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RDIF, Pharco agree to supply 25m doses of Sputnik V vaccine to Egypt

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The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, and Pharco, a pharmaceutical group in Egypt (acting through its key operational subsidiary – Biogeneric Pharma) have agreed to secure the supply of 25 million doses of the Sputnik V vaccine to Egypt.

The vaccine, which is based on a well-studied human adenoviral vectors platform with proven safety and efficacy, will support the efforts of the Ministry of Health of Egypt to secure a vaccine against COVID-19. The agreement will enable 25% of Egypt’s population to have access to the Sputnik V vaccine. In the future, it is planned to distribute it to neighboring countries.

Egypt will secure a diversified vaccine portfolio which includes a vaccine based on the human adenoviral vectors platform. This platform has proven safe over decades including through 75 international scientific publications and in more than 250 clinical trials.

Clinical trials of the Russian vaccine have shown no serious adverse events, with Sputnik V generating a stable humoral and cellular immune response in 100% of participants. In contrast, vaccines based on novel platforms have yet to prove their safety and currently have no data on carcinogenicity or effects on fertility.

On August 11, the Sputnik V vaccine developed by the Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology was registered by the Ministry of Health of Russia and became the world’s first registered vaccine against COVID-19 based on the human adenoviral vectors platform.

On September 4, a research paper on the results of Phase I and Phase II clinical trials of the Sputnik V vaccine was published in The Lancet, one of the leading international medical journals. Post-registration clinical trials of the Sputnik V vaccine involving 40,000 volunteers are currently ongoing. More than 60,000 volunteers have applied to take part in post-registration trials. The first results of these trials are expected to be published in October-November 2020.

More than 50 countries in the Middle East, Asia, Latin America, Europe and CIS have applied for Sputnik V. RDIF has already announced supply agreements with Mexico for 32 million doses, with Brazil for up to 50 million doses, India – 100 million doses, Uzbekistan – for up to 35 million doses and Nepal for 25 million doses.

Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, said: ”The agreement between RDIF and Pharco will help Egypt obtain an efficient and safe vaccine, Sputnik V, for almost 25% of its population.

The adenoviral vectors platform has a longer safety track record compared to novel technologies such as monkey adenoviral vectors or mRNA used by other vaccine manufacturers. So the people of Egypt will get a proven vaccine created on a platform with no negative long-term effects, including carcinogenicity or risks for fertility in the future. We expect more countries to include Sputnik V in their vaccine portfolios in the coming weeks.”

Dr. Sherine Abbas Helmy, Founder and President of Pharco, said: ”We greatly appreciate this agreement to secure supplies of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine with proven safety to Egypt. Besides vaccine supply, we are considering numerous further cooperation opportunities jointly with RDIF, including the localization of production in Egypt at the facilities of Biogeneric Pharma within the next few months for the benefit of both countries.”

Feliks Ershov, virologist, and Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, noted: ”This pandemic will not be completely eradicated without a vaccine. The vaccine created by the Gamaleya Center is not one-piece, like the vaccines of the past, (containing a live or killed virus). It is made using modern biotechnology and a proven platform, in contrast to products by a number of companies based on mRNA or the monkey adenovirus, which have not been tested before.

The safety of the Sputnik V vaccine is ensured by using a simple flu virus that is harmless to humans and does not contain the coronavirus itself – only a part of its genetic code, which excludes the possibility of infection. But the antibodies response necessary to protect the body is ensured, which was confirmed by the results of trials. The use of two consecutive shots with different mechanisms of delivery of the virus code into the body guarantees immunization and represents a unique advantage of the Russian vaccine.”

rdif.ru

sputnikvaccine.com

Two found guilty over Kenya shopping mall attack

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A court in Kenya has found two men guilty of helping Islamist militants to attack an upmarket shopping mall in 2013.

At least 67 people died in the assault by al-Shabab on the Westgate shopping complex in the capital, Nairobi.

