this me to a foreign planet. in the 16th century, it meant being a captain and setting sail to discover a route. a race linked to military interests, a race linked to political and military proceed, but also to my financial adventure full of hardships, dangers, and death. my jillions journey around the world starts january 19th on d. w with this is deed of the news africa coming off on the program. it's a new year with new challenges and opportunities. so west africa headed as the continent takes huge strides in containing disease outbreaks. the head of the african unions, public health department speaks to d. w on plans to improve on these gains emotional reunions

as a t o p as t gray region opens up again after 2 years of fighting. we asked if at how the sci fi will hold with less than 2 months before africa most populous country choose. as the next president will look at the mountain of tasks awaiting nigeria. next leader and redressing the balance in the narrative about africa would meet the entropy now on a mission to have the continent better depicted in the media. ah, i'm told me already. well, thanks for joining us this new year. how does africa plan to tackle health threats in 2023. few years have been marked by several health emergencies,

including the coven 19 pandemic, which has posed a serious challenge not only to public health, but also to economies and livelihoods. the continent also faces health threats from other infectious diseases, from humanitarian crises and the rising burden of chronic illnesses, such as cancer and diabetes. every year, according to the world health organization, africa faces more than a 100 health emergencies. more than any other region in the world. we can now welcome to the program doctor, am at oklahoma, the acting director of the african unions centers for disease control. he joins us from addis ababa. thank you for joining us on the program. dr. oma, now the continent has faced major health care challenges recently, yet it's coped with outbreaks like covert and abolla better than some predicted. what do you think this says about the continent?

states of preparedness for these threats? thank you for having me. been member over public health events that we've dealt with throughout 2022. for example. these in excess of a dozen, although the most known ones will be covered under a boiler. we packed is a very simple principle. and that is building the capacity of our member state to be able to respond to any immediate outbreak and then providing them with the support technical financial. and otherwise we actually need to be able to bring that control that, that particular out big and a control. these means that we, the time the continent has built very good capacity for responding to some of these outbreaks. we have built very good networks across the continent of supporting each

other whenever we need to respond to a large how to break. and we have also built very good trust with our leaders, their political leaders, with our partners and our, with the private sector, the members of the public on the continent. that means that when we move, we move as a team and this has resulted in the good results that you see with covet our, with the rapid control of it balling uganda and d, c and other places. right? and on that note what, what lessons, for example from these, these incidents, these events are you taking forwards in your role as we move into the new year and a into a new phase 5 because it is see a few things that i'll share 3 that we really need to do to ensure that we continue to have good success on the continent for outbreak. prevention and control. one is only wanting systems. we know pathogens are they in the community and we know they

will circulate because it's the nature of viruses and bacteria and others. to do that. what we need to do is we must know when an outbreak has a card and we are able to respond rapidly to keep the big small. so early warning systems at country level is the key thing in health security for the continent. second thing that we must do is to strengthen our institutions that are designed to respond to public. whether it is national public health institute, whether it is national, c, d, c. whether it is a national research institutions, whether it is a health facilities that are used to take care of those. what on? well, the national level institutions must be strong because when you have those a strengthen, then you have reaction time shot it. the 3rd thing that we must be able to do to, to keep resilience is locker production. we cannot wait for test gets to come from

elsewhere, are for us to be able to respond rapidly. we cannot wait for vaccines to be consumed to the fullness of populations elsewhere before we start vaccinating ourselves. lock on production of simple things like mosques, complex things like vaccines. we must do it here on the continent. and all these are embodied in what we call the new public health order, which we as africa, c, d, c, are coordinating, and leading its implementation here on the continent of africa. you talk about these, these achievements, the success is they've also been african scientists, for example, who received some recognition for their work during the coven pandemic. what do you think the rest of the world is listening and learning from these frontline experiences and africa? the yeah. use my simple answer because to be a we have been sharing our experiences very robustly across the continent in every

