Categories
-
ANU Africa Network
Posted on
by
This website was established in 2013 by David Lucas, and renovated and relaunched in 2020 as part of a project to increase awareness of Africa and African studies in the ANU and the ACT, funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Another outcome of that project was a major research report, published in August 2021, African Studies at the Australian National University and in the Australian Capital Territory, analyzing the past, present and future of the study of Africa at the Australian National University and the wider Australian University sector.
The major innovation on this updated website is the creation of the ACT Africa Expert Directory which lists experts on Africa from institutions around the ACT, primarily the ANU. We will continue to curate this list, offering a key resource for media, government and non-government organizations seeking expert facts and opinions on Africa. Individuals can request to be added to the list by contacting the website managers.
Another notable addition is the expanded directory of PhD theses on Africa produced in the territory’s universities, a solid measure of the vitality of the study of Africa in the city of Canberra.
Reviewing these directories, it is revealing to note that the vast majority of research on Africa is produced by disciplinary experts (environmental scientists, economists, demographers, etc.) rather than area studies experts. This means that the study of Africa is woven into the fabric of the research culture of the ANU and the ACT’s other universities in ways that are not necessarily apparent.
-
Breast Cancer in Northern Ghana: Investigating Factors Associated with Delayed Presentation, Diagnosis and Treatment in Women 18-79 years
Posted on
by
By Iddrisu Bukari
Photo by HuansinAfrica.com About the study:
In 2020, breast cancer accounted for over 21% of all new cancer cases in Ghana, making it the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women. Particularly alarming are the high breast cancer mortalities in Northern Ghana, where delays in diagnosis, and treatment exacerbate the issue. The aim of this PhD is to investigate the breast cancer burden in the region, focusing on women aged 18–79 years. In this study, I will explore breast cancer prevalence, reasons for delay in presentation, diagnosis, and treatment completion, assess health infrastructure and economic barriers, and understand how cultural traditions, religion, and spirituality influence health decisions. Through a mixed-methods approach, I seek to uncover the multifaceted factors contributing to delays in the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of women with breast cancer at health facilities. The study findings will pave the way for targeted policy reforms and interventions, aiming to mitigate the challenges associated with access to and utilization of breast cancer services by Ghanaian women.
About the speaker:
Iddrisu Bukari is currently a PhD candidate in Population Health at NCEPH-ANU. Iddrisu worked as a frontline Public Health Epidemiologist and a Primary Health Organization Manager with the Ghana Health Service with over 10 years’ experience in health programming, strategic planning, management, leadership, coordination, direction, and implementation of health policies. Whilst working as a consultant, Iddrisu played leading roles in providing primary healthcare, maternal and child healthcare services for vulnerable population in West Africa on projects with multinational organizations such as CARE Int., CRS, UNICEF, WFP, and Solidaridad West Africa.
Iddrisu has an established professional reputation in Frontline Public Health Services by leading in innovative health programs within the Ghana Health Service drawing strengths from community context of health programming. He also worked for the NHS and Leonard Chesire Organization as Social Services Programs Manager in the UK. He has an MSc. in Global Health from NTU-Taiwan, an MPH from UHAS-Ghana, and a BSc Public Health from UG-Ghana.
Join physically at the attached address.
Or virtually via Zoom:
ID: 664 998 5055
PASSCODE: 750592
Location
Bob Douglas Lecture Theatre,
62, Mills Road ACTON 2601
Date & Time
11:00 AM – 11.45 AM
April 3, 2024Queries?
Iddrissu Bukari
Email: iddrisu.bukari@anu.edu.au
-
Kalindi on Child Comorbidity in Zambia
Posted on
by
Audrey Kalindi will co-author a paper on ‘Disaggregated Level Child Comorbidity in Zambia: Application of Small Area Estimation method’ at the Population Association of America 2024 Annual Meeting, April 18 , Columbus, Ohio.
https://submissions.mirasmart.com/PAA2024/ViewSubmissionFile.aspx?sbmID=5002&mode=html&validate=false
-
Happy Independence Day, Namibia!
Posted on
by
Yesterday, we commemorated Tunisia’s 68th independence anniversary, and today, we are delighted to spotlight another remarkable African nation nestled along the southwest coast of Africa, gazing out onto the vast expanse of the South Atlantic Ocean—Namibia.
