Sarah Johnson

US destruction of contraceptives denies 1.4m African women and girls lifesaving care, NGO says Incineration of $9.7m of contraceptives to lead to 174,000 unintended pregnancies and 56,000 unsafe abortions, IPPF says

A senseless waste of vital resources that could have helped over 1.4 million women and girls in Africa. Agonising reminder of how ideology can tragically override compassion and reason.

From Sri Lanka to Tanzania: the pioneering hotels run entirely by women In countries where tourism is still a male domain, all-female establishments are providing much-needed job opportunities

I saw that Amba Yaalu, the first entirely female-run hotel, had opened in Sri Lanka earlier this year and had to find out more. It turns out it isn't the only hotel solely operated by women ... www.theguardian.com/global-devel...

A fundraiser has been set up here: gofund.me/0798200c and Alhassan Fatawu, who lost his stall, has one for him and colleagues: gofund.me/060c6136

Massive cleanup under way in Ghana after fire destroys one of world’s biggest secondhand markets Thousands of traders face ruin after blaze razes two-thirds of Accra’s Kantamanto, which receives an estimated 15m used clothes from global north each week

So sad to hear about the huge fire that has devastated Kantamanto market in Accra, Ghana. It is one of the largest secondhand clothes markets in the world. I visited in 2023 and found it a thriving and bustling place, albeit with problems.
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...

Snoop Dogg and Dr Dre sample song by London learning disabilities charity Prolific US hip-hop artists have used the track Watermelon Fantasy, created in 2018 by Daylight Studio

Possibly the most uplifting story I've written in 2024.
Watermelon Fantasy, a song written by 3 people with learning disabilities and produced by 2 music pros, was sampled by Snoop Dogg and Dr Dre for Outta Da Blue from album Missionary.
Happy New Year! www.theguardian.com/music/2024/d...