Mufinda, who was speaking at the usual updating session on the pandemic, the new positive cases involve citizens aged between one and 78 years, 63 males and 45 females.

According to the official, these are cases diagnosed in the provinces of Luanda, with 106, and Benguela, with two.

In relation to deaths, he noted that they were registered in Huíla province and involved Angolan males, aged 36, 39 and 77, respectively.

Regarding the patients recovered, he said that one had been registered in Kwanza Sul province and 19 in Luanda.

Angola has 4,905 positive cases, with 179 deaths, 1,833 recovered and 2,893 active.

Of the active cases, 10 are in a critical state with invasive mechanical ventilation, 19 severe, 45 moderate, 99 with mild symptoms and 2,720 asymptomatic.

Health authorities follow 466 patients admitted to treatment centres in the country.

Africa Educates Her Campaign - Angola. Coronavirus in kid's eyes. Day 19

 Coronavirus in kid's eyes 

As schools poise to open in the coming weeks, parents, teachers and students all want to know one thing: How risky is it to open in person? The unfortunate truth: No one is sure.

When it comes to the coronavirus, “going back to school is going to be a learning experience.

Today we are talking to kids!

Belma

Belma is 11 years old, she is studying first class. She says that coronavirus prevented her from going to school, and she misses her colleagues and her teacher very much.

As soon as schools reopen, government officials should place buckets of water for pupils to wash their hands, and control social distance in order to ensure safety in schools.

Jeremias

Jeremias is 12 years old, he says that he no longer attends school because of a very dangerous disease called coronavirus.

According to him, before schools reopen, the government must implement strict biosafety measures to facilitate hand washing.

Most governments around the world have temporarily closed educational institutions in an attempt to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. These nationwide closures are impacting hundreds of millions of students. Several other countries have implemented localized closures impacting millions of additional learners.