Kenyan Grandmas, Rural/Urban Migration, and Other Reports

Every week, Rural Reporters collate reports on development in rural Africa and its environs. The reports include some of our top picks from recent must-read research, interviews, reports, blogs and in-depth articles which have been carefully selected to help you keep up with global issues. Here are some of the updates you may have missed from the previous week:

Rural/Urban Migration, The Cause Of Slums In Ghana

Mr Sylvanus Kofi Adzornu, Head of the Urban Development Unit at the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, says rural urban migration is the cause of slums in Ghana.

He said the population of Accra and Kumasi alone put pressure on the infrastructure and social amenities, thereby creating slums in the city.

Mr Adzornu was contributing to a discussion on Affordable Housing Network organized at the United Nations Habitat III Conference held in Quito, Ecuador, on Wednesday. He said the politicization of important issues in Ghana was one of the major problems that had set back the country’s development, adding: “Our institutions must be working without any politics.”

Kenyan Grandmas Learn Karate To Fight Off Rapists

Dozens of elderly women in the Korogocho slum in Nairobi are partaking in self-defense classes to arm themselves and their community against sex offenders. According to the Telegraph, the women are learning a mixture of karate, kung-fu, and taekwondo from 29-year-old Sheila Kariuki.

The self-defense class consists of more than 20 women, aged between 80 to 100 years old who meet once a week at the Streams of Hope and Peace charity training center. The not-for profit group, which was founded nine years ago, aims to protect the women by teaching them how to protect themselves.

Youth projects increasing incomes for rural poor

Modernising agriculture, championed by youths, is helping in countering slower economic growth by driving investment in rural infrastructure and boosting consumption, a certified Agribusiness Consultant, Moringa Development Network Nigeria, Sola Bunmi, has said.

He said youth-led agro projects aim to create decent employment opportunities for young women and men in rural areas, in sustainable agriculture and agribusiness along strategic value chains. He said youth participation in development projects is reducing poverty and improving the livelihoods of rural poor people.

NYSC takes free healthcare services to rural dwellers nationwide

The annual 2016 edition of the National Youth Service Corps ,NYSC ‘Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers’ (HIRD) was flagged off in Odonoko Community in Ijebu–Ode Local Government Area of Ogun State by Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

Amosun pledged to promote all genuine approaches towards improving the lives of the people. “I must say that this particular programme is in tanderm with the efficient health care delivery programme as a focal point of our 5 cardinal programme contained in our mission to rebuild Ogun State”, he said.

Malawi yet to employ refugee doctor

Despite Malawi registering a shortage of doctors, the nation is yet to enjoy the services of a refugee doctor who completed her studies in China.

The medical doctor, Mirreille Twayigara, who completed her medicine studies at Shandong Province in China in July this year is yet to see Malawian patients as per her wish if given opportunity.

Twayigara who disclosed her passion in saving lives said she needs government to give her an internship opportunity for her to be accredited in the country.

Namibia to develop rural tourism

Rural tourism ventures in Namibia have welcomed the government’s strategy geared towards transforming the tourism industry.

Set in a far-flung village in northern Namibia, Helena Shitemba, who has been weaving baskets out of palm tree leaves from home since 2013, said how she is hoping to benefit from the nation’s tourism development plan.

Women group wants discriminatory land inheritance laws abolished              

The Country Women Association of Nigeria (COWAN), Plateau Chapter, on Thursday called for the abolition of land inheritance laws.

Mrs Jessica Vonkat, the Plateau COWAN Coordinator, made the call while climbing Mount Kerang in Mangu  Local Government to mark World Rural Women’s Day.

Vonkat said it was worrisome that women, especially in the rural areas, were discriminated against in access to land.

She noted that access to land was critical to women engaging in farming activities, which is their major source of livelihood.