The state said the four militants who carried out the attack were found dead in the shopping centre’s rubble.

The militants occupied the mall for four days, in one of the deadliest jihadi attacks in Kenya.

A third man was found not guilty on all counts of conspiracy to commit a terrorist act.

The trial is the only one so far over the Westgate shopping mall attack.

More than 140 witnesses testified in the case. The accused denied conspiring to commit terrorism.

The presiding judge ruled that the two suspects, both Kenyan citizens, will be sentenced on 22 October.

The BBC’s Ferdinand Omondi in Nairobi says their convictions will be welcomed in a country that remains on high alert over possible attacks by al-Shabab.

The al-Qaeda affiliate is based in neighbouring Somalia, and has carried out a series of attacks in Kenya.

Kenya has troops in Somalia to help fight the militants.

Who are the convicted men?

Mohammed Ahmed Abdi and Hussein Hassan Mustafa were charged with planning and committing acts of terror, as well as supporting and helping a terrorist group.

The third suspect, Liban Abdullahi, was found not guilty. The Somali refugee was also acquitted of the charge of being in Kenya illegally and possessing identification documents by false presences.

 

Source

BBC

Coronavirus: Health experts join global anti-lockdown movement

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Thousands of scientists and health experts have joined a global movement warning of “grave concerns” about Covid-19 lockdown policies.

Nearly 6,000 experts, including dozens from the UK, say the approach is having a devastating impact on physical and mental health as well as society.

They are calling for protection to be focused on the vulnerable, while healthy people get on with their lives.

The declaration has prompted warnings by others in the scientific community.

Critics have pointed out:

  • a more targeted approach could make it difficult to protect vulnerable people entirely
  • the risk of long-term complications from coronavirus mean many others are also at risk

But the movement – known as the Great Barrington Declaration – mirrors some of the warnings in a letter signed by a group of GPs in the UK.

Sixty-six GPs, including TV doctors Dr Phil Hammond and Dr Rosemary Leonard and a number of medics who have held senior roles at the British Medical Association, have written to the health secretary, saying there is insufficient emphasis on “non-Covid harms” in the decision-making.

 

Credits to BBC

Newspaper Headlines Wednesday 7th October 2020

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Newspaper Headlines Wednesday 7th October 2020

Newspaper Headlines Tuesday 6th October 2020

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Newspaper Headlines Tuesday 6th October 2020

SMEs are the backbone of Ghanaian economy – Dalex

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Mr Kenneth K. Thompson, Chief Executive Officer of Dalex Finance, on Monday asserted that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the Ghanaian economy, representing about 85 per cent of businesses largely within the private sector.
 
He said SMEs contributes about 70 per cent of Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and in terms of formal sector employment, they account for just over half of all fulltime employment, with the percentage likely much higher in the informal sector.
 
Mr Thompson told the Ghana News Agency in an interview at Sunyani in the Bono Region during an encounter with a section of the media, stressing that non-Bank Finance Institutions (NBFI’s) have been in business since the early 90s.
 
“The early successes of UT Financial Services, co-founded by Joseph Nsonamoah and Prince Kofi Amoabeng in 1997 as Unique Trust Financial Services accelerated the sectors growth.
 
“Private capital, sensing opportunity to make decent returns, ‘poured’ into the sector. Other institutions, for example those licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission also ‘stretched’ the scope of their licence and joined the party,” he said.
 
Mr Thompson who is a financial expert explained that “over time, look and feel became ‘more’ important than substance. Many people became ‘wall street’ bankers.
 
“Limousines, first class travel to chase ‘non-existent’ deals, high salaries and perks with Wall Street offices to match became de rigueur. Meanwhile most transactions were either direct or indirectly linked to government and others simply ‘fuelled’ delusions of grandeur”.
 
He revealed that the sector got crowded, the economy slowed down, government was unable to pay its debts in full and or on time and transactions dried up, competition amongst financial institutions for business and deposits to refinance their exposures grew.
 