platform that are we invited to share. and the world is also seeing the results of what we do and be asking. and the are many countries that have come to ask, how did we do this? and how did we do the other? but apart from being asked, what we decided to do is to ensure that all our experiences have been well captured in our strategies and our engagement with other institutions that we, if someone doesn't have to ask, we be sharing on a really regular basis. and i am very confident that going forward. africa is going to be a leader in health security. we're not going to be the ones we to the end of the queue anymore. great. dr. alan or girl oma, acting director of the africa, c, d. c. thank you very much for speaking to us. thank you for having me. ah, to if the o p. a now where there are hopes of peace at last. after 2 years of

a bitter war, the government, antique ran forces recently agreed to stop fighting. but that was after tens of thousands of people had been killed and millions more displaced in one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. the truce has now reopened the t guar region and passenger flights have just resumed, allowing many people from the region to re unite with their loved ones. this is an emotional moment as the 1st flights arrived back in mikella, the civil war left he cry. lastly, cut off from the rest of the world. finally, families are being re united with now cubby said was just my mother in charlotte, emily, and i did not see them for 2 years. and now we are very happy to have this opportunity. i flew in for addison, my sister came from london to reunite well,

i think it's over tea and italy, sisters. my family with with the guns have fallen silent. the regional party open on getting much needed, aid is flowing back in and some phone and internet connections have been restored. the conflict has caused immense hom, not only to the people. hospitals have been damaged and destroyed water, electricity, and medicines. i'm short supply with there's no way we haven't gone to hide with our children without a mattress to cup of water to drink. anything to cook with. just us try to save our lives. the elderly novels with children and many others have been through tremendous difficulties. many have died if he'll be,

was ruled for 3 decades by to quiet people's liberation front r t p l f. but when prime minister be armed came to power, he formed the coalition that lift out to peel. if members that resentment turned to be bolt and then full blown conflict, the war has created one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. and now hundreds of thousands on the brink of famine, a children under 5 years and malnourished. we can't save some of these children just with medicine. they need food, and we haven't received food yet. we give the children medicine now and may come back the 2nd day in a worse condition. while many here still need urgent help. the fate will depend on the warring parties sticking to a fragile truce. joining the program now is that i am a senior advisor in peace and constitution building at the international institute

for democracy and electoral assistance in the hague. m. hi, welcome to the dublin years africa. it appears as if the guns have been silenced in tea. greg, from your point of view is the war over i thank you for having me was that the war is not. busy over i think the country is, remains in the words, at the same time, there has been significant progress. and i think any fears that the piston might collapse mediately subside by. now that the region has been reconnected largely, he material the situation has improved and even commercial drives have started in some areas of to grow. but there's still a lot of challenge that remain including the issue of every tyria withdrawal. and of course, the resolution of identity land issues are between to gray and i'm hard reaches are so yes, there is progress and i think the piece is likely to hold,

but there's still a lot of milestones to richard. what will be some of those key signs that indicate that this piece is genuine and sustainable? i think for it to hold the 1st, the entire in government integrate has to be established. and for that to happen, the federal government has to leave the designation of the t p, a left the ruling party in think right as a terrorist organization. and for that to happen, they have to find the agreement for some reason the resolution to the land disputes between amara and to go and so other say there is a good start. i think there's a lot of confidence building measures that i've been taken so far. but the what is coming definitely is more challenging, politically, but also in terms of the resource it needs. now we know there were a lot of atrocities reported that happened in c cry as the fighting went on. we'll

probably be hearing more about these, these stories as, as more people get together, families are reunited. could some of these revelations threaten the piece? and indeed, you know, it has been a very, very atrocious war. indeed, all sides have been implicated in violations. as you know, that originated reconnected, now we were see were hear more stories. and part of the did the deal in the agreement is that there would be an accountability mechanism, transitional justice mechanism. and, and those institutions, those processes would have to hear the voice that are coming out of to go right now and consider them and find the appropriate solutions in terms of when going forward . and so, yes, there will be, there are 2 cities. i don't think they were, they were, you know, during the process, but they would provide important resources for the transitional justice mechanism that the piecemeal anticipates. how can the leaders who signed

