São Tomé Roundup: Migration, Covid-19 cases, agricultural advancement
Agricultural donations
Serbia has donated 20 tonnes of seeds to São Tomé and Príncipe towards the increase of its local corn production for both citizens and animal feed production, local news outlet Tela Non reported. “Currently the seeds we have are around two to three tons per hectare and receiving a seed that will give us around 14 tons is logical that we will see our production increase,” Abel Bom Jesus, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries was quoted.
Digitalization of Justice System
The President of São Tomé’s Supreme Court of Justice (STJ), Henrique Araújo, has called for joint efforts with Portuguese-speaking territories to advance the implementation of technologies for the progress of justice. Speaking on the sidelines of the 11th Forum of the Presidents of the Supreme Courts of Justice of Portuguese-speaking Countries and Territories, he noted that the move will help balance the disparities among countries that are not advanced in digitalization, Jornal Transperencia reports.
Agricultural advancements
The Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System in São Tomé and Príncipe, Eric Overvest, and the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries, Abel Bom Jesus, inaugurated a drainage and irrigation system for the agricultural fields of Camavo, Cantagalo District. This was done on November 24 under the Joint United Nations Project, “Promoting Local Food Value Chains and Equitable Employment Opportunities Through a Sustainable Agri-Food Industry in São Tomé and Príncipe.” The project will benefit more than 60 farmers from the Camavo Farmers Association, local news outlet Journal Tropical reports.
Covid-19 resurfaces
Rising numbers of Covid-19 cases in São Tomé in recent weeks have necessitated a directive from the country’s Health Ministry for all citizens to wear masks. This directive is mandatory and should be adhered to inside institutions, closed spaces, and crowded places. The alert, according to Jornal Transparencia applies mainly to persons who have had contact with symptomatic people, the population with risk factors and professionals who work in closed places with poor ventilation.
Migration
The president of the Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe has expressed concern about recent migration figures in many African countries including São Tomé and Príncipe, Tela Non reports. According to Carlos Vila Nova, around a quarter of the country’s population left the country to seek greener pastures.