Namibia: The Land of the Brave
Namibia boasts renowned attractions such as the Sossusvlei Dunes, the majestic Spitzkoppe, and the awe-inspiring River Canyon, earning multiple mentions in CNN’s 2019 list of “30 of Africa’s most amazing places to visit.” With tourism contributing 5.7 percent to total employment in 2022, it stands as a robust revenue generator for the country.
The majority of the approximately 2.7 million Namibians (2023 est.) experience a decent standard of living, with an urbanization rate of 54.9% and a life expectancy of 63.7 years (2023 est.). According to recent data from the World Bank, Namibia achieved a literacy rate of 92% in 2021, and in 2023, Yahoo Finance ranked Namibia as the 12th richest country in Africa by GDP per capita, a status supported by its abundance of natural resources. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) listed Namibia among the top 20 mineral-rich countries in Africa in 2010, boasting substantial reserves of diamonds, uranium, copper, gold, and sought-after critical minerals. Unsurprisingly, Namibia is one of Africa’s largest exporters of technology, ranking 11th among Africa’s most technologically advanced nations in 2023, (Yahoo Finance, 2023).
Namibia has achieved these commendable living standards thanks to its relatively developed economy, boasting a GDP of $12.372 billion in 2019 and a per capita income of $9,100 (2021 est.). Consequently, the World Bank classifies Namibia as an upper-middle-income country. Unlike many Sub-Saharan African nations, Namibia’s economy is characterized by substantial service and industrial sectors, accounting for approximately 67% and 26.3%, respectively, with agriculture playing a minor role at just 6.7%.
This economic profile sets Namibia apart from other Sub-Saharan African countries where agriculture serves as the primary economic driver. For instance, Sierra Leone relies heavily on agriculture, contributing over 57% to its GDP in 2022, while Ethiopia similarly depends on agriculture, with the sector accounting for over 37% of its GDP in the same year.
In terms of politics, Namibia’s rich political history encompasses its colonization by Germany in 1884, followed by occupation by South Africa in 1915. After World War II, South Africa annexed the territory and administered it as a mandate until 1988. The journey to independence was marked by the SWAPO guerrilla group’s war of independence, culminating in Namibia gaining its sovereignty in 1990.
SWAPO, now the ruling party, has transitioned from its Marxist roots over the years. President Hage Geingob (who died about a month ago) assumed office in 2015, succeeding Hifikepunye Pohamba, who had served two terms. Geingob’s initial landslide victory in 2014 was followed by his reelection in 2019, albeit with a reduced majority. This marked a shift, as SWAPO narrowly lost its parliamentary supermajority in the same elections. Nangolo Mbumba has assumed the role of interim president of Namibia following the passing of his predecessor, Hage Geingob. This transition comes as Namibia gears up for its upcoming general elections scheduled for November of this year.
Despite significant development strides made in recent decades, Namibia confronts formidable challenges, exacerbated by the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. In 2021, unemployment rates soared, surpassing 20%, with youth unemployment exceeding a staggering 40%. Additionally, Namibia faces considerable debt burdens, with its debt-to-GDP ratio ranking among the highest in Africa, reaching 68.9% in 2022. Amidst these challenges, the country’s growth rate is estimated at 3.1% for the year 2024.
Australia and Namibia share warm diplomatic ties, with Namibia maintaining a consulate in Sydney and Australia reciprocating with an honorary consulate in Windhoek. Remarkably, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals a substantial increase in the Namibian population in Australia, surging by 521% from 330 individuals in 1996 to 1,720 in 2020.
In terms of trade, figures from Trading Economics indicate robust economic engagement between the two nations. Namibia’s imports from Australia reached US$27.85 billion in 2022, while Australia imported US$8.78 million during the same period. These statistics underscore the significant economic, social, and political potential for collaboration between Australia and Namibia.
Happy 34th Independence, Namibia!
This data and analysis was compiled by Joel Odota, a Master of International Relations student at the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific, for the ASN. Joel also volunteers for the ASN as a media representative, supporting website maintenance and the management of the network’s social media platforms.