The African Union’s Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention is joining forces with the APO Group, a leading pan-African communications and business consultancy, to organise regular online press conferences, once every month, to provide Africans with vital information on the continental preparedness and response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as per the mandate given to the Africa CDC by all 55 African heads of state and government.
This support by the APO Group will complement the weekly press briefings that the Africa CDC has been holding every Thursday since March 2020.
The online press conferences will be hosted by Dr. John Nkengasong, Director of the Africa CDC. They will deliver, among others, overviews of the epidemiologic situation at a continental level, progress updates on the African Union’s Partnership for COVID-19 Testing, capacity building being undertaken with and for AU members states, updates on vaccinations and supplies of COVID-19 materials to member states.
“Africa has over 1.3 billion people, and reaching them all with COVID-19 information is a major priority of the African Union, as we work to prevent deaths, save lives and prevent unnecessary harm to economies. These online press conferences with APO Group will provide us with a unique way of connecting with many more people all over Africa than we reach through our regular Thursday morning briefings,” said Dr. Nkengasong.
“This is a practical and commendable example of the African private sector supporting African led efforts to fight COVID-19. The APO Group‘s vast online network gives us the confidence that we will be reaching not only the largest possible media audience but also members of the public all over the continent.”
“Our work with the WHO Africa online press conferences has demonstrated the value of live streaming important press briefings, providing vital news and updates in real-time,” said Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, Founder and Chairman of APO Group.
“We are proud to now be working, once every month, with the African Union through the Africa CDC, as they have the continental mandate from Heads of State and Government to lead the continental response to COVID-19.”
In April, APO Group launched the Coronavirus Initiative for Africa initiative, donating resources and expertise to support African governments, institutions and official organizations in the fight against COVID-19.