He said firms took more and more risk and the cost of funds kept rising. Some executives went rouge, concocting credit files and coaching borrowers to steal from their employers and clients.
 
“As if that was not bad enough, the recovery of loans was made torturous by systemic weaknesses. A weak land registration system, no address system, diversion of funds by SMEs and a creaking contract enforcement infrastructure contributed to a rise in loan defaults,” he said.
 
Mr Thompson noted that, Commercial Banks do not lend to SMEs, as they focus on government business, large corporates and multinationals, stressing that “One of the main reasons they do this is their lack of confidence in the SMEs ability to manage their operations effectively, so as to be able to repay the loans they access”.
 
He said in some cases this was genuine, but the main reason was that banks can make money more easily, breathing down the neck of an irrepressible entrepreneur to ensure they repay their loan was too stressful in a suit and tie.
 
He said in a high interest rate environment, the incentive for Commercial Banks to fund SME’s was even much less. “It is easier for the Commercial Banks to purchase government bonds or lend to government indirectly through parastatals and watch their money grow.
 
“Government business is good business. The government will always pay and hardly complains,” he said.
 
On ways to revamp the sector, Mr Thompson noted that a lot has been done and a lot more can be done to strengthen NBFI’s, stressing that the Bank of Ghana Corporate Governance Directives, calibrated over time, will strengthen corporate governance.  
 
He also called on institutions also to work extra hard to get rid of the perception that they were run by rouges.
 
Mr Thompson also called on the judicial system to dispatch commercial cases expeditiously; “These actions will increase investor confidence, attract funds to the financial sector and ultimately reduce the cost of operations and the cost of loans to SME’s.
 
He said Ghana will not develop if we do not have a strong and vibrant financial sector to support SMEs. The more we work together to strengthen it, the better for all.
 
 
By Francis Ameyibor, GNA

Black Stars start training on Tuesday ahead of Mali clash

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The senior national team, the Black Stars will begin training on Tuesday, October 6, ahead of the International friendly match against Mali on Friday, in Antalya, Turkey.
 
           
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) lined up two international matches against Mali and 2022 World Cup host, Qatar as Ghana prepares for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Sudan next month.
 
     
The players would train from Tuesday through to Thursday before locking horns with the Malians to test Ghana’s readiness for the AFCON qualifiers.
 
   
 A team of technical committee, coaches, Black Stars Management Committee and two players, Samuel Owusu and Razak Abalora arrived in Turkey yesterday to begin preparations for the matches.
 
     
The rest of the players, including captain Dede Ayew, Jordan Ayew, Thomas Partey, would join the camp in Turkey tomorrow.
 
     
This will be Head Coach, Charles Kwablan Akonnor’s first match after taking over the team in January this year.  

Nana Addo, three others to submit nominations tomorrow – 2020 Presidential Election

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Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and three others are expected to file their completed nomination forms at the headquarters of the Electoral Commission (EC) tomorrow, Tuesday, October 06, for the 2020 Presidential Election.
     
The others are the leader of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP), Madam Akua Donkor, Dr. Hassan Ayariga of the All People’s Congress (APC), .and Mr Jacob Osei Yeboah, an Independent aspirant.
     
A source at the Commission who disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency, said Dr. Tom Asisseh, an Independent aspirant, and Mr Kwesi Busumbru of the People’s Action Party (PAP) are expected to file on Thursday, October 08.
     
The nomination forms will be submitted to Mrs Jean Mensa, the Chairperson of the EC, who is the Returning Officer for the presidential elections.
 
     
The aspirants are expected to visit the Commission between 0900hours and 1700hours to file their nominations.
 
     
The EC on September 15, 2020, opened nominations for parliamentary and presidential aspirants ahead of the 2020 General Election.
 
     
Due to the COVID-19, aspirants are to download the forms online, as a measure to contain the spread of the virus.
 
