African and international civil society organisations have adopted a call for action, urging the rest of the world to redouble its efforts to stop the European Union’s drive to institute economic partnership agreements (EPAs). “Members of civil society – especially those in the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) regions – need to stand up and develop a strong strategy to stop the EPAs,” said Tetteh Hormeku of the African arm of the Third World Network (TWN), an international network of organizations that are involved in development issues and global finance. EPAs are trade agreements that the European Union (EU) wants to sign with the ACP. According to the EU, the deals are designed to assist in the integration of the ACP countries into the world economy while promoting their sustainable development and contributing to poverty eradication.

KENFAP Asks Farmers to Re-double Effort
 
Kenya National Federation of Agricultural Producers (KENFAP) has asked farmers to redouble their production efforts to avert the looming food shortage occasioned by the post-election violence in the country. KENFAP Nyanza Provincial coordinator George Odhiambo warned of food shortage in the province and other parts of the country if remedial measures are not taken in good time.

CNBC Lands With a Bang

Less than a year since its launch in South Africa in June last year, international business channel CNBC Africa has launched in Kenya. Kenya’s business community has lauded the move as a milestone to positioning the country and its business activities on the global arena. The channel relays in-depth analysis of the business environment in Kenya, across the region and internationally, real time financial news, commentary and among other positive facets. “CNBC Africa will bring African business closer to the decision-makers of other parts of the world, thus helping them to make quick but consistent decisions and filling the gap in the information needs of audiences,” said CNBC chairman, Zafar Siddiqi at a past event.

A Different Radio Station

Tourism Radio is a unique radio station in South Africa providing tourists with on-the-spot information and alerts of interesting places whenever they are driving. The station works from a global positioning system installed under the car’s bonnet to provide real-time information about locations and their features.  The gadget helps tourists in getting to places of leisure and scenery as they drive in a hired or their own car. Operations Director, Mark Allewell said, “It’s really good that a South African product is wanted overseas and doing well locally.” While speaking to The African Executive, Allewell was upbeat that they will soon be launching the product in Botswana, Malawi and Kenya.

Science With Africa Conference

The Science with Africa conference will be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 3rd – 7th March this year. An initiative of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in conjunction with ISC Intelligence in Science, the conference symbolizes a joint effort between Africa and its partners to promote and enhance the role of science and technology in the continent’s development. The conference will bring together African and international scientists, experts in the areas of science project management, dissemination, partnering, intellectual property & patents, research management and the commercialization and exploitation of research results.