World

Details: World; 23 July 2022; 698

Rwanda only has enough beds ready for about 200 deportees from the UK, a government official said on Friday.

The announcement that 200 beds are currently available comes after statements from UK ministers that plenty of beds would be available for the uncapped number of migrants.

A Rwanda government spokeswoman also said critics of the UK’s new policy are falsely painting Africa as a poverty-stricken “hellhole” without hope.

Yolande Makolo said the deal with the UK, with London providing £120 million in funding, is a way to give youngsters the chance to build a life and “make it” in the east African nation.

During a briefing on Friday she suggested some people think “the streets are paved with gold” in Europe, or in richer countries, claiming: “Part of the reason is this narrative that is cast by different media that Africa is basically a hellhole and that it is a terrible place to live, which isn't true.”

The country has the capacity to accommodate 200 migrants at present but stands ready to “scale up” the operation quickly to meet the numbers arriving, Ms Makolo said.

Hope Hostel in Kigali, which sleeps 100, is ready to house migrants, and officials are in negotiations with other hotels in and around the capital city. There are also plans for “infrastructure developments”, they said.

She also explained that some of the UK deportees might try again to reach Britain.

People have their own reasons and “dreams” about where they want to go, she said.

“I think this is partly affected or influenced by the kind of stories that cast Western countries as better than Africa, as Africa being a place that is poor and full of disease and no opportunities. And I think that is incorrect.

“There are some disadvantages, we have limited means, but we are working on it.”

“This partnership that we have with the UK is one way to increase the number of opportunities for young Africans and people from around the world to live here and then make it here.”

Doris Uwicyeza Picard, chief adviser to Rwanda's justice minister, said: “We are ready to accommodate as many [migrants] as the UK is willing to send.”

She stressed Rwanda is “not a prison state” and repeated assurances that authorities will not be able to stop migrants leaving the country if they wish — giving rise to questions over whether some may try to make their way back to the UK again.

The government will help people return to their country of origin, or another where they have a right to reside, if they choose, she said.

“We do not want to create statelessness or a revolving door of migrants.” - Simon Rushton, The National

Details: World; 19 July 2022; 713

Ghana has officially confirmed two cases of the Marburg virus, a highly infectious disease similar to Ebola, its health service said on Sunday, after two people who later died tested positive for the virus earlier this month.

Tests conducted in Ghana came back positive on July 10, but the results had to be verified by a laboratory in Senegal for the cases to be considered confirmed, according to the World Health Organisation.

"Further testing at the Institute Pasteur in Dakar, Senegal has corroborated the results," Ghana Health Service (GHS) said in a statement.

GHS is working to reduce any risk of the virus spreading, including the isolation of all identified contacts, none of whom have developed any symptoms so far, it said.

This is only the second outbreak of Marburg in West Africa. The first ever case of the virus in the region was detected last year in Guinea, with no further cases identified.

"(Ghanaian) health authorities have responded swiftly, getting a head start preparing for a possible outbreak. This is good because without immediate and decisive action, Marburg can easily get out of hand," said Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

The two patients in southern Ghana's Ashanti region both had symptoms including diarrhoea, fever, nausea and vomiting, before dying in hospital, the WHO said.

There have been a dozen major Marburg outbreaks since 1967, mostly in southern and eastern Africa. Fatality rates have varied from 24% to 88% in past outbreaks depending on the virus strain and case management, according to the WHO.

It is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces and materials, the WHO says. By ALESSANDRA PRENTICE AND NELLIE PEYTON Times Live

Details: World; 14 July 2022; 711

A collage image of Chyulu Club resort located in Makueni county. CHYULU CLUB

Chyulu Club, located in Chyulu Hills in Makueni county, has been the coolest hotel in Africa.

In rankings released by Travel Noire on Wednesday, July 13, the Kenyan resort was recognised for its policy on carbon emissions. It was listed among nine other hotels from across the world.

The hotel - according to the ranking - had registered zero carbon emissions and was recognised as an ideal destination for family vacations.

A collage image of Chyulu Club resort in Makueni county.

CHYULU CLUB

"This wilderness resort is situated in Kenya‘s heart of the Chyulu Hills. The resort takes a lot of pride in it’s is carbon-negative (it replaces more carbon than it emits) and zero-emission credential," read the statement in part.

Additionally, the resort was recognised for involving its guests in tree planting initiatives.

"Guests are encouraged to participate in wildlife preservation and reforestation projects with the help of specialists from the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust, to learn, assess and help solve the planet’s conservation challenges."

Travel Noire explained that the ranking was aimed at encouraging more hotels from across the world to adopt various initiatives in addressing climate change.

Other hotels named alongside Chyulu Club include Two Bunch Palms in California, Sani Resort in Greece and Alohilani Resort in Hawaii.

Chyulu Club was built in 2020 and became the first carbon-negative property in Africa following its renewable energy initiatives.

"The club is fully-powered by solar energy and uses photovoltaic panels for electricity and hot water. We recycle all waste and treat grey and black waters with ecological techniques.

"All kitchens are powered by induction and all Land Rovers are retrofitted with an electric motor. The carbon negative is achieved through an afforestation program funded by a Swiss Boarding School - Le Rosey," read a statement on the resort's website.

The resort is famed for its tents that accommodate guests who visit the getaway for a fee of about Ksh124,000 per night.

A collage image of Sani Resort, Greece (LEFT) and Alohilani Resort in Hawaii (RIGHT).

TRAVEL NOIRE By Washington Mito, Kenyans.co.ke