The African Union (AU) Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Professor Mohammed Belhocine, has underscored the Union’s commitment to transforming education sector in Africa.
According to him, AU’s efforts to transform the education sector is in line with its 2024 theme, “Educate an African fit for the 21st Century.”
Prof. Belhocine this to journalists during a media briefing on the sidelines of the 6th AU Mid-Year Coordinating Meeting in Accra on Friday.
He disclosed that the AU has developed a roadmap with 10 objectives, including reforming the teaching profession, promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and foundational learning, and enhancing equitable access to education.
Professor Belhocine outlined key activities and milestones achieved since February 2024, including:
– A pre-launch ceremony in Addis Ababa, attended by high-level officials and partners
– Contributions to the 14th Policy Dialogue Forum on addressing the global teacher shortage
– A symposium on teaching African history and promoting African Renaissance and integration
– Efforts to promote Technical and Vocational
Education and Training (TVET)
– Celebrating the 9th African School Feeding Day in Burundi
– A seminar on the role of education in building peace in Africa
– Strengthening partnerships with international organizations, including the G7 and Canada
The AU aims to build resilient education systems, increase access to inclusive and quality learning, and promote education as a catalyst for peace and development.
Despite progress, challenges persist, and sustained efforts are necessary to achieve the targets set out in the roadmap.
The Commissioner emphasized the need for strategic collaboration, advocacy, and engagement to transform the education sector and create a better future for African children.
‘AU To Boost Fertilizer Production’
At the sidelines of the 6th AU Mid-Year Coordination Meeting, Ambassador Josepha Sacko, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (ARBR), at the African Union Commission, addressed reporters on the outcomes of the recent African Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit held in Nairobi, Kenya.
She emphasized the critical importance of fertilizers and soil health as key inputs for agricultural productivity and food production in Africa, as the continent’s population continues to grow rapidly.
“As policymakers in the African Union, we have to devise the right policies and strategies to address these issues,” she stated.
The African Fertilizer and Soil Summit, held from May 7-9, 2024, was attended by heads of state, government ministers, officials, development partners and stakeholders from the agriculture, fertilizer and soil sectors.
Three key outcomes emerged from the summit:
Including the adoption of the Nairobi Declaration on African Fertilizer and Soil Health, outlining a 10-year action plan.
The rest were the endorsement of the Soil Initiative for Africa framework to address soil degradation and restore soil health and the commitment to triple domestic production and distribution of certified organic and inorganic fertilizers to reach at least 70% of smallholder farmers by 2030.
Other commitments include preserving and reversing land degradation on at least 30% of degraded soils by 2034, as well as fully operationalizing the African Fertilizer Financing Mechanism to improve production, procurement and distribution of fertilizers.
Ambassador Sacko reiterated the need for a robust implementation mechanism to ensure these important outcomes are not left on the shelf.
“We are already working with our partners to kick-start the implementation process,” she assured.
The media briefing highlighted the African Union’s proactive approach to addressing food security and agricultural productivity challenges through comprehensive policies and strategies on fertilizers and soil health, critical elements in feeding the continent’s growing population.