   
The EC Chairperson, at a press conference to announce the opening of nominations, said the forms were protected with passwords to ensure the integrity of the process.
 
     
The Chairperson said: “The forms are to be submitted in quadruplicates. The forms shall be submitted at the headquarters of the EC by candidates or their supporters.
 
   
“In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commission has limited the number of persons to submit the forms at the headquarters or district offices…five persons per candidate.
 
   
She said, “The forms for the parliamentary candidates shall be submitted to the Returning Officer of the Constituency to, which the Candidate seeks election at the District Office of the Electoral Commission.”
 
   
Presidential aspirants for the 2020 general election are required to pay a filing fee of GHC100,000 and GHC10,000 for parliamentary aspirants.
 
     
The EC said presidential candidates who attained 25 per cent of total valid votes cast would have a refund of their filing fees.
 
     
The Commission said, for parliamentary candidates, refund would only be given to those who attained 12.5 per cent of total valid votes cast.
 
     
It said there would be no refund for aspirants whose nominations were disqualified.

Trump is set to leave hospital on Monday

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US President Donald Trump says he will be released from hospital later on Monday, four days after being admitted with Covid-19.

Just before a scheduled briefing from his doctors, Mr Trump tweeted he would be leaving at 18:30 (22:30 GMT), adding that he felt “really good”.

But questions remain over the seriousness of Mr Trump’s illness after a weekend of conflicting statements.

The true scale of the outbreak at the White House remains unclear.

“Feeling really good!” Mr Trump tweeted.

“Don’t be afraid of Covid. Don’t let it dominate your life. We have developed, under the Trump Administration, some really great drugs & knowledge. I feel better than I did 20 years ago!!”

The president’s discharge comes as more new cases have been reported among White House staff.

At least 12 people close to Mr Trump have now tested positive, as have several junior staff members.

Many of these people went to an event at the White House Rose Garden on 26 September that is now being scrutinised as a “super-spreader event”.

The White House has not revealed how many staff members have tested positive since Mr Trump’s own diagnosis.

Press secretary Kayleigh McEnany became the latest high-profile figure close to the president to confirm a positive test earlier on Monday.

First Lady Melania Trump, senior aides and several Republican senators have also tested positive.

Credits to BBC

SHS and JHS students back to school after COVID-19 break

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Senior High Schools (SHS) in the Tamale Metropolis have used the first day of reopening to register their students as well as take them through some COVID-19 tests.
     
GNA’s tour of some of the SHSs in the metropolis showed few students on school compounds waiting to be taken through the formalities.
     
GNA also observed that dormitories were being cleaned and some beds being rehabilitated to accommodate the students.
     
Some of the SHSs visited included Kalpohin, Tamale, Ghana and Vittin SHS.
     
Mr Abdulai Baba, Assistant Headmaster in-charge of Administration at the Tamale SHS, told the GNA at his office on Monday that registration of students would begin at 1600hours where their temperatures would be taken to ascertain their health status.
     
Mr Baba said no new personal protective equipment was supplied to the school and indicated however that some of the old stock was available and would be used for the meantime.
     
He said about 1,000 students constituting both green and gold tracks of SHS two students were expected at the school, adding that they were to report at the school in their own face masks as the school did not have any available.
     
Madam Ramatu Awudu, Headmistress of Kalpohin SHS, also told the GNA that the school was ready to receive the students.
     
Madam Awudu said personal protective equipment was available to ensure the safety of students.
     
At the Kalpohin Anglican Junior High School A and B (JHS) and Seventh-Day JHS in the Tamale Metropolis, majority of the students reported. They were however engaged in cleaning the schools to make it ready for academic work to begin.
     
Most of the students were not wearing face masks, while school authorities said they were yet to receive personal protective equipment from the government.
     
Second year SHS and JHS students returned to school today after the President announced closure of schools since March following the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country. Universities were earlier reopened in August to enable students complete their academic works.
 
By Albert Futukpor, GNA
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