a cease fire bring the whole nation on board to prevent people from harboring ethnic resentments on the wall? i think, you know, the, the question of a city as the, as a driving force of conflict of politics and all of that is a major issue that affects on just the northern part of the country. not just to grow and i'm her, but the broader nation at large. and there is an anticipated as a plan national diver process that will be central to addressing the broader issues that the still focus. it's are mainly on finding a solution to the conflict in the morse, but there are broader issues that the national data courses would have to have to achieve essentially, you know, the piece process itself is a difficult one. but once we take that box, we also have to find a solution to the broader issues that will involve the entire country. and so in that process, there will be a role for all groups,

including that the grimes and the federal government. ok, adam of ebay, thank you very much for speaking to us. ah, you're watching the w news africa still to come. we hear from the media entropy now working to change the popular one sided narrative about africa. the 1st we turn to nigeria in just under 2 months, africa, most populous country will be choosing a new president. it's a crucial vote for nigerians in common head of state mom, a double harry is finishing his 2nd term, but leaving behind a struggling economy and troubling security challenges is dw flourish to cora with a look at the massive task awaiting my jury is next president. many experts are describing the upcoming elections as push out to the future direction of each area

. the new presidents will inherit a truck load of serious problems to tackle. perhaps the most important to be economy, nigeria is neck deep in depth. the currency is at its lowest value ever, and prices for every thing of sorry, you've unemployment is an all time type. a research report said 63 percent of nigerians are multi domission. i need for the lack money education and infrastructure well. so for you, as often as you know, look was the, this is recession, there is, well, for, you want to go to work now from 200, no appeal, 500. everything is expensive for free. so we just need a good clean fun to who we are walking on the street to see so more like swimming the biggest and they would you see graduates working with economy, hardship, and lack of field insecurity. many young people tend to prime and kidnapping around

. so to get money, find the tree is white spread. an insurgency against authorities from groups like vocal hierarchy is also still a problem. many people feel that the government has left them on their own. all the time scully, i'm rover in and others is in the country. so noise happening in is going to do. most of us a good long do what i expected of them to do. we go see the go me. they only take care of themselves to go to our family. we don't care about the masses or anything through with us go to doesn't go to the struggling economy and white spread insecurity at the 2 major problems are within the next president. the aspect of everything else, education, hell, be environmental. thank you and god has know that nothing can change over what is the way of switching. so many changes in terms of security,

economy or social welfare, a get that get it. now what happens here? thank you. area has the biggest population in africa. it's carry huge economy with africa and major political employ across the region. if a new government area to what a better economy, we sure it will benefit millions of people at home. and that brought joining us now from lagos, is ye me? i don't want to call the executive director of enough. is enough nigeria, it's a citizens network aimed at promoting good governance and public accountability. hi yameen. welcome to the program. now nigeria is approaching, i major democratic test in less than 2 months time with the elections. would you

say my jury is ready? well, yes and no. i think yes because that isn't the eager. get it over and done. it's been our election cycle ever knew. electra, we got lost extended campaign, so i extended the process we much longer. so it's gotten a bit kind of wary. but the other side of it is the country ready from a security perspective election management, body perspective, politicians perspective. not so sure. the last few years have been increasingly tough for nigerians. are you seeing any indications that they have faith in this democratic process as you're saying, you're not so sure the countries ready, but do you think these people see this process as a way out of their troubles? but as i said, i think citizens already because they want to vote,

they want to participate in san antonio point. it's been a very difficult 8 years. and so there's a sense of and a lot of civic education has happened. so citizen feel that they have a state and again, and this election, an opportunity for them to express their discontent if i want to use that. but when i say the country is not ready, it's really more in terms of the process of the election. as i said longer election period that we've, an election management body has had to move, for example, twice the dates where people can pick up their business cards that they need to. so that's gotten it, people have been anxious. there's been quite a number of attacks on the election management bodies offices, especially in the south eastern part of the country and just a general state of insecurity in the country. so those are sort of the environmental issues that i see makes it a bit difficult and some have been ready for an election, but citizens or stephanie ready to go and participate in the process. and i guess that speaks to some of the, in the past in elections as a part of

a democratic process. right. and what opportunities do you think these elections provide? nigeria both internally and on the international skill m internally b sullivan? another test of the fact of handing over power peacefully. might we change parties at the possibility? i think also for young people who are coming from n sauce 2 years ago, i suddenly awake and wanting to be part of that process. it's also an opportunity to see how much they're sort of anger and then will be lies ation efforts in people coming out to vote. and in some cases, hopefully getting their preferred candidates to win on a sort of regional and international. and it would be good to have a president who speaks a bit more who's a bit more tickets, who's a bit more able to present nigeria as a quote unquote giant of africa in the fullness that he deserves. president barry

has not done that at all. and you'll be really nice to have a president, a leader that's able to show what i j is about. i really cast a vision for nigeria that helps bring the country forward. and it's unifying in language and in action. yeah. me at a molecule of e i. e, a. nigeria. thank you very much for your time. ah. the nigerian writer, cham amanda at ha, one spoke about the danger of a single story. and this refers to the one sided view of africa often depicted in the west as a hopeless continent, plague with poverty, corruption, and disease. much of this comes from the western lead media t w's. christine woodward, met the journalist and entropy. new maki mccord who is challenging this head on to bring balance to the narrative about africa. when maki mccord has started with media korea in the 1980s,

stories about africa consistently portrayed the continent in the way she felt was lacking in balance, to sense of injustice in the story telling the ways stories were that depicted us and i used to be in london i, i lived in london for a long time and i remember 1985 seminal moment with a lot of people in this generation for we don't remember, but that's live a that's when live it started. it was the feed, the world it was, you know, then michael jackson song came and it was just all this, you know, feed the starving, pour in africa. and it struck me that i'm african levels, not africa, that i knew from then mock he set out to change the median narrative of africa by showcasing another side of the continent. i mean the soccer in zambia. in fact, i'm in dire salaam in tanzania, and i remember putting in mozambique downtown nairobi. in fact, i'm in lagos, but i'm here to meet one of the most passionate polo players. i did my own series called living it, which is about lifestyles of wealthy africans. because at the time i thought they

went and it was enough representation of middle class africans. it was always the poverty stories of what my long time ago i've been doing this. i'm also read a book about africa's great on to entrepreneurs, which was about showcasing our business leaders to day maki heads and non profit organization called african no filter, which is investing in stories about africa that inspire hope and pride. we are in narrative change organization that's on mission in life. we know the only way to change narrative is to change the underlying story. so we essentially work with storytellers. we give out about a $1000000.00 a year in grants, to storytellers, to journalists, and to story tellers in the arts and culture space. that sounds about good news because a lot of things that happen that are not good. it's about balanced representation. today, there are more and more stories about africa being told by africans, content streaming platforms like netflix of a selection, films, and documentaries, but the reporting of poverty conflict,

disease and disaster is so prevalent in news coverage, even when it's africans reporting on africa. one of the reasons is because of limited resources about a 3rd of african stories reported in. i'll click on the continent is sourced from foreign news services. and more often than not, this content continues to feed old stereotypes this year, african nathan will be releasing an index ranking the top 20 global media outlets on how they cover africa. and the idea is not to be a stick. we're not trying to beat media rap where she tried to show what good looks like, because that's what we're worried about. we're about better storytelling about africa . from monkeys perspective. in order to achieve that, the emphasis has to be on empowering african storytellers. last, we and the program today looking ahead at what and who's going to be shaping our future of a new african magazine recently released its annual list of the top 100 most

influential africans, many of whom we spoke to last year, more chemical road whom we just heard from is one of those celebrated on the list. here are a few others by for now and wish you a fulfilling 20? 23. ah. with